NEWS Curve

By Lucky Isibor Justice Development Peace and Caritas Initiatives, JDPCI, Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking, ETAHT, Ideal Resource Centre, IDRC, and the Girl Power Initiative, GPI, have raised the alarm over an increasing rate at which human traffickers recruit their suspected victims through the use of the internet. They expressed their displeasure during a sensitisation rally in Benin to mark the 2022 antihuman trafficking day. Speaking for the groups, Rev. Fr. Fidelis Arhedo, Executive Director, JDPCI, said the traffickers have leveraged on the use of internet to recruit their suspected victims by posting various mouth-watering offers on the world wide web. He said the situation has gone worse now that the students have been kept at home for too long as result of the prolonged Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, strike. "This year is focusing on the Use and Misuse of Technology. You know, recruiters of human trafficking are now using the internet

By Lucky Isibor A women rights advocacy group, Echoes of Women in Africa Initiatives (ECOWA) has condemned the alleged murder of Cynthia Ago by her husband. The women group also condemned the killing of women by their intimate partners and others noting that in 2020, a total of 81,000 women and girls were killed globally adding that 47,000 of them were killed by intimate partners. In a statement by the founder of Echoes of Women in Africa, Louisa Ekhomun-Agbonkhese lamented that though Nigeria is signatory to several conventions which call for prevention, protection, prosecution of papetrators of Gender Based Violence GBV, the incidences of domestic violence is still prevalent in Edo State and Nigeria at large pointing out that the menance constitute danger to a fruitful family life. According to the statement, "as a country, Nigeria has signed multiple conventions which call for protection, prevention, investigation, prosecution, punishment and effective remedies to d

  By  The euphoria of the victory of Ademola Adeleke of  the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last governorship elections in Osun State may have subsided,  but what may not be forgotten in a hurry are the attendant beneficial moral lessons from the contest that are vividly instructive.   One of such didactic lessons which any  political party or individual  desirous of  electoral victory must indelibly commit to memory is that, it is only the collaborative push of all members that guarantees electoral victory, as palpably exemplified by the Osun example.   It may be safe to say that the mediatory  roles played by the former Senate President Bukola Saraki as Chairman of the party’s National Reconciliation and Strategic Committee (NRSC) and other invaluable contributions of the Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and others,  positioned them to have the ears and heart of many stalwarts of the PDP in a  bid to mend fences and ensure that the party enters into the  cont

  By Lucky Isibor. "A fool learns from his experience, a wise man learns from the experience of others" - Otto Von Bismarck. This quote from German statesman and diplomat, Otto Von Bismarck aptly captures the essence of true reconciliation between the warring factions in the Edo State chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) against the backdrop of the party's victory in the recent Osun State Governorship Election, a State it hitherto has been in opposition. Members of Edo State PDP must demonstrate to the world they're wise by learning to embrace reconciliation which is one of the major factors that gave the Osun State PDP victory in the 16th July Governorship Election. Genuine reconciliation in the state PDP will no doubt engender party cohesion ahead the 2023 general elections which will translate to victory for the party at both the Presidential, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections. There were lots of political differences

By Lucky Isibor. Stakeholders in the Niger Delta have set agenda for the review of the operations of Oil and Gas Development Commissions in the Niger Delta with a view to strengthening their operations and scale up development in oil and gas bearing communities. Group photograph of stakeholders at the meeting. The stakeholders comprising Civil Society Organisations CSOs, oil and gas host communities, journalists, officials of oil and gas development commissions in the Niger  made the resolution at a one day public event to present an assessment report on the operations of Oil and Gas Commissions in the Niger Delta by Africa Network for Economic and Environment Justice (ANEEJ). They also called review of the enabling laws establishing the commissions where necessary. In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor said ANEEJ invited stakeholders in the region to validate the assessment of the operations of oil and gas commissions in the the Niger D

