De Patriot

Prince Uche Secondus has resigned as National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP. Although no reason was immediately adduced for his resignation, unconfirmed reports indicated that the embattled PDP Chairman stepped down following the outcome of the National Executive Council Meeting ( NEC) meeting in Abuja attended by major stakeholders and presided by the Acting National Chairman,Elder Yemi Akinwonmi with Secondus reportedly uninvited. The meeting said to have prioritised its chances for 2023, decided to take a bold step towards doing away with Internal troubles that could further mar its chances in future elections. Part of the outcome of its meeting on Saturday was the choice of Abuja as venue for its National Convention scheduled for 30- 31st October,2021. Secondus had suffered restraining orders from the Degema High Court in Rivers State and a Calabar High Court in Cross Rivers. However a Kebbi High Court, another court of coordinate jurisdiction on Thursday reinstated ...

The U.S has honoured AVM Muhammed Yakubu with “The Legion of Merit” Award. The Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian presented Yakubu with the “The Legion of Merit” awarded by the 27th U.S. Secretary of Defence on Monday. AVM Yakubu received the award on Monday, in honour of his exceptionally meritorious service as Nigerian Defence and Air Attaché to the United States. While presenting the award to Yakubu, Harrigian said that he greatly improved Nigeria – U.S. military relations, resulting in increased U.S. support to Nigeria in the fight against violent extremism during his tenure as Defence Attaché, He said that AVM Yakubu also coordinated with various U.S. government agencies for the first visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the United States, as well as the first-ever visit of a Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff to the U.S. Africa Command in Germany. He said Yakubu’s advocacy and leadership were instrumental in the acquisition o...

.   The People’ Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State was saddened to see some protesters in Benin City protest against the vaccination policy of the Edo State government. It is our belief that the protest was premised on a false notion and garnished with ignorance.  In a statement signed by the state chairman Dr Tony Aziegbemi, the world is in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic. It is the responsibility of Edo State government to track the pandemic, advise on critical interventions, distribute vital medical supplies to those in need and deploy safe and effective vaccines.  Vaccines save millions of lives each year. Vaccines work by training and preparing the body’s natural defences – the immune system – to recognize and fight off the viruses and bacteria they target. After vaccination, if the body is later exposed to those disease-causing germs, the body is immediately ready to destroy them, preventing illness. Older people and those living with chron...

. The Transition Monitoring Group, TMG, has elected Mr. Auwal Musa Rafsanjani as the new Chairman of its Board.  In a statement signed by Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi on Behalf of Transition Monitoring Group,  Rafsanjani was elected alongside other members of the Board at the group’s Annual General meeting (AGM) that took place in Abuja recently. According to him, the AGM kick started with an Electoral Summit with the theme: The Future of Nigeria Election; The Way Forward. The Summit looked at various issues that can improve or impede elections in Nigeria with focus on electoral security, internal party democracy, electronic voting and the impact of election litigation on the integrity of our electoral process. Mr Rafsanjani, who is also the Head of Transparency International-Nigeria and the chairman Board of Trustee, Amnesty International-Nigeria will now steer the affairs of the flagship election observation coalition in the country for the next four years. He is kn...

  The senator representing Edo South Senatorial District at the Upper Chambers of the National Assembly, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, has empowered unemployed youths of Edo South Senatorial District with various income generating equipments. The equipments includes 37 tricycle (keke NAPEP), 333 sewing machines, 186 generator sets, 86 grinding machines and 75 motorcycles. In his words, the two time Senator said "God will not forgive me if I had pocketed the money meant for the empowerment of the people of my constituency". According to him “I want all of you to feel that you belong to a family". And you know a senator that cares. All these things, if I have wanted to personalize them and put the money in my pocket, all these things you are seeing now you will not see them but God will not forgive me if I do it. “So if I have made the sacrifice to you, please use it. “Particularly our youths, empowerment is not the million I give to you. Even if I giv...

