Bloomshire Nigeria

18/10/2026

“True leadership is not measured by the honours a man receives, but by the lives he touches, the burdens he lifts and the hope he restores. This recognition is a reminder that service to humanity remains the highest calling of leadership. Congratulations Your Excellency”.

— The Coalition for Tinubu-Okpebholo-Nigeria

17/10/2026

Okpebholo targets December for 100MW power plant commissioning in Edo
…..46MW generating capacity already installed at Ologbo
…..Developer targets electricity supply before year-end
…..Industrial park, 300-tonne energy facility also under development

The Edo State Government has set December 2026 for the commissioning of the 100-megawatt independent power plant being developed by CCETC in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, with 46 megawatts of generating capacity already installed.

16/10/2026

Ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki’s condolence message and sermon on fire: What we need to remind him about his administration and Okpebholo’s good governance measures within two years.

16/10/2026

Okpebholo cancels Ekiti trip, visits Oluku fire victims at UBTH, promises to rebuild market
…..Shelves trip to Ekiti governor’s second-term inauguration to attend to victims
…..Says Tinubu directed support for affected traders
…..First Lady sends condolences to victims’ families
…..Governor visits explosion scene, hospital to sympathise with victims
…..Assures traders: We won’t abandon you, your pains are our pains

By Adams Johnson

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Friday cancelled his scheduled trip to Ekiti State, where he was expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the state governor for a second term in office, to personally attend to victims of Thursday’s tanker explosion at Oluku Market in Benin City.

The governor, who called off the trip following the tragedy, visited the scene of the explosion and the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where injured victims were receiving treatment.

Okpebholo assured affected traders that his administration would rebuild the market and provide assistance to those whose shops, goods and businesses were destroyed by the fire.

He also disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had expressed concern over the incident and directed him to ensure that the affected traders received support to restore their livelihoods.

Speaking to traders and residents during his visit to Oluku, the governor described the explosion as disheartening, revealing that he had spoken with Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, earlier in the day and promised her that he would personally visit the affected community.

“This is disheartening. This morning, I spoke with the First Lady, and we discussed this issue. I promised her that I would be here today.

“The First Lady sends her condolences to Edo people who lost their lives. She is very sad that this happened yesterday,” Okpebholo said.

The governor said President Tinubu had also been briefed about the tragedy and was deeply concerned about the welfare of those affected.

According to him, the President directed that necessary assistance be provided to the traders to enable them to rebuild their market and resume their economic activities.

“The President is also not happy that this has happened, the same way his wife is not happy.

“His message is that everywhere should be calm, and he has also directed me to make sure that I support you people to get your market back,” the governor stated.

Okpebholo assured the traders that his administration would not abandon them in their moment of distress, stressing that government had a responsibility to stand by citizens during difficult times.

“But we are not going to leave the market people just like that. We will not leave you people. We are brothers.

“The reason why you voted for us is to care for you people,” he declared.

The governor said the tragedy had affected the government as much as the victims, assuring those who lost their shops and sources of livelihood that assistance would be provided.

“Now you know that what happens to you also affects us as government.

“We are going to rebuild the market. We are going to support those people who have shops here,” Okpebholo assured.

The governor’s visit followed Thursday’s tanker explosion at Oluku, which caused extensive damage to shops, goods and other property, leaving affected traders counting their losses.

As part of his response to the tragedy, Okpebholo also visited UBTH, where victims who sustained injuries in the explosion were receiving medical treatment.

The hospital visit afforded him an opportunity to assess the condition of the injured and sympathise with those undergoing treatment.

The governor’s decision to cancel his scheduled trip to Ekiti State came as affected traders grappled with the destruction of their businesses and uncertainty surrounding their livelihoods.

Rather than proceed to the swearing-in ceremony marking the Ekiti governor’s second term in office, Okpebholo remained in Edo State to visit the affected community and hospitalised victims.

At Oluku, he emphasised that rebuilding the market would form part of the government’s response, alongside assistance to shop owners whose businesses were destroyed.

The promised intervention is expected to address the immediate concerns of traders who lost goods, shops and sources of livelihood to the fire.

Okpebholo said he had spoken with the First Lady on Friday morning about the disaster and assured her that he would personally visit the affected community.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting the victims and restoring commercial activities at the market.

“We are going to rebuild the market. We are going to support those people who have shops here,” the governor declared.

16/10/2026

“The President is aware of your situation and what happened here yesterday. He has said your pains are his pains. We will repair your market. Stop crying; we will wipe your tears.”

