CONCORD ONLINE NEWS

     Senator Tinubu 4th right), Governor Okpebholo,  (4th left), Senator Adams Oshiomhole (2nd left)      and  others at the ceremony  Hendrix Oliomogbe  The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday in Benin inaugurated 50 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and launched a N1 billion economic empowerment programme for 5,000 beneficiaries in Edo State. Mrs. Tinubu, who performed the inauguration and launched the empowerment programme, said the initiatives by Governor Monday Okpebholo would improve transportation, strengthen small businesses and promote economic opportunities for women, youths and vulnerable groups in the state. She said she was glad to be back in Edo after a long time for the commissioning of 50 compressed natural gas buses for the benefit of the people,” she said. She commended the state government for introducing the initiatives, describing them as important steps towards improving livelihoods and supporting econo...

               Pa Iduoriyekemwen  Hendrix Oliomogbe  The Edo State Government has chided the police for the Gestapo like arrest of Pa Joseph Iduoriyekemwen, 90, father of Mr. Mathew Iduoriyekemwen, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) senatorial candidate for Edo South in the 2027 general elections  The senior Iduoriyekemwen was whisked away from his residence in Amagba, suburban Benin City, by armed policemen, who claimed to have acted on the orders of the Edo State Police Commissioner, following a petition by some local residents over gunrunng and violence, at about 4am. A statement in Benin City by Prince Kassim Afegbua, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy said that whatever be the motive, arresting a 90 year old and fragile man at 4am is a no-no for the state government government.  Prince Afegbua said that Governor Monday Okpebholo is law abiding and his approach to issues often follows due process and rule of l...

                  Pa Iduoriyekemwen Hendrix Oliomogbe  Armed policemen from the Edo State Police Command have arrested Pa Joseph Iduoriyekemwen, 90, father of Mr. Mathew Iduoriyekemwen, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) senatorial candidate for Edo South in the 2027 general elections. According to a close family source, Pa Iduoriyekemwen was whisked away by the policemen, who claimed to have acted on the orders of the Edo State Police Commissioner at about 4am from his residence in Amagba, suburban Benin City, Edo State. According to the source, the security agents, who refused to disclose his offence reportedly took him to an undisclosed location, where he was held. Speaking on her mobile phone, the Edo State Police spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem however stated that the senior Iduoriyekemwen was arrested over allegations of violence, gun running and disturbance of the peace of Amagba community in suburban Benin City. Ikoedem, an assistan...

                   Mrs. Inneh, sitting on her favorite chair  Hendrix Oliomogbe  Time trots, so they say but for popular  ITV/Radio journalist, Mr. Efosa Uwangue, time seems to have stood still since her mother passed away at 81 in the early hours of Friday, October 3, 2025 in a private hospital in the Edo State capital, after a brief illness.  Going Americanese, Mr. Uwangue said that day (October 3, 2025) "was one helluva day" and that hings have certainly not been the same with him since the transition of his beloved mother. Reflecting on the passage, he said that he could hardly believe it when he got the news of her death and had to pinch himself just to be sure that it was not a bad dream. Goosebumps were all over him when the reality of the situation gradually sank in. Even as a octogenarian, he confessed that it didn't for once cross his mind that his mother, the rock he had leaned on since the exit of his fath...

Flooded: Ojirami Dam  Hendrix Oliomogbe  ‎The Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Council, Hon. Robert Akande Olumole, has directed the partial opening of Ojirami dam under the supervision of engineers to allow for controlled water flow and reduce the risk of flooding in adjoining communities. Hon. Olumole spoke during an emergency visit to the dam following rising water levels which triggered concerns and panic among residents of surrounding communities.   He directed that the dam be partially opened under the supervision of the engineers to allow controlled water flow and reduce the risk of flooding in adjoining communities. ‎ ‎The chairman, who led council officials dam for an emergency assessment of the dam, said that the emergency intervention became necessary due to the prolonged deterioration of the dam's mechanical opening and closing mechanism, which officials said had not received adequate servicing or lubrication for a considerable period. ‎ ‎During the insp...

