The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Benin

  • ACN flags off LG campaign, as Oba of Benin prays for peace

    ACN flags off LG campaign, as Oba of Benin prays for peace

    Ahead of the April 20, 2013 Local Government Election in Edo State, the Benin monarch, Oba Erediauwa, has urged chairmanship and councillorship candidates to go about their campaigns peacefully in order to sustain the prevailing peace in the state.

    The Oba’s advise came as the senator representing Edo South Senatorial District of the state, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, urged members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to vote massively for the party in the forthcoming election, so as to replicate the developmental success of Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the grassroots.

    Also the state deputy governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, has charged the people of Orede to repeat the feat extended to comrade Adams Oshiomhole in the July 14, 2012 Governorship Election to Hon. Osaro Obazee come April 20, 2013.

    A chieftain of the ACN in Edo South, Elder Sunny Uyigue, has cautioned members of the party to be vigilant, alleging plans by some aggrieved members of the party to vote against the party, particularly in Ovia North East.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • LEGAMA SET TO SHOOT EMOTAN, ATAKPARAKPA FILMS IN BENIN

    LEGAMA SET TO SHOOT EMOTAN, ATAKPARAKPA FILMS IN BENIN

     

    Olu Jacob, Joke Silva, Sam Dede, the Young’s, Obazele, Inojie and several personalities in the Nigeria moving industry will first week of March stormed Benin City, Edo state capital for the shooting of multi-million films written and to be produced by comrade Henry Legama.

    The films, according to the man behind the event, Legama, audition will start on the 25th February, 2013 at the Nollywood cinema hall, Oba Akenzua cultural centre, Benin and the total cost of the whole production will stand between fifty to sixty million naira.

    “I am shooting two movies quite alright; the first one is Emotan and am staring virtually every body worthy in the Nigerian moving industry.

    “I have two prolific directors am employing for the job: Jeta Amata and Fred Amata, they will double to direct the movie.

    “Sam Dede, Norbert Young, Gloria Young, Chidi Imokeme, Paul Obazele, Charles Inogie are all in this production. We are also getting back Mary J Achilogu, she is playing one of the lead role, we are equally going to feature Joke Silva, Uncle Olu Jacob and of course we are using the main crops of the art in Edo State for this project and back to back which is going to be in Edo language, we will be using the same career, same equipment for the Emotan set for this movie.

    “Lanslot Oduwa Imasuen will direct the movie and that will serve as source of encouragement for his campaign for the sustenance of Benin language, he will be producing while I (Legama) will be directing the film.

    “ We are using Benin born artist for this particular movie. For Emotan, as you know is going to be a historical movie. Emotan is actually the mother of Royalty because she made it possible for the sustainership of Oba in Benin Kingdom, its one way we see it to dignify our mother.

    “For the second film, which is titled Atakparakpa, as you know, am a realist, this are things that people can flash their mind back that happened in the ancient kingdom of Benin. This are historical facts, we felt must be documented for the younger generation to see.

    “The equipment I will be using for this film will cost me over 6 million naira and that means we are looking at a very huge project. The total cost for the two projects will be approximately 60 Million naira.

    “The issue here is not about money, its about doing what we enjoy doing, its about doing what gives you satisfaction. If money comes fine but if it doesn’t we thank God. Every movie I have shot made a statement and that is what we are trying to do here. Well a lot of people are involved in this film financially especially the Benin people. Somebody like Solomon Edebiri, is one of the great financier of this movie because he believes in what we are doing.

  • AFCON:Commercial sex workers offer free services in Benin

    AFCON:Commercial sex workers offer free services in Benin

    Commercial sex workers in Benin City on Sunday night offered free services to any man that came their way as part celebrations marking Super Eagles’ victory at the just concluded African Nations Cup in South Africa.

    Many of the sex workers in Ugbague, Dawson road near Felona Hotel and Wire Road told our correspondent that the Eagles victory had given them “happiness.”

    In the hotel shout of “up Super Eagles” rented the air.

    “See Mr. Journalists, if you want sex, I will give you for free because our guys in Super Eagles today are my men. If Victor Moses, Sunday Mba and others are here today, I will have offered them free service.

