NEWS Curve

By Lucky Isibor. The Edo State Ministry of Health and the Advocacy Core Group (ACG), Edo State has agreed to collaborate in advocacy activities to enhance quality health care services in the state.  The permeant secretary in Edo State Ministry of Health, Dr. Irowa stated this Friday, 26 February when the state coordinator of ACG, Dr. Jude Obasanmi led members of the state executive on a courtesy visit to the permanent secretary in his office. Dr. Irowa(3rdleft), permanent secretary, Ministery of Health, Dr. Jude Obasanmi, Edo State coordinator of ACG and other staff of the ministry and members of ACG. While underscoring the imperative of synergy between the ministry and ACG, Dr. Irowa said he has approved the inclusion of an official of the ministry into ACG to enhance their advocacy and engagements to improve health care delivery in the state. Earlier in his remarks, the Edo State coordinator of ACG, Dr. Jude Obasanmi emphasised the need to co-opt all the programme officer

By Lucky Isibor. A social political group, the Benin  Solidarity Movement (BSM) Worldwide, has call on the National and Edo State leadership of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA)  to call Barr. Olayinwola Afolabi to order in view of his romance with Chief Johnson Atseleghe, the Ityasere of Warri, the principal suspect for the alleged conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of Sunny Etchie, the Okhaigele of Kolokolo community.        Elder Comrade Curtis Efosa Ugbo     President, Benin Solidarity Movement. In an interview with newsmen in Benin,  President of the Movement, Elder Comrade Curtis Eghosa Ugbo said he hired the services of Barr. Olayinwola Afolabi to help prosecutes Chief Atseleghe and 7 Others for alleged conspiracy, kidnapping and murder Sunny Etchie, Okheigele of Kolokolo Community in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. Elder Ugbo said, "Last week, the O.C. Legal at the AIG office called to inform me that there is a petition against me. When l asked w

By Lucky Isibor. A Bill to establish The Federal Eye Specialist Center, Illeh-Ekpoma, Edo State on Wednesday 24 February passed first reading in the House of Representatives, Abuja. The bill sponsored by Hon Joe Edionwele, member representing Esan West/Esan Central/Igueben Federal Constituency, seeks to create a legal framework for the operation and administration of the Federal Health Facility in Illeh-Ekpoma as allowed under the extant laws. Hon. (Chief) Joe Edionwele. Member Representing Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Fed.Constituency. Leading the debate earlier, Hon. Edionwele said that the crux of the bill was to cloth the ongoing  institute at Illeh in Edo State with legal status. According to him, "this is to enable it operate maximally as a government agency with all its requisite authority within the bounds of the law", he stated. Hon Joe Edionwele told  newsmen after plenary that the Bill when passed into law will also give room for more expansion of the

   By Lucky Isibor The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has condemned in very strong terms the undisguised marginalization of Christians in appointments into federal government offices by the Buhari-led government. National president of the PFN, Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude disclosed this in a statement in Benin City, noting that the government actions could further strain the unity of the country.                     Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude                            PFN president While noting that Nigeria has never been as divided the way it is now under the present administration, Dr. Omobude, pointed out that the PFN was most saddened with the on-going appointment exercise in the judiciary where only adherents of a particular religion are favoured for appointment as Court of Appeal Justices at the expense of merit and equity. The PFN leader expressed displeasure that over the years, some Nigerian politicians and top government functionaries have hijacked religion to con

By Lucky Isibor. Former Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), Arc. Nnimmo Bassey and a former staff of ERA/FoEN, Barr. Chima Williams have been dragged before the Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos for contempt of court.  Recall that the Federal High Court order made on 7th October 2020 had restrained the duo from parading themselves as the Board Chairman and acting Executive Director of ERA/FoEN respectively. The incumbent Executive Director of the organization, Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo and three others had in a suit no: FHC/L/CS/1421/2020 sued Messrs Bassey over conflict of interest and abuse of office. Barrister Mike Karikpo, Director of Programmes of ERA/FoEN, who disclosed this in a statement to newsmen stated that Messrs Bassey and Williams have severally violated the court order with reckless abandon and utter disregard to the rule of law, hence the decision to slam them with contempt of court. He stated f

