NEWS Curve

By Lucky Isibor The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has relieved the Commissioner of Roads and Bridges, Newton Okojie of his duties as a civil commissioner in the state. In a statement signed by the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare noted that it is unfortunate that the state has not been able to make the envisaged progress in road infrastructure in the last twelve months adding that the Commissioner has not been able to make significant progress in the sector. "The Hon. Commissioner for Roads and Bridges, Engr. Newton Okojie has been relieved of his office. "It's unfortunate that we have not been able to make the envisaged progress in our road infrastructure, especially in the last twelve months. "And sadly, the commissioner as he had tried, had not been able to make significant progress for the state government to achieve its goals", the statement said. The statement also directed the permanent secretar

By Lucky Isibor The Enogie of Ihovbor village in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State, His Royal Highness, Fortune Igbinakenzua has alerted the general public of a purported move by some individuals to change the name of Evboeka camp in Ihovbor to Oyemwen community stating that the move is illegal as it lacks the approval of His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare 11, Oba of Benin. In a statement made available to Newscurve and signed by HRH Fortune Igbinakenzua, noted that there was a similar move in 2012 which was published in the Nigerian Obsever of Friday, 9 November, 2012 adding that a letter was written to the Commissioner for Information and Orientation dated 4 November, 2012 conveying the disapproval of the Enogie to any type of change and urged the public to disregard any change of name from Evboeka to Oyemwen. According to the statement, "This is to bring to the notice of the general public that some individual/persons are embarking/making arrangements to chang

By Lucky Isibor The Executive Director of the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev David Ugolor has called on Governor Godwin Obaseki to revisit the Edo State draft Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill prepared by the Edo State Ministry of Justice, with a view to forwarding it to the Edo State House of Assembly for consideration and passage. Innocent Edemharhia, ANEEJ Programme Manager who represented Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director, ANEEJ at the event Ugolor who was represented by the programme manager of ANEEJ, Innocent Edemharhia made the appeal in an interactive session with journalists at it's headquarters in Benin City Friday, 28 October, noting that the draft Edo State FOI Bill has been subjected to consultations with stakeholders, including Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under the Open Government Partnership (OGP) framework. Ugolor who said that the aim of the media parley was to draw the attention of the Edo State Governor, Mr

By Lucky Isibor Youths in the five Local Government Areas of Edo Central Senatorial District have been tasked on the need to be involved in the governance of their communites with a view to holding government at the third tier of government accountable and enhance their ability to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people at the grassroots. The Chief Responsibility Officer (CRO) of Josemaria Escriva Foundation (JOSEF), Dr. Jude Obasanmi gave the charge at a rally at Ekpoma, the administrative headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State to mark the project close out of the European Union Agents for Citizens-Driven Transformation EU-ACT project titled "Empowering the Youth to Stimulate Participatory Democracy at Community Level in Edo State", which was funded by the European Union and implemented by the British Council in collaboration with Josemaria Escriva Foundation. While urging the youths to participate actively in the February 2023 gene

By Lucky Isibor The Edo State People's Democratic Party Campaign Management Council, has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is suffocating the strength of the nation's unity, national security and economic survival  adding that every interest which truly believes in the nation's continuous unity should feel provoked and  suggest ways to avoid the apparent calamity which the APC is aiming to foist on the political space with its Muslim-Muslim ticket which  according to the party is being condemned across the nation. The Deputy Director, Media & Publicity of the  State Campaign Management Council and Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare stated this in a statement while reacting to a press release by the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, signed by Festus Keyamo, SAN, Director of Public Affairs and Chief Spokesperson, Tinubu/Shettima Campaign titled: Obaseki's Break-up Statement: A Study in Sheer Hypocracy.

