The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo State

  • PDP gives condition to re-contest in Esan North East

    •ACN wins Ikpoba-Okha, Oredo

    EDO State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has given conditions for it to re-contest in the local government election in Esan North East Local Government Area.

    The rescheduled elections in Esan North East were cancelled by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission over alleged violence and thuggery.

    Esan North East is the local government where Chief Tony Anenih and Mike Onolenememen hail from.

    Chairman of EDSIEC, Solomon Ogoh, had, at a press briefing, said, “In spite of the large presence of police and other security agencies, the thugs succeeded in snatching result sheets and other sensitive materials.”

    “In many places, EDSIEC officials were chased away and the EO was holed up in the police station. The activities of thugs and some law enforcement agencies made it impossible for EDSIEC officials to perform their duties,” he said.

    Ogoh said a new date for the conduct of the election would be announced later.

    The State Chairman of PDP, Dan Orbih, said the present leadership of EDSIEC must be sacked and the state government must tell the people what happened during the election before the party would consider contesting in any rescheduled election in the area.

    Orbih said it was illogical for results to be accepted in some local government and results rejected from Esan North East

    The PDP chairman said elections were only free and fair in Ward 4, Estako Central and Ward 10, Estako West across the entire state.

    According to him, “The present EDSIEC must be sacked. They have shown clearly that they are not in control of the elections in the state. They must come out and tell Nigerians what happened.

    “The Commissioner of Police was on ground. Elections were conducted. The results are known, government must tell us why they have annulled the election. He should give us enough reasons why the elections were annulled. He went ahead to announce results in 17 local governments when it was clear there was no election in those places.

    “The entire election must be cancelled. Oshiomhole asked EDSIEC to apologise. The only reasonable thing for Oshiomhole was to cancel the election.”

  • Edo warns pipeline vandals

    Edo State government has called for collaboration with the management of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Benin depot in curbing incidences of pipeline vandalism, even as it threatened to deal with any person caught vandalising oil installations in the state.

    The Executive Director of the state Petroleum and Gas Monitoring Committee, Chris Okaeben spoke when he paid a familiarisation visit to the NNPC-Benin depot.

    Okaeben urged pipeline vandals to relocate from the state or face dire consequences.

    He told the depot manager, Engineer Patrick Akinoloyan that his mandate was to ensure that any act of economic sabotage on oil installations was eliminated.

    Okaeben said it was Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s desire that people of the state do not go through pains of sleeping in fuel stations to get the necessary product.

    Engineer Akinnoloyan expressed his desire to cooperate with the state government, adding that the depot was ready to provide the required petroleum quantity for the people in the state.

  • Edo probes N50m electrification fund

    Edo State lawmakers have begun a probe into an abandoned N50m electrification project for Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.

    The probe followed a petition sent to the House by residents of the several communities under the auspices of Ikiran Oke, Ayanran, Ikakumo Electricity Completion Committee.

    In the petition signed by the chairman and secretary of the committee, Chief John Alaba Obasoro and Hon. Oyewole Samuel, respectively, the communities said the project was awarded during the Obasanjo administration and that the National Assembly approved the project sum in the 2012 fiscal budget.

    They alleged that only scanty numbers of electricity poles were dumped at the site and accused the Power Holding Company, Benin Zone, of diverting the funds to finance other projects in neigbouring states.

    But the Benin Zone PHCN Executive Director, Effion Umoren, who appeared before the House Committee on Energy and Water Resources said the project in question was handed over to him as a new project and not an on-going one.

    Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Water Resources, Hon Michael Ohio-Ezomo directed Umoren, an engineer, to provide relevant documents on the said contract.

    He said the lawmaker would visit the site to assess the level of work done.

    Hon Peter Akpatason representing Akoko Edo Federal Constituency faulted claims of the PHCN authority that they completed the electrification of the 25 kilometers Unemen-Igarra Road and urged the lawmakers to tour all the projects in the communities.

     

  • Anger, tears, confusion as 51 accident victims get mass burial

    Anger, tears, confusion as 51 accident victims get mass burial

    Fifty-one victims of the recent  Ugbogui road accident in Edo State were on Saturday interred at a mass burial at first cemetery in the state capital, Benin.

    They were burnt to death in the accident that occurred on April 5th at Ugbogui village along the  Benin-Ore-Lagos road.

    The accident involved a tanker, a trailer and a luxury bus.

    It was the tanker that exploded after the trailer hit it from behind.

    Several other vehicles parked along the road including motor-cycles and properties worth millions in shops along the road were burnt.

