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05/04/2026

Economic hardship Protest in Edo:
CRPP calls Okpebholo to question
*It is like there is no government in Edo
By Augustine E. Aghoghovwia

Monday April 06, 2026

The Coalition of Registered Political Parties, CRPP, has taken a swipe at the Edo State government following last week’s protests organized by some aggrieved youths in the state over prevailing economic hardship across the country.
A press release signed by the National Chairman, CRPP, Dr. Samson Isibor, and made available to The Navigator, last week, expressed concern over the increasing hardship the masses were passing through in Edo State, in particular, and Nigeria, in general, remarking that Nigerians have never had it so bad like the situation we are passing through at the moment.
According to the Coalition, “we have noted with grave concern that wherever you turn in Edo state, it is lamentation. The heat of poverty is staring us in the face. We have never had it this bad in Edo. This is what led to the massive protest by youths and other citizens in Benin City last Wednesday.”
The CRPP condemned “the lackadaisical and nonchalant attitude of Governor Monday Okpebholo,” insisting on a sad note, that, “there is no visible effort from his government to ameliorate the suffering of our people. Edo is at a standstill as if there is no government in the state. Insecurity is at its worst state ever, kidnapping remains unabated, unemployment is high, cost of living, house rent, and all, have gone beyond the reach of citizens.
“There are no visible infrastructural developments; roads remain bad and unmotorable; no functional health centres; and entrepreneurs are moving out of Edo State because of high costs of running their businesses.”
The Coalition noted in its press release that it was in full support of the youths who stormed the streets in Benin to call the attention of the state and the federal governments to the deplorable conditions across the country.
It, therefore, called on Governor Okpebholo “to either wake up to his responsibilities or resign, because it is obvious that he is bereft of ideas in solving the alarming poverty confronting Edo people. He is only concerned about how to win the 2027 presidential election for his Master; and the so-called 2026 local government election coming up in Edo State already has a known and expected outcome.”
Meanwhile, the CRPP has responded to the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua’s defence on its accusation that the Edo State Government was inept and nonchalant in its attitude to tackle the abject poverty and insecurity bedeviling the state, and pointed out that Afegbua’s response was a litany of “name calling and big grammatical expressions that neither put food on the table of the common man nor ensure their security.”
Dr. Isibor maintained that the CRPP was a “principled pressure group led by sound-minded people of unblemished character fighting injustice for the welfare of the downtrodden and putting the government in power in check and on its toes," even as he recalled that the Coalition “campaigned vigorously for Okpebholo during the APC primary election while Afegbua and his former boss were heavily opposed to Okpebholo’s emergence as the party’s governorship candidate.” He emphasized that now that “Okpebholo has jettisoned his primary responsibility of governance and is busy trying to secure the state for campaigning for President Bola Tinubu’s reelection, we owe it a duty to tell him so.”
The national Chairman insisted that “the CRPP stands by its words that Governor Okpebholo has not performed despite the huge funds received from the federation account, billions of Naira in Security Votes and increased internally generated revenue.”
In his words,”Afegbua should stop speaking grammar and address these unassailable criticisms and tell us if the hundreds of youth protesters at Ugbowo were also seeking government’s appointments.”

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*Nigeria:*
When government becomes an organized crime
By Sa'adiyyah Adebisi Hassan