By Lucky Isibor. The Private Depot of Oil and Gas Marketers Association of Nigeria ( PDOGMAN) has inaugurated a security surveillance team in Benin City in collaboration with the Edo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). The formation and inauguration of the joint security surveillance team is the product of a Memoradum of Understanding (MoU) between the NSCDC and PDOGMAN. Members of the team during the inauguration. The Assistant Commander, Edo State Command of the NSCDC, Emmanuel Ojile who represented the Edo State Commander of NSCDC, assured that the command has what it takes to protect all federal government's critical assets and infrastructure in Edo State and the country in general, adding that it has Divisional Officers in all the eighteen local government areas of the state that can be called upon in case of any emergency.  While enumerating why NSCDC gave the PDOGMAN officials in the team training, the Edo State Assistant Comman

Chairman of Action Alliance, Engr.Isreal Guobadia handing the party cards to the new members. By Lucky Isibor. The chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Action Alliance (A A), Engr. Isreal Guobadia has called on Governor Godwin Obaseki to conduct a free, fare and credible Local Government election in the state as the tenure of the incumbent chairmen wind to it's terminal end. Engr. Guobadia stated this in Benin City last Saturday while receiving over 1000 members of the Accord Party (AP) who defected to the AA.  The chairman pointed out that the defection will rejuvenate the party just as he assured the new members of AA that that their polical aspirations will be met in the party. “We welcome the defectors with open hands. Before today, we have known one another on the field. We  know their pedigree, their strength, and doggedness. “Having come to join us, we are very happy. Their defection to AA will double the strength with robust ideas. The defectors have come to

Late Pa Henry Aigbe Airiavbere,            (AKA Elimin-Udo) By Newscurve. It was glitz amidst panache at Emuhi, Ekpoma in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State when Mr. Ben. Ikiseh alongside his lovely wife, Mrs. Dora Ikiseh buried his father-in-law, Henry Aigbe Airiavbere, AKA Elimin-Udo; Friday, 12 February and Saturday, 13 February. The matriarch of the famous Airiavbere family of Emuhi, Ekpoma, Henry Aigbe Airiavbere died in October 2020. His remains were committed to mother Earth on Friday, 12 February after a funeral service at the Anglican Church, Ebhojie, Emuhi Ekpoma. Ben Ikiseh flanked by wife, Mrs. Dora Ikiseh (nee Airiavbere. r) and a friend, (l) at the ceremony. Family rites which were held at the deceased's country home preceded the church service and interment.  Family members, friends and well wishers were entertained. Friends of Been Ikiseh who accompanied him and his wife to give his father -in-law a befitting burial again converged

                     Oba Ewuare 11 By Lucky Isibor. The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare 11, has dissolved the Elders Council of the Holy Aruosa Cathedral of Benin led by Chief Jackson Omonomose Igbinovia, the Osagiobariase of Benin. In a statement by the Benin Traditional Council and signed by the Secretary to the Council, Frank Irabor said Oba Ewuare 11 has also approved the constitution of an interim Elders Council for speedy reopening of the Cathedral which has been closed for reorganisation after the removal of Mr. Harrison Okao as Ohenosa. According to the statement, "in order to expedite the reopening of the Holy Aruosa Cathedral of Benin which has hitherto been closed for reorganization as a result of the removal of Mr Harrison Okao as Ohenosa, the Benin Traditional Council has been directed to announce the dissolution of of the Elders Council headed by the Acting Chairman, Chief Jackson Omonomose Igbinovia (Osagiobariase) and that His Royal Majesty, Omo N'Oba N

By Lucky Isibor. An Anglican cleric and  Vicar of St. Paul's Anglican Church, Iruekpen, the Venerable Dennis Ifionayi has called on Christians to live the life that can earn them eternal salvation in the kingdom of God. The cleric who asked Christians to note  What they would  be remembered for when they depart this world stated this during a Thanksgiving service in honour of the late Sir Didi Adodo at St. Paul's Anglican Church, Iruekpen last Saturday.                   Late Didi Adodo While stressing the need for humans to leave good legacies that would stand the test of time, Venerable Ifionayi pointed out that the death of Didi Adodo should serve as a reminder that the earth is not a permanent place. Venerable Ifionayi described late Didi as a man who did not only strive to live a worthwhile life here on earth but also prepared ahead for life eternity by striving to live a Godly life.      In a chat with Newscurve shortly after the Thanksgiving service, the wido

By Lucky Isibor. The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has decried the high level of corruption in the healthcare system in the state, noting that his administration would would enthrone a new order and that doctors must render services to Edo people to justify their salaries. The governor stated this while making his remarks during a meeting with doctors drawn from the State Hospital Management Board, Edo Specialist Hospital, Edo Primary Healthcare Agency and the Ministry of Health, at Government House in Benin City. Obaseki said his administration will vehemently resist the old order and chart a new course to improve the healthcare system in the state, noting that the meeting with the doctors was to discuss the way forward for the healthcare system in Edo State. “We need to move forward as a state. This is why we introduced the Health Insurance Scheme. Edo Health Insurance Scheme doesn't discriminate as you will get services anywhere you go in the state,” he note

