NEWS Curve

By Lucky Isibor The Edo state chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), said there is no winner or  losers in the recent judgement delivered by the  Supreme court in the supremacy battle between the two factions  of the party on  who are the party candidates for the National Assembly elections schedule for February 2023 .   The country's apex court, had  in a unanimous verdict delivered in Abuja said the issue of who are party delegates is an internal affairs of the party and not meant for judiciary arbitration. The party in a statement issued by the state chairman, Hon Tony Aziegbemi titled  'we are one, no Victor No Vanquished"  said the party in the state  is hopeful that the  supreme Judgement will " puts to an end the ugliest episodes of our colourful existence."     Hon Aziegbemi appealed to the two factions   to channel their  energy towards facing what he referred to as " our common...

By Lucky Isibor The Edo State Government has taken over a portion of land measuring 1229 hectares along the Irhirhi-Obazagbon-Ogheghe Road for the development of a new town.         A scene in the ongoing operations In a statement signed by the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare said the state government acquired the land in 2017 for the new town project but had been encroached upon by land speculators adding that the area repossessed used to be part of the Ogba Forest Reserve. According to the statement, "the area repossessed used to be the Ogba Forest Reserve at the time of the acquisition. "The repossession exercise is part of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s renewed campaign against land-grabbing in the state, aimed at restoring sanity in land administration in the state. "You will recall that a curfew was declared in the area for 24 hours starting from 12am, September 29 to 12am September 30, 2022 in the Obazagbon-Oghe...

By Lucky Isibor Christians have been admonished to go into politics and sanitise the Nigerian political arena as the 2023 general elections approaches.  Archbishop Aghedo leading other church leaders at the prayer meeting The spiritual leader and founder of Gospel Defenders Ministries Int, Archbishop Fred Aghedo made the call at an interdenominational prayer session organised by the Consensus Christian Leaders Forum held at the Gospel Defenders Ministries, Ikpoba Hill on Saturday, 24 September to intercede for the nation ahead the 2023 general elections. He urged Christians not to sit on the fence in the coming elections and appealed to church leaders to use their pulpits to tell members of their congratulations the mind of God regarding the 2023 general elections.  Archbishop Aghedo said the prayer session was organised by church leaders, church founders, prophets and prophetesses to seek God's direction ahead the 2023 general elections, noting that God has spoken...

A Socio Cultural Group, the Benin Solidarity Movement , ( BSM), has called on the Inspetor General Of Police to urgently prosecute the Professor Activist , Prof. Zainab Abiola, who brutalized a Police Orderly attached to her in Abuja.                        Usman Alkali Baba                Inspector-General of Police The group in a press release signed by the President general , Ambassador Curtis Eghosa Ugbo and Secretary , Esohe Adun condemned the attack on the innocent Police woman who was carrying out her officer duty peacefully by helping to protect the offenders without provocation.                          Ugbo wondered why Police men and women should be deployed to highly influential people and thereby leaving the poor trodding Nigerians at their own mercy.  He said, “Her principal, Prof. Zainab Abiol...

By Lucky Isibor The Osezuah Ikhine's family of Uromi in Esan north East local government of Edo State has announced the untimely death of their daughter and sister,  Mrs Stella Ugboke (Née Osezuah) in the early hours of Monday 20th September, 2022.                     Mrs. Stella Ugboke In a statement issued and signed by Engr. Abraham Oria Osezuah, a brother to the deceased  and foremost chairmanship aspirant in  Esan North East for the Edo State  LGC Election said, "it is with heavy heart  we announced the death of our beloved Sister, wife, mother, sister, aunt Mrs. Stella Ugboke (Nee Osezuah ) who slept in the Lord on the 20th September 2022. "She gave up the ghost after a Protracted illness at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. "Until her death, she was a business woman, house wife and a woman of God "She is survived by a son , four daughters, husband , mother, brothers and sisters. "Th...

By Lucky Isibor Ahead the 2023 general elections, the Consesus Christian Leaders Forum, has fixed Saturday, 24 September for a special prayer session to seek the face of God to get direction on the way to go in the election to rescue the nation from chaos, anarchy and doom.  The leader of the forum, Archbishop Fred Aghedo who disclosed to newsmen in Benin on arrangements put in place for a hitch free prayer session; disclosed that the  Consensus Christian Leaders Forum is a body of prophetic visionary Christian leaders that are consensus and having one mind. While emphasising that the nation is  comatose in every sphere, Archbishop Aghedo noted that the group have been endorsing candidates in the past after hearing from God as they want to do now, adding that such candidates have always won the election as God Himself has been giving them such direction. Archbishop Fred Aghedo is also the General Overseer and founder of Gospel Defenders Ministries, said God ha...