Monday April 06, 2026

Nigeria spent Buhari’s eight years locked in a senseless debate over cattle ranching and RUGA, while the world raced ahead with science, technology, and industrial revolutions. That was the priority of a government that had no vision beyond grazing fields.
Then, came, another absurdity: bold criminals spent millions of dollars to launch an airline that never existed Nigeria Air, a fraud paraded with fanfare, logos, and photo ops, but no planes, no infrastructure, and no passengers. A country of 200 million people reduced to a laughingstock by thieves in agbada and Babanriga.
And now, the new gospel is “revenue generation.” Not wealth creation, not value addition, not human development, just squeezing impoverished citizens of whatever crumbs are left for their survival. New taxes, higher tariffs, endless levies, all imposed on a population already crushed by hunger, unemployment, and insecurity.
Government or Robbery Syndicate? Let’s stop pretending: when the focus of governance is only to collect revenue, without creating value, what you have is not government. What you have is an extortion racket. What you have is a gang of criminals wearing the cloak of legitimacy, backed by the law to rob citizens in broad daylight.
Governments exist to build, to create, to expand opportunity. Criminals exist to loot, to drain, to destroy. Nigeria’s tragedy is that its government has blurred the line so completely that you can no longer tell the difference.
A Pattern of Failure: Eight years wasted on cows instead of classrooms. Millions of dollars wasted on a phantom airline instead of hospitals. Citizens punished with taxes instead of empowered with jobs. This is not mismanagement. It is systemic looting, packaged as governance. The Brutal Truth
When government stops being a platform for service and becomes a tool for legalized robbery, destruction is inevitable. No economy can survive when its rulers act like bandits. No society can thrive when leaders drain instead of deliver.
Nigeria is not short of resources; it is not short of talent; it is only short of honest leadership. Until that anomaly changes, every so-called “policy” will simply be a new scam in disguise. So, call it what it is: not government, but organized crime with a constitution.

05/04/2026

A fresh Edition on the Newsstands from Monday April 06, 2026

29/03/2026

Religious Perspectives
St. Joseph: Model of Fatherhood
(2 Samuel 7:4-5,12-14,16, Ps. 89:2-5,27,29, Romans 4:13,16-18,22, Matthew 1:16,18-21,24)
By Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu

Monday 23rd March, 2026

“Before they came together, she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit; and her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.” (Matthew 1:18-19)

Saint Joseph’s role in Jesus’ upbringing can never be underestimated. To teach us that every child needs both a mother and a father, God did not allow Joseph to divorce Mary. Having been conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus did not have a biological father, but He needed Joseph to play the role of an earthly father. There are many lessons to learn from St. Joseph:
1. St. Joseph Was A Just Man: The Bible describes Joseph as a just man. (Matthew 1:19). This means he was a man of integrity. He was well-respected in the community. He had a good name. He was a man of justice. He was not wayward and believed in always doing what was right. Can it be said about me that I am a just person?
2. St. Joseph Did Not Take Joy in Seeing the Pain of Others: St. Joseph was unwilling to shame Mary despite learning of her pregnancy before they married. When I suspect others of doing wrong, what is my immediate reaction?
3. St. Joseph was Obedient to God’s Instructions: We are told that when Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the Angel of the Lord had commanded him. He agreed to marry Mary to protect her from the shame of being accused of immorality. This entails caring for her and the baby Jesus, even while remaining celibate. Do I follow God’s instructions even when they require sacrifice?
4. St. Joseph was a Man of Faith: God only spoke to him through dreams, and he never doubted the messages. It takes Faith to believe that a young woman would conceive without knowing a man. In today’s second reading, St. Paul reminds us of Abraham, a man of faith who hoped against hope that he would be the father of many nations and was not disappointed. St. Joseph is a kind of Abraham; he believed the Angel’s message. Through St. Joseph’s marriage to Mary, Nathan’s prophecy in today’s First Reading came to pass. Jesus is the offspring of David’s house, whose throne is established forever. This teaches us never to doubt God. Indeed, as the Angel said to Mary, “With God, nothing is impossible.”
In 1480, Pope Sixtus IV officially established 19 March as the feast day of St. Joseph. In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared Saint Joseph the Patron of the Universal Church, and in 1962, Pope John XXIII included his name in the Roman Canon of the Holy Mass. More recently, Pope Francis expanded the Litany of Saint Joseph by adding seven new titles: Guardian of the Redeemer, Servant of Christ, Minister of Salvation, Support in Difficulties, Patron of Exiles, Patron of the Afflicted, and Patron of the Poor.
Let us pray: Grant, we pray, almighty God, that by Saint Joseph’s intercession your Church may constantly watch over the unfolding of the mysteries of human salvation, whose beginnings you entrusted to his faithful care. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Solemnity. Bible Study: 2 Samuel 7:4-5,12-14,16, Ps. 89:2-5,27,29, Romans 4:13,16-18,22, Matthew 1:16,18-21,24)

