The Edo State Government, in its commitment to eradicate illegality in all sectors of the state, has set up a Government Task Force to combat illegal activities in the state.

The team, which comprises the Nigerian Police, Military, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, will be headed by SP. Michael Anetor, who has been appointed the Commander of the Team.

The team is expected to commence operations immediately, and work towards sanitising the entire state of illegality in no distant time, thereby actualising the “New Edo vision” of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

“Leave no stone unturned”, Gov. Okpebholo charged them.

The public is encouraged to report any suspected illegal activities to the official phone number of the team – 07018014525.

This is the New Edo We Voted For.

The Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, says Nigeria’s democracy is fast losing its essence as a result of deep-rooted poverty ravaging the country.

Obi stated this in a post on his X handle on Monday.

The former Anambra State governor said the number of Nigerians living in poverty is alarming, a situation which he said democracy was supposed to address.

“With about 100 million Nigerians living in absolute poverty and 150 million in multidimensional poverty, democracy is fast losing its essence if it fails to address the fundamental needs of its citizens, particularly in critical areas such as health, education, and poverty alleviation,” he tweeted.

The politician, therefore, urged leaders to address poverty in the land by prioritizing and strengthening independent institutions and delivering economic progress to the people.

“We must confront the fundamental question: Is democracy truly addressing the needs of Nigerians? Are we building institutions that uphold accountability, justice, and fairness? To achieve a functional democracy, we must prioritize strengthening independent institutions, fostering governance that delivers economic and social progress, encouraging active citizenship to hold leaders accountable, and empowering our youth as drivers of nation-building.

“As Nelson Mandela once said, as long as poverty, injustice, and inequality exist, none of us can truly rest.

“Now is the time to deepen democracy and build a better future for all Nigerians. Amid the rise of coups across Africa and the growing fragility of democracies globally, it is evident that democracy cannot thrive without trust, robust institutions, and a steadfast commitment to the welfare of the people,” he added.

Obi further reiterated that for democracy in Africa to thrive beyond its current fragile state, it must operate within its foundational tenets, going beyond ceremonial elections. This requires building critical institutions that command trust and deliver absolute respect for the people’s will.

“Governance can only deliver tangible benefits when the will of the people prevails,” he added.

US President Donald Trump has signed four executive orders aimed at reshaping the US military. Including Banning Transgender Service Members

Trump has revoked an executive order signed by former President Biden in 2021, which allowed transgender people to serve in the military. The new order argues that allowing transgender people to serve openly has undermined military readiness and “unit cohesion”.

Gutting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs: The order directs the removal of DEI practices inside the Pentagon, which has been a long-standing goal of Trump’s administration.

Reinstating Service Members Discharged for Refusing COVID-19 Vaccination:  Trump’s order reinstates service members who were discharged for refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19, with back pay and benefits.

Creating a “Next Generation” Missile Defense Shield: The fourth order directs the development of an advanced space-based missile defense system, dubbed the “Iron Dome” for America.

These executive orders mark a significant shift in US military policy, with Trump’s administration prioritizing military readiness and cost-efficiency. However, the orders have also sparked controversy, with critics arguing that they undermine diversity and inclusion in the military.