Oriire Kidnap: Oyo City Boy Movement Director, Onireti Donates Medical Supplies To Esinele Community, Supports Oyedokun’s Family With ₦1m, Schorlarships

The Director of City Boys Movement in Oyo State, Hon. Olufemi Onireti, has donated medical equipment and other healthcare supplies to the people of Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The donation was made during a condolence and solidarity visit to the community following the recent abduction of teachers and pupils in the area.

Speaking during the visit, Onireti expressed optimism that the kidnapped teachers and pupils would soon regain their freedom, noting that government authorities were actively working to secure their safe return.

He urged residents to remain hopeful and prayerful, assuring them that efforts by security agencies and relevant stakeholders were yielding positive results.

"We have the assurance that the teachers and pupils will return in peace. Government is working tirelessly to ensure their safe release. We are here to identify with the people of Esinele and to support the community in this difficult period," he said.

An emotional moment occurred during the visit when Hon. Olufemi Onireti was overwhelmed with emotion and broke down in tears while addressing mothers and relatives of the abducted teachers and pupils.
Struggling to hold back his emotions as some of the women wept openly, Onireti assured them that their loved ones would return safely.
He urged them not to lose hope, stressing that the government and security agencies were doing everything possible to secure their release.
"Your children will return in peace. We share in your pain, and we will continue to pray and support you until they are reunited with their families," he said, drawing further tears from many members of the gathering.

Onireti added that the medical supplies donated to the community would improve access to basic healthcare services and provide relief to residents.

As part of the visit, the City Boys Movement director also presented a cash donation of ₦1 million to the family of late Michael Oyedokun, one of the teachers affected by the tragic incident.

He further announced scholarship awards for the late teacher's sons, Oyedokun Abiodun and Samuel Oyedokun, to support their educational pursuits.

The Elesinele of Esinele, High Chief Tajudeen Abioye, commended both the Federal and Oyo State Governments for their interventions and support since the unfortunate incident occurred.

He specifically appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde for their concern and commitment toward resolving the situation.

According to the traditional leader, government emissaries who have visited the community assured residents that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the abducted teachers and pupils.

Abioye, however, appealed to the authorities to intensify and expedite actions aimed at ensuring the victims regain their freedom without delay.

"We appreciate the Federal and State Governments for standing by us during this difficult time. We have received assurances from government representatives that the teachers and pupils will be released. We appeal that all necessary steps be taken to hasten their return to their families," he said.

The visit brought hope and encouragement to residents, as community leaders and stakeholders continued to seek the safe return of the abducted teachers and pupils while supporting affected families.


E-signed:

Olufemi Onireti,
Director,
CBM, Oyo State.
June 10, 2026

Tunde Aganbi for Burial at Koko

 

The remains of Elder Emmanuel Tunde Oludewa Aganbi will be buried in his Koko hometown in Delta State, a top member of the family said Monday morning.

A younger brother to the late respected member of the board of trustees for the Canaan Land Golf Course and Country Club, Hon. Felix Aganbi, confirmed this to news men in Koko.

Elder Emmanuel Tunde Aganbi passed away on Friday, April 24, 2026, in Abuja, just a few weeks before his 74th birthday.

Felix Aganbi said the burial of Elder Aganbi would come up on Friday, June 26, 2026 in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area.

He praised Elder Tunde Aganbi for his contributions to the Itsekiri nation and the business community.

He also applauded Elder Aganbi for his unique leadership style, deep commitment to the  community and untiring efforts at building and sustaining the unity of the family.

"Elder Emmanuel Tunde Aganbi served God and humanity to the end."

The funeral program, according to the family will kick off with a Service of Songs on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at the Christiana Aganbi Hall, Canaan Land Golf Course and Country Club.

“An Open-Air Service and interment will follow on Friday, June 26, 2026 at Canaan land Golf Course and Country Club while a memorial golf tournament and traditional burial rites are scheduled for Saturday, July 27, 2026 in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area" he added. 

 

Credit: Hon. Felix Aganbi

 

 

 

Chris Iyovwaye’s governorship bid receives backing

......Surprise awaits APC, says Akpederin

 

......Insists Deltans living in squalor, deprivation on all fronts

 

Prominent Delta lawyer, Kingsley Akpederin, on Monday said Chris Iyovwaye’s quest for the Government House Asaba is to usher Delta State into a glorious dawn.