Hendrix Oliomogbe  ReachOut Nigeria with Rhapsody of Realities is marking its 20th edition with its biggest nationwide campaign yet, as 100 million copies of Rhapsody of Realities are set for distribution across Nigeria under the theme, "Celebrating 20 Years of Impact, Taking Rhapsody to Every Man's World." The milestone coincides with Nigeria's 66th Independence Anniversary and will see Rhapsody of Realities distributed across all 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria, reaching adults, youths, teenagers, children and people with accessibility needs in cities, towns, villages and hinterlands. A statement by Pastor Sylvester Ebhodaghe of the Directorate of Media Communications, Loveworld Nation explained that the 20th edition built on a movement that began in 2007 with a vision to inspire hope, promote patriotism and empower Nigerians with the transforming message of God's Word. Pastor Ebhodaghe noted that over the years, ReachOut Nigeria has grown beyond the mass ...

Hendrix Oliomogbe Piqued by the annulment of Edo Queens’ penalty-shootout victory over Ghana’s Ampem Darkoa Ladies by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in the WAFU-B final, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has appealed the verdict of the continental football body, which ordered that the final must resume from extra time. In its appeal dated Tuesday, September 29, 2026 through the Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Edem Ikpeme, NFF is demanding that CAF should reconsider its annulment of the outcome of the match.  In the final played on September 5 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Fasso, Edo Queens’ of Nigeria defeated the hard fighting Ghanaian champions, Ampem Darkoa Ladies, 4-1 in the penalty shootout ordered by the referee, after  the match ended 2-2 during regulation time. The victory, which also earned the victorious Nigerians, the WAFU-B qualification ticket for the CAF Women’s Champions League is however at risk as the two warring teams may return to the pitc...

Hendrix  Oliomogbe  A group, the People's Assembly for Good Governance (PAGG) has faulted Edo State Government for blaming the incessant rains for the delay in addressing the deplorable condition of roads across the state. A statement in Benin City by the Dr. Samson Isibor and the general secretary, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nkama,. Samson Isibor after its quarterly meetings on Tuesday, September 27, 2026, where members deliberated on recent developments in Edo State and resolved to demand greater accountability from the state government. PAGG formerly known as the Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) berated the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua for heaping the blame for the poor condition of roads in the state on the previous administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki. Besides, the statement which was signed by the national chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor and the general secretary, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nkama, insisted that it is wrong on the part of ...

Idiake Hendrix Oliomogbe  The coordinator of a group, Relax, Tinubu is Fixing Nigeria, Deacon Patrick Idiake has lashed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC) over his promise to bring back fuel subsidy if he wins next year election. Deacon Idiake, the chairman of Edo State Audit Commission, who spoke in Benin City said that Alhaji Abubakar campaign promise, which he insisted is not practicable is not due to his love for  the masses but desperation and a cunny attempt to hoodwink some gullible Nigerians. Having run in every election since 1993, he said that the former vice president in his desperation for the presidency will readily promise Nigerians anything, no matter how unrealistic. The Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area born top All Progressives Congress (APC) politician accused the ADC presidential candidate of playing to the gallery. 'Atiku is two faced  and a spent force who has nothing to offe...

 Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre, Imadiyi (inset) Hendrix Oliomogbe  Special Senior Assistant to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo on Media, Ambassador Uwa Imadiyi has lauded the state government for the handing over of Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre, Benin City to the Oba of Benin, Omo N'Oba Ewuare II. Ambassador Imadiyi, a cultural enthusiast and the proprietor of Aróse Arts Gallery, Benin City said that the return was proper considering the fact that the iconic cultural centre is situated in the heart of the ancient palace grounds of the Oba of Benin before the British punitive expedition of 1897 against the reigning monarch, Oba Ovonranmwen. He expressed hope that the edifice will once again be a beehive of cultural activities and other events to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Benin people and Edo State in general. He added: "I will like to commend Governor Monday Okpebholo for returning Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre to the Benin monarch. It's the proper thing conside...

