₦airaland Forum

Nigerian music icon, Innocent Ujah Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has reportedly welcomed a baby girl with Natasha, a lawmaker in the Edo State House of Assembly, IDOMA VOICE reports. 

In the brief announcement, Natasha expressed gratitude with the caption: “It’s a Girl” followed by prayer emojis.

According to an informed source, the child was delivered in an Abuja hospital on Thursday night.

This development comes a few months after the singer and his wife, Annie Idibia, reportedly parted ways following prolonged marital issues.

The new arrival brings the number of 2Baba’s children to eight, shared among four  different women, with Natasha now becoming the fourth woman to have a child for the Afrobeats legend.

The Idoma community has been thrown into deep mourning following the shocking death of Senator Abba Moro’s son, Victor Peter Moro, and his grandson, Abba Moro Jnr, within 48 hours.

Victor, who had just returned from Turkey where he completed his studies, reportedly lost his life in a tragic accident around the Mararaba axis shortly after returning home for his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme. The devastating news was compounded barely two days later by the death of Senator Moro’s 10-year-old grandson, Abba Moro Jnr, DOMA VOICE reports.

The double tragedy has plunged the Moro household and the entire Idoma nation into grief, with sympathies pouring in from political associates, community leaders, and well-wishers across Benue State and beyond.

Reacting to the incident, the Member representing Okpokwu State Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Agom Anthony, expressed deep sorrow over the deaths, describing Victor as “a man of integrity and compassion.”

“Victor was not only a devoted son but also a close ally and friend. I remember our encounter in Turkey when I visited for other engagements, his kindness, integrity, and commitment to humanity and his people will always be remembered,” Agom said in his condolence message.

He described the tragedy as “unimaginable and deeply painful,” praying for divine comfort for Senator Moro and his family during this difficult time.

“As you navigate this profound grief, know that you are not alone. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Sir. May you find comfort in the cherished memories you hold and in the love that surrounds you,” he added.

The remains of the late Peter Moro have since been taken to Ugbokolo, his country home in Okpokwu Local Government Area, for burial.

Zenith Bank Celebrates 35 Years Of Trusted Banking Service, Recognises Pioneer Customers And Long-Serving Staff At Anniversary Event In Lagos

Zenith Bank Plc marked its 35th anniversary with a commemorative event held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos on 15th August 2025.

The celebration brought together key stakeholders, partners, staff and friends of the bank to acknowledge over three decades of excellence, innovation and reliability in the Nigerian banking sector. In recognition of the pivotal role played by its earliest customers and employees, Zenith Bank specially honoured its first customers and long-serving members of staff who have been instrumental in its growth journey.

Speaking at the event, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji OON, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, underscored the bank’s enduring commitment to delivering exceptional service and providing financial solutions that empower individuals and businesses. “Our success has been built on the trust of our customers and the dedication of our staff. Today, we not only celebrate 35 years of growth and excellence, but also the people who made this possible,” she said.

Also present at the ceremony was the Founder & Chairman of Zenith Bank, Mr Jim Ovia CFR, who applauded the bank’s sustained impact and strengthened reputation over the years.

The event was graced by several eminent personalities including the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima GCON (a proud Zenith Bank alumnus), the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Governor of Taraba State, Dr Agbu Kefas, the Governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Zulum, Aliko Dangote GCON, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, along with former governors Peter Obi (Anambra State) and Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom State, also a Zenith Bank alumnus), alongside other distinguished dignitaries.

The celebration featured keynote speeches, award presentations and musical performances, creating a memorable atmosphere for all in attendance.

Founded in May 1990, Zenith Bank has grown from humble beginnings into one of Africa’s leading financial institutions, with a reputation for stability, innovation and outstanding customer service.

The collaboration aims to introduce specialised professional courses in biotechnology, genetics, and molecular biology, giving students access to practical skills that meet global standards. This initiative aligns with Maduka University’s mission to equip students with practical knowledge that addresses the needs of modern industries.

Professor George Ude, who led the DNA team to the university said that the partnership would focus on providing hands-on training and industry-recognised certification for undergraduates and working professionals.

Professor Ude highlighted the importance of the partnership in building local capacity for biotechnology and life sciences, saying, “our goal is to make advanced DNA education and research accessible to Nigerian students and researchers. By partnering with Maduka University, we can reach more young people and empower them with skills that are relevant in healthcare, agriculture, forensics, and environmental management.”

He said that the courses would include Human Genetics using PV92, Microscopy of Life, DNA Fingerprinting and Forensics, Understanding GMO’s and Gene Editing using CRISPR technology, Disease discovery and Microbiome using Metagenomic tools, DNA Barcoding and Biodiversity Conservation, World of Enzymes and Biochemistry of DNA: Unlocking the Catalyst of Life and Genetic Function, and many others.

It was a thing of joy to note that the DNA initiative has been embraced by by institutions in Nigeria and Enugu State, in particular.

Speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of Maduka University, Professor Charles Ogbulogo, described the partnership as a significant step toward positioning the university as a hub for scientific and technological innovation.

Professor Ogbulogo further pointed out that this partnership opens up new frontiers for our students and faculty. “The DNA Learning Centre Nigeria brings a wealth of expertise and resources that will help our students gain practical experience in DNA technology, bioinformatics, and advanced laboratory techniques,” he said.

In his remark, the Chancellor of Maduka University, Dr. Samuel Maduka Onyishi, expressed delight with the development which ties with the ethos of the institution.
He pointed out the huge entrepreneurial potential in enzyme production, which the DNA learning Centre has consistently presented as a challenge.

Dr. Onyishi expressed optimism that the collaboration would be viable, pointing out that we have always enjoyed a good relationship with Godfrey Okoye University, a major collaborator with DNA Learning Centre.

