The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole

  • 2019: You’re going nowhere, Tinubu tells Atiku

    The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday said that the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP),  Atiku Abubakar is going nowhere in the 2019 election.

    Tinubu, who was a former Governor of Lagos state, was reacting to the meeting of Atiku in Dubai over 2019 election.

    Read Also:PDP alleges smear campaign against Atiku

    He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, Atiku can meet anywhere to strategize but Nigerians will not vote for him.

    When asked if he was jittery about Atiku meeting in Dubai to unseat Buhari, he said “We don’t fear, whether it is in the jungle, or is in Dubai or is in Abu Dhabi, people are free to meet and strategize in any way they form but we are not going back to the illusion of the PDP.

    “It is not possible, Nigerians will not do that. They say slow and steady wins the race; we inherited that from our forefathers and knowledgeable people.

    “We can’t go back to the pit that we inherited for 16 years. They can strategies from anywhere but a leopard cannot change it skin,” he said.

    Asked if he is in support of Oshiomhole’s removal, he said “No. We all have to respect the party supremacy. You were all here when we had the Congress, we elected the new executives, the convention we had it, the NEC was formed and we surrendered to avoid conflict, to avoid domination, to avoid abuses of power, we surrendered our rights, all rights to the National Working Committee headed by Adams Oshiomohole.

    “That the National Working Committee should set up electoral bodies to supervise various state congresses and elections. ’We signed off for it’. So, if it is not in our individual favour, so be it.

    “We gave three options, consensus, where there is no consensus because if you are more than two or three and you cannot agree to one candidate, you go to the next level.

    “The next level is the stakeholders delegate and you have to be supervised by the National Working Committee of the party, national election committee of the party. That shows party supremacy or the freest option, the less cumbersome is to open direct primary, line up and count the number, 1, 2, 3.  If you win, you win and if you fail, go home.

    “Then appeal committee was set up to listen to all appeals, internal mechanism for conflict resolution. It was there, you cannot turn round against that, you cannot turn against all of that.

    “No. Party is supreme, party must be respected, abuses will not do it and anger will not do it. It is party politics, somebody will win and somebody will lose, too bad.” he stated

    On the purpose of his visit to the Presidential Villa, he said, “The meeting is about the nation, the country, our people, peace, stability and economic progress.”

  • Oshiomhole, Obaseki, Dalung defy rain to run in Okpekpe

    Participants in the 2018 edition of the annual 10 kilometres Okpekpe road race on Saturday defy the heavy downpour to run in the race.
    The rain began ten minutes after the VIPs race kicked off.

    Among dignitaries in the VIPs were former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Governor Godwin Obaseki, Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, Edo Deputy Governor, Hon Philip Shaibu, Edo First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, former Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Clem Agba amongst others.

    Foreign athletes including their Nigeria counterpart had earlier began their race 20 minutes before the rain began.
    Governor Obaseki and Oshiomhole completed the race despite the rain.
    It was a day of glory for athletes from Kenyans as they won in the male categories while an Ethiopian, Yani Dera Dida won in the female categories.
    Kibet Alex ran 29.46 seconds to win in the male category, Simon Chepat took second in 30.29seconds while Ronoh Timothy took third by finishing 30.39seconds.

    Other females from Kenyan that took second and third positions were Tuei Sandra Chebey from who ran for 33.33 and Kipyokei Diana.
    Speaking to newsmen, Kibet said the weather affected the time he wanted to finish.

    His words, “I want to thank God for winning this race. This is my first time to be here. The course was not easy especially the finishing point. The starting point was okay but the finishing point was hilly.
    “The organisation need to put in more for the race to get the gold label. The rain make the time to go worse.”
    Vice Chancellor of the Ambrose Alli University, Prof. Igantious Onimawo, led students and top management of the institution to run against cultism.
    Prof. Onimawo said cultism has become a menace in the society that need to be eradicated.

  • Jonathan, Oshiomhole, Dangote bid Anenih’s wife farewell

    Jonathan, Oshiomhole, Dangote bid Anenih’s wife farewell

    Wife of Chief Tony Anenih, Patricia, who died on Easter Monday in a London hospital has been interred at the family country home at Uromi, Esan North East local government area.

    Late Patricia interment was witnessed by few friends and family members.

    Before her interment, a requiem mass was held at the St Anthony Catholic Church, Uromi.

    In his homily, officiating Priest, Reverend Father Gabriel Dúnia, Bishop of Auchi Diocese, urged the congregation to be bothered about how the world celebrate them when they die.

