NEWS Curve

The management of Esan Magazine Thursday,  25 March honoured three prominent sons of Esan land to mark its 35th anniversary on the news stand.  Welcoming the awardees and guests to the award ceremony which held at Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Press Centre in Benin City, the Publisher/Editor-in-chief  of Esan Magazine, Mr. Peter Iwelomen said there could not be a better time to honour the award recipients than during the celebration of the magazine's 35th anniversary.   While noting that Esan land parades men and women who can hold their own any where in the world, Iwelomen said personalities like Chief Anthony Enahoro, Prof. Ambrose Alli, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, Chief Tony Anenih, Chief Tom Ikimi and many others had their roots from Esan land. While listing the award recipients as Dcn.  (Dr.) Vincent Agenmonmen, Chief (Dr.) Leemon Ikpea and Chief, (Engr.) Patrick Anegbe, Iwelomen commended the spirit of hard work, resilience, determinatio

                    Osarodion Ogie (Esq). Secretary to Edo State Govermenmet ....... PDP hails action, calls for full recovery of all stolen govt. land By Lucky Isibor. The Edo State Government has said it evicted squatters and trespassers from government buildings and landed properties in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) axis of Benin City, the state capital, after their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) were revoked, so as to effectively repossess the assets. In a statement, Secretary to the Edo State Govermenmet, Osarodion Ogie Esq., said the eviction followed revocation of the Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) of the properties which were allocated to political office holders and companies by the state’s former Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. According to him, “On December 21, 2020, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, revoked the Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) of 11 government properties within the Government Reserved Area (GRA) which were allotted t

… Launches ANEEJ’s Social Protection Project. By Lucky Isibor. The Honourable Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba has assured that the ongoing review of the expired Social Protection Policy (2021-2025) would be ready in June 2021.  The minister gave the assurance while declaring open, the inception meeting of the Enhancing Social Protection Programme in Nigeria (ESPPIN) project being implemented by the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) with support from Bread for the World, Germany. Prince Agba who commeded ANEEJ and BfdW for the project to be implemented in five states of Anambra, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Ekiti States as well as Abuja said the Federal Government has reached out to the 36 State Governments, and other stakeholders for their inputs into the draft policy. “The policy under review has already been presented to the 36 States of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory for their inputs and advic

                  Late Prof. John Otaigbe. By Lucky Isibor. The Esan Okpa Initiative, one of the think tanks of the Esan nation has expressed shock over the death of one of its members, Prof. John Otaigbe of the department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry of the University of Port Harcourt. In a statement signed by the chairman of the board of trustees of Esan Okpa Initiative, Prof. Gabriel Oteze and made available to newsmen, described the late John Otaigbe as a true Esan man adding that he was a member of the board of trustees of the Organisation. Describing him as a very cerebral academic and a socialite who truly had a passion for the promotion of Esan customs, the statement noted that "John was truly an Esan Man. Until his death, John was a Trustee of Esan Okpa Initiative and the chairman, Outreach Committee of Esan Club 30, Please Harcourt.  "He was a Professor of profound intellectual capacity. A Unilag 1st Class graduate of Chemistry, he was brilliant, sen

Evang. Dr. & Mrs. Emeka Ekwugha flanked by other church leaders cutting the anniversary cake.  By Lucky Isibor. A clergy and the Edo District Suprintendent of Assemblies of God Mission, Rev. Paul ThankGod Okeasi has urged pastors and all those working in the vineyard of God to have the mind of Jesus Christ in their work of evangelism so as to be able to truly win souls for God. The clergy gave the admonishion while speaking as guest speaker at the ordination of pastors, award ceremony and seventh anniversary of His Glory Royal Assembly, Edosa Street, Off Costain road in Benin City, Saturday, 20 March. The man of God who titled his message the "the mind of Christ", noted that " the mind of Christ is ritheous, the mind of Christ is holy, the mind of Christ is love, the mind of Christ is humble". He warned those being ordained not to seek vain glory and enjoined them to humble themselves like Jesus Christ who accepted death and even death on the cross. 

