News View Digest

SHINE AGENDA ACROSS BORDERS: BRING EDO’S DEVELOPMENT HOME THROUGH GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP  By Festus Alenkhe In an era where development is borderless, governance must also be borderless. It is in this context that Governor Monday Okpebholo’s “SHINE Agenda Across Borders” event in London deserves not just attention, but commendation and support. This was not a ceremonial gathering. It was a strategic economic diplomacy mission  one that recognizes a fundamental reality: Edo State cannot develop in isolation. We endorse this initiative because it is timely, practical, and rooted in data. THE CASE FOR GOING ABROAD: FACTS AND FIGURES Edo State has one of Nigeria’s largest diaspora populations. The UK alone hosts an estimated 250,000+ Edo people, with heavy concentrations in London, Manchester, and Birmingham. According to World Bank and CBN 2023 data, Nigeria received $20.1 billion in diaspora remittances. Edo consistently ranks among the top 5 states in remittance inflow. Yet f...

A LEADER WITH A GOLDEN HEART- WOMEN CELEBRATE NAWOJ EDO CHAIRPERSON, HABIBA SAM, ON BIRTHDAY It was prayers, praise and heartfelt wishes for Comrade Habiba Sam, the Edo State Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, as colleagues, friends and admirers marked her birthday with tributes describing her as a transformational and compassionate leader. In separate messages, women across the media industry and beyond hailed Comrade Sam for the impact she has made within a few months in office, noting that her leadership style has already repositioned NAWOJ Edo for greater visibility and relevance. In the first tribute, a colleague described her as “an exceptional leader” whose vision and dedication to the growth of NAWOJ and the advancement of women in journalism are leaving a lasting impression. The prayer was for God to grant her the deepest desires of her heart, bless her abundantly, and endow her with greater wisdom, strength and grace.  “May He preserve...

We Feel Safe Again+ Edo Residents Commend Gov. Okpebholo Over Security Promise Kept By Rasak Zekeri  A sense of relief is sweeping across Edo State as residents say they are beginning to “breathe easy” again, following Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo’s decisive move to strengthen security with the induction of 500 newly trained Forest Guards. For many Edo people who have lived in fear of kidnapping and attacks in forests and rural communities, the Governor’s action is being described as a promise fulfilled. At the passing-out ceremony held in Benin City, Governor Okpebholo, represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Musa Yakubu, reaffirmed his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on crime.  “We are making Edo State uncomfortable for criminals and their accomplices. Security of lives and property remains the number one priority of this government,” he declared. The 500 Forest Guards, trained under the Federal Government initiative spearheaded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ar...

FRC To Political Parties: Embrace Fiscal  Discipline, Costed Manifestos Ahead Of 2027 By Emmanuel Iyoho  Fatima Binta Abubakar, Head of Secretariat, representing the Acting Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Commission, FRC, Charles Chukwuemeka Abana, delivered the commission’s remarks at the Forum on Political and Governance Agenda for the Economy held at Sandralia Hotel, Abuja recently. ABUJA - The Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has charged political parties and government institutions to prioritize fiscal discipline, transparency and evidence-based policies as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections The forum was organized by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Abuja. Speaking on behalf of the Commission, Mrs. Abubakar said the FRC aligns with the forum because it speaks directly to its statutory mandate of promoting prudent management of public resources, fiscal discipline, transparency, accountability ...

2027 Polls: APC Backs CSJ, FES Push for Economy-Centred Political Agenda By  Emmanuel Iyoho   Enenede Idusuyi, Senior Special Assistant to the National Chairman, APC, representing Prof. Nentawe G. Yilwatda, delivers the party’s goodwill message at the Forum on _Political and Governance Agenda for the Economy_ in Abuja recently .  The All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed calls by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Nigeria for political parties to place economic governance at the heart of their manifestos and campaign messages ahead of the 2027 general elections. The ruling party said sustainable economic growth, fiscal stability and national development can only flourish in an atmosphere of peace, security and responsible governance. The position was made known on Tuesday at the Stakeholders' Forum on Political and Governance Agenda for the Economy held at Sandralia Hotel, Abuja. Speaking on behalf of the APC National Chairman, P...

FRC Urges Fiscal Discipline, Institutional Independence Ahead of 2027 Elections By  Emmanuel Iyoho  Fatima Binta Abubakar, Head of Secretariat, representing the Acting Chairman, Fiscal Responsibility Commission, FRC, Charles Chukwuemeka Abana, delivers the commission’s remarks at the Forum on _Political and Governance Agenda for the Economy_ held at Sandralia Hotel, Abuja recently  The Fiscal Responsibility Commission, FRC, has called for strict adherence to fiscal discipline and the strengthening of public institutions as critical steps toward building a resilient economy ahead of the 2027 general elections. The call was made at the Stakeholders’ Forum on _Political and Governance Agenda for the Economy_ organized by the Centre for Social Justice, CSJ, with support from Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, FES Nigeria, in Abuja recently. Representing the Acting Chairman of the Commission, Charles Chukwuemeka Abana, the Head of Secretariat, Fatima Binta Abubakar, said Nigeria’s econ...