By Lucky Isibor The Edo State chapter of the People's Democratic Party PDP has concluded arrangements to constitute the Caucuses of the party at the various Local Government Area and Senatorial levels.  In an internal memo to all the Senatorial and Local Area chairmen of the party signed by the Edo State chairman of the party, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemin and made available to newsmen urged them to furnish the state headquarters of the party with the list of proposed members of the caucuses.  The memo which emphasised  the supremacy of the PDP constitution urged the chairmen to ensure that they comply with the relevant provisions of the constitution in the composition of the caucuses.         Rt. Hon. Dr. Anthony Aziegbemin              Chairman, PDP, Edo State Aziegbemin who said that the decision to constitute the caucuses was sequel to interactions the State Working Committee of the party had with elders, leaders and other groups within the party, appealed to members to en

By Lucky Isibor   His Royal Majesty Omo N'Oba  Ewuare Ogidigan II, the Oba of Benin Kingdom has approved the removal of the Presiding Priest of Holy Aruosa Cathedral, Ohen-Osa Harrison Okao  for non-compliance with the ancient long tradition of the land. In a press statement signed by the Secretary of the  Benin Traditional Council (BTC) , Mr. Frank Irabor said "His Royal Majesty, the Omo N'Oba N'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo OBA EWUARE II, the Oba of Benin and the Traditional Head of Holy Aruosa Cathedral of Benin, has been constrained by traditional dictates to reluctantly approve the recommendation of the removal of Mr Harrison Okao as the Ohenosa of Holy Aruosa Cathedral of Benin by the joint Elders Committee and some senior chiefs of the Oba Palace, Benin."                    Oba Ewuare 11 According to the statement, "the recommendation and eventual acceptance by His Royal Majesty is predicated upon long-standing lingering breach and non-chalance over

By Lucky Isibor A Benin High Court, Criminal Court 1, has adjourned the alleged murder case between Edo State Government and  Chief Johnson Atseleghe and Others for conspiracy, kidnapping and murder of Sunny Etchie, the Okhaigele of Kolokolo Community to 4th February, 2021. The Defendants' offence contravened Sections 516, 327 and 316 (1) punishable under Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code Act , Cap C38, Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Section 2 (2) punishable under Section 3 of the Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2013 of Edo State. The trial which commenced in earnest with the state prosecution team taking their first witness and was in the witness box was observed by the defense counsel who complained that the additional statement made by the first witness was not in their copies but was in the copies with the court record and that of the plaintiff's counsel. The trial judge, Hon. Justice Ohimai Oviagele thereafter ordered the prosecution team to

By Lucky Isibor   The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has welcomed the recent judgement by the Netherlands Court of Appeal that held Shell liable for the oil spills it caused across Nigeria’s coastal communities of the Niger-Delta in 2008.  Recall that in 2008, four (4) Nigerian farmers from Ikot Ada Udo, Oruma and Goi in the Niger-Delta supported by the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN and sister organization, Milieudefensie/Friends of the Earth Netherlands, sued Shell because of oil pollution in the three Nigerian villages.  This case was the first in which a Dutch company, together with its subsidiary, had been sued in a Dutch Court for damages caused abroad.  Shell in the process argued that the actions committed in Nigeria cannot be tried in the Netherlands. It also denied it caused the spill and that criminals and third party interference were responsible for oil spills in 2008. On their part, the f

By Lucky Isibor. Governor Godwin Obaseki  has mourned the death of veteran journalist and former Minister of Information and Culture, Prince Tony Momoh. Obaseki, in statement, celebrated the contributions of late Prince Momoh to the growth and development of Nigeria, describing him as a rare politician and a total Nigerian who spoke truth to power when it mattered the most. “It is with a heavy heart that I received the news of the death of veteran journalist and former Minister of Information and Culture, Prince Tony Momoh. “Prince Momoh, though a great son of Edo State, was a total Nigerian. He was forthright, driven and spoke with candor. As a nationalist, he was unapologetic about the Nigerian project. His lasting legacy remains the enthronement of democratic values in Nigeria. “A progressive and committed Nigerian, Prince Momoh’s wise counsel would be greatly missed especially as we navigate our current challenges as a nation. “On behalf of the government and people of