The DNA Team Lead, Professor George Ude, was accompanied on the visit by the Deputy Director DNA Learning Centre Nigeria, Mr. Michael Okoro, Dr. Chidinma Okafor, Miss Florence Mgbodile, Lead Instructor II, Miss Eloanyi Queen, Mr. Ozomah Precious, and Mr. Onyia Emmanuel.
Representing Maduka University were the Chancellor, Dr. Samuel Maduka Onyishi; the Vice-Chairman of Peace Group, Dr. Ifeyinwa Onyishi; and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Charles Ogbulogo.

Maduka University continues to expand its academic partnerships and industry linkages, reaffirming its vision to produce graduates with practical skills that can solve real-world problems.

It was a scene of tears and anguish on Monday morning as a grieving family in Edikwu Ankpali, Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, laid to rest eleven of its members killed in a brutal attack by suspected herdsmen.

IDOMA VOCIE reports that the assailants stormed the community on Sunday evening, opening fire on residents and killing more than 25 people. Several others were reportedly abducted during the assault.

The attack, which residents say lasted for hours, occurred without any intervention from security operatives, further deepening fears over worsening insecurity in the region.

Edikwu is located just a few kilometres from Ugbokpo, the administrative headquarters of Apa LGA.

Reacting to the tragedy, a member of the bereaved family, Ben Ekah, described the ordeal as the darkest moment for the community.

“Burying 11 family members in my village, Ankpali, Apa LGA, is the most agonizing moment for us. We are completely overwhelmed and devastated. Many are in the hospital, and thousands have fled the community,” he lamented.

Meanwhile, efforts to get a response from the Benue State Police Command have so far been unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, Edet Udeme, has not responded to multiple messages seeking comment.

Public primary schools in Owukpa, a district in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, are facing a slow and painful extinction.

These institutions, once the proud nurseries of some of Nigeria’s finest professionals, have become graveyards of learning.

Where laughter and recitations once echoed, silence now reigns. Where dreams were nurtured, only ruins remain.

Years of government abandonment, rising insecurity, and policy reversals have reduced these schools to rubble.

Classrooms are deserted. Walls have crumbled. Roofs are gone. Blackboards gather dust, and the few remaining desks rot under open skies.

Pupils have vanished, teachers have disappeared—and reptiles have taken their place.

A recent tour of the schools by IDOMA TELEVISION revealed a grim reality.

LGEA Primary School Ikwo is now a relic of the past. Founded in the early 1970s, at the moment, it is nothing but a skeletal structure.

Not a single child attends. Snakes and lizards have claimed what was once a citadel of knowledge.

Ekere Owukpa tells the same story, a perhaps worse tale. A school that educated several generations now hosts only one teacher.

Pupils are few. Parents, disillusioned, have fled to private institutions. The collapse is total.

Across the district, once-thriving schools are now shadows of their former selves.

Achi Ugbugbu. Udaburu. Ejule. Okpudu. Atamaka. Each tells a story of decay.

Each paints a portrait of neglect. Some schools have no teachers. Others, no students. Most have neither.

Those who once taught with pride now speak in despair. Retired headteachers recall classrooms overflowing with children now echo with emptiness.

Insecurity compounds the problem. In some areas, teachers have fled for their lives. Schools stand deserted, not just by policy, but by fear.

What remains is a broken system, a network of schools abandoned by the state, forgotten by leadership, and deserted by hope.

Owukpa’s children are being left behind. Not because they lack intelligence. Not because they lack will. But because they have been failed.

If nothing changes, the question is no longer when public primary schools in Owukpa will die, but whether they’re already dead.

Helgreenluv:
The fact still remains that Enenche is a con man.

The wife of the late Colonel Anthony Aboki Ochefu and founder of the renowned Mammy Market, Mama Mammy Ochefu, is dead.

IDOMA VOICE gathered that she died on Wednesday at an advanced age.

She hailed from Jericho-Ugboju in the present Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Mammy Ochefu’s legacy dates back to 1955 when, as a young bride to then-Non-Commissioned military officer Anthony Aboki Ochefu, she sought to support her household by selling soft drinks and a traditional beverage known as kunu at the Army Barracks in Abakpa, Enugu.

Her business quickly gained popularity among soldiers, but complaints about hygiene led to restrictions on her operations.

Recognizing her entrepreneurial spirit, a senior officer allocated a designated space behind the barracks where she could continue her trade. What started as a single beverage stand soon expanded, as other women in the barracks joined in selling various goods, forming what became known as the "Mammy Market."

As Colonel Ochefu was posted to different states, Mammy continued setting up similar markets, ensuring that each one remained operational even after their departure. Over time, Mammy Markets became a permanent feature in military barracks across Nigeria, serving as vital hubs for soldiers and their families.

Ochefu was shot dead at a Petrol Station in Otukpo, Benue State on 25 November 1999.

After the passing of her husband, Mammy Ochefu returned to her hometown in Otukpo, where she spent the rest of her life. 

She is now reunited with her husband.

Rest in peace, Mama Mammy Ochefu.

Risingblue008:
Imagine taking offerings from this multitude?

And u say d pastor no go fit buy Bentley?
Christianity is the sweetest religion,but the way pastors preach go make u believe say to be a Christian hard,.that's their trick

jocelynor:
E don hammer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUz_oKS4mC0

The presidential aspirant of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election and former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has explained why he visited Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.

Obi, in his address, said he visited the state to discuss with Gov. Bala how to pull people out of poverty and reduce crime in the region.

“We need to discuss hunger. We need to discuss poverty. We need to discuss education. We need to discuss health. What concerns the people should be the priority of the political class.”