 

“We thank God that Deltans now have the opportunity to get a Governor that would drastically move from the trajectory of the recent past. Deltans with Chris Iyovwaye will now know how a state government can get back their ailing or dead industries so jobs would be surplus. Deltans would soon generate and distribute their own electricity that is affordable. And with Chris Iyovwaye, the state would be an interested player in securing every part of the state with a vibrant Forest Guard (among other security plans) that protects all forests and farmlands of the state including all areas which appear to be ungoverned.”

 

He also described the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), governorship candidate as the surprise package of the 2027 elections in Delta State

 

“In 2023, many political pundits dismissed Peter Obi. They labeled his support as just social media based. Now, there is hardly any move that the ruling party makes today that is not influenced by the pole position of Peter Obi. Many Deltans do not know Deacon Chris Iyovwaye. But those around the Peter Obi Movement otherwise known as the Obidient Movement have known him from 2023 as a bulwark in Delta State in the struggle to do things differently in Nigeria led by Peter Obi. That was why without so much noise, he became the front runner in the contest for the governorship ticket of the platform of Peter Obi and associates. In the Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), he is known all over Nigeria. Whoever therefore does not take the candidacy of Deacon Chris Iyovwaye seriously should better think again and prepare to realign with him as he would soon prove to be the surprise package of the 2027 Elections in Delta State.”

 

Akpederin told journalists in Asaba that the masses under a free and fair election will reject the ruling party in Delta State.

 

“Deacon Chris Iyovwaye and his teaming supporters will create an upset in the coming elections in Delta State. As Omo Agege, Victor Ochie, Prof. Pat Utomi, Dr. Austin Orette, and several other progressive political leaders stand firmly with Deacon Chris, who is positioned to mobilize the vast majority of the youths and women of the state, he is surely the candidate to beat in the coming elections in Delta State. Some analysts, especially of the ruling party, limit themselves to the past. They are oblivious of the fact that many Deltans have been regretting the absence of a strong candidate that represents a departure from how things have been done in Delta State.”

 

He said the majority of the people are groaning under the heavy burden of poverty.

 

“How can the ultimate performance or report card of the government of a state that has  allocations from the Federation Account that is four times what most other states receive, be roads and a few bridges? How can a state whose internally generated revenue is thrice or more of most other states pay the same minimum wage to its workers as other states when the cost of living in Delta State is far higher than that of most other states?

 

According to Akpederin, the people of Delta State have appeared like strangers in their own land for a long time now.

 

“The National leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress did not find it difficult to concur with the overwhelming decision of the membership of the party in Delta State that voted nearly one way for Deacon Chris Iyovwaye to be the gubernatorial flag bearer of the party in Delta State. This is because Deacon Chris has been prepared to lead the Delta people's takeover of their state. For a long time now, the people of Delta State have appeared like strangers in their own land. Poverty has made the vast majority of the people of Delta State to be low in confidence in speaking about the affairs of their state. But now, with Deacon Chris, many people would soon come out of the trenches to demand to take their state back. Now that the good people of Delta State have this kind of a selfless but fully prepared personality to serve them, their spirit rises for action. For how prepared Deacon Chris is, in a few weeks, most Deltans will start feeling the fresh air that this specially incubated and prepared personality will bring.”

 

Akpederin lamented the cost of servicing numerous godfathers and political old horses.

 

“Deacon Chris Iyovwaye is fully prepared for the task of resetting Delta State. He is prepared to take the state from the firm grip of numerous godfathers and political old horses that are serviced with a huge chunk of what the state gets from both Federation Account Allocation and internally generated revenue. He is prepared to get the wealth of Delta State for the benefit of the people by industrializing the state and building infrastructure that would support agriculture, manufacturing and the state economy generally. We cannot be a rich state and yet have the people living in squalor and deprivation on all fronts.”

 

Credit: Henry Ovie

Uduaghan distances self from "focus more on kitchen duties" story

 

The Alema of Warri, Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, has distanced himself from a story credited to him by Daily Post Media.

 

Uduaghan in a statement in Abigborodo accused the newspaper of spreading misinformation, misleading readers and attempting to damage his reputation.

 

“I have so much respect for the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. I also know her importance in the country.”

 

The Warri High Chief stressed on accurate attribution and responsible journalism.

 

“Journalism is the practice of the art of the specific. I have no connection with that video and news story.”

 

Uduaghan promised to lodge a lawsuit over false attribution.

 

He also asked the management of Daily Post Media to immediately pull down the news story or update it with the proper attribution.

 

Credit: Henry Ovie

 

Abuja Fever: A Disease of Power, Greed, and Political Manipulation

 By Dr Austin Orette

 

Since the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) primary election of May 29, I have been ruminating on one troubling question: Why are party officials withholding the results of the primary election? Whose interests are these leaders serving?