By Lucky Isibor There are one hundred and sixty one cases bothering on Gender Based Violence (GBV) under going prosecution in various Courts in Edo State.  The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), in the Edo State Ministry of Justice, Kingsley Odabi made the disclosure at the First  Quarterly Town Hall Meeting/Stakeholders Dialogue, Experience Sharing, Learning on Reducing Gender Based Violence on Vulnerable Women/Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law; organised by Idia Renaissance and three other civil society groups on Thursday, 20 October in Benin City.  Group photograph of participants at the meeting The DPP who enlightened participants on the essence and operationalisation of the VAPP Law in Edo State, stated that the law was concieved to fill observed gaps in the provisions of the crimal code as some of them became obsolete over time. According to Odabi, " Before the VAPP Law, we have the criminal code under which we prosecuted sundry offences that have to do

By Lucky Isibor The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), described Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State as threat to the nation's democracy over his statement last Monday that Nigeria will break up if the ruling APC wins the 2023 elections.   The party said by this statement the governor who by his position is the leader in the state has decided to be blowing the ember of divisiveness of the Nigerian nation ahead the 2023 elections.   This was contained in a press statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Prince Uwadiae-Igbinigie (Esq) and made available to the Newscurve in Benin City. Governor Godwin Obaseki has said last Monday while inaugurating the Edo State PDP Campaign Management Council that "should APC win and come to power in 2023, this country will break. APC has done much damage to this country. Our debt is growing to N60 trillion every month and yet we continue printing money. They have destroyed this country. APC ha

  By Lucky Isibor The All Progressives Congress (APC) has been described as those living in another planet or require psychiatric examination over their attempt to fault Governor Godwin Obaseki's assessment of the state of the Nigerian nation and the hopelessness its people would face should the ruling party again find its way to the seat of power vie the 2023 election.                         Crusoe Osagie     Special Adviser on Media Projects to              Edo State Governor The Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media Projects, Pastor Crusoe Osagie stated this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City on Tuesday. Osagie who wondered why the APC are not aware of the issues presently plaguing the nation which according to him range from the depreciation of the naira, insecurity, bad roads, high inflation, debt burden, to crude oil theft among others. "The All Progressives Congress (APC) and its minions are either living in another planet

By Lucky Isibor The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki on Monday said Nigeria will break up if the All Progressives Congress APC wins the 2023 presidential election noting that the ruling party has done enomous damage to the country and threatened it's survival and existence. Obaseki who stated this while inaugurating the Edo State People's Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Management Council in Benin City Monday, said the future of the country is dependent on the outcome of the 2023 general elections as only the PDP has what it takes to rescue the nation from it's present socio-economic challenges and put it on the path of sustainable growth and development. According to the Governor, "Our heads should be examined if the All Progressives Congress (APC) wins. God forbid, but should APC win and come to power in 2023, this country will break. APC has done much damage to this country. Our debt is growing to N60 trillion every month and yet we continue printi

By Lucky Isibor The Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Dr. Tony Aziegbemi has urged the newly inaugurated Campaign Management Council  to work proactively and assiduously with a view to winning the 2023 general elections in a landslide.  Aziegbemi stated this during the inauguration of the Campaign Management Council on Monday, 24th October by the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki at the PDP Presidential Campaign Council office in Benin City, the Edo State capital. Aziegbemi, who is the Deputy Chairman of the Campaign Council, while enumerating the terms of reference of each directorate as headed by the various directors, said: “the Director of the State Campaign Management Committee is the head of the Campaign in the State and leads the Deputy Director and other staffers to implement the entire campaign agenda in the State. He is the Chief Executive of the Campaign in the State, and any other duty/duties assigned by the State Campaign Council. 

By Lucky Isibor Stakeholders in Edo State have appealed to Governor Godwin Obaseki to give assent to the Edo State Disability Bill passed recently by the Edo State House of Assembly.  Stakeholders comprising market women, civil rights groups, faith based organisations, members of the Edo State chapter of the Joint National Association of Persons With Disability (JONAPWD) and journalists made the call at a learning event organised in Benin City Thursday, 20 October by the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) under the Anti-corruption Cluster of the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Palladium. Cross section of participants at the event In her remarks, the president of the Edo State chapter of JONAPWD, Miss Anne Ojugo pointed out that unknown to the majority of the  citizens, people living with disabilities are still discriminated