    “Oga, reporter, am an Igbo woman, the guy that scored the goal for Nigeria is my brother, if see him, I will service him specially, or can you link me up.

    “Since the Super Eagles players are not here for us to be offered free services, any of our customers that come will benefit from these services.”

    Also on Sunday, two people were reportedly killed by vehicle while celebrating Nigeria’s triumph in the tournament.

    The victims were killed opposite a brothel in the Edo State capital by an Opel Omega, said to be on high speed.

    The men, according to one of their friend, who simply identified himself as Samson, said that they all left the hotel to cross to the other side of the road when the vehicle ran over the victims, killing them on the spot.

    Meanwhile, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has congratulated the Super Eagles on their victory at the tournament.

    In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, Oshiomhole said “the victory of the Eagles is a reflection of the can-do spirit which makes Nigerians stand out anywhere in the World

     

  • Maltina Dance Gig berths in Benin, Warri

    Consumers, especially youth in Benin and Warri had an exciting time during the second phase of the Maltina dance gig activation for the Southsouth zone.

    At the grand finale of the Benin activation, Nelson Abraga won in the male competition. He got a 2.5 KVA generator, Tana Steveson came second, winning a 21-inch plasma TV; Maxwell Aigbekan won a home theatre system as the third prize.

    In the female contest, Stella Ebioge came first while George Titilayo and Isoso Ekhoguagbon came second and third respectively winning the same prizes as their male category.

    In Warri, after the different stages of the competition, Desmond Afure of 5, Odigbo Street, emerged victorious in the male category winning the 2.5 KVA generator prize. Osibere Roland came second winning a 21-inch plasma TV, while Leo Eromosele, an admission seeker, won the third prize of a home theatre system in the male category.

    Emilia Johnson of 22, Ekpan Street, Udu Road came first while Sajere Somia and Eva Turner came second and third respectively winning the same prizes as their male category.

    The fourth placed male and female contestants were also given a consolatory prize of sling bags each while the audience had the opportunity to relish their favourite premium malt drink-Maltina and also got branded gift items.

    Speaking during at the event, the Account Manager, Bates Cosse Limited, the agency handling the activation, Mr Olatunji Aikomo, described the turn out and the performance of the participants as very impressive. He announced that the ‘Ginger Your Swag’ train will be moving to Anambra State next week for the continuation of the activation.

  • Terry G, Seyi Law thrill Benin for ‘Legend Extra Stout’

    Terry G, Seyi Law thrill Benin for ‘Legend Extra Stout’

    IT was loads of fun when Benin City played host to the Legend Extra Stout brand activation, the highly entertaining consumer engagement platform, the ‘Real Deal Nite’. Energetic music artiste cum producer, Terry G alongside Seyi Law, were on ground to thrill thousands of fans in what turned out to be an exciting night at Asotime Groove, venue of the event.

    Terry G, much to the expectation of fans, did not disappoint. He sent the animated crowd into wild frenzy with performances of his numerous hit tracks. The crowd could only beg for more after his performance. Fast-rising humour merchant, Seyi Law, was also on ground to crack the ribs of guests. His funny jokes sent the audience into bouts of uncontrollable laughter. Also, other upcoming music artistes and comedians added spice to the event too.

    The “Real Deal Nite” is a monthly in-bar activation the brand deploys to reward consumers for being loyal to the Legend Extra Stout. Sticking to its tradition of rewarding consumers, numerous guests at the event were rewarded with various gift items ranging from Plasma TVs, generators, trays of Legend Extra Stout and lots more.

    Jackson Iwezuwa, a student of the University of Benin, was surprised when he was announced as winner of a brand new generating set. “I just came here to have a good time and now I have won a generator. This is great! I will surely give a testimony about this in church”.

    Another winner, Mr. Alli Mustapha Yusuf, a medical Lab Scientist, was the proud winner of a 32” Plasma TV. Alli, a self-confessed Legend Extra Stout loyalist, said he felt happy and lucky, winning the Plasma TV. He affirmed the uniqueness of the Legend stout and enjoined others to always go for Legend Extra Stout.

  • Ekiti, Delta, others make case for Benin Distribution Company

    Ekiti, Delta, others make case for Benin Distribution Company

    The battle for acquisition of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) assets slated for privatisation before end of the year is getting keener as states governments including Ekiti, Delta, Ondo and Edo States justified the need to own assets located in their areas.