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Repent! Listen to Lazarus
(Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-10, Ps. 1:1-4,6, Luke 16:19-31)
By Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu

Monday 23rd March, 2026

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm, whose heart turns away from the Lord.” (Jeremiah 17:5)

In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus gave the parable of Lazarus (a Hebrew word meaning ‘God has helped’) and the Rich Man. This story is about those who place their trust in God, as opposed to those who do not. Ironically, Lazarus, whom God helped, lacked the necessities of life, while the rich man lived in affluence. Although the scriptures teach that “the blessing of the Lord makes one rich and adds no sorrow” (Prov. 10:22), Lazarus’ case was different. This is where our lessons begin today:
1. Being Poor Is Not a Curse: The parable of Lazarus teaches us that one could be ‘helped by God’ and still live in abject poverty. With this parable, Jesus teaches that being poor despite your religiosity does not mean that God has failed or is powerless. Jeremiah declares: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water that sends out its roots by the stream and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green.” Even today’s responsorial psalm further amplifies this reality. Even in his condition, God blessed Lazarus, but this blessing was not wealth. What would you prefer if asked to choose between wealth and eternal life?
2. Whether Rich or Poor, We Shall Be Judged for our Deeds: In today’s First Reading, God speaks: “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately corrupt; who can understand it? I, the Lord, search the mind and try the heart to give to every man according to his ways and the fruit of his doings.” (Jeremiah 17:9-10). The rich man did not go to hell because he was rich; neither did Lazarus enter heaven solely based on his poverty. Just as there are many wealthy people in heaven, there are many who died wretched and are in hell. I may be poor materially, but if my heart is corrupt and evil (turned away from God), I cannot enter heaven.
3. In His Riches, Man Lacks Wisdom (Psalm 49:13, 20): Riches can bring out a person’s best or worst. Jesus did not tell us exactly why the rich man went to hell. However, in another parable, Jesus speaks of a rich man whose farm yielded an abundant harvest. The man’s plan had no consideration for the poor. He wanted to pull down his barns (waste what he had already gathered) and build new ones. Jesus described the man as a fool because he was not rich toward God.” (Cf. Luke 12:18-21). In Matthew 25:31-40, Jesus told us that on the last day we would be judged by our kindness to the least (poorest, weakest, or most insignificant) among us. When you give food, water, shelter, etc., to the poor, you do it for Jesus; you store treasures for yourself in heaven. (Cf. Luke 12:33).
4. Hell is Real; Repent Today: The rich man begged Abraham to send Lazarus to his brothers to warn them from coming to that place of torment, but Abraham said such was impossible. The beauty of this parable is that we are privileged to hear it while we are still alive. We are the rich man’s brothers. Lazarus (in Jesus Christ) has risen from the dead to warn us. What more do we need to repent?

Let us pray: O God, who delight in innocence and restore it, direct the hearts of your servants to yourself, that, caught up in the fire of your Spirit, we may be found steadfast in faith and effective in works. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Bible Study: Jeremiah 17:5-10, Ps. 1:1-4,6, Luke 16:19-31)

