News

Chris Oyakhilome Foundation Donates Relief Items To 2000 Households In Edo

Published

5 years ago

May 15, 2020

As part of efforts to cushion the effect of the lockdown occasioned by the novel Coronavirus, Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International (COFI), yesterday donated relief materials to 2000 households in Ewu and nine other communities in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State.

COFI is a non-profit and non-political organization that is established to help individuals, communities, nations to live a purposeful and productive life through the sponsorship of different initiatives that are inline with the founder’s mission.

It has, since inception, impacted more than 500 communities of 1 million persons in 23 Africa countries, including Indian, and has also endowed tertiary institutions with infrastructure and amenities essential for learning.

Speaking, the Chief Team lead of the foundation, Pastor (Mrs.) Omoh Alabi, said founder of the Foundation believes government alone cannot cushion the effect of the lockdown, hence it becomes imperative in complementing government’s effort.

Some of the relief items distributed at Ewu today.

She noted that it is part of the Foundation’s emergency food donation, stressing that it is going on across the six geo-political zones of the country.

According to her, impact of the Coronavirus and the consequent lockdown on the livelihood of the people is huge hence it becomes imperative in joining government in assisting the people.

” This is part of Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International emergency food response programme, which is ongoing in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria and other nations.

” I sure you know so many countries including Nigeria adopted lockdown as a measure in containing the pandemic. And the impact on the livelihood of the people is so huge. People are suffering. They have been unable to earn any income as a result of the Lockdown.

” This is one of commitments to working with the government in strengthening families that have been affected as a result of this COVID-19 19. And Today, we are serving nine communities in Ewu kingdom. In this course, we are supporting 2000 households with palliatives”, she said.

Accepting the donation on behalf of Ewu kingdom, the Onojie of Ewu, His Royal Highness, Abudu Rasak Ojiefor Isesele the III, thanked founder of the Foundation, Pastor Oyakhilome for the kind gesture, adding that it will go a long way in ameliorating the suffering of his people particularly in this COVID-19 period.

Scene of the food items distributed today.

” Rev. Chris Oyakhilome, you have brought a huge succour to the communities and the kingdom at large. 2000 households is no joke; it will go way in ameliorating the suffering of my people particularly in this COVID-19 period. The people of Ewu are proud him, he is our illustrious son”, he said.

Some of the beneficiaries who could not hide their joy thanked Pastor Chris for the kind gesture as they pray God to use him the more for the people particularly the less privilege.

News

First Female Lawyer In Mid-West Region Is Dead

Published

11 minutes ago

July 12, 2025

Editor

First female lawyer in the old Mid-West region, Grace Ogbemi, is dead.

She died in Lagos at the age of 89 just a week before her 90th birthday.

Before her death, she was a successful Itsekiri businessman and politician.

Born in Warri July 11, 1935 to Chief Reece Edukugho, Madam Grace Ogbemi was called to the English Bar in 1958, becoming the first female lawyer in the Mid-West Region, now Edo and Delta states.

She was a partner in the law firm of Godfrey Amachree Ogbemi & Co.

She got married to Franklin Ogbemi, a Chartered Engineer.

She died on July 5, 2025.

News

Why We Refused To Vote, Opted For Football – Lagos Youths

Published

1 hour ago

July 12, 2025

Editor

While election officials and stakeholders made repeated calls for civic participation in the ongoing local government polls in Lagos, some young residents of Alausa, Ikeja, chose football over voting.

Between 9am and 2pm on Saturday, during the peak of the electioneering process, groups of youths were seen at three different spots in Alausa engrossed in football matches instead of heading to polling units.

When approached by our correspondent, many of them cited a lack of trust in the electoral outcome as the reason for staying away from the polls.

“You can’t force me to vote. I chose to play ball, and why will I vote?” said Ayomikun Ola, one of the youths.

Another young man, Opeyemi Omoemi, was blunt in his response: “We all know that it’s the APC that wins all, as usual. So there is no need for me to disturb myself.”

Wasiu, also found on the field, said, “Bro, there is no need. I am satisfied with the football than the vote.”

Bayo, who joined the game, explained that he was underage. “I haven’t clocked 18, that’s why I didn’t vote. The best is to play football,” he said.

A young woman, Seriki Ganiyat, attending to customers at her shop nearby, said she could not afford to leave her business for the election.

“It’s not necessary. I have children to feed. Imagine if I had to leave my shop to go and vote. What for and what will my children eat this night?” she asked.

Their views reflect a broader pattern of low voter turnout and widespread apathy observed across many polling units.

At Polling Unit 003, Ward 7, only 61 out of 1,000 registered voters had voted as of 1:05pm.

Similarly, at PU 007 of the same ward, only 30 people had cast their ballots by 1pm., while PU 031 had recorded just four voters out of 29 by 1:12 p.m.

At PU 026, only one voter had shown up out of 21 registered. PU 027 recorded just five votes from 62 registered voters by 1:43pm.

In Ward F, PU 011, 45 voters turned up from a total of 908. PU 085 had no votes cast at all by 1:45pm, despite having four registered voters.

Ward C’s PU 004, with 913 registered voters, recorded just 30 ballots as of 1:47pm. At Ward F, PU 036, only 50 out of 986 had voted by 1:51pm.
(PUNCH)

News

JUST IN: Vote Counting Begins In Yaba

Published

1 hour ago

July 12, 2025

Editor

Vote counting has officially commenced at Polling Unit 024 in Ward B, Makoko area of Yaba, Lagos, marking the winding down of the 2025 local government election across the state.

However, the conclusion of the poll has been overshadowed by a pervasive low voter turnout, raising questions about the exercise’s overall impact.

“The lack of voter enthusiasm could impact the credibility and inclusiveness of the exercise,” an election observer noted, reflecting a sentiment shared by many watching the democratic process unfold.

This concern comes as officials at Polling Unit 002, located in the same Ward B, continued to await the arrival of voters even as counting began elsewhere.

Despite a generally peaceful atmosphere reported across various polling units, voter turnout remained significantly low in many parts of Yaba.

At Ward F, 012, situated along Iwaya Road, voting was still ongoing as of press time, with officials describing the turnout as notably lower than anticipated.

Similar reports echoed from other sections of Iwaya, where Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission officials observed a sluggish pace of voting activity throughout the day.

In contrast, Ward G at St. Timothy College presented a more active scene, with multiple polling units—including 001, 002, 003, 004, and 005—conducting voting in an orderly manner.

This provided a glimpse of the organised process, even amidst the broader challenges of voter engagement.

Election observers, while commending the largely calm and disruption-free process, reiterated their concerns that the palpable lack of voter enthusiasm could indeed impact the credibility and inclusiveness of the local government elections.

LASIEC officials have continued their efforts to encourage eligible voters to come out and cast their ballots before the scheduled close of voting at 3pm.
(PUNCH)