News

Edo Approves Payment Of Funds To 10 Contractors

Published

9 months ago

March 20, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Executive Council has approved the payment of funds to 10 contractors engaged by the immediate past administration for continuing work and ensuring timely execution of projects across the state.

In addition, the Council approved the termination of 10 road contracts, which, according to the Council, will be reviewed to ensure uniform standards, avoid overlaps, and appropriately re-scope them for speedy completion.

The State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Paul Ohonbamu, disclosed this while briefing journalists after the week’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Monday Okpebholo.

He said, “The government has agreed to pay 10 contractors from the previous administration who are still working in the state, to the extent of the work they have done, to ensure there are no delays in the execution of projects.

“This is to defray the cost of the work already done and any other payments accrued. The government is not terminating them as punishment. Rather, the volume of work completed will be assessed, and payments made accordingly. This shows clearly that the governor is fair-minded, follows due process, and is committed to rewarding performance.”

Ohonbamu further stated that the Executive Council also ratified major contracts and approved the renovation of some public schools, as well as the reconstruction of roads in Ovia North-East, Esan North-East, and Oredo Local Government Areas.

He explained that the Council ratified major contracts earlier awarded by the State Tenders Board and the Chairman-in-Council—being the Governor—prior to the inauguration of the current Executive Council.

The Commissioner confirmed that since the contracts had passed through the State Procurement Law and received Tenders Board certification, the Council found it necessary to formally ratify them.

“Approval was also given for the purchase of vehicles for the Edo State Oil and Gas Development Commission. These include four Hilux vans and four Prado Jeeps,” he added.

Ohonbamu reiterated that the termination of the 10 road contracts was to ensure uniformity of standards, eliminate overlaps, and re-scope the projects appropriately for timely completion.

“The Council also considered it prudent, in line with the governor’s disposition, to assess the affected contracts to determine the extent of work done by the contractors for the purpose of making payments as deserved,” he noted.

The State Executive Council further approved the renovation of dilapidated public schools across the state in line with the government’s drive to provide a better learning environment.

It is worth recalling that the state government inherited public schools in deplorable conditions and has therefore taken steps to provide a conducive atmosphere for learning.

“There was also Executive Council approval for the variation of some ongoing contracts in line with prevailing conditions to ensure that projects executed meet required standards and that no contractor causes delays or wastes government resources.

“In just four months, the governor has laid a solid foundation for sustainable infrastructure and human capital development for the people of Edo State,” Ohonbamu concluded.

News

Former Delta North senator Peter Nwaoboshi Dies

Published

7 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Editor

Peter Nwaoboshi, the former senator representing Delta north, is dead.

Details of the circumstances surrounding his death were unclear at the time of this report, but according to reports, the former senator died in Abuja on Friday, aged 68.

In a statement, Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, expressed “profound grief” over the demise of the former lawmaker.

The governor described his demise as a monumental loss to the state, the Anioma nation, and Nigeria.

In a condolence message signed by Festus Ahon, his chief press secretary (CPS), Oborevwori hailed the late Nwaoboshi as a dedicated son of Delta and a bold champion of Anioma interests, whose legacy in nation-building will endure.

The governor said the late senator’s distinguished tenure in the national assembly, particularly as chairman of the senate committee on Niger Delta affairs.

“Nwaoboshi lived a life of service to his people, his party, and the country, bequeathing a heritage of bravery, loyalty, and commitment to public duty,” Oborevwori said.

“On behalf of the Delta State government and people, I mourn my dear friend, Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi.

“I extend deepest condolences to his family, the Anioma people, members of the All Progressives Congress, and everyone touched by his life.

“May God grant his soul peaceful rest and comfort to all who grieve this irreplaceable loss.”

News

Grassroots To Global Podium: Edo Sports Commission Marks Enabulele’s First Year In Office

Published

22 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Editor

The Indoor Sports Hall in Benin City came alive on Wednesday as the Edo State Sports Commission rolled out the drums to celebrate the first anniversary in office of its Executive Chairman, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele. Management, staff, coaches and athletes gathered in an atmosphere charged with pride, reflection and optimism.

The colourful ceremony drew executives and members of various sports associations, officials of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), coaches, athletes and other key stakeholders in Edo sports.

In her welcome address, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. A. P. Amenze, praised Hon. Enabulele for what she described as focused and purposeful leadership. She said the past year had seen renewed confidence, discipline and energy return to the state’s sports ecosystem.

Adding excitement to the event were exhibition bouts and demonstrations by the Kung Fu, Karate, Taekwondo and Judo associations, staged in honour of the Executive Chairman.

Speaking for SWAN Edo State, Chairman Comrade Kehinde Osagiede commended Hon. Enabulele’s open-door leadership style and consistent support for sports development. He noted that the Commission had effectively driven Governor Monday Okpebholo’s “Catch Them Young” policy through practical grassroots programmes that identify and groom young talents across the state.

In recognition of his contributions to sports development and media relations, Comrade Osagiede conferred the Patronship of SWAN Edo State on Hon. Enabulele and presented him with a special anniversary card.

Goodwill messages followed from Executive Directors of the Commission, including Hon. Frank Ilaboya (Edo North), Coach Baldwin Bazuaye, MON (Edo South), Barr. Anthony Ikuenobe (Edo Central), and Mrs. Sabrina Chikere, Executive Director, Sports Development and Operations. Representatives of coaches, athletes and sports associations also took turns to acknowledge the progress recorded under the current leadership.

In his stewardship address, Hon. Enabulele expressed gratitude to Governor Monday Okpebholo and Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa for the trust placed in him, noting that their backing and shared vision had driven the Commission’s achievements.

He highlighted Team Edo’s third-place finish at the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, where the state recorded its best-ever outing with 79 medals—33 gold, 18 silver and 28 bronze—reinforcing Edo’s reputation as a national sports powerhouse.

The Chairman also pointed to the impact of inclusive and grassroots sports programmes, citing Favour Ojeabu, a visually impaired para-cyclist who won three gold medals to emerge Africa’s champion at the African Track Para-Cycling Championship in Egypt.

Other milestones listed included outstanding performances by Edo para powerlifters on the international stage, historic achievements in cricket, weightlifting, cycling, judo and deaf athletics, as well as structural reforms such as the repositioning of Bendel Insurance FC and deeper investment in grassroots sports development.

Cultural performances added colour and tradition to the celebration, as stakeholders closed the event united in their assessment of the past year as a truly transformative period for sports development in Edo State.

News

Otuaro Tasks Media On Objective Reportage

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

Editor

The Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Dr. Dennis Otuaro has charged media practitioners particularly members of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum to promote ethical journalism through their reportage.

He gave the charge in Warri on Wednesday during the 2nd Annual Ijaw Media Conference organised by the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF).

Represented by Princewill Binebai, spokesman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Otuaro while stating that the Niger Delta stories have been told in such a way that is quite different from what is obtainable in the real sense, said this, IPF must do everything possible to correct.

The administrator added: “I am happy that Ijaw journalists have boldly come out together to champion the Ijaw struggle in a very dynamic perspective”.

“The Ijaw story was misrepresented over the years, but IPF’s emergence had corrected this error and the story is gradually changing for better.”

Otuaro, however, challenged Ijaw media practitioners to be objective, truthful, accurate and fearless in their reportage to correct many years anomalies of the Ijaw struggle.

He admonished members of IPF to see themselves as brothers and love one another in the discharge of their activities to achieve a common goal.