27/03/2026

Heritage:
Sacred Boundaries in a Borderless Age
By Etinosa Omuemu

Monday 23rd March, 2026

This reflection was prompted by a video from Daddy Freeze—one of the few social media influencers I genuinely admire—where he expressed concern that the heavy consequences following Peller’s visit to the Palace, including reported disciplinary action against the queen involved, may be unhealthy for a young man like Peller. He also suggested that such reactions could indicate that Peller is being underappreciated despite his achievements.
While that concern may be valid from a social media perspective, it is important to situate this issue within its proper cultural and institutional context.
As a Benin man who lives in Benin and maintains close proximity to the Palace, I understand that certain traditions are not symbolic—they are foundational. The queens within the Palace are fully aware of the expectations and boundaries that define their roles as wives of the Oba. There are lines that are never crossed.
You do not step on the grave of Queen Iden, who made the ultimate sacrifice for the kingdom centuries ago. Men do not enter the harem of the Oba’s wives without explicit authorization—not even their fathers or brothers. There are parts of the Palace that have never been photographed or recorded. These are not mere customs. They are sacred protocols that preserve order, hierarchy, reverence, and the mystique of the institution.
For a queen to facilitate a visit that allows an outsider like Peller into such a restricted space sets a deeply dangerous precedent. If overlooked, it opens the door for repetition—where other queens may begin to invite male social media personalities into spaces that have, for generations, remained protected.
Even more troubling is the reported act of sharing royal needs and personal images with an outsider without the consent of the Oba. That crosses a line that should remain inviolable.
However, this situation must also be understood within the context of the times we live in. This is the age of Gen Z—a generation that has rapidly adapted to systemic shifts and mastered the monetization of attention in the digital economy. Today, many young people can generate in a single day what their parents may have worked a year or more to earn. With this comes early access to influence and wealth—often far ahead of the experience required to manage both. When influence and wealth come before experience, imbalance is almost inevitable.
For a young man who is still single and still developing emotional intelligence, there are boundaries he may not yet fully understand. You do not visit a man and proceed directly into the private quarters of his wife to pay a courtesy call. That alone offends decorum—even in ordinary settings. How much more within the Palace of a monarch?
From Peller’s conduct and gestures during the visit, it was evident that he was a young man in an environment he was not experienced enough to navigate. It was clear he would struggle to hold his own in a conversation with senior chiefs, let alone engage meaningfully with the Oba himself if that meeting had taken place.
Many things went wrong with that visit.
There was no proper authorization. There was a clear disregard for instruction—he had reportedly been told he could not see the queens outside festive periods, yet he still entered restricted spaces. Combined with this breach of protocol, the situation was bound to trigger serious concern within the Palace.
But it must also be clearly stated: the responsibility does not rest on the young alone.
When influence rises faster than experience, guidance becomes critical. Those who facilitated, permitted, or failed to properly guide the visit share in that responsibility. In such a structured environment, ignorance does not excuse breach—especially when those who know better are involved.
It is also possible that what is currently unfolding within the Palace is a careful and detailed investigation. In a system built on hierarchy and accountability, the Oba would naturally seek to understand exactly who played what role—ensuring that responsibility is properly assigned and that innocent parties are not unjustly punished.
I also understand Daddy Freeze’s concern from a human angle. If his worry is about the psychological impact such scrutiny may have on a young man who is still inexperienced, that concern is valid. However, Peller’s responses so far still reflect the mindset of someone who does not fully grasp the gravity of the situation.
Those who genuinely care about him should move quickly to guide him—particularly by connecting him with elders and traditional authorities from his own community, who understand the cultural weight of what has occurred and can help chart a path toward possible mitigation.
Let it be clearly stated: this is not about diminishing Peller’s achievements. His rise at a young age is remarkable. This is about preservation. We are living in a time where virality is rapidly becoming the dominant currency—often replacing value. Social media thrives on collapsing distance, hierarchy, and boundaries. But traditional institutions like the Benin monarchy are sustained by the very opposite—structure, distance, hierarchy, restriction, and sacred limits. These two systems do not operate on the same logic.
The virality that creates value in the digital space cannot simply be imported into a sacred traditional environment without consequences. What gives the Palace its enduring relevance is precisely what social media seeks to dissolve—controlled access, hierarchy, and the preservation of mystique.
There is also a lesson here for the queens: The privilege of having a presence on social media—within such a highly structured institution—does not extend to importing that same unrestricted digital culture into the Palace. Visibility must remain guided. Access must remain controlled. Boundaries must remain intact.
Because once those boundaries collapse, what is lost is not just protocol—
…it is the very essence of the institution itself.