— Governor Monday Okpebholo, addressing victims of the Oluku tanker fire.

15/10/2026

First Lady’s ₦1bn empowerment will stimulate local economy, Edo APC
…..50 AkpakoBuses: Thumps up for Okpebholo over job creation drive
…..Drivers, mechanics, traders to benefit
…..Opportunities for technicians, artisans, spare-parts dealers
…..Affordable fares will boost household disposable incomes

By Ayewa Eraolei Felix

The Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for the introduction of 50 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, popularly known as AkpakoBuses, describing the initiative as an investment capable of generating employment, stimulating local businesses and improving household incomes across the state.

The council also congratulated prospective drivers, attendants, technicians, mechanics and other beneficiaries of the transport initiative, saying its economic significance extends beyond the provision of affordable public transportation.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its Director of Media, Mr. John Mayaki, the council said the buses which was commissioned by Nigeria’s First Lady, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will benefit the entire people of Edo state.

Besides, the council also commended the First Lady of Nigeria, saying, “When you empower 5,000 women and small-business operators, you are indirectly creating opportunities for thousands of families, businesses and communities.

“This is the significance of the ₦1 billion economic empowerment initiative launched in Edo State by Nigeria’s First Lady, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.”

Continuing, Mayaki said, “The significance of this intervention goes beyond the ₦200,000 earmarked for each beneficiary. When a woman invests in her business, she creates opportunities for traders, suppliers, transporters and other participants in the local economy.

“When a small business expands, household income can improve, children can benefit and more economic activities can be generated within the community. This is what economists describe as the multiplier effect of economic empowerment.

“I therefore wish to sincerely appreciate Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for extending this initiative to the people of Edo State.

“I equally commend Governor Monday Okpebholo for his administration’s collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative and encourage the beneficiaries to invest the support wisely in productive ventures that can generate sustainable incomes.“

Mayaki said the employment opportunities associated with the buses could provide livelihoods for workers while at the same time create additional demand for goods and services across the state’s economy.

His words, “Consider the employment dimension. If each of the 50 buses engages one driver and one attendant, that would represent 100 direct employment positions.

“This employment will take some people out of the Labour market with earnings that will contribute to household incomes, consumer spending and commercial activities within Edo State.

“But the economic significance goes beyond the salaries of drivers and attendants. It extends to the businesses and households that benefit when workers spend their earnings,” Mayaki said.

Explaining the multiplier effect, the council’s spokesman said income generated through employment could stimulate successive transactions across different sectors of the economy.

“The driver buys food from a market woman. The market woman replenishes her stock from a supplier. The supplier pays a transporter. The attendant pays school fees, and the school pays its employees.

“The landlord engages an artisan, while the artisan purchases materials from another trader.

“Money changes hands, supporting businesses, sustaining livelihoods and creating demand for goods and services. This is what economists describe as the multiplier effect.

“That is why the economics of AkpakoBuses must be understood beyond the 50 vehicles themselves,” he explained.

Mayaki further noted that the operation of the buses could create opportunities for mechanics, cleaners, technicians, spare-parts dealers, tyre suppliers, security personnel, fleet managers and other service providers.

He said CNG-powered vehicles would also require appropriate refuelling infrastructure, trained technicians, regular maintenance and technical inspections, providing opportunities for specialised skills and commercial services.

According to him, the benefits could extend to existing businesses supplying goods and services to the transport sector, even where such activities do not immediately translate into additional employment.

The council stressed that the potential benefits of affordable transportation to workers, students, traders, civil servants and other commuters.

Mayaki said that where public transport fares are lower than existing alternatives, households could retain more disposable income for food, education, healthcare and other essential needs.

15/10/2026

The Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic fuel tanker explosion along the Benin-Lagos Road, near Oluku in Benin City, Edo State.

15/10/2026

Oluku tanker explosion: Edo APC Campaign Council sympathises with victims, commends UBTH CMD, firefighters, rescue agencies
…..Praises Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu for personally coordinating emergency medical response
…..Appreciates firefighters, health workers, security and rescue personnel
…..Warns residents against scooping fuel from fallen tankers

The Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic fuel tanker explosion along the Benin-Lagos Road, near Oluku in Benin City, Edo State.

In a statement issued by its Director of Media, John Mayaki, the council commiserated with families reportedly affected by the incident, particularly those who may have lost loved ones, while praying for the speedy recovery of injured victims receiving treatment.

The council described the incident as heartbreaking and called for urgent support for affected families and survivors.

