News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja         Pete Edochie  The veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie has banished Judy Austin, the second wife of his son, Yul, from Edochie's dynasty.  This is coming on the heels of the controversy surrounding Actor Yul's marriage to Actress Judy Austin, just as the duo welcomed their baby boy.  Yul had tweeted on Wednesday saying, “It’s time for the world to meet my son." "His name is STAR DIKE MUNACHIMSO YUL-EDOCHIE. Born by my second wife @judyaustin1. And I love him so much, just as much as I love my other children,” he said. Angered by the development, Pete Edochie, who is Yul's father lamented that as an Igbo man, that he never supported his son's actions. He said that as a statesman, he only recognised, May, the first wife of Yul as the only authentic wife, adding that marrying two wives does not confer a manly status on anyone. His statement reads, “I want the whole world and Nigerians to understand that as an Igb...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja     Late Benard One of the fastest rising Nollywood Actresses, Chinedu Benard is dead.  She slumped while cleaning the Chapel of St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, Federal Housing Enugu State.  All efforts to revive her proved abortive, as she was confirmed dead by doctors at the East Side hospital in Enugu. Fondly called ‘Choco’, tne actress featured in popular movies like: The Big Mama’s Stick, Money fever, The Mad, The Last Manhood, Mad Love, and among others.  The cause of her death remains unknown as at the time of filing this report.

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja                     Mohammed   The Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON) has stated that the implementation and enforcement of National Environmental Health Practice Regulation 2016 would reduce malaria burden across the country by 70 percent.  Registrar of EHORECON, Dr. Baba Yakubu Mohammed stated this in Abuja yesterday in commemoration of the 2022 World Malaria Day with the theme, “Harness Innovation to Reduce Malaria Burden and Save Lives." He said that synergy among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government would be helpful in the prevention and control of Malaria in Nigeria.  Mohammed stated that since Nigeria has the world's greatest malaria burden, with approximately 51 million cases and 207,000 deaths annually, representing 30 percent of the total casesin the region, that this huge health challenge required much commitment by...

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, has been buried in the ancient town of Oyo in south-west Nigeria. His remains were laid to rest on Saturday within the premises of the palace, barely a day after he was certified dead in a hospital in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital. Alaafin, popularly known as ‘Iku Baba Yeye, was 83 years as at the time his death was announced. Following the announcement of his demise, Islamic rites were conducted on the body of late Alaafin, signalling the beginning of his final journey home. Islamic clerics led by the Chief Imam of Oyo town were joined by members of the family of the late traditional ruler and some of his chiefs to offer prayers for the repose of his soul. After the prayers, his body was taken back to the palace where the final burial was held. An Oyo prince and a close relative of the Alaafin, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, confirmed the burial of the monarch. 52-year Reign  The news of the death of the top Yoruba traditiona...

      Late Oba Adeyemi One of the longest serving Yoruba monarch’s, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi has joined his ancestors.  The monarch, who was the third from the Alowolodu Ruling House, died in the late hours of Friday at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti in Ekiti State.  He was aged 83 years.  The remains of the top Yoruba traditional ruler were brought to Oyo town, 62 kilometres from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, in the early hours of Saturday and traditional rites began, according to palace sources. He was the longest reigning Alaafin ever, having ruled for 52 years. The monarch had been sick and plans were underway to fly him abroad for further medical treatment before his demise.  A source familiar with the medical travel plan said his tickets and those of a few wives were already procured. His death came months after the two other senior Oyo State monarchs – the Olubadan of Ibadan, Saliu Adetunji, a...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja     One of the damaged roads to be reconstructed by Ecological Project Office  The traditional ruler of Ado–Ekiti,  Dr. Rufus Adejuyigbe has appealed to the federal government for more ecological projects in Ekiti State, saying that many erosion- prone areas in Ado-Ekiti required urgent attention.  He stated this in Ekiti state during the sensitisation of the residents on the commencement of flood and erosion–control projects in Ado-Ekiti and Ekiti South-West, organised by the Ecological Project Office (EPO). Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). Represented by Chief Sola Olanrewaju, the royal father was delighted over the project and commended EPO for its interventions in the state.  He pleaded with the EPO and its contractors to always liaise with traditional rulers and community leaders of the host communities, in order to avoid violence and harassment from locals during the construction of ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja       One of the roads to be reconstructed in Ogbomoso.  The Ecological Project Office (EPO) has cautioned the residents of Ogbomoso against harassing contractors, saying that no project would be executed in any community that is notorious for frustrating contractors. Permanent Secretary of Ecological Project Office (EPO), Dr. Habiba Lawal stated this during the sensitisation of flood and erosion-control project, organised by EPO, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State recently.  The project, which consists of 3,950meter road improvement work with drainages,  was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari and its  expected to be completed within 12 months.  Represented by the Director of Press and Public Relations Unit, EPO, Dr Joel Oruche, she pleaded with the residents to cooperate with the contractor during the execution of the project.  The permanent sec...