26/03/2026

*Editorial*
On rule of law, tyranny and anarchy

Monday 23rd March, 2026

It is for the good governance of a community, society and nation that a set of rules and regulations are etched in clear, unambiguous language in the nation’s sacred books, notably the Constitution. Any nation or group of persons, therefore, which agrees to come together for the purpose of fostering greater unity, peace, development and growth amongst its citizenry and members, is said to have surrendered to the supremacy of that Constitution and agrees that their conducts, actions and aspirations would be regulated and modified by that single document of faith.
Accordingly, actions, utterances, and even thoughts of government, which is the constituted authority, established on the strength of that Constitution to provide political leadership and shape the collective destiny of the citizens of the nation, must, therefore, be tailored in strict adherence and obedience to the sacred letterings of the Constitution. Obedience to the constitutional provisions is, in other words, obedience to the Rule of Law, under whose authority everyone, high or low, rich or poor, educated or illiterate, falls subservient. Everyone, therefore, becomes equal before the law.
A situation, therefore, which births a nation in which there is no guiding Constitution or that has a Constitution that is being daily r***d and trampled upon, often with impunity, dismisses the Rule of Law and creates a tyrannical atmosphere where might is right, exacerbating gulfs of differences between all segments of society and persons.
In a tyrannical situation, individual rights are not guaranteed, neither is the safety of life. This is because all institutions for good governance are under the control of one fallible man. If one is lucky today, one is alive; the situation does not guarantee one the same safety the next day. Sacred, untouchable cows exist and gallivant in a tyrannical political ambience; and just the body language of the tyrant, not even only his word, becomes law and enough reason to harass, maim and kill those who have the effrontery to challenge or oppose the status quo as it were.
As we dutifully watch the events in our country, especially in the last one year, we are aghast at the level of our collective disobedience to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Rule of Law, thereto. The nation and its political handlers are drifting on the edge of a deadly precipice with the repulsive desecration of oaths of offices, brazen disobedience to the Rule of Law and clear, unmitigated violation of the regulatory Constitution. Let us not continue to lumber and dodder on this path to yawning anarchy. We still can recoil, as a nation, from the enveloping traces, images, pangs and fangs of tyranny that assail us today. Yes, we can, with genuine commitment and sacrifices! It is a matter of choice.

24/03/2026

Birthday Anniversaries:
Urhoghide salutes Ogiemwonyi, Omobude
By Augustine E. Aghoghovwia

