News View Digest

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...

Edo NAWOJ New Exco Seeks Continuous Support From Esama Of Benin By Admin  The newly inaugurated Executive Council of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Edo State Chapter, has sought the continuous support and fatherly guidance of their Grand Patron, the Esama of Benin, Chief Dr. Gabriel Igbinedion. The delegation, led by the Chairperson, Comrade Habiba Aniekan Sam, paid a courtesy visit to the Esama at his residence in Benin City. Other members of the delegation included the Immediate Past Chairperson, Comrade Adesuwa Ehimuan; the current NUJ Vice Chairman, Comrade Ede Agho; and the Immediate Past Vice Chairman, Comrade Imelda Osayande. Speaking during the visit, Comrade Sam said the purpose of the meeting was to formally introduce the new Exco to the Esama and to seek his prayers for a successful tenure. She noted that the Esama has been a pillar of support to the association over the years and appealed for his continued backing, fatherly advice, and mentorsh...

2027 Polls: CSJ, FES Demand Economy-Focused Manifestos from Political Parties By Emmanuel Iyoho  Participants pose for a group photograph during a stakeholders Forum on Political and Governance Agenda for economy facilitated by Centre for Social Justice CSJ in collaboration with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung held recently at Sandralia Hotel, Abuja. The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), in collaboration with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Nigeria, has called on political parties to make economic governance, fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability the cornerstone of their manifestos and campaign messages ahead of the 2027 general elections. The advocacy came on Tuesday at the Stakeholders' Forum on Political and Governance Agenda for the Economy held in Abuja, where participants warned that Nigeria's democratic and economic future would remain uncertain unless political campaigns shift from ethnic, religious and personality-driven narratives to practical solutions to the cou...

Archbishop Akubeze Lived and Died Peacefully - Fr. Oyanoafoh Habiba Sam  The Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Oyanoafoh, has described the late Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze as a man of peace whose life and death reflected the tranquility he lived by. Fr. Oyanoafoh made the statement on July 16, 2026, while receiving members of the Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria, CAMPAN, Archdiocese of Benin City Chapter, who paid him a condolence visit. The delegation was led by the chapter Chairman, Ruben Mario Brodrick. Speaking during the visit, the Chancellor said the Church takes consolation in the fact that the late Archbishop departed peacefully abroad. “We all know that the Archbishop died abroad. The consolation we have is that he was a peaceful man, he lived a peaceful life and died peacefully,” he said. He urged Catholics to hold on to the hope of resurrection, noting that while grief is natural, it must not override ...

INEC’s 2-Week CVR Extension Inadequate, Demands Continuous Registration, Diaspora Voting By  Emmanuel Iyoho                                    Dr Tommy Etim Okon ABUJA — The Coordinator of Arise with Renewed Hope Initiative, Abuja Chapter, Comrade Tommy Etim Okon, has described the Independent National Electoral Commission’s two-week extension of the Continuous Voter Registration as inadequate, urging INEC to adopt a continuous registration system and introduce Diaspora voting ahead of the 2027 general elections. INEC on Friday announced a two-week extension of the nationwide CVR to Friday, July 24, 2026. The exercise began August 18, 2025. The commission also announced a self-service online portal, `cvr.inecnigeria.org`, to go live July 8, 2026. Okon, in an interview in Abuja, said two weeks would not capture all eligible Nigerians, especially with campaigns expected to start in August. “INEC...

FG Waived N34trn Customs Duties in 2025, Earned Only N28.23trn — CSJ By Emmanuel Iyoho                             Eze Onyekpere ABUJA— The Centre for Social Justice, CSJ, has raised the alarm over what it described as fiscal recklessness by the Federal Government, revealing that N34 trillion worth of customs duties were waived in 2025 while only N28.23 trillion was accrued as consolidated revenue. The Lead Director of CSJ, Mr. Eze Onyekpere, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday. He cited a recent disclosure by the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, before the House of Representatives Committee on Finance. According to Onyekpere, the NCS told lawmakers it implemented the waivers on the authority of the Minister of Finance, noting that the Service does not approve waivers under existing laws. The House Committee has since requested a full breakdown of beneficiaries, the legal basis, and purpose of the ...