By Lucky Isibor Stakeholders in the Edo State justice sector are applauding the passage of a Law for the Establishment of the Edo State Justice Sector Reform Team JRT, by the Edo State House of Assembly. They all agreed that the law when accented to by the State Governor, will enhance quick dispensation of justice, protect human rights and decongest the correctioner facilities in the state. Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State The immediate past chairman of the Benin branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Lion Bar, Pius Oiwoh (Esq) noted that the JRT Establishment Bill as passed into law by the Edo State House of Assembly is geared towards strengthening the justice sector and repose confidence in the Judiciary. While pointing out that the Justice Sector Reform Team Law is to guarantee peace and enhance the protection of human rights, Oiwoh eurogised the Edo State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Joe Acha for championing these reforms just as he gave kudos to Hon. Justice Efe ...

By Lucky Isibor The Edo State chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), has appealed to its numerous members and supporters to remain calm as the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC published the list of the party's candidates in Edo State ahead the 2023 general elections. In a statement signed by the chairman of the Edo State chapter of the PDP, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi pointed out that INEC is bound by law to publish the list of party candidates by today, 20th September adding that the publication is without prejudice to the cases going on in the various courts.                     Dr. Tony Aziegbemin                 Chairman, PDP Edo State According to the statement, "the Edo State chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) have taken note of concerns being raised by our numerous members and supporters on the list of candidates published today, 20 September by the Inde...

By Lucky Isibor  The Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, the Rev David Ugolor has been elected Vice Chairman of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) Coalition, an international Civil Society group championing the implementation of UNCAC globally.                       Rev. David Ugolor Rev David Ugolor  emerged Vice Chairman of the Vienna based global anti-corruption coallition in a keenly but transparent election. He was elected alongside Samantha Feinstein, Staff Attorney and Director International Program Government Accountability Project (GAP)-USA as Co-Vice Chairman. The Executive Director, Access Info, Europe, Helen Darbishire emerged the Co-chair of the Coalition who will work together with another elected Co-Chair. They are elected to serve for a one year period. An elated David Ugolor who is an expert in Asset Recovery and a product of Sussex Uni...

By Lucky Isibor Members of Nigeria's civil societies have called for the streamling of regulatory requirements by all the agencies of the federal government involved in the regulation of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the country to enhance a robust operating environment for practitioners and strengthen the civic space. Cross section of participants at the conference This call is contained in a communique issued by participants at the end of the National Conference on Civil Society Regulatory Environment held at the NAF Centre, Abuja from 13 - 15 September, 2022.  While calling for uniform reporting to the regulatory bodies to eliminate multiple demands on CSOs, the communique observed that self regulation creates a platform for CSOs to have a coordinated front for transparency, accountability, credibility and funding approach. According to the communique, "there is an urgent need to address the issue of the multiplicity of regulations for the CSO sector (es...

The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) was at the weekend retaken by the interim management  board from the Funke Osibodu led former board. The take over by the Interim board comprising of Messrs Henry Ajagbawa, K. C. Akuma, Adeola Ijose, Charles Onwera and Yomi Adeyemi is said to be backed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Federal Ministry of Power. The core investors who were said to have defaulted on the loan repayment to a consortium of banks had earlier forcibly dislodged the interim board and management.   But in new videos emerging from the scene of the takeover, it was observed that a coordinated team comprising mainly policemen, retook the Disco despite the protest from Mrs. Funke Osibodu-led BEDC management. Benin Disco covers Edo, Ekiti, Delta and Ondo states. The displaced management had taken back possession and chased away the interim board and management days after its takeover was backed by the NERC, th...

By Lucky Isibor Concerned Ekpoma Eminent Stakeholders Forum, CEESF has donated a 4 room toilet to Ujoelen Primary School, Ekpoma the administrative headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area.  Dr. Jude Obasanmi making his remarks In his opening remarks at a ceremony to hand over the toilet and the accompanying 18 feet underground water tank and a 200 litre PVC surface water tank, the project coordinator, Comrade Babatunde James pointed out that the project which commenced in 2020 suffered a lot of set backs occasioned by paucity of funds, increase in cost of materials resulting from inflation, adding that the cost of the under ground water storage tank the surface water had to be factored in and provided to maintain the facilities because of the challenge of water supply which is prevalent at Ekpoma.            The block of 4 room toilets  Welcoming guests to the occasion, the convener of Concerned Ekpoma Eminent Stake...