Monday 23rd March, 2026

Two-term representative of the good people of Edo South senatorial district in the 8th and 9th Senate of the National Assembly, Senator (Pharm) Matthew Aisagbonriodion Urhoghide, has sent messages of felicitations and goodwill to two distinguished sons and elders of the district, former Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Works, and retired Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production, at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Engr. Chris Aigbovbiosa Ogiemwonyi, and the Founder /General Overseer, New Covenant Gospel Church, Rev. (Dr.) Felix Omobude, who respectively marked their 75th and 80th birthday anniversaries recently.
Senator Urhoghide noted that the celebrants were distinguished elders of the district who have carved enchanting niches for themselves in the professions, business, and socio-religious spheres, remarking that as respected fathers and leaders in their chosen fields of endeavour, “they have provided exemplary leadership and exhibited character traits and dispositions that have positively imparted and charted success paths for the younger generations, even as they have stood out as beacons of humility, industry and integrity.”
Senator Urhoghide particularly commended Engr. Ogiemwonyi for the continued interest and commitment he has shown in the growth and development of Edo State, in particular, and the nation at large, maintaining that the former Minister’s “contributions to the overall wellbeing of society, and advancement of humanity, through his philanthropic interventionist gestures, are remarkably noteworthy. He served the NNPC well, which means he assisted in developing the nation’s Oil and Gas industry, the very fulcrum of the nation’s economy; when he retired and was called to a further service to the nation as Minister of State, he again proved his mettle and served with integrity and competence.”
“Rev. (Dr.) Omobude,” Senator Urhoghide remarked, “has been in the evangelical fore-front of preaching the gospel and the eternal salvation promised by Christ, emboldening the Pentecostal spirit amongst Christians, and winning more souls for the kingdom of God. He has equally impacted on the educational and moral well-being of the people with countless branches of the New Covenant Gospel Church across the world, establishing institutions of learning to satisfy society’s quests and yearnings for knowledge and technological acquisition.”
While praying for God’s continued protection and good health for the celebrants, Senator Urhoghide enjoined them “to remain committed to influencing humanity in shaping and strengthening the moral fibre of our society for our sustained collective, growth and development.”

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50% Discount on Selected Dental Treatments:
UBTH attends to patients seeking care

Monday 23rd March, 2026

Hundreds of patients, last week, visited the University of Benin Teaching Hospital UBTH, to take advantage of the ongoing 50% discount on selected dental treatments. This initiative is part of the activities to celebrate the 2026 World Oral Health Day, with the theme “A happy mouth is a happy life,” organised by the Nigerian Dental Association in collaboration with the University of Benin Teaching Hospital
In an interview, Dr. Nneka Chumwumah, Coordinator of the Dental Centre at UBTH, while commending the hospital’s management for its vision in prioritizing the oral health of Nigerians through this discount on dental care, expressed optimism over the massive turnout of patients since the program's inception. She explained that the 50% discount on selected dental treatments aimed to improve oral health in the community by making dental care more affordable and accessible, stating that over 100 patients had already received various dental procedures at reduced costs.
Several patients, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed gratitude to the UBTH management, led by Chief Medical Director Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, for the initiative. According to them, the 50% discount had significantly reduced the financial burden of dental treatments, making it possible for more people to access essential oral healthcare services.
Recall that Prof. Idia Ize-Iyamu, the Chief Medical Director of UBTH, had recently launched the programme, announcing a significant 50% discount on a range of dental treatments. According to the CMD, the discounted treatments would be available from March 16th to 19th at the UBTH Dental Centre on essential procedures such as scaling and polishing, extractions, GIC restorations, and radiographs.

22/03/2026

Birthday Ring Tunes:
Ogiemwonyi steps on the 75th floor!
*A testament of humility, diligence and integrity
*He deserves all the accolades and more - Coalition
By O’Ray Osawe

