Category: General

The Asagba of Asaba, Obi Chike Edozien, has been confirmed dead, barely one week after the palace, in a statement, disclosed that the traditional ruler was only hospitalised.

Naija News learnt that the monarch’s death was officially announced at about 5pm on Tuesday, February 13, by the Onihe of Asaba, Obi Ubaka Attor.

The announcement was followed with the shooting of 21 cannon.

He said, “Iroko has fallen, the Asagba of Asaba has gone.”

Attor noted that the family and Asaba kingdom would announce the burial arrangements in due time and thereafter announced the decoration of Asagba’s first son, Joseph Edozien, as the regent.

According to PUNCH, business activities in Asaba, the Delta State capital, and its environs have been crippled while schools, shops and markets were shut down even as the movements in and out of Asaba, including tricycles and motorcycles, were restricted.

Also, popular Ogbogonogo and Oko markets, among others, were under lock and key following the death of the 13th Asagba of Asaba.

At the palace, there was a procession led by the Odogwu of Asaba, Chief Nwanze Odua, who was dancing in red attire.

Also confirming the demise, the Palace Secretary, Chief Patrick Ndili, in a statement, said, “With heavy hearts, we announce the transition unto enternal glory our highly revered royal father, Asagba, Prof. Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba.

“He was aged 100 years and the 13th Asagba of Asaba who ascended the throne as the Asagba of Asaba on July 1, 1991”

Meanwhile, top aides of the monarch confirmed his demise last week to the aforementioned publication, noting that there would be no public statement on the development until after seven days (today).

The post Asagba Of Asaba Confirmed Dead, Markets, Schools Shutdown appeared first on Naija News.

The controversial leader of the Ekpan community in Delta State’s Uvwie Local Government Area, Newton Agbofodo, sentenced to death in 2021, has been reported dead at Park Lane Hospital in Enugu, Enugu State.

Deputy Comptroller of Prisons in Delta State, Sunday Oyakhire, clarified that the deceased person passed away not within the correctional facility but in the hospital.

Oyakhire said, “He died in Park Lane Teaching Hospital, Enugu State. He was ill and was in the hospital for almost two days before he died. He is still in the mortuary in the hospital.”

The late Newton Agbofodo, former Unuevworo (Prime Minister) of the Ekpan community, Newton Agbofodo, was arrested on June 17, 2016, and subsequently faced charges related to murder in court.

Accused of four counts, including conspiracy to commit murder, murder, and attempted murder, he was found guilty on all charges by the Delta State High Court 4 in Asaba. In 2021, he was sentenced to death by hanging.

Meanwhile, Naija News gathered that the Delta State Police Command apprehended three individuals, Lucky Emmanuel (40yrs), Enunwuune Snu (46yrs), and Jacob Efedeye (32yrs), in possession of hard drugs in Asaba, travelling in a Toyota Hiace.

They were found with three cartons containing 100 bottles of codeine and 400 sachets of tramadol.

Additionally, Fidelis Akpos (23yrs) from the Ewhu community in Ughelli South LGA was arrested on the Kwale-Ogwashi-Uku Expressway, carrying a locally fabricated pistol and two live cartridges concealed in a polythene bag along with smoked fish.

CP Ari Muhammed Ali confirmed the incident in a statement endorsed by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe.

The post Delta Community Leader Agbofodo, Sentenced To Death In 2021, Passes Away In Enugu Hospital appeared first on Naija News.

A pivotal bill aimed at amending the 1999 Constitution to elevate the educational requirements for candidates aspiring to key political offices in Nigeria has been stepped down at the House of Representatives.

Sponsored by Adewunmi Onanuga, representing the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency of Ogun State, the bill proposed setting a university degree or its equivalent as the minimum educational qualification for governorship, presidential, and other significant elective positions.

During the plenary session on Tuesday, Onanuga led the debate, advocating for the constitutional amendment to ensure that holders of elective offices possess at least a university degree, in contrast to the current provision, which permits candidates with a First School Leaving Certificate to contest for the nation’s highest offices.

The bill received backing from several lawmakers, including House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, Babajimi Benson, and Kingsley Chinda, who supported the notion of raising the educational standards for political office aspirants.

However, opposition from certain quarters, including Aliyu Madaki from Kano State and Ahmadu Jaha of the APC, Borno, highlighted a divide among the representatives on the proposed alteration.

Citing the pushback, Onanuga expressed disappointment and opted to step down the bill, signalling her intent to engage in further lobbying with her colleagues to gather more support before reintroducing the bill at a later date.

She said, “It appears some of our colleagues need further lobbying. I will move to step down the bill for now.”

The post JUST IN: Reps Drop Bill Making University Degree Minimum Qualification For President, Govs appeared first on Naija News.