    Two brothers who were sleeping in their mother’s shop were also victims.

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) had said that 36 persons died in the accident but the mortician at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Aikoriogie Wilfred said 51 bodies were brought to the hospital.

    He said he did all he could to preserve the body, adding that the victims could not be identified.

    Families of the victims were incensed when official of the FRSC informed them that death certificates would be issued to the 36 names on the manifest provided by the transport company.

    They argued that many of the victims did not include their names in the manifest.

    Eugene Odiamah said his mother, a nephew and niece died in the accident but that only the name of their mother appeared on the manifest.

    Kevin Aniekwe said he lost his wife and two daughters in the accident.

    “It is very painful. I spoke with them before they left that day. The Lord is now my strength. I know I will see them again.”

    “They were going to see their grandmother in Enugu.”It was gathered that the driver of the vehicle took passengers of another bus that broke down along the way.

    The corpses were taken from the UBTH morgue at about 8:30am and were loaded in a truck.

    At the cemetery, a brief service was held for the victims and led by Pastor Barnabas Chukwukere.

    Pastor Chukwukere urged the families to believe in the Lord and continue to serve him as death could occurred at any time.

    According to him, “Remember now the Lord your creator. Leave your life as if it is the end. We are nothing but sand.

    The families brought photographs of the victims including wreath and flowers to lay on the grave.

    They were further peeved when they learnt that officials of the transport company were not present at the burial of the victims.

    Ani Justin said his brother, Chibuzor died in the accident.

    “I have no option but to accept the fact that my brother is buried in another land.”

    Chika Odiamah said he spent three days at the hospital trying to identify his relatives but could not before he accepted the mass burial.

    The victims’ relatives called for a policy that would made heavy duty vehicles ply the road only at night.

    Officials of UBTH, policemen were present at the burial.

  • My life is a life of miracles- Oshiomhole

    My life is a life of miracles- Oshiomhole

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State who turned 60 Thursday has promised to re-dedicate himself to the service of God and humanity.

     Oshiomhole spoke at a thanksgiving mass held at the Government House Chapel to mark his birthday celebration.
    The Governor disclosed that he wanted a quite celebration with members of his family but his children and friends insisted that his 60th birthday celebration must be elaborate.
    Governor Oshiomhole recalled how he was touched when his ten year old son then told him that the only thing he would do to make the children happy was to accompany them to church regularly.
    He said he was fortunate to have had a wife that encouraged him to be baptised and whose spiritual influence had great impact on his children.
    Oshiomhole recounted his early struggles through life and how he slept at the police station for three days when he first went to Kaduna because he had no place to stay.
    His words, “My life is a life of miracles. One of those that was to testify at the tribunal but was not called wanted to say how the villagers association supported by secondary education but he lied when he said I didn’t finish school.”
    “When I went to Kaduna, I ended up sleeping at the police station for the first three nights because I didn’t have anywhere to stay.”
    “My struggles through the NLC to becoming the governor and for Edo people to unite around me to build a very powerful political forces was an act of God.”
    “Whatever we are is that which have been decreed by God. You might be working and no one will seem to notice it.”
    Oshiomhole called for more prayers for him to overcome his weakness and not to do things that would benefit a few at the expense of the majority.
    Reverend Father Andrew Obinyan in his homily described Oshiomhole as a man of good works and creativity.
    The thanksgiving mass was attended by the Deputy Governor, Pius Odubu, Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Uyi Igbe, Chief Tom Ikimi, his children and political associates.

     

  • Edo spends N160b on roads, drainage upgrade

    Edo spends N160b on roads, drainage upgrade

    The Edo State Government has spent N160 billion  to build new roads, rehabilitate old ones and upgrade its drainage.

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole said he embarked on massive infrastructure development due to his belief that it is key to economic growth.

    He spoke at an event organised by the  Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors &Valuers (NIESV) in Benin.

    He also said his administration intended to invest in hydrocarbon for gas to power and fertiliser manufacturing in the state.

    On housing, the governor,  who was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Stephen Ideheren, said the state has earmarked 1,500 hectares of land for massive housing production to make housing affordable to the low and medium income groups in the state.

    Oshiomhole also said his administration was set create a new Government Reserved Area  (GRA) with world-class facilities to bridge the gap in upscale housing. According to him, Geographic Information System (GIS) has been introduced for the public to access land information without hitches.

    This is in addition to rolling out a development plan for the state until 2020. The governor said his priority this year was to complete all projects, build low to middle income skill acquisition centres and also build capacity in the public service.