 

It is wrong to keep the people in darkness. Democracy is founded on transparency, accountability, and respect for the will of the people. In a true democracy, the collective choice of citizens must prevail over the pecuniary interests of an elitist minority.

 

During my reflections, I arrived at a disturbing observation. Since the advent of the present democratic dispensation, it has become increasingly rare for an incumbent to lose an election, regardless of poor performance. This statistical anomaly suggests that, in many cases, what takes place in Nigeria is not an election but a selection.

 

These selections have produced a class of individuals who accumulate enormous power at the expense of the very people who voted for them. Elections have increasingly become cultural rituals in which the will of the people is subordinated to the whims of a privileged few. These individuals have evolved into political godfathers who trample upon the rule of law and make a mockery of the democratic process.

 

If party leaders believe they possess the authority to handpick candidates, why organize primary elections at all? They could simply announce their preferred candidates and spare the people the charade.

 

Since the refusal to release the results of the primary election, many individuals have been making pilgrimages to Abuja. Why? Are they attempting to negotiate the mandate of voters in exchange for the preferences of unelected party power brokers?

 

Who are these party leaders? How did they become leaders? It is increasingly evident that many of them were themselves selected rather than elected. Consequently, they remain accountable not to citizens but to their political benefactors.

 

This is why we continue to suffer. Their loyalty is to Abuja, not to the people. They cannot rock the boat because they are products of the very system they seek to preserve. Their mission is to recruit new acolytes who think alike and who will perpetuate the same culture of obedience to power rather than service to the people.

 

This is not democracy. Under the rubric of democracy, transparency is indispensable, and the rule of law is supreme. The absence of these values has nurtured the decay that now afflicts our nation. Progress remains elusive because we continue to drink from the toxic brew served in the dirty vessels of failed leadership.

 

Many of those who should be champions of development have instead become champions of decadence. Under such leadership, every essential public service has been compromised. The hospital in my village has become little more than a mortuary. Electricity is a luxury. Criminals parade our streets with impunity, sometimes in the company of politicians, taunting ordinary citizens because they, like their selected patrons, believe themselves to be above the law.

 

Politicians now negotiate and hobnob with armed robbers and kidnappers. Nothing appears sacred anymore. The moral foundations of society are steadily eroding. We have all become infected with what I call Abuja Fever—a disease of power, greed, and political manipulation that demands the sacrifice of truth, justice, and the people's mandate.

 

 

Dr. Austin Orette, NDC Delta South Senatorial Candidate, Writes From Owhelogbo In Isoko North Local Government Area

 

Delta NDC Stakeholders Flay Delay In Official Results Announcement

.......Task Dickson, Obi, Others On Transparency

 

 

Notable stakeholders of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Delta South have lamented the continued delay in the official announcement of the results of the party's recently concluded primary elections.

 

‘’As a political movement seeking to redefine governance and democratic participation in Nigeria, the NDC must continue to distinguish itself through transparency, responsiveness, and accountability’’.

 

They also urged the leadership of the party to release the official results of the primary elections without further delay.

 

‘’The delegates who cast their votes deserve to know the outcome of the process. Party members deserve clarity. Nigerians who have invested hope in the NDC deserve evidence that the party remains committed to the democratic principles it has consistently advocated’’.

 

The committed stakeholders in the democratic future of Nigeria and supporters of the ideals upon which the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was founded in a statement on Sunday urged the party’s national leadership to provide a clear explanation regarding the reasons for the prolonged announcement process.

 

‘’Democracy flourishes when the people are informed. Confidence grows when institutions are transparent. Trust is strengthened when leaders communicate openly. The delegates have voted. The members are waiting. The nation is watching. The leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress now has an opportunity to reinforce public confidence by acting swiftly in the interest of transparency and democratic accountability’’.

 

The statement signed by the Coordinator of Advocate for Transparency, Accountability, and Democratic Participation, Dr. Benedict Ferife urged the national leadership of the party to reassure members and the Nigerian public that the integrity of the electoral process remains fully protected.

 

The statement released in Ozoro advised the national leadership of the party to demonstrate, through action, the democratic values that have positioned the NDC as a credible alternative in Nigeria's political landscape.

 

Titled ‘’Transparency Delayed Is Confidence Tested’’, the party stakeholders said the NDC emerged with a promise to Nigerians.

 

‘’The NDC emerged with a promise of transparency, accountability, internal democracy, and a genuine departure from the political practices that have weakened public confidence in our democratic institutions. It is this promise that has attracted the support, hope, and commitment of many Nigerians seeking a new political direction’’.

