CONCORD ONLINE NEWS

Momoh (m) flanked by Edoba (2nd left, Ize-Iyamu (3rd right, others at the ceremony  Hendrix Oliomogbe  From a firm commitment to the construction of students' hostels and other infrastructure worth billions of naira to cash donations, equally running into several millions, the University of Benin (UNIBEN) weekend kick-started its N100 billion Trust Development Fund (TDF). The historic ceremony, which offered a perfect opportunity for nostalgic moments among old school friends, years after they graduated, was designed to among others mobilize sustainable financing for critical infrastructure, research, innovation, digital transformation, entrepreneurship, academic excellence drive and other strategic project Amidst fanfare, the successful launching attracted the creme de la creme of Nigerian society, mostly UNIBEN alumni, corporate organisations, development partners and other stakeholders, who all came out in large number, to support the institution's long-term growth. Besides...

Hendrix Oliomogbe  Vexed by the refusal of authorities of state owned universities in Edo, Delta and Ondo to implement the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement, the Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened a total closure of the tertiary institutions in the three states. The schools are Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, both in Ondo State; Delta State University, Abraka; University of Delta, Agbor; Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba; and Southern Delta University, Ozoro, both in Delta State. The Zonal coordinator, Prof. Monday Igbafen, who dropped the hint Monday in Benin City at a press briefing, reiterated the determination of the university teachers to embark on total strike should the governments in the three states refused to pay them their arrears with effect from July. Flanked by the chairmen and officials of the universities in the...

Hendrix Oliomogbe  Tension is presently brewing at Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State following the recent unilateral signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eunice Omonzejie with another ICT service provider, SchoolTry. An AAU pointedly source accused Prof. Omonzejie of initiating a change in the university’s ICT service provider in the middle of an academic session. The source, who wouldn't want his name in print explained that the action, taken without prior approval of the University Council, posed significant risks to the smooth operation of the institution’s ICT infrastructure as the deal exposed the university to potential data loss, service disruption, and breaches of due process The source lamented that the timing of the change, during an ongoing session, was particularly detrimental as it jeopardized academic activities, administrative efficiency, and the integrity of sensitive institutional data.   He added tha...

Hendrix Oliomogbe  ‎Academic activities at Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State may once again be disrupted as lecturers at the state owned university have commenced full mobilization of its members for a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike.  A joint statement by the institution's chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Cyril Onogbosele and the secretary, Dr. William Odion explained that the action followed the persistent failure by the authorities to implement the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement in the university. Onogbosele and Odion disclosed that the decision was reached at a congress held on Wednesday 24th June, 2026, following the union's insistence that its patience has been exhausted.after waiting in vain for six months for concrete steps towards the implementation of the agri. They noted with profound disappointment that every effort to persuade the university authorities and the Edo State Government to honour the Agreement has been ...

  Emperor Tenebe in INEC Jacket in Ekiti Hendrix Oliomogbe  ‎The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has blasted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for allowing the Edo State chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Emperor Jarrett Tenebe to wear an INEC Observer Vest and participating in election monitoring during last Saturday's governorship poll in Ekiti State. ‎In a statement weekend in Benin City by the national ‎chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor and the national secretary, ‎Hon. Nkama Waribe, the duo said that they have lost confidence in the ability of the present leadership of INEC to guarantee a level playing field for all political parties ahead of the 2027 General Elections. Isibor and Nkama insisted that the Ekiti incident has further reinforced the widespread belief that the APC has effectively captured key democratic institutions, including INEC, thereby compromising the transparency and credibility of elections in Nigeria. They s...

  Ben-Osagie Hendrix Oliomogbe  A top member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Clement Ben Edo-Osagie has described the order by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC,) to de-register five political parties as a recipe for political crisis and weakening of opposition parties, ahead of the 2027 general elections. Hon. Ben-Osagie, a former Edo State deputy chairman of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP), said such miscarriage of justice by the Federal High Court and misguided move are threats to the electoral system and deliberate attempt to silent opposition parties in the country. In a statement Thursday in Benin City, he expressed disgust over the travesty of justice, despite a stay of execution handed down by the court of appeal also sitting in Abuja. Ben-Osagie added: "Democracy thrives when the opposition is vibrant, strong and able to checkmate the excesses and misrule of the party...

Hendrix Oliomogbe  Worried by the rising cases of  insecurity in Edo State, the Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to take proactive steps to tackle kidnapping, cultism and armed banditry across the three senatorial district of the state. A joint statement Wednesday in Benin City by Dr. Samson Isibor and the national secretary, Hon. Nkama Waribe, lamented that the June 14, 2026 attack on Vegetable Market, during which a lady was kidnapped was most embarrassing, considering the fact that the hoodlums operated unchallenged for close to 30 minutes at a distance of less than 500 meters away from the Government House, and about 50 meters away from Aideyan Police Division.  Isibor and Waribe said that they are alarmed that armed criminals could be so daring and emboldened to the point of operating right inside the heart of Edo State capital city in broad daylight.  He said: "Fear and apprehension have now taken over the...