Idem Pledges Expanded Empowerment for Abuja Indigenes After Third-Term Endorsement By Emmanuel Iyoho From Left, Dr. Enobong Umoessien, Trustee of Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency Indigenes Association, Abuja, Comrade. Josiah Emmanuel, President of the Association, Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem, member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives,  Barr. (Dr.) Sylvia Joshua Unyime Idem, wife of Hon. Unyime Idem and  Barr. George Enyiekpon, also a  Trustee of the association during the courtesy visit to the lawmaker in his office at the National Assembly, Abuja recently. The Member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem, has pledged to expand his empowerment and constituency development programmes to include more indigenes residing in Abuja.  He made the pledge recently while receiving a 23-member delegation of the Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency Indigenes ...

Akwa Ibom Community Abuja Inaugurates 9th Mpape Branch Exco, Launches N5m Project By Emmanuel Iyoho Representative of the President of Akwa Ibom community Abuja, Mkpisong,  Barrister Gabriel Fan, by  Secretary -General of the community, Comrade Christopher Udoh with the Chairman of the occasion,  Pastor Okokon Etoabasi, the newly inaugurated 9th Executive Council, Akwa Ibom Community, Abuja, Mpape Branch, among others pose for the press shortly after being sworn   in  during the occasion in Abuja recently. The Akwa Ibom Community in Abuja has inaugurated a new 13-member Executive Council for its Mpape Branch, with a call on members to remain united and committed to the growth of the community. The inauguration took place at the Antho Padua Event Centre, Mpape, and featured the induction of patrons, the launch of a N5 million Community Chairs and Rental Items Project, and the presentation of awards to deserving members and other outstanding individuals who h...

Afegbua: Edo Sole State Providing N1M, Business Loans to Returnees Habiba Sam  The Edo State Government has become the first and only state in Nigeria to give direct financial and business support to indigenes evacuated from South Africa following xenophobic attacks. This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, during the Ministry’s monthly press briefing in Benin City on Tuesday. Afegbua said Governor Monday Okpebholo personally received the returnees at the Festival Hall, Government House, and announced immediate relief for them. “So far, Edo State is the only state that has received returnees from South Africa with a cash gift of N1 million each and a business proposal to assist them start a new life,” Afegbua stated. He explained that the N1 million was paid within 24 hours to assist with accommodation, while the government will also provide soft loans to help the returnees start businesses and reintegrate into society. Afegbua des...

Governor Okpebholo Reaffirms Commitment to Artisans, Unveils Major Power and Infrastructure Plans for Edo Welders Razak Zekeri  Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has deepened his administration’s collaboration with the Edo State Welders Association, announcing far-reaching interventions aimed at improving the working conditions of artisans and accelerating industrial development across the state. The governor made the pledge on Tuesday while hosting the executive members of the association, led by its State President, Mr. Peter Osagie, during a courtesy visit to Government House in Benin City. Okpebholo acknowledged the vital contribution of welders and other skilled artisans to the state’s economy. He said his government is determined to provide the enabling environment and critical infrastructure required for small businesses to grow and flourish. Addressing the challenge of unstable electricity, the governor disclosed that a 100-megawatt power plant is currently bein...

ADC House of Reps Hopeful Sympathizes  With Igarra Flood Victims, Demands Immediate Relief For Displaced Families By Admin  The African Democratic Congress, ADC, candidate for Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Paul Afagase Johnson, popularly known as Afagase, has expressed heartfelt condolences to residents and families impacted by the recent severe flooding in Igarra, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State. Describing the disaster as tragic and painful, Afagase said the flood has left many households devastated. According to him, several homes were submerged, personal properties were destroyed, and sources of income were washed away, leaving victims in distress. In a statement issued in response to the incident, the well-known philanthropist called for urgent intervention from relevant authorities and stakeholders. He appealed to the Edo State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, the Edo State Emergency Management...

