News

Why We Suspended Masquerade Festival – Edo Traditional Ruler

Published

7 months ago

February 4, 2025

Editor

The Otaru of Igarra and Akuku clan in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, HRH Oba Emmanuel Adeche Saiki II, has given reason the annual Ekuechi masquerade festival was suspended in the community.

Announcing the suspension shortly after a meeting of the community traditional council and security agencies held at his palace in Igarra on Tuesday, Saiki said the suspension became necessary due to clashes amongst the festival faithfuls, during the festival.

HRH added that the clashes have threatened the security of lives and property and given rise to insecurity in the community.

Announcing that the suspension would become effective from February 15th, Saiki added that the festival had resulted in a serious crisis as groups of masquerade and their followers clashed leaving many injured and properties destroyed in the community.

The Otaru stressed that the festival, which is an annual festival had snowballed into crisis thereby causing insecurity in the community.

He said “I am here to announce to you the suspension of the Ekuechi masquerade festival until further notice.

“I decided to invite the security agencies to intimate them of what happened during the celebration of this year’s Ekuechi festival.

“It would be recalled that annually we do celebrate the Ekuechi festival as part of our tradition and culture in Igarra.

“What happened this year again on the Jan 26th, 28th and 29th of January, there was a crisis and serious fighting between two groups of masquerades and their followers which resulted in a series of injuries and destruction of properties.

“By the authority conferred on me and as the Clan head of Igarra I hereby suspend masquerades from coming out day or night effect from on the 15th of February till further notice,” he said.

The traditional ruler directed security agencies to arrest any group of people celebrating the festival either day or night.

He urged the security agencies to enforce the order by arresting any person flouting the law.

He disclosed that the Opoze age group has been directed to assist the law enforcement agencies in monitoring and arresting any masquerade group flouting the order.

The Oshemdase of Igarra, High Chief Onimisi Oduwa said the suspension of the festival was in order and is supported by the Igarra Traditional Council.

Oduwa said that the idea to suspend the masquerade was to maintain peace in the community.

“Ekuechi festival is our culture that is celebrated every year,

“But due to rising insecurity in the community the Otaru and the traditional council decided to suspend the festival for peace in the community.” Oduwa said

In attendance at the meeting were the Divisional Police Office of Igarra Division, Igarra Area Command of the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) and Department of State Security (DSS) and other security agencies.

News

INEC CVR: CSO Expresses Worry Over Poor Deployment Of Machines, Manpower To LGs In Edo

Published

6 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) has expressed worry over the poor deployment of capturing machines and manpower to Igueben Local Government Area of the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the ongoing Ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR).

The Coordinator, EDOCSO, Igueben Study Centre, Leftist Enabulele Larry, and Secretary, Leftist Mark Akande expressed the CSO sentiment when the duo visited the INEC headquarters in Igueben where the CBR in the local government is taking place.

In a statement made available to INFO DAILY on Friday, the leadership of EDOCSO, Igueben Study Centre condemned the “use of only two capturing devices in a local government with over 69, 396 in population.”

The duo noted in the statement that their findings at the INEC headquarters revealed two capturing machines were deployed to each local government across the 18 local government areas of the state.

The civil society members said INEC excuse of deploying two capturing machines to each local government was not germane enough because many do not have a computer or android phone to do the online registration INEC gave as an excuse.

“The question here is, what is the percentage of our people mostly the aged individuals, that have access to Android mobile and other internet gadgets in Edo state?

“How many people can afford internet data to enable them have access internet services in Edo state under the current excruciating economic pains by the people?

“How many of the Edo people can even manipulate the Android mobile phone to the extent of navigating the internet hurdles to undertake the job is INEC? If INEC is not ready for the job, they should tell Nigerians.

“If citizens are now advised to individually undertake the statutory job of INEC, of what purpose does the commission serve to the people? etc,” they said.

As at when filing this report, INFO DAILY was yet to get a reply from the message sent to the INEC in Edo for reaction.

News

Edo Sports Commission Boss Celebrates Okpehbolo On Birthday

Published

11 hours ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has felicated with Governor Monday Okpebholo, on the occasion of his birthday.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele Okpebholo as a visionary leader whose dedication to the growth and development of the state has continued to inspire confidence and admiration across all sectors, especially sports.

Enabulele, who highlighted the governor’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through sports development, noted that under his leadership, Edo State has witnessed significant strides in grassroots sporting initiatives and infrastructure.

“His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is not just a political leader but a beacon of hope for the younger generation.

“His passion for excellence and inclusive governance is evident in the way he has continued to support policies that uplift our youths and promote sporting excellence,” the statement read.

The Executive Chairman prayed for long life, good health, and continued wisdom for the governor as he steers the affairs of the state towards greater prosperity.

“On behalf of the entire Edo State Sports Commission, I extend our warmest birthday wishes to His Excellency at 55. May this new chapter of his life be filled with more accomplishments and divine grace,” he added.

News

Oba Of Benin Suspends Palace Chiefs

Published

22 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has suspended two of his chiefs for falling for dereliction of duties.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor and made available to journalists in Benin City.

He said their suspension was as a result of their long absence from the palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their palace responsibilities.

The suspended persons are: Chief John Igiehon, the Izuwako of Benin and chief Aimiukpomonyako Oghogho (Ebengho), the Oyenmwensoba of Benin.

“The under-mentioned two (2) chiefs have been suspended from the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

“This is as a result of their long absence from the Palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their Palace responsibilities.

“The public is advised to be wary of unscrupulous chiefs that are no longer functioning in the Palace. His Royal Majesty has approved their _ Suspension and directed the public be duly informed.

“The names of the chiefs are: – ; 1. CHIEF JOHN IGIEHON, THE IZUWAKO OF BENIN and, _ 2 CHIEF AIMIUKPOMONYAKO OGHOGHO (EBENGHO), THE OYENMWENSOBA OF BENIN”, the statement said.