News View Digest

Edo State Launches Crackdown on Fake Drugs, and Unsafe Food Products with New Task Force  Habiba Sam  In a renewed commitment to safeguard community well-being and shield residents from hazardous commodities, the Nigerian Federal Government, spearheaded by the Minister of Health, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, in conjunction with the Edo State Administration and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has initiated the formation of national enforcement teams to combat the proliferation of illegal substances, imitation medications, and substandard processed edibles throughout the nation. Aligned with its SHINE Agenda, the Edo State Government has embraced this initiative to bolster regulatory enforcement and adherence to public health benchmarks. Consequently, the State officially inaugurated its specialized Task Force dedicated to addressing Counterfeit and Forged Pharmaceuticals and Unsafe Processed Foods, aiming to guarantee the security and ...

The Relentless Fear: Edo North Grapples with Incessant kidnappings Habiba Sam  Edo North, especially in the Akoko-Edo area where kidnappings have become a sickening daily norm. It's so bad that the local government and traditional rulers have had to put a curfew in place from 9 PM to 6 AM, just to try and stem the tide. This past week alone saw two more horrifying incidents. First, on February 8th, daring kidnappers stormed the Makeke Primary Health Centre.  They snatched Tope Oriloye, a secondary school student, and Samuel Ilesanmi, who was just trying to get help for his son. The audacity! Then, in a separate but equally terrifying operation, Inspector Segun Obanowa, his wife, and daughter were abducted right from their home in Auchi.  His wife was later released with the impossible task of finding a N100 million ransom for her husband and daughter. Bode Ekundayo, the National Coordinator for the Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo People, confirmed that the kidna...

Edo APC Chair: We're Not Here to Protect the Opposition; We're Here to Win By Admin  Emperor Jarret Tenebe, the formidable Chairman of the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC), recently laid out his vision for the party's future and sharply addressed criticisms regarding the perceived collapse of opposition parties into the APC during a media chat with journalists recently. Far from being concerned about potential threats to democracy, Tenebe declared, "It is not the duty of the ruling party to protect the opposition. It is the responsibility of the opposition to be formidable."  He made it unequivocally clear that he would welcome even the most widespread defections, stating, "If anyone wants to associate with us, we will accept them. I am not bothered even if all political parties collapse into the APC. If all journalists and even INEC collapse into APC, I will be happy." Tenebe dismissed suggestions of coercion or inducement in these defections, ...

Father Ibeh Urges New NAWOJ Exco to Seek God in Humility and Serve with a Pure Heart By Admin  The air inside St. Paul's Catholic Church in Benin City was filled with a quiet reverence, a stark contrast to the usual hustle and bustle of newsrooms. Members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) gathered, their hearts full of gratitude and anticipation for their newly elected executive council. Rev. Father Godwin Ibeh, the assistant parish priest, stood before them, his voice calm yet impactful. He looked at the faces of these dedicated women, ready to lead, and shared a message straight from the heart of the gospel.  "This message," he began, "as taught us, is to seek God in humility and with a pure heart." He reminded them that their new roles, their election into the exco, were not just positions of power but "a call to service." And that service, he emphasized,"will be by humility, which builds you up."  Father Ibeh spoke o...

                OFFICIAL STATEMENT Edo NAWOJ Urges Parents to Allow Children to Participate in Ongoing Measles and Rubella Vaccination The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Edo State Chapter, calls on parents and guardians to avail their children to participate in the ongoing measles and Rubella vaccination exercise across the state. This timely opportunity for effective immunization will protect children from preventable diseases and future health challenges that could result in death. We commend the Edo State Government, in collaboration with development partners, for organizing this vaccination exercise targeting approximately 2.2 million children aged between 0 and 14 years across the 18 local government areas of Edo State. The vaccination is being administered at designated health facilities and temporary vaccination posts, and is completely free of charge to all eligible children in government health facilities across the sta...

Edo State's Aviation Dreams Take Flight as Governor Okpebholo Meets Minister Keyamo Habiba Sam  The Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, in Abuja, where they engaged in in-depth discussions on the future of aviation in Nigeria.  The meeting focused on advancing Edo State's aviation sector, with a particular emphasis on the proposed Edo Air initiative. Governor Okpebholo highlighted the importance of the aviation sector in driving economic growth and development in the state.  He stated that the Edo State Government is committed to positioning the state as a regional hub for business, logistics, and tourism.  The Governor noted that the establishment of Edo Air would significantly boost economic activities, enhance tourism, and make transportation easier and more reliable for the people and investors. Minister Keyamo welcomed the Governor's vision...