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Hon. Frank Ilaboya interfacing with members of the media. He is flanked by Hon. Osaro Jeffrey; Rtn. Macdonald Orukpe; Marvis Olumese and other members of the planning committee By Bernadette Idalu Six days to the inauguration of Senator Monday Okpebholo as Governor of Edo State, Hon. Frank Ilaboya, today, November 6, 2024, as part of a lineup of events, threw open an invitation to sports lovers and well wishers to converge at the main bowl of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, on Sunday, November 10, at 4pm, to cheer the Akpakomiza and friends football team as they lock horns with members of the Ex- International football team. The novelty match which promises to be thrilling, would afford fans the opportunity to see, interact and possibly evaluate the capacity and stamina of ex-international football stars as against their non professional counterparts as they battle to take ownership of the hard-leather game. Spokesperson of the organizing committee and sports afic

A High Court sitting in Benin City, presided over by Hon. Justice Mary Itsueli, today, dismissed a suit leveled against Dr. Omowumi Labode Steven, of the Department of English and Literature, University of Benin, for lack of evidence. Giving judgment on the suit marked B/CD/8CV/22, the trial Judge, Hon. Justice Mary Itsueli, stated that the Prosecution team failed to prove their case against the Accused beyond reasonable doubt. The trial Judge while upholding the no case submission filed by the Defense Counsel and former Attorney General/ Commissioner for Justice, Edo State, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, upheld that evidence of the prosecution witness, PW 1, and nominal complainant, did not tally with the evidence of the other five prosecution witnesses. The Judge observed that the prosecution team failed to tender the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, medical report as an exhibit to court during the trial process. The Judge also noted that the prosecution team did not establish bey

Discussants who gave feedback on their election experiences. From L-R: Dr. Bright Oniovokukor of Indomitable Youth Organization; Eromon Blessing of CLEEN Foundation (Benin); Annie Umoru of Initiative for gender equality and advancement; Safiya Bichi (coordinator of segment) of Yiaga Africa; Andy Egbon of NUJ and Rev. Fr. Benedict Onwugbenu of JDPC (Benin). By Bernadette Idalu Based on its independent monitoring of the last governorship election in Edo State, Yiaga has yet again reiterated its position that the election failed the integrity test based on identified lapses sourced through reliance on the "Process and results verification for transparency," PRTV, template. Samson Itodo, Executive Director Yiaga Africa who made above claims through a position paper co-signed by him and Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, Chair of the 2024 Edo Election Mission, based on its analysis of the election, stated, at the one day post election reflection meeting with civil society leaders, a

    Empty rain soaked street.   By Bernadette Idalu Unlike at previous national and state elections where youths subtly asserted their presence in the scheme of affairs in surrounding streets of Etete and environs, bunched together, mostly half clad, shouting out words of praise and encouragement to team mates and friends who engaged in vigorous sports activities, especially street soccer, the streets were eerily empty, quiet and devoid of human activities as the electorates, today, September 21, 2024, hit their polling units to cast decisive votes to elect the next Edo State governor at this auspicious off cycle election. As if nature cast a sombre look at this odd happenstance, the weather went cold and dark and began to drizzle at 10:47am. Thankfully, it didn't " cry a river ," thus, providing a passage way for those keen at casting their votes. Neighborly relationship was at an all time low as people mostly kept indoors. Shops were locked, even toddlers an

   L-R: NAWOJ Chairman, Comrade                   Adesuwa Ehimuan and PRP Candidate,       Patience Ndidi-Key during the                       interaction with NAWOJians By Bernadette Idalu Like the Biblical verse of Isaiah 6:8, where it is written, "I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me," Patience Ndidi-Key, candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, and only female contender for the number one slot into Edo State Government House, like a "Lone voice in the wilderness," on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, spoke with members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Edo State Council, at the NUJ Conference Hall, (operating under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ,) offering up herself as the requisite tool needed for development. She stated that she is poised to lift the state into its desired pristine El Dorado, if voted into power at the gubernat

    Patrol team driving through Sapele Road By Bernadette Idalu Benin City was doubly bubbly today, September 18, 2024, as Police personnels and politicians ingeniously thumbed through streets to register their presence. The flurry of activities was palpable with campaign trails of some of the seventeen contending political parties in lieu of the September 21, gubernatorial poll turned up enmasse, snaking their way through back end roads, through major streets and in market spaces, singing, dancing and chanting political slogans to make their presence felt at this make or mar last minute campaigns, just as the advance team of 35,000 Police personnel deployed to Edo State for security issues drove round streets to assert their presence. At the New Benin Market, contending political parties and their entourage were seen as they crisscrossed same paths, each party singing and dancing to loud music. In one rare case, instead of dancing, some youths had the onerous task of shout