stardust

EIRS Chairman, Hon. Oladele Bankole-Balogun (Middle), Chairman, Edo State Lottery Regulatory Commission, Rt. Hon. Frank Okiye (5th Right) flanked by management staff of both establishments. By Bernadette Idalu Executive Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue Service, (EIRS), Otunba (Hon.) Oladele Bankole-Balogun on Monday, December 8, 2025, promised an administrative and knowledge based transfer of expertise to the Edo State Lottery Regulatory Commission, during the latter's courtesy visit to his office. The EIRS Chairman who played host to the Edo State Lottery Regulatory Commission Chairman, Rt. Hon. Frank Abumere Okiye and his team, said the courtesy visit was an opportunity to cement relationship between  both establishments such that "The lottery commission should  be able to meet its mandate." Harping  on the need to work with caution against the backdrop of happenstances in the gaming sector, he harped on natural bills being passed which are at variance ...

 BY TONY ERHA  'Okuo imose", "no fight is attractive" - all fight is ugly, according to the Edo people. If a fight doesn’t pluck the teeth it would drip the noise of red blood. That is why pundits were apprehensive and had to caution Dangote Refinery and the Petrol and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to a sound reasoning, over the sack of 800 of its workers by Dangote, which was followed by a strike action that was later called-off. The fisticuff was intensified as the National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers of Nigeria (NUPENG), joined the spat by supporting PENGASSAN. Like the American freestyle wrestling, where partakers fight with anything they lay their hands upon, a melee, a-free-for-all in which no one seems to know the real opponents. The fallout of the Dangote and PENGASSAN fight has unsettled Nigerians. The Benins would say "ama re fi ekpa arie gb' ihue"; "the fisticuffs hadn't started when t...

BY TONY ERHA  Everywhere in the world, guns and guns run and ruin the affairs of men. It’s such unenviable era, where sacred human lives have become worthless. An anomie void of human feelings. Man's inhumanity to man is an escalating order, where warfare, dangerous partisan politics, religious crises, militancy, robbery, kidnapping, economic sabotage and other criminality breed excessive human killings, maiming, arson etc. Nigeria, African’s thrust, is so ‘lucky’ to have more than a fair share of the attendant insecurity, as she 'competes’ for the gold-medal spoil in Africa. Suffice that the most populous black African nation, is a runner-up to the Democratic Republic Congo (DRC), in the insecurity rating, according to the Africa Organised Crime Index of 2023. In Nigeria, prided African giant and engine-room of the continent, gun and its debilitating components are a blight which puts the country and her people on the heat. Although 'light arms' are officia...

Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa with Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion at his 91st birthday By Bernadette Idalu Hon. Dennis Idahosa on Thursday, September 11, 2025, eulogized the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, as he celebrated his 91st birthday, calling him a father, an investor and employer of labour who has touched and impacted on the lives of people in Edo State, Ovia Federal Constituency and on the people of Okada- Ovia North East. Idahosa who spoke on behalf of the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, felicitated the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, whom he classed a colossus who bestrode and impacted on the lives of people, in this generation. Interfacing with members of the press, shortly after the " Morning Dew 'Crown of Glory' Interdenominational Service," at  " God's Historic Chapel," Okada Avenue, Benin City, Idahosa stated " The Esama of Benin Kingdom...

   Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan during his       goodwill message to Oghiadomhe By Bernadette Idalu Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo on Thursday,  September 4, 2025, at the Horatio Marquee, Edo Hotel premises, highlighted and commended Chief Mike Oghiadomhe for the exemplary display of loyalty to his political superiors just as he wished him more fruitful years during his 70th birthday celebration. Voicing above goodwill on behalf of Governor Monday Okpebholo, Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, pointed out that based on the array of personalities who came to identify with the celebrant it was obvious that Oghiadomhe left footprints on the political terrain. Drawing strength from the eulogy of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Former President of Nigeria, whom the celebrant served under as  " Chief of Staff" and Chief Lucky Igbinedion, former Governor of Edo State, whom he served under as " deputy governor, " he said...

Bernadette Idalu Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue Service, (EIRS,) Otunba Oladele Bankole-Balogun Esq has assured " Pay-as-you-earn " (PAYE) taxpayers in the state of tax exemptions and rebates in the new financial quarter based on the strength of the new Nigerian Tax Reform Acts, as applicable in Edo State. Otunba Bankole-Balogun who highlighted on said development on Thursday, July 3, while presenting the EIRS half year report, stated that the new tax reforms came into existence due to the magnanimity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who looked into the option of fair taxation as a means of empowerment of low income earners through the provision of tax rebates and exemptions based on his desire to bridge the prevailing economic gulf that exists in society. Giving the half year performance review report of the EIRS, for quarters one and two (Q1& Q2), based on the inaugural mandate to board members by Governor Monday Okpebholo to ensure the optimization on t...