The Edo State Government has alerted residents to the activities of fraudsters circulating fake entrance forms into the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences. In a statement, Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., disclosed that the government has not commenced the sale of entrance/admission forms into the college, noting that sale of such forms will be duly publicized through the appropriate channels. The statement reads: “It has come to the attention of the Edo State Government that some persons, in a bid to defraud unsuspecting members of the public, have resorted to putting on sale fake entrance forms into the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences. “Government therefore wishes to put all interested candidates, as well as the general public on notice, that the Edo State College of Nursing Sciences has not commenced sales of Entrance/Admission Forms. “For the avoidance of doubt, sale of entrance/admission forms into the College will be duly publicized...

By Ijeoma Umeh Benin City - As part of activities to mark this year's International Youth Day Celebration, the Benin Centennial Lion's Club, District 404-A1 has empowered 20 unemployed youths with skills ranging from bread, cake, meat pie baking   and other confectioneries. The event, which also had in attendance to motivate the youths, Lion Patience Eferyana NLCF, GST Coordinator, Edo Region 9,  took place at the exquisite VFG Bakery, along Irhirhi road and saw excited youths trying their hands on various condiments,  baking items and machines. Addressing participants at the event, Lion Sunday Ajayi NLCF, President of the Benin Centennial Lion's Club, said the event is part of the corporate social responsibility of the club in the new lionistic year, and that a day has been set aside globally in the Lion's Calendar to ensure that youths who make up over 75 percent of Nigeria's population , are meaningfully engaged to reduce youth restiveness and unemplo...

By De Patriot Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has praised the Netherlands Embassy in Nigeria for providing solar mini-grid for an uninterrupted power supply to Kalaba Community in Bayelsa State. According to  ERA/FoEN, "Kalaba Community should jealously protect and properly manage the solar-mini grid system so as to enjoy the maximum benefits especially by children who needs the light source to read their books at nighttime and also enhancing women’s cooking during the night fall." This was contained in a press statement signed by (ERA/FoEN) spokesperson, Barrister Nosa Tokunbor. According to him, "it implemented the project with technical support from Community Research and Development Centre (CREDC) in the establishment of the project. "The 8.5 kw power project was completed and commissioned recently by a representative of Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo, Executive Director of the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth ...

In it's determination to curb insecurity in Esanland, the Esan Solidarity Forum today launched the Esan Security Network code-named "Atanakpa". The event took place in Ebhoyi Police Station in Uromi, Esan North East LGA, under the distinguished Chairmanship of Air Vice Marshal Okpere (rtd). Present at the historic event include: Esan traditional rulers, past and present security officials of Esan origin, illustrious sons and daughters of Esanland, cultural troupes, etc. The highpoints of the event include: speech making by stakeholders, unveiling of security equipments and vehicles, cultural display and parade inspection. Atanakpa Security Group is a specialized security organization aimed at curbing criminal activities in Esan remote areas to enhance economic activities in the region.

 Rt Hon. ( Barr.) Deacon Sergius Oseasochie Ogun, Member House of Representatives, Esan north-east/esan South-East Federal Constituency has congratulated His Royal Highness, Solomon Ojeaga Izuware 1, the Onojie of Ujiogba Kingdom on the occasion of his 10th coronation anniversary. In a goodwill message  issued today, Rt Hon. Ogun said: " Zaiki, it is pleasing to know that you have clocked ten years on the great throne of your royal ancestors. No doubt, your kingship reign has brought abundant peace, unity, development and progress to the great Ujiogba Kingdom, Esan West Local Government Area, Edo State. It is my wish and prayer that your reign continue to attract higher levels of development, peace, unity and progress to your kingdom. On behalf of my family and the good people of Agbazilo, I wish you  a joyous and glorious 10th coronation anniversary! May your reign be long, peaceful and fruitful!".

The distinguished honourable member representing Esan North-East/Esan South-East Federal Constituency of Edo State in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. (Barr.) Deacon Sergius Oseasochie Ogun has revealed how fellow lawmakers   frustrated the National Health Act amendment bill to regulate international trips for medical treatment by public officials.  Ironically, the bill which earned the Lawmaker loads of encomiums and commendations from all parts of the country did not see the light of the day as it was killed by some influential members of the 8th session of the lower chamber of the national assembly who cited bogus and nebulous reasons to justify their anti-people action.  To underscore his rock steady determination and iron cast resolve to push the bill through, Rt Hon. Ogun resubmitted the bill to the 9th session of the House of Representatives for reconsideration.  Again, those who seem not to be comfortable with the contents of the Nationa...

