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Future Champions Emerge at Benin Grassroots Clinic

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Benin City witnessed a vibrant display of emerging sporting talent as Crescent Sports Club hosted a tennis clinic aimed at nurturing young players and promoting grassroots development of the sport. The club’s tennis courts came alive with energy as participants engaged in structured warm-up drills before observing an exhibition match featuring United States-based Nigerian tennis professional, Folake Olagbegi-Kazeem, alongside Nigeria’s Davis Cup captain, John Atiomo. The exhibition set the tone for an intensive hands-on training session. Participants were subsequently guided through core tennis techniques, including racket grip, serving, forehand and backhand strokes, footwork, volleying, and court positioning. The practical sessions were tailored to accommodate both beginners and players with prior experience. Speaking during the clinic, Folake Olagbegi-Kazeem expressed optimism about the participants’ potential. She noted that a significant number already demonstrated pro...
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"IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES FOR EDO CENTRAL": THE DICKENS ANALOGY OF DISTINGUISHED SENATOR JOE IGIAGBE IKPEA

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_By Professor Charles Oyakhilome Amadin, Public Affairs Analyst_ Charles Dickens began _A Tale of Two Cities_ with: * "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." *  For Edo Central, the worst of times is behind us. * The best of times is now * — and it has a name: * Distinguished Senator JOE IGIAGBE IKPEA *. Dickens wrote about a city torn apart, until men of purpose stood up and gave people hope again. That is exactly the * winning phenomenon * we are witnessing in Esanland today. # * 1. "A Tale of Two Eras" * There was an Edo Central of neglect. Of silence in Abuja. Of promises without presence.  Today, we have an Edo Central of roads, empowerment, youth engagement, and federal projects.  Senator Ikpea is * the senator of the people *. He is * more viable, more appropriate, more adequate, more feasible, more practical, more fitting, more applicable, more compatible, and more proper * for the Red Chamber. A * promise keeper * and a ...
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MD, Edo Waste Board Honoured With Lifetime Achievement Award

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The Managing Director of the Edo State Waste Management Board, EWMB, Amb. Dr. Lucky Enehita-Inegbenehi has been honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Stars Award International for his outstanding commitment to environmental sanitation and public service. The award ceremony, held at *Bay Flowers, Benin City*, had in attendance gospel artists, music producers, and notable business owners. Receiving the award on behalf of the Managing Director, Mr.Martins Akhighe, Head of commercial at the board  described the recognition as timely and motivating. He noted that waste management is a demanding task whose impact is often overlooked. “Waste management is not easy. You do a lot, but yet, people see very little. This award is unique because it recognizes the work we have done and inspires us to do more,” Martins said. He added that Amb. Enehita-Inegbenehi remains focused on delivering the governor’s vision of making Edo State the cleanest in Nigeria. “Our Managi...
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SHINE AGENDA ACROSS BORDERS" — BRINGING EDO’S DEVELOPMENT HOME THROUGH GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP*

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By: Festus Alenkhe In an era where development is borderless, governance must also be borderless. It is in this context that *Governor Monday Okpebholo’s "SHINE Agenda Across Borders"* event in London deserves not just attention, but commendation and support. This was not a ceremonial gathering. It was a strategic economic diplomacy mission — one that recognizes a fundamental reality: *Edo State cannot develop in isolation.* We endorse this initiative because it is timely, practical, and rooted in data. *1. THE CASE FOR GOING ABROAD: FACTS AND FIGURES* Edo State has one of Nigeria’s largest diaspora populations. The UK alone hosts an estimated *250,000+ Edo people*, with heavy concentrations in London, Manchester, and Birmingham. According to the *World Bank and CBN 2023 data*, Nigeria received *$20.1 billion in diaspora remittances*. Edo consistently ranks among the top 5 states in remittance inflow. Yet for decades, that inflow has gone largely into consumption ...
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A MAN OF IMPECCABLE CHARACTER: DISTINGUISHED SENATOR JOE IGIAGBE IKPEA*

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By Professor Charles Oyakhilome Amadin, Public Affairs Analyst There are leaders, and then there are leaders whose name carries weight. *Distinguished Senator JOE IGIAGBE IKPEA* belongs to the second kind. He is *a man of impeccable character* — character that stands tall and is compared to none in Edo Central and Esanland today. Character is what people see when no camera is watching. With Senator Ikpea, what you see is what you get. He is like *cream that does not sink in water*. In good times and in hard times, he remains steady, consistent, and true to his word.  Chinua Achebe wrote, *"A man who does noble things is nobly rewarded."* Senator Ikpea has chosen the path of noble things. He is a *promise keeper*. He speaks plainly, and he delivers. In the Red Chamber he represents us with dignity. At home in Esanland he walks among the people with humility and respect. His character is like *pure palm oil* — it does not mix with dirt. It is like *refined gold* — t...
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Edo Govt, Vigilante Group Partner To Tackle Indiscriminate Waste Disposal

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The Edo State Waste Management Board, EWMB, has entered a strategic partnership with the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, VGN, Edo State Command, to strengthen enforcement against indiscriminate waste disposal across the state. The collaboration was sealed during a meeting held at the VGN'S headquarters in Benin City, as part of renewed efforts by the Okpebholo administration to keep Edo clean, healthy, and environmentally sustainable. Speaking at the meeting, the Managing Director of EWMB, Amb. Dr. Lucky Enehita-Inegbenehi, said the vision of Governor Monday Okpebholo, is to make Edo State the cleanest state in the country.   He noted that achieving this requires strong enforcement, community involvement, and a change in attitude toward waste disposal. Dr. Enehita-Inegbenehi explained that the partnership with VGN is a deliberate step toward that goal. He said the vigilante group will work with EWMB officials to monitor black spots, educate residents, and apprehend tho...
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DISTINGUISHED SENATOR JOE IGIAGBE IKPEA: THE VOICE AND VALOUR OF EDO CENTRAL*

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_By Professor Charles Oyakhilome Amadin, Public Affairs Analyst_ Distinguished Senator JOE IGIAGBE IKPEA speaks well and speaks loud. Not for noise, but because leadership demands clarity and conviction. He is *a political guru that shuns gossip*. In a season of distractions, he chooses service over speculation. That discipline is why institutions respect him. He *holds the APC in high esteem*, and he also *holds Edo Central in high esteem*. To him, party is a platform, but the people are the purpose. As *host and Distinguished Senator*, he has set one clear agenda: development with dignity and unity without division. Across Edo Central, his presence is felt in the quiet consistency of his work — showing up, listening, and following through. That is why his name *rings bell in every door across Esanland*. The political ground has shifted. *The opposition have all collectively moved to the APC* under Distinguished Senator JOE IGIAGBE IKPEA. He remains *top of eve...
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