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Edo North, Central traditional rulers fault installation of Pere of Olodiama in Gelegele

Published

8 years ago

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From Omoregie Elvis, Benin

 

Traditional rulers in Edo North and Central have faulted the

installation of Pere of Olodiama in Gelegele, by the Ijaws living in

Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State calling it  an act

of sacrilege.

 

His Royal Highness, Zaki Aidenojie  Ehidiamhen I, the Enogie of Opoji,

expressed his resentment when he led other traditional rulers in both

Edo North and Central to the Palace of the Benin monarch in solidarity

of the people of the Benin kingdom on Tuesday.

 

The Enojie of Opoji  and vice chairman,  Edo State Traditional Rulers,

said  they were against the decision of the Ijaws living in Gelegele

to instal  their own king in the area as there can never be two kings

in Edo South.

 

“We the Traditional rulers from Edo North and the Edo Central, we have

gathered here to add our voice to that of the state government, the

Benin Traditional Council and those of them from Edo South who are

opposing the wrong move of the Ijaws”, he said.

 

He said the Portuguese gained access to Benin through the Gelegele and

even when the Benin was under western region, Gelegele was still part

of Benin and never a kingdom of its own.

 

Ehidiamhen I said if the  Ijaws in Gelegele had wanted a chief, they

should have written to the Oba of Benin for one adding that the Oba in

his magnanimity could have sent them a duke.

 

“The Oba has the power to even appoint a duke in Gelegele as done in

other areas. If they have wanted a chief, they have done well and they

have come to the Oba, plead with him, of course he can decide to give

a chieftaincy title of Benin Kingdom to that Gelegele because it is

part of his kingdom. He has the power to send his dukes there or his

Enigies.

 

“It is never heard that somebody Pere from another kingdom from

Bayelsa or Delta to provoke himself to go to Edo State and crowned a

king in another man’s kingdom. I think it was an abomination.

 

“In 1955, an Itsekiri man, the  late Okotiebor who was the minister of

finance in the first republic was made the Adolor of Benin kingdom. He

is an Itsekiri man. He may answer Pere or Olu of Benin. So, I think

the Oba has the power to give any title to whom he deemed fit”, he

said.

 

The Enojie of Opoji commended the Benin monarch and the state

government for the way and manners they have handled the matter since

the issues of the installation of the Pere began while also calling on

the state government to take a step further to order for the arrest of

those behind the installation.

 

“I must commend the Oba and the Benins for the maturity that His

Majesty have used in calming down situation and if not, there would

have been arson and serious problems would have come out.

 

“I also appreciate the governor of the state for their timely

intervention but I think they should not stop there because the Pere

and the elders in council should be located by the law enforcement

agents and the man that wanted to receive crown should be invited and

prosecuted”, he said.

 

The traditional of Opoji said it was misnormal for anybody to address

Gelegele as part of Beylsa or part of Delta State. The state governor

of Beyelsa and Delta should be countered by the Edo State governor to

tell them to maintain peace and should remain in their territory and

not transpassing into Edo State.

 

HRH, Razaq Ogiefoh III, the Enojie of Ewu said the installation of

Pere of Olodiama in Gelegele was the usurping of power by the people

of Ijaws which must be condemned in its entirety.

 

He said majority of those who are traditional rulers elsewhere have

their roots from the Palace of the Benin Kingdom adding that it would

be suicidal for a traditional ruler elsewhere to call himself a King

in Benin Kingdom

 

He said from history, there has always been one traditional ruler in

Benin Kingdom which is the Oba of Benin

 

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

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Business

FirstBank Partners Eko Hotels & KEY Academy for ChessMasters 2026 Tournament

Published

6 hours ago

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April 9, 2026

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FirstBank Set to Launch Tailored Financial Services for Blind and Physically Challenged Customers  

FirstBank Partners Eko Hotels & KEY Academy for ChessMasters 2026 Tournament

 

Lagos, 30 March 2025 – FirstBank, West Africa’s premier financial institution and the leading financial inclusion service provider, has announced its strategic sponsorship of the second edition of ChessMasters, Africa’s largest school chess tournament. The announcement was made at the official press conference of the tournament held on 16 March 2026 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

 

ChessMasters is an annual chess tournament designed to equip the next generation with critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills. The competition targets children in primary school aged between 6 and 11 years old. Organised by Eko Hotels and Suites & KEY Academy , ChessMasters was created to provide thousands of children across Nigeria with opportunities to develop modern educational skills, bringing schools together on a national stage.

 

Speaking at the press conference, Olayinka Ijabiyi, Acting Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications at FirstBank, said, “Our sponsorship of ChessMasters 2026 reflects our commitment to building talents and communities, driving inclusion, and deepening engagement through our First@Sports initiative, a platform that celebrates talent and promotes social impact through sports. With over a century of supporting legacy sports in Nigeria, we are proud of our enduring partnerships – 105 years with the Georgian Cup, 65 years with the Lagos Amateur Golf Championship and 35 years with the Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship.”

 

Ijabiyi further highlighted how the sponsorship aligns with FirstBank’s sustainability pillars of Education, Health, and Welfare. “We recognise the potential of chess to help school-age children challenge themselves, think critically, and compete at the highest level, hence we see the tournament as a launchpad for a pan-African movement leveraging chess as a tool for education, empowerment, and leadership development. We are utilising this platform as another avenue to promote social impact and drive positive change in the community.”

