By Sebastine Ebhuomhan Edo State Governor, His Excellency,  Senator Monday Okpebholo, clocked 100 days in office on Wednesday, 19th February, 2025. Fondly called Akpakomiza, Okpebholo won a peaceful, free, fair, credible and popular governorship election on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) on 21st September, 2024, defeating his predecessor’s godson Asuerinme Akintunde Ighodalo by 291, 667 votes (51.1 percent) to 247, 655 votes (43.3 percent). A feat collectively achieved with the support of Edo State traditional institutions, Okpebholo was sworn-in on 12th November after which he settled down to deliver on his Five-Point Agenda. The superlative manner the governor delivered democratic dividends in 100 days without noise, lamentation, pride, threat and bullying as Edo people suffered for eight years under ex-governor Godwin Obaseki of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led to an outpouring of praises and commendations marked by congratulatory messages from community,...

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has inspected the ongoing 36 kilometers Utako-Unewa-Eworah-Uromi road and has assured the people of a quality job delivery. The Governor, who led top officials of his administration on the inspection, received accolades and prayers from residents of the communities who were thankful that government has now remembered them. Governor Okpebholo also inspected Anko road and Udomi Primary school which are at various stages of completion. The Governor said his administration has embarked on practical governance, which will see the people enjoying the dividends of democracy. He said: “You can see the joy on the faces of the people. We are happy that the people we are serving are happy and appreciate what we do for them and we will do more to develop the area and the State. “We have embarked on practical governance, doing what the people will see and benefit from. We will continue practical governance. The road we are constructing here is about 36 k...

Dr. Tom Aneni (left) and Hon. Lucky Enehita Inegbenehi (right) The  Edo State Waste Management Board (EWMB) has reaffirmed their commitment in making Edo State greener by collaborating with a renowned nongovernmental  organisation- the Sustainable Environment Development Initiative (SEDI) in sensitizing Edo people on the importance of organic waste compost. This was revealed by the Managing Director of Edo Waste Management Board- Hon. Lucky Enehita Inegbenehi during an advocacy visit paid to him by SEDI in Benin City.  According to Hon. Inegbenehi, "solid waste continues to be a challenge, and finding best practices and appropriate solutions for its management is of great interest.  "We will involve SEDI in our various activities because the Board cannot do it alone. Market women leaders, waste managers, Heads of Environmental departments in all the local government area will be involved". Speaking earlier, the Executive Director of SEDI- Dr. Tom Aneni said organic w...

The Class of 2010 of Edo Boys High School (EBHS) Old Boys Association has donated study materials and school uniforms to students of Edo Boys High School. This, according to the old boys of EBHS, is to enhance the academics of the students.  Speaking, the President EBHS Old Students Association Class of 2010- Comrade Agho Lucky Uhunoma said part of the objectives of the association was to render humanitarian services to the needy and the vulnerable, especially among the students of EBHS. He said the gesture would be sustained. He thereby used the medium to advise the students to make good use of the materials. Comrade Agho Lucky Uhunoma commended members of the association both those in Nigeria and those in diaspora for their unflinching support.  "My heart is overwhelmed with joy and I feel so fulfilled with support and cooperation I got from everyone in putting a smile on the faces of students at Edo Boy's High School. This shows that as a people, there's a sense of purp...

Members of Immaculate Conception College (ICCOBA) set of 96 Worldwide, have extolled the leadership qualities of their President- Mr. Kingsley Otaigbe Odigie, describing him as exemplary and pragmatic.   The vote of confidence followed a motion moved by Isaac Eranga and seconded by Ewere Macdonald Eyotor, during ICCOBA Class of 96 Worldwide February meeting recently held at Galaxy Relaxation Center, First East circular road, Benin City.  Members who also passed a vote of confidence on the Executives of the association, described Mr kingsley Otaigbe's leadership style as democratic and promise to always support him and his team of Executives in taking the association to higher heights.  ICCOBA Class of 96 Worldwide holds their monthly general meeting every third Sunday of the month.

By Isaac Eranga, Journalists for Peace Network  The Partners for Peace (P4P) Network in the Niger Delta, Edo State chapter has described as monumental the political will exhibited by the governor of Edo State- Senator Monday Okpebholo in ensuring sustainable peace in the State in his 100 days in office.  This commendation was made by  Edo State Coordinator of P4P- Engr. Eugene Okoeguale while speaking with Social Reporters News Service in Benin. According to Engr. Okoeguale, the peacebuilding template introduced by Gov. Okpebholo is that of inclusiveness and continuity.  "The Anti-cultism bill signed into law by Gov. Okpebholo is one of the peacebuilding templates and it has helped in curtailing the activities of secret cults in the State. Before now, Edo State had witnessed series of cult killings in different axis of Benin metropolis with the recent one amounting to hundreds deaths.  There's now relative peace in Edo State.  "The anti-cultism law will be...

The Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Charles Ebuebu, on Wednesday, revealed plans by his agency to partner with Edo State Government, through Edo State Broadcasting Service (EBS), in order to create a digital hub that will enhance better broadcasting services, content development, skit making, among others in the State.  He disclosed this during a courtesy visit to Governor Monday Okpebholo in Government House, Benin City, Edo State. Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, who commended the NBC for choosing to partner with the Edo State Government, said his administration will create an enabling environment to ensure that the partnership is successful. He noted that the NBC decided to partner with his administration and use EBS as a platform after recognizing the very many achievements recorded in just a few months. He assured the NBC that the necessary support needed to enable broadcasting to thrive in Edo State will be provided  "I wa...