    Bishop Dúnia noted that one has not lived at all if nobody was there to bid farewell after life.

    He described late Patricia as a woman who was a good wife, a mother and a proud Catholic.

    His words, “What Chief Anenih became is because he had a peaceful wife. Chief had a wife who kept the home to which he ways returned. Patricia laid down her life for Chief to move on.

    “We are gathered here to bid farewell to Patricia Anenih. She spent the best part of her life with Chief. I urged you to live well so that the Priest will not struggle with what to say when you depart.”

    In his tribute, Chief Anenih said, “My treasure is gone.”

    Chief Anenih said the peace of mind his late wife gave to him proved indispensable for the successes of all his undertakings.

    His words, “She remained an understanding wife, who steered the course of my life along the path of resounding success.

    “As a police officer, I benefited from her wise counsel, which I so often needed. As a businessman, she brought in for my benefit that sober and restraining voice that leads to appropriate reassessment of means and methods as well as priorities which is indispensable for success.

    “As a politician, I needed someone to cater and Patricia catered for all my associates and friends cheerfully and willingly without any sign of weariness, displeasure or frustration.”

    Among dignitaries present to bid late Patricia Anenih farewell included Alhaji Aliko Dangote, former President Goodluck Jonathan, former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Idris Dakwambo, Senator Barnabas Germade, Senator A. Mahdi, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, Senator Clifford Ordia, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, former Minister for External Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, Hon Omosede Igbinedion and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

    Others are former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Uyi Igbe, State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, Hon Friday Itulah amongst others.

  • Benin Crown prince installed

    Benin Crown prince installed

    The Crown Prince of Benin, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, was formally installed as the Edaiken of Uselu on Saturday in Benin City, the Edo state Capital, following the successful completion of the mandatory raditional rites.
    The event attracted a large crowd of supporters that thronged the palace, while shops and other business outlets were shut temporarily on Saturday morning as a mark of honour and solidarity with the Crown Prince.
    The Oba market and some streets, as well as roads housing some traditional shines were cordoned – off by security personnel and manned by colourfully dressed palace chiefs.
    The move was to assist officials of the Federal Road Safety commission (FRSC) assisted by traffic policemen with useful tips to ease human and vehicular movements of persons.
    Women groups adorned in Benin traditional attire, drummers and entertainers, youths and visitors, palace chiefs including politicians and government officials led by Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, defied the scorching sun to await the arrival of the royal father.
    The arrival of the convoy of the Crown Prince in company of some first Class Benin Chiefs and combined security team from his private residence in Benin to the palace, marked the commencement of the ceremony at about 2pm.
    After a brief consultation with palace chiefs and the performance of traditional rites at the palace, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, clad in a white and red traditional regalia with a pair of dark glasses was installed.
    The heir apparent to the traditional stool, at about 4pm, rode on a long convoy with Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy, Pius Odubu in company of other top government officials and palace chiefs to Edaiken palace to at Uselu in Benin.
    The Edaiken is expected to go through some raditional rites before takes the traditional stool of Edaiken of Uselu which will become his temporal place of abode which predates ancient times.

  • You are in safe hands, Oshiomhole assures IDPs

    You are in safe hands, Oshiomhole assures IDPs

    Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has assured the internally displaced persons at a camp in Uhogua, Benin City, that the state is home to all.
    He assured that the state government will take care of their needs while they remain in the camp.
    Speaking during his on-the-spot assessment of facilities and condition of inhabitants of the camp, in company of his wife, Iara and some senior government officials, on Wednesday, the Governor said “Nigeria is one, it doesn’t matter whether you are from Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Kano, Jigawa, Edo or Lagos , we are all one Nigeria.”
    ” I myself lived in the North all my adult life and that is why I understand the Hausa language. We will ensure you get all that you need. These are our children now and I can see that they come from different part of the country and they are very young children.
    “We will immediately bring 500 bags of rice and five cows and ensure that Doctors and Nurses are deployed to be taking care of them and will help them to develop the school, give them qualified teachers.
    “We have to do everything to ensure that they are comfortable and we have discussed with the security agencies, they will ensure that adequate security is provided to protect these children and those whose parents have been identified, we will arrange, at the expense of Edo State Government, for the parents to come here and pay them a visit so that they can reunite with their children. They can still leave them in the camp if they so wish but at least they will be assured that their children are in good hands.
    “If you have any challenges, let us know. I have assigned seven very senior officers; two Commissioners and five Directors who will be around to ensure that the kids are safe.
    “I have also discussed with and asked the Commissioner for Education to straightaway start to build schools for the children. I know you already have what you call School, but you know in Edo State we have standard and because Edo is one and we are particularly keen in ensuring that no child is denied quality education. It doesn’t matter that they are here because of some certain crisis in some part of the country but once they are in Edo State they have become part of the Edo Community and are entitled to all the privileges.
    “So we are going to rebuild the school, furnish it and post qualified government teachers here. I think the recent issue was a communication gap. There was a communication gap because the impression that people had was that some of the kids wanted to reunite with their parents. Of course we know that there is no substitute to parental care, but we said it is better for their parents to come here, see them and when they see them, they will have confidence that their children are in good hands and then decide whether to go with them or to leave them here.
    “Whatever has happened was unfortunate and I want to convey to these children and to you, the best wishes from Mr. President because yesterday I had a conversation with him and he is very concerned about the welfare of every Nigerian child and the welfare of all those who have been displaced as a result of Boko Haram and he asked me to convey his best wishes to the children and even the elderly ones among them.

