De Patriot

 Two indigenes of Iguomo community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Messrs Henry Idemudia and Julius Ekhaguere have appealed to  His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II , Oba of Benin over activities of some land speculators in the community. Okoror and Okoror of Ikheloa Chambers, acting on behalf of Idemudia and Ekhaguere said that the land speculators were led by Pa Godwin Usiomoifo and Esezoboh Ebonoto who recruit other people who parade themselves as Odionwere and Okaeghele respectively in the community.  According to Idemudia and Ekhaguere, the duo have continually constituted themselves as a threat to peace in the community. "These persons have sold off all the land in the village belonging to indigenes; as a result of this act, there is no longer free land for indigenes to farm. This has caused serious hardship on the people. "That these persons who are non-indigenes of the village have capitalised on this and had forcefully taken over, e...

The quest to promote better understanding and appreciation of ,"our local history", has propelled Afie Braimoh to donate books on the history of Owan to secondary schools across the clan.  Afie  Braimoh, daughter of Senator Yisa Braimoh of ihievbe, himself an apostle of "cultural reawakening" among the younger generation, has biten the bug and is set to take it a notch higher.   .Ms Braimoh, presently Edo State Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Co-operatives,   said the project is very dear to her, since she is certain it would cause a major paradigm shift in the propagation of Owan culture, history and other nuances. Ms Braimoh  also added that the decision to donate the books to secondary schools in the Owan Federal Constituency was devoid of politics but to ensure that Owan languages and cultural heritage are continually preserved for future generations instead of going to extinction. According to her, "as an Owan daughter, it is also incu...

The Edo House of Assembly on Wednesday passed the bill for a law to prohibit open grazing of cattle and regulate other livestock in Edo   The motion to dissolve the house into committee of the whole was moved by the deputy speaker Roland Asoro and seconded by the the member representing (PDP Esan North East 1)Francis Okiye. Considering the bill clause by clause at the committee of the whole, the lawmakers passed relevant sections of the bill with amendments to sections 5(7) and 5(8) The amendment to section 5 (7) now reads that a ranch committee to be constituted by the governor shall determine the size of the land suitable for ranching in conjunction with the community where the ranch is proposed. Section 5 (8) was also amended to read that the committee shall control the activities of cattle herdsmen within various communities. Section eight, however, prohibits open grazing in the state. According to the bill, Section 9(1) empowered the state governor to designat...

The Edo State Government has disclosed plans to establish cultural hubs in the three senatorial districts of the state to preserve and promote Edo’s rich cultural heritage. The Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Prince Bamidele Obaitan, disclosed this to journalists in Benin City during a programme organized by the Ministry to mark the 2022 World Theatre Day. Obaitan said the cultural hubs will leverage technology and the innovative potential of Edo youths to advance the preservation of the state’s cultural assets. He noted that the state government through the state’s skill development agency, Edojobs, has undertaken several programmes to positively engage the youths and make them better prepared for the future. The Commissioner said the theme of this year’s celebration, “Theatre and a Culture of Peace” is in line with the government's objective of using arts and culture to propagate peace and ensure sanity in the state. Obaita...

Beyond the merriments and banters to herald the first 100 days in office of the leadership of the Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, led by Comrade Festus Alenkhe, it was also a moment to take stocks and reflect on the journey so far. To commemorate the 100 days milestone, a tradition invented by the political class to assess and measure the impact and/or performance of elected public office holders, the NUJ Exco, led by the indefatigable Comrade Festus Alenkhe,  lined up a series of activities to mark the occasion.  One of them was a thank - you - tour to the NUJ chapel, the base of the Union, and was purposely initiated to create a common ground between the executive and the members, in a way that promotes conviviality and camaraderie   In addition, the tour afforded the NUJ Exco an opportunity to render an account of its stewardship as well as  solicit for greater support from the rank and file in the onerous task of build...

By Ozioruva Aliu THE chairman, Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Festus Alenkhe has urged its members who are interested in politics not to hesitate in indicating their interest as they would get the support of the council.   Alenkhe stated this when he received the Head of Centre AIT/Rapower FM Benin City, Olabisi Akpaida who was in the Secretariat to formally inform the union of her intention to contest for a seat into the Edo State House of Assembly to represent Akoko-Edo Constituency II.   He said: "We are journalists, the NUJ as a union remains apolitical but any member who is interested in any political office, irrespective of political party should tell us and we will give such people our support"   On her part, Akpaida said she decided to contest for the position so as to give better representation to the people of the constituency haven got the blessing and support of her employer.   She said "I am not going the...

