Category Nigeria News

The Edo State Government has contituted a special committee to ascertain the true legal and operational status of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA).

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor.

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The government said the move followed a series of protests and petitions from members of the public, including eminent individuals from the Benin Royal Palace and Traditional Council, concerning the operations and governance structure of the museum.

“The Edo State Government has noted the series of protests and petitions from members of the public, including eminent individuals from the Benin Royal Palace and Traditional Council, concerning the operations and governance structure of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA).

“In response, and in recognition of the Benin Royal Palace as the true and lawful custodian of the cultural heritage and artifacts of the Benin Kingdom, the governor of Edo State has approved the constitution of a special committee on MOWAA,” the statement partly read on Friday.

Other terms of reference of the committee are to interface with international donors, partners, and trustees of MOWAA to clarify the position, rights, and stake of the Benin Royal Palace and traditional institution in the museum project.

The committee is also expected to take appropriate recommendations to the state government for further action.

Members of the committee are Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Chairman), General Cecil Esekhaigbe (retd.) (Vice Chairman), and Lucky Imasuen.

Others are Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Roland Otaru, SAN, and Iryn Omorogiuwa as secretary.

“The committee is expected to commence work immediately and submit its findings and recommendations within the shortest possible time.

The Governor of Niger State, Umaru Mohammed Bago, has approved the immediate dissolution of the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), including the office of the Secretary to the Board.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abubakar Usman, through Lawal Tanko, Coordinator of Press Affairs in the SSG’s office.

According to the statement, the move is part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to reposition and strengthen the state’s education sector for enhanced efficiency, accountability, and improved service delivery.

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The SSG directed all members of the dissolved Board, including the Secretary, to immediately hand over all official documents, assets, and responsibilities to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.

The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Shehu Mohammed, has urged motorists across Nigeria to adopt safer driving habits and take personal responsibility for protecting lives and property on the road.

Mohammed made the call in Port Harcourt during the flag-off of the 2025 Ember Months Road Safety Campaign, themed “Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving.”

He said the campaign aims to reduce road crashes and fatalities often associated with the festive season by encouraging safer attitudes among all categories of road users.

He disclosed that between January and September 2025, Nigeria recorded 7,715 road traffic crashes, representing a 10.04 percent increase compared to 7,011 crashes within the same period in 2024.

He also said a total of 3,915 persons were killed in 2025 as against 3,811 in 2024, marking an 11.55 percent rise in fatalities.

However, in Rivers State, within the same period, 15 persons were said to have been killed and 51 injured in 47 reported crashes.

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The Corps Marshall said the figure represents a 35.7 percent decrease in fatalities and a 37.5 percent decrease in crash-related injuries compared to 2024.

Mohammed said the choice of Rivers State for the national flag-off was deliberate, given the state’s position as one of Nigeria’s busiest transport corridors.

He assured that the Corps had mobilized its personnel nationwide to ensure a safer travel environment during the Ember Months through intensified patrols, enforcement, and public enlightenment.

Declaring the campaign open, Governor Siminalayi Fubara said the responsibility for road safety lies not only with government agencies but with every motorist and citizen.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, the governor emphasized that safety on the roads — both land and waterways — should be a daily commitment and not just a seasonal concern.

“It is worrisome that the ‘Ember Months,’ a period meant for joyous celebrations, has become synonymous with preventable tragedies,” he said.

“The task of keeping our roads safe rests on every citizen and should be taken very seriously.”

Governor Fubara commended the FRSC for its sustained efforts to reduce accidents through awareness campaigns and stakeholder collaboration.

He added that as a riverine state, Rivers would also extend the safety message to maritime transport users who rely on boats and canoes for movement.

The Presidential Committee on the Overhaul and Revamp of Training Institutions for Security Agencies has vowed to deliver a comprehensive plan for the total rehabilitation of the nation’s security training facilities.

Chairman of the committee and Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, gave the assurance in Nonwa-Tai, Rivers State, where the team inspected the abandoned Nigeria Police Training School on Thursday.

The members of the committee, which includes the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, Retired IG, retired IGP Usman Alkali Baba, and AIG Olatunji Disu, were accompanied on the inspection by the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.

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The visit, part of a nationwide assessment, follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive to urgently evaluate and restore the state of police and NSCDC training institutions.

The committee members met a disheartening sight — vandalised structures, broken classrooms and offices, and overgrown parade grounds.

Governor Mbah said the committee is working closely with consultants to prepare a detailed bill of quantities that will guide the refurbishment process across the country, adding that the team intends to drive the project through full implementation.

He said the president’s initiative reflects his resolve to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges through proper training and institution rebuilding.

“The president personally inaugurated this committee because he recognises that we are at a security crossroad. Nothing short of a total overhaul is required,” Mbah said. “You cannot train 30,000 new police personnel in such deplorable conditions.”

Also speaking, Governor Fubara described the visit as a major step toward restoring professionalism and morale within the police force.

He noted that President Tinubu’s action demonstrates genuine commitment to improving national security.

On his part, Governor Abiodun said the committee has just one month to submit its report, revealing that the members have split into two teams to cover both northern and southern training centres.

“What we have seen here in Nonwa-Tai is not different from Lagos, Jos, or Maiduguri. The president wants results — and fast,” Abiodun said. “This is clear evidence of political will.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has begun distributing sensitive election materials to local government areas across Anambra State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The exercise, which started at the INEC headquarters in Awka on Thursday, is being conducted under tight security.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Queen Agwu, supervised the exercise alongside the Commissioner of Police for election duty, Abayomi Shogunle, who reaffirmed that officers are fully prepared to secure both land and riverine communities during the polls.

Earlier, INEC confirmed that 2,802,790 registered voters will cast their ballots across 5,718 polling units in the state’s 21 local government areas.

The commission also disclosed that elections will not hold in two polling units due to a lack of registered voters.

The election features 16 candidates, including Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the APGA, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the APC, Paul Chukwuma of the YPP, George Moghalu of the LP, and Jude Ezenwafor of the PDP among others.

Channels Television’s Taiwo Adesina the distribution of materials as seen below: