Allafrica Post

As the operational license of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC)  expires at the end of October 2018, the Edo Civil Society Organization (EDO CSOs) today rounded off a 3-Day protests against alleged plans by the federal government to extend it. The organization which is a network of civil society groups in the state had staged similar protests in the past against the company's failure to deliver on the agreement it entered into with the federal government in 2013. The activists who displayed various placards with inscriptions chanting solidarity songs, called for "an end" to Funke Osibudu's led management team over what they described as disregard for the rule of law. The protest which took place from Monday 29th October till Wednesday 31st October was to draw the attention of the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on the need "not to contemplate" the renewal of BEDC License, Spokesperson ...

Irked by the continuous reference of Black Axe confraternity with it, The Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM) has reiterated its non connection with the group. This is coming on the heels of recent cult war between the group and Eiye Confraternity in Benin city were security authorities repeatedly inform the media that Black Axe confraternity are alias of NBM of Africa. In an advertorial published in The Nigeria Observer of 18th October 2018, the Organization said NBM of Africa is not synonymous with Black Axe confraternity or other groups perpetuating violent ideologies. According to an excerpt of the publication signed by Solicitors to NBM of Africa, Benin Zone Idahosa Moses O. Esq reads, "Our attention has been drawn to a highly misleading and mendacious reports now being currently speculated without limitations. "From our brief, our client says the campaigns of calumny against it is to the effect that NBM of Africa Benin Zone has links or affiliations with a body k...

The lack of capacity and necessary strategy to critically engage political office holders has been identified as a major problem to citizens. A group, Social Development Integrated Centre a.k.a Social Action, said only citizens empowered with the right knowledge can demand transparency and accountability from those they have elected to represent their interest. The programme manager of Social Action, Botti Isaac during a recent workshop with critical stakeholders including media and civil societies in Benin asserted that corruption has become a way of life among public officers, hence the need to train citizens to know the practical ways to engage them. "If corruption as a culture is eradicated from the system, everything will fall in place, hospitals, schools and other infrastructure will be built", Isaac explained. He added the group have started mobilizing citizens and groups with the necessary skills with which to engage candidates and commit them to include anti ...

As part of global action against the use of fossil fuels, a group, Action for Socio-Political And Economic Change (ASEC) today held a rally in Benin city to advocate for clean and renewable energy sources. ASEC, an affiliate of Edo Civil Society Organization (EDO CSOs) was the only group in Nigeria that join other activists from across the world to take action against oil and gas exploration that has devastating impact on the environment. The group which brandished placards with inscriptions such as "Leave The Crude On The Ground", "Government Should Consider other sources of Energy", "Citizens have not benefited from crude oil exploration", and "Save our Environment From degradation", also used the rally to draw global attention to fossil fuels usage. The negative impacts of these non-renewable energy sources have had serious adverse effects on the health of human beings, President of ASEC, Leftist Osazee Edigin said during the rally. El...

In a bid to ensure Nigerians are captured in the National Identity Management System, the Federal Government has charged citizens to go and enrol for their National Identification Number (NIN). The federal government said without the National Identification Number it will soon be impossible to transact any business in the country. Speaking recently in Benin city, Edo State Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Grace Eseka described the registration as "very important" to Nigerians. She added it would help put together data that are useful for national planning. "It would help the government know the population of those living here in Nigeria, and as well plan properly for the future of the country. From January 2019 it will be mandatory for any transaction within the country", Mrs Eseka said. Also, the State Coordinator, National Identification Management Commission (NIMC), Mr Kingsley Onaghise reemphasized the need for NIN registration, asserti...

The Olu of Igbokoda, His Royal Majesty Odidiomo Afolabi Oladimeji, Akokoniko, Larada I, yesterday declared support for Comrade Emmanuel Lebile aspiration to represent Ilaje Constituency II in Ondo State House of Assembly on the platform of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). HRM Oladimeji made the declaration during a courtesy call on his palace at Igbokoda, administrative headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of the state by Comrade Lebile and his team. The Monarch charged the Ondo state House of Assembly aspirant to be proactive, believe in himself and be ready to contribute to legislation that will better the life of his constituents when he is elected. The Olu of Igbokoda who called on youths to stand up for what is right and shun social vices, lamented the state of underdevelopment in the area asserted, "we have been suffering, and we are still suffering". Earlier, Comrade Lebile said he decided to run for the position to bring the needed development which he said h...

Work resumed today Nationwide after Organised labour on Sunday announced the suspension of the warning strike over the indefinite suspension of negotiations for a new national minimum wage by the Federal Government. The suspension could not however took effect On Monday October 1 due to the public holiday declared by the federal government to commemorate Nigeria’s 58th Independence Anniversary. Some of the Government ministries, Departments, Agencies, private institutions and schools visited by Our Correspondent across the state capital were all open for service as an attendance register in one of the ministries showed workers reported to their duty posts as early as 7.05am. A civil servant, Barr Melody Omosah said the strike by workers over non increase of their minimum wage is constitutional, hence the demand for increment is long over due. "Government should follow through with their promise to negotiate with labour and arrived at a wage that can take workers home. T...

As part of global effort to promote the use of renewable energy, a group, Action For Social-Political And Economic Change (ASEC) has reiterated calls for an end to the use of fossil fuels in Nigeria. ASEC, an affiliate of Edo Civil Society Organization (EDOCSO), has now joined other stakeholders to advocate for a world powered by renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Speaking during a meeting of the group over the weekend in Benin city, President of ASEC, Leftist Osazee Edigin said the time to "end gas use is now" to check its negative impact in the environment. Leftist Edigin noted that the release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere and other gaseous emissions when fossil fuels are burnt were responsible for global warming. The ASEC President also spoke on the devastating effect of global warming with regards to the perennial flooding of communities along the banks of River Niger. Edigin warned that if the condition continued, the world faces dire conseque...