‘I Did Not Sign $45.21m Flyover Deal with China’, Okpebholo Replies PDP

Sahara Weekly Reports That Edo State Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has denied ever signing any deal with the Chinese government to the tune of $45.21m for flyover bridges.

He, therefore assured the people of the state that he would not be another memorandum of understanding (MoU) governor like Godwin Obaseki.

Okpebholo gave the assurance weekend while reacting to an allegation by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that he had signed a $45.21m deal with China Exim Bank.

The senator, who gave the assurance in a statement by his media aide, Godswill Inegbe, said he would not be distracted by the outbursts of those who are ‘still licking their wounds after losing the September 21 governorship election in the state.’

Putting a lie to the write-up, Okpebholo explained that as a governor-elect, he was not in any official capacity to obtain any loan on behalf of the State.

He said: “I am rather working on how to offset the numerous loans obtained by the outgoing Gov Godwin Obaseki administration without any correlating

development.

Full text of the statement…

Re: Ahead of Inauguration: Akpakomiza signs a $45.21m MoU with a Chinese Bank to build flyovers in Benin City.

Their lies and mischief have no end!

We wish to draw the attention of the general public to the mischievous publication, which speculates that the winner of the 21st November governorship election in Edo state, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was in talks with a Chinese agency to obtain a loan of $45.21 million to execute the construction of three flyovers in Benin city.

Ordinarily, we would not have bothered to react to such distractions but since our investigation has revealed that the report was orchestrated by those still licking their wounds from the recent defeat, we are constrained to put the record straight.

The Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on invitation, was in the office of the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria in Abuja when the photograph they are now sharing on the internet was taken.

The Governor-elect was not on a mission to sign any Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the China-Exim Bank for a loan, as dubiously claimed in the said publication.

Understandably, as Governor-elect, Senator Okpebholo is not in any official capacity to obtain any loan on behalf of the State; rather, he is working on how to offset the numerous loans obtained by the outgoing administration without any correlating development.

The Governor-elect, being a realist, will not build his administration on MoUs, and neither will he become another MoU Governor of Edo State.

The agents of the outgoing administration and members of the defeated PDP who are spreading false rumors about the Governor-elect should focus on the transition process, which, in any case, they are working tirelessly to truncate.

The Governor-elect will not take advice from those who have failed and mortgaged the future of the Edo people over the past seven years.

The Governor-elect will not be a looter of public funds as Governor of Edo state; rather, he will judiciously manage the resources that belong to Edo people to develop Edo State.

Instead of resorting to the promotion of lies and falsehoods, we expect the mischief-makers to apologize to the good people of the State while undergoing penance for their atrocities.

We expect them to confess their sins and seek forgiveness from the people of Edo State, whom they have traumatized financially, mentally, and otherwise in the past seven years!

E-Signed:

Godswill Inegbe,

S.A Media to Senator Monday Okpebholo,

October 27, 2024.

The Power of Accepting Your Past – Prudent Ludidi

Today, I want to address something that holds many of us back: our struggle to accept our past. We’ve all found ourselves trapped in cycles of regret, shame, and guilt, replaying mistakes and wishing we could go back. But the reality is, we can’t change what’s already happened. The past, with all its challenges, is a part of us and has shaped who we are today. Refusing to accept it only leads us to reject parts of ourselves.

Accepting our past doesn’t mean dwelling on it. It means acknowledging it, learning from it, and then moving forward with clarity and strength. When we do this, we free ourselves from shame and guilt, forgive both ourselves and others, gain closure, and open doors to peace and confidence.

However, without acceptance, we risk remaining stuck in a cycle of regret and anger, missing out on present moments, and continuing patterns of self-destructive behavior. We may even find ourselves struggling with anxiety and depression, weighed down by what we haven’t come to terms with.

How Do We Begin to Accept Our Past?

1. Practice Self-Compassion – Be kind to yourself, as you would with a friend.

2. Acknowledge Your Feelings – Allow yourself to feel. Don’t suppress or ignore.

3. Reframe Negative Experiences – See them as part of your growth, not just mistakes.

4. Focus on the Present – Let today be your priority, not yesterday.

5. Take Small Steps Toward Healing – Acceptance is a journey. Begin one step at a time.

Remember, your past is a chapter of your story, not the entire book. You are more than your mistakes and regrets. You are unique, talented, and worthy, capable of growth, learning, and change. Accepting your past takes courage, but it’s worth every effort.

When you recognize and honor your experiences, you open yourself up to healing and peace. You’ll start to see your past not as a burden, but as a foundation for a brighter future.

Embrace Your Story

Don’t shy away from your past. Confront it, allow yourself to feel, and learn. You are not alone in carrying scars from your past. Many of us do, but what truly matters is how we choose to live with them. We can let them hold us back, or we can use them as fuel for growth.

Choosing to accept your past makes the present more vibrant and meaningful, filling it with purpose and life. With acceptance, you’ll find a renewed sense of freedom and peace, empowering you to live fully in the present and look forward to the future.

You are strong, resilient, and capable of growth. Let’s commit today to accept our pasts, embrace our scars, and celebrate our imperfections. Let’s start living fully, with our eyes fixed on a brighter future.

Thank you.

As you read this, take a moment to reflect on your journey. What lessons have you learned from your past? Feel free to share your story and inspire others to embrace theirs. Together, we can move forward with strength and hope.

Chrisland University Forges Strategic Partnership with ICSAN

Sahara Weekly Reports That In a significant step towards fostering collaboration and academic excellence, Chrisland University hosted a formal event marking the signing of a landmark Linkage Agreement with the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN).

The ceremony, which was held at the Senate Chamber of the University, commenced with an inspiring opening address by the Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University, Professor Chinedum Peace Babalola, who emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between academia and professional bodies to equip students with essential leadership and administrative skills.

While speaking on the opportunities that will accrue through the programs, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the institute, Mrs. Funmi Ekundayo, assured the University that the students and staff would benefit through the practical insights that will be brought to bear by the Governance experts. The President of ICSAN further highlighted the shared vision and commitment towards advancing governance and professional ethics in Nigeria.

The event culminated in the formal signing of the Linkage Agreement, symbolizing a promising partnership poised to offer students enriched learning experiences and greater access to professional development opportunities.

This collaboration is set to drive innovation and career readiness and contribute to the overall intellectual growth of Chrisland University staff and students.

ICSAN is an offshoot of the International professional body with its headquarters in London and associations in Commonwealth countries. The Institute is a member of the Corporate Secretaries International Association (CSIA). The Geneva-registered global organization is the global voice of corporate secretaries and governance professionals.

This linkage agreement will allow providing professional training and certification to our undergraduate students in the disciplines of Law, Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration, and Accounting.

The collaboration may also extend to providing training and certification to staff in the University Community in the areas of Corporate Governance and Administration, Corporate Secretaryship, and Corporate Financial Management.