By Lucky Isibor. A foremost PDP Leader in Edo state, Hon Henry Duke Tenebe has said the recent court of Appeal judgement in Abuja instituted  by the APC ,which dismissed the  certificate forgery cas against the governor has vindicated his earlier statement that the forgery case was a ruse  According to Tenebe in a press statement said   “he had always known  that the forgery case was a ruse, insisting the Edo State chapter of the APC simply latched on to it as a last resort, having realised that the Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki was the people’s  choice and destined to win  the  Edo 2020 guber election.” The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja  struck out the certificate forgery case instituted against the governor by the APC.  In so doing, the Court of Appeal relied heavily on an  earlier judgement of a  Federal High Court which had dismissed the case for lacking merit and also awarded costs against the APC.  Recall Hon Tenebe had immediately after the Federal High Court pronou

By Lucky Isibor. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have been called upon to step up their public visibility to enable the general public buy-in to their advocacy issues.  The call was made Friday, 19 March in a closing remark by Newton Otsemaye, at the end of a four day training on "Communication and Media Engagement for CSOs" in Edo State at Randekhi Royal Hotel in Benin City, organised by Agents for Citizen-Driven Transformation (ACT), programme funded by the European Union and implemented by the British Council. ACT focal person, Newton Otsemaye (c) flanked by Dr. Jude Obasanmi (r), the CRO of Josmaria Escriva Foundation Ekpoma and another participant at the seminar. Newton Otsemaye who is ACT focal person noted that some members of CSOs were doing mavelously well but that members of the public were unaware of their interventions adding that the seminar was designed to sharpen the communication skills of participants. He told participants to take the training

.........hails judgement.    By Lucky Isibor. The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has upheld the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which held that Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki did not forge his certificates to contest for the 2020 gubernatorial election. The members of the Appeal Court panel, which delivered the judgement in the case with suit no CA/ABJ/CV/71/2021 between All Progressive Congress (APC) & anor v. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki & 2 Ors., are Hon. Justice Stephen Adah JCA (PJ), Hon. Justice Ige JCA and Hon. Justice Mohammed Mustapha JCA.                    Mr. Goodwin Obaseki.                    Governor, Edo State. In the judgment given by Court of Appeal, Abuja on Thursday, March 18, the court ruled that the lower court has not made any mistake and that the plaintiff and witnesses did not pin the 1st Respondent to have forged the certificate. It held that the judgment of the lower court is apt and very clear, noting that the appellant pe

  By Lucky Isibor.   Hearing  in the case of the State Versus Chief Johnson Atselege and 11 Others in the alleged murder of Mr. Sunny Etchie, the Okaighele of Kolokolo Community in Ologbo Dukedom, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area, Edo State  has been adjourned to 24th of March, 2021. The case was adjourned because of Edo State Settlement Week for the Multi-Door Court across the State as pronounced by the Chief Judge of Edo State, Hon. Justice Esther Edigin. Speaking to newsmen after taking the adjournment date from the clerk of Criminal Court 4, Sapele Road, Benin City, head of the legal team to Sunny Etchie's family, Barr. Matthew Edaghese, said the week is set aside for the Settlement Week for the Multidoor Court   in Edo State.   "This week is set aside for the Settlement Week for the Multi-Door Court across Edo State by the State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Esther Edigin, so it is an exercise that is involving lawyers and the judiciary in the state. By nature of

 By Lucky Isibor. The principal suspect in the Murder  of the Okaighele of Kolokolo Community, Ologbo Dukedom in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. Mr. Sunny Etchie today appeared at the State High Court, Criminal Court 1 presided over by Hon.Justice Efe Ikponmwonba. The suspect identified as  Mr. Oritsemisan Kaka was said to have been on the run since June last year when the victim was killed and buried.                         Mr. Oritsemisan Kaka        Principal suspect in the Murder of Late Sunny Etchie of Kolokolo Community  The presiding judge, Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the State High Court had risen before the arrival of the prosecuting counsel. The suspect, Oritsemisan Kaka who was arrested by men of anti-kignapping and cyber crime unit of Edo State Police was present in the court. Armed security personnel were strategically located to prevent any escape. The lawyers proceeded to the inner chambers where they took dates of adjournment of other pending

By Lucky Isibor. The Environmental Rights Action and Friends of the Earth, Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has urged the Federal Government to publish contractual agreement details on the N6 billon water projects being undertaken by Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) public for the sake of transparency and accountability. In a Press statement by Mr. Mike Karikpo, Programmes Director, ERA/FoEN on Tuesday in Benin City, said the move would enable “local Communities, Civic groups and international Community monitor and evaluate the success of this very important and people-oriented aspect of the project adequately”. He said it welcome the announcement that the federal executive council has approved over N6 billion to ensure the provision of clean portable water for Ogoni Communities in River State. The remedial measures as recommended in the UNEP Ogoni Environmental Assessment report, according to the global right clean-up, would help HYPREP to pursue and redeem the goodwil

