The Nation Newspaper

Tag: David Edebiri

  • ‘We don’t kill witches in Benin Kingdom’

    Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, has said that confessed witches or wizards in the Kingdom are not killed or stigmatized but rehabilitated back into the society.

    The Esogban who is regarded as the Odionwere (Head) of witches and wizards said the powers to dispossess witches of their powers are derived from the Oba of Benin

    Speaking while addressing members of African Bar Association on certain aspects of Bénin culture, Chief Edebiri stated that witches are made ineffective and accepted back to the society after going through certain processes.

    Chief Edebiri explained that he does not have the powers to cure ailments but the powers given to him by the Oba to deal with witches and wizards.

    According to him, “Witches and wizards are my subjects. We deal with them in a decent way. There is no magical process in it.

    “Once anybody confessed to be a witch, we send them to a home and a Chief is given the powers to disposes them. We take them through certain processes and they will become ineffective.

    “They will go back to the society better persons.”

    Chief Edebiri who urged members of ABA to help codify African Laws for future generation said it would be good if they lead the campaign to end despot rule in Africa.

    Read Also: Doctor found dead in Benin hotel

    His words, “There are still countries in Africa where despots are in control of government. It should be your oversight function to see the end of despot reign in Africa.

    “Be the watchdog of democracy. Take the struggle to see that despots are no longer in power. I urge you to see that lawyers abide by the ethics of their profession.”

    President of ABA, Hannibal Uwaifo, said the body would do its best to ensure best practices in the continent.

  • ‘Suspension of Onnoghen is okay with the masses’

    The Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the courage and political will to suspend Justice Walter Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

    Chief Edebiri said the action would go down well with the masses of Nigerians.

    Edebiri said Nigerians who have constituted themselves into professional supporters club of corruptive tendencies should have a rethink that the wealth of the country belongs to all Nigerians and not few of them who threaten to pull down the roof each time a member of their club is accused of any wrong doing.

    Speaking in a chat with newsmen, Chief Edebiri said the planned arraignment of Justice Onnoghen before the Code of Conduct Tribunal was a breakthrough in the fight against corruption in the country.

    Chief Edebiri lampooned those threatening to pull down heavens because of Justice Onnoghen and described them as poor students of history.

    Edebiri noted that Chief Awolowo was arraigned on phantom coup plot charges and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and his powerful political party, the Action Group did not pull down the roof.

    Read Also: How Onnoghen’s trouble started

    His word, “Are these people crying not aware that the Zik of Africa and the doyen of Nigerian politics and nationalism was in February 1953 charged before the Sir Foster Sutton Tribunal for alleged wrong doing regarding the finances of African Continental Bank founded by him.

    “Zik with all the powers and support of a solid ethnic group did not threaten to pull down the roof of the house. He submitted to the trial which found him guilty. Zik responded by resigning as the leader of government business in the Eastern region.

    “Those who hinged all their hopes on becoming the President of Nigeria through ‘Technical Knockout option (TKO) will not go back to the drawing table to strategize on how to win the people’s vote through lawful and constitutional means.

    “President Buhari has taken good steps. Justice Onnoghen is not the first VIP to be put on trial. Others have been put on trial and heavens did not fall. What is strange in the CJN being made to face trial.

    “Justice Onnoghen should face trial and if he is found innocent, he goes back to his work.”

  • Obaseki distances Edo govt from grazing bill

    Obaseki distances Edo govt from grazing bill

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Thursday said solution to nomadic problems in the state was not contained in the Anti-Grazing Bill currently before the House of Assembly.

    He made this known in Benin during a public hearing organized by assembly on the bill intended for a law to establish control for nomadic cattle rearing in the state.

    Obaseki, who was represented by the Solicitor General of the state, Mr Wole Iyamu, said that the state government had “absolutely nothing’’ to do with the bill.

    “If the bill had gone through the rigour that executive bills go through, it will not have generated so much controversy.

    “The bill did not address the problems on ground. It fails to define who nomadic farmers are.

    “The failure of the bill to define grazing can ruin the purpose of a law during litigation. The bill is supposed to outlive us if it is properly drafted.

