Welcome to Ehis Agugu's Blog

Florence Abu, is battered and broken after her four-year sojourn in Moscow, the Russian capital, where she was trafficked to for prostitution, allegedly by a junior pastor in her church. PATRICK OCHOGA captures her heart-rending tale of exploitation, deprivation and abandonment and that of other victims. lorence Abu, is a 23-year-old hair stylist and a singer. She had always hoped for an opportunity to put into use her talent and training in a more productive ways with the expectation of achieving some financial relief for herself and to contribute to the up keep of her family. Because of her parent’s financial inadequacy after she left secondary school with flying colours in the West Africa Examination Council results she opted to learn a trade. She attached herself to a hair salon where she perfected to art of hair making. At the age of 18, she was a chorister in Heavenly Ambassadors Ministries, located along Kilometre 11, Benin-Lagos Express Road, Idunmwowina, Benin City. ...

The authentic and official Edo Social Media Team on Wednesday had their general assembly meeting. This was at the first election of the team arising from the seven (7) key resolutions from previous meeting held Monday July 10th 2017, where the team members unanimously resolved to dissolve the Executive Council (EXCO) and elect new leaders to represent them, while all team members shall support the newly elected leaders and improvise innovative ways to achieve the desired goals. For members of the team, the decision was needful and a step in the right direction sequel to the Nicodemus, disdainful cum braggadocio modus vivendi of the previous team lead who crawled into the leadership seat via the appointment of all team members and choose to betrayed the trust reposed on him to represent the group perfectly well. Thus, few members of the team where painstakingly put forward by the house for leadership positions namely: William Isesele, Funke Obakpolor, Ehis Agugu, Mercedes Egharevba, Oif...

Interested in studying  # multimediajournalism  in Beijing, China? Applications for 2017-18 are open! This year The  University of Bolton  is offering two 50% REDUCE D TUITION FEE SCHOLARSHIPS for the postgraduate degree; MA in International Multimedia Journalism for the 2017/18 academic year.  Recipient students will pay £3,250 instead of £7,500 for the single year degree program. Download the application form here:  https://goo.gl/6cmL1i . Visit the program website for more details  www.immj-ma.org.  This intensive year-long course develops practical skills and critical thinking for visual journalists and storytellers to deliver both short-form and long-form projects on digital platforms.  Our grads go on to a diverse range of careers, see what past graduates are doing now in this short video  https://vimeo.com/125692402 . Scholarship application deadline closes July 20th, 2017.

Edo state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has donated N2m to the families of four victims, who were killed by suspected Fulani Herdsmen in the state. Mr. Anthony Eboigbodin, the Head of Uhunmwode Local Government Council, disclosed this at the end of a Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting presided over by the governor at Edo State Government House in Benin, on Friday. Recalling that two of the victims were killed at Ewu community in Esan Central, one in Ekpoma area of Esan West and the last in Elele Community, near Auchi in Etsako West LGA of the state, Eboigbodin disclosed that the families of the four victims would get N500, 000 each. #ProjectEdo

By John Mayaki Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has commended the leadership style of his Edo Counterpart, Gov Godwin Obaseki, describing it as impressive. This was at the Edo State Government House in Benin City on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the Ekiti State governor. He added that the Edo governor was doing his best to ensure a better future for people of the state. According to him, “Politicians look forward to an election, but a leader looks forward to the future of the people. For me as an individual, who knows what it takes in Ekiti, I know the governor is doing his best.” Meanwhile, Fayose stressed that his visit to Edo was private and did not have any political undertones. Also, speaking to Newsmen, Obaseki commended Fayose for ensuring orderliness and cleanliness in Ekiti, especially in the state capital; Ado-Ekiti. He described Fayose as an interesting and good person, who had done his share in developing his state, stressing also that the Ekiti ...

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state, on Thursday, swore-in 18 commissioners noting that there was no room for corruption in his administration and tasking them to come up with innovative solutions to developing all sectors of the state. Addressing the commissioners consisting 15 males and 3 females at Edo State Government House in Benin City, the governor stressed that their appointments indicated a call to service, and not an avenue to make money or accumulate wealth. Governor Obaseki explained that their various local government councils nominated the commissioners, and they should live up to the confidence reposed on them. “We expect that you live above board; your confirmation by the Edo House of Assembly goes to show that you were found worthy to serve the state. This is the time to build institutions; it is not a time to think about self, but to work for the common good of the people. Bring your experiences to bear and threat staff with respect and follow laid down rules,” he sa...

*MENTAL TEST FOR ROAD TRAFFIC OFFENDERS BY THE FEDERAL ROAD SAFETY CORPS (FRSC):  Directive for members of The Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN)*   The directive from the Federal Road Service Corp that from the 1st July, 2017, drivers using mobile phones while driving among others would be apprehended and made to undergo ‘Mental Test’  hit every Nigerian in a jolt. The timing of the directive was a bit surprising because some months earlier there was a hint that drivers in the city of Abuja using cell phones while driving would be so treated. We are aware that Psychiatrists in the Federal Capital Territory and others were opposed to the idea. Their opposition was based on the fact that such a discriminating and stigmatizing proposition is not in the best interest of Nigeria as a member of the comity of nations.  Despite unanimous opposition for this “Mental Test", the FRSC has issued a directive to force traffic offenders to undergo psychological assess...

