News
Just In: Capt. William Ayagbene Elaweremi Passes Away, Chief Engr. Pondi Mourns Beloved Father-In-Law
By Divine Perezide
The Elaweremi family of Ayakoromo in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State has been plunged into deep sorrow following the passing of their revered patriarch, Capt. William Ayagbene Elaweremi. The esteemed octogenarian reportedly died in the early hours of Thursday, May 1, 2025, as confirmed by his family.
Capt. Elaweremi, who was the oldest living member of the Ayakoromo community residing in Warri, was widely respected for his upright character and positive influence on many across the Niger Delta region during his lifetime.
Of significant note is that the late Elaweremi was the father of Mrs. Blessing Pondi, the beloved first wife of High Chief Engr. Kestin Pondi of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
Reacting to the shocking news, Engr. Kestin Pondi expressed his grief and admiration, stating “Late Pa. William Elaweremi was a father figure to me and treated me like a so.” He extended his heartfelt sympathies to his wife Blessing, her siblings, and his cherished mother-in-law, Mrs Beauty Elaweremi. He urged them to find strength in their faith, adding; “Papa is sleeping in the bosom of the Lord his creator.”
Since the announcement of Pa Elaweremi’s death, a steady stream of friends, well-wishers, and sympathizers from both the Elaweremi family of Ayakoromo and the Pondi family of Sokebolou in the Ogulagha Kingdom have gathered at his residence in ijaw Quarters, Bendel Estate, Airport Road, Effurun, Warri, to offer their condolences.
On the first day of mourning, ronowned community figure Chief Kingsley Takemebo, also know as Mienkuro 1, offered musical consolation to Chief Mrs. Blessing Pondi and the entire Elaweremi family, urging them to take heart during this difficult time.
Among the notable individuals who paid condolenc visits were Engr. Matthew Tonlagha, MD of Fenog and Vice Chairman of Tantita Security Services; Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme; Engr. Kestin Pondi; Chief Godfrey Pondi, GM of Operations at Tantita; Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi, House of Representative member for Burutu Federal Constituency; Chief Kenneth Obogu; Chief Barrister Smooth; Chief Boro Opudu; Hon. Alapala Anthony Ebitonmo, Delta State House of Assembly member for Burutu North; Rt. Hon. Dennis Emomotimi Guwor, speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly; Hon. George Ekpemupolo; Chief Lucky Youbogha; Ambassador Binebai Prince will, IYC Worldwide Spokesman; Chief Ebimobowei Oguma, and several others.
Photo Credit: The Liberator Newspaper
By: Divine Perezide
The Imo State Government has introduced a new education policy prohibiting graduation ceremonies for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS3 students, alongside a ban on the yearly replacement of textbooks.
According to a memo dated August 15, 2025, and signed by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, only Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) learners will now be allowed to hold graduation events-reflecting the structure of Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education model.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is committed to providing quality and functional education to all students. Henceforth, graduation ceremonies and parties for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS3 students are hereby abolished,” the memo stated.
In a further move to ease the financial burden on parents and streamline academic consistency, the policy also mandates that approved textbooks must now be used for at least four years. This change is expected to allow siblings to reuse educational materials and prevent yearly replacement costs.
Violations-including frequent textbook changes or deviation from the approved list-are strongly discourage, The Guardian Nigeria reported in a related news.
Prof. Ikegwuoha emphasized in the directive that these reforms aim to reduce exploitative practices, foster learning continuity, and ensure focus remains on academic achievement rather than celebratory
By: Divine Perezide
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has arrived back in Nigeria following his participation at the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, Switzerland, and a short vacation in London. He touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the early hours of today, around 4 a.m.
In a statement upon arrival, Akpabio explained: “At about 4 a.m. this morning, I landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from London. While abroad, I attended the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva from July 29 to 31, before proceeding to London for a brief vacation.”
Reaffirming his commitment to the Nigerian people, the Senate President assured that the legislature would resume with renewed energy. “Nigerians can expect vibrant legislative activities when we reconvene. Our delegation made a strong impression at the global parliamentary forum in Geneva. Together with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, we ensured Nigeria’s voice was well represented,” he said.
Akpabio further pledged that the National Assembly would continue to pursue meaningful collaboration with the executive and judiciary to advance the collective interest of citizens.
News
Great Loss As Family Announces The Painful Passing Iduwini-borne Billionaire Prince, Presley Gere Iyalahga
By: Miracle Palakia
Odimodi, Delta State – The Iyalahga and Diepregha families, Odimodi, Aghoro, and the entire Iduwini Kingdom in Delta and Bayelsa States, breaks silence on the painful loss of their son, Prince Presley Isele Gere Iyalahga, Billionaire businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Preslyn Group of Companies, who passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the age of 48.
Prince Presley was an illustrious son of two distinguished families: His Royal Majesty Gere J. Iyalagha, (Igbedikuru-II), the late Ibenanawei of Iduwini Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, and the late Regent of Iduwini Kingdom (Delta & Bayelsa States), High Chief Diepregha Akpotelemor of Gberigberi-Idumu Quarters, Aghoro-I Community, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The former President of the Iduwini National Youth Council for Peace and Development was a respected businessman and community leader, who’s untimely demise has thrown his family, friends, associates, community, and Kingdom into deep shock and sorrow. He’s survived by his beloved wife, Princess Preye Presley Iyalagha, and six children.
The families made known the development to newsmen on Saturday, August 16th, in a statement jointly signed by Mr. Oroupade Oweibe and George Diepregha for the families and his son, Prince Peremobowei Presley Iyalagha, for the children.
According to the statement, funeral rites will take place on Friday, August 29th, 2025. At 10 a.m., the body will depart Warri via Millar Jetty to his compound in Odimodi for a brief Funeral Service, lying in state, interment.
IduwiniVoice can report that Prince Presley Iyalagha’s passing marks not only the loss of a vibrant Royal entrepreneur but that of a leader in Iduwini Kingdom and Ijaw nation. His memory remains deeply cherished by the lives he touched and all who knew him.