dailyfrontlinenews

Today, and indeed every day, Nigeria remembers High Chief Dr. Raymond Anthony Aleogho Dokpesi, OFR — a man whose life was not merely lived, but poured out in service to nationhood, democracy, media freedom, and humanity. Some men pass through history. Others leave footprints upon it. Raymond Dokpesi carved his name into the soul of Nigeria. A polished maritime engineer with a doctorate degree and an uncommon brilliance of mind, Dokpesi first distinguished himself in the maritime sector, where his reforms and innovations transformed the industry and earned him admiration from both government and workers alike. Wherever he stood, excellence followed. Whatever he touched, progress answered. Yet destiny had prepared him for something greater. He left the maritime world and stepped into broadcasting — and there, he became a colossus. A giant. A light-bearer in an era overshadowed by fear, censorship, and military intimidation. Today, as Nigeria celebrates Democracy Day, it is im...

Benin City, Edo State —The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Public Service Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers (NUPSRAW), Edo State Council, Comrade Ireotoi Kingsley, has appealed to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for urgent intervention over the alleged withholding of his International Passport and VISA despite approval for participation at the forthcoming International Labour Organization (ILO) Conference. According to Comrade Kingsley, there was no official restriction or directive preventing interested officials of NUPSRAW from applying for participation in the ILO Conference. Acting on that understanding, he applied through the National Office and was subsequently nominated by the Nigeria Labour Congress as No. 64 on the official list of delegates. He disclosed that in the course of processing the trip, he personally paid the sum of N160,000 for the VISA application through Hon. Uche and further spent approximately N750,000...

The Managing Director of the Edo State Waste Management Board, Dr. Lucky Enehita-Inegbenehiha, has felicitated Muslim faithful on the celebration of Eid. He prayed that the Eid would strengthen faith, promote kindness, and inspire continued care for others. “As we celebrate this special day, may the blessings of Allah bring peace, joy, and fulfilment to you and your family,” he said. Dr. Enehita-Inegbenehiha also urged residents to keep their environment clean and healthy throughout the celebration.

From Chris Akhabue, Edo  The Medical Director of the National Obstetric Fistula Centre, Ugbor, Benin City, Ileogben Sunday-Adeoye, has said the Federal Government is providing completely free treatment for women suffering from obstetric fistula, including surgery, feeding and transportation support. Speaking during a free medical outreach session with journalists in Benin City, Sunday-Adeoye said the facility was established to provide specialised care for women living with Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) and Recto Vaginal Fistula (RVF), conditions that result in the uncontrollable leakage of urine and faeces through the vagina. He explained that the centre, located along Ugbor Community Road in Benin City, is the fourth and newest National Obstetric Fistula Facility established by the Federal Government to address the growing burden of obstetric fistula across the country. According to him, the hospital is designed to cater for patients in Edo State, the South-South geopo...

From Chris Akhabue, Edo  The Edo State Government has renewed its warning about the increasing threats of flooding and erosion as the rainy season intensifies, urging residents to stop dumping refuse in drainage channels. The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Kassim Afegbua, gave the warning while addressing journalists in Benin City, stressing the urgency of the situation. He said the move followed recent advisories from the Federal Government on the growing dangers posed by climate change. Afegbua described flooding and erosion as serious and recurring challenges that require urgent collective action, particularly during peak rainfall. He noted that the state government is taking proactive steps through improved infrastructure and environmental planning. According to him, ongoing road construction projects across the state now include drainage systems as a key flood-control measure. He explained that these drains are designed to channel rainwater safely aw...

From Chris Akhabue, Edo  The Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, Neda Imasuen, has condemned the conduct of Monday’s All Progressives Congress senatorial primary in Uhunwonde Local Government Area of Edo State, describing the exercise as a “sham” allegedly designed to favour a preferred aspirant. Imasuen, who spoke while reacting to events at his polling unit in Umagbae North Ward 5, Urhokuosa, said he was effectively denied the opportunity to vote following what he described as a chaotic and manipulated process. The lawmaker accused leaders of the party of openly adopting a preferred candidate ahead of the exercise and intimidating members into supporting that aspirant. “There’s nothing satisfactory about this sham of election they did today and it’s very unfortunate because as a loyal party member, I expected something better than this,” he said. According to him, the warning signs emerged days before the primary when some ward chairmen allegedly infor...

The Edo State Waste Management Board has announced plans to begin confiscating goods of traders who have converted pedestrian walkways into selling points and to prosecute violators dumping refuse on road medians. Managing Director of the board, Dr. Lucky Enehita-Inegbenehi, said the enforcement follows the expiration of a seven-day notice issued to the two categories of offenders. According to Enehita-Inegbenehi, the practices contribute to environmental degradation, traffic obstruction, flooding, and public health risks. Under the Edo State Sanitation and Pollution Management Law of 2025, traders, shop owners, market women, residents, and members of the public are prohibited from conducting business on roads and walkways or dumping refuse in unauthorized areas. Those who fail to comply will face prosecution through the State’s Sanitation Mobile Court. “Public roads, medians, and walkways are not marketplaces or dumping grounds,” Enehita-Inegbenehi said.  He urged resi...

From Chris Akhabue, Edo  A frontline political activist and House of Representatives aspirant under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ogbidi Ehigbor Emmanuel, has described the pledge of 2.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Edo State as unrealistic and no longer attainable. The promise, earlier made by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, was dismissed by Ogbidi during a press briefing held at the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benin City. Ogbidi attributed the shift in political projections to the emergence of the National Democratic Congress, which he described as “the fastest-growing political party in Africa.” According to him, the new political landscape has significantly weakened the ruling party’s electoral prospects in Edo State. He stated that the governor’s projection of 2.5 million votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 general election has become illusory and unattainable, citing widespread economic hardship and...