By Lucky Isibor The immediate past National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude, has condemned in strongest terms, the brutal attack on the President of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleiman by suspected assassins.                 Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude                 General Superintendent           New Covenant Gospel Church Recall that the fiery and outspoken man of God, Apostle Johnson Suleiman  was attacked on Friday evening on his way from Benin City to Auchi. A total of seven persons including one attacker were killed in the attack carried out by unknown gunmen in an assassination attempt. Suleiman and members of his family managed to escape unhurt but three of the policemen attached to him were killed and three civilians in the Apostle’s convoy were also killed. But Rev Dr. Omobude in a press statement endorsed by his Media Aide Deacon Ralph Okhiria, condemned the attack and urged the law enforcement agencies t

By Lucky Isibor The Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Dr. Tony Aziegbemi who is basking in the euphoria of a successful presidential campaign of the party's flagbearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar said the "success of the rally is a reflection of the leadership quality of Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who is the leader of the party." PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar (c) flanked by his running mate, Governor Okowa, Iyorcha Ayu (l), Governor Obaseki and Governor Udom (r) at the rally Dr  Aziegbemi who made the statement while speaking with journalists at the venue of the rally in Benin City said "Edo State is solidly for PDP and committed to Atiku presidency." Earlier, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki along with his deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, State Party Chairman,  Dr. Tony Aziegbemi and other leaders  of the party were at the Airport to receive the PDP presidential candidate and his entourage. In the p

By  Lucky Isibor The All Progressive Congress, APC, has assured of its readiness to rescue Edo State from what it termed  the mismanagement and hardship brought to Edo people  by  the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP through their obnoxious and inhuman policies.                   Hon. Valentine Asuen Edo South APC Senatorial Candidate The chairman of the Edo State chapter of the APC, Col. David Imuse (rtd)stated this Friday, 21 October while inaugurating the  Edo South Senatorial District  Campaign council in Benin city.  Addressing the members of the innaugurated campaign council,  Col. David Imuse (rtd), said Edo people are fed up of the misrule of the PDP government in the state, thus calling on all members of the campaign council to work hard for the victory of the party's presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, the Senatorial candidate, Vincent Asuen and others.  He stated that the constitution of the council led by Dr. Wilson Ogieva, was directed towards the vict

By Lucky Isibor The  Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Tony Aziegbemin has  inagurated the Edo state chapter of Atiku/ okowa presidential campaign  with a charge to the  members  of the council  to work assidiously to ensure victory for the party and the presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.                 Dr Tony Aziegbemi             Chairman, PDP, Edo State  Aziegbemin who made the call while inaugurating the 530 members of the state campaign council of the Atiku/Okowa Presidential election on Friday, 21 October in Benin City the Edo State capital, made a passionate appeal to the members of the campaign council  to endeavour to mobilize other members and supporters to the PDP presidential rally holding at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Saturday, 22 October;  He further told the members of the  presidential campaign council to take  full control at each rally  by ensuring orderliness at the venue. In his remarks, E

By Lucky Isibor The Benin Zonal Commander of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons (NAPTIP), Nduka Nwanwenne (Esq), has called on Edo citizens not to fall prey to the antics of human traffickers who may come to them with mouth watering offers to give them lucrative jobs abroad, pointing out that such promises usually end up in prostitution and forced labour.  Anne Ojugo, (c) giveing a remark at the town hall meeting Nwanwenne gave the admonishion in a remark at a town hall meeting organised in Benin City by a faith based organisation, the New Apostolic Centre for Development (NCD) to raise awareness on the dangers of human trafficking and sensitise the people about the Edo State government's response to Gender Based Violence (GBV) and the provisions of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law. The event which was held Thursday, 20 October is part of the implementation of NCD’s Preventing Trafficking in Persons and Responding to Gen