Obaseki to swear-in Commissioners designate on Thursday It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State, will, on Thursday, July 6, 2017, preside over the swearing-in ceremony of the Commissioners designate, recently confirmed by the State House of Assembly. Those to be sworn-in as Commissioners are: Mr. Yekini Idaiye, (Akoko-Edo), Mr Jimoh Ijegbai, (Owan East), Ohionbamu Paul (Egor), Emmanuel Usoh, (Esan North-East), Yinka Omoreigbe, (Oredo), Joseph Ughioke, (Etsako Central), Christopher Adesotu (Ovia Southwest), and Osaze Osemwegie-Ero (Orhionmwon) Others are: John Inegbedion (Igueben), Monday Osaigbovo (Ovia North-East), Reginald Okun (Owan West), David Osifo (Uhunmwode), Mariam Abubakar (Etsako West), Mika Amonokha (Etsako East). Also on the list are: Amiolemen Osahon (Esan West), Magdalene Ohenhen (Esan South East) and Erimnona Edoriodion (Ikpoba-Okha). The ceremony will hold at the Old Exco Chambers, ...

As part of its awareness programmes and initiatives for enforcing  the Community Development Association law, the government of Edo state has confirmed that a Town Hall Meeting on private properties protection is being organized for the benefit of her citizens. A statement from the Office of the Chief Press Secretary to the governor confirmed this, adding that the event, which has been scheduled for 14th July, 2017 at Imaguero College Hall in Benin City, would enlighten and educate the people on the Community Development Association law, so as to avoid ignorance of the law. According to the statement, the general public, including community based associations, Non-Governmental Associations, religious groups, market women associations, students, traditional institutions, professionals in the built environment among other stakeholders are invited and expected to attend the one-day town hall meeting. “We are not interested in prosecuting anyone, but we will get them involved by ...

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state has mourned elder statesman, Alhaji Maitama Sule, who died early Monday Morning, describing him as a great leader, who contributed immensely to peace, development and security in the country as Minister for National Guidance in 1983, a portfolio established to assist the then President Shehu Shagari in tackling corruption. In his condolence message endorsed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. John Mayaki, to the people and government of Kano state, Governor Obaseki recalled that the former minister actively engaged in the promotion of peace and security in the continent, working tirelessly through various diplomatic initiatives as Nigeria's representative to the United Nations and as chairman of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid. Mourning Alhaji Sule, the governor explained that words were unable to express his importance to the polity of Nigeria while he lived, adding that the elder statesman was a great leader full of wisdom...

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, who, on Saturday, celebrated his birthday, has corrected public belief on his age, revealing that he was not 58 years old as earlier believed, but 60 years old. This was revealed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr John Mayaki, who explained that the governor was born on July 1st, 1957, and was therefore 60 years of age. According to Mayaki, “The governor found that many people believed him to be 58 years old and while he is appreciative of the good wishes and sincere felicitations that have been accorded to him, he also wants to ensure that people do not quote him at that age and thereby distorting history.” It would be recalled that Governor Obaseki had earlier advised against publication of birthday advertisements, urging friends and well-wishers to donate to WeCare Trust, a charity organisation. #ProjectEdo

Pulse News Agency International Ester and Sunday Enabulele 's house is the last one standing on Bata Road in Benin City, southern Nigeria. All the neighbours have left and the retired couple hope to do the same. With the money their two children send from Italy, they want to build a new house. Dozens of lorries used to pass along the road to get to the local shoe factory, once one of Benin City's industrial jewels. But it's now no more than a track swallowed by swamps. At the turn of the century, the leading shoe manufacturer that gave the road its name relocated its factory to Ghana, frustrated by constant power cuts. About 3,000 employees, most of them young people, lost their jobs. Since then, the flood barriers surrounding the area have fallen into disrepair and the water has reclaimed the earth, flooding every dwelling and the factory. "We have no nothing. No chop (food), not'in ," says Ester in pidgin English from a large sofa that has seen better days...

The Executive Governor, Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki. Your Excellency, my friend, my brother. BIRTHDAY FELICITATION It is with deep ecstasy that I, on behalf of my family as well as the officials and members of Solomon Iyobosa Edebiri Centre for Change (SIECC), heartily felicitate you on the occasion of your birthday today 1st of July 2017. We are glad that God has kept you to witness yet another new count of life. We pray that He continues to direct all your affairs in fulfilling your dreams and aspirations both for yourself and the good people of Edo State.  Without mincing words, for the brief period you have occupied the hallowed chambers at Osadebe Avenue you have endeared yourself to the people with your developmental strides as you have displayed a genuine desire to set the state on the path of progress through designed programmes meant to promote agriculture, industrialisation and job creation among others, many of which have already been set in motion. The quick pace at...

Your Excellency,  As you celebrate your 58th Birthday "I join your family,friends,political associates and millions of well wishers in Edo State and around the world to celebrate your life of achievement  especially in the service to humanity. You are indeed a worthy successor and in just few months you have convinced the most critical skeptic that you are committed to sustain the tempo of economic regeneration, infrastructure development and human empowerment,  which we both agree constitute the right panacea to take Edo State to the next level. I'm particularly proud that through your eagerness to deliver dividends of democracy  to the people of Edo State, you have justified our insistence from the onset, that you are the best predisposed to provide continuity in the state where we spent eight years laying a solid foundation from the ruins we inherited. I have no doubt  whatsoever  that as the  years goes by, your exceptional capacity to mobilise...

By Crusoe Osagie Since Governor Godwin Obaseki kicked-off the implementation of his governance blueprint in Edo State, indigenes are faced with an intriguing uncertainty of what they are going to wake up to every morning when dusk turns to dawn. Today, you drive through Edebiri Street and have to wade through two huge craters on that road just before emerging at Joromi Street, by Garrick Memorial Secondary School, on the way to Idumwun Ogieka area. But the next day, you are rushing out of your house to get on with your activities of the day and you set out on the same route but behold, two huge earth-moving equipment are on the site to cordon off the same Edebiri Street on which the only impediment   to movement the previous day were the failed portions of the road. Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki Miffed by the seeming interruption of your journey, you get down from your vehicle to see the cause of the obstruction, it is Obaseki again, his road builders hav...