--- call for community participation in funding education as way forward Stakeholders comprising civil society organisations, public and private school teachers/administrators, parents, the media, religious leaders, school based management committee members, have blamed the Edo State Government for the Inconducive learning environment that pupils and students of primary and post primary schools in Edo State are being subjected to.  This was contained in communique drawn at the end of a one-day stakeholders roundtable dialogue meeting  organised under the auspices of Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA), Edo State chapter. According to the communique, primary and post-primary schools in the state share many of the characteristics such as under-staffed, especially in the rural communities; under-financed and poor operational condition.  "Community participation in the financing of education in Edo State should be encouraged. Financial contrib...

By Isaac Eranga Benin City:T Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council  has felicitated with the Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II on his 7th coronation anniversary. In a congratulatory message to the Oba signed by the Comrade Festus Alenkhe and Andy Egbon, the union Chairman and Secretary respectively, Edo NUJ wished the Oba long reign and fruitful years on the throne. The statement recalled the peace in the kingdom so far and appreciated the Benin Monarch for the efforts the Palace put in place to outlaw the Community Development Association. The union described the Oba as a Life Patron of the Nigeria Union Of Journalists that has always given the union all the needed support. The statement also prayed to God Almighty to grant the revered monarch more knowledge and wisdom to administer the Benin Kingdom.

... Champions, MFM Basketball on winning title By Isaac Eranga  The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, has commended  the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF), led by Engr. Musa Kida, for their organization of the Women's Basketball League Final Four, held in Lagos from October 17th to 19th, 2023. The Minister was present at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, where he witnessed a thrilling match between MFM Basketball and Nigerian Customs. MFM Basketball clinched the victory with a 64-60 score, to claim the league title. Senator Enoh showered encomiums on the Lagos-based team for their tenacity, determination, and resilience displayed on their path to securing the championship. He expressed his enthusiasm about the quality of the games and the wealth of talent available for potential national team selections. "In this Final Four, the level of competition we've seen unequivocally demonstrates the significant progress women's basketba...

By Isaac Eranga In a bid to crewating awareness about the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the Echoes of Women in Africa Initiatives (ECOWA) with support from Action for Sustainable Development and ZOVU, has  organised a bicycle race for 17 women from different occupational, socio-cultural, and experiential backgrounds.  Speaking, the founder of ECOWA- Dr. Louisa Eikhomun Agbonkhese said the race apart from creating awareness, aimed at promoting gender equality. She used the medium to call for new accelerated approaches and solutions by the government of Nigeria and Edo state government in particular to leave no woman or girl behind on the SDGs. "This bicycle race is basically aimed at the implementation of the SDGs adopted in 2015 with a mantra of transforming the world and leaving no one behind", she said. Delivering a goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary of the Edo state  Minisry of Social Development and Gender Issues (MSDGI)- Mrs. Barbara N. Osobajo, repres...

By Isaac Eranga  The poor state of Nigeria's healthcare system and the migration of medical professionals to foreign lands orchestrated by good working condition once again came under serious scrutiny at the annual lecture of the Federated Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, held in Benin city.  Stakeholders at the lecture decried the worrisome state of the sector and blamed both the federal and state governments for paying lip services to the issue of adequate funding and the welfare of healthcare professionals.  Speaking at the theme "Brain Drain: the Way out for the Medical Profession"  the President of the World Medical Association (WMA), Dr. Osahon Enabulele  particularly blamed both the federal and the state governments for the rot in the healthcare sector, explaining further that the migration of healthcare professionals is triggered by the dearth of basic facilities including water, constant electricity, gloves, drugs, e...

There is no iota of doubt, irrespective of political differences, that Governor Godwin Obaseki has significantly improved State Competence, relative to his predecessors and across the States in the Country.  To achieve this, he had to rescue the State from private capture by ruthless non-State actors; this freed up public resources for public purposes.  He has held himself to a very high ethical and work-ethics standards, scrupulously focusing on the interests of the real people whilst staying on the Constitutional tracks in line with his oath of office. As a result, it was difficult to derail or defeat him despite uncountable battles in the judiciary and in other political machinations, orchestrated from high quarters.  Edo State is not yet on the mountain top, it still needs concerted push to avoid a free relapse or rollback.  The quality, intensity, ruggedness, doggedness and character of the next Governor is therefore so crucial that those lining up for the job s...

By Isaac Eranga The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council has charged the newly sworn-in Chairmen of Local Government Councils in Edo state to appoint their Press Secretaries and media aids from practicing  journalists in the state. In a joint  statement signed by the  Chairman of the Edo state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalist, Comrade Festus Alenkhe and Secretary, Comrade Andy Egbon, the union said the charge became necessary in order to ensure professionalism in the handling of media related matters in the grassroot government The union noted that there is need to depart from the old order where things were done without recourse to professionalism, a development, the union added, was counter-productive. The old order, the NUJ noted has failed to yield the desired result.   The statement said , the engagement of professional journalists into the local government media team will boost the publicity of such local govern...