De Patriot

By Osaiyekemwen Confidence Osarumwense  In recent, there has been an Ebola outbreak in Uganda and no vaccine yet exists for the Ebola strain in Uganda Trainee medics battling Ebola in Uganda's virus epicentre accuse the government of putting their lives at risk. "Most times you come into contact with a patient and you use your bare hands," one worker said to BBC anonymously. All trainees at Mubende's regional hospital say they are on strike and are demanding to be moved somewhere safer. But Ugandan health ministry spokesman Emmanuel Ainebyoona told the BBC there was "no strike at the hospital". Yet all 34 of the hospital's interns - including doctors, pharmacists and nurses - have announced their decision to strike in a joint statement. They say they are being put at undue risk because they lack appropriate safety kit, risk allowances and health insurance. Six interns at the hospital have already been exposed to the virus, and are awaiting th...

By Ijeoma Umeh Benin City - The Edo State Government's policy direction in the Education Sector in the State has been applauded.  The commendation was made on Friday, September 23 in Benin City by a team, led by Dr. Benjamin Okonofua, Director, Okonofua Foundation during a courtesy call on Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, Hon. Commissioner for Education, Edo State.  Dr. Okonofua commended the Commissioner for the giant strides of the Ministry in inspiring an active and digital teaching staff through the EdoBEST initiative which he said, has galvanized Edo school teachers into a modern education multilevel system which he noted will enable them compete with their peers at the global stage.   Dr. Okonofua stated,  "I congratulate the state government and your ministry for your clear policy direction in the education sector in Edo State.  There has been qualitative improvement in the standards that everyone can see. We are excited that in Edo State the interes...

The Edo State Government refutes claims that it was ISWAP, that carried out the attack by fleeing bandits at Ibillo-Igarra Road Junction, where they burnt a Wabaizigan patrol vehicle on September 22, 2022 after a thorough investigation by the state security outfits involving the Police, Nigerian Army, Edo State Vigilante Network and Nigeria Civil Defence Corp. This was contained in a statement signed by the commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon Chris Nehikhare.  "There is no evidence of ISWAP or its operatives in Edo State". Government assures that it will continue to provide support to the security agencies in the state to tackle crime and criminality and also enhance patrols of the state’s borders to make the state most uncomfortable for the decimated bandits. The Edo State government restates its commitment to the safety of lives and property in the state and to the sustenance of a safe environment for citizens to go about their lawful businesses.

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has approved the redeployment of Mr. Chris Nehikhare, former Commissioner of Youths and Gender Issues, to pilots the affairs of Edo State Ministry of Communication and Orientation while Andrew Emwanta has been moved to Ministry of Youths and Gender Issues. The redeployment is as a result of the cabinet reshuffle and rationalization of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state government. In a statement issued and signed by Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, said the governor gave the approval at the Executive Council (EXCO) on Wednesday, 22nd September, 2022. He noted that, “The rationalization of the MDAs is as a result of decreasing accruals from the Federation Account, which can no longer sustain the existing structure of the government.” Ogie said the cabinet reshuffle and rationalization of MDAs led to the merger of certain ministries and re-deployment of Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries...

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has approved the redeployment of Mr. Chris Nehikhare, former Commissioner of Youths and Gender Issues, to pilots the affairs of Edo State Ministry of Communication and Orientation while Andrew Emwanta has been moved to Ministry of Youths and Gender Issues. The redeployment is as a result of the cabinet reshuffle and rationalization of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state government. In a statement issued and signed by Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, said the governor gave the approval at the Executive Council (EXCO) on Wednesday, 22nd September, 2022. He noted that, “The rationalization of the MDAs is as a result of decreasing accruals from the Federation Account, which can no longer sustain the existing structure of the government.” Ogie said the cabinet reshuffle and rationalization of MDAs led to the merger of certain ministries and re-deployment of Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries...

The National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Chris Isiguzo has emerged as the new President of Congress of African Journalists-CAJ. He replaces Alexandre Niyungeko of Burundi who stepped down to pursue other commitments. The Governing Council of the Congress in a meeting held online on Wednesday, 21st September, 2022 unanimously voted to elect the NUJ President as it next leader. It would be recalled that the NUJ on the 23rd June, 2020 hosted a meeting online of some African countries where CAJ was launched to address the issues affecting journalists on the Continent, promote shared values and uphold The Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa. CAJ was formally registered in Kenya and the headquarters is located in Nairobi. The new President expressed appreciation to his colleagues for the confidence and trust reposed in him and promised to work assiduously for the success of CAJ. He also thanked the Kenya Corresponden...

