NEWS Curve

By Lucky Isibor The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), a non govermenmetal organization has urged the ExxonMobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited to urgently comply with the recent Federal High Court judgement which ordered it to pay the sum of N81.9 billion as compensation for oil spills from the company’s facilities which occurred between 2000 and 2010. The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, had recently in a judgement given "ExxonMobil producing Nigeria Unlimited and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) 14 days ultimatum to pay N81.9 billion to the fishing and farming communities in Ibeno Local Government Area." The affected fishing and farming communities in Akwa Ibom state, had dragged ExxonMobil  Producing Nigeria Unlimited and the NNPC to court, demanding "adequate compensation for several oil spills that destroyed their rivers, streams and other sources of livelihoods". While  the Executive Director of

By Lucky Isibor. The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has congratulated Archbishop Fred Aghedo on his consecration as Archbishop, describing him as one who believes and always stands for the truth. Obaseki who was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha and other top government functionaries to the consecration ceremony at Gospel Defender Ministries International Inc., said Archbishop Aghedo has been a supporter of his administration without expecting anything in return. L-R: President, Niger Delta Bishops and Minister Forum/Council of Bishops in Nigeria, Archbishop Julius Ediwe; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and Archbishop Fred Aghedo, at the consecration of Archbishop Aghedo, in Benin City, on Saturday, June 26, 2021. The governor said, “Archbishop Fred Aghedo is a man of the truth and he always stands for the truth. His support for my administration is out of personal conviction, nothing else attached. You have been a strong supporter; we

By Lucky Isibor. All is now set for the third annual lecture of Josemaria Escriva Foundation, Ekpoma billed to hold on Tuesday, 29 June. A visit to the Ujuolen road, Ekpoma office of the foundation saw all the staff and volunteers of the foundation putting things together to ensure a hitch- free lecture. In a statement signed by Dr. Jude Obasanmi, the Chief Responsibility Officer of Josemaria Escriva Foundation and made available to journalists, states that the lecture titled "Rethinking the Dilemma of Wealth Without a Source, its Security Implecation for Nigeria",  will be delivered by Prof. Marcel Azeke of the faculty of life sciences, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. According to the statement, the Edo State Governor , Mr. Godwin Obaseki will be the special guest of honour at  the lecture which will hold at Mindcast Hotel, Ekpoma under the chairmanship of Mr. Peter Pacqeens Aisagbonhi;  while His Royal  Highness, Oba Sule Idiaye,  Oba of Somorika will be the ro

By Lucky Isibor. The Ojirrua of Irrua Kingdom and Okaijesan of Esanland, His Royal Highness, Alhaji W. O. Momodu 11 has warned residents of the fast developing town to ensure that they don't stay outside their houses beyond 11 PM. According to the monarch, the measure has to be put in place to check insecurity in the area and make the place safe for all the inhabitants.                 Alhaji W. O. Momodu 11. Ojirrua of Irrua and Okaijesan of Esanland. The monarch gave the directive on Wednesday, 23 June while aknowledging the people for the homage they paid him as part of activities marking his fifty years on the Royal throne of Irrua. While giving glory to God for sustaining his life these past fifty years, the Ojirrua thanked his people for the support he has received from them over the years and appealed for its sustainance. He appealed to the people to ensure they profile every stranger that may come to them for accommodation and utged them to know their place of w

By Lucky Isibor. Esan monarchs have been called upon to close ranks and come together to galvanise and mobilise Esan people at home and in diaspora to develop Esanland.  The call was made by Prof. Matthew Izibili, a lecturer  in the Department of Philisophy  at Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, on Tuesday, 22 June while delivering a lecture titled " The Role of Traditional Rulers in Promoting Peace, Development and Ensuring Security in Esanland" as part of activities to mark the 50th coronation anniversary of the Ojirrua of Irrua and Okaijesan of Esanland.               Alhaji W. O. Momodu 11. Ojirrua of Irrua and Okaijesan of Esanland. Prof. Izibili who noted that Esan monarchs have always been at the forefront on issues that relate to peace and development in their various domains before the advent of the colonial masters, appealed to the monarchs to address the issues of sky rocketing cost of burial and marriages, ill treatment of widows and their children, preve