Hendrix Oliomogbe  Edo State government has heaped the blame for the bad roads in the Government Reserved Area (GRA)  of Benin City and other parts of the state on immediate past Governor Godwin Obaseki. Washed away by torrential rains and littered with potholes, several roads in Benin metropolis, especially in the GRA neighbourhood and other parts of the state are presently in a very sorry state, resulting in untold hardship on commuters.  Speaking at a press briefing Wednesday in Benin City, the commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Kasim Afegbua said that the poor quality of the jobs which were hurriedly rehabilitated and constructed by former governor Obaseki are responsible for the situation. Prince Afegbua said that the roads, which were commissioned amidst fanfare and trumpeted as one of the major achievements of former Governor Obaseki's administration lacked proper drains and were constructed with substandard asphalt. Among several poorly construct...

.        Programme Lead ,Ms. Ugolor (2nd left), Rev               Ugolor (3rd left), others at the event  Hendrix Oliomogbe  How to promote knowledge, creativity, enterprise and intellectual engagement among young people took the centre stage weekend in Benun City, Edo State at the inaugural edition of the DeeMoat Books & Ideas programme. At the inaugural  ceremony which featured Nigerian writer and publisher, Dr. Eghosa Imasuen, author of a non-fiction book, "The Challengers", the Programme Lead of DeeMoat Books and Ideas, Ms. Onome Tovia Ugolor said that the initiative was born out of a strong conviction that communities can only grow when people have access to knowledge, opportunities and spaces for the free exchange of ideas. Ms. Ugolor said that the platform aimed to reconnect young and upwardly mobile readers with books, authors and ideas through public conversation. Sounding upbeat, she noted that the ...

                    Queen Erediauwa  Hendrix Oliomogbe  The famous lyrics of Michael Jackson’s hit song, Man in the Mirror seemed to capture the essence of the life and times of Her Royal Highness Oloi (Queen) Evbagharu Erediauwa (the Obarisiuwa N’Erie). Oloi Evbagharu Erediauwa was one of the beloved queen consorts of His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa. The king and the queen both joined their ancestors in 2016. Man in the Mirror, one of Jackson's most memorable songs, called for deep moral accountability, urging listeners to stop waiting for others to fix the world and instead take steps in their own ways to make the world a better place. The lyrics further painted poverty, the homeless, and a world in deep distress, conceding how easy it is for the haves to luxuriate in the castles of their skins, look away or pretend not to see the struggles of others. In parts of the deeply emotional lyrics, the late King of Pop music sang: ...

Hendrix Oliomogbe  Buoyed by its recent restructuring and re-christening as the Peoples' Assembly for Good Governance (PAGG) due to what it described as a sponsored petition against its name by Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) to the Department of State Security (DSS), the Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has vowed to vigorously pursue its advocacy for the betterment of Edo people through good governance. In a joint statement by the national chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor and the general secretary, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nkama, PAGG assured Edo people that it will never let them down but remained focused in its quest to move Edo  forward and take its rightful place in the committee of developed states, being one of the oldest states in Nigeria. Isibor and Nkama explained that the CRPP executive council resolved to change its name from CRPP to PAGG to meet the expectation of its teeming admirers, associates, particularly the impoverished masses of Edo State whom it's ...

.               Ehimuan Ahead of the commencement of full campaign for the 2027 election, the immediate past chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Edo State Chapter, Hon. Adesuwa Ehimuan, has been appointed National Director of Engagement, Edo State Chapter, Tinubu Torch Bearers (TTB). The appointment of Hon. Ehimuan, a former aspirant for the Edo State House of Assembly, Oredo East Constituency in the recent primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was contained in a list of National Directors of Engagement approved by the National Woman Leader of the APC and Convener of the Tinubu Torch Bearers, Hon. Dr. Mary Alile Idele. A source explained that the appointment is part of efforts by the Tinubu Torch Bearers to strengthen its engagement structure across Nigeria, deepen grassroots interaction and advance its mobilisation and advocacy activities. As National Director of Engagement, Edo State Chapter, the ace journali...

