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  The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to an online publication making the rounds on social media, alleging that a police officer attached to the Edo State Government House was involved in the unlawful transfer of firearms intercepted in Kogi State. The report is incorrect, misleading and should be disregarded in its entirety. For the avoidance of doubt, the officer referenced in the publication, Inspector Paul Elimwenga, is not an officer of the Edo State Government House. He is a duly deployed personnel of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 5, Ogida, Benin City.  Confirmation from the SPU Base 5 Administration Office, affirms that Inspector Elimwenga was posted to a VIP residence in the GRA axis, near Government House, not to the Government House itself. Available security briefings further indicate that Inspector Elimwenga abandoned his official rifle at his private residence and absconded from duty.  His last tracked location was in Warri, Delt...

  Crusoe Osagie, only you could vanish for more than a year, resurface from a foreign address, and still speak with the confidence of someone who left the books clean. You spent years as the loudspeaker of the last administration. You issued press statements with a weekly rhythm, wrote flowery essays about “transformational projects,” and swore on every available platform that Edo State had ownership stakes in the very businesses that are now exposing your claims as fiction. If loyalty were graded by volume alone, you would have scored an A. If it were graded by truth, the story would be different. The irony is almost poetic. The projects you once defended with King Kong chest beatings are the same ones now unravelling under the simplest test of accountability. The moment your principal left office, both of you disappeared into silence as the state began to open the files. The same files you told Edo people contained “transparent partnerships and clean contracts.” Suddenly, the own...

  Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, marked his first year in office with a firm message of action, discipline and results, speaking boldly on security, health reforms, governance and the 2027 elections. Okpebholo during a media interface, said leadership is easiest when anchored on respect, but insisted public safety requires uncompromising strength.  He revealed that nightlife has fully returned to Benin after years of violence, noting that his administration has crushed the criminal gangs destabilizing the State. “We warned them. They tested us. We acted decisively,” he said, confirming arrests and demolition of gang hideouts. On kidnapping, the Governor said the State has turned the corner. Over 300 vigilante personnel have been trained and deployed, contributing to three straight weeks with reduced crime rate. “Edo is not a place for criminals,” he declared. He reaffirmed strong support for State Police, describing grassroots policing as the future of Nigeria’s...

  Ogwa, Edo State, Nigeria.- The Governing Council of Glorious Vision University, (GVU), Ogwa, Edo State, Nigeria, has confirmed the promotion of Associate Prof. Felix Oghi, to the rank of full Professor. According to a letter of promotion in this regard, Prof. Felix Oghi's well deserved elevation took effect from October 1st, 2025, as a  Professor of History, Diplomacy and Conflict Studies. In a chat with this reporter, Prof. Felix Oghi posited thus: It is with deep gratitude and a profound sense of responsibility that I have been appointed Professor of History, Diplomacy, and Conflict Studies at Glorious Vision University. I am truly honored to join an institution that is committed to academic excellence, character formation, and service to society" The erudite scholar went further" History teaches us where we have come from, diplomacy guides how we engage with others, and conflict studies illuminate the pathways to peace. In a world marked by uncertainty and rapid chan...

  Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim  Afegbua has commended the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice,  ANEEJ for sustaining the advocacy for good governance and anti-Corruption to minimize the incidence of corruption in Nigeria. The Commissioner who made the commendation at the Civil Society Advocacy to Strengthen Anti-corruption Reforms in Nigeria, CASARN project close out meeting in Benin city, said the Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor has remained consistent in his ideals. Prince Kassim Afegbua said the Ministry of Information and Strategy  will deepen collaboration with ANEEJ and other Civil Society Organisations, CSO's in the advocacy for good governance in the state " I want to appreciate all change agents helping ANEEJ to drive the issues to make society move forward. When institutions are put in place, we need human beings, strong personalities to drive these institutions with a sense of patriotism....

Amidst security challenges that predate the current administration, the Hope Alive Initiative (HAI) has said President Bola Tinubu has shown he is “the man for these times,” demonstrating the leadership required to stem the tide of violent crimes in the country. A statement issued by its Director of Media and Communications, Ernest Omoarelojie, the pro-good-governance advocacy group noted that the country has recently faced one of its most challenging security periods in years, stressing that President Tinubu has responded with “clarity, decisiveness, and capacity.”  Omoarelojie said while the country was not yet completely out of the woods, the President’s actions show preparedness and political will to address all challenges citing his reaction to the abductions in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger states which has led to the rescue of all the abductees in two states and recovery of over 50 in Niger State. The Group also commended the President for halting his planned trips to South Africa...

