By Eranga Isaac - Indigenous Journalists Network As Edo State prepares for the 2024 governorship election later this year, Edo indigenes under the auspices of Edo Progressive Indigenous Association (EPIA), a.k.a. Edo Indigenous Movement Worldwide, have called on the candidates of various political parties to include in their manifestos the establishment of Edo Indigenous Commission or Ministry of Edo Indigenous Affairs in order to gain Edo indigenes support worldwide. This call was contained in a press release signed on behalf of Edo indigenes worldwide by the President of EPIA- Chief Dr. Omogiade Enoyiogiere Edokpolo. According to the release, "this will help to prioritize  the interest of Edo indigenes in the areas of employments, contracts, empowerment, and promotion of Edo heritage. "This will also help in eliminating marginalisation of Edo indigenes in Edo lands by the State government and foreign investors in the State. It will also go a long way in promoting promoting ...

In a bid to addressing the challenges facing water resource management in Edo State, election has been conducted to fill various positions in the Integrated Water Resource Management Committee of the Edo State Ministry of Water Resources. Among those elected is the Edo state Coordinator of Network for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), Dr. Tom Aneni. He was unanimously elected as the Financial Secretary. Also elected are: Permanent Secretary Ministry of Water Resources, Bldr Joseph Nyamali as Chairman; Managing Director of Benin Owina River basin Development Agency (BORDA) as Vice Chairperson; General Manager STRUWASSA- Mrs Omoregie M. as General Secretary; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education as Assistant Secretary; Managing Director Community Social Development Agency (CSDA), Mr Osazuwa Osarumwense as Project Manager; Permanent Secretary Ministry of Gender in charge of gender. Others are  Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs as Pub...

By Isaac Eranga The Sustainable Environment Development Initiative (SEDI) has called on Edo State government to intensify effort in ensuring a properly managed solid waste management programme with “best environmental practices” and “best available technology” options which will integrate and improve capacity and techniques for waste collection and management of an already existing informal sector (waste pickers), develop a platform to embed them and create new employment opportunities. This call was contained in a Press Statement signed by the Executive Director of SEDI - DR. Tom Aneni in commemoration of the 2024 International Waste Pickers Day. According to the Statement, the increasing complexity and quantity of wastes produced in Edo State has been of increasing concern in recent years. “However, waste management has not been matched by adequate provisions which include funding and infrastructural facilities to sustainably manage this ever growing quantum of waste. “Nigeria solid ...

--- Called for platforms to engage young people in Nigeria  By Isaac Eranga Youths in the south-south region of Nigeria- Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers, under the auspices of South-South Youths Electoral Reforms Forum have called for the review of the 2022 Electoral Act and the 1999 constitution. The initiative is being  coordinated by the Whillz Trust Foundation (WTF) with support from the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and National Endowment for Democracy (NED).  Speaking, the Executive Director of WTF- Rtn. Aaron Anyanwu saiɗ the objective of the initiative is to build youth consensus on priority electoral reform recommendations that can improve the electoral process if implemented.  "To ensure that youths are fully engaged and participate in the electoral reform process, WTF conducted a youth survey in the six south-south states and organized two youth forums. The youth forums were held in Benin City on February 20th and Port Harcourt...

By Isaac Eranga, Indigenous Journalist Edo State Football Association Chairman, Mr Fred Newton Erhunmwunsee has congratulated  Faith Aisosa Agbons on her elevation as FIFA badged Referee.  The Edo born referee Faith Aisosa was among the 30 new referees who got their FIFA badges bestowed on them on Wednesday in Abuja.  Faith Aisosa's FIFA recognition on Wednesday makes her the second FIFA referee in Edo State after FIFA Efosa Igudia.  The Edo Football Association boss said that the elevation of Referee Faith Aisosa is good news for Edo Football Referees Council and the entire Edo Football family. "Edo is home of football and deserves to have more FIFA graded Referees. We congratulate our sister and celebrate with her on her new status which is a plus to us. We are proud of her and want to see her handling CAF and FIFA games soon as earlier advised by the Nigeria Football Federation president Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau. "We are confident that Faith Aisosa will not disappoint...

By Isaac Eranga The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State council, has declared a war of Armageddon on the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress for assaulting its members in the state.

Olumide Akpata who is allegedly being planted by Governor Godwin Obaseki is reported to be behind the Labour Party's National Treasurer's unfounded allegations of financial impropriety against Barrister Julius Abure's undented and unblemished record as the National Chairman of the party.  Sources told our Correspondent in Abuja that the text of the press statement which invited journalists to Mrs Oluchi Opara's shameful outing was circulated by Olumide and his agents across the country, ditto the press statement.  Hiding under wanton subterfuge and fading clouds, the invitation sent out for Monday morning, 11 am press conference which was eventually addressed by Mrs Oluchi Opara goes thus: "Edo LP candidate, Olumide Akpata to address a press conference in LP HQ, Abuja, 11 am Monday".  Sources at Labour Party's Secretariat in Benin City, Edo State capital as well as the Federal capital territory have jointly knocked Olumide Akpata for his brazen and obstruc...