News
Petition: ‘It’s Fundamental Human Right,’ EDOCSO Tackles CP

The Edo Civil Society Organisation, EDOCSO, has faulted a statement credited to the state Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, that only petitions written by legal practitioners (lawyers) in the state would be entertained by his office.
The CP had reportedly held meeting with some set of persons wherein he made his position known on who has right to petition him in the state, a position that was backed up by a statement of commendation by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Benin branch.
But the Interim Technical Executive Council (TEC) Chairman, EDOCSO, Comrade Austin Enabulele, in a press conference in Benin on Saturday during the civil society organisation’s general assembly, noted that the CP was wrong to have said only lawyers have right to petition his office, adding that petition, just like letter writing, is a fundamental human right that anyone is entitled to.
Quoting in verbatim Section 89(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act on who and who is entitled to write petition, the Chairman said: “A complaint may be made by the complainant in person, or legal practitioner representing him, or by any person authorized in that behalf,” adding that the Command has a responsibility to treat such petition appropriately.
READ ALSO: EDOCSO Protests Against RUGA, Declares No Land For Cattle Business
Comrade Enabulele called on the Commissioner of Police to urgently refute the publication of ‘thank you for making petition writing exclusive to us’ made by the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin branch, if truly he did not make such pronouncement.
The Chairman who said civil society organisations have in the past enjoyed robust collaboration with past CPs in the state and more so the NBA, Benin branch, urged the CP not to cause rift between CSOs and lawyers in the state and that CP Yaro should not to be different in the collaboration.

Members of EDOCSO at the general assembly of the organization in Benin on Saturday.
“The publication of the NBA to the effect that, the COMPOL has decided to entertain petitions from only lawyers MUST be refuted or else it becomes accepted as the true position from the COMPOL and we the people shall resist such abuse of public officer in words and actions to save our society from retrogression to the state of nature,” he added.
While condemning the manners at which the CP has “consistently denigrated the civil society community in Edo state either by abusive statements, sending them out of his office or charging matters to court once the presence of civil society is observed,” Comrade Enabulele added, “Majority of the activists in Edo state, especially members of Edo Civil Society Organisations EDOCSO, are highly educated and well to do individuals and a handful are employers of labour.” (Sic)
He added: “They are not jobless as speculated by our CP Abutu Yaro but only driven by sheer passion by creating time to assisting the weak and voiceless, engaging institutions and government for an egalitarian society beneficial to all.”
News
Former Delta North senator Peter Nwaoboshi Dies

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.
READ ALSO:Woman Taken For Dead Wakes Up Inside Coffin Few Minutes To Her Cremation
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.
READ ALSO:Fourteen Nigerian Banks Yet To Meet CBN’s Recapitalisation Ahead Of Deadline
“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

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.
READ ALSO:2025 NYG: Enabulele Charges Edo Coaches On Performance
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.
READ ALSO:Enabulele Lauds Okpehbolo For Creating Enabling Environment For Football To Thrive
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

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”.
READ ALSO:IPF Hosts Media Conference, Seeks Protection For N’Delta Environment
“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.
Metro4 days agoSuspected Kidnappers Abduct 18 Passengers On Benin-Akure Road
News4 days agoI’m Not Distracted By Anti-Niger Delta Elements, Says PAP Boss, Otuaro
News4 days agoOPINION: Time For The Abachas To Rejoice
News4 days agoEdo Assembly Charges Contractor Handling Ekekhuan Road To Accelerate Work
Sports3 days agoJUST IN: Dembélé Named FIFA Best Men’s Player, Bonmatí Wins Women’s Award
News3 days agoWage Dispute: Court Orders PSG To Pay Mbappe €61 Million
Metro4 days agoNDLEA Seizes 457kg of Cannabis, Arrests Suspected Trafficker In Edo
Headline3 days agoAircraft Crashes In Owerri With Four Persons Onboard
News4 days agoEx-Nigerian Amb., Igali, To Deliver Keynote Address As IPF Holds Ijaw Media Conference
Business3 days ago9th FirstBank Digital Xperience Centre Launched In UNIBEN
















