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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...

                 Chief Orbih  Hendrix Oliomogbe  Authorities of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State have mourned with profound sadness, the passing of the oro-chancellor and chairman of the Governing Council of the institution, Chief Dan Osi Orbih. A statement Tuesday in Ekpoma by Otunba Mike Aladenika, the principal assistant registrar/head, information, protocol and oublic relations of the school and made available to journalists in Benin City, he said that the university received with deep shock and a heavy heart the news of the death of the distinguished statesman, political leader and administrator. The statement which was issued on behalf of the governing council, senate, management, staff and students of the university said that the death of Chief Orbih has created a painful void not only in AAU but also in Edo State and Nigeria at large. Kulukulu 1 as he was fondly called, a Scion of the popular Orbih Family of ...

        Governor Okpebholo, Evien Hendrix Oliomogbe  The member representing Edo North senatorial district on the board of the Edo State Oil and Gas producing Areas Development commission (EGSOPADEC), Hon. Austin Aigbokhai Evien has paid glowing tributes to the vision of the founding fathers of Edo State. Created on 27th of August 1991 by former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, the Heart Beat of the Nation State is 35 today. Hon. Evien saluted the courage, and statesmanship of the founding fathers and realizing the dreams of Edo people to have a state of their own from the defunct Bendel State, a development which has sidetracked even development. The board member said Edo State is transforming from different stages of development since it's creation,with visible projets embarked upon by different leaders elected on the platforms of different political parties to rule the state. He cited peace and tranquility as the hallmark of the various administrat...

         Queen Erediauwa           Cross section of personalities at the event  Hendrix Oliomogbe Queen (Oloi) Evbagharu Erediauwa may have been gone for 10 years but like a true heroine in that folk story, her name has continued to echo. Her good deeds did during her sojourn here on Mother Earth were certainly not interred with her remains.  In commemoration of the legacy of the people's queen as she was fondly called, friends and royal family members gathered in Benin last weekend for the third anniversary of Oloi (Queen) Evbagharu Erediauwa Foundation (OEEF) and the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of her transition. OLEEF was established in 2013, seven years after the queen consort passed away on August 20, 2016, to preserve and celebrate her enduring legacy of compassion, service, and commitment to community well-being. Her Royal Highness Oloi (Queen) Evbagharu Erediauwa (the Obarisiuwa N’Erie) was one of the be...

Dr. Oshiomhole surrounded by staff of Ministry of Health during the birthday celebration  Hendrix Oliomogbe  The  Edo State commissioner of  Health, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole has reiterated the determination of the government to strengthen synergy with development partners to guarantee adequate funding of the health sector for efficient service delivery.  Speaking Monday in his office during a surprise birthday party hosted by staff  including heads of agencies of the ministry, Dr. Oshiomhole used the opportunity to reinstate Governor Monday Okpebholo's commitment to providing affordable and accessible health care services to Edo people. He disclosed that the state government has established a healthy relationship with development partners, and donor agencies in the health sector, including the world Health Organisation (WHO), resulting in the funding of its programmes by the international body.  While reaffirming his unwavering commitment to the fait...

Hendrix Oliomogbe  The Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed to mobilize all its progressive affiliate unions to demonstrate against attempt by the Edo State House of Assembly to tamper with the Edo State House of Assembly and Judiciary Autonomy Law, 2021. A statement Monday in Benin City by the caretaker committee chairman, Prof. Monday Lewis Igbafen reiterated its full solidarity with the Edo State Chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in its ongoing protest. The caretaker committee chairman reiterated the determination of the union to sustain the peaceful resistance should there be any attempt to gamble with the autonomy law. Prof. Igbafen , a lawyer recalled that the Supreme Court of Nigeria spoke unequivocally in 2022 when it nullified Executive Order 10 and upheld the autonomy of state legislatures and the judiciary.  Continuing, the statement added that In doing so, the court affirmed Section 121(3) of the 1999 Constitution, ...

