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Tori Reporters NG, Yenagoa (2025)

11/02/2025

EDO LAWMAKER EXPOSES POLICE CLAIMS: “RANSOM WAS PAID FOR MONARCH’S RELEASE”

Inegbeboh Eugene, the lawmaker representing Igueben Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, has dismissed claims that security agencies were responsible for the release of the Onogie of Udo-Eguare kingdom, Friday Ehizojie, from kidnappers.

The traditional ruler, along with five others, was abducted on February 3, 2025, while traveling on a motorcycle along a remote path in Igueben Local Government Area. Following his release, the Edo State Police Command announced that its operatives, alongside vigilantes and local hunters, had successfully rescued him unharmed. The Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, Friday Ibadin, also asserted that his men played a key role in securing the monarch’s freedom.

However, speaking on the floor of the Assembly on Monday, Eugene refuted these claims, insisting that the community paid a ransom for the king’s release.

“Mr. Speaker, I personally alerted security agencies when the kidnapping happened, hoping they would take action. But they did nothing, only to later claim credit for his release,” Eugene stated.

He challenged security officials to present evidence of any arrests, questioning how they could have rescued the monarch without apprehending the kidnappers.

“I make bold to say that it was by the grace of God and the efforts of my people, who struggled to raise the ransom, that our king returned home. No one should falsely claim credit for a rescue that never happened,” he declared.

The lawmaker expressed gratitude to Governor Monday Okpebholo for his prompt intervention and logistical support during the ordeal. He also urged the Speaker to summon the new Commander of the State Security Corps to provide a detailed briefing on security efforts in Edo State.

11/02/2025

“A YEAR OF PAIN AND STRENGTH” – HERBERT WIGWE’S DAUGHTER PAYS HEARTFELT TRIBUTE TO LATE PARENTS AND BROTHER

Marking one year since the tragic loss of her father, mother, and brother, the daughter of the late Herbert Wigwe has shared an emotional tribute reflecting on her journey through grief and resilience.

In a heartfelt message, she expressed the immense emotional rollercoaster she has endured over the past 12 months, navigating moments of laughter, anger, and deep sorrow. She spoke about the struggle to rediscover happiness, redefine her identity, and summon the strength needed to become a pillar of support for her younger siblings.

Her father, former Access Bank CEO Herbert Wigwe, along with his wife and son, tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash in 2024.

Photo credit: otutochiwigwe/instagram

11/02/2025

SALAKO: HIGHER DOCTOR SALARIES WON’T SOLVE NIGERIA’S HEALTH SECTOR CRISIS

Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, has argued that simply increasing doctors' salaries will not resolve the deep-rooted issues affecting Nigeria’s healthcare system.

During a working visit to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) on Monday, Salako emphasized that within the country’s economic framework, healthcare professionals are already among the highest-paid workers.

He urged medical practitioners to adopt a sense of patriotism and consider the long-term advantages of continuing their careers in Nigeria, rather than seeking opportunities abroad.

11/02/2025

ALARMING REPORT: WOMEN SEXUALLY VIOLATED OR K!LLED EVERY 10 MINUTES IN NIGERIA

A recent report from the Salama Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) has highlighted the alarming rate of gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria, revealing that a woman is either sexually assaulted or killed every 10 minutes.

The findings stem from a study conducted by the centre, which recorded 4,426 cases of GBV involving women, girls, and children across eight local government areas in Kaduna State between 2019 and 2025.

Speaking at a capacity-building session organized by Global Rights Nigeria in Abuja, Grace Abim, the SARC Centre Manager for the Kafanchan Zone, emphasized the growing awareness of GBV. She noted that while only two cases were documented in 2019, the number has surged to over 4,426 as of January 2025, with 3,600 of the victims being women.

Abim stressed that despite increased reporting, the country still faces significant challenges in addressing GBV. She pointed to deep-rooted social, religious, and cultural barriers that hinder justice for victims, calling for stricter legal enforcement against offenders.

“GBV knows no boundaries—it affects people of all ages, cultures, religions, and professions. However, women and children remain the most vulnerable,” she said.

Funding, she added, remains a crucial factor in combating GBV. While the Kaduna State government has provided support, the rising number of cases necessitates additional funding from private individuals and organizations.

Noya Sedi, Programme Officer for Women and Gender at Global Rights, highlighted the importance of strengthening community-based response mechanisms. She emphasized the role of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) in effectively handling GBV cases and called for improved collaboration between community networks and formal support systems.

The workshop also underscored the need for community engagement, as local members often serve as the first point of contact for survivors. By fostering community-driven dialogue, the initiative aims to enhance safety, awareness, and access to justice for all.