   The Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has extended his felicitations to the Honourable Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, on the occasion of his birthday. ​In a press statement released on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the Governor described Engr. Momoh as a distinguished statesman, a committed son of Edo State, and a dedicated public servant "On behalf of the government and the good people of Edo State, I celebrate a resourceful leader, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, as he marks his birthday today. "Engr. Momoh’s current role as the Minister of Regional Development is one in which he has continued to bring his wealth of experience to bear, contributing significantly to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. "As a former member of the House of Representatives, representing Etsako Federal Constituency, he set a high standard for legislative excellence and grassroots engagement. He...

The Edo State Government has intensified its campaign against illicit drugs, and has arrested seven suspects, including a breastfeeding mother, in a coordinated anti-drug operation across Uromi, Ubiaja and Auchi in Edo Central and Edo North Senatorial Districts. The suspects, comprising three males and four females, were paraded in Benin City by the Edo State Taskforce. Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Hon. Festus Ebea, disclosed that the arrests followed credible intelligence and targeted raids on known drug hubs.  He stated that various quantities of illicit substances were recovered from the suspects, providing incontrovertible evidence of their involvement in the sale and distribution of hard drugs. According to the Commissioner, the operation was carried out on November 26, 2025, by the Edo State Taskforce mandated to ensure a crime-free environment across the state.  “Our youths are increasingly being lured into drug abuse, which fuels deviant behaviour and c...

  I have received calls, messages and other inquiries regarding the revocation of the CofO of Presco Plc by Governor Monday Okpebholo. The Secretary to State Government, Barr.  Umar Musa Ikhilor, has robustly explained the issues. Unfortunately, some folks, for obvious reasons, are still yearning for more answers. I'll explain the facts and I hope this helps. It has been established that the published Revocation Notice didn't pass through the appropriate channels. Again, the actual number of hectares intended for excision from Presco Plc’s total landholding was grossly misrepresented in the published text.  For clarity, the Edo State Government has not revoked Presco Plc’s Statutory Right of Occupancy. What was under technical consideration was the excision of approximately 20 hectares—a clearly defined area—strictly limited to the portions of land containing strategic crude oil wells.  This excision became necessary because no individual or company can lawfully exer...

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo  undertook an unscheduled inspection of key infrastructure projects in Benin City, reaffirming his administration’s resolve to accelerate Edo State’s urban renewal agenda.  The Governor visited the ongoing Ramat Park Flyover before proceeding to a flood-ravaged community where residents turned out in large numbers to express appreciation for his swift intervention in resolving a decade-long erosion crisis. At the Ramat Park Flyover construction site, Governor Okpebholo expressed satisfaction with both the pace and quality of work, noting that progress had surpassed initial projections. He emphasised that his administration remains firmly committed to delivering durable, people-centered infrastructure that enhances mobility, supports commerce, and reinforces public trust in government. Project Manager, Mr. Lee Jianshou, briefed the Governor on the milestones already achieved, disclosing that major structural components had been compl...

The Executive - Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev. David Ugolor, has said that social protection remains a key instrument for breaking the cycle of poverty. The front line human and environmental rights activists, made the remarks when presenting his address during the inaugural meeting of the Act Naija! National Steering Committee meeting, which took place at the Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja, on Tuesday 25th of November, 2025. Rev. David Ugolor emphasized that promotion of human dignity, and fostering inclusive growth were essential in fighting poverty, saying its success depends on effective coordination among all stakeholders — government, civil society, private sector, and development partners. Rev. Ugolor also said the The National Steering Committee was an essential mechanism for aligning policy, practice, and partnership toward achieving sustainable outcomes. According to the seasoned environmentalist :"Today marks a significant mil...

  The attention of Edo State Government has been drawn to a trending video circulating on social media, allegedly featuring a self-acclaimed bandit issuing threats and claiming presence around Ekpoma and adjoining communities in Edo Central Senatorial District. The Government wishes to assure the people of Edo State that Governor Monday Okpebholo has been fully briefed on the matter and has, in response, convened a high-level security meeting. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua disclosed that Since assuming office, Governor Okpebholo has treated security as a top-tier priority and has not left any stone unturned in confronting emerging threats.  Over the past weeks, the Governor has held continuous strategic security briefings and activated a State-wide surveillance architecture covering key corridors, including the Benin–Auchi Expressway, Ekpoma–Uromi Road, Ehor–Iruekpen Axis, Benin Bypass, and the Ewu–Irrua–Ubiaja Route, Benin-Afuze-Auchi cor...

  Stakeholders have supported the stepping down of the whistle blowing and asset recovery and management framework  to strengthen Anti-corruption reforms in Edo State. The stakeholders made up of Civil Society Organisations, CSO's government officials, Anti-corruption agencies,  the media and the academia advocated the sustainability of the whistleblower and Asset Recovery and Management Framework in Edo State during a dialogue session organized by the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) as part of the implementation of the Civil Society Advocacy to Strengthen Anti-corruption Reforms in Nigeria (CASARN) project. The Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev. David Ugolor who was represented by Mr. Innocent Edemhanria, disclosed that since the introduction of the Whistleblower Policy and the Asset Recovery and Management Framework by the Federal government, Nigeria has made meaningful progress in exposing corruption, recovering stolen assets, and strengtheni...