By Lucky Isibor The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has urged Civil Society Organisations to exploit the provisions of the nation's company income tax laws to solicit funds from companies to finance their not for profit operations.  A cross section of participants at the conference A legal officer in the Legal Department of the FIRS, Barr. Dauda Zhihwi made the call while making a presentation titled, " CSOs and Profit-making; legal perspective", at the ongoing three-day National Conference on Civil Society Regulatory Environment in Nigeria organised by the EU-ACT project in Nigeria. While pointing out that operations of CSOs are not taxed, Dauda however noted that profit made from businesses undertaken by subsidiaries of CSOs such as schools, hospitals and other social enterprises are taxed by the FIRS and urged CSOs to be abreast with the provisions of the law that such profits cannot be shared by the promoters of the organisation, but must be ploughed...

The president of Emu Youth Association, Comrade Okoirhon has called on the youths of Emu kingdom in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo to be united so as to be able to attract development to the community. He also solicited support for the community vigillantee to enable the security outfit smoke out hoodlums in the area and prevent kidnappings and other crimes in the area. Okoirhon made the appeal when he made a surprise appearance at the monthly meeting of the Benin branch of the Emu Youth Association held on Sunday, 31 July. The monthly meeting also witnessed the donation of chairs to the secretariat of the Benin branch of the association by Mr Frank Uhonmonasebhor, AKA Accurate. While urging the donor to continue in his philanthropic gestures, Okoirhon prayed for him saying, "We pray that God almighty will continue to replenish his pocket and grow futher in all of his business." Members of the association also eulogised and prayed  for Lucky Ehiabhi and Micheal ...

By Lucky Isibor More than 300 persons across Nigeria from the civil society community, state actors, government regulatory agencies, legislators, donors, and other stakeholders converged on Abuja, Nigeria’s capital Tuesday, 13 September to discuss appropriate instruments of regulation and effective processes to regulate CSOs operation in Nigeria. Deputy Head of EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr. Alexandre Borgis Gomes making his remarks.  There were over 1,000 other participants drawn from the United Kingdom, Netherlands and representatives of CSOs, national and state-level regulatory agencies, development partners, donor community, private sector, opinion leaders, and other interest groups who joined the discussion virtually. Addressing the participants, at the three-day conference with the theme “National Conference on Civil Society Operational Environment in Nigeria”, held at the NAF Conference Centre and Suites, Kado, Abuja, Deputy Head of EU Delegation to Nig...

By Lucky Isibor The Edo State Government has warned against encroaching on the parcel of land measuring over five hectares on the bend of Benin bye-pass in Ikhueniro Community, otherwise known as Ikhueniro Dumpsite. In a statement, Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, Esq., said persons and groups involved in illegal activities of encroachment on the land should cease forthwith or face the consequences of their action in accordance with the Law. Ogie said, “Edo State Government has observed the activities of certain persons and groups who are attempting to encroach on the Government parcel of land measuring over five hectares (with a trench within), on the bend of the Benin bye-pass in Ikhueniro Community, otherwise known as Ikhueniro Dumpsite. “The State Government observes that these persons are obstructing the ongoing rehabilitation works at the premises of the Ikhueniro Dumpsite.” He warned, “Government hereby warns all those involved in these illegal acti...

.By Lucky Isibor The Edo State Government will, tomorrow, Monday, September 12, 2022, begin the enforcement of arrest and prosecution of parents and guardians of out-of-school children in the state as schools reopen statewide for the 2022/2023 academic session.                   Gov. Godwin Obaseki To kick off the enforcement, officials of the Edo State Ministry of Education, led by the Commissioner, Dr. Joan Osa-Oviawe will be visiting various streets and other locations within the state between 7.40 am and 2.45pm daily to ensure compliance to the directive. According to Oviawe, the state government, in partnership with the judiciary, has set up special courts to prosecute any parent whose child or ward is found on the streets within school hours. She said, “The Edo State Ministry of Education will tomorrow, Monday, September 12, 2022, when the new academic calendar begins, kick off the enforcement of the arrest and prosecution o...