    Speaking on the sideline at the event, the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, harped on the importance of infrastructure development. He said no nation could develop without competitive infrastructure.

    He said the provision of infrastructure would not be complete if the human capacity was not developed to be at par with it.

    Anyim, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political Affairs in his office, urged estate surveyors and valuers to imbibe ethics and morals in the discharge of their duties. He  also harped on the need for collaboration with the government  in her quest to bring down the prices of houses to make it affordable to the majority of the people.

  • Agba, Odion, Oroh on Edo Commissioner nominees list

    The Edo State commissioner nominees list has been presented to the  state House of Assembly on Wednesday.

    Speaker of the House, Hon. Uyi Igbe announced the letter from  Governor Adams Oshiomhole  containing the commissioner nominees names which was read by the Clerk of the house.

    Ten former commissioners in the first tenure of Comrade Oshiomhole made the eighteen-man list of the nominees.

    The former commissioners  are, Clem Agba, Louis Odion, Francis Evbuomwan, Inegbedion John, Ekpenisi Omorotiomwan, Chief Lucky James, Donald Osikhena, Abdul Oroh, Chris Ebare, and Jemitola AAnena.

    The new ones are, Osarodion Ogie, Patrick Aguinede, Omorede Osifo, Lawrance Aghedo, Orobosa Omo—Ojo, Blessing Oghumu, Mald-donald Osememe

    Governor  Oshiomhole who solicited the cooperation of the house in  screening the commissioner nominees, said he is in hurry to deliver the much need amenities to Edo people.

    The Speaker however asked the commissioner nominees to submit thirty copies of their credentials to the committee on Business and Rules headed by the Majority Leader, Hon. Philip Shaibu.

  • 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.

  • Oshiomhole retires permsec, seals off museum

    Edo State governor, Aams Oshiomhole  has approved the immediate retirement of the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Environment and Public Utilities, Mr. H. A. Ikhelowa for alleged dereliction of duty.

    The Governor also  ordered the immediate sealing of the Museum in the state capital and arrest of the Manager over illegal operation and non-maintenance of the ground.

    The  approval for the retirement of the Permanent Secretary is contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.

    According to the letter dated January 4, “the Governor also approved the immediate suspension of Mr. Nicholas Osemwengie, Acting General Manager, Edo State Waste Management Board and the Director-in-charge of Street Lights in the Edo State Ministry of Environment and Public Utilities, Engineer Ejemai Martins.”

    According to the letter, “their cases have been referred to the Edo State Civil Service Commission for further action.”

    The Government’s action is not unconnected with an inspection of the Governor round Benin City, the state capital, Friday where he saw heaps of refuse in parts of the city and people displaying wares on the walkways and roads.

    During his inspection of the Museum ground, the Governor expressed dissatisfaction with the heaps of refuse left by fun-seekers at the place.

    He said the manager of the Museum sublet the place for business without the government’s authority. Oshiomhole also ordered the arrest of a woman found cooking on a sensitive equipment connected to the water fountain at the Musuem.

    During his inspection of the Oba Market road, Governor Oshiomhole ordered the instant seizure of wares displayed on the walkways and the road by traders and directed the immediate evacuation of dirt which littered the road.

    Speaking with reporters, the Governor said: “we are back to work in the New Year and I am happy that the contractor are back to work. Most of them will return fully to work after the New Year holidays.

    “I am satisfied with the quality of work and people are excited that the work is going on. You have noticed the job they are doing at the airport road and the challenge of the underground drainage and that is extremely important. Once the drainage is completed, flood from the adjoining streets will now drain into the primary drain which will now drain it into the river. That means the issue of flooding in this area will be a thing of the past. We are remodelling the road and creating bus stops. We will do more in the second term than we did in the first term”, he assured.