    “I have assured him that Edo State Government will take full control, provide every support that you need including building a school, provide teachers, provide basic conveniences so that these children will live a very decent life because we never know, one of these might become the President tomorrow. I can see that the kids are in very good spirit. Of course, they miss their loved ones but we understand the peculiar circumstances.
    “We have taken time to study, through the security agencies, what and who are here, where they come from and how they got here and I think we have all the information now. What is important and very clear to me is that they are all happy to be here and they want to remain here and I believe any Nigerian and every Nigerian is entitled to live and stay in any place in which he has comfort or he wants to stay and so we will give them every support that they need,” the governor stated.

  • Who’s the shoe-shiner in government?

    SIR: I was amused when I read a news report carried by an online publication, DNA Nigeria, of one Julius Ogboru’s characterisation of the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, as a shoe-shiner in terms of development of Edo State compared to what Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has done in Delta State.

    I consider this unprovoked attack unnecessary and uncalled for, particularly as it was reported that Ogboru, described as a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Uduaghan on Community Affairs,  ‘’made this statement while commenting on the finishing strong slogan of the administration’’. It is evident from the report that Ogboru was not asked his opinion on the performance of the Comrade Governor of Edo State nor was he asked to do a comparative analysis of the developmental efforts of the two governors.

    Julius Ogboru was quoted as saying: ‘’When you are far from the government, you feel the government is not doing anything but having started working with the state government, I now see that sometimes we stayed at a distance and start criticising the government over things we know nothing about. A close look at what the administration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has done and that of our sister state, Edo, you will agree with me that Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is shoe shiner as against the impression the people are having’’.

    If Ogboru who has been living in Delta state did not know what Uduaghan of the PDP was doing in Delta until recently when he was asked to “come and chop”, how would he know what massive infrastructural development Oshiomhole of APC has brought to Edo State where he does not live in?

    There is no basis whatsoever for comparing the two governors. They govern two different states with different endowments in terms of people and places, resources and needs. Even the platforms which brought them to office at different times are not the same. While Uduaghan has been in office as governor in Delta state for close to eight years, Oshiomhole has done only five and half years in Edo State. While Uduaghan started from the foundation laid by his predecessors, Comrade Oshiomhole had the misfortune of clearing the debris left behind by PDP administrations in the state and laying a foundation for the rapid transformation and development of the state.

    With a meagre monthly allocation of an average of N2 billion and an internally generated revenue of less than same amount, Oshiomhole has maintained a motivated workforce paid as at when due; built, renovated and reconstructed primary and secondary schools across the state; rehabilitated, reconstructed and constructed health facilities; built and reconstructed roads and streets designed and completed with covered drains, walk ways and street lights; provided communities across the 18 local government areas in the state with potable water and electricity as well as flood control, environmental sanitation and beautification. Benin City, the Edo State capital, is undoubtedly a cleaner, safer, orderly and beautiful city compared to the decay of the past.

    Compared with Governor Uduaghan’s huge monthly allocation of an average of N20 billion and internal revenue receipt of N8 billion, Oshiomhole by all standards qualifies to be termed a genius in financial management, prudence, accountability and transparency.

    Julius Ogboru requires a lesson or two on how not to cause friction between the governments of two sister states. It is unfortunate that Governor Uduaghan chose the wrong person to do a job meant for saner minds. As it appears, Julius may well be a shoe-shiner, whose sole intent is to polish his master’s ego and bring himself into political limelight having stayed in the shadows of his more illustrious brother, Great Ogboru over the years.

    • Blessing Yakubu,

    Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.