.     HOSTCOM members with the Chief Judge (m) during the visit  Hendrix Oliomogbe  The chairman of the Edo State chapter of Host Community of Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), Hon. Kenneth Aduwaye has lauded the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa for the establishment of the special court to handle cases related to Cultism kidnappings in the State.   The court which took off on July 1st, 2026 was set up Justice Okungbowa at the request of Governor Monday Okpebholo following an upsurge in cases of violent kidnappings for ransom. Hon. Aduwaye, who spoke recently in Benin City during a courtesy visit to the chief judge said that the initiative by Governor Okpebholo was very timely considering the activities of daredevil kidnappers. The new special criminal court has further brought peace to the various host communities, noting that Edo people can now sleep with their two eyes close as a result of the  initiative. The HOSTCOM chairman further co...

  Hendrix Oliomogbe  The Edo State council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed to resist a bill presently before members of the Edo State House of Assembly, which seeks to repeal or/and amend the  Assembly and Judiciary Autonomy Law of 2021. A statement Thursday in Benin City by the caretaker committee chairman, Prof. Monday Igbafen maintained that the development is a dangerous setback to the struggle for financial and administrative autonomy of the legislature and judiciary in the country. Prof. Igbafen emphasized: “Any Bill seeking to amend or ticker with the autonomy law that would compromise the independence of the judiciary and legislature must be resisted. The control of the purse and personnel of the judiciary and legislature by the executive is antithetical to judicial and legislative impartiality in the state." Prof. Igbafen called on the new Speaker Yekini Idiaye to immediately halt the move by lawmakers to repeal or amend the Law of 2021. He describ...

  By Doris Ogbeifun The key duty of government is to deliver security and welfare to its citizens as enshrined in section 14(2)(b), section 16, and section 17 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. To ensure quality and effective service delivery to the people, the federal government employs dedicated institutional instruments, monitoring context to provide good governance and dividends of democracy.  Against this backdrop, section 27(3) of the “Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 empowers ICPC to examine reports or information viz-a-viz suspected crimes as provided under the Act that are “otherwise received” by an officer. With a statutory focus on addressing corruption, bribery, and abuse of office within public sector institutions”. Therefore, it suffices to say that ICPC operates under its statutory obligation to prevent and investigate all malfeasance across the public service. This decree validates the creation of the Co...

Hendrix Oliomogbe  In a move which may not be unconnected with the feud  between The Speaker of the Eso State House of Assembly, Mr. Blessing Agbebaku Monday in Benin City reigned from office in a move which sources say may not be unconnected with a raging feud between him and an influential aide to Governor Monday Okpebholo. In place of Mr. Agbebaku, who stands suspended pending the outcome of investigations of financial improreity and poor leadership against him, is Mr. Yekini Idiaye from Akoko Edo Constituency I. The ex-speaker was slammed with an indefinite suspension following his resignation from office over allegations of corruption and poor leadership. Mr. ‎Agbebaku from Owan West Constituency  resigned  during plenary, shortly after reports emerged of a plot by lawmakers to Kickstart impeachment proceedings against him,  ‎The immediate past speaker, formerly of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was elected as speaker during ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki's...

         Rev. Omobude (m) with the organizers Hendrix Oliomogbe The chairman, Edo State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Rev. Frank Omobude has described sports as a unifying vehicle, which promotes inclusivity, cohesion and foster national integration.  Rev. Omobude spoke in Benin City during a visit to his office by the organisers of a boxing competition between Nigeria and Ghana. A statement by the director of media and public relations, Mr. Jacob Afeinkhena explained that the idea behind the competition is not only for physical wellbeing, but the promotion of cultural and bilateral relations between Nigeria and Ghana. He said: "The promotion of national integration and sporting activities align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which Governor Monday Okpebholo is also implementing through his SHINE agenda."  Rev. Omobude reiterated the determination of the board to support the sports fiesta through fervent prayers for a hitch f...