De Patriot

By ROSEMARY OKODUWA The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Edo state condemns in very strong terms the hijack, harassment and molestation of youths who were participating in an otherwise peaceful protest in Benin City by thugs. In a statement signed.by the publicity secretary Mr Chris Nehikhare,the party leaders were bewildered to hear that the moribund EPM faction of the APC allegedly unleashed its thugs on Edo youths, intimidating, brutalizing and wounding many in the Kings Square area of Benin City as revenge for their rejection during the gubernatorial polls that took place on September 19, 2020.  He added that their behavior is even more vexatious especially when it is juxtaposed against the reason for the protest. Their ignorance is frightening and should be an embarrassment to their sponsors! They therefore call on the police authorities to fish out the thugs responsible for this dastardly act and urge the Police to provide security for the protesters at all times. A...

Hon Marcus Onobun (New Speaker) Nine members   Edo State House of Assembly on Monday morning elected Hon Marcus Onobun  from Esan West  LGA of Edo as the new Speaker of the  Edo State House of the Assembly.  The House had earlier impeached Hon Frank Okiye from Esan North East,who had presided over the troubled House since it’s  June 17 midnight inuaguartion. Rt Hon Frank Okiye ( impeached Speaker) Recall, that 10 out of the 24 members  House  of Assembly were inuagurated in the midnight of June 17 ,2019 leaving the rest 14 members out the House.Hon Frank Okiye  was impeached over alleged financial misappropriation and high-handedness. The motion for Okiye’s impeachment was moved  by Hon. Henry Okhuarobo (Ikpoba-Okha) and seconded by Hon. Emmanuel Okoduwa (Esan North-East II) constituency.

By Ijeoma Umeh Over 600 visually impaired persons were at the weekend beneficiaries of free eye screening,  cataract surgeries and distribution of free eye glasses, a  project of the Region 8 International Association of Lions club to mark the 2020 World Sight Day.  The event, with theme: Hope in Sight commenced on 8 through 10th October and was held at the Ultra Modern Hall of the Egor Local Government Council Secretariat, Uselu, Benin City  in collaboration with the Saint Theresa Specialist Eye Care Centre, Benin where 16 Cataract surgeries were carried out.  In a public lecture at the commencement of the programme, Lion Dr Bright Azeta, Consultant Optamologist, St Theresa's Specialist Eye Care Centre stated that globally, one billion people have visual impairment and that 75 percent of visual impairment are avoidable while 89 percent of visually impaired people live in low and middle income countries. He stated that cataract is responsible for abo...

Members of the Edo State Chapter of  the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has congratulated the incumbent and governor-elect of Edo state  Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Comrade Philip Shaibu on their landslide victory  in the just concluded Edo gubernatorial election. In a  statement signed by the  state Chairperson Comrade Adesuwa Ehimuan and Secretary Comrade Rosemary Okoduwa, the Association described the victory as well deserved and pray  God Almighty to grant them more wisdom to pilot the affairs of Edo State and improve on the socio-economic development of the state to an enviable height. "We pray God Almighty to  grant you more wisdom to pilot the affairs of Edo State and improve on the socio- economic development of Edo state which you kicks started during your first tenure" "The Association eagerly looks forward to a more robust working relationship with your administration in the collective efforts...