EBS Wins Public Praise For Professionalism During Edo LG Elections ........Stakeholders Hail Alenkhe’s Leadership As Round Peg in a Round Hole By Admin  The Edo Broadcasting Service, EBS, has come under the spotlight for all the right reasons following its impressive handling of the just-concluded Local Government elections in Edo State.   Under the watch of Acting Managing Director, Festus Alenkhe, the state broadcaster delivered what many have described as its most thorough and professional election coverage to date, earning applause from civil society groups, political observers, and residents across the state. On election day, EBS TV ran a seamless, non-stop broadcast that tracked events from voting to collation. Correspondents were deployed to all 18 local government areas, giving viewers in Edo and those in the diaspora real-time reports from polling units and collation centers. This ensured that the public was kept informed as events developed across the state. Bey...

At 30, Anthony Osarobo Shatters Record to Emerge Edo’s Youngest Council Chairman-Elect Falmata Ibrahim  History was made in Ovia South West Local Government Area on Saturday as Anthony Osarobo, 30, emerged victorious in the chairmanship election, becoming the youngest person ever elected to lead a local government council in Edo State. Osarobo, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, recorded a landslide win against candidates from 11 other political parties in the polls conducted by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, EDSIEC. The Returning Officer for the LGA, Dr. Arodoye Nosakhare, announced the final results at the council’s collation centre.   According to him, Osarobo secured a total of 98,994 votes, leaving his closest rivals far behind. “Having scored the highest number of valid votes cast, the APC chairmanship candidate, Anthony Osarobo, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” Dr. Nosakhare stated. The breakdow...

Late Archbishop of Benin Diocese Was an Overcomer to the Christian World and Edo State at Large - Gov. Okpebholo By Razak Zekeri  Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Edo State  on Public Affairs  Speaking on behalf of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State.   Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has described the late Catholic Archbishop of Benin Metropolitan See, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, as an overcomer whose life was a blessing to the Christian world and to Edo State at large. In a statement issued on Thursday, the Governor said the late Archbishop played an instrumental role in the emergence of his administration and the delivery of the dividends of democracy to the people of Edo State. "Archbishop Akubeze was a faithful man of God. He spoke the truth at all times without fear or favor," Governor Okpebholo stated.   "He was a father to everyone. Through his leadership, he brought productivity...

Benin Archdiocese Mourns as Archbishop Augustine Akubeze Dies at 69 The Catholic Archbishop of the Benin Metropolitan See, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze, has passed away.   He died on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at the age of 69. The announcement was made in a statement issued on Thursday by the Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Oyanoafoh.

Expert Crystal Designs Moves to Partner EdoGIS on Land, Infrastructure and Geospatial Services Falmata Ibrahim  Expert Crystal Designs and Projects Ltd has indicated interest in working with the Edo State Geographic Information Service, EdoGIS, to provide geospatial and other development-focused services across Edo State. The Managing Director/CEO of the company, Hon. Dr. Prince Asobi Oyemike, made this known during a courtesy visit to the Managing Director of EdoGIS, Dr. Innocent Ehi Bello, at the agency’s office in Benin City recently. Dr. Oyemike applauded Dr. Bello for the notable progress achieved by EdoGIS within a short period.  He said the agency’s strategic reforms and visible upgrades have greatly improved land administration and geospatial service delivery in the state.   According to him, these efforts have boosted public trust and supported the Edo State Government’s broader development agenda. The CEO outlined Expert Crystal Designs’ core competencies t...

Edo Police Honours 5 Gallant Officers, As Philanthropist Donates Rice and Solar Fans to Boost Welfare By Admin  Five gallant officers of the Edo State Police Command have received special recognition for their exceptional performance and remarkable contributions to crime-fighting in the state.  The honour was complemented by a welfare gesture from philanthropist, Mr. Afolabi Alayiwola, who donated five bags of rice and four solar-powered fans to the awardees. The presentation was held at the Command Headquarters in Benin City. The Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, said the officers were recognised for their dedication, courage and tangible successes in combating kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes across Edo. He noted that the Command had earlier reported several breakthroughs, including the recovery of firearms and ammunition, arrest of suspected kidnappers, cultists and murder suspects, recovery of ransom, retrieval of stolen vehicles, and r...