The distinguished honourable member representing Esan North-East/Esan South-East Federal Constituency of Edo State in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. (Barr.) Deacon Sergius Oseasochie Ogun has revealed how fellow lawmakers   frustrated the National Health Act amendment bill to regulate international trips for medical treatment by public officials.  Ironically, the bill which earned the Lawmaker loads of encomiums and commendations from all parts of the country did not see the light of the day as it was killed by some influential members of the 8th session of the lower chamber of the national assembly who cited bogus and nebulous reasons to justify their anti-people action.  To underscore his rock steady determination and iron cast resolve to push the bill through, Rt Hon. Ogun resubmitted the bill to the 9th session of the House of Representatives for reconsideration.  Again, those who seem not to be comfortable with the contents of the Nationa...

  The honourable member representing Esan North-East/Esan South-East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. (Barr.) Deacon Sergius Oseasochie Ogun has extended his heartfelt condolence to the families of Ekhomu and Okunbo for the demise of their illustrious sons, Dr Òna Ekhomu and Captain Hosa Okunbo. The federal lawmaker who expressed utter grief and shock at the demise of the two iconic men prayed God to grant their respective families in particular and Edo State in general the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Born in March 1955, Ekhomu was the chairman, Transworld Security Systems and a founding member of the American Society for Industry Security (ASIS) International in Nigeria. The seasoned Irrua-born security guru held several leadership positions in the private security sector both in Nigeria and Africa.  He passed away last night after he took ill few weeks ago.  Captain Hosa Okunbo who was a famous philanthropist,  b...

President of SWS,  Barrister  Deborah Ijadele-Adetona said that exclusive breastfeeding is the best source of nourishment for infants and young children, and a proven lifesaving strategy that helps protect children against several common childhood illnesses, such as diarrhea and pneumonia which will in turn impact positively on such children,  their mothers and the society in general. When we have more of our children on exclusive breastfeeding and less cow milk, we are going to have less of them behaving like animals. Breastfeeding saves lives. It is one of the cost-effective intervention for the prevention of deaths in children under five years old.  Colostrum, the first milk a mother produces, is the most potent natural immune system booster known to science; lactating mothers are encouraged to give it to their babies immediately after delivery. The first 1,000 days of a child’s life, (starting from conception to age 2) is very important fo...

. President of SWS,  Barrister  Deborah Ijadele-Adetona said that exclusive breastfeeding is the best source of nourishment for infants and young children, and a proven lifesaving strategy that helps protect children against several common childhood illnesses, such as diarrhea and pneumonia which will in turn impact positively on such children,  their mothers and the society in general. When we have more of our children on exclusive breastfeeding and less cow milk, we are going to have less of them behaving like animals. Breastfeeding saves lives. It is one of the cost-effective intervention for the prevention of deaths in children under five years old.  Colostrum, the first milk a mother produces, is the most potent natural immune system booster known to science; lactating mothers are encouraged to give it to their babies immediately after delivery. The first 1,000 days of a child’s life, (starting from conception to age 2) is very important for optimal ...

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council has condemned in strong terms the continued intimidation and harassment of journalists by personnel of the State Security Services (SSS), stating it was a threat to democracy and the rule of law. The warning is coming on the heels of Monday’s unwarranted physical harassment and assault of a photojournalist with the Vanguard Newspapers, Oluwagbemiga Olamikan, at the Federal High Court, Abuja In a press statement in Abuja Monday, jointly signed by Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche and Ochiaka Ugwu, chairman and secretary of council, respectively, the union noted that it has become habitual for the SSS and other security agencies to pick at journalists in the legitimate performance of their duties, and called for an immediate end to the use of excessive force against journalists and media workers in general. “It is unfortunate to state that reporters and photojournalists were barred from covering the previous court session. Council lam...