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Jubilation in Edo as Dr. Ernest Umakhihe finally picks Gubernatorial form…. Street 2Street campaign ambassadors
Jubilation in Edo as Dr. Ernest Umakhihe finally picks Gubernatorial form…. Street 2Street campaign ambassadors
Edo state is presently agog with the news of foremost gubernatorial hopeful Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe acquisition of APC gubernatorial form by some committee of friends. On Friday January 27, at about 2pm,
The people’s choice Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe gubernatorial form was picked up by Edo Unity League Worldwide. The Group was represented by some Board of Trustees members, led by Chief Victor Ekhator, the Enobore of Benin Kingdom, Comrade Orobosa Omo-Ojo JP, Comrade Aiyamenkhue Edokpolo. As a way of encouraging the man of the moment to contest the election.
The dynamic, mercurial, charismatic and quintessential political stalwart put heavy smiles on the faces of Edolites, more especially party chieftains, delegates and members who have been yearning for him to take this drastic step and now that he has fulfilled the wishes of his people, ensuring that their dreams of him picking the party’s gubernatorial form come true, all is set for the primary elections proper.
His preference Is divine, his choice is from the people and his election into the office of Edo State governor is unnegotiable. These are some of the words from Street2street campaign ambassadors, a group of politically sagacious Edo sons and daughters yearnings for better administration of their beloved state.
According to a party member spoken to by our correspondent, he affirmed that the obtaining of party’s gubernatorial form by Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe is the beginning of a very bright future for Edo State. He urged all eligible votes in the forthcoming Edo State governorship election to troop out enmasse and cast their votes for Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, a reliable, dependable and accessible politician with unique democratic approach. He stressed further that if elected as governor of Edo State, Dr. Umakhihe will ensure comprehensive development of the state and make it the genuine Heartbeat of the Nation.
Street to Street campaign ambassadors is canvassing vigorously for no one else than Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, an aspirants to the position of Edo governor under the all Progressives Congress (APC). According to information at our disposal, Dr. Umakhihe remains the best choice for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Edo State from the perilous administrative pit the state was plunged into by past administrations.
Edo State has suffered greatly from the hands of heinous leaders whose only intention is to sulk the milk of the state dry and that is exactly what they did.
In a chat with the group pro Mr Benjamin Aghatise he said “Obviously, Edo State lacked basic infrastructural facilities even though the state is a member of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). It additionally disheartening to learn that some states in the South Western part of Nigeria are financially stable me than Edo State, an oil producing state for that matter, hence, the need to bring on board, aman of optimum dignity, a man of indisputable integrity and a man of undenting characters and that man is Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe.
As governor of Edo State, Dr. Umakhihe will embark on immediate resuscitation of the ‘Heartbeat of the Nation’s. He will transform the lives of Edolites in a jiffy, attrac basic structural and infrastructural developments, massively empower the youths, artisans, teachers and civil servants in the state and encourage them to live shoulder to shoulder with their counterparts all over the country. Dr. Umakhihe, who has promised to give Edo State, the most resounding of administration in record, will also embark specially on the health of Edolites. Mother and child care health facilities will be built in a 18 local government areas of the state, free regular medical checkups will be organized, high level of concentration will be placed on private hospitals in the state for them to meet up with gold standards, health workers will be adequately remunerated amongst other very important health related matters. This is because the incoming governor is very much aware that health is wealth”
Developments of the youths through sporting and entertainment activities will also be paramount to the administration of Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe. Everyone knew that Edo State has never been a pushover at all National Sport Festivals since inception and the state has produced quite a long list of superstar athletes, footballers, boxers etc. Similarly, the incoming governor would also concentrate heavily on entertainment as it is one of the weapons of keeping the youths legally busy. Above all, education, the best legacy of a child will be provided easily by the Dr. Umakhihe’s administration. Primary, secondary and higher levels of education will be given due attention targeted at their sporadic improvements. Children and youths of Edo State will definitely reap huge benefits from the government of Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe just as adults and elders will not be overlooked.
According to Street2street campaign ambassadors, the dream of Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe is to see Edo State at the top echelon of comity of states in Nigeria, a state that will be the pride of the Niger Delta, a state that will produce the best for Nigeria in all ramifications, a state where hospitality and tourism will be made attractive and a state where perfect governance will continue to exist even after the tenure of Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe after spending eight years of solid development of Edo State. Definitely, this is the man that can make the dream come true. He is the man that will steer the ship of Edo State to the desired Canaan land and he is the man the people want. Surely, Edo must get it right, this time around with Dr. Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe as governor.
@Street2street campaign ambassador
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Ramadan 2026: Let’s Be United, Shina Akanni Urges Muslims.
Ramadan 2026: Let’s Be United, Shina Akanni Urges Muslims.
