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The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has expressed deep concerns over the adverse impacts of long years of cultism on the state's economy, particularly the loss of lives and the the loss of over $1 billion worth of potential investments annually. These acts of violence, predominantly driven by clashes among rival cult groups, have not only led to tragic loss of lives and property but have also discouraged investments and tourism, ultimately slowing economic growth. The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, stated that the high spate of cult-related violence in the last five years, long before Governor Okpebholo assumed office, has caused substantial disruptions to economic activities, as investors and business owners increasingly grew wary of the security situation.  “What we have witnessed in Edo was more than a threat to public peace—it was a significant drain on our economic potential.  “According to statistics by The Diaspora Commission, Edo State t...

By Fred Itua Is the war against cultism in Edo State winnable? Yes, it is—and Governor Monday Okpebholo is demonstrating this with courage, clarity, and commitment. While cultism has long been a deeply entrenched menace in the social and criminal landscape of Edo State—festering in schools, communities, and even political spaces—the narrative is shifting. For the first time in a long time, we are witnessing a government not only speaking against cultism but taking decisive steps to dismantle its roots and consequences. Governor Okpebholo inherited a state bruised by cult-related violence, from senseless killings on campuses to brutal street reprisals in local government areas. It was a crisis that had, over the years, defied tokenistic responses. But what this administration is offering is not tokenism—it is strategy, backed by law, executed with resolve, and powered by a belief that safety is a right, not a privilege. Governor Okpebholo’s anti-cultism campaign is not just about today...

The camp of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State and the gubernatorial candidate of the party in the 21st September, 2024 election, Asue Ighodalo, is in serious disarray.  Following their crushing defeat at the Tribunal, the party and the candidate, Ighodalo had approached the Court of Appeal. However, lawyers to the duo, on Thursday during the hearing, failed to prove their case. Following their failure to prove their case, Governor Monday Okpebholo urged the Court of Appeal to dismiss the appeal filed by PDP and that if its candidate Ighodalo for being unmeritorious. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also made similar request at the hearing of the appeal in Abuja on Thursday. Lawyer to Okpebholo, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) urged the court to affirm the judgment of the tribunal which upheld his client's victory and found that the PDP and Ighodalo failed to prove their allegations that the election was marred by irregularities. Ikpeazu argued that the petit...

By Fred Itua In Edo State, Governor Monday Okpebholo and members of the State House of Assembly are united in taking a firm stand against the escalating threat of kidnapping. The Edo State House of Assembly has passed the Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025. This amended legislation marks a bold legislative milestone aimed at tightening the noose on kidnappers, their accomplices, and enablers. It reflects a sharpened resolve by the government to enhance public safety and restore confidence in law enforcement and judicial systems within the state. Under this amended law, the penalties for kidnapping have been significantly strengthened. In what is considered one of the most stringent anti-kidnapping frameworks in the country, the law prescribes the death penalty for anyone who is directly involved in the act of kidnapping where a life is lost. For cases where victims survive the ordeal, a convicted kidnapper now faces life imprisonment, a stern departure from lighter sentences ...

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has called  for  the immediate arrest and prosecution of the President of NEO Black Movement also known as the Black Axe, Ese Kakor over allegations of forgery of government documents. This was made known in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua and made available to newsmen. The governor in a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, demands the immediate arrest and prosecution of the President of the Neo Black Movement (NBM) of Africa, Olorogun Ese Kakor, over alleged forgery of official state government documents.   The statement added that the governor accused Kakor of forging government documents, which falsely claimed to authorize him to provide assistance to schools in Edo South Senatorial District. The act, he said, was not only fraudulent but a direct assault on the integrity of the state's a...

The Edo State Government has issued a strong warning  and commenced necessary legal consultations towards taking a decisive legal action against the Neo Black Movement, also known as Black Axe, over the recent spate of killings and cult-related violence in Edo State. This was made known in a statement signed and made available  to newsmen by the Chief Press Secretary to the state government.  The statement said this decision is premised on public admission by self-acclaimed leaders of the group, who have openly identified themselves and condemned the lawful demolition of a building linked to their activities. The statement added that by publicly  aligning themselves with the structure and its usage, they have confirmed their association with the actions coordinated from the premises—thus paving the way for lawful prosecution. "The building in question was not just a regular structure; it was a hub for planning and executing violent attacks across Benin metropolis and...

Dr Osahon Ukponmwan In demonstration of it's kind gesture towards giving back to its alma mater and ensure current and future students of Eghosa Anglican Grammar School benefit from available technology and become more competitive globally, the Eghosa Alumni Association, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania Chapter, United States of America (USA), has commenced construction of an e-learning center at Eghosa Anglican Grammar School Complex in Benin City.  An alumni of EGHOBA and APC Deputy National Treasurer, Lady Omorede Osifo,  performed the ground breaking on behalf of the President EGHOBA New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania Chapter, Dr. Osahon Ukponmwan. It was a  landmark moment for both past and present students of the school as they converged to mark the groundbreaking ceremony of the ICT building/e- library Centre, sponsored by the  Eghosa Alumni Association (New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania Chapter, United States). In his remark, the President of th...