  Edo State’s renewed offensive against violent crime gained significant momentum at the weekend as Governor Monday Okpebholo’s security architecture delivered another decisive victory, with the demolition of a property used as a major operational base by kidnappers in Egbai community, Ovia North-East Local Government Area. The operation, executed by the Edo State Special Security Squad, underscores the administration’s intensified commitment to safeguarding lives and restoring public confidence across the State’s rural and urban corridors. The suspected kidnappers, identified as Anthony Fedigha Ebimienwei and Luke Disemoh, were arrested following what security authorities described as “high-level, intelligence-driven surveillance.”  When paraded, the suspects confessed to their role in the abduction of one Blessing Nosa, for whose release a ransom of ₦30 million was collected. The duo sealed their fate after allegedly abducting another business person and demanding a staggeri...

  By the time I impatiently berthed the end of Chris Nehikhare’s latest attempt at political commentary, one thing became painfully clear: some people have no sense of irony. A former commissioner in a government that turned Edo State into a festival of crisis and opacity now attempts to lecture anyone on leadership, legality and governance. It would have been hilarious if it wasn’t so insulting. Chris opened his piece with a dramatic flourish about Donald Trump and New York’s Mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani—two Americans whose meeting has absolutely nothing to do with Edo State. But Chris needed something shiny and foreign to distract from the fact that he has nothing meaningful or credible to say. He has always struggled with original thought, so he does what he knows best: cut, paste, embellish and hope nobody notices the gaps. The whole thing read like someone who skimmed CNN for five minutes and decided he had discovered a metaphor. But let’s not pretend his comparison was innocen...

  Thousands will gather in Lagos on Friday to bid farewell to Madam Elsie Ajayi Ikoli. The woman of courage, good character and wealth died on September 2, 2025 in Lagos. Her funeral activities will begin with Service of Songs and Night of Tributes on Thursday, November 27, 2025 at The Citadel, 274 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island. A statement released by the Ernest Ikoli Foundation praised Elsie Ajayi Ikoli for her strength, hard work, prudence, zeal and care for the family. ‘’We are prepared for the last journey of Madam Elsie Ajayi Ikoli. Her body will be taken from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital on  Friday, November 28, 2025 to 26 Eric Moore Close for the Lying-in-State. The children, grandchildren and great grandchildren are expected to pay their last respects to her’’. The statement emphasized the admirable achievements of Elsie Ajayi Ikoli in the business community and her impressive services in the Lord’s Vineyard. ‘’A funeral service will take place at The...

 

Part 3: Tourism, Healthcare, Conflicts, and a Call to Return Home Your entire vision for a tourism economy was fundamentally flawed and had a low chance of success or sustainability. A tourism economy is built on some integral foundations - security, a peaceful and crisis-free environment, supportive infrastructure, community buy-in, and a collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, which controls national entry points and processes. You laid none of these foundations. Your tenure was marked by heavy insecurity - cultism, urban kidnappings, and armed robberies.  You did not lay the infrastructural foundation. One of the biggest pressures on Governor Okpebholo today, which he is assiduously working to address, is "bad roads."  Your Excellency, where are the 'Wake and See' roads? It would seem that the same way we 'woke' and 'saw' them is the same way we 'woke' and didn't 'see' them again. You did not maintain a peaceful e...

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deploying sports as a strategic tool for youth development, leadership grooming, and social cohesion.  The Governor made this known at the grand opening of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) South-South Basic Education School Sports (BESS) Competition hosted in Edo State. Speaking through the Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, Governor Okpebholo said the state has fully embraced school sports as a development platform designed to nurture disciplined, confident, and future-ready young leaders. “We are building future leaders in Edo State, future athletes and champions,” he said. “Through sports, our children learn teamwork, discipline, resilience, and collective responsibility. These values prepare them not just for sports, but for life.” The five-day competition brings together pupils from Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Akwa Ibo...

Part 2: On MoWAA, Fiscal Responsibility, and the Healthcare Heist Your Excellency, you claimed to have "worked for the people." The kind of actions you took, and from the records we have seen, it appears you were definitively more interested in empowering your corporate cronies. Your actions do not justify your claim. How could you have been working for the people when you invested Edo State funds amounting to 80% of the project sum in the Radisson Blu project, leaving only 20% for the people? How did you work for the people by giving MOWAA so much leverage on government resources with absolutely nothing in it for Edo people? Why did you run the management of the civil service with consultants, rendering career civil servants redundant and without control over government operations? You gave access and control of government platforms to non-state consultants who came in on Monday mornings, lodged in Protea, designed PowerPoint presentations with no real impact, and left on Fr...