The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo State

  • Two women remanded for stealing Audi car

    Two women remanded for stealing Audi car

    Two women, Aisha Osazee aged 30 and Faith Agamwonyi aged 29 have been remanded in prison custody over theft of an Audi car.

    They were arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate’s Court sitting in Benin City.

    Other items stolen by the suspects were one Nokia phone worth N15, 000 and the cash sum of N1,500.

    Police Prosecutor, Inspector Sylvester Omor, told the court that the offence was committed on December 16, 2015.

    Omor said the suspects hired the car marked TA 180 KJA to take them to a night party at the Government Reservation Area.

    He told the court that the suspect asked the driver to stop the car at a junction to
    enable them pick a cartoon of beer when other members of the gang attacked the driver and snatched the car valued at N550, 000.

    He said that the offence contravened section 403 (a) and 402 of the criminal Code Cap. 48 Vol. ll laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976 as applicable in Edo.

    Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. C.A. Nwoha, ruled that the Court lack jurisdiction to entertain the case, and ordered the case file sent to the Department of Public Prosecution for legal advice.

    Nwoha adjourned the case till Feb. 29 for mentioning.

  • Edo: Thugs invade APC leader’s home, beat up ward chairman

    Edo: Thugs invade APC leader’s home, beat up ward chairman

    Unknown thugs on Monday invaded the resident of All Progressives Congress leader, Mr. Ehisco Matthew at Benoni, Government Reservation Area, Benin City and beat up a ward chairman.

    It was gathered that the suspected thugs  learnt that Mr. Ehisco Matthew with the connivance of some ward leaders in the party, has shifted their usual meetings held at the party’s secretariat in Orionmwon to his house with the intension of engaging in some shady deals.

    Another thug who preferred anonymity said Mr. Ehisco Matthew who is a leader of the All Progressives Congress in Orhionmwon in Orhionmwon local government area  is not happy that the Edo state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole  has thrown his weight behind Mr. Godwin Obaseki ahead of the 2016 governorship election against their choice candidate and thus decided to covey an emergency meeting in his house to suspend those in support of the choice of the state governor.

    He said having learnt of the meeting, they decided to invade the place and disrupt the proceeding of the meeting.

    The situation however went out of control when Mr. Okoro Sylvester of evbuosi  ward chairman wanted to gain entrance into the place of the meeting but was vehemently prevented from entering. He  was however rough handled and got  his clothes  torn to pieces.

    Narrating his ordeal, Mr. Okoro Sylvester said it was yesterday that he got a notice of a meeting at the party’s chairman’s house and he chooses to attend but to his greatest surprise getting to the place of the meeting, he was given the beatings of his life and barred from entering.

    “it was yesterday we got a message that we will be having a meeting today in our party’s chairman’s house. So, we said ok, what is the time? They said 10 o’clock this morning. I could not go back yesterday because we were still having another meeting in Benin. So I have to pass the night here in Benin.

    “Getting to this morning, I got prepared and parked my pathfinder jeep somewhere. Coming in, i saw people chasing me out saying I should not come  into the house. I asked what is happening?  This a meeting. They called that the whole ward chairmen should assemble here today by 10 0clock. Before I could know it, they have started beating me. They tore my clothes, collected one of my phones, took two hundred thousand from the back of my pocket. I do not tell lies as you can see. It was after much investigations that they returned the money,” he lamented in pains.

    Mr. Okoro noted that he could pinpoint why they have to beat him up in that manner adding that it is not wrong to honour the invitation of a party’s chairman.

    He said though those who beat him up are from Orhionmwon but he cannot identify anyone.

    Expressing dissatisfaction on the incidence that played out in his house, Mr. Ehisco Matthew said the elders of the party from Orhionmwon usually meet in his house to brainstorm on how each wards is faring and to profer solution to those having problem adding that it was on that note he invited the twelve ward chairmen.

  • Edo confirms six cases of Lassa fever

    Edo confirms six cases of Lassa fever

    The Edo Government has confirmed recording six cases of Lassa fever in the state.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Aihanuwa Eregie, told newsmen in Benin on Monday that the cases were confirmed at the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, Irrua Specialist Hospital, Edo.

    “Among the six cases, one is from Plateau while the remaining five cases are from Edo.