By Lucky Isibor. Josemaria Escriva Foundation have indicated interest in partnering Esan Youths Organization (EYO) to host the second edition of Edo Central Science and Mathematics Quiz Competition for Secondary Schools in Esanland. This was disclosed to EYO at an enlarged stakeholders meeting which took place on Sunday, 13 June. The Josemaria Escriva Foundation led by it's Chief Responsibility Officer, Dr Jude Obasanmi told stakeholders that his organization will support the educational event with three cartons of textbooks for Junior Secondary School students. He assured that the books will be ready for pick-up on Tuesday, 15 June at the foundation's office at Ekpoma. In a similar development, the Chairman of Odianonsen Odine Foundation, Hon Odianonsen Odine also promised to support the event with the first prize amount. The president of EYO, Comrade Kingsley Ohens thanked the two organisations for taking interest in the developing the interest of students in scie

By Lucky Isibor. The Ojirrua of Irrua and Okaijesan of Esanland, His Royal Highness, Alhaji W. O. Momodu 11 has listed the establishment of the Irrua Specialist Hospital Irrua, a federal government tertiary health institution, Mudiamen University, Irrua and other small and medium enterprises, and the relative peace at Irrua as some of his achievements since he ascended the throne of his forebears as the Onojie of Irrua Kingdom and Okaijesan of Esanland fifty years ago.             Alhaji W. O. Momodu   Ojirrua of Irrua & Okaijesan of Esan. Alhaji Momodu stated this Wednesday, 16 June while briefing newsmen on activities lined up for the celebration of his golden jubilee on the throne of his forebears in his palace at Irrua. He assured local and international investors that Irrua and the entire Esan land is a safe haven for investment urging them to come and invest in Irrua and any other part of Esan land. "Fifty years on throne has been a very tasking and challengi

..... Appeal to Minister of Agriculture to Release their Loans  The National Butcher Association of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja appealed to Nigeria Elites to always preach peace as the Country is currently faced with security challenges.  In a communique signed by the National President of the Association, Chief John Osamede Adun, the Aiyobahan of Benin Kingdom and Seiriki Katakpe of Abuja at the end of their NEC meeting said no country can achieve any meaningful development in a war situation. The NEC called on President Mohammadu Buhari and all former leaders to urgently join forces together in resolving the security challenges rather than divisive approach that will not do the country any good. The NEC which was attended by the thirty six states Chairmen and Secretaries and Federal Capital Territory promised their total support in ensuring peace returned to Nigeria in what ever role the federal government want them to play.  The NEC also appealed to president

The immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Adams Oshiomhole yesterday appealed to the party faithful in Edo State to keep faith in the party irrespective of the party's present challenges in the state.  Comrade Oshiomhole made this appeal during the party's enlarged leaders meeting across Edo North senatorial district of the state.  Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Former Governor of Edo State. He said that irrespective of the outcome of the last governorship election in the state, Edo North APC has enough reasons to sustain self-pride and self-confidence for winning the senatorial zone. "The unity of this senatorial zone must be maintained, serviced and sustained. The only way to sustain it is unity  of purpose and constant meetings at all levels from time to time" he emphasized. The former governor further appealed to the party leaders to always have all inclusive meetings to carry everybody along at the wards, local and

...Urges Esan South-East Citizens To Be Vigilant. By Lucky Isibor A leading aspirant on the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP)  in the forthcoming Local Government Council election in Esan South- Esat Local Government Area, Hon. Louis Imhandegbelo has felicitated with Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu as the country  marks this year's Democracy Day.  While felicitating with the Governor, Hon. Imhandegbelo in a statement, appealed to Edo people to support Governor Obaseki to enable him deliver the devidends of democracy to the people just as he urged indegenes of  Esan South-East local government to rededicate themselves to salvaging the local government and positioning it for greatness.             Hon. Louis Imhandegbelo.        Esan South-East LGC PDP Aspirant According to him, “we are currently faced with numerous challenges, it takes commitment, dedication, sacrifice and noble intentions to get through the rough pitches t

