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Okpebholo Orders Edo Schools to Teach Indigenous Languages
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has announced the reintroduction of Edo languages into the school curriculum across Edo State.
A government house statement in Benin City described the action as a reaffirmation of his administration’s commitment to preserving Edo’s rich cultural heritage and promoting indigenous knowledge.
It revealed that Gov Okpebholo made the disclosure during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Esan Okpa Initiative to Government House in Benin City.
Led by its President, Rt. Hon. Mathew Egbadon, the delegation comprising technocrats, business leaders, and community stakeholders, commended Gov Okpebholo for the remarkable progress recorded in less than one year of his administration.
On his part, Gov Okpebholo expressed gratitude to the Esan people for their support, and described them as “a critical pillar” to guarantee his success in office.
He informed them that his administration had directed the Ministry of Education to intensify school rehabilitation efforts.
Gov Okpebholo said, “I have told my Commissioner for Education that we have to provide seats and desks for schools. We will continue massive renovation and fencing, provide boreholes and toilets, and we will start installing solar lights in schools.
“We are already working on a school access programme where our children can have hands-on experience in computer studies — so they can see and touch technology in real time.
“On language, we must start from home, because charity begins at home. We will reintroduce vernacular into our school system. Let every tribe begin to learn and speak their language so that no language goes into extinction.”
Appreciating the visit, Gov Okpebholo noted: “When you see your people behind you, there is nothing to fear. The strength of a man lies in the backing of his people. With your continued support, I will succeed, by the grace of God.”
Gov Okpebholo reiterated his determination to revive the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), describing its restoration as “a victory for the people,” with substantial progress already underway to return the institution to its former glory.
Highlighting key interventions, the Governor disclosed that his administration had embarked on extensive road rehabilitation and new construction projects across Edo State.
He revealed that 50 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses had been ordered to enhance public transportation across the three senatorial districts in the State.
In the health sector, 65 primary healthcare centres have been completed or rehabilitated, reinforcing the administration’s drive to deliver accessible, quality healthcare to every community.
On infrastructure, he cited ongoing work on the Ekpoma–Uromi–Ubiaja Road, noting that compensation was already being paid to affected property owners.
He said, “By the dry season, construction will be accelerated. When completed, you will be able to get to Auchi in 35 minutes from there.”
The Governor further spoke on security reforms in the State.
He declared, “We are working seriously on security. Very soon, you will not hear these incidents happening again. A few days ago, we purchased new equipment, and we are building a new mobile barracks in central which will soon be operational.
“We are decentralising security operations. We trained over 2,000 personnel last time and we have placed them on the government payroll. We are also considering engaging local hunters to strengthen community security.”
Reiterating his development philosophy, Gov Okpebholo emphasized his focus on enduring, life-changing projects that will outlive his tenure.
He said, “My concern is legacy. What we will leave behind for our people. That is the true essence of leadership.”
Earlier, the President of the Esan Okpa Initiative, Rt. Hon Mathew Egbadon, applauded the Governor’s achievements, underscored the urgent need to protect and advance Esan language and culture.
According to Egbadon, “Protecting and advancing Esan language, culture, and values is critical. Your Excellency, you now need to reintroduce the teaching of Esan language in schools. Esan language is fast disappearing because many people of Esan extraction are not speaking it, and the language is not taught in schools. It should be reintroduced into the school curriculum.
“This will align with the 2022 National Language Policy of the Federal Government, which mandates the use of indigenous or community languages as the primary medium of instruction in the first six years of primary education. So, it’s a natural policy.”
He reaffirmed that the Esan Okpa Initiative remains a non-partisan socio-cultural and intellectual movement dedicated to unity, progress, and the well-being of the Esan people.
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He lauded the Governor’s achievements in education, employment generation, and infrastructure renewal, noting Edo’s inclusion in the Federal Government’s ₦142 billion modern bus terminal project, the only state in the South-South region, as proof of the Governor’s visionary leadership.
“Your Excellency, we have seen your work. New roads are being built, schools are being rehabilitated, and over 4,000 teachers have been regularised. You have returned Edo to the national development map.”
He further appealed for support for independent power generation in Esanland through private investment models similar to Ossiomo and Azura, and called for the establishment of agro-based industries and stronger support for security agencies to promote rural development and community safety.
Nigeria spent N952.15bn on imported Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, in the second quarter of 2026, representing a staggering 989.4 per cent increase from the N87.40bn recorded in the first quarter.
The latest figures contained in the National Bureau of Statistics’ foreign trade report showed that petrol accounted for 6.60 per cent of Nigeria’s total imports of N14.42tn during the quarter, making it the country’s largest imported commodity.
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Despite the sharp quarterly increase, the value of petrol imports declined significantly year-on-year, falling from N2.83tn in the second quarter of 2025 to N952.15bn in Q2 2026, representing a 66.4 per cent reduction.
The surge in petrol imports came amid an ongoing dispute between the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and fuel importers and marketers over the continued importation of petrol despite rising domestic production.