As Muslims all over the world begins the 30 days compulsory fasting and prayer today,top Fuji Musician Aare Sir Shina Akanni Aroworeyin Scorpido has congratulates them for witnessing another month of Ramadan.
Akanni advised them to follow the teachings of the the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) which is peaceful co existence among themselves and their neighbor ‘because Islam is Religion of peace”.
He said the month of Ramadan is an holy month therefore Muslims should try as much as they can to maintain peaceful coexistence among themselves and others and that they should see themselves as ambassador of peace.
While praying for Nigeria,Aare Sir Shina Akanni Aroworeyin Scorpido said he believes that there will be an economic turnaround soon because what’s is happening now are signs of thought times that never last “if we can pecevere things will get better”.
The Scorpido crooner who recently released a hip hop single titled “Magbelo” said he is currently working on a complete album which will be released before the end of the year.
Aare Sir Shina Akanni Aroworeyin Scorpido whose last album ‘ABCD” is still in hot demand said that his next album will be a pot pouri of all kinds of music because his brand of Fuji music is a blend Fuji , Hip-hop,Apala ,Highlife and others.
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The Enemies Within: Jonahs Are Not Manageable — Dr. Chris Okafor
The Enemies Within:
Jonahs Are Not Manageable — Dr. Chris Okafor
…….“To remove Jonah, you must bring Jesus into the matter.”
When a “Jonah” enters a person’s life, confusion, gossip, blackmail, betrayal, and the pull-him-down syndrome often follow. But the moment Jesus Christ is invited into the situation, the storm subsides and stability is restored.
This was the central message delivered by the Generational Prophet of God and Senior Pastor of Grace Nation Global, Dr. Chris Okafor, during the midweek non-denominational Prophetic Healing, Deliverance and Solutions Service (PHDS) held at the international headquarters of Grace Nation Worldwide in Ojodu Berger, Lagos, Nigeria.
The Clergyman also declared that Nothing Happens Without Spiritual Influence
In his sermon titled “The Enemies Within,” Dr. Okafor declared that nothing happens without spiritual involvement. According to him, every visible battle has an invisible root.
Referencing the biblical story of Jonah, the Man of God explained that Jonah’s presence on the ship gave access to a contrary spirit that tormented everyone onboard.
Despite the losses suffered by innocent traders and sailors, the storm persisted because of one man’s disobedience.
However, he noted that when Jesus speaks into a situation, every storm must obey. Just as Christ rebuked the storm and it ceased, so too will the storms in believers’ lives subside when He is invited into their “boat.”
*The Impact of a Jonah*
Dr. Okafor further emphasized that “Jonahs” are difficult to manage. When such individuals are present in one’s circle, progress becomes delayed.
What should ordinarily manifest quickly may be prolonged or frustrated because someone close—someone who understands you deeply—may be operating as a spiritual adversary.
He explained that negative narratives, unnecessary battles, and unexplained setbacks often begin when a “Jonah” gains access to a person’s inner circle.
*The Solution*
“To remove Jonah from the boat of your life,” the Generational Prophet declared, “you must invite Jesus Christ into the matter.”
According to him, when Jesus takes control of the boat, the plans of the enemy are overturned.
What was designed for downfall becomes a testimony. No storm or battle can succeed where Christ reigns, and the enemy is ultimately put to shame.
The midweek service witnessed a strong prophetic atmosphere, with the power of God evident through deliverance, restoration, and divine revelations.
The Generational Prophet ministered deeply in the prophetic, calling out names, villages, and addressing alleged spiritual strongholds, as many lives were reportedly restored—all to the glory of God.
By Sunday Adeyemi
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FROM BORDER TO MARKETS: HOW NIGERIA’S REFORMS ARE REWRITING AND MODERNISING TRADE FACILITATION By O’tega Ogra
FROM BORDER TO MARKETS: HOW NIGERIA’S REFORMS ARE REWRITING AND MODERNISING TRADE FACILITATION
By O’tega Ogra
On the surface, the 2026 World Customs Organization (WCO) Technology Conference in Abu Dhabi, held in the last week of January, followed a familiar script: flags, formal sessions, carefully worded speeches. But beneath the choreography, something more consequential was unfolding. As customs chiefs and trade officials compared notes on the future of borders, Nigeria arrived not with theory, but with a working proposition.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Modernisation Project, being implemented through Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) Limited, unveiled to a global audience of customs administrators and policy leaders a window into how Africa’s largest economy is confronting one of the most complex challenges in public administration: reforming the machinery of trade while it is still running.
For decades, customs reform was treated largely as a technical exercise—frequent patches here, shoddy fixes there; new software in one corner, revised procedures in another. Nigeria’s presence in Abu Dhabi signalled something different. TMP Limited, working in partnership with the NCS, advanced the argument that trade is a cornerstone of economic development and must be supported by organic, sustainable partner ecosystems. Such ecosystems deliver speed and trust, revenue and credibility, and secure borders without stifling commerce.