11/02/2025

SINGER PORTABLE BLAMES FATHER FOR PROPERTY DISPUTE WITH GOVERNMENT

Nigerian singer Portable has publicly criticized his father, accusing him of not intervening in his ongoing issues with the government regarding his properties.

Expressing his frustration, Portable questioned why his father did not visit the police station to resolve the matter on his behalf. He described his father as a "bad father," alleging that he manages financial matters related to his properties and benefits from his earnings.

According to Portable, if his father had taken action to settle necessary government agencies, he would not be facing his current challenges.

Photo credit -
Taosan Badmus (Instagram)

11/02/2025

PDP LEGAL ADVISER URGES DAMAGUM TO HONOUR GOVERNORS’ AND BoT’S DIRECTIVE

The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, has received legal advice reinforcing the endorsement of Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the party’s substantive National Secretary.

According to a memo from the PDP National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, dated February 7, 2025, the legal stance aligns with the directive of the PDP Governors’ Forum and the Board of Trustees (BoT). This response was in reaction to an earlier memo from Damagum, dated February 6, 2025, requesting a review of Udeh-Okoye’s endorsement.

The BoT, following the legal opinion of one of its members, Dr. Kabiru Turaki, had previously endorsed Udeh-Okoye, urging the acting chairman to formalize the decision. This endorsement was also backed by the PDP Governors’ Forum during a meeting in Asaba, Delta State.

After reviewing related court documents and judgments involving Udeh-Okoye and his contender, Ajibade concurred with the BoT and the Governors’ Forum. In his memo to Damagum, he stated that the disputing parties had voluntarily accepted the authority of the committee led by Dr. Turaki and should, therefore, abide by its conclusions.

Ajibade emphasized that the legal opinion given by Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had already been adopted by the BoT, which serves as the party’s conscience. Citing Article 32(5)(a)-(i) of the PDP Constitution (amended in 2017), he concluded by affirming the BoT's position as his own legal stance.

11/02/2025

FOOD PRICES DECLINING DUE TO GOVERNMENT POLICIES – FG

The Federal Government has stated that the recent decline in food prices is a direct result of its policies aimed at easing economic difficulties.

According to our sources, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, reaffirmed the government's dedication to tackling the nation’s economic challenges.

He emphasized that ongoing measures are designed to alleviate hardships and ensure food affordability for citizens.

10/02/2025

ATIKU, TAMBUWAL, IMOKE HOLD PRIVATE MEETING WITH OBASANJO IN ABEOKUTA

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has stated that his recent visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo was purely a courtesy call and not politically motivated.

Atiku arrived at Obasanjo’s residence within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta at exactly 12:37 pm on Monday. He was accompanied by former Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke; former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal; and Senator Abdul Ningi, among others.

The delegation was welcomed by elder statesman Oyewole Fasawe before proceeding upstairs for a closed-door meeting with Obasanjo, which lasted about one and a half hours.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting at approximately 2:17 pm, Atiku emphasized that the visit was a courtesy call and had no political undertones. When asked if the meeting was linked to his potential 2027 presidential bid, he responded, “I am here on a courtesy call. I am not here to talk politics.”

Tambuwal declined to comment on the purpose of the visit, leaving the nature of their discussions undisclosed.

10/02/2025

EFCC CHAIRMAN REAFFIRMS CORRUPTION AS NIGERIA’S BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO PROGRESS

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has reiterated that despite Nigeria’s abundant human and natural resources, corruption remains the major hindrance to the nation's development.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a three-day workshop on anti-corruption, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and good governance at the EFCC Academy in Karu, Abuja, Olukoyede stressed that the agency will not condone the embezzlement of public funds by government officials for personal gain.

10/02/2025

THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE COMPLY WITH NICN RULING, SET TO REABSORB DISMISSED OFFICERS

The Nigeria Police Force has decided to comply with the National Industrial Court of Nigeria’s (NICN) ruling regarding the reinstatement of officers who were compulsorily retired in 2021.

The affected officers, who were members of Courses 33, 34, and 35 of the Nigeria Police Academy, were reportedly retired before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60 years or completing 35 years in service. In response, they took legal action against the police authorities at the NICN in Abuja and secured a favorable judgment in April 2022.

Despite the ruling, the Police Service Commission (PSC), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and the Secretary of the Police Force allegedly failed to implement the court’s decision. Consequently, the claimants returned to court, seeking a contempt order against the police leadership for failing to reinstate them.

Following this, the police ordered the affected officers to report for documentation in Abuja in August 2024, a move expected to facilitate their reinstatement. However, after the documentation process, no further action was taken.

During the latest court committal proceedings, the claimants’ legal representative, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Adeleke Agbola, urged the court to ensure the officers’ reinstatement remains in effect while the contempt case is heard. He emphasized that the court had ruled that the officers’ service years should be calculated from their admission into the police academy, not their initial date of entry.

