NEWS Curve

By Chris Akhabue A frontline aspirant for the Edo 2024 governorship election, Dr Dorry Afe Okojie has said that the late Raymond Dokpesi who passed on Monday, was a real Statesman,  a business mogul whose death was a monumental national loss. He made the statement during a condolence visit to the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in Benin City , Wednesday, May 31 to commiserate with Edo Journalists on the demise of a frontline media and business mogul. According to him, "The death of Raymond Dokpesi came to me as a rude shock and a big loss not only to his family or the Edo North people, but to Edo State in particular and Nigeria in general. " He was such an amiable and personable individual, a detribalized man who was accessible to all, irrespective of tribe or class. "He has contributed immensely to the growth of the media industry in particular and to the general socio-economic and political growth of Nigeria as a whole. "DA

By Lucky Isibor The Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Chairman of the Senate Public Accounts Committee, Senator Matthew Urhoghide has resigned his membership of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), with immediate effect.             Senator Matthew Urhoghide In a letter addressed to the President of the Senate titled "Notification of Resignation of My Membership of the Oeople’s Democratic Party, (PDP)" dated 31 May and signed by Senator Matthew Urhoghide himself cited irreconcilable differences and squabbles within the PDP, especially in Edo State as reason for his resignation from the party.  According to the statement, "I write to formally inform you and the entire Senate of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria that, I am resigning my membership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), effective immediately.  "This difficult decision arose out of the negative political energy emanati

By Lucky Isibor A frontline philanthropist and property merchant, Dr Dorry Afe Efosa Okojie has commiserated with the Dokpesi family of Agenebode on the demise of their patriarch, Chief Raymond Aleoghor Dekpesi who joined the angels triumphants Monday, 29 May.                         Late Chief Raymond Dokpesi  In a condolence message personally signed by the frontline governorship aspirant, Dr. Dorry Okojie eulogised the  late Ezomo of Weppa-- Wanno for the finesse he brought to bear on all his undertakings. "I wish to commiserate with the Dokpesi family of Agenebode and DAAR Communications on the death of the patriarch of the Dokpesi family and founder of DAAR Communications, African Independent Television (AIT) and Ray Power Radio. "Raymond Dokpesi, an astute businessman who bestrode the Nigerian maritime industry like a colossus also pioneered private broadcasting in Nigeria, creating lots of employment opportunities in the process and expanded the frontiers o

By Lucky Isibor Never respect men for their riches, but rather for their philanthropy; we do not value the sun for its height, but for its use - Gamaliel Bailey That quote by the American physician and abolitionist, Gamaliel Bailey aptly describes the personality of Dr. Dorry Afe Efosa Okojie who over time has become an embodiment of philanthropy and how to lift people out of poverty. In this time when men now think of themselves alone and how to get the pleasures of the world, Dr. Dorry Okojie in his empathy filled personality is thinking of how to better the lot of others who are not as endowed as himself. His passion to alleviate the plight of others has endeared him to a lot of Edo people who are now convinced that if given the opportunity to govern Edo State, he would bring this burning desire to uplift people, to bear on the administration of Edo State and the authoritative allocation of its resources. There's now a paradigm shift in the developing economies all

The Executive Director of the Uromi Justice Development and Peace Caritas Initiative (JDPCI), Rev. Fr. (Dr) Fidelis Arhedo has called for the collaborative efforts of government, the private sector, parents and other stakeholders to pay more attention to the educational sector noting that if education is not properly managed and well funded, the foundation of the nation will be destroyed. The clergyman urged the government to sit up in meeting its responsibility of providing quality education to the citizenry, pointing out that this has become imperative against the backdrop of what was observed during the monitoring of the just conducted First School Leaving Certificate Examination in the state. Rev. Fr. Arhedo who stated this in his opening remarks during the commemoration of the 2023 "Child Protection Day" with the theme, "Improved Quality Education Through Adequate Funding", held on Friday, 26 May at the Catholic Chancery of the Catholic Diocese of U

By Lucky Isibor A Benin social cultural organisation, the Benin Solidarity Movement BSM World Wide has condemned the adoption of four persons as candidates ahead the Edo State 2024 governorship election by the Benin Development Union, describing the action as a means of swindling the persons so adopted just it described the Benin Development Union as unknown to the Benin people and therefore lacks the legitimacy to make political choices for the people of Benin Kingdom. In a press statement signed by Elder Comrade Curtis Ugbo and Mrs Eseohe Adun, the President and Acting Secretary General of Benin Solidarity Movement respectively, quarried the rational behind the choice of the individuals. According to the statement, "The attention of the Benin Solidarity Movement BSM Worldwide has been drawn to an unscrupulous publication by some political jobbers under an amorphous organisation by the name Benin Development Union (BEDU), signed by one Arumwense J. Aiyudibie, nominat