That argument resonated in a room increasingly aware that global trade is no longer defined solely by tariffs and treaties, but by data, interoperability, and the quiet efficiency of systems that simply work.
The annual WCO Technology Conference has, in recent years, become a barometer for the direction of global trade governance. This year’s discussions reflected a shared anxiety: supply chains are more fragile, compliance risks are rising, and governments face mounting pressure to collect revenue without discouraging investment. Customs administrations now sit at the intersection of all three.
Nigeria’s response has been to attempt a full reset.
At the heart of this effort is the NCS Modernisation Project, implemented through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with TMP Limited as the concessionaire. The project seeks to replace fragmented technology deployments and manual processes within the Nigeria Customs Service with a single, integrated framework. This is anchored on B’Odogwu, a Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) that brings together cargo clearance, risk management, payments, and inter-agency collaboration. The ambition is sweeping—and so are the stakes.
Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu, OON, Chairman of TMP, framed the initiative as nothing less than an institutional reconstruction, designed to position the NCS at the forefront of global customs administration technology, aligned with international standards and assurance frameworks.
“Digital trade modernisation is not just about upgrading systems,” he told participants in Abu Dhabi. “It is about upgrading trust, predictability, and confidence in how trade flows through our borders.”
That choice of words matters. Nigeria’s economy has long struggled with the perception gap between its size and the ease of doing business. Investors cite delays. Traders complain of opacity. Government points to revenue leakages. In this context, customs reform becomes as much a credibility project as a technical one.
Saleh’s message was timely and direct: modern trade demands modern customs. Data-driven processes, automation, and risk-based controls are no longer luxuries; they are prerequisites for competitiveness in a world where capital moves faster than policy.
The institutional face of this digital transformation is the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who led Nigeria’s delegation to Abu Dhabi. His message reflected a subtle but important shift in how customs leadership now understands its role.
“Customs administrations today must evolve from gatekeepers to facilitators of legitimate trade,” Adeniyi said. “Nigeria’s customs modernisation project reflects our determination to place the Nigeria Customs Service at the centre of national economic transformation.”
It is a familiar refrain globally, but one that carries particular weight in Nigeria, where customs revenue remains a critical pillar of public finance. Automation, Adeniyi argued, is not about weakening control; it is about strengthening it through intelligence rather than discretion.
Risk management systems reduce unnecessary physical inspections. Integrated platforms limit human contact. Data analytics improve compliance targeting. When executed well, the result is faster clearance for compliant traders and tighter scrutiny for high-risk consignments.
In Abu Dhabi, peers from Asia, Europe, and Latin America listened closely to Nigeria’s presentation. Reforming customs in a small, open economy is one thing. Doing so in a market of over 200 million people, home to some of Africa’s busiest ports and its largest economy, is quite another.
Nigeria’s engagement emphasised that customs modernisation is embedded within a broader economic reform agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Simplifying trade procedures, strengthening revenue assurance, and aligning with international standards form part of a wider effort to reposition the economy for investment-led growth.
What makes the project particularly noteworthy is its insistence on end-to-end coherence. Rather than digitising isolated functions, the reform aims to connect agencies, harmonise data, and reduce duplication across government—an all-of-government approach that acknowledges an uncomfortable truth: trade friction is often created not at the border, but between institutions.
The WCO 2026 Technology Conference offered Nigeria more than a platform; it provided a stress test. Questions from peers were pointed. How will change be sustained across political cycles? How will capacity be built? How will entrenched institutional behaviours be unlearned?
The responses were pragmatic. Reform is being phased. Training programmes are ongoing. International benchmarks are being adopted not as slogans, but as operating standards. There were no claims of perfection—only a clear statement of intent.
“Our engagement here underscores Nigeria’s commitment to international cooperation,” Adeniyi noted. “We are learning, sharing, and contributing to global conversations on the future of customs administration.”
That contribution matters. As Africa moves to deepen regional trade under continental frameworks, customs efficiency will determine whether integration succeeds in practice or remains aspirational on paper. Nigeria’s experience, if successful, could offer a valuable template for other developing economies navigating similar constraints.
In Abu Dhabi, the mood was cautious but curious. Reform fatigue is real in many countries. Yet there was a growing sense that Nigeria’s effort—precisely because of its scale and difficulty—deserves attention.
Borders are rarely glamorous. But they are decisive. In choosing to modernise its borders in public, under global scrutiny, Nigeria is signalling something beyond technical competence. It is signalling seriousness.
And in global trade, seriousness still counts.
O’tega Ogra is Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, responsible for the Office of Digital Engagement, Communications and Strategy in the Presidency.
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