Agbola further noted that there had been no appeal against the court’s decision, reinforcing the need for full compliance. He pleaded with the court to maintain the status quo, ensuring the officers' rights are upheld.

Responding, counsel to the Nigeria Police Force, Ade Adedeji SAN, assured the court that steps were being taken to implement the judgment. He confirmed that the ruling was final since no appeal had been filed and stressed that the police had no intention of disregarding the law.

Adedeji affirmed that all affected officers had been assigned new postings and reiterated the commitment of the defendants to obey the court's decision. He provided an affidavit as proof of compliance, assuring that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to the rule of law.

10/02/2025

ATIKU CAUTIONS TINUBU GOVERNMENT AGAINST MISMANAGEMENT OF $1.07 BILLION HEALTH BUDGET

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged the Bola Tinubu-led administration to ensure that the $1.07 billion earmarked for Nigeria’s primary healthcare sector in the 2025 budget is properly utilized. He warned against the mismanagement of public funds, referencing past instances where government money was allegedly lost under bizarre circumstances, including claims of animals like snakes, termites, and monkeys swallowing funds.

The Federal Government’s proposed health budget includes ₦2.48 trillion, in addition to the newly allocated $1.07 billion, which is largely sourced from foreign loans and contributions from international donor agencies. Atiku, in a statement released on Sunday, stressed that transparency is crucial, especially given Nigeria’s dwindling resources and reduced foreign aid for key health services.

Concerns Over Transparency and Accountability

Atiku questioned the government’s handling of these funds, emphasizing that Nigerians deserve full disclosure on the sources, terms of repayment, and detailed expenditure plans. He argued that without a clear framework for tracking the utilization of the funds, the money could be misappropriated.

He also criticized the absence of clear commitments to physical infrastructure development in the health sector budget. According to the government, the funds are intended to improve healthcare governance, strengthen primary healthcare services, and support the recruitment and training of healthcare workers. However, Atiku expressed skepticism, highlighting the need for a robust accountability mechanism.

“For an administration with a questionable track record in managing humanitarian services, Nigerians cannot afford to accept vague explanations regarding a massive budgetary allocation that lacks transparency,” Atiku stated.

Doubts Over Healthcare Investments

The former vice president further accused the government of misleading Nigerians regarding improvements in tertiary healthcare facilities, arguing that many hospitals still struggle with basic infrastructure, including consistent power supply. He pointed out that diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS remain prevalent and questioned how the proposed intervention fund would effectively address these health challenges.

Atiku also criticized the government’s response to the recent withdrawal of U.S. funding for HIV/AIDS treatment in Nigeria. He described the ₦5 billion earmarked by the government as inadequate, stressing that more concrete plans were needed to tackle pressing health issues.

Call for Public Scrutiny

Urging the administration to ensure transparency, Atiku called for legislative oversight and the establishment of an independent audit mechanism to track spending. Without these safeguards, he warned, Nigerians might see the budget as another fraudulent scheme disguised as public interest spending.

“If the Tinubu government fails to provide a clear roadmap for how these funds will be spent and does not subject the allocations to National Assembly scrutiny, it will reinforce fears that this is yet another case of financial mismanagement under the guise of governance,” he concluded.

09/02/2025

I MAKE ₦20 MILLION WEEKLY ON TIKTOK - PELLER

Popular TikTok content creator, Habeeb Hazmat, widely known as Peller, has disclosed that his weekly earnings from the platform range between ₦15 million and ₦20 million.

During an appearance on Rubbin’ Minds on Sunday, Peller dismissed rumors suggesting he makes ₦200 million, clarifying that those figures were exaggerated.

"The claims about me making ₦200 million aren’t true. I didn’t start TikTok for money, I just wanted to engage with people through tap-tap. Initially, I wasn’t even focused on monetization," he stated.

He attributed his success to a well-thought-out content strategy.

"In life, you need a strategy. I noticed that whenever I asked for gifts, my engagement dropped. But when I simply talked, my audience seemed to enjoy it more. Even those who claim I’m not funny keep watching. Now, I just go live and have conversations without asking for gifts, yet by the end of a session, I could see earnings of $2,000 to $3,000 in just 20 to 30 minutes."

Despite his substantial income, Peller revealed he doesn’t do live streams daily.

"I don’t go live every day, you don’t need to. I might go live just three times a week. There was a time I made $10,000 in one session while playing a big match. I was surprised because I usually earn around $7,000."

Explaining TikTok’s revenue structure, he noted:

"If you make $2,000 on TikTok, you might end up withdrawing around $1,500 due to TikTok’s cut."

Tori Reporters NG

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