 

Caline Chagoury Moudabar, Director and Co- Founder of ChessMasters and her partner Damilola Okonkwo of Key Academy, expressed appreciation for FirstBank’s support, noting that the partnership will help scale the impact of ChessMasters and inspire more schools to participate. “We are happy to welcome FirstBank on board. This collaboration will boost chess development in Nigeria and promote critical thinking among young minds. With support from partners like FirstBank, we are opening the doors of participation to more children and more schools in this year’s edition.”

 

Prince Adeyinka Adewole, Vice President of the Nigeria Chess Federation, commended the initiative, emphasising its role in nurturing future chess talents. “Chess connects people, ideas, and opportunities. It teaches children to be analytical, patient, and manage their time and resources effectively. Chess also improves concentration and has been particularly beneficial for children with autism.”

 

The second edition of ChessMasters will be held on Saturday, 2 May 2026 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. The competition is open to 150 schools across Lagos, with over 700 students expected to participate and vie for a total prize pool of N10 million.

 

FirstBank’s involvement in the 2026 edition of the tournament reinforces the potential of ChessMasters to become a launchpad for African children, leveraging chess as a tool for education, empowerment, and leadership development.

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Business

Alpha Morgan Bank Reinforces Commitment to Education at Redeemer’s University Business School Commissioning

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2 days ago

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April 7, 2026

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Alpha Morgan Bank Reinforces Commitment to Education at Redeemer’s University Business School Commissioning

Alpha Morgan Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to education and institutional development through its support for the commissioning of the Redeemer’s University Business School.

The Business School was officially inaugurated by Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye, at the commissioning ceremony attended by distinguished guests including Her Excellency, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo; the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of Redeemers University, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe; the Vice Chancellor, Professor Shadrach Olufemi Akindele; and other notable dignitaries.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Alpha Morgan Bank reiterated the  Bank’s commitment to supporting institutions that drive intellectual growth and national development.

As part of its broader focus on knowledge sharing and thought leadership, Alpha Morgan Bank will host its Economic Review Webinar in May 2026, bringing together experts to share insights on key economic trends and opportunities.
The Bank’s involvement reflects its continued dedication to empowering institutions and shaping the future of business and leadership in Nigeria.
Read more about Alpha Morgan Bank on www.alphamorganbank.com

 

 

PHOTO

L-R: Prof. Shadrach Olufemi Akindele, Vice Chancellor, Redeemers University, Engr.  Eloka Eje, Dr Perez Araka, Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye, Mother-In-Israel, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Mr Ade Buraimo, MD/CEO Alpha Morgan Bank, Dr (Mrs) Oluwatomi Somefun, Dr. Simeon Ifere, at the inauguration of the Redeemer’s University Business School, Redemption City, Ogun State on Thursday 2nd April, 2026

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Business

Tinubu Aide Rebuts Rufai Oseni Over ₦3.3tn Power Debt Deal

Published

2 days ago

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April 7, 2026

By

Otega Ogra: Online Misinformation Endangers Public Trust and Stability

Tinubu Aide Rebuts Rufai Oseni Over ₦3.3tn Power Debt Deal

The Presidency has strongly refuted allegations of “accounting fiction” and misinformation surrounding Nigeria’s ongoing power sector financial reforms.
O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Digital and New Media, took to social media to challenge comments made by Rufai Oseni, accusing the broadcaster of misrepresenting government efforts to resolve legacy debts in the electricity value chain.
At the heart of the dispute is the reconciliation of longstanding debts owed to Generation Companies (GenCos) and gas suppliers—an issue that has long constrained liquidity within Nigeria’s electricity market.
₦1.4 Trillion Reduction Explained
Responding to criticism over debt figures, Ogra clarified that total legacy obligations were reduced from ₦4.7 trillion in initial claims to a verified ₦3.3 trillion, representing a roughly 30% reduction.
“That is not spin. It is the difference between a claim and a verified obligation,” Ogra stated.
“In a regulated electricity market, submitted claims must be validated against contracts, market rules, and settlement records.”
Ogra also outlined tangible progress under the reform program, emphasizing that it has moved beyond “paper restructuring” to actual financial disbursements:
₦1.23 trillion structured under Phase I
₦501 billion already raised for the first series
₦223 billion disbursed to GenCos and gas suppliers
₦197 billion currently being processed
As of March 31, 2026, eight GenCos—covering 17 power plants—have signed settlement agreements totaling ₦2.28 trillion.
According to Ogra, the reform timeline, from President Tinubu’s July 2024 directive for a sector-wide review to Federal Executive Council approval in August 2025, demonstrates a deliberate push for transparency in a sector historically plagued by opacity.
“The real question is whether the final figure reflects verified contractual exposure. That is exactly what the review process was designed to achieve,” he said.
While defending the administration’s approach, Ogra acknowledged that clearing debts alone will not resolve Nigeria’s electricity challenges. He noted complementary reforms underway, including:
Tariff alignment based on service quality
Nationwide metering expansion
Improved payment discipline
Targeted subsidies for vulnerable citizens
In a pointed remark, he urged media commentators to distinguish between incomplete progress and misinformation:
“This is not the end of the problem, but it is a structured attempt to fix it.”
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