    “Land is fundamental to the people, therefore, when you begin to touch issues that concern land you need to be very careful.

    “The bill did not define who designates land for ranching, because government does not own land; it only holds land in trust for the people,” he said.

    The governor pointed out that there was no provision in the bill that empowered government to designate land for ranching.

    “If there is a provision in the bill that empowers government to designate land for ranching, then consent of government would be sought.
    “Again, the solution to the problems of nomadic cattle-rearing is not contained in the bill,’’ he stated.

    In his contribution, Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the state, Mr Oyenude Kuru, said that the bill did not represent the interest of Edo people.

    Kuru noted that the grazing bill violated the Land Use Act in the state, adding that it sought to empower only the local government to allocate land for agricultural purposes.

    He noted that some sections of the bill empowered and protected the herdsmen against Edo people.

    Kuru, however, explained that the bill portended danger for present and future generations of the state.

    Also, Chief David Edebiri, announced his representation of the Oba of Benin, but said that the monarch did not ask him to contribute to the debate but to observe the proceedings.

    Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, however, expressed reservations over seeming disagreement between the executive and the legislature over the bill.

    Earlier, Speaker of the assembly, Dr Justin Okonoboh, said the essence of the public hearing was to get the input of the public to bill.

    Okonoboh assured that the views of the participants would be adopted holistically, in the interest of the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the grazing bill is a private one sponsored by Mr Bright Osayande, representing Ovia North East 11Constituency in the assembly.

    Osayande is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

  • ‘Bini language faces extinction’

    THE Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, yesterday said Bini language might become extinct if steps were not taken to keep it alive.

    Edebiri, the ‘Oracle’ of the Benin kingdom, said to prevent the language from becoming extinct, the Benin Forum, an umbrella body of Benin people, scheduled a summit for next month to address the problem.

    He spoke yesterday during a news conference announcing the presentation of his book, A Compendium of some memorable statements, slated for launch on Saturday in Benin City.

    Edebiri said the book would give historical background about the first storey building in Benin kingdom and other historical sites.

    He added that the proceeds from the book presentation would be used to set up a non- government organisation (NGO), which would be called ‘A Clinic For the Bini Historical Development’.

    According to him, the NGO would sustain the language and history of Benin kingdom.

    Edebiri said: “It is sad that we don’t have a Professor of History in Benin kingdom, but we have many in Yoruba land. The only Professor of History we have is Prof. Igbafe from Edo North. My mentor, the late Chief Anthony Enahoro, stressed the need to maintain our language and culture until he died. This is why I have taken steps to achieve that.

    “If we are not careful, Bini language may become extinct. This why we are making efforts to ensure that we solve the problem. That was why I put together most of my speeches, which later became prophetic, into books so that our children can benefit from them in future.”

  • Oshiomhole commissions four roads in Benin City

    Oshiomhole commissions four roads in Benin City

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has launched four roads completed by this government in the first year of his second term. This is part of activities to celebrate his fifth anniversary as governor of the state.

    Speaking at the different launching points, which included the Ogba Market Road, Ogiesoba Road, Osuan Road (Vegetable Market Road), Golf Course Road, now renamed Tom Ikimi Lane, Oshiomhole said government will continue to do more even in the face of dwindling resources.

    The Governor said “during my campaign, I said we would deal with the flooding problem on a holistic basis. We would carry out studies on the basis of fact and studies; we will construct and build roads.

    “I am happy that today, we are celebrating and this was done within the first year of my second term. I need to emphasise this that this was done in the first year of my second term because for us, there was never a break. Around this time last year, our engineers were working and doing some excavation and now these roads have been completed.

    “These roads are part of 16 other roads which we loosely refer to as Airport roads but it includes several roads and several drainages. So for those who do not know, we have built a number of roads in our second term.

    “In his remark, the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, said “that today is a special day in Benin and for many people who reside in the communities.”

    He said no other party will take the government of Edo State, adding that, what the government has done will speak for him.

    In a welcome address, the Commissioner for Environment and Public Utilities, Prince Clem Agba, said, “These roads are part of the Water Storm Project of Edo State government aimed at controlling the erosion situation in the area around the Airport and Ogba road axis.