By  Lucky Isibor The president, National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Edo State chapter, Comrade Lazarus Adorolor has called on the leadership and members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to, as a matter of urgency call its chairman and EKITI State Governor, Dr. Kayode FAYEMI to order so as not to heat up the polity as NIGERIA journey towards the 2023 general Election. Comrade Adorolor who made the call in benin city while briefing newsmen after an emergency State Executive Council(SEC) meeting of NULGE said Dr FAYEMI’s recent disposition on the issue of local government autonomy in Nigeria runs counter to his avowed pro democratic stand, an indication that could best describe him as an unsettled and double standard mind, not capable of leading a state let alone the revered governors’ forum. The EDO NULGE President then challenged the EKITI state governor to come out clean with his government’s dealings with Local Government Council Authorities’ funds and ...

By  Lucky Isibor The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),  has consoled   former foreign affairs minister, Chief Tom Ikimi,  over the loss of his  sister, Madam Tessy Namorie Ikimi. In a press statement issued and signed by the state's Party Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, he  noted with profound memories the laudable contributions Madam Tessy Ikimi  to the society at large and her immediate family.  The statement reads, "I, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP, Edo State Chapter, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, on behalf of our great party, wish to commiserate with the family of our National Leader, Chief Tom Ikimi, over the loss of their dear sister, Madam Tessy Namorie Ikimi. "I note with profound memories the laudable contributions of  Madam Tessy Ikimi  to the society at large and her immediate family. "I shall not fail to mention her great sacrifices of  saving lives while serving as a matron...

The Justice Development and Peace Caritas Initiatives, Uromi Diocese Thursday, 7 September launched advocay campaign hashtags for the  "Galvanize Action for Effective Trafficking in Persons Response at the LGAs of Edo State" project being implemented by the "Localizing Trafficking in Persons Response cluster", in the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement, SCALE programme. The ceremony which was held at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre is part of activities outlined by the Faith Based Organization to sensitise the people on the ills and dangers of human trafficking in the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Engagement, (SCALE) project being sponsored  by USAID and implemented by Palladium in conjunction with Uromi JDPCI with seven other cluster members including Josemaria Escriva Foundation, JOSEF, Girls Power Initiative, (GPI); Ideal Development and Resource Centre, (IDRC); Justice Development and Peace Commission, (JDPC) Auchi Diocese and Edo S...

.... as family sets up N25M microfinance scheme for women, awards scholarship to four indigent students By Lucky Isibor .as family sets up N25m  The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has described the father of the Chairman of Alaghodaro Economic Summit LTD/GTE and Chairman, Sterling Bank Plc, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, late Chief Jeremiah Aghedo Ighodalo as a patriotic Edo man who stood for unity and togetherness. The governor made the remarks during the 10-year remembrance service in honour of late Chief Jeremiah Aghedo Ighodalo, at the weekend, in Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area of the state. Dignitaries at the event include First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke; President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq.; Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie and other members of the state executive council. Obaseki said, “He pulled his whole...

By Lucky Isibor The New Apostolic Centre for Development, (NCD), a faith Based organisation domiciled in Benin City, Edo State has called for collaborative efforts among faith based organisations, community based organisations and civil society organisations to combat human trafficking and respond to cases of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) with a view to reducing their occurrences.  The call was made on Wednesday, 31 August by a member of the Board of Trustees of the New Apostolic Centre for Development (NCD), Victor Oriakhi while welcoming participants to a two-day workshop on Preventing Human Trafficking and Responding to Sexual and Gender Based Violence organised under the aegies of the European Union Agent for Citizens Driven Transformation (EU-ACT) project being implemented by the New Apostolic Centre for Development (NCD) in conjunction with the British Council. Participants at the workshop were drawn from civil society organisations, faith based organisa...

JDPCI Tasks Edo State Govt. On LG Budget, Accountablility. By Lucky Isibor. The Executive Director of the Catholic Justice Development and Peace Caritas Initiatives, JDPCI Uromi Diocese, Rev. Fr. (Dr) Fidelis Arhedo has appealed to the Edo State Government to prevail on Local Government Councils in the State to be accountable to the people at the grassroots and disclose their budgets to members of the public proactively, just the same way the state government discloses its budget and even call for citizens input and critique before forwarding to the House of Assembly for appropriation. The Catholic cleric also called on the Acting Chairmen across the Local Government Area Councils to always avail citizens of the Council's annual budget as it's a public document and deplored their excuses of urging those who want their budget to go to Benin City the state capital for such document. Father Arhedo made the call while briefing newsmen at a stakeholders meeting to assess...