The latest among the aspirants to collect his nomination form, is Mr Odine Odianonsen, a staunch PDP member in Esan North East of Edo Central senatorial district.  By this singular gesture, Mr Odine have proven to sceptics that he intends to put in a robust and stiff challenge prelude to the election proper to determine who represents Esan North East Constituency 2 at the Edo State House of Assembly.  Accompanied by a retinue of supporters and party loyalists, Mr Odine stormed the Benin secretariat of the party to purchase his nomination form ahead the PDP primaries scheduled for May.   Odine, an alumni of both  Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and later the University of Benin, where he capped his academic pursuit with Masters in Public Administration, before his foray into politics, have promised to amplify  the voice of his constituents and to provide good representation.  He is also the founder of Odianonsen Odine Foundation, an NGO esta...

Members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, South South, has stressed the need to constantly show care to mothers as they age. They stated this in a Mothers Day message jointly signed by the Vice President of NAWOJ, South South, Comrade Uduak Obeten and Secretary, Comrade Eunice Emeyazia. The female journalists said a Mother is the “Heart” of the Home, functioning as chef, Housekeeper, event planner, health care provider, finance manager,  counsellor, first educator and mentor; adding that mothers play a critical role in determining how the future of the next generation would be. The NAWOJ South South leaders enjoined families not to abandon their mothers, especially as child bearing responsibilities and age begin to take a toll on them, appealing to citizens to reward their efforts and enhance their living conditions. They frowned at a situation where children neglect the welfare of their parents, only to spend lavishly on their burial, and urged ev...

Edo state House of Assembly has amended the Edo state Local Government Electoral law and Edo state Independent Electoral Commission Establishment (Re-enactment) Law 2017.  The consideration of the amendment came shortly after a request by the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki for the house to amend section 21 subsection 1 of the existing principal law by deleting the figure “45” as it appears in the subsection and replacing with figure “15”. The majority Leader of the House, Hon. Henry Okhuarobo, Member representing Ikpoba Okha constituency moved a motion that the proposed amendment be given a speedy passage, reason being that the third tier of government has been left without duly elected officials .  He also said once amended, constituted members of Independent Electoral Commission will be able to carry out their functions effectively. Also lending their voices in support of the amendment, Hon. Nosayaba Okunbor, the deputy Speaker, Hon. Roland Asoro, rep...

Edo state House of Assembly still in the process of considering the anti open Grazing bill for the betterment of the people and has not ceeded any percentage of land to any group or in whatever disguise. The speaker,Edo state House of Assembly,Rt Hon Marcus Onobun ksc has disclosed that the anti open Grazing bill before the house is still in the process of consideration and not passed yet.  Rt Hon Marcus Onobun ksc disclosed this when he in company of other legislators received three civil society groups ,who protested to the house over the rumours  making the rounds on the alleged ceeding of 20 percent of arable  Land. Receiving the different groups the speaker accompanied by other legislators  explained the various processes of lawmaking to include the deliberations at the committee of the whole where each clause is deliberated upon for the benefit of the people. Rt hon Onobun stated that the bill which when passed will be a great asset to all. "Edo Sta...

By  Amos Isibor THE stage is gradually set for the ultimate senatorial slot for 2023 general election as  Ehia Olu Akhabue stages pragmatic stake for Edo Central Senatorial District.  The uniqueness of his ideas for equitable representation, his seminal thoughts on prodigious community development, his forthrightnesss in articulation of our collective aspiration and the tellingly magnificent road map for actualising it is more than enough to endear the humane people of Esanland  to  his vision.  His  experiences, spanning over two decades in management of human and industries, home and abroad signposted him as the 'primus inter pares' and clearly a shining star in the political wilderness of the Nigerian State.  Interestingly, history has been magnanimous with the Esan people, having endowed them with the best and brightest as demonstrated by the likes of Chief Anthony Enahoro, Ambrose Alli, Chief Tony Anenih, Christopher Abebe, Comrad...

Rt Hon Marcus Onobun said the Ihumudumu, Ujemen - Iruekpen  road project is one of the electioneering promises of the Governor Godwin Obaseki to the people last year.  The project which has a gestation period of two years , commenced on February , with work on the side drains and culverts to combat the erosion problem . The speaker commended   Governor Godwin Obaseki for fulfilling the promises made and assured that with the men and materials on site the road would stand the test of time . He advised residents and motorists to be patient and bear the difficulties that may arise during the road construction as it for the overall benefit of all when the road project is completed. Contractor on site Mr Michel  said the work would be completed in record time . Some respondents who spoke with journalists commended the Governor for promises fulfilled as the road has been abandoned for years . They said the road has been rendered impassable expecially when ...