The Edo State Government has said the restructuring and ratification of the state’s civil and public service will enhance efficiency and reduce the cost of governance. The Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa Esq., while addressing journalists in Benin City, on Thursday, said the move became necessary as a result of dwindling revenue from the federations account. With the development announced after the weekly Executive Council (EXCO) meeting chaired by Governor Godwin Obaseki, on Wednesday, ministries in the state have now been cut down from 22 to 18, while Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been reduced from 105 to 72. According to the Head of Service, “The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, yesterday, approved a rationalization of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government. The essence is to ensure efficiency and reduce the cost of governance. "This has become necessary because the monies from the federations account is becoming inc...

By Osaiyekmwen Confidence Osarumwense   The man who trekked for the victory of President Buhari of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has cried out with a coffin on his head with RIP APC written on the coffin. He said APC has failed in government while interviewed by news men.  He said "I decided to trekked back to Abuja with this coffin to be deposited at the mortuary in Abuja" because the government failed in carrying out their promises to the people. The trekking will take from 18 to 20 days to get to Abuja but I do not care how long it will take. If I could trek to celebrate the victory, I should be able to trek to express my disappointment said he why interviewed.  He stated that he was not sick nor having any health issue as claimed by some person when trekked to celebrate the victory  I am carrying this coffin to tell the people that APC needs to be buried for life.  "Nothing can stop me from doing this" he said.  APC has failed us all an...

.  The Osezuah Ikhine's family of Uromi in Esan north East local government of Edo state has announced the untimely death of their daughter, sister,  Mrs Stella Ugboke (Née Osezuah) in the early hours of Monday 20th September, 2022. In a statement issued and signed by Engr Abraham Oria Osezuah, a brother to the deceased  and Foremost chairmanship aspirant in  Esan North East for the Edo State  LGC Election . The statement read thus: It is with heavy heart  we announced the death of our beloved Sister, wife, mother, sister, aunt Mrs Stella Ugboke (Nee Osezuah ) who slept in the Lord on the 20th September 2022. She gave up the ghost after a Protracted illness at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. Until her death, she was a business woman, house wife and a woman of God  She is survived by a son , four daughters, husband , mother, brothers and sisters  The burial arrangements will be announced later

By Osaiyekmwen Confidence Osarumwense Following the recent enforcement of arrest, prosecution of parents of out-of-school children and early to school, Edion Junior secondary a arm of Edion Secondary School, Obagie-Nevbosa along Ogheghe - Obagie road  was visited and as at 7:45am today all the teachers and Principal were all at their duty post. The school Principal said that the State Government has done well by ensuring no child is left out.  "It is our duty to make Edion Secondary School great"  by equipping the children entrusted in our hands.  The school children in large number was  present when visited.  The principal in an appeal to the government and the community requested for more chairs, tables and completion of the ongoing building in order for the children to be comfortable while learning.  The community representative said the will do there best to ensure the children have a well equipped and comfortable place for learning and...

By Osaiyekmwen Confidence Osarumwense The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to sign a contracts for liquefied natural gas (LNG) during his visit to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, while the deputy chancellor said Germany looks forward to replacing Russian energy imports with new partners. "The government is permanently in talks with many countries, as the gas offering is slowly expanding says the Economy Minister Robert Habeck, pointing to his own trip to Qatar and the UAE in March. In May, sources told some Reporters that LNG is between Germany and Qatar were fraught with differences over key conditions, including the duration of any contract. [nL5N2WW7BO]  German is acquiring LNG terminals as part of its efforts to diversify away from Russian gas. [USN:L1N3090N0] Habeck while speaking in Lubmin in northern Germany, where the government hopes a state-leased floating storage and regasification unit (FSRUs) can be operational at the end of 2023 at the earlie...

  By Rosemary Okoduwa  The honourable member representing Esan North-East/Esan South-East Federal Constituency of Edo State in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Sergius Oseasochie Ogun today led members of his foundation to distribute free notebooks to pupils and students in both public and private nursery, primary and secondary schools in Agbazilo.  In line with his more-than-a-decade old tradition of putting smiles on the faces of school children at the beginning of every academic session, the founder and president of Sergius Oseasochie Ogun Foundation (SOOF) took time out of his busy schedules to present the free notebooks to the pupils and students in schools within the two local government that makes up the constituency.  The free notebooks distribution excercise will continue in all schools in Agbazilo throughout the first week of resumption, with every pupil/student receiving five free notebooks from the foundation.