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has promised that his administration will continue to work with the Federal Government to develop the State and make it the envy of all. The Governor said this when he received the Accountant-General of the Federation, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein, who was in Government House, Benin City, on a courtesy visit. Governor Okpebholo said her choice as the Accountant-General of the Federation was the right move. He said the accounting czar has improved the system since she came on board. Governor Okpebholo thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his interest in Edo State, saying the Heartbeat of the Nation has experienced a lot of developmental strides since President Tinubu adopted Edo as his second home. According to Governor Okpebholo, working in collaboration with the Federal Government, Edo will become the envy of other States. He said: "I welcome you to Edo State. I thank the Accountant-General of the Federation for the visit, which has brou...

By Fred Itua Mr. Crusoe Osagie   Crusoe Osagie, the mouthpiece of Godwin Obaseki, has once again exposed himself as nothing more than a desperate liar scrambling to whitewash eight years of abject failure. His latest outburst against Governor Okpebholo is not just laughable—it is the last kick of a drowning man trying to defend a political disaster. Let’s be clear: Obaseki’s reign was a catastrophic betrayal of the people of Edo State. And Osagie, his attack dog, is nothing but a paid town crier peddling falsehoods in broad daylight. Who is Crusoe Osagie, and why should anyone take him seriously? The former head of government media, who was often evasive, too busy to engage with journalists except when money is involved, and rarely available to highlight the administration's 'achievements', has suddenly found his voice. Now, he appears to be an attention seeker—a political opportunist in search of relevance. This is the same man who, in 2016, swore on his ancestors' gra...

By Professor Matthew Izibili  The concept of time, is perhaps, of little or no academic concern to African people, Esan inclusive. There came a need to synthesize what is in African traditional  Philosophy  and Western  Philosophy, so as to make for a proper understanding of African Philosophy, by both African and non-African alike. Philosophers across the divide, have taken it upon themselves to study issues that are of philosophical worth  or interest. Hence, concepts like Reincarnation,  Predestination  and of cause, the concept of Time, came most aptly under academic lens. Historical account about time within the ambience of Philosophy, is stereotypically traceable to Aristotle's Physics. Here, time is defined as the number of movement in respect of "before" and "after". To him, Time is an attribute of motion. In this vein, motion is potently time. It only becomes actual time when its temporal succession is noted and measured by satient creatures....

By John Mayaki  Yesterday, a handful of the remnant supporters of Ause Ighodalo were “high on something” over the testimony of Senator Monday Okpebholo’s witness, Usman Majek, from Usen in the Ovia South-West Local Government Area who admitted that there was  over-voting in his unit but that INEC cancelled the result.  The witness who testified before the governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja has simply done the damage on Ighodalo’s petition unknowingly to his motley supporters because this testimony weakens Ighodalo’s case. I know you will ask me how?  I have covered election petitions for the past two decades and I understand what it means when a respondent agrees to the petitioner’s allegation of over-voting but also stating that the result was canceled. Now, can over-voting in one unit alone, as in this case, enough to cancel the entire election? The answer is NO.  Don’t forget that the petitioner’s case was built around widespread over-vo...

By Fred Itua On Wednesday, February 5th, 2025, could best be described as a day of gloom in Edo State, and indeed, our country, Nigeria! A black Wednesday as mind blogging, heart renting, and unbelievable revelations were brought to light  Gloomy enough to declare for a state wide mourning, with all residents dressed in sackcloths, covered in ashes as they mourned the depth of plundering, mind blogging looting, heartless shady deals, lack of transparency and institutionalization of corruption by Godwin Obaseki’s led administration.  While many have often taunted the immediate past administration of Godwin Obaseki as an MoU government, known only for  rhetorics and no action, not many (if any) would have envisaged or imagined  the level of fraud and corruption that took place under his watch as governor of Edo State. Submitting its finding contained in 3,900 pages to the incumbent Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Edo State Assets Verification Committee...

By John Mayaki  Yesterday, the candidate of the PDP, Asue Ighodalo, suddenly discovered Section 137 of the Electoral Act and immediately got his gullible supporters to circulate same on social media saying, he really doesn’t need to call any witness to prove his case.  Yes, this section is unambiguous- if your evidence is clear and manifestly proves the case but in Ighodalo’s case, this is not to be. His ‘confused’ witnesses already demolished whatever they are relying on with the BVAS.  But, this is the new twist - Ighodalo now wants to cling to this provision like a man drowning in deep waters but attempting to save himself by grasping at wool or a thread - unfortunately for him, the wool is too soft to hold, and the threat also too thin to save him.  This is the dilemma for Ighodalo and the PDP: since they so much believed that documentary evidence alone could prove their watery case, why did they initially promised 100 witnesses? Was he thinking to intimidate the...

By John Mayaki  The man who boasted of calling over 100 witnesses to prove his case at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, has caved in - Asue Ighodalo, the candidate of the PDP “surrendered” today, abruptly ended his case without calling the scheduled witnesses.  The atmosphere around the tribunal was thick with disappointment written on the faces of Ighodalo’s supporters, it was learnt. According to an eye witness report, “their silence speaking louder than any words could”.  During the pre-hearing stage, Ighodalo had declared his intention to rely on over 100 witnesses to substantiate his claims but he ended up calling fewer than 20 witnesses - far short of his initial projections.  The reasons for this sudden reversal is yet unclear, but there are discontents among Ighodalo’s legal team suggesting that key witnesses Ighodalo banked on, abandoned him midway, leaving him grasping in the dark and unable to prove his case.  The alleged prematu...