The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Benin

  • Pensioners to Oshiomhole: Pay us as parting gift

    Pensioners to Oshiomhole: Pay us as parting gift

    Again Pensioners in Edo State on Monday staged a peaceful protest in Benin, the Edo State Capital appealing to the Edo State Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole pay pension arrears spanning between 10 to 42 months also include unpaid gratuities to retired workers from the state civil service.

    This is coming barely when Nigeria Union of Local Government Workers equally protested the non-payment of their salaries running into months. However, Governor Oshiomhole last week had denied not owing local government workers salaries.

    The protesters mostly dressed in black attire stormed the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, noted that their woes become compounded due to the non –harmonization in the payment system adding that some pensioners still earn N2,000 per/month.

    They lamented that the dehumanizing living condition of pensioners have saw some of their members been evicted from their homes by their landlords while many now takes refuge in churches and abandoned buildings in the state.

    Comrade Pully Noruwa, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Edo State Chapter who spoke on behalf of the pensioners however appealed to the Governor to use their pension as parting gift to them as his administration winds down.

    “We want you to help us to beg Oshiomhole to pay us our money. We have borrowed a lot of money that we can’t pay back, he has promised to pay us and we are looking forward to the day the miracle will happened. Some old pensioners are earning only N2,000 per/month and we have been appealing that the pension should be harmonised.

    “Our landlord can no longer exercise patient anymore, some of us have been evicted from their homes while others now sleep in church premises. We appeal to the governor to pay all the arrears and to also open the pension board.

    They also noted that  one thousand persons who retired since the dissolution of the pensions board are yet to have their pension documents processes and consequently enrolled into their monthly pension emoluments adding that “ some of these pensioners are very sick, weak and have no money for medical treatments neither can they meet other financial obligation in their respective homes,” they concluded.

  • ‘Nigeria’s economy is destination of choice’

    Chairman of Presco Plc., Mr. Pierre Vandebeeck, has said that the resilience and robustness of the Nigerian economy makes it the destination of choice for investors despite increased challenges experienced by the business environment in 2015.

    Vandebeeck said the company’s newest project tagged “Sakponba Project” would create at least additional 2500 jobs for the unemployed.

    He said the “Sakponba Project” would made the company the biggest Palm and rubber industry in Nigeria and West Africa as well as helped to developing Nigeria’s
    economy.

    Vandabeeck stated this at the company’s 23rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) while presenting the company’s financial report to the shareholders.

    He announced a profit of N2.231bn after tax for the year 2015.

    The Presco boss proposed 100 kobo per share which he said amounts to N1bn for  shareholders approval subject to withholding tax at the appropriate rate.

    Vandebeeck said the company’s turnover for the year 2015 was N10.448bn as against N9.138bn recorded in the previous year.

    His words, “The performance of the year 2015 is very good. We achieved a fresh fruit production of 176,477 tons.

    “We are sailing in the right direction, making progress in all facet of our business and continually pushing forward in all fronts to sustain and further enhance our leadership position in our industry.

    “2016 will see further expansion in our oil palm plantation hectarage, additional investments in processing facilities and support infrastructure and commencement of development in the 14,000 hectare new project site in Orhionmwon”.

    The shareholders however approved the dividend of 100 kobo per share.

    Speaking on behalf of the company’s shareholders, Bishop Goodluck Akpore praised the management for their magnanimity towards shareholders and called on government to invest in the company.

    Bishop Akpore said the company which has employed over 3500 workers in the country has helped to strengthen the economy and also assisted
    Nigerians who are willing to invest in farming.

  • Man jailed for stealing stabilizer

    An unrepentant thief, Blessing Obazuwa, who previously served two years jail term, has been jailed again for stealing a 500 KVA stabilizer.

    Blessing, aged 40, was jailed by an Evboriaria Magistrates sitting in Benin City.

    Presiding Magistrate, Mrs Esther Aimofumhe, said the accused person was not ready to change his lifestyle and repent after spending time in prison.

    Police Prosecutor, Inspector Violet Soyemi said the accused person committed the offence at No 21, Nova Road, Ugbowo in Egor local government.

    Inspector Soyemi informed the court that the accused person was found at her residence of one David Osaghae and stole one stabilizer valued at N35,000.

    Soyemi said the accused person was found with a knife with intent to commit felony and when arrested, confessed to the crime

    Blessing who pleaded guilty to the crime admitted the exhibits, but plead for leniency.

    The Presiding Magistrate, however, sentenced the accused person to six months imprisonment with an option fine of N50,000 in count 1, and one year imprisonment in court 11 with an option fine of N50,000

  • Controversy as Police free murder suspect in Benin

    Controversy as Police free murder suspect in Benin

    The decision of the police in Benin to free a murder suspect who was arrested and detained over allegations of involvement in the gruesome murder of a 75-year-old woman is generating controversy.