  By Lucky Isibor The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),  has felicitated with  the former Edo State Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC),  Barr. Anselm Ojezua on his  birthday.    The party goodwill and felicitation message was issued and signed  by its chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi. The State Chairman of the ruling party in the message extolled the highly esteemed personal attributes of Barr. Anselm Ojezua. Dr. Aziegbemi message read thus  "they say times changes people, but for you, it is simply amazing how you have resolutely remained such a great personality with an unblemished strength of character in a world full of alluring pollutants."        The chairman expressed joy and appreciation to God for adding yet another year of good health to the celebrant and also wishing him eventful and impatfull life of selfless service to humanity. He described  Barr. Ojezua as a complete gentleman who is  adorably embellished with unparalle

  By Lucky Isibor The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has congratulated the Osun State Governor elect, Senator Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke on his well-deserved victory at the just concluded Osun State Governorship election. Senator Adeleke was announced the winner having defeated the incumbent Governor, Gboyega Oyetola of the APC with 403,371 Votes to 375,027.   The Party's Message was issued and signed by its chairman,  Dr. Tony Aziegbemi. According to the Chairman,  Senator Adeleke’s feat in defeating the incumbent Governor  is indeed a morale booster for the party ahead of the 2023 Elections an indication that Nigerians are tired  of the APC led federal government.   Dr. Aziegbemi is equally delighted that the Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki was part of the party's National Campaign Council which provided the much needed behind the scene strategy which made the victory possible. "There is no doubt that Governor Obaseki to

By  Lucky Isibor A couple named Mr. Christopher Igiebor and Magdalene Igiebor both of Ilobi village, in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State have appealed to Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki and Commissioner of Police, Edo State Police Command to intervene in the case of attempted murder and rape they reported to the Okhuaihe Police Division in Uhunmwonde local government area of Edo State.  The couple had on the 9th of July, 2022 reported a case of attempted murder and rape to the Okhuaihe Police Division in Uhunmwonde which subsequently led to the arrest of the accused, one Mr. Osayande. But the couple are claiming lack of deligent investigation of the matter and are appealing to the Edo State First Lady and the Commissioner of Police to come to their aid as the rapist has been left off the hook and is going about freely in their community. In their petitions addressed to the Wife of the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki and Edo State Co

By Simeon OSAJIE The Peoples Volunteer League (PVL), a non-governmental and non-profit making organization has praised the recent ten days ultimatum given to people who are illegally occupying Edo State forests by the Acting Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu. Comrade Philip Shaibu recently held a meeting with traditional rulers across the state on the security situation in the state and pronounced that henceforth any traditional ruler who refuses to police the activities of criminals is his domain shall be held responsible. In a press statement issued and signed by the National Coordinator of Peoples Volunteer League (PVL), Mr. Mikiste E. Thomas noted that the criminal ISWAP with active support of herdsmen are killing, maiming and kidnapping peaceful citizens and also depopulating the agrarian communities from farming.   Part of the statement reads, “We at the Peoples Volunteer League (PVL) that are dedicated to the security of ordinary people especially in Edo S

The last may not have been heard as regards the squabbles between the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) and the Ogiamien  Family as the latter has vowed not to apologise over Ogiamien Rich Arisco Osemwingie's claims to the Ogiamien chieftaincy title. Chief Monday Wehere, (c) addressing newsmen in Benin, Sunday. Besides, the family insisted that Ogiamien Osemwingie is paternally from the ancient family  as against the claim by BTC that he is only maternally related to the historical Benin family. High Chief Monday Wehere, the director, Information and External Affairs of the Great Ogiamien  Dynasty who spoke Sunday to journalists in Benin said that when it became evident that Ogiamien Osarobo Okhuonghae was missing, the family wrote to the then Edo State Commissioner of Police to alert them of his mysterious disappearance. Chief wehere said that Ogiamien Osemwingie's biological father, late Prince Daniel Osemwingie Orumwense is the direct male child of late Prince Orum