By Lucky Isibor The Josemaria Escriva Foundation (JOSEF),has commenced the training of 1,500 public schools teachers in Esan West and Esan Central Local Government Areas of Edo State under the "Edo Teachers Enhancement Project 2023". Dr. Jude Obasanmi, JOSEF CRS making a point during the training The Chief Responsibility Officer (CRS) of Josemaria Escriva Foundation, Dr. Jude Obasanmi who stated this at the flag off of the training programme at Ekpoma Tuesday, disclosed that the project which is being funded by the TY Danjuma Foundation will be training three hundred teachers annually including Learning Development Officers (LDOs), Quality Assurance (QA) and Heads of School Support System in the next five years.  Obasanmi pointed out that the Edo Teachers Enhancement Project 2023 is a continuation of the foundation's previous capacity building for public school teachers where one hundred and ten teachers from ninety public primary schools in AKoko Edo, Esan We

By Lucky Isibor The Edo State chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), have put mechanisms in motion to stem the clash between crop farmers and herders in the state and instructed those desirous of raring their cattles in the state to wear AFAN approved uniforms and number their cows. The chairman of Edo State chapter of AFAN, His Royal Highness Alhaji Bako Dogwo disclosed the measures at the inauguration of the Edo State chapter of the the Cattle Breeders and Dealers Association of Nigeria (CBDA) in Benin City on Wednesday, 24 May. Alhaji Bako who noted that everyone is aware of the crisis between crop farmers and herders in Edo State pointed out that the setting up of Edo State chapter of the Cattle Breeders and Dealers Association is one of the measures AFAN have decided to put in place to stem the ugly tide and bring back the glorious days of friendship between crop farmers and herders. "Through the inauguration of Cattle Breeders and Marketers bod

Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality, for the good of all. It is devoid of selfishness and  amassing wealth for personal gain.  It is about selfless service to humanity and leading by example  Dr. Dorry Okojie epitomizes these attributes .  He is willing and ready to serve.  *Support (Dr) Dorry Okojie for Governor Edo State 2024*

That Dr. Dorry Afe Efosa Okojie has the capacity to govern Edo State and move the state to new level of development is not in doubt. He has demonstrated this capacity on several occasions.  The speed with which he intervened in the provision of chairs to Ivbioba Primary School Ugbiyiokho in Benin City bears testimony to this unparalleled capacity. There is no doubt   that he will replicate such swiftness in the development of Edo State when he's Governor. Support Dr. Dorry Okojie to become Governor of Edo State.

The case between the Enogie of Ologbo, His Royal Highness, Prince Owenvbiugie Jason Akenzua ( claimant/ applicant), suing for himself and on behalf of the people of Ologbo Dukedom and Chief Johnson Atseleghe ( the Iyatsere of warri ), and others have been adjourned to 24 th July 2023.               Chief John's Atseleghe The case with suit no: B/ 294/2020 before Justice Daniel Okungbowa of Benin High Court 2 came for hearing today. At today’s sitting , the Counsel to the 17th and 18 th defendants  , R Etsiche took their motion to bring their defense out of time.  The  presiding judge ,Justice Daniel Okungbowa having listen to the counsel adjourned the matter to 24th July 2023 for hearing.  The Honourable judge,Justice Daniel Okogbuwa   advised  all  parties to ensure that everything that have to be done before hearing commences are put in place before the hearing date. In the suit, the action of the first defendant include usurping, parading and exacting of parrallel tr

By Iyonmwan Ogbebor A former Vice Chairman of Ovia North-East Local Government Area Council of Edo State, Hon. Maureen Ekhoragbon-Ero, has declared her intention to Contest the 2024 Edo governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that the looming social and economic crisis in Edo State has necessitated her entry into the race; assuring that she has what it takes to arrest the drift and set the state's ship on a smooth sail once again. Hon. Maureen Ekhoragbon-Ero flanked by  Market women and APC Women Leaders Hon. Maureen Ekhoragbon-Ero who stated this while making her gubernatorial ambition known to Edo South Senatorial District women at a meeting held in Benin City, noted that "you cannot do one thing same way all the time and expect different results" and called for a paradigm shift in the constitution of the governance structure in the state by giving women the chance to be at the driver's seat as Governor. &quo