    The suspect ( names withheld) is accused of murdering Mrs. Bessy Egbobamwonyi at her Oseye Street, Off Okunwague Street, Off Upper Sokponba Road, Benin City residence last month.

    Speaking with reporters yesterday, the eldest daughter of the deceased Miss Dorothy Egbebamwonyi wondered why a prime suspect in murder case would be released on bail without proper investigation.

    She explained that the incident occurred on June 19, 2016 as she reported it at Ugbekun police station without any headway, saying “it took another great battle before it was transferred to the State C.I.D at the police headquarters”.

    The deceased’s daughter who cried uncontrollably why explaining the ordeal, said she cannot understand the drama in the police investigation, ,” as they (police) set free one of the suspects yesterday without probing further to know the owner of the cell mobile phone found at the scene of crime”.

    She appealed to the Commissioner of Police in the State Mr Chris Ezike and other well-meaning individual to assist her find the killers of her mother, rather than playing antics with the case.

    Late Mrs Bessy Egbeobamwonyi’s killers broke into her apartment at night, slit her throat, stabbed her severally as they abandoned her in a pool of blood.

    Family sources hinted that the victim four-year-old grandson was sleeping beside her on the same bed when the assailants struck.

    It could not be ascertained at press time whether the four-year-old child was drugged by the killers of her grandmother as he reportedly slept throughout the night.

     

     

     

  • Edo 2016: Popular Edo musician emerges UPP candidate 

    A social critic and popular musician, Adviser Shedrack Nowamagbe, has emerged the candidate of the United Progressive Party (UPP) for the September 10 governorship election in Edo State.
    Adviser Nowamagbe garnered 327 votes to clinch the party’s ticket.
    He was the sole aspirant for the election after two other aspirants stepped down from the race.
    Members of the party however voted after accreditation that was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
    Out of the 339 party members the were accredited to vote, four voted no to Nowamagbe aspiration while eight declined to vote.
    Chairman of the UPP electoral committee, Oguehi Dike, urged the party members to be steadfast and resolute in their bid to form the new government in Edo State
    In his acceptance speech, Nowamagbe said he has shamed his critic who described him as an illiterate.
    Nowamagbe promised to lead the campaign that would ensure victory for the party during the polls.
    He said he does not have money to share but that he would provide real democratic dividends.
    His words, “I am overwhelmed. You can now see that musicians are illiterates as people believed.
    “When I told people about my dream, they asked me whether I was going to pla music in government house. I have the name and we will be victorious.”

  • Benin dynasty as old as Methuselah, says Crown Prince

    Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom and Edaiken N’ Uselu Prince Eheneden Erediauwa yesterday said he was privileged to be a descendant of a dynasty that is as old as methuselah.

     Prince Erediauwa said engaging in the Ukpukpe rites which involve dancing round the Oba’s Palace every morning and evening has helped to keep him fit.

     He spoke when he hosted three  governors who paid him a condolence visit.

     The three governors led by Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole are Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Aminu Tambuwal  of Sokoto State and Simon Dalung of Plateau State.

     Prince Erediauwa reiterated the relationship of the Benin dynasty with Ile-Ife, which he called Uhe when he explained to his guests the role played by Chief Oliha at returning Prince Ekaladeran (Oduduwa) to Benin kingdom.

     He said peace returned to the kingdom in the 12th century after the monarchy was put in place by Prince Oranmiyan, a son of Prince Ekaladeran.

     The Edaiken stressed that the Benin monarch remained a non-partisan institution that prays for everybody.

     He said: “I want to reiterate here again that the Oba of Benin is not partisan; we pray for everybody. One of the greatest legacies that my father left behind is to put us in prayer mood.”

     “He ensured that the chiefs pray to God Almighty and our ancestors to please give us the governor that will remember the masses, do the right thing and respect traditional institution.

     “May God almighty and our ancestors give us such person as governor and my prayer for Oshiomhole that he ends his tenure peacefully without any blemishes.”

    Aregbesola said he initially prayed that they should not experience what former President Goodluck Jonathan experienced during the reign of Oba Erediauwa.

     He informed Prince Erediauwa that they were in the state to look at the condition and the state of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo, in preparation for the governorship election coming up in September.

     He said: “We are here to firstly share the mood of the palace as well as thank you for your unalloyed support, commitment and interest in the development that our party has started and is continuing in your kingdom.

     “We are equally to reassure you that as we are looking towards the end of the tenure of the Comrade Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, our party is committed as ever to continue the tradition of peace, progressive development and security that we were noted for.”

  • Benin crown prince dazzles with dance steps

    Benin crown prince dazzles with dance steps

    The Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom and Edaiken N’Uselu, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, yesterday performed some dance steps that dazzled his subjects.

    Music was provided by the Isiemwenro Guild, also called Asaka N’suo Oghionba (Big ants that sting the Oba’s enemies).

    It was part of activities for the 15-day burial ceremony of the late Benin monarch, Oba Erediauwa.