By Lucky Isibor Since the resumption of voter registration exercise  on a continuous basis in 2017, and intensified lately, the Independent Electoral  Commission (INEC) has been looking at ways to innovate and  make voter registration exercise easier, more accessible, and user-friendly . This is not only to the multitude of prospective registrants, but also to registered voters who may wish to transfer their registration or have had their Permanent Voters' Cards (PVCs) missing or defaced.  This is one of the Commission's innovations to enhance voter experience by making the registration exercise faster, easier, and less crowded than before.  The modified and seamless e registration  considerably eases the process as more people are expected to be registered within the prescribed framework  of the commission.  To this end, it could be safe so far,  to commend the chairman of the commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu for a job well done. As it were, the Independent Ele

By Lucky Isibor Josemaria Escriva Foundation, a non government organisation based in Ekpoma with thematic area in good governance, health, education and accountablility in governance has tasked Fidelity Bank Plc, the new  owners of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) on improved electricity supply to its customers in Edo, Delta and Ekiti States, its areas of operation.                         DrJude Obasanmi In a statement by the Foundation and signed by its Chief Responsibility Officer, Dr Jude Obasanmi and made available to Newsmen urged Fidelity Bank to eschew the unwholesome business practices which characterised electricity sales and distribution to customers by the former core investors in BEDC which put Edo State in perpetual darkness while paying exhurbitant bills for power not supplied. According to the statement, "we welcome Fidelity Bank to the operational areas of BEDC. We urge the new management of the company as now constituted by Fidelity B

By Lucky Isibor. A university don, Dr.(Mrs) Olumese Olufunmilayo Fenny (Esq) has noted that the present economic crunch foisted on the nation by bad governance and irrational allocation of resources is tasking parenting and fueling Sexual and Gender Based Violence  (S&GBV) in the country.  The leaned law teacher made the assertion while delivering a lecture titled, "The Quagmire in Sexual & Gender Based Violence (S&GBV): A Case Study of Nigeria's Evolving Economy and Its Impact on Sexual & Gender Based Violence", to mark the 2022 feast of  Barracuda lecture series of the National Association of Seadogs, aka Pyrates Confraternity, Edo Central Senatorial District held at Ekpoma. Dr. Olumese regretted that technology which was supposed to improve the quality of life of our people is now being used by a larger part of the population to drive immorality and indecent acts just as she bemoaned the inability of the people to assess financial assistance

By Lucky Isibor. The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has sent a congratulatory message to Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki as he celebrates his 65th Birthday.  The party, in a statement issued by it's chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi said "We rejoice and celebrate with you today, as always, our dearly beloved leader and governor, as you mark yet another glorious age in your life.  "We acknowledge the Grace of God upon your life who has bestowed upon you knowledge and experience far beyond your age and deposited in your the expertise to help reshape our dear state for generations to come.  The statement further say "Mr. Governor sir, we salute your courage, resourcefulness and resilience which  stood you in good stead among your peers all these years, with your head lifted high.  "We are delighted to share this moment  with you, our party leader and governor, as we foundly  attest to the fact that your service to Edo State and

  By Lucky Isibor. A university don and lecturer in the Department of Vocational and Technical Education, Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Prof. (Mrs.) Ethel Idialu has described the acquisition of enterpreneaural skills as an alrernative tool for fighting poververty plagueing our nation today adding that it's an essential element for improving the economic development of families who are in need. Prof. Idialu stated this while delivering the Fourth edition of the Josemaria Escriva Foundation annual lecture titled, "Beyond Paper Qualification: Reinventing Enterpreneaural Skills As Alternative To Fighting Poverty". She noted that the non availability of white collar jobs have led the youths to crime such as prostitution, fraud popularly referred to as Yahoo, irregular migration among others adding that a good paper qualification without skill cannot guarantee a good job in Nigeria today. "A good paper qualification without skill and competencies cannot guar