 .  The  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 facilitated the provision and installation of solar street lights on Mission Road, Ugboha.  Residents of the area who welcomed the positive development with open hearts and open arms commended the astute federal lawmaker for a job well done just as they urged him to keep the flames of excellent representation blazing.  It is on record that Rt Hon. Sergius Ogun , who is nicknamed  "the Oluese Nomioguele of Agbazilo"  had earlier facilitated the provision and installation of street lights in other communities in Agbazilo which includes  Ineme Market Road, Uzogbon-Otoikhimhin Road Ugboha and other  major streets in Uromi and Ubiaja .

By Rosemary Okoduwa   Making the local MSME's the focal point of its industrialisation policy by the Edo State Government has begun to create a multiplier effect, as the MSME's have now developed the ability to source their raw materials locally thereby boosting the state's economy, saving costs and the scarce foreign exchange which would have been spent on importation.  This was contained in a goodwill message by Hon Afie Braimoh, the state's commissioner of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, delivered at the one-day export sensitisation seminar organised by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC in Benin City, the Edo State capital.  The theme of the one-day export sensitisation seminar is: *Leveraging the Export Drive in Edo for Increased Export Drive* An obviously elated Hon Afie Braimoh, basking in the euphoria of the feat, commended the local MSME's for looking inwards, stressing the backward integration approach adopted by the l...

. A staff of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prince Carter Oshodin has committed suicide on Friday in Umelu Community in Upper Sakponba over his dire financial situation.  Oshodin, who has not been paid salaries for months due to the strike action embarked by University Unions, is a data entry personnel at the University. It was gathered that the Non Academic Staff Union which the deceased belong to has called off its strike recently, but the members were yet to be paid.  Oshodin’s Facebook confirmed his job description at UNIBEN, while the deceased who described himself as Craze J. A message on his profile page reads, “Leave a good legacy behind before you depart”. In Facebook post in 2017, Oshodin had counselled those who work in the public sector to persevere as there were better days ahead. He said in the post, “Another thing you have to know when working with the government because salary is peanut, you lose hope. Please dont. I know a woman that started wor...

. By Rosemary Okoduwa  The president, National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Edo State chapter, Comrade Lazarus Adorolor has called on the leadership and members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to, as a matter of urgency call its chairman and EKITI State Governor, Dr. Kayode FAYEMI to order so as not to heat up the polity as NIGERIA journey towards the 2023 general Election. Comrade Adorolor who made the call in Benin City while briefing newsmen after an emergency State Executive Council(SEC) meeting of NULGE said Dr FAYEMI’s recent disposition on the issue of local government autonomy in Nigeria runs counter to his avowed pro democratic stand, an indication that could best described him as an unsettled and double standard mind, not capable of leading a state let alone the revered governors’ forum. The EDO NULGE President then challenged the EKITI state governor to come out clean with his government’s dealings with Local Government Council Authorities’ fun...

  By Osaiyekmwen Confidence Osarumwense Omoyele Sowore who is the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, in his recent interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’, on Friday night said that the former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, cannot bring the change Nigerians need. Peter Obi is not fit for presidency as he has nothing to be tidy to his administration as a governor in his state.  The Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, a former Anambra governor, is currently having a massive support on social media especially from the youths.  The supporters of Peter Obi also known as ‘Obidents’, have in some occasions had clashed with some Nigerians on social media  Sowore in his speech said the former governor is also part of the “old political system” that he has disabled Nigeria. The African Action Congress, presidential candidate said Peter Obi is not the kind of “change...

Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-serving monarch in British history and an icon instantly recognisable to billions of people around the world, Queen Elizabeth II died at aged 96 as announced today Thursday 8th September, 2022 at Buckingham.  Prince Charles, 73, succeeds as king immediately after her, according to centuries of protocol, beginning a new, less certain chapter for the royal family after the queen’s record-breaking to have reigned for 71 years. Queen Elizabeth II was said to have died peacefully. Crowd had gathered at the Buckingham Palace residence in London on Thursday as concern was growing over the Queen’s health. About 100 people braved torrential rain to stand at the palace gates, according to AFP, as senior royals rushed to Balmoral in Scotland, where the queen was being treated. The Royal Family, announced her death on Twitter, tweeted, “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. “The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral thi...