The Dangote refinery had reportedly considered stopping petrol sales to major marketers that continue to import the product, citing concerns over the quality of imported petrol and the possibility of imported fuel being blended with its products.
Dangote also raised concerns over the lack of sufficient independent laboratory and quality-control infrastructure to verify the quality of imported petrol.
The refinery said imported petrol accounted for about 43 per cent of fuel supplied into the Nigerian market in July, adding that the issuance of import licences made it difficult to accurately plan production and inventory.
It said excess stock could eventually be exported if the situation continued.
However, fuel importers and marketers rejected the position, describing the move as an attempt to restrict imports. They challenged Dangote to provide evidence that imported petrol failed to meet Nigeria’s required quality standards.
Data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority showed that average daily petrol imports fell from 11.23 million litres in Q1 to 9.23 million litres in Q2, representing a 17.8 per cent decline.
However, imports increased sharply in June, reaching 18.1 million litres per day compared with 3.7 million litres per day in April.
At the same time, domestic petrol supply increased, with domestic refineries supplying 38.23 million litres per day in Q2, up from 34.57 million litres per day in Q1, representing a 10.6 per cent increase.
Consequently, the share of domestic refineries in Nigeria’s petrol supply rose from 75.5 per cent in Q1 to 80.5 per cent in Q2, while the import share dropped from 24.5 per cent to 19.5 per cent.
Industry data also indicated that imported petrol was more expensive than Dangote’s locally refined product.
According to the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria, Dangote’s gantry price stood at N1,265 per litre, compared with an import-parity price of N1,310.64 per litre under the approved pricing benchmark.
This meant imported petrol was about N45.64 per litre more expensive.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria subsequently called on the Federal Government to halt petrol imports, arguing that import licences were resulting in higher prices and undermining domestic refineries.
Meanwhile, Nigeria exported N546.02bn worth of petrol in Q2 2026, up 20.67 per cent from N452.48bn in Q1.
Of the Q2 petrol exports, N416.78bn went to African markets, while N376.46bn was exported to West African countries.
Despite the increase in exports, Nigeria remained a net importer of petrol by value during the quarter, importing N952.15bn worth of the product against exports valued at N546.02bn—a difference of N406.12bn.
The higher import bill was also linked partly to international market conditions, as the period coincided with disruptions to global oil supplies and rising international fuel prices.
A building has collapsed in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja, just hours after the Development Control Department of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) sealed the structure and directed occupants to vacate the premises.
The building reportedly collapsed at about 8pm on Monday, September 7, 2026, prompting an emergency response as personnel of the Federal Fire Service and other responders moved to the scene.
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Three ambulances were stationed at the location as rescue teams worked to determine whether anyone was trapped beneath the rubble and to evacuate any possible casualties.
The FCTA’s Development Control Department had earlier sealed the building and ordered occupants to leave the premises before the collapse.
The cause of the collapse remained unclear as of the time of the report, while rescue operations were still ongoing.
The incident has renewed concerns over the safety of ageing and distressed buildings in Abuja, particularly structures that have previously been flagged by regulatory authorities.
Further details on possible casualties and the circumstances surrounding the collapse are expected as emergency operations continue.
President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has declared that Nigerians from all walks of life will have the opportunity to own stakes in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery through its Initial Public Offering.
Dangote made the statement on Monday during the official signing ceremony for the refinery’s IPO in Lagos.
“What we are trying to achieve is to make sure our drivers, cooks, servants, and everybody have the opportunity of having stakes in the refinery,” Dangote said.
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The IPO will see the refinery offer 4.1 billion ordinary shares at ₦525 per share, giving investors an opportunity to become shareholders in one of Africa’s biggest industrial projects.
The official application list is scheduled to open on September 14, 2026, and will close on October 9, 2026, after 25 days.
Investors can subscribe to a minimum of 100 shares valued at ₦52,500, with subsequent subscriptions available in multiples of 50 shares.
The landmark signing ceremony was attended by prominent figures in Nigeria’s business and financial sectors, including Zenith Bank Chairman, Jim Ovia, and Heirs Holdings Chairman, Tony Elumelu.
Located in the Lekki Free Zone, Lagos, the Dangote Refinery has a refining capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, making it Africa’s largest single-train refinery.
The refinery, which was commissioned in May 2023 after nearly a decade of construction, attracted an investment of approximately $20 billion.
According to details of the IPO, proceeds from the public offer will be used to support a major expansion of the facility, with the company targeting an increase in processing capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day.
If achieved, the expansion would make the facility the largest operating oil refinery in the world, surpassing India’s Jamnagar refinery complex.
At ₦525 per share, the refinery has an estimated market valuation of about $47 billion, while a fully subscribed IPO could increase the total market capitalisation of the Nigerian Exchange by an estimated 30 to 40 per cent.
The company has also proposed paying dividends in US dollars, with foreign exchange earnings from refined petroleum products and petrochemical exports expected to support the dividend plan.
The public offering follows a $2.5 billion private placement completed in July as Dangote Industries seeks to raise additional capital for the refinery’s expansion.
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