Ogbakha-Edo is once again compelled to address "the deeply disturbing and increasingly dangerous allegations surrounding plans to impose a preferred candidate in the forthcoming APC Edo South Senatorial Primary. And this applies to other political parties that may be contemplating the idea." In a statement signed by Professor Sam Guobadia (Chairman) and Dr. Andrew O. Izekor (Secretary General), the Ogbakha-Edo Indigenous People's Welfare Foundation since their earlier statement of May 1, "which received widespread circulation and overwhelming public endorsement, rather than clear denials from the appropriate authorities, fresh reports and disturbing political signals continue to reinforce fears that the democratic rights of APC members in Edo South are under serious threat. "We consider this development unacceptable, provocative, and capable of triggering avoidable political unrest within the party and across Edo South. The attempt to reduce an entir...

From Chris Akhabue, Edo   The Senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District, Joseph Ikpea, on Tuesday formally notified the Edo State Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of his intention to commence his campaign. Ikpea made this known during a visit to the party’s secretariat in Benin City, where he met with members of the state leadership to communicate his decision ahead of any public declaration. Addressing party officials, the senator said it was both appropriate and necessary to first inform the party of his plans, describing the move as a demonstration of loyalty and respect for party structures. “You all know how we started the senatorial race together and, by the grace of God, with your support and prayers, I am today a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said. “It is only proper that I inform the party first of my intention to flag off my campaign.” Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Ikpea reiterated that c...

By Chris Akhabue, Edo A prominent transporter and business tycoon based in Benin-City, Edo State, Chief John Osamede Adun, widely known as Bob Izua, has expanded his collection of luxury vehicles with acquisitions reportedly exceeding N2 billion. The 72-year-old businessman, the Ayobahon of Benin Kingdom, recently took delivery of four high-end automobiles. The new additions include a 2013 Rolls-Royce valued at approximately N800 million, a 2018 Range Rover Evoque worth N110 million, a 2018 Mercedes-Benz E350 priced at N45 million, and a 2018 Jaguar valued at N15 million. The Ayobahan of Benin Kingdom also disclosed that a fifth luxury vehicle—equipped with advanced interior features including a bed and restroom—is expected to arrive at his Benin residence before the end of the year. Providing an estimate of his recent expenditure, the business mogul stated that the total cost of the vehicles is “roughly about N2 billion,” adding that he intends ...

Strong political signals ahead of the 2027 general elections emerged in Benin City on Saturday as two major support groups, Amprance Alliance and Jagaban Apex Alliance, openly declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term ambition and the Edo South Senatorial aspiration of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. The meeting, held at the private residence of Ize-Iyamu, brought together leaders and members of the groups from different parts of the country.  The gathering was led by Mr. Buchi Nwanbare and Dr. Ahmed Abdullahi, who described the event as part of a wider national mobilisation to strengthen support for the President’s Renewed Hope agenda and prepare early for the 2027 elections. During the meeting, the groups unanimously adopted the slogan, “No Vacancy in Aso Villa,” insisting that President Tinubu deserves another four years to complete ongoing reforms and economic policies.  They also endorsed Pastor Ize-Iyamu for the Edo South Senatorial seat with th...

A leading Owan East House of Assembly aspirant on the APC's platform, Kayode Jeffrey Iriabekhai, is expected to spring surprises at the scheduled party primaries. Iriabekhai, who hails from Iruoke in the Ivbimion Clan of Owan East, was among the first aspirants to formally declare his intention to the people, with many viewing the early move as deliberate strategy rather than an afterthought. Amongst his opponent is the incumbent member representing the Owan East Constituency seeking a third term in the house. Iriabekhai is bringing a huge background in security architecture, which he says can be translated into bills and action plans to help the state government tackle insecurity which has become a festering challenge in different parts of the state over the years. Iriabekhai belongs to the class of legislators with a proven track record and a second address, rather than those seeking a seat to boost their ego. Born into the respected Ohiolei Iriabekhai family of Iruok...

It was a remarkable and memorable day in Efandion, Ward 8, Esan North East Constituency II, Uromi, as members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gathered in large numbers to warmly welcome Akhere Oris Okpebholo. Speaking at the event, Oris Okpebholo explained that although he had been actively involved in Ward 5—where he primarily operates his business in Abuja—he has remained committed to grassroots politics in his hometown. He emphasized that his contributions to the party have always been as a loyal supporter rather than as a political aspirant. He further announced his relocation to Ward 8, where he has now established his permanent residence. As part of this transition, he formally introduced himself to members of the APC in Ward 8 and hosted them at his residence in Efandion. The event showcased unity, strength, and the continued growth of the APC in Esan North East. The well-attended gathering attracted over 500 participants and featured lively entertainment. D...

A socio-political group, Ogbakha-Edo, has presented "a warning allegations of overt and covert attempts by the leadership of the Edo State APC to interfere in the process of selecting the APC’s Edo South Senatorial candidate for the forthcoming 2027 general elections with the apparent aim of imposing a predetermined aspirant irrespective of popularity, due process, or the will of Edo South APC members. 'While we acknowledge that the selection of candidates is primarily an internal affair of political parties, and while reaffirming that Ogbakha-Edo is a non-political and non-partisan organisation, we must state unequivocally that this matter is of grave concern." In his statement of integrity, pride, and democratic rights of Edo South by Professor Sam Guobadia, Chairman of Ogbakha-Edo "with far-reaching implications for the broader populace we are committed to represent and protect. 'We note with strong displeasure that even the contemplation of such i...