.  The Edo South PDP Senatorial candidate in the forthcoming general election, Hon Matthew Iduoriyekemwen has declared that the seeming crisis rock the party in the state will be resolved before the official flag off of the campaign and eventually become a thing of the past.  Hon Iduoriyekemwen, a former member and Majority Leader, Edo State House of Assembly, where he distinguished himself as a fine breed lawmaker, who stated this in Benin city at a media interface with journalists on related issues said "the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Edo state, is a big family of like minds. We have come a long way and we all belief and accept that the party is supreme and that each and every one of us know that the party has contributed to whatever we are today, as such we are all, directly or indirectly, not going to do anything that will disrupt the continued existence and relevance of the party which is our vehicle for delivering the highest goods to the greatest numb...

.  The attention of the leadership of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has been drawn to a purported Caretaker Committee of the Edo State chapter of the  Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) led by Salihu Ibrahim, with Mr Ayodele as Secretary put in place by a government official. In a statement signed by the chairman of the council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe JP and secretary Comrade Andy Egbon, it is important to place on record that the  leadership of the union was never consulted on the setting up of such Caretaker Committee, neither did the Congress of the union approve such arrangement. The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria is not an independent body, but an affiliate of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. Consequently , the Edo state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists hereby dissociates itself from the illegal constitution of the caretaker committee.and therefore declare it null and void. The NUJ leadership ...

    The former Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie today announced her resignation of membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC),  over what she described as a non-inclusion of women in full politics and denial of elective positions. while looking at a third force where members are allowed to freely express themselves, outside the two leading parties known as All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Mrs Ativie’s announced her resignation at a news conference at the Press Centre of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Benin City, with a letter addressed to Edo State Chairman of APC, Col. David Imuse (rtd.), through the party’s Chairman of Irhue Ward 4, and APC’s Chairman in Uhunmwonde LGA. She stated in her resignation: “This letter is to convey to you that I have officially resigned from the APC, with immediate effect. “The reason for my resignation is ascribed to the current...

The Edo State First Lady, Betsy Obaseki will on Wednesday, 7th, declare  open Opportunity Fair for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to boost "Made-in-Edo Products in the state. Commissioner, , Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, Hon. Afishetu Braimoh disclosed this while addressing newsmen ahead of the event in Benin. She said her ministry has taken another bold step to further expose the owners of Small and Medium Scales business on how best to handle the nitty gritty of their  businesses through organizing a fair tagged "2022 Opportunity fair MSMEs". Hon. Braimoh said the fair  which is a maiden and first of its kind in the state, is the initiative of her ministry in collaboration with Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) Braimoh added that the fair is slated to take place between 7th-10th  September, 2022, with the theme "Expanding Access for Nigerian MSMEs".   The commissioner gave the break down and the a...

By Osaiyekmwen Confidence Osarumwense . Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, on Thursday 1st September 2022  officially declared open the maiden edition of the Edo State International Film Festival (ESIFF) with the premiere of the first film for the event at Kada Cinema Centre in Benin City, Edo State. The first lady, who was accompanied on the premiere by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Barr. Adaze Emwanta, and his Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs counterpart, Hon. Obaitan Bamidele said the festival will reanimate the history, culture and heritage of the Edo people. The First Lady said, “The Film Festival is a rebirth of our rich history, culture and tradition which is world-acclaimed and has been sleeping for decades. This film festival will reanimate the history, culture and heritage of the Edo people. We expect that the history, culture and life of the Edo people in the past will now be exhibited to the world through this film festival. “...

 By Osaiyekmwen Confidence Osarumwense   Africa story are always left untold.... I want to tell the story of Africa and I want the world to know the role Africans played in developing the largest beverage brand in the world.... Coca Cola is the most recognizable beverage brand in the world. Pepsi Co (a short form of Pepsi Cola) is the second most recognizable beverage brand in the world. Both Coke and Pepsi brands have their origins in soft drink recipes based on Kola nuts. The name  “Cola” in Coca Cola and Pepsi Cola was derived from Kola nut I believe you never knew this . Although Western public memory usually stops at crediting pharmacist John Pemberton for inventing Coke in 1886 and crediting pharmacist Caleb Bradham for inventing Pepsi, the inspiration for Coke and Pepsi lies in the domestication of the Kola nut by ancient West Africans and the domestication of Coca in northern Peru around 5,000 BC (~7,000 years ago). Kola nut was and still is a fruit wi...