 

According to the statement, party faithful, delegates, supporters, and observers are increasingly anxious over the absence of an official declaration of results more than twenty-four hours after voting was concluded.

 

‘’While we recognize that verification and administrative procedures may be necessary, transparency demands that the party keeps its members and supporters adequately informed. Silence and prolonged delays, however unintended, can create uncertainty and fuel speculation, thereby undermining confidence in an otherwise credible process’’.

 

The stakeholders called for openness, prompt communication and reassurance.

 

‘’This appeal is not intended to question the integrity of the primary election. Rather, it is a call for openness, prompt communication, and reassurance to the thousands of members and supporters who participated in and closely followed the exercise. This appeal is made in good faith and in the best interest of the party, its members, and the democratic aspirations of Nigerians’’.

 

 

Credit: Hector Spiff

 

Historic N77.3B April Revenue Generation At Customs Port Harcourt Area 11 Command Onne Excites Oganuzo

 By  Bon Peters i

 

A frontline Maritime expert and chairman/ Chief executive officer of Odest Global Resources  ltd, a Customs Bonded Terminal Operator based in Port Harcourt, Mr Chidera Oganuzo has expressed satisfaction with the historic revenue generation of  N77.3B in April 2026, at the Port Harcourt Area 11 command of the Nigeria Customs Service  Onne, describing it as unprecedented and monumental  in the history of the command.

 

Oganuzo stated this in an  interview with our Correspondent in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state Capital recently.

 

He  argued that such feat can only be achieved through dedication, commitment and professionalism even as he applauded the determination, steadfastness, and the insistence of the Area Controller, Comptroller Aliyu Mohammed Alkali on cargo clearance procedures and documentation.

 

The Bonded Terminal chief, recalled that since  assumption of office last year, Comptroller Alkali has demonstrated uncommon zeal in trade facilitation and revenue generation, posting an impressive N76.07B in October 2025, but has surpassed it with over N1B which he insisted underscored his unwavering commitment and determination for revenue generation,  trade facilitation and anti- smuggling activities at the command.

 

He also noted that  from January to April this year, the Onne Customs boss  has generated over N258B and intercepted about 17 containers of Illicit consignments worth over N2B which according to him, has shown that Comptroller Alkali is a thorough breed Customs officer.

 

Speaking further,he added " what is happening at Onne goes a long way to show how synergy, collaboration and innovation can drive results."

 

"Comptroller Alkali has demonstrated the will to carry everybody along by creating a robust synergy between the agents Bonded Terminal operators, sister government agencies and officers and men of his command and the result is what we're seeing today " 

 

"Am very much excited with the level of stakeholder engagements and professionalism exhibited by the Area Controller." 

"I am giving him my assurance that on our own no unwholesome goods will exit our terminal."

 

"And we will continue to work with him and strictly adhere to the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, PhD policy thrust to generate revenue, facilitate Trade and fight Smuggling" Oganuzo stated.

 

Buttressing the importance of Bonded Terminals, he noted that the establishment of Bonded Terminals have helped in trade facilitation and decongestion of the Ports . Adding that Bonded Terminals also account for the increase in revenue generation and ease of doing business at Onne.

 

On the relationship between him and the command, he noted that  the relationship is cordial and vowed to sustain it even as he used the opportunity to thank the officers and men of the customs Area 11 command for their good ethical conduct in placing the interest of the federal government above theirs, noting that with the calibre of officers and men under the leadership of Comptroller Alkali, more revenue would be generated to the federal government coffers assuring his customers that Odest Global Resources would not leave any stone unturned in  ensuring customer satisfaction by  releasing their containers in time.

 

Oganuzo enjoined  other Port users to ensure compliance and avoid anything that will undermine the maritime business especially in the Eastern corridor of Nigeria.

 

Akpederin Speaks On House Of Representatives Bid

....Lays out His Agenda

 

....Promises to Make Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency More Prosperous

 

Prominent Delta lawyer and politician, Kingsley Akpederin, has attributed his House of Representatives bid to the decision of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) stakeholders in Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency and the need for the party to put forward its best in the 2027 elections.

 

“Politics is collective and the bid for public office and especially that of which stage to aspire to represent is not left out. The NDC being one which is attracting massive interest now has decided to put forward its best as much as possible. I didn't even know that many stakeholders of the party and especially those of my area of Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency have been having a conversation as to whom to encourage for the House of Representatives position.”

 

He told journalists in Abuja how the position was concretized during a caucus meeting at the party's state secretariat, for him to represent the party in the federal constituency.

