Author: Iduozee Efe Paul

The ancient kingdom of Beni marked its new yam festival in the Edo State capital last week with Omo N’Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, CFR, saying the Emoro new yam festival is to rekindle the rich Benin cultural heritage. The Oba of Benin said the festival is also meant to demonstrate love among one another in line with the divine order. The first class monarch made the statement at the first Ugie Emoro festival at the Palace ground in Benin City, ahead of his 7th coronation anniversary. The in Oba Ewuare ll disclosed that subsequently, the Emoro…

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State chapter has called for urgent action on both the abandoned Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, projects and the rehabilitation of all federal roads in the state- the Benin/Auchi Road; Benin/Agbor Road; Benin/Abraka Road; Benin/Sapele Road; Benin/Akure Road and the Benin/Lagos Road. The union also admonished journalists to be neutral and professional in their reportage of political activities ahead of the Edo 2024 elections as it decried the pervasive tendency of some journalists to publish fake and unverified news items. The NUJ made the demands in a statement issued at the end of its…

The bad state of the healthcare system in the country recently came under serious scrutiny again, at the annual lecture of the Federated Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) held in Benin City, the Edo State capital. Stakeholders at the lecture decried the sorry state of the sector and blamed both the federal and state governments for paying lip service to the issue of adequate funding and welfare of healthcare professionals. Leading the condemnation, president of the World Medical Association (WMA), Dr. Osahon Enabulele, who blamed both tiers of government for the rot in the sector, explained that…

The people of Edo Central Senatorial District have issued a strong worded advice to the state’s deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, to exercise restraint and stop blackmails in his bid to pressurize Governor Godwin Obaseki to disregard the senatorial zoning arrangement of the state which provides for the district to produce the next governor. The people who, gave the warning at a press conference held at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Chapter, in Benin City, said the frustration Shaibu is expressing is only a decoy to make it seem as if he is being victimized…

The Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp, located in Benin City, Edo State has graduated a total of 18 students from various universities in Nigeria. Making this known to newsmen, the coordinator, Home for the Needy Foundation, Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, added that over 80 students have graduated so far from the IDP Camp, while 200 undergraduates are presently in different universities learning while another 150 are still processing their admissions. He pleaded with the state and government at all levels in Nigeria, and the world at large, to join in investing in the lives of the children, stressing that over 3,000…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission, ICPC, has commenced the processes of tracking 82 zonal intervention projects in Edo State. The zonal intervention projects valued at N36, 289,341,305.81, cuts across all sectors including agriculture, education, health, housing, works, power, science and technology, water, empowerment/capacity building, and others. According to a statement released recently to the press by ICPC, the outcome of the advocacy tracking event which commenced on October 16, 2023, is expected to develop a framework that will help create transparency of information that can be used by the Commission, to provide useful benchmarks and points…

Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin was pressurized to a 2–2 draw by RS Berkane of Morocco in the second round of the 2023/24 CAF Confederation Cup preliminary stage last Saturday. Bendel Insurance FC was impressive in their performance against the 2022 champions despite the stalemate and the rain in Benin City. Imade Osarenkhoe gave Insurance FC the lead in the 28th minute of the action packed first leg match at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, with a fine shot after latching on a rebound from Benjamin Tanimu’s shot on target which was too hot for goalkeeper Amine El Quaad.…

The organisers of Betsy Obaseki Football Tournament have announced October 19, 2023 as the kick off date for the 3rd Edition of the women preseason soccer fiesta in Benin City, Edo state capital. The chairman, Edo State Sports Commission, Olympian Yusuf Alli, who is incidentally chairman of the Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the women football tournament made the announcement on Wednesday in Benin, during the inauguration of subcommittees for the women soccer event. Inaugurating the various committees for the Betsy Obaseki Football tournament, Olympian Alli said the event will now hold between October 19 and 29 to serve as…

Edo State deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu has described the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, as a living legend who has touched many lives across the state and beyond, through his philanthropic gestures. The deputy governor made the statement on Sunday September 10, 2023, at a special thanksgiving mass to celebrate the 89th birthday of Chief Igbinedion, the founder of Nigeria’s first private university, the Igbinedion University, Okada, and the Independent Television/Radio (ITV/Radio) Benin City, held at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in Benin City. Speaking with journalists shortly after the thanksgiving service, the deputy governor, said…

The Odionwere, elders, leaders and people of Oke-Oroma Village in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State have accused a police officer, SP Godspower Osagie of the Rapid Response and Intelligence Squad of the Edo State Police Command of allegedly using thugs armed with AK 47, Pump Action and other dangerous weapons in terrorizing the community. In a petition made available to journalists in Benin City titled, “Violent And Criminal Activities Of A Notorious Criminal Gang in Oke-Oroma Village Who Are Terrorizing The Village With Dangerous Weapons lncluding Several AK 47s Allegedly Belonging To The Nigerian Police, Alleged Aiding And…