Monday 23rd March, 2026

It is an occasion for glorious praises to God Almighty, and a rare season of harvest of accolades from family, friends, associates, professional groups, coalitions and acquaintances from all walks of life, and from every corner of the Globe, as quintessential Petroleum engineer and former Minister of States, Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. (Sir.) Chris Aigbovbiosa Ogiemwonyi, clocks 75 on March 21, 2026, ebulliently arriving the legendary 75th Floor in excellent health and all-round contentment and satisfaction.
And as it is remarkably expected every year, there, sure, were convivial gatherings by all the jolly-good fellows and colourful array of ebullient personalities, who have had the good fortune of crossing enlivening paths with Engr. Ogiemwonyi, an exemplary personality who traversed the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry, like a colossus, rounding it off as the Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, about sixteen years ago, after putting in an unblemished 34-year optimal service for the nation and humanity.
Since that fateful 21st March, 1951, when the celebrant was born into the modest family of Mr. and Mrs. Agbonkpolor Ogiemwonyi of Idumwebo community in Orhionmwon local government area of Edo State, Engr. Ogiemwonyi has been a beacon of humility, diligence, capacity and integrity through his teen and adolescent years, and through his professional service to the nation at the NNPC; and in politics, the so-called murky Nigerian political terrain, which he ventured into on retirement from active professional service, he exemplified an embodiment of capacity, fairness, loyalty and sportsmanship.
In one of the several narratives attempting to capture the entire essence and finesse of his endearing personality, a respected scribbler described the Celebrant as “a distilled technocrat with a ‘father degree’ of experience in Oil and Gas industry, who attended several local and international courses and was at the Harvard Business School for top management course. He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and former President of the Nigeria Gas Association.’”
As the narrative unfolds, it would be quite apt to say that the Celebrant has spent the last fifty (50) years, and more, of his life in full scrutinizing public glare, thirty-four (34) years of which he served the nation at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, body, mind and soul, helping to develop and advance the nation’s Oil and Gas industry. And, surely, if one has survived over 50years of his boisterous adult life, in full, scrutinizing public glare, with all the tempting, and, often times, voracious youthful exuberances, and came out through, pleasantly unscathed, without any trace of behavioural negativity and character indiscretions, one should be truly recognized and celebrated as a properly, well-groomed and morally-upright personality from a decent, discipline-inspiring, values-imbibing parentage and family background. This appropriately defines, elucidates, and pleasantly amplifies Engr. Ogiemwonyi’s character disposition, his principled work ethics, and his professional inclinations.
When unique personalities, who have made their marks in their chosen fields of endeavour, celebrate their birthdays, scintillating literary works are woven around the event, highlighting their landmark contributions and impact on society. And for a roundly successful personality, like Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, who has diligently, and most satisfactorily, paid his dues in his life’s sojourns, in his professional endeavours, in his character disposition, in his service to humanity, in his service to his nation, and in his service to the ancient Benin Kingdom, where he took his firm, ancestral footage, the day cannot just passively roll by without, also, signposting a literary reflection of his flowering contributions and impartation in the sand of time.
Let us begin with a summation of the Celebrant’s reflection on his overall experience and didactic take-aways at the NNPC: “My life at the NNPC taught me great lessons in transparency, accountability, discipline, true service and humility. It taught me that honesty and patriotic service cannot go unrewarded. It afforded me the rare opportunity to impart on people, as one grew in rank and status, in that very challenging industry; what is more? When I finally retired from the service of the NNPC, I felt, and still feels, fulfilled, elated and further elevated when today, I come across people, I can’t even place again, who would show appreciation for what they believe I did well for them while I was in service. Nothing gives more joy to a retiree, from challenging leadership positions, to be so spoken well of and revered long after quitting active service.”
Read a testimony from another close acquaintance, Engr. Samuel Owieadolor: “In sincerity, and if proper acknowledgement was to be given, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, was supposed to be a perfect example of someone that should be referred to as ‘Chair of chair.’ “Looking at his credentials, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi is one of the few persons that have made men (billionaires) where others are raising persons who can hardly afford three square meals. Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi made most Edo indigenes millionaires, during his time as group executive director at NNPC; he was able to make sure Edo indigenes had a voice in NNPC.”
