Posts

Oil palm plantation establishment fund: OCI, CALD call for investigation

Image
    Harvested oil palm fruits The Okpamakhin Community Initiative, (OCI), and the Coalition Against Landgrabbing and Deforestation (CALD), have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to investigate the N69 billion Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) oil palm plantation establishment fund granted the Edo State government. Making the call through an e-release, Comrade Tony Erha of the OCI and Chief Reuben Aizenabor of CALD called on the president and other crime fighting  institutions in the country to beam attention on Governor Godwin Obaseki and Mr. Godwin Emefiele, ex CBN Governor, standing trial on financial fraud charges. Chief Reuben Aizenabor of CALD said the civil society and community group were using the release to accuse the state government and some companies of environmental violation, land-grabbing and livelihood destruction of hundreds of poor agrarian communities of the state, cutting across twelve of its eighteen local government areas (LGAs). The duo through the re
Post a Comment
Read more

Olympic Flame Arrives Marseille After Twelve Days Sea Journey From Greece

Image
   The barque Belem as it docked at                 Marseille By Bernadette Idalu Marseille a Port City in France was agog with festivities, with an orchestra on standby, today, Wednesday, May 8, 2024, which sang the French national anthem, La Marseillaise in welcome of the 19th century three-masted barque Belem sailing ship which docked with the flame meant to highlight the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The hundred year old sailing ship docked at the Mediterranean Port City, twelve (12 ) days after it departed Greece. It was received by an estimated crowd of about 150,000 people who watched, waved and took pictures as the Olympic flame got transferred onto French soil after it docked on the pontoon that reflected an athletics track this evening. The French Air force engaged in an airshow, displaying deft aerial maneuvers wherein pilots drew the five Olympic rings and then the red-blue-white colors of the nation’s flag. French Olympic swimmer, Florent Manaudou became the first
Post a Comment
Read more

Count me out of Edo APC governorship campaign council-- Tony Erha

Image
    Tony Erha Human and environmental rights activist-cum-journalist, Comrade Tony Erha, has called on the public to disregard the news making the rounds that he has been made a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Governorship Campaign Council's Publicity Committee, towards the actualization of the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State. Making his stand known through an electronic release, " e-release ," shared via WhatsApp, Erha said he was shocked by the deluge of inquiries from his biological family members, friends, colleagues and well-wishers, over his said  appointment. Alerting society to be wary of this disinformation, he affirmed, “I am not a member of the said APC neither of other political parties. Also, I had not subscribed to be a member of the said APC campaign committee nor was I contacted before the inclusion and widespread of my name in it.’ Being a core activist and one of the National Conveners of the Labour and Ci
Post a Comment
Read more

World Malaria Day Marked At Global Stage

Image
    An image of a mosquito biting and              feeding on human blood By Bernadette Idalu Though there were no visible signs of posters or even set activities lined up at some medical facilities visited today to show how they celebrated the " World Malaria day"  in Edo State, it was nonetheless celebrated at the world stage with the theme, “ Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world.” Speaking a day ahead of the main event which held today, April 25, 2024, through a release, Saima Wazed, World Health Organization, WHO, Regional Director for South-East Asia, stated, we unite under the theme, "Accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world." He said the theme, is in sync with this year’s World Health Day theme, “My Health, My Right’, as this underscores the urgent need to address the stark inequities that persist in the access to malaria prevention, detection, and treatment services. In recent years, global ef
Post a Comment
Read more

Edo 2024 Election: Unfolding intrigues, suspense and the tale of the Godwins

Image
     Map of Edo State By Bernadette Idalu The upcoming Edo State governorship election slated for September 21, 2024, is bound to be interesting in the eyes of the populace due to the focus on the All Progressives Congress, APC; and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, based on claims that such entry into Government House, Dennis Osadebe Avenue, the political seat of governance, is propelled by their reliance on federal or state might.  The " Emi l'okan " (It is my turn) entitlement spirit might be real but does not hold sway in Edo State. Candidates have to earn the trust of the populace. It is no longer ideal to interact with your constituents after a four year sojourn; they are tired of receiving handouts and promissory notes. People want you to tick the bucket list at hand to show promises kept. Who needs to view or trace digital footprints of work done (audio infrastructures) when you can point at tangible real life projects that one can identify and relate
Post a Comment
Read more

Hon. Iyawe plays host to 2024 World Press Freedom Day committee ...Commends and pledges support to event

Image
Edo NUJ, 2024, World Press Freedom Day Committee led by Comrade Elvis Omoregie (2nd right) in a pose with Hon. Iyawe (3rd right) shortly after his invitation as a distinguished guest of honour. By Bernadette Idalu Hon. Engr. Esosa Iyawe yesterday, March 29, 2024, commended members of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, for their display of depth and high level of professionalism.  The legislator who was elated with the visit by members of the media stated that he has noticed a sharp rise in professionalism and churning out of unbiased news reportage in the media space in Edo State which has gone a long way to deepen journalism and its role as society's watchdog. While interfacing with the NUJ, 2024, World Press Freedom Day committee led by Comrade Elvis Omoregie during the courtesy visit to his constituency office situate at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Road, Iyawe who represents Oredo Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives said
Post a Comment
Read more

Catholics Joyfully Mark Palm Sunday In Benin City

Image
By Bernadette Idalu Catholics today joyfully marked Palm Sunday, the beginning of " Holy week," in commemoration of Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, a place where he was greeted by cheering crowds waving palm branches which they put on the ground along his path. Despite the joy of the occasion, the liturgy presented today, March 24, 2024, centred on hypocrisies and betrayal of Jesus by the same crowd which cheered him on. Emphasis was put on his passion, death and resurrection on the third day. In his homily, shared online, Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu told communicants that the week is called " Holy " because it is the reenactment of the greatest event of history which is the death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. He stated that the " Passion of Christ " is a story of betrayal hence the need for everyone to examine their conscience. He upheld that like Judas Iscariot, everyone should ask themselves the question, “ Haven’
Post a Comment
Read more