De Patriot

. Chidera Eze, a student of the Redeemers Nursery and Primary School, Ogba, Lagos State, went for the swimming lesson at the Ivory Health Club, Ogundana Street, Ikeja. He and other students were accompanied by some teachers and caregivers of the school. During the swimming lesson, Chidera and other students were said to be playing at the tip of the pool when he slipped into it. His father, Anthony, on Wednesday, May 18 said, that the teachers, caregivers and lifeguards were not aware that his son had fallen into the pool until he drowned. He said: "I dropped my children at the Redeemers Nursery and Primary School on Acme Road, Ogba, on Monday morning, and I went to work. At 10.52am, I got a call from their head teacher, Mrs Adeola Oladipo, and she told me that my son was involved in an accident and that he had been rushed to the Ikeja Medical Centre. "I rushed down there, but what I saw was the lif£less body of my son. I asked the head teacher what happened and sh...

The 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 commended Nigerian workers for their resilience. The Uncommon Federal Lawmaker who gave the commendation in a Worker’s Day message, urged Nigerian workers to keep the flag of hard work and excellence flying.  In a similar vein, the Oluese Nomioguele of Agbazilo commended Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki for increasing the state’s minimum wage to #40,000. While appreciating the governor for doing the needful, Rt Hon. Sergius Ogun urged all subnational governments to borrow a leaf from Obaseki by increasing their minimum wage to a more realistic minimum. Going Further, the Pride of Esan Land made a passionate appeal to the federal government to resolve, as soon as possible, the lingering strike embarked upon by the academic staff of public owned varsities. 

The Edo State Government has lauded the management of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), on the training of 100 Edo youths on various skills. Mr Chris Nehikhare, Commissioner for Youth and Humanitarian Affairs in the state, in his address at the graduation ceremony of the beneficiaries said that the training of the beneficiaries was a meaningful feat recorded. According to Nehikhare, I want to appreciate the founding fathers behind the Industrial Training Fund Act (ITFA) that came into effect on  October 8, 1971. "The purpose of the Act was to establish a Fund, The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to be utilised to promote and encourage the acquisition of skills in industry or commerce in Nigeria with a view to generating a pool of indigenous trained manpower sufficient to meet the needs of the economy. "I am glad that the dream is still alive 50 years after "On behalf of His Excellency, Gov. Godwin  Obaseki, I want to congratulate you for keeping this dream a...

By Kadiri Christopher A copyright enforcement group under the aegis of Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria, MCSN, has sought for a deepened support from the members of the fourth estate of the realm recently. Speaking in Benin City, the Chairman of the society, Prince Biodun Eguakhide said, "MCSN was an owner, assign and  exclusive license of the largest repertoire of musical works and sound recording in Nigeria. The Supreme Court of Nigeria and other courts has held this position in a number of judgements and the recent judgement against Multichoice Nigeria where several billions of naira was awarded against them in claims and damages. "Copyright protection begins as soon as an eligible work is fixed in a medium of expression. The medium does not require any formality for such protection to begin. "There are certain exceptions in copyright infringement with respect to fair dealing which are for the purposes if research, private use, criticism, a...

  AN Edo State House of Assembly hopeful, Olabisi Akpaida has pledged adequate representation to the people of Akoko-Edo Constituency II if nominated and eventually wins the election.   Akpaida made this commitment to the people when she met with the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) Women Leaders, Youth Leaders and others from the five wards that make up the constituency in Igarra.    She said communication remains key for development and promised to establish a community radio to open up the area to the outside world.     She said "We know the potentials available in our constituency and the entire local government and there is need to change the narrative which is why I am offering myself to serve you all.   "One thing that has been lacking is communication disconnect between out representative since 1999 and the people, this we need to change and I need your support to lead this progression.   "The women and youths remain the drivers...

 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...