    “Among the five cases from Edo, four are from Estako West local government area while the remaining case is from Uhumwonde area of the state,” she said.

    Eregie said that the disease was a serious threat to residents of the state, adding that Edo harbours most of the cases of the disease diagnosed in Nigeria.

    “Lassa fever is a haemorrhagic viral disease caused by Lassa virus which is transmitted from rats, of the family called Mastomys, to humans.

    “The symptoms of the disease include severe illness with fever and at least one of the following signs: bloody stool, vomiting blood or unexplained bleeding from the gums, nose, vagina, skin or eyes.

    “Lassa fever initially presents like other forms of fever in our community.

    “It is important to report all cases of febrile illnesses that are not responding to common treatment measures to the nearest facility for proper diagnosis.

    “Edo government is already putting measures in place to stop the further spread of the disease.

    “The measures include health education and sensitisation of clinicians and other health workers, intensification of surveillance for Lassa fever and other diseases.

    “Other measures are linkage of healthcare centres to the Institute of Lassa Fever Research in the state and early referral of suspected cases to the Lassa fever institute.,’’ said the commissioner.

    She urged residents of the state to desist from bush burning so that rats are not driven into homes.
    The commissioner also appealed to residents to embrace good sanitary conditions and proper storage of foods in covered containers to break the chain of transmission of the disease.

    She also called for proper and regular hand washing, eliminating rats from homes, wearing of personal protective covering when in contact with persons suspected to have the disease.

    Besides, the commissioner called for proper disposal of medical waste to check the spread of the disease.

     

  • Edo commences recruitment of 5,000 teachers

    Edo commences recruitment of 5,000 teachers

    The Edo Government has commenced the process of recruiting 5,000 teachers for its public primary and secondary schools, Mr Gideon Obakhan, the state’s Commissioner for Education, has said.

    Obakhan, who made this known on Thursday while speaking with newsmen, said 50 science and special teachers had already been recruited for those with special needs.

    According to him, induction and orientation programmes have been organised for the teachers.

    “They have concluded this and they are being posted out to different schools in the state.

    “We are also going to start the process of the employment of 3,000 teachers within a short while. We have carried out an analysis to that effect.

    “Our long term plan is to have about 5,000 teachers before the end of 2016.

    “We are still doing an analysis to be sure we are getting efficiency.

    “Because of the separation of senior secondary and junior secondary schools, there have been some requests for teachers.

    “We need to do some analysis to know the exact number that we need now but we know that there have been some complaints about teachers in some schools,’’ he said.

    The commissioner said the state would get the required number of teachers to run its schools, adding that many of them would be posted to rural areas.

    “We are also taking a firm stand on redistribution of teachers across schools in the state.

    “We have made it clear that there will be no preference in teachers’ redistribution, including those already in the system because lot of people lobby to remain in the urban centres.

    “We have made it known to them that people in the rural areas are not less important than those in the cities.

    “So, if you are ready to take up appointment, you should be ready to go anywhere,” he stated.

  • NSCDC convicts eight vandals, arrest 30 in Edo

    NSCDC convicts eight vandals, arrest 30 in Edo

    The Edo command of the Nigeria Security and Civil defense Corps (NSCDC) said it has successfully convicted eight vandals and arrested a total of 30 from January 2015 to December 2015.

    The states commandant, Walter Akubuiroh disclosed this in Benin.

    He said aside the eight cases that were successfully prosecuted by the command; another 18 were ongoing at various courts within the same period.

    The commandant also said a total of 12 trucks of various capacities and eight J5 buses were loaded with, illegally refined crude were also seized within the same period.

    Akubuiroh said the level of vandalizing, especially that of pipeline have seen a reduction when compared to that of previous year.

    He expressed optimism that the command would work to see that pipeline vandalisation was brought to its lowest minimum if not completely eliminated.

    The commandant however stressed that the feat could only be achieved only with the corporation of communities where these pipeline passed through as well as the general public.

    He noted that the NSCDC was carrying out enlightenment programme aimed at making the public know that danger inherent in the act.

    He lauded the Federal Government efforts at getting communities more involved in the area of pipeline protection and to share information with the NSCDC when there was course to.

