By Isaac  Eranga  Lagos: As part of event marking the World Diabetes Day (WDD), members of Lagos Achievers Lions Club, District 404 A3, Nigeria organized a blood screening and testing activity on Saturday 16th of November for Obalende South and Ijeh-Dolphin residents. The event which commenced very early in the day, started with an enlightenment on causes, symptoms and practical ways of  preventing diabetes, known as the  'silent killer'. The enlightenment was anchored by personnel from Kedi Healthcare who doubles as a member of the Lions Club International and Blue Circle member of the International Diabetes Federation, Lion Osarenkhoe E. Chima-Nwogwugwu.  The screening for diabetes and testing for blood glucose level followed there after and was handled by trained members of Lagos Achievers Lions Club, nurses and doctors as well as volunteers from the community.  Other tests carried out at the event  included blood pressure checks and body mass index...

By Isaac  Eranga  Dr. Louisa Eikhomun-Agbonkhese presenting the book "Surviving Domestic Violence in Relation to Laws on Protection in Nigeria" to Barr. Aigbeze. First left is Ayo Amen Ediae, first right is Mrs. Obhih As part of effort in curbing domestic violence in Edo State, Echoes of Women in Africa Initiative (ECOWA) has collaborated with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Benin City. This was the thrust of the advocacy visit paid to IOM by ECOWA recently in Benin.  Speaking, the Founder  of ECOWA- Dr Louisa Eikhomun-Agbonkhese said the visit was meant to  share ECOWA's work on domestic violence  and abuse with IOM and also learn from IOM's work for possible collaboration. She said ECOWA has done several projects in ameliorating the plight of women that are victims of domestic violence.  "ECOWA has maintained the following programme areas over the course of several years: Social Justice Education, Research and Policy Advocacy, Prac...

By Isaac Eranga  A new 3 bedroom Presidential Groove apartment has been officially opened for lodgement inside Canada World in Benin City.  Also officially opened for lodgement are: 3 bedroom Inn Paradise, 3 bedroom air view, 1 bedroom Lovers Rock, and 1 room self-contained apartment known as the Bachelors. For bookings and reservations, call +2347030917646. Or visit Canada World Conglomerate and Resorts, Country Home Road, opposite Agip, Sapele Road, Benin City. Canada World Conglomerate and Resorts also pride itself with state-of-the-art recreational facilities and gyms center.

By Isaac Eranga  A 1-day review of non-polio supplemental immunization activities (NPSIA) with the media and women-led civil society organisations (CSOs) to improve vaccine trust and uptake in Edo state, has been held in Benin penultimate weekend. Welcoming participants, the Program Director- Mrs Rose Imonikhe said the meeting was aimed at improving vaccine trust and uptake in Edo state. She said the meeting was a platform for stakeholders to forge a formidable front in the area of sensitisation and awareness creation for Edo people.  "Edo people has over the years expressed apathy in vaccine uptake. This meeting is meant to reverse this ugly trend.  "There's also increasing fear that there will be an outbreak of vaccine preventable diseases, hence the need for sensitisation and enlightenment campaigns", she said. In a keynote address, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Communication and Orientation (MOCO)- Dr. Desmond Agbama reiterated that part of Gov. Okpebholo...

As Sen. Monday Okpebholo settled in office to carry out his legitimate business as governor of Edo state, Key stakeholders in the business and hospitality industries in the State, have assured of their collaborations with the Okpebholo's led administration, in order to take Edo to a level of unprecedented height.  The stakeholders under the auspices of Business and  Hoteliers Stakeholders Forum (BHSF), a nonpartisan pressure group, said the business of development cannot be left in the hands of government alone, hence the need for private partnerships. Speaking, the President of BHSF, Edo state - Chief Dr, Bishop, Omogiade Enoyiogiere Edokpolo, said BHSF is ready to support the developmental drive of Gov. Okpebholo and his team, in order to bring about the needed growth, progress, positive change in the State.  "We are ready to show to Edo state  government the best ways to use her resources to relieve poverty and raise living standards and to show how to change Edo ...

By Isaac  Eranga  The Edo indigenous leader and President  Edo Progressive Indigenous Association (EPIA), also known as Edo Indigenous Movement- Chief Dr. Bishop Omogiade  Enoyiogiere  Edokpolo has congratulated the Edo State governor- Sen. Monday Okpebholo and Rt. Hon. Denis Idahosa for successful assumption of office as governor and deputy governor respectively. He called on them to bring their years of experience to bear in administering Edo people. The  Omo-Iza of Igarra Kingdom said EPIA- a sociocultural nonpartisan organisation is ready to partner with the State government in moving the State forward. Chief Edokpolo who is the CEO of  Canada World Conglomerates & Resort and President- Business and Hoteliers Stakeholders Forum, Edo State used the medium to admonish Sen. Okpebholo to carry all the senatorial districts along in order to spread development to all the nook and crannies of Edo State.  "Sen. Okpebholo is a calm and humble man t...

