CONCORD ONLINE NEWS

Okiye       Hendrix Oliomogbe  The Edo State Gaming and Lottery Regulatory Commission (ESGLRC) has faulted the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) Sales Promotion Regulations, 2026, which seek to confer regulatory, licensing, approval and supervisory powers over lotteries, promotional lotteries, games of chance and related gaming activities on a federal agency. In a statement in Benin City by the chairman, Hon. Frank Okiye, he said that flowing from the binding judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered on 22 November, 2024, and the principles of true federalism, the FSGRN had pointedly declared these provisions a direct affront to the constitutional powers of the states. Hon. Okiye, former speaker of Edo State House of Assembly contended that at a time when Nigeria should, among other things, being consolidating the gains of constitutional federalism as championed by President Bola Tinubu, strengthening regul...

          Obeakemhe  Hendrix Oliomogbe  A group, Afemai Cultural Festival International (ACFI) has unveiled plans for a profound cultural renaissance in Abuja. Tagged, "Afemai Cultural Renaissance Day", the event which is scheduled to hold on May 29, 2027 in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja is being organized by ACFI in collaboration with Afemai Sons and Daughters Association, Abuja. A statement Benin City, Edo State by Mr. Sam Obeakemhe, the chief executive officer of ACFI explained that the collaboration, among others aims to awaken Afemai ancestral wisdom, elevate indigenous languages and integrate traditional Afemai – Akoko Edo, Etsako and Owan communities values with contemporary global innovations.   He said that the event will also encourage dialogue by promoting an open exchange between modern global influences and deep-rooted cultural practices without regressing into archaic customs.  Besides, Mr. Obeakeme said that it will...

Hendrix Oliomogbe  The Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared full solidarity with the state chapter of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) in its ongoing strike over knotty labour issues. In a statement in Benin City on Monday, October 19, 2026 by the chairman, Caretaker Committee of Edo NLC, Prof. Monday Igbafen, he urged authorities of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to immediately return to the negotiation table  Residents of Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti States have been thrown into darkness following a strike by BEDC workers over the contentious issues of harmonization of salary, implementation of national minimum wage, promotion of  workers, threat of mass sack, and other lingering labour matters. Prof. Igbafen berated authorities of the electricity company for their refusal to use the seven days window of grace after the expiration of 14 days ultimatum given by the union to resolve the contending labour is...

Pa Iduoriyekemwen         Hendrix Oliomogbe  A group, Peoples' Assembly for Good Governance (PAGG) has described the arrest and arraignment of Pa Joseph Iduoriyekemwen, the 90 year-old father of Mr. Mathew Iduoriyekemwen, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Edo South Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections as an attempt to muzzle the opposition. The elder Iduoriyekemwen was arrested by detectives from the Edo State Police Command at about 4 am from his residence in suburban Amagba, Benin City, on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. In a joint statement Monday, October 19, 2026 in Benin City by the national chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor and national secretary, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nkama, PAGG  (formerly Coalition of Registered Political Parties - CRPP) vehemently condemned what it described as intimidation of the opposition by the Edo State Government, using machinery of state. The condemnation followed the arraignment of Pa Iduoriyekemwen, th...

          Uduaghan  Hendrix Oliomogbe  Former Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan is dead. According to family source, Dr. Uduaghan, who was governor of the oil rich state between 2007 and 2O15 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) died in the early hours of today, October 19, 2026. The former governor, a maternal cousin of another ex-governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori hails from the small town of Abigborodo, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State. He had a stint as Commissioner of Health during the administration of Chief James Ibori and later Secretary to the Delta State Government. Born on October 22, 1954, the ex-governor, was two days short of his 72nd birthday.

      Okpebholo with Okiye (right) with others during a visit in Government House... recently  Hendrix Oliomogbe  The executive chairman of Edo State Lottery Regulatory Commission and former Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Frank Okiye has defended the leadership style of Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo. Hon. Okiye, who spoke during a visit to the managing director of Edo State Geographic Information Service (EdoGIS), Dr. Innocent Bello in his office in Benin City said that the slow but very meticulous style of Governor Okpebholo is the best approach to governance. Having been with the governor recently, the Edo State Lottery Regulatory Commission chairman said that he (Okpebholo) remains focused despite what he insisted as "undue noise from critics." He said: "Contrary to criticisms by his opponents, the governor is not slow but very meticulous. The governor likes taking his time to do anything he sets out to do. He is very meticulous. I was wit...

Rev. Adeniyi  Hendrix Oliomogbe  The leadership of Accord Party (AP) has disassociated itself from a statement credited to one Mr. Oke Sewedo and Mr. Oladeji Oluwatosin, designating themselves as party leader in Lagos West Senatorial district and Lagos State Chairman of the party respectively under the platform of Concerned Leaders of Accord Lagos State. A statement by Dr. Samson Isibor, for the chairman, Board of Trustees of Accord Party, Rev Isaac Adeniyi advised members of the general public to disregard the statement against the  national leader, coming from "these disgruntled elements posing as chieftains of the party." Dr. Isibor insisted that Sewedo and Oluwatosin, the two self styled leaders under the platform of Concerned Leaders of Accord Lagos State, are impostors as the party is not aware of the existence such such group. He added: "The only known and recognized Accord Party national leaders that can issue any statement is the national chairman, Barr. Maxwell...