    “The peculiar case with pipeline security is that some of these communities see pipeline vandalisation as their own way of making a living. They feel that pipeline vandalisation is their won way of enjoying the national cake.

    “That is why in some community, they build a fence around vandals. They protect these people because of the little they are making out of this.

    “Another challenge is these pipelines are in difficult terrain that our men don’t readily or find it difficult to access.

    “We have been carrying out a lot of enlightenment programme to let people know the danger inherent in this act.

    “One thing they should know about the danger of this, is in the area of pollution.  We are making the communities realize that their economic lives are being destroyed by these vandals from the little they are given.

    “We want Nigerians to know that this is a pipeline vandalisation is a serious economic sabotage which is affecting the lives of the citizens of this country.

    “The resources that would have been channeled into the development of the country are forced into the hand of few individuals for their own selfish interest.

    “People should understand that act of vandalism is like stabbing yourself and stabbing the nation. It is like eating what you children will eat in generation to come,” he stated.

  • Edo: DPR forces fuel stations to sell at 87 naira

    Edo: DPR forces fuel stations to sell at 87 naira

    Operators of fuel stations in Benin City, the Edo state capital were Tuesday compelled to dispense products to consumers at the approved pump price

    The exercise which was carried out by the Department of Petroleum Resources DPR, ensured that PMS which was selling for as much as N150 per litter been reverted to the official price

    Mr. Maynard Oriaifo who led the team to several filling stations including Mega station on Sapele road, Otopec on Airport road, Jerovied and Voe all on sapele road revealed that there was complete disregard for the government directives on the sale of PMS.

    Mr. Oriaifo who expressed shock about the shape practices these station operators were subjecting the general public said the product must be sold at pump price

    Oriaifo who is the director of Operations said owners of fuel station should not hide under the guise of buying fuel at a private depot insisting that the Federal government has already paid the subsidy on petroleum products.

     

     

  • Edo pensioners to get gratuities before Xmas

    Edo pensioners to get gratuities before Xmas

    Edo State Government has concluded arrangement to pay the gratuity of 2010, 2011 pensioners next week, a few days before Christmas.

    In a Government Special Announcement issued by the Head of Service, Mrs. Gladys Idahor, she said “there will be pensioner verification exercise for officials who retired in the Year 2010 and 2011 but have not been paid their gratuity.”

    According to the statement, verification of 2010 retirees will hold on Monday, December 21, 2015 at the Staff Training Centre, Okada Avenue, Benin City while that of 2011 retirees will hold on Tuesday, December 22 at the same venue.

    “All pensioners are required to come with the original and photocopy of their Pension ID Cards, Yellow Form, Letter of First Appointment, Letter of Retirement and Biometric Form.”

    The statement added that “pensioners who are successfully screened will be paid their gratuity the following day”,warning that “there will be no verification by proxy.”

  • Court stops Eze Ndigbo installation in Benin

    Court stops Eze Ndigbo installation in Benin

    A Benin High Court has ordered the Edo Commissioner of Police to prevent one Chief Luke Abbas from being installed as Eze Ndigbo in Benin, Edo State.

    Justice A. Edodo-Eruaga gave the order following an exparte motion filed by Chief Festus Ezekwere and two others on behalf of Igbo Community Union in Benin City.

    In the High Court enrolment order on Monday in Benin, the Judge granted the interim injunction restraining Abbas from presenting himself to Eze Nwosu Ibe for installation as Eze Ndigbo in Benin, Edo

    The Judge also restrained Ibe and his agents from installing Abbas as Eze Ndigbo of Edo State pending the determination of the motion on notice.

    The court additionally restrained the state commissioner of police from “permitting or allowing Ibe and Abbas to assemble at Abbas’s Gapiona GRA residence for the purpose of installing him as Eze Ndigbo of Edo State.’’

    Edodo-Eruaga adjourned the case to Dec. 22 for hearing of the motion on notice.

     

  • I want to leave a strong financial base – Oshiomhole

    I want to leave a strong financial base – Oshiomhole

    With 365 days left to complete his administration, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Thursday said he want to leave a strong, solid financial base for his successor.

    Governor Oshiomhole said he would complete all on-going projects as well as initiate new ones.

    Oshiomhole who spoke to a huge crowd at a town hall meeting to mark his seventh anniversary said he would not relent his effort to collect taxes.

