General News
EDO GROUP FIRES BACK AT BEDC OVER CHARITY COMMENT, VOWS NOT TO PAY FOR UNRENDERED SERVICES
Edo people under the aegis of End BEDC Oppression Now have sent a very strong message to the Benin Electricity Distribution Company that they are not Father Christmas and would not continue to pay the company for services not rendered.
This came as a response to a statement by Mrs Evelyn Gbiwen the Public Relations Officer of BEDC stating that the electricity distribution company is not a charity organisation while reacting to a press conference by electricity consumers on 16 February where they issued a 14 days ultimatum to BEDC to resolve issues of electricity supplies and high handedness in their operations and alleged extortion of Edo people.
In a statement signed by the Convener of End BEDC Oppression Now Comrade Emmanuel Ogbidi pointed out that Edo people and electricity consumers are neither beggars nor Father Christmas adding that they will not continue to pay for services not rendered.
According to the statement which was made available to newsmen in Benin City It has come to our attention the response of the PRO of BEDC Mrs Evelyn Gbiwen in responding to some media houses after the world Press Conference by Edo people on Monday 16 02 2026 where we issued a 14 days ultimatum to them to resolve issues of electricity supplies and high handedness in their operations in extorting Edo people.
In her response she posited that BEDC is not a charity organisation Agreed But the big question is are Edo people asking for free services from BEDC Has BEDC ever done anything for free in Edo state Has BEDC ever embarked on any corporate social responsibility that is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf in Edo So it speaks volume of how BEDC has reduced relegated Edo people as though we are beggars at their mercy.
But dear BEDC Edo people are not beggars We are not conquered people and we are not also Father Christmas who will continue to pay for services not rendered You cannot continue to milk Edo people dry in a bid to satisfy your insatiable appetite for profits through dubious means of bullying intimidation and extortions.
Dear BEDC it will do your organisation good to wake up to your responsibilities of providing power for Edo people connect communities whom you have thrown into utter darkness meter Edo people with the speed of light because sooner than ever nobody will pay you estimated bills anymore.
The Federal Government has dismissed reports that it plans to introduce compulsory military service for Nigerian youths, clarifying that there is no intention to enforce mandatory enlistment.
The clarification was made on Friday by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), who spoke during the presentation of a book titled Serving the Nation: Exploring Mandatory Military Service for Nigerian Youths. He was represented at the event by Col. George Usibe, Deputy Director of Special Duties.
“The Federal Government has no policy to introduce mandatory military service in Nigeria at present,” the minister stressed, noting that suggestions to the contrary were unfounded. Instead, Gen. Musa reiterated that the country’s military will continue to operate as a professional volunteer force, supported by existing civic service programmes.
Gen. Musa highlighted that youth engagement in national development continues through established initiatives such as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which aims to foster national unity and expose young Nigerians to diverse cultures across the country.
He said security challenges like insurgency and terrorismcan nott be resolved solely through manpower increases. Instead, the minister stressed that effective governance, strong institutions, and trust between citizens and the government are essential pillars in confronting insecurity.
While Gen. Musa acknowledged the value of structured national service in promoting unity, discipline and civic responsibility, he emphasised that any future policy in this area would need to align with constitutional provisions, economic realities, and institutional capacity.
The minister also noted that the ongoing national conversation on youth service provides an opportunity for scholarly and public input, but insisted the government is not pursuing compulsory military conscription at this time
The Catholic Television of Nigeria (CTV) has officially commenced broadcast on DStv Channel 197 as part of a special Lenten arrangement on the Premium platform.
In a letter dated February 20, 2026, and signed by Rev. Fr. Patrick Alumuku, on behalf of CTV, the station announced that DStv offered the channel a special Lenten slot to mark the 40-day period of prayer, fasting, sacrifice, and charity observed by Catholics worldwide.
According to the statement, CTV became operational on DStv on February 17, 2026; a day before Ash Wednesday, describing the development as a “special gift for Catholics” to help foster the spiritual spirit of the Lenten season.
Beyond DStv Channel 197, CTV is also available on GOtv Channel 115, expanding its reach to Catholic faithful and other viewers across Nigeria.
The station explained that its presence on DStv during Lent will serve as a pre-qualification phase toward securing a permanent channel on the platform. The management noted that continued carriage would depend largely on viewership numbers recorded during the 40-day broadcast window.
CTV has therefore appealed to Catholic faithful across dioceses and parishes to support the initiative by tuning in and encouraging families and friends to watch the channel throughout Lent.
“This Lent: Watch Catholic Television on DStv Channel 197,” the statement urged, expressing hope that the season would foster unity among believers.
The announcement has been circulated to Catholic clergy nationwide with a request that it be communicated during masses and shared widely within parish communities.
Disaster/Tragedy
TRAGEDY ON BENIN-LAGOS EXPRESSWAY AS FRSC MARSHAL, DRIVER DIE IN BACK-TO-BACK CRASHES
A Federal Road Safety Corps rescue operation turned deadly Thursday on the Benin-Lagos Expressway in Edo State claiming the lives of a marshal and a driver in back-to-back crashes.
The tragedy unfolded around the Oviobogie axis in Ovia North East Local Government Area. FRSC personnel responded to an initial accident. While attending victims an oncoming vehicle slammed into the scene. The driver killed in the second crash had reportedly been present at the first incident where marshals were carrying out the rescue.
Motorist Iyobor blamed the initial wreck on trucks parked indiscriminately along the expressway.
Edo FRSC Sector Commander Cyril Mathew confirmed the sequence. According to him It began with an initial crash that drew marshals and emergency responders While rescue efforts were ongoing another vehicle rammed into the scene and hit those assisting.
The FRSC marshal involved in the rescue and a driver at the scene died Mathew added.
Tensions boiled over post-crash as some motorists accused FRSC of causing the accident and attacked personnel sparking chaos.