 

“I must reveal that at the beginning of consultations to decide on whether it is the House of Assembly or the House of Representatives I should go for, the support for the latter was substantial. I needed to expand the conversation beyond the Sapele Constituency before coming out fully. Now that the party stakeholders clearly endorsed me for the position and that I should immediately do the switch before the ruling party sponsors someone to hijack it with their resources, I have taken the bold step to declare for the House Representatives for the Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie Federal Constituency. I have undergone the party’s screening process with the national leadership in Abuja and we are good to go. The people of OSU Federal now have the opportunity for some breath of fresh air and a completely different orientation in representation that places premium on constant feedback with the people.”

 

Akpederin said that he was ready to put the issues of Sapele Port, more financing of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun and the Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, the need for a forward movement on the Petroleum Refinery, Ekpan, the dire state of the Sapele/Effurun Highway which reconstruction has been so slow and Amuokpe Agbor Highway Dualisation project on the front burner of national attention.

 

“There is a dire need for our people to have those who represent them to be persons who are prepared to sacrifice all to see that the area is selflessly represented. When those who represent a people are not preoccupied by what they can get from the office for themselves but motivated by the needs and interests of the masses, then the people they represent are in for a positive impact. Let me just point out the recent example of Certification and Compliance Processes for five deep seaports, one each in Lagos, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers. This leaves Delta State out of the equation. A State with some of the best natural harbours in Nigeria like Sapele, Warri, Forcados, Koko and others that should be the maritime hub of the country has been neglected. This is an example of what happens when we don't put strong advocacy voices on the National stage to generate the necessary attention to the areas of strength and comparative advantages of your area. If we in Delta put out our best forward on the National stage like the National Assembly which the House of Representatives is an integral part of, the issues of our areas would continue to be on the front burner of National attention. The issues of the Sapele Port, more financing of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun and the Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun, the need for the for a forward movement on the Petroleum Refinery, Ekpan, the dire state of the Sapele/Effurun Highway which reconstruction has been so slow, Amuokpe Agbor Highway Dualisation project, and so much more that the people OSU Federal Constituency desire to be championed can receive national attention if the representative in Abuja actively and continually advocates for them and possesses the negotiating capacity to see them to fruition.”

 

One area that representatives have not focused on, according to Akpederin, is the need to defend the people against the unprofessional conducts of the officials of some federal agencies including law enforcement and even the military agents against our people.

 

“When some personnel of the Nigeria Police Force for example violate the rights of our people, they have to be taken up if not impunity would make them continue maltreating our people. I therefore intend to set up a Human Rights Protection office which is to handle matters where our people's rights are violated by whoever be it law enforcement agents or others. The focus would be on the voiceless and those without the resources to challenge such oppressive acts among the people and residents of OSU Federal Constituency. There is so much to do and we need a total departure from a leadership that is not bothered about what happens to the downtrodden in the society.”

 

The legal practitioner said there were no doubts as to his preparation for the primaries and the 2027 National Assembly Elections.

 

:I am absolutely prepared to and have the capacity for this position. As a legal practitioner with substantial experience in political activism since my University Benin days in the 1990s and so much experience in advocating for an agenda for the people after, there is so much that I can bring to the table. The Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie Federal Constituency is in a strategic position in Delta State and Nigeria. It is the gateway to the Niger Delta and a large portion of the riverine part which is potentially the maritime goldmine of Nigeria and the region which produces a large chunk of oil and gas for Nigeria. Both Sapele and Uvwie (entrance to Warri) represent the geographical bridge to the Niger Delta coastal areas. Nigeria is missing so much in not realizing the huge economic potentials of the Niger Delta area to make Nigeria great. The focus is wrongly just about crude oil exploration and extraction. The OSU Federal Constituency is also supposed to be the Petroleum and petrochemical refining hub of the country if we seize the opportunity of proximity to the raw materials on the one hand, and its natural advantage in land and sea transport.:

 

He stated that his House of Representatives bid should not be taken for granted

 

:I am prepared to the best of my ability and the task is to continually reach out. For the general election, we have several months to still reach out to the people of the OSU Federal Constituency. We are prepared to present ourselves to the people as the trusted alternative to the current leadership which has largely made the people disillusioned about politics and the governance of Nigeria for a couple of years now. Restoring the greatness of Nigeria and making meaning for the lives of the masses is possible.:

 

He however said that contesting for public election was not a physical combat that can engender fear.

 

“I am in the race for the people and the people supporting me amounts to them supporting themselves. I am therefore not scared of others. I see them as partners for the public good. It is an intra-party contest and whoever emerges would need the support and cooperation of the others in promoting the party and thus enhance her chances in the coming general elections.”

 

 

By Henry ovie