“Our hearts go out to the families affected by this unfortunate tragedy. We share in their grief and pray that Almighty God grants them the strength to bear their losses.

“No family deserves to lose a loved one in such painful circumstances. No parent should have to bury a child, and no child should have to lose a parent to a preventable tragedy and no struggling market woman deserves to lose her wares,” Mayaki said.

The council particularly commended the Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Professor Idia Nibokun Ize-Iyamu, for her personal coordination of the hospital’s emergency response following the explosion.

Mayaki described the CMD’s intervention as an example of leadership during a public emergency.

“We commend Professor Idia Ize-Iyamu, Chief Medical Director of UBTH, for rising to the occasion and personally coordinating the emergency medical response to this unfortunate incident.

“Her intervention, alongside the doctors, nurses, emergency personnel and other hospital workers involved in treating the victims, deserves public recognition and appreciation.

“At a time when lives are at risk, what matters most is the ability of our institutions and their leadership to respond promptly, professionally and compassionately.

“We thank the management and staff of UBTH for their dedication to saving lives and caring for those affected.”

The campaign council also expressed appreciation to firefighters and personnel of the fire services, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Police Force, emergency management agencies, ambulance operators, volunteers and other responders involved in rescue and emergency operations.

“These men and women undertake dangerous assignments to protect lives and property. While others are running away from danger, they are often moving towards it to rescue those in distress.

“We acknowledge their courage, sacrifice and commitment to public safety. Their contributions should never be overlooked,” Mayaki said.

The council also used the opportunity to warn residents against the dangerous practice of scooping petroleum products from fallen tankers or accident scenes.

Mayaki said the temptation to collect spilled fuel could expose people to deadly explosions and fires.

“We appeal to our people to stop scooping fuel whenever a tanker falls or petroleum products spill on the road.

“Please, no quantity of petrol or diesel is worth your life. What you hope to gain from a few litres of fuel cannot compare with the pain your death would bring to your family.

“When a tanker falls, stay away from the scene. Do not rush there with buckets, jerry cans or other containers. Alert the appropriate authorities and allow trained emergency personnel to handle the situation.

“We have witnessed too many painful tanker disasters in Nigeria. We must learn from these experiences and stop exposing ourselves to avoidable danger.”

The campaign council further expressed concern over attempts to introduce political sarcasm into discussions surrounding the tragedy.

Mayaki referred to a social media post attributed to a Benin based lawyer, which read: “Fire out break at Oluku, Benin City. What a welcoming scene for the 1st Lady.”

He questioned the relevance of linking an emergency involving possible loss of lives and destruction of property to the visit of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

“What exactly is the connection between a tanker explosion and the First Lady’s visit? Is a fire outbreak now a welcome ceremony?

“Our differences in politics should never deprive us of compassion. A tragedy is a tragedy, whether it happens under an APC, PDP or ADC administration.

“Elections will come and go. Political parties will disagree. But human lives are sacred and irreplaceable.

“The responsible thing at a time like this is to sympathise with the victims, appreciate those risking their lives to save others and encourage the relevant authorities to prevent a recurrence.”

The council called on the appropriate authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the explosion, establish the cause, confirm the casualty figures and strengthen safety measures along major highways.

It also urged the Federal Road Safety Corps, fire services, emergency management agencies and relevant government institutions to intensify public awareness campaigns on the dangers of fuel scooping and unsafe conduct around petroleum tankers.

Mayaki appealed to motorists, residents and community leaders to cooperate with emergency responders and avoid actions capable of obstructing rescue operations.

“Edo State belongs to all of us. Our humanity must always come before our politics.

“Once again, we sympathise with the affected families, appreciate the Chief Medical Director and entire management of UBTH, our firefighters and all emergency responders, and pray for the quick recovery of those receiving treatment.

“May God protect our people and spare Edo State from further tragedies.”

14/10/2026

Okpebholo among Nigeria’s best

The Edo governor’s growing collection of awards is noteworthy, but equally significant is the confidence his leadership continues to inspire among the state’s people and across Nigeria.

We all know that when recognition comes repeatedly from different institutions, across different sectors, and within a relatively short period, it becomes a development worth attention. Such is the case with Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

The latest is the Leadership Newspaper Governor of the Year 2026 recognition, with a formal presentation scheduled for December 1 at the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.

https://thenationonlineng.net/okpebholo-among-nigerias-best/amp/?shem=aimgspe,

By John Mayaki The Edo governor’s growing collection of awards is noteworthy, but equally significant is the confidence his leadership continues to

14/10/2026

Jubilation in Edo ahead of First Lady, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s visit