By Lucky Isibor  The Pan socio-cultural non partisan organisation, Esan Okpa Initiative (EOI), says that its ongoing consultative engagement with prominent political and influential leaders in Edo State, which kicked off in Benin City at the weekend, has been largely fruitful and insightful on the political dynamics in the State. A release issued after the series of consultations which was signed by EOI President, Rt. Hon. Mathew Egbadon and the Public Relations Officer(PRO), Mr. Tony Iyare, is upbeat about the outcome, describing it as “heart warming” and positive. “We’ve had meaningful heart to heart talks and exchange of ideas with our leaders on how to move Edo State forward and getting them to appreciate the need for the next governor of the state to be of Esan extraction. The discussions have been quite enriching, frank, heart warming and largely fruitful,” the release maintained. The group seeks to interface with prominent leaders of the north and south senatorial zo

By Fidelis Odiase Over the years, the renowned real estate magnate, Dr. Dorry Afe Okojie, has remained an enigma and a phenomenon in Nigeria’s philanthropic space. He hails from the royal family of Ohordua Kingdom, in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State,  He is the chairman of Dorry Okojie Foundation which is committed to  touching lives positively, especially the needy   Dr Dorry Okojie is also the  founder of the Esan Solidarity Association Network (ESAN) which gave birth to the Atanakpa Security outfit supporting the Edo State government in tackling the insecurity situation in the state. Though Dr. Dorry Okojie is known to be very close to the corridors of power in  Edo State and Nigeria at large, his closeness to the  downtrodden is even more.  That is why Edo people who have been following the trajectory of this real estate business mogul will easily point to his record as a philanthropist without borders who is  not curtailed by tribe, politics, or reli

By Lucky Isibor A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the aegis of the Nigeria People's Annual General Meeting (AGM) Platform has called on the Nigeria Federal Government and the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), to restore fullscale livelihood to the people of Ogoni land now devastated by oil spillage which has polluted their environment, including water and divested them of their means of livelihood. The CSOs made the call in their resolution at the end of the 2nd People's AGM held in Abuja, 27 May and also called for the constitution of the Governing Board of HYPREP by the Federal Government to fast trask the clean up of Ogoni land. Signed by the convener of the Peoples AGM Platform, Rev. David Ugolor who is also the Executive Director of African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Legborsi Saro Pyagbara and Taiwo Otitolaye of African Indigenous Foundation for Energy and Publish What You Pay, Nigeria Sustainab

By Lucky Isibor An Edo State born property merchant and philanthropist, Dr Efosa Dorry Okojie (EDO) has donated sets of classroom chairs and desks to Ivbioba Primary School, Ugbiyiokho in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State. Handing over the chairs and desks to authorities and officials of the school, the donation of the chairs were Dorry Okojie's contribution to the development of education in the state, adding that the foundation will continue to intervene in the provision of education facilities where needed in its own little way as everything cannot be left for government alone to shoulder, as we are all stakeholders in Government. The Dorry Okojie Foundation also refurbished a bore hole inside the Ivbioba Primary School compound and declared it for use to provide portable water for the pupils and enhance their sanitary conditions. High point of the short ceremony was the handing over of the chairs and desks and the refurbished bore hole to the author

By Chris Akhabue It has often been said unequivocally,  that Collective work and cooperation among individuals are fundamental to the establishment of interpersonal relations and bonds, the creation and functioning of organizations, and the development of society.  Throughout history, the great achievements of humankind have been the result of this kind of cooperative action. Intuitively, it is assumed that working with others in a group has an energizing effect, causing people to be selfless but contribute more to the development of the society Hon Success Luis Imhandegbelo a  great grass root mobilizer who is in tune with the tradition of his people has been able to walk his way into the heart of his people through years of selfless and philanthropic endeavour to his people. He is a man who shares the pains, the fears, hopes and aspirations of his people. He is with them in times of sad moments. He is with them in times of rejoicing. He is with them to laugh and play when

The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) and Odyssey Energy Solutions, an end-to-end distributed energy technology platform have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to make solar equipment procurement easier, cheaper and efficient for solar companies operating in Nigeria. The Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) is an independent, non-profit industry association founded by stakeholders within Nigeria's Renewable Energy (RE) sector. The deal will enable REAN members benefit from $100m for equipment finance with very favourable terms. The benefit derivable from the deal include a small down payment and a 60 day window for the solar companies to pay up the balance once the equipment has arrived in Nigeria. REAN with support from the German-Nigerian Hydrogen Office and the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) organised an Energy Access Roadshow program themed ‘Driving Energy Transition through Renewable Energy’ on Tuesda

By Lucky Isibor The People's Annual General Meeting  (AGM) Platform, a coalition of civil society group in Nigeria's oil producing areas has condemned the Norwegian Oil Fund's Responsible Investment report on its ten years dialogue with Shell Petroleum Development Company in Nigeria which was described as a sham, noting that they're being misled by Shell.  In an open letter to the Norwegian Oil Fund by the Nigeria People's AGM Platform and signed by the Executive Director of African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev. David Ugolor, on behalf of Rev. Nnimmo Bassey, Executive Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Joel Bisina, Leadership Initiative for Transformation and Empowerment (LITE-AFRICA) and representatives of twenty eight other civil society groups in the People's AGM Platform, noted that the report is in conflict with the reality on ground in the Niger Delta as contained in various independent reports about the O