By Lucky Isibor. The chairman of the Edo State chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Tony Aziegbemin has called on the national leadership of the party to zone its 2023 presidential ticket to the South-South geo- political zone of the country claiming that the zone was short changed when President Goodluck Jonathan was stopped from being elected for a second term.   Aiziegbemi, who made the remark while briefing newsmen in Benin City to mark the first anniversary of the state executive of the party led by him, said  his executive's major task after emerging victorious during last year Edo State delegates congress was to bring PDP back to power which the executive has fulfilled. While emphasizing that the party has eminent men and women from across the six zones of the country that can lead the party  to victory, he noted, "zoning of the presidential ticket to South-South zone would at least right the wrong that was inflicted on the zone. "As

By Simeon OSAJIE The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State and their counterparts across the entire South-South geo-political zone will  probably converge in Benin, the capital city of Edo State on Sunday, March 14, 2021, to clink glasses, make merriments and celebrate the sweet aroma of their recent political conquests under the charismatic and able leadership of the State Party Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi.  On the 14th of March, 2021, it will be exactly one year when Dr. Tony Aziegbemi mounted the saddle as the State Party Chairman.              Hon.(Dr. Tony Aziegbemi.              PDP Chairman, Edo State At onset, he was the dark horse, luckily, his tenacity and zeal propelled him to go into the trenches to galvanise the required critical support base and when the party's congress eventually held, he emerged victorious.  There is, indeed, every reason to celebrate. Here was a party living in the shadows of its past glory and suddenly, it transformed into the

The former Minister of Works and chieftain of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Mike Onolemenmen has congratulated  Chief Dan Osih Orbih, on his election as the national vice-chairman of the party in the South-South Geo-political zone at its zonal congress held Tuesday in Port Harcourt.  Onolemenmen who was speaking with journalists on the side at Port Harcourt Stadium, venue of the congress described the emergence of Orbih as the  PDP South -South Zonal chairman as a call to duty assuring that he'll excel in his responsibilities.                  Dr. Mike Onolemenmen                 Former Minister of Works. According to Chief Onolemenmen who is the Adonor of Uromi, "I congratulate Orbih on his emergence. It is a call to duty and I have no doubt that he'll excel in that responsibility. While soliciting the support of Edo people for Chief Dan Orbih who's the immediate past chairman of the Edo State chapter of PDP, Onolemenmen also appealed for

By Lucky Isibor The Edo State Government has chided the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development for claiming it renovated the gymnasium and multipurpose hall at Etete area in Benin City, the state capital. Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, who led officials of the state government on inspection of the gymnasium and multipurpose hall, expressed dismay over the erection of a signpost at the site indicating that the project was undertaken by the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development. Shaibu said the renovation of the sports edifice was completed by the Edo State Government in preparation for the hosting of the 2020 National Sports Festival, noting that the contractor will be invited to explain the rationale behind erecting the sign post at the project site. The deputy governor ordered the immediate removal of the sign post and arrest of any person connected with the said renovation. On the hosting of the National Sports Festival,

  ……Calls for disclosure of seized, returned amount By Lucky Isibor. Asset Recovery and Management  Watchdog, the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has called on the United Kingdom and Nigerian Governments  to review the recently  signed annex to the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on £4.2million Chief James Onanefe  Ibori  assets  for its return to Delta State, just as it called on the United Kingdom and Federal Government to openly disclose how much was seized from the former Delta State Governor and how much was returned to Nigeria. Executive Director of ANEEJ and head of Transparency and Accountability in Management of Returned Assets, (MANTRA) project, Rev David Ugolor who briefed news men after a marathon hybrid meeting of the group in Benin City on Tuesday wondered why returned asset of people of Delta State is to be used to  finance Federal infrastructural projects viz: The Second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano Road and the Lagos-Ibadan ro

By Lucky Isibor. The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has revealed plans by his administration to launch a N1 billion Fund for widows, whose livelihoods were adversely affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the state. He disclosed this while addressing a cross-section of women at an event in Government House, Benin City, to mark the 2021 International Women's Day with the theme, "Addressing the Vulnerabilities of Women in the COVID-19 Era: Towards Achieving a More Gender Equal and Inclusive Society.” L-R: Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq.; Wife of the Deputy Governor, Maryann Shaibu; Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his wife, Betsy, during an event in Government House, Benin City, to mark the 2021 International Women's Day with the theme, "Addressing the Vulnerabilities of Women in the COVID-19 Era: Towards Achieving a More Gender Equal and Inclusiv

