stardust

    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

    National Commissioner and Chairman,        Information and Voter Education                  Committee (IVEC), Independent                    National Electoral Commission, INEC,          Mr. Sam Olumekun represented by Mr.        Rotimi Oyekanmi addressing journalists      during INEC's engagement with media        practitioners in Benin. By Bernadette Idalu Media practitioners working in Edo State, on Friday, August 23, 2024, got reminded of the power and effects of their reportorial skills on society for it defines and influences public perception, a tricky role which must be protected and promoted by fact based reportage. Participants were also entreated to be objective in their reports and analysis as it concerns the voting and electoral processes as reported but unverified claims can invalidate while accurate reports assist the integrity of the electoral process. Harping on key roles of reporters, producers and on- air personalities in an electoral process, a

    Cars and tricycles parked, minimal              vehicular movement on Benin side roads By Bernadette Idalu Skeletal business activities resumed today, August 3, 2024, in parts of Benin City, despite the ongoing ten days national protest against hunger and bad governance in Nigeria. Even with the violence and loss of human lives leading to the imposition of curfews by governors in Yobe, Maiduguri and Kano to stem issues relating to violence and human carnage in such designated states, the Edo State experience has been largely peaceful, leading to the turn up of traders with their display of wares at Santana market, today, on day three (3), of the nationwide protest.  Though not at its peak, economic and human activities were going on smoothly at the Santana market, Sapele road, where eagle eyed, safety conscious traders were seen transacting business. They  kept a keen eye on proceedings around them.  Traders interacted with stated that haven been teargassed at the start

     Onyeka Onwenu By Bernadette Idalu The iconic and multi-talented  Nigerian music industry's " Elegant Stallion, " Onyeka Onwenu is dead. Onyeka Onwenu who started her career as a journalist, musician, veering into acting and even politics reportedly died on Tuesday night, July 30, 2024, at the Reddington Hospital, Lagos. Onwenu was said to have been rushed to the Reddington Hospital haven slumped after a performance at a private birthday party organized by Mrs Stella Okoli of Emzor Pharmaceuticals. Born May 31, 1952, in Obosi, Anambra State, aged 72, as at the time she was pronounced dead, Onyeka gained recognition and general acceptance in Nigeria when she featured in King Sunny Ade's " Wait for me ," a commissioned mental and sexual reproductive health music album released in 1989. She brought joy to the hearts of many Nigerians by her sultry music performances, excellent acting skills, aided by her good English diction which was a carry ov