  • ‘I’ll create 3000 jobs in six months’

    A council chairmanship aspirant in Edo State, Mr Roberts Akande, has pledged to harness the resources in the council to generate 3,000 jobs in his first six months in office, if elected.
    Ako-Edo Local Government Area, which Akande wants to administer, is one most endowed with mineral resources, although they remain largely untapped. Besides, the people are also blessed with a vast fertile land that also remains largely uncultivated.
    Akande, currently Senior Legislative Aide to Hon. Peter Akpatason, pledged to declare emergency on employment, a major concern in the area, should he win the election. He said he has already mapped out plans to generate employment for 3,000 people in his first six months in office.
    Speaking with Our Abuja correspondent on his political ambition, Roberts said: “Since the number of those unemployed in Ako-Edo today is embarrassing, we have to take a deliberate action to address this issue. And I already have the plan for this that if I am given the mandate by Akoko-Edo people in the first six months, our government will declare a state of emergency in the area of employment. We should be able to create a minimum of 3,000 jobs within the first six months.”
    Continuing, he noted that in view of the proximity of the local government area to different tertiaries institutions such as Federal University of Technology, Akure,  Auchincloss Polytechnic, Auchi, and the plans to establish a mining institute in Akoko- Edo, if he gets the mandate, his administration pave ways for the  youths to acquire mining skills in the institutes. According to him, if he gets his people’s mandate, his administration will take advantage of inter-governmental relation with both states and Federal Government to accomplish this dream.
    He said: “Like I said earlier, our government is going to partner with a lot of institutions. We are going to take advantage of the principle of inter-governmental relation by relating with both the state and federal governments in this area. My principal Comrade Peter Akpatason has even taken a step in this direction and we a going to compliment his effort. Now, he is working on a proposal at the highest level to bring the School of Geological Studies and Mining to Akoko-Edo in order to provide easy skill acquisition for people operating the mining sector of the local government. We are lucky that we have a technical school, Igarra Technical College in Akoko-Edo.  The Auchi Polytechnic is very close to us. The Federal University of Technology, Akure is very close to Akoko-Edo. Therefore, we are going to partner with these institutions in the area of training and retraining of the people in this sector to create an environmentally friendly situation for investment and generation of enough revenue for the government. “
    On revenue generation, the aspirant, said should he win, his administration would not rely solely on allocation from the Federation Account that is never sufficient. Thus,  he and his cabinet would exploit the resource to generate revenue internally for the optimum benefit of the people.
    Before unfolding his rescue mission plans for his people he lamented that there is nothing to show for the over a decade People’s Democratic Party (PDP) wasted in Akoko-Edo.
    He said “The PDP government in Edo State as far as I am concerned wasted about ten years.  They could not bring changes and they could not bring the dividends of democracy to the people. In my local government, for example, throughout the period the party  was in power, it was only one project the party executed . And it was the Somorika Electricity despite the laudable ideas the party had on papers,” said Roberts.
    The politician however opened up on why he considers himself the most suitable candidate for the most exulted position in the council as he said he is not learning the rope as far as Akoko-Edo politics is concerned.

    He added that besides his impressive academic qualification and other working experiences, he his highly experienced due to his tutelage under great politicians in the area.
    Hear him: “First, I am a native of Ogugu,in Akoko- Edo Local Government Area of Edo State. I have a first degree in Political Science from University of Ilorin and a Masters Degree in International Law and Diplomacy from University of Lagos. Presently, I am a Senior Legislative Aide to Hon Peter Akpatason, a member representing Akoko- Edo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, National Assembly.  Yes! I have had enough political tutelage that has prepared me for this onerous task of arresting this socio-economic dislocation and frustration of Akoko-Edo people.
    Between 2003 and 2005, I was a Political Assitant to Hon. Paul Fashanu Udofi, the then Commissioner for Finance and Solid Minerals during the administration of Governor Lucky Igbinedion of Edo State. In 2005, I became an Electoral Commissioner to the Edo State Electoral Commission. Like I said earlier, I am a legislative aide to Hon. Peter Akpatason.  Also, back to my Local Government, I am a leader in ward seven and my political tentacles are  spread round all the ten wards in Akoko-Edo.”

    Continuing, he recounted how his party rode to victory  at the pools ,stressing that he is a heavyweight politician in his area. He  said  “Yes. Without sounding proud, I believe that my electoral value is very high in Akoko-Edo. I know that my supporters and I command votes in Akoko-Edo. No politician in my unit will underrate my electoral value in Akoko-Edo .They know me.  Incidentally, I am from the same ward with the former House Leader, of the National Assembly, Hon. tunde Akogun and we were able to defeat him in almost every election in Akoko-Edo by giving our support to Peter Akpatason. During the last election we won my unit, so the people all know that my electoral value is very high. And I believe they will vote me to deliver the dividends of democracy to them.”
    Robert said he is a core member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)  and even if the party denies him the ticket he will remain in the party.
    “I am a core party member. I am an ACN man. If the party denies me ticket I will remain  a member of this party. It is a party that is developmentally oriented . It is  a party I love so much so that will not change my membership of ACN because it is not a do or die affair,” he said.