    In a response to Governor Lucky Igbinedion advertorial for Oshiomhole to point to one industry built in the past seven years, Governor Oshiomhole said he never promised to build any industry but to create atmosphere for private initiatives to thrive.

    Oshiomhole listed the Azura Power plant, bamboo factory at Anegbette, reviving of the Okpella Cement Factory as products of investments in infrastructures.

    He stated that investment in Information and Communication Technology helped to eliminate ghost workers and prevented dead persons from collecting pension and gratuities.

    Oshiomhole stated that contractors have been mobilized back to various sites in the state.

    He disclosed that teachers who were interviewed by a team of Professors from the University of Benin would soon be recruited.

  • Oshiomhole to Judicial workers: No work, no pay

    Oshiomhole to Judicial workers: No work, no pay

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said the Government will not use the taxes of workers to pay those who chose to stay at home for months on a strike that is ill-informed.

    Speaking at the 2015/2016 Legal Year of the State Judiciary, the Governor said the law is clear that a worker who embarks on a strike will forfeit his wage.

    It will be recalled that workers under the aegis of Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in the state had embarked on a 7-month strike action to press home their demand for financial autonomy for the judiciary.

    The Governor who said the state is proud of her Judicial Arm said; “we in the Executive in Edo State have utmost respect for the Judicial Arm on account of the courage and hard work that you have displayed.”

    He however noted that; “Under Convention 98 of the ILO, it states clearly that you have a right to go on strike, otherwise, it is slave labour but the Trade Union Act is very clear that notwithstanding any reason, if you embark on a strike, you forfeit your wages. That is the law, that is the convention and this convention has been domesticated in our labour laws and I ask you to look at all the provisions taken together in the various Trade Dispute Acts and Amendment Act, you not only forfeit your wages, you forfeit your seniority and you can be dismissed summarily.

    “This is the law and the business of the court is to interpret the law without fear even if the litigant is an officer of the court. The court is not a respecter of its own employees so it must dispense justice even if it doesn’t favour  the officers of the High Court and that is what we have taken note to do.

    “I ask my Lord privately when he was pushing for this case and I put it here. At what point does it become acceptable that we resort to illegal tools in pursuance of legal ends? Can you seek legal ends resorting to illegal means? That is resorting to self help and if other groups resort to self help, the first casualty will be the judiciary. Survival of the fittest, everybody will go for cutlass.

    “So I ask that JUSUN must run the union within the provisions of the Trade Union Act and within the provisions of the Trade Dispute Acts and if they exceed those boundaries, there are consequences.

    “There would be more honour in vacating the office than to make compensation because even the Bible says that he who does not work does not deserve to eat. Wages are not gifts offered by a kind employer. Edo State Government will not pay wages for people who chose to go on holiday, otherwise, we will have to redefine law and order”.

    The Governor promised the Chief Judge that his administration will build more court rooms before the end of his tenure so that more Judges could be posted to the state to ensure speedy dispensation of justice.

    On taxation, Oshiomhole said the state would be firm in its collection of taxes as is the case the world over. According to him, “the rich must be ready to pay taxes and this Governor will ensure that the rich in this state pay taxes. We will collect them within the law, and if they don’t pay, we will push it to the highest level that we can. It’s in the enlightened self interest of the rich to contribute for the maintenance of peace and security.

    “When we construct 6-lane road to the Airport, those six lanes are not going to be used by people without vehicles. He who drives on those roads must pay, not only for the cost of building but for the cost of maintenance. When one man occupies 20, 000 square meters of an asset that is the most important for our collective will, out of about four million Edo people, one man takes 10,000, 20,000, 30,000 square metres of land scattered round the city, some own a whole street, if you must occupy that amount of space in a whole street and the poor are crowded  20 people, a man with 3 wives and children locked onto a land space that is not more than 300 square meters in the same state and you want the police to protect you, to service that right of property, I am afraid you have to pay for every square meter that you occupy.

    “Our population will continue to grow. You do not need rocket scientist to tell you that over time, when the space of land remain constant and we are populating it with more and more people, there will be crisis of access to land. Therefore, it is sensible to make public policy expensive for people who have appetite for excessive land space to pay for it. That is the philosophy behind the Land Use Charge.”