.              Okiye Hendrix Oliomogbe  Authorities of Edo State Gaming and Lottery Regulatory Commission (ESGLRC) in collaboration with the Federation of State Gaming Regulators of Nigeria (FSGRN) have declared all gaming operations of Stake.com unlawful in the state and throughout the 24 member states of the federation. In a statement weekend in Benin City by the chairman, Hon. Frank Okiye and made available to journalists, he explained that  the action became necessary due to the failure of State.com to register, declare its operations and remit applicable gaming taxes and levies despite receiving multiple compliance notices over the past two years.  Hon. Okiye, a former speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly disclosed that Stake.com is neither licensed by ESGLRC nor any of the 24 member states that make up FSGRN. He advised members of the public to stop wagering on Stake.com and use only duly licensed operators, while banks, fint...

        Okiye  Hendrix Oliomogbe The executive chairman of Edo State Lottery Regulatory Commission, Hon. Frank Okiye has facilitated with the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion  on the occasion of his 92nd birthday. Amidst pomp and ceremony, High Chief Igbinedion celebrated his 92nd birthday on September 11, 2026 in his sprawling, Government Reserved Area residence, Benin City, Edo State.  Speaking at the ceremony, Hon. Okiye, the former speaker of Edo State House of Assembly described the Esama of Benin Kingdom as a living legend with a midas touch. The All Progressives Congress (APC) top politician said that at 92, Chief Igbinedion has literally succeeded in touching everywhere and every soul  Hon. Okiye likened the nonagenarian celebrant to an enigma, a living legend, who "has finished all the work that needed to be done."  The Edo Lottery chairman said: "The Esama has touched everywhere he needed to touch. He has touched eve...

Hendrix Oliomogbe  The Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to relocate its zonal secretariat to one of the three striking state owned universities in Ondo State in solidarity for effective monitoring of the situation. Academic activities have been paralyzed in the three state owned tertiary institutions at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, and the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, for over 30 days following the refusal by the government to implement the watershed 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement. A statement by the zonal coordinator, Prof. Monday Lewis Igbafen at Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Delta State weekend and made available to journalists in Benin City berated the Ondo State Government for its uncooperative attitude and refusal to implement the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement. Prof. Igbafen, who slammed the state government for gross underfunding of the three state ...

Hendrix Oliomogbe  Authorities of Ossiomo Power Company, Ologbo have insisted that it fully owned the electricity company and is not in any partnership with a Chinese firm, Jiangsu Communication Clean Energy Technology Company Limited (CCETC). Fielding questions from journalists Tuesday in Benin City, the managing director of Ossiomo Power Company, Dr. Uwa Igiehon explained that the relationship between the power company at Ologbo, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State and CCETC, is purely that of owners (Ossiomo) and contractor (CCETC) and nothing more. Dr. Igiehon, who spoke against the backdrop of a lingering dispute between his company and CCETC, disclosed that the Chinese firm was simply a contractor to COPC, the project company until it overstepped its boundary and switched off the company's turbines.  While denying claims that CCETC has 75% of the shares of Ossiomo Power Company, he said that CCETC) had neither been a partner nor a shareholder of the power comp...

  Hendrix Oliomogbe  The Comrade Bernard Joman Egwakhide led Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has lauded the landmark decision of Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo to exclude workers in the Edo State Civil and Public Service employed before January 2017 from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS. The affected workers are to be immediately restored to the Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS) once the necessary implementation directives are sorted out. In a statement in Benin City recently and made available to journalists, Comrade Egwakhide explained that the development is the outcome of the sustained struggle, advocacy and persistent engagement by organized labour which finally yielded a historic achievement for the affected Edo workers and pensioners. The Edo NLC chairman noted that workers in the Edo State Public Service, who were employed before January 2017 and subsequently enrolled in the CPS are to be restored to the Defined Benefits Scheme (DBS), effect...