    Representatives of the four states had urged the Federal Government through the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and National Council on Privatisation (NCP) to award the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to Southern Electricity Distribution Company – a consortium in which the four states have equity shares – as the preferred bidder.

    At a stakeholders’ sensitisation forum organised by the states, the Chief Press Secretary to the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, stressed reasons the Federal Government should give the asset to the company owned by the four states.

    He said the states made efforts to secure companies with world class technical and operational expertise that emerged the best technically qualified consortium.

    Besides, he noted that the Benin Electricity Distribution Company is located in the Niger Delta region, which has security issue and very difficult terrain. To get the best out of the privatisation, involvement of the states would help tackle such challenges, he added.

    He said: “The BEDC is located in the troubled Niger Delta region, which is one of the most challenging environments in the world, with miles and miles of river, tributaries, quick sands and swamps; angry and restive youths and communities that require a strong local knowledge and government participation to have successful. The BEDC is very large, 57,000sq km with very large rural to urban ratio of rural 80 per cent and 20 per cent.

    “We also came out as the most technically qualified consortium of all the bids for Benin. We are the only bidder in Benin with a technical partner who has experience of the size of the Benin DisCo, current operation of 50,000sq km, containing over 4800 villages and 450 towns.

    “Our technical partner Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited (UGVCL), was voted 2011 Gold medallist of utilities operations excellence in India and also named best Rural electricity distribution company for several years. Currently the company has the lowest Aggregated Technical and Commercial and Collection Loss (ATC & C Loss) record in India, 6.6 per cent in 2010 and 10.12 per cent in 2011.”

    He said that comparatively other firms that submitted bids for BEDC have no rural distribution experience and only operate in urban areas, which are less than one per cent of the size of Benin DisCo, 527sq km and 495sq km respectively.

    He said that UGVCL, an Indian state owned firm has a customer base of 2,780,000; BEDC has 676,688, while the technical partners of other competitors for the asset, though from India, are private owned companies and have very low customer base.

    Other investors that submitted bids for the Benin asset include Vigeo Power Consortium, Cable and Rods Company Nigeria Limited; Copper Belt Consortium; Rockson Engineering Company Limited; Rensmart Power Limited and Duncan Freeman Company/Draytom Energy Limited.

    Besides, SEDC, Oyebode added, has clear transformational and social responsibility programme that have outlined definite performance improvement strategies to be implemented in 18 months after acquisition and beyond. The company he said also seeks to create an environmentally friendly company that prioritises employees’ health and safety.

    Vigeo Power, which was the management operator for the National Pre-Payment Metering Programme (NPPMP) in the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) covering Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti States, also showcased competence. Its promoters including Vigeo Holdings Limited, Global Utilities Management Company Limited, African Finance Corporation; and its technical partners; TATA Power Delhi Distribution Limited, Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation Limited (‘CESC’) and Global Utilities Management Company Limited (GUMCO), have been providing technical Services to Benin and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company. They also know the terrains very well.

    Vigeo Holdings Limited in the past 25 years have been operating in the oil and gas, power, shipping, steel, commercial and financial services and has track record, extensive client network and stable State-of-the-art infrastructure.

    Its technical partner, North Delhi Power Limited (NDPL), a joint venture of the Tata Power Company Limited, has market capitalisation of approximately US$ 100 billion. Tata Power holds the majority stake (51 per cent) and control, with the balance 49 per cent equity stake being held by the Government of Delhi through its Holding Company, Delhi Power Company Limited (DPCL). The Company has a registered consumer base of 1.1 million across an area of 510 sq.km with a peak load of around 1250 MW. NDPL has reduced the Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses in its licensed area from 53 per cent in July 2002 to 14.47 per cent at the end of March 2010.

    The same applies to Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (India) Limited another of its technical partner. The Company holds a license to supply electricity in the cities of Kolkata and Howrah and in the adjoining areas. The Company is currently the only distributor of electricity within an area of 567 sq km. In the year ended March 31, 2010, it sold electricity to approximately 2.38 million consumers including domestic, industrial and commercial users.