By Isaac Eranga  Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of Hon. Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff. The appointment takes immediate effect.  In an official communication signed by the Secretary to State Government, Musa Umar Ikhilor, and made available to newsmen by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor- Fred Itua, Audu's appointment will help Governor Okpebholo in driving meaningful reforms in the State.  “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly the good people of Edo State, that His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, has approved the appointment of Hon. Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff. The appointment takes immediate effect,” the official communication signed by the Secretary to State Government read. Hon. Audu, born 18th August 1969, obtained an HND from Auchi Polytechnic in 1994, a PGD in Business Administration from Benson Idahosa University in 2011 and an M.Sc in In...

By Isaac Eranga  A 5-Star hotel located in the serene environment of Benin city, Edo State, Nigeria- The canada World, has introduced a new world apartment live in its premises.  Speaking to Social Reporters News Service, the Chief Executive Officer- Chief Dr. Omogiade Edokpolo said the new apartment was in line with world practice. He said though the cost is affordable, "it pride itself with the values of quality, security, comfortability, hospitality, confidentiality, friendliness, etc. The new apartment which is now available for lodgement has the following: 3 bedrooms; 2 bedrooms;1 bedroom and Self contain apartments. For bookings and reservations, call the following helpline: 08056927278 or visit Canada World along Country Home Motel Road, Off Sapele Road, Benin city. 

By Isaac Eranga  The Nigerian delegate at the recently held All-Russian Youth Education Forum (SHUM) organized by the World Youth Festival Directorate of the Russian Federation, Dr. Emmanuel Johnson Chukwuka has charged journalists to correct historical biases through research, especially the ones instigated against Russia and Africa by the Western countries. Dr. Chukwuka who was the Vice Presidential candidate of the Action Alliance in the 2023 general election in Nigeria spoke in the Kaliningrad region of Russia during the week-long event which held between October 26 and November 1, 2024. The Medical Doctor and top Nigerian politician who spoke on the topic, 'Media versus Journalism In A Rapidly Changing World', argued that media reports should be thoroughly investigated before they are spread further, as many are false narratives enabled by the Western countries against perceived enemies, especially nations like Russia which vehemently fought against Western institutions l...

By Isaac Eranga, Journalists for Peace Network   Conflict and conflict resolution is as old as mankind. Where two or more people are present, conflict becomes inevitable. Studies show that conflict could have both desirable and undesirable consequences depending on how it is being managed or resolved. This is where sound understanding of resolution of conflict is a necessity to prevent further escalation which in most cases endangers the society. In this article, we will take a cursory look at what conflict resolution entails and how the Security Agencies could carry out their roles efficiently in conflict resolution.  Before delving into what conflict resolution entails, it will not be out of place for us to first of all look at the meanings of the following terms: conflict; conflict management; conflict resolution; and security agencies.  Conflict is a situation in which unacceptable differences in interests, values, expectations and opinions occur between individu...

By Patrick Egwu and John Chukwu A Project of ICFJ Nigeria is cracking down on journalists and media workers under the guise of national security.  State authorities have detained journalists and held them for questioning, and the country’s broadcast industry regulator, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has fined and banned outlets. In its 2024 World Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders ranked Nigeria 112 out of 180 countries, listing the country among the most challenging for journalists in West Africa. In August, no fewer than 56 journalists were harassed and attacked during anti-government protests, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. “As a journalist practicing in Nigeria, I can confidently say that the environment is far from conducive for journalists to fully exercise their press freedom,” said Kelechi Ekeledo, a reporter at the private broadcaster, Africa Independent Television.  Incidents In 2022, after airing a documentary about attac...

By Osas Idowu Journalists for Peace Network (JPN), South-South zone has called on members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council to support the candidature of Dr. Festus Alenkhe, JP, (Chairman) and Comrade Nekpen Maureen Nwine (Vice-Chairman) in the forthcoming Edo NUJ election bid to hold in Benin city, the Edo State capital. Speaking, the South-South Coordinator of JPN, Comrade Collins Newuwumi said the monumental achievements of Dr. Alenkhe is enough to justify the reason why he should be voted for. He said Festus Alenkhe has restored pride and dignity to Edo NUJ. He said it's only unreasonableness that will make one to vote against him.  "Festus Alenkhe achieved within 60 days in office what past Chairmen could not achieve for 16 years. This is why JPN is calling for his re-election.  "We were able to verify the number of Edo Journalists that had enjoyed the professional developmental scheme of Festus Alenkhe. The Press Centre now enjoys free electrici...