 By Chris Akhabue There are basically, in all societies, two categories of people. One, those whose thinking, words or actions elevates his people centuries ahead of their peers, and whose behaviors help to advance the trajectory of history positively. The other category is the bungling bull in a China shop who destroys all inherited legacies leaving his people centuries backwards. The  tenure of  Godwin Obaseki  is gradually coming to an end and attention is being drawn closely to the score card to ascertain the measure of success or otherwise made during the period under review because the whole essence of  governance  is essentially to bring development to the people. As the state actors and other politically minded groups and individuals are in search of a suitable successor, what of course, should be paramount in the minds of all is growth continuity. Progressive gains of continuity in governance engender rapid and sustainable development of the overall socio-economic

 By Chris Akhabue There are basically, in all societies, two categories of people. One, those whose thinking, words or actions elevates his people centuries ahead of their peers, and whose behaviors help to advance the trajectory of history positively. The other category is the bungling bull in a China shop who destroys all inherited legacies leaving his people centuries backwards. The  tenure of  Godwin Obaseki  is gradually coming to an end and attention is being drawn closely to the score card to ascertain the measure of success or otherwise made during the period under review because the whole essence of  governance  is essentially to bring development to the people. As the state actors and other politically minded groups and individuals are in search of a suitable successor, what of course, should be paramount in the minds of all is growth continuity. Progressive gains of continuity in governance engender rapid and sustainable development of the overall socio-economic

By Lucky Isibor A frontline aspirant for the chairmanship of Esan South-East Local Government Area Council for the Edo State Local Government election, Louis Success Imhadegbelo has been cleared by the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to participate in the party's primary election.  Louis Success Imhadegbelo, displaying  his clearance certificate After presenting all his documents to the screening committee as required by the PDP guidelines, the  committee discovered that Louis Success Imhadegbelo met all the requirements and subsequently cleared him and issued him a clearance certificate. Louis Imhadegbelo won his unit, won his ward in both the presidential and Edo State House of Assembly elections. He also contributed to the party's victory in the House of Assembly election where Hon. Ikpenomen of the PDP won. Speaking with newsmen while displaying the clearance certificate, Imhadegbelo appealed to the PDP delegates in Esan South-East to nominate him as the PDP

By Chris Akhabue There are basically, in all societies, two categories of people. One, those whose thinking, words or actions elevates his people centuries ahead of their peers, and whose behaviors help to advance the trajectory of history positively. The other category is the bungling bull in a China shop who destroys all inherited legacies leaving his people centuries backwards. The  tenure of  Godwin Obaseki  is gradually coming to an end and attention is being drawn closely to the score card to ascertain the measure of success or otherwise made during the period under review because the whole essence of  governance  is essentially to bring development to the people. As the state actors and other politically minded groups and individuals are in search of a suitable successor, what of course, should be paramount in the minds of all is growth continuity. Progressive gains of continuity in governance engender rapid and sustainable development of the overall socio-economic a

By Lucky Isibor Of all those aspiring to the position of chairman of Esan South-East Local Government Area Council ahead the 2 September 2023 Edo State Local Government election, Mr. Louis Imhadegbelo stands out.  In these times of enormous governance challenges, it has become imperative that individuals with track record of success in their private business mount the governance saddle at the Local Government Councils. These qualities are among the numerous qualities Louis Imhadegbelo has going for him. As a businessman and entrepreneur of no mean repute, he will replicate the successes in his private business in the affairs of Esan North-East Local Government Council. General Administration. Louis Imhadegbelo has promised to plug all possible areas of revenue leakages in the Council. This will unlock some funds which will be deployed to projects that will touch the lives of the people. He will also ensure that the Council gets value for every expenditure made. Education. L

By Lucky Isibor The Edo State chairman of  Labour Party, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi has debunked the story trending in  some social media where it's erroneously stated that one Lamidi Apapa is now the Labour Party national chairman insisting Barrister Julius Abure remains the national chairman of the party. 00papppp He made the the clarification in a press release made available to the press in Benin City yesterday.  According to the release, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi insisted that Barr. Julius Abure remains the chairman of noting that the substantial matter is still court adding that the court could not have made such pronouncement during the pendency of the matter before it. " It has come to our notice of a report on social media claiming that Lamidi Apapa has been appointed as the National Chairman of  Labour Party by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.  " Nothing could be  more farther from the truth than the above  falsehood as it is mere fabri