By Lucky Isibor. The Bishop of Gospel Defenders Ministry, Benin City, Bishop Fred Aghedo will be enthroned as Archbishop on Saturday the  26th of June, 2021.  Bishop Aghedo who is also the leader of the Conscensus Christian Leaders Forum, is the founder and General Overseer of Gospel Defenders Ministries, Lucky Way, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City.  In a statement jointly signed by Rev. Emmanuel Aghedo and Tousaint Onaghise, indicates that the Special Guest of Honour at the ceremony is the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki while the Deputy Govermor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu is the Guest of Honour.                     Bishop Fred Aghedo. The guest speaker at the ordination ceremony is Apostle Dr. Trinity Ogar from Cross River State while Archbishop Julius  Edewe, president, Niger Delta Bishops and Ministers Forum based in Port Harcourt, will minister at the occasion, the statement said. The statement stated further that Lady Dame (Barr.) Mrs Mercy Shaidu is the mother of the day a

By Lucky Isibor. The Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has declared a State of Environmental Emergency for Ecosystem Restoration (FEEER). The Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria(ERA/FoEN), Dr Godwin Uyi Ojo, made this known in a speech titled “A State of Environmental Emergency for Ecosystem Restoration” delivered in Benin City, Edo State, on Tuesday, June 8 during an event to mark the 2021 World Environment Day. According to him, SEEER was informed by the need for national environmental emergency to raise awareness and restore living in harmony with nature. In a release issued in Benin City and signed by NosaTokunbor, Legal Officer, ERA/FoEN, Dr Ojo underlined the need to embark on some radical and deep transformation in global production and consumption patterns. He said that it requires concerted actions at local, national, and international levels focused on a pragmatic system change towards a s

By Lucky Isibor. Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, (ERA/FoEN) has called on the Federal Government to put in place clear policies and regulations that would ensure the sustainability of the nation's ecosystems in line with the United Nations policies on ecosystem restoration by setting achievable targets for implementation.  ERA/FoEN also calls for the urgent restoration of the polluted Ogoniland ecosystems and the entire Niger Delta region within the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030.   The Executive Director, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria,Dr Uyi Ojo  made the call in a statement to commemorate this year’s World Environment Day celebration with the theme "Ecosystem Restoration". Uyi-Ojo who noted that the theme of this year celebration was apt added that, “Restoring the Ecosystem will enhance biodiversity, clean polluted rivers and contaminated soil and improve local livelihoods of our people.”  He

By Lucky Isibor. The management and staff of Edo State Public Works Volunteers Scheme (PUWOV) has formerly tendered unreserved apologies to the person of the former Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Dr Osagie Obayuwana and  the entire members of Civil Society family in Edo State over the encounter between some PUWOV members and the activists at the New Benin axis of the state capital on Monday, 31 May. In a statement issued by the Coordinator, Edo State Public Works Volunteers scheme (PUWOV), Muktar Yusuf-Osagie, the government agency said "our attention has been drawn to a video clip trending on the social media wherein some of our officials were involved in an encounter with some Civil Society Actors and Human Rights Activists( Edo State branch)who were on a protest March at the New Benin area of Benin-city.  "As a very responsible Agency of government in resonance with Mr Governor's belief in the Rule of Law and respect for citizens

By Lucky Isibor Edo State University Uzairue is Partnering with Central Hospital Auchi with over 20 specialist doctors from different fields.  This was disclosed Monday by the university's Vice Chancellor, Engr. Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor at the flag off of 2nd free medical outreach organized by the Edo State University College of Medical Sciences in collaboration with the Central Hospital Auchi for twelve communities in Edo state.  He said that the College of Medical Sciences in its 4 years of existence has achieved great feats in many areas, adding that the 2nd free medical outreach of the College of Medical Sciences is part of the university's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to give back to the society and communities in Edo state.  This includes free, quality and accessible medical health care and also to create awareness for the Central Hospital Auchi as a Teaching facility for Edo State University Uzairue Medical College. The VC further added that the univers

By Lucky Isibor. Governor Godwin Obaseki said the Edo  State government might press sedition and treason charges against the 14 APC House of Assembly members-elect whose seats were declared vacant. Obaseki spoke on the legal move on Wednesday in Benin, while reacting to calls to pardon the Assembly members-elect. He spoke at an interactive session with Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other civil society groups.              Governor Godwin Obaseki   Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Obaseki’s main opponent in the September 2020 election in a letter appealed to Obaseki to consider the case of the 14 lawmakers-elect who refused to be sworn-in, following a disagreement over who should be elected Speaker with a view to pardoning them. The seats were in December 2019, declared vacant by the House led by former Speaker Francis Okiye, for being absent from the House proceedings for the mandatory 181 days. The 14 members-elect later set up a parallel House, and