By Lucky Isibor Edo State Government has been urged to recruit more teachers into the state's public schools, provide more infrastructure to enhance teaching and learning experience and restructure the curriculum with a view to accomodating the use of more teaching aids. Participants in a group photograph at the close out ceremony  The Chief Responsibility Officer of Josemaria Escriva Foundation, (JOSEF) Ekpoma, Dr. Jude Obasanmi made the call in his welcome address at the close out ceremony of the "Teachers for Effective Service Delivery" (TESD), a project the foundation executed in some selected public primary schools in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State in partnership with the TY Danjuma Foundation. While enumarating the project locations at the close out ceremony held on Monday, 17 October at Akho Primary School, Irrua, Obasanmi said, "the Project aimed at addressing the 'Drop out' syndrome amongst secondary school girls in Imoga

By Lucky Isibor Edo State Government is leaving no stone unturned in it's efforts to combact Gender Based Violence (GBV) and address the factors that promote the menace. Medical examination during the sensitisation meeting Mrs Eseosa Onebamoi, an official in the Edo State Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, who represented the Director, Gender Issues in the Ministry gave the assurance while making a remark at a sensitisstion meeting on the provisions of the Edo State Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law organised recently by the Society for Awareness and Family Initiatives SAFI, held for five communities at Utagban in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State under the European Union Agents for Citizens -Driven Transformation (EU-ACT) project funded by the European Union and implemented by the British Council.  While assuring that the Edo State Government has the unalloyed support of traditional rulers and religious leaders in eliminating gender

Society For Awareness and Family Initiative SAFI, has inaugurated a skills acquisition training for girls and women in a bid to empower them and take away the vulnerable from the streets. Trainees receiving instructions from an instructor during a training session Inaugurating the skill acquisition programme, the Executive Director of SAFI, Comrade Abraham Obode urged the trainees to take the training seriously as it is a once in a life time opportunity. SAFI is organising a four months skill acquisition for women and girls from Utagban Community in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State and four other neighbouring communities under the European Union Agents for Citizens Driven Transformation EU-ACT being implemented by the British Council and funded by the European Union, EU. While admonishing the beneficiaries to take the training seriously, Abraham Obode noted that the trainees will be paid three thousand naira as monthly stipend for transportation as a way of encourag

By Lucky Isibor The former Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly and Ex-Edo State Representative at the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen has said that he is fully ready to carry his campaign for the Edo South Senatorial District in his bid to represent the district in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.            Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen Iduoriyekemwen who stated this in an interview with journalists in Benin City, said he would have started his Senatorial campaigns before now, but for the litigations that ensued after his emergence as the People's Democratic Party, PDP candidate for Edo South Senatorial District, pointing out that the issues have been laid to rest after the courts agreed with them that the powers to conduct party primaries rest with the National Executive Committee of political parties and that state chapters of parties lack such powers. According to him, "am fully ready, if not for t

By Lucky Isibor The Edo State chapter of the Joint Associations of Persons With Disability (JONAPWD) has commended the Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (RoLAC) programme of the British Council for its support in the passage of the Edo State Disability Law which was passed by the Edo State House of Assembly recently and awaiting the Governor's assent. Hon. Justice Ikponmwonba, Co-chair RoLAC  SPSG, Edo State presenting CD tapes to Police OC Legal  at the meeting The Edo State chairperson of JONAPWD, Miss Anne Ojugo made the commendation on behalf of the association at the fourth quarter meeting of the Edo State Programme Steering Group (SPSG) meeting of RoLAC held in Benin City on Friday, 30 September.  The Rule of Law and Anti-corruption, RoLAC  programme is funded by the European Union and implemented by the British Council. The programme gave technical support to several advocacies for the passage of the Edo State Disability Law. According to Miss Ojugo, "on behal

By Lucky Isibor The Freedom of Information Act (FOI) has been described as a tool that aids citizens' quest for trannsparency, accountablility, good governance and democractic participation in Nigeria.  A human rights activist and Deputy Executive Director of African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Comrade Leo Atakpu stated this while delivering a paper titled "Frequently Asked Questions"at an interactive dialogue with members of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), media practitioners and state level officials on the Freedom of Information Act held in Benin City on 29 September. Group photograph of participants at the dialogue The dialogue which is aimed at developing strategies to increase the level of proactive disclosure of information by government and action towards  the domestication of the FOI Act in Edo State, was organised by Gatefield, an Abuja based CSO in collaboration with the African Network for Environment and Economic Just