BY SANDRA EGUAGIE International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on March 8, it is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity, raise awareness about women's equality, lobby for accelerated gender parity and fundraise for female focused charities.    The IWD 2021 campaign theme is #ChooseToChallenge. A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day. We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world. So let's all #ChooseToChallenge. It's also recently been a very tough time, with data from UN Women revealing the coronavirus pandemic could wipe out 25 years of increasing gender equality. Women are doing significantly more domestic chores and

Amendment of UBE Act is National Priority- Prof. Ihonvbere. By Lucky Isibor. The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere has reinterated his commitment to championing the amendment of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Act 2004 stating that it has become a matter of urgent national priority.   He declared his commitment to free, safe and gender-responsive basic education by signing the Legislative Declaration on COVID-19 and Girls’ Education during an advocacy visit to the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere by a delegation of the #AmendUBEAct Coalition at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, (C) flanked by members of#AmendUBEAct coalition. The delegation made of Invictus Africa, Malala Fund, PLAN International Nigeria, Save the Children and YouthHubAfrica, represented the coalition at the legislative parley which is part of the wider Mal

By Lucky Isibor. About Seventy-nine (79) Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government (MDAs) have failed to comply with the directives of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on the Use of Nigeria Open Contracting Portal (NOCOPO) as contained in the SGF’S circulars Ref. No PROC/BPP/045/I/89 and Ref.No.59780/S.5/C.2/11/6 issued in  2018.  This revelation was disclosed by the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) at the launch of its new product which ranked Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies on their compliance to the use of the  Portal adding that the MDAs scored between 0- 7.99 points. Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev David Ugolor while releasing the report in Benin City Wednesday, 3 March, said of the 113 MDAs assessed, only 34 MDAs scored between 13.21 to 19 points which earned such MDAs “Substantial compliance” status while 79 other MDAs are “not compliant” with the SGF’s directives- An MDA

By Lucky Isibor. An Edo State High court presided over by Hon. Justice Joseph Acha, on Wednesday, 3 March cautioned journalists and lawyers to ensure they protect the integrity of their professions and the society they serve. Justice Acha was referring to a ruling he gave on February 17th 2021 in a divorce suit marked B/47D/2020 involving Chief Leemon Ikpea who is the petitioner and Mrs. Agnes Ikpea who is the respondent. The judge had ruled on two motions filed on the matter but were allegedly skewed in publications which cast the judge in negative light. When the matter came up for hearing, Justice Acha said the respondent had petitioned the Chief Judge  of Edo state for reassigning the suit but insisted that he stands by his ruling which he said was to protect the lives of all the parties involved. The judge subsequently adjourned the suit to April 22 while awaiting the decision of the Chief Judge on the petition. He said “When you embark on a campaign of calumny, you ar

By Lucky Isibor.   The Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) has urged the Minister of State for Budget and Planning, and former Edo State Commissioner for Environment;  Prince Clem Agba not to drag His Royal Majesty, Omo N' Oba N' Edo,  Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin into their N30 Billion Benin Storm Water Project argument. President, Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) Worldwide, Comrade Elder Curtis Eghosa Ugbo gave the warning in a press statement made available to newsmen in Benin City. Agba's letter to Governor Obaseki about the N30 billion Storm Water Project made mention of the name of the Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Ewuare II. The Movement said it would not ordinarily have shown interest in such diatribe between two former high ranking officials in the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole administration, noting that the mention of the name of the revered Benin Monarch sounded an alert bell to the BSM. "Ordina

.....assures all Edo children free basic education.  By Lucky Isibor. Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki on Monday launched the ‘Let's Go To School’ and ‘Parent’s First’ campaigns with the mandate that all children in the state must have access to free basic education. The governor during a stakeholders’ meeting with the theme "Improving Collaboration in the Provision of Basic Education,” restated the commitment of his administration to revamp the state’s basic education sector. The launch of the campaigns followed two executive proclamations, to ensure that parents take the lead in the education of their children. Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (back row, middle); Chairman, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Joan Oviawe (back row, right), with some primary school pupils in the state during a stakeholders’ meeting with the theme "Improving Collaboration in the Provision of Basic Education,” in Benin City, on Monday, March 1, 202