    The crown prince wore a beaded hat and a wrapper while native chalk was used to draw a line on his chest and arms.

    He was led to the dance held by chiefs belonging to the Ihogbe societies.

    Shouts of Iyare! Iyare!! Iyare!!! rented the air as Prince Edaiken danced to the tune.

    Passersby were asked to stay at a distance while vehicles were barred from driving in front of the palace.

    A resident, Emmanuel Aiguobasimin, said it was his first time witnessing burial ceremonies of a departed Benin monarch.

    He said he did not know the crown prince could perform the dances so well.

  • Benin crown prince performs Izakhue rites

    Benin crown prince performs Izakhue rites

    As the 15-day funeral rites of Oba Erediauwa, the Oba of Benin continues, the crown prince of Benin Kingdom and Edaiken N’Uselu, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, on Sunday led his siblings to perform the Izakhue rites according to Bini customs.

    The ceremony involved the entertainment of guests and performance of some sacrifices at the shrine of Ugha Ozolua.

    The animals slaughtered at the shrine included a cow, chicken and a goat.

    There were several musical performances and cultural displays at the Oba Palace.

    Members of the Isiemwenro Guild (“the big ants that sting the Oba’s enemies”) wore black and danced with their traditional weapons.

    The crown prince first performed some dance steps to a funeral song by the Isiemwenro guild when he arrived at the palace. He wore a hat decorated with beads on a white shirt and a white wrapper.

    He was led to the altar of Oba Ozolua by members of the Royal Iwebo House.

    After prayers were offered and the animals slaughtered, the event climaxed with a dance procession to the Emotan Shrine and other shrines.

    There was traffic snarl on the roads as the dance procession moved through designated route.

    Vehicles were asked to switch off their headlights while traders were also asked to put out their lamps.

  • Group condemns Benin chiefs’ comment on Odubu, Obaseki

    A group, the Organisation for Greater Edo Project (OGEP), has faulted the call for the disqualification of Edo State Deputy Governor Pius Odubu and Leader of the Economic Team Godwin Obaseki from the governorship race by some Benin chiefs.

    Other stakeholders who condemned the call said it was offensive and barbaric, urging the traditional chiefs to refrain from nefarious comments.

    Odubu and Obaseki have formally declared their intentions to contest for the governorship. They are mobilising delegates for the primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The shadow poll holds on September 10.

    The resolution of the dispute arising from the primary will be done between June 2 and July 4.

    Some chiefs have allegedly urged the APC to ban the two aspirants from taking part in the exercise, following  violence allegedly involving their campaign organisations.

    However, OGEP, in a statement signed by Coordinator, Mr. Godwin Osakwe, described the move by the chiefs as “misplaced, ridiculous, dubious and misleading.”

    It added: “More importantly, we insist that the most revered traditional institution in Africa must not (be) smeared with mud by inordinately ambitious individuals.

    “This must be resisted by well-meaning and peace-loving citizens of Edo State, all genuine members of the teeming population of our great the All Progressives Congress and highly respected members of the Benin Traditional Council.”

  • Benin DisCo new billing system ready

    Benin DisCo new billing system ready

    To provide better billing information, the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has completed the migration of customers to a new platform – Electricity Billing Management System (EBMS).

    The company in a document, made available to The Nation, said  it began the use of the new system for customers in Edo “effective March 2016.”

    “In order to provide better billing information to customers, BEDC has commenced migration to a new billing system named Electricity Billing Management System (EBMS). Effective March 2016, the new billing format commenced for all Maximum Demand (MD) customers and all other categories of customers in Edo. Customers in Delta, Ondo and Ekiti will be moved to the new billing format as from April 2016,” the company said.

    Sensitising the customers on the new billing system, the firm said reading of customers’ meter was expected to be done monthly or at least once in three months. But whenever a reading is not done in any month, an adjustment will be used with the subsequent reading, it added.

    Also, where a customer’s meter is found to be obsolete or incorrect, the meter reading will be suspended and direct/estimated billing will be utilised prior to the replacement of the meter. Such suspension will be notified to the customer via a letter.

    “All customers under the estimated billing will have their estimation done based on Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) approved cluster billing average methodology. Where bypass is noticed during meter reading and/or billing period, the read information may be suspended and customer billed appropriately on direct/estimation using NERC cluster billing methodology,” it said.

    The programmes of the company including its billing system had earlier received accolades from customers including civil society activist, Reverend Olu Martins.

    Martins had at a forum in Benin explained to residents of communities in Egor area of Benin, Edo State, that the reason they are experiencing power outages arising from inadequate supply, was that BEDC is facing challenges due to inability of generating companies (GenCos) to generate more electricity for domestic and industrial needs.

    Martins, who spoke during a town hall meeting held in Ugbowo, said there was a great challenge of power generation in Nigeria with less than 5,000 megawatts (mw) to a population of 170 million, stressing that the current energy output of 1,500mw was a reflection of the perennial energy crisis that was yet to be addressed.