It could be safely said that though he constantly related and interfaced with a cross section of Nigerians across socio-economic, political and communal strata on professionally official level while at the NNPC, it was actually his inspiring and impactful stint, as Minister of State, a hugely enormous political position, that resonated his unblemished and jealously-guarded name in the nation’s political space and delightfully etched his name in the consciousness of the political Nigerian.
Always desirous of serving his people, his country and humanity, Engr. Ogiemwonyi, contested the Edo State governorship primaries of his political party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and ran decent, virile, issue-based and integrity-laden campaigns across the three senatorial districts of the state, ahead of the Edo 2016 and Edo 2020 gubernatorial elections. He has consistently avowed that he remains resolute to keep working for the upliftment of the standard of living of the people of the state, in particular, and Nigerians, in general, because he sees politics as “an opportunity to impact on the people on a general platform,” insisting that “politics would become a better game if more committed persons, interested in the genuine development of the people, would step forward for service.”
Speaking, in a hearty chat with The Navigator, last week, in Benin City on the birthday reflections of Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, National Coordinator, Beautiful Edo, Deacon Joel Imuetiyan Idusogie, who spoke excitedly of the distinct character disposition of the Celebrant, maintained that “the Edo state political space would not have remained the same if Engr. Ogiemwonyi had actualized his political ambition of governing the state.
“As a Coalition, we have carefully been following his antecedents; we have records of his selfless contributions to the socio-economic and overall welfare of individuals, groups and communities. That was why we kept rooting for his success in his gubernatorial aspiration. It sure would have been a perfect beauty to have him as governor of the state. He has displayed compassion, high integrity, accountability and an endearing humility and humanity. To us all here in Beautiful Edo, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi would remain the most befitting governor Edo State never had. We celebrate his personal success; we celebrate his selfless contributions; we celebrate him, even more at this time, as he marks his 75th Birthday anniversary. He deserves all the accolades and more. We wish him even more exciting years ahead. He remains our hero, first, as a worthy son and exemplary ambassador of the Benin race; and second, as one who possesses a visibly, palpable crave for a better Edo State.”
In his words, “Within the brief period (about 22, 23 or 24 months) he stayed as Minister of State, he influenced, amongst several other projects, the expansion of the Dawson-5-junction-Uselu-Ugbowo-Oluku highway, the flag-off and completion of the first phase reconstruction of the Benin-Abraka inter-state road, beginning from Ekiosa Market at the popular Third Junction, Murtala Mohammed Way, Benin City, a project from which over thirty communities would have massively benefited on final completion. This is because the new road would have opened up these communities, creating in-roads, for other socio-economic activities and interests to flood in. Unfortunately, as it turned out, his stay as Minister of State was brief and the project became abandoned under the President Jonathan administration.
However, at 75, the Celebrant sees himself, more, not as a partisan party-loyal personality, but as an elder statesman, who would continue to vouch for the emancipation of the people, especially the down-trodden, from the shackles of poverty, preventable diseases and other health challenges, political mis-governance and stunted national growth.
Only two weeks ago, Engr. Ogiemwonyi made a well-circulated appeal and a well-thought out caution to the people of Edo South senatorial district, which marks the present day political boundaries of the Benin-Speaking people of Edo State, to strengthen their collective resolve for more endearing unity, socio-economic and political advancement amongst them, and to exercise greater restraint in allowing the Pull-Him-Down syndrome to adulterate their critical assessment of the achievements and personal accomplishments of their kilts and kin who have excelled in their various professional fields of endeavour across national platforms and merited peak appointments.
Making the emotion-laden appeal in an exclusive telephone chat with The Navigator, Engr. Ogiemwonyi, expressed dissatisfaction at what he pointed out as “the unwarranted, intense, sustained and unsubstantiated social media attacks, by some misguided elements, which regretfully include some Benins, on those indigenes of the district, who, through rigorous dint of hardwork, personal occupational excellence, and merited professional postings, have found themselves in peak positions in national institutions and establishments.”
While remarking that these indigenes at the helms of affairs in these institutions and establishments were “torch-bearers, and flagship sailor-captains of the district, who should be supported, encouraged, protected and celebrated,” Engr. Ogiemwonyi cautioned the unsuspecting Benins “not to be lured into joining partisan outsiders and other mischief makers, who hide under the cloak of unlicensed and un-commissioned critics of transparency and accountability, to denigrate their persons, offices, achievements and relevance in the scheme of things.”
No doubts, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi has, over the years, committedly and most remarkably paid his dues, in all ramifications, and is worthy of celebration. From all of us here at The Navigator Newspaper, we say Happy 75th Birthday, Sir!

The Navigator Newspaper

05/04/2026

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