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Tag: Edo State

  • Six Edo commissioners get portfolios

    Six Edo commissioners get portfolios

    The six Edo State commissioners, who were inaugurated on Monday by Governor Monday Okpebholo, were yesterday assigned portfolios.

    Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Umar Ikhilor, made this known in a statement.

    The commissioners and their portfolios, according to the SSG, are: Paul Ohonbamu, Ministry of Information and Communications; Dr. Washington Osifo, Ministry of Water Resources and Energy; and Dr. Emmanuel Iyamu, Ministry of Education.

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    Others are Dr. Lucky Eseigbe, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Andrew Ijegbai, Ministry of Mining; and Olabisi Idaomi, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

    Ikhilor said: “All commissioners are expected to resume at their ministries with immediate effect.”

    Okpebholo, addressing the newly-inaugurated commissioners at the New Festival Hall, Government House, Benin, urged them to help him drive development and progress in Edo State, stressing that his administration was in a hurry to bring development to the state.

    Ohonbamu, responding on behalf of the appointees, thanked the governor for finding them worthy of the appointments. He assured him of their commitment and dedication to ensuring residents would continue to enjoy good governance.

  • ‘Why jealous ex-husband attempted to burn former wife in razed building on New Year’s Day’

    ‘Why jealous ex-husband attempted to burn former wife in razed building on New Year’s Day’

    A jealous ex-husband, Osaro Ahuwan, 54, a transporter, who hails from Benin Kingdom, around 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day, attempted to burn her former wife, Tina Uyi, 54, an Italy-based businesswoman, in her razed twin-flat, over his declaration that without marrying him, her death would be the only option.

    Uyi, also an indigene of Benin Kingdom, who returned to Nigeria last December 31, was in the razed three-bedroom flat, when the arsonist forced open her bedroom’s sliding window, poured petrol into the building, and lit a lighter, which was thrown near her documents’ bag, thereby burning her valuables and huge cash (local and foreign currencies).

    The incident happened at No. 7, Henry Asemota Avenue, Iduowina Quarters, near Oluku in Ovia Northeast Local Government Area of Edo State.

    Ahuwan, yesterday according to a brother-in-law to the victim, Osazee Osaretin, blocked the flat’s main entrance to prevent the escape of the victim and members of her family, despite returning the bride price to his family on April 14, last year.

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    Osaretin also said the Italy-based woman escaped through the back door of the fenced compound with gate, and ran out of her apartment naked, but a neighbour gave her a wrapper, while somebody came from the neighbouring compound, and pulled her through the fence, with her legs burnt, because of the splashed petrol.

    The brother-in-law said: “Uyi had issues of maltreatment and battery from Ahuwan, in the marriage of less than three years. They got married on January 12, 2022, but the bride price was returned to Ahuwan’s family on April 14, 2024.

    “The ex-husband stormed the house with a gallon of four litres of petrol, which he used in a bottled-water container to sprinkle in Uyi’s room, after breaking the sliding window, where he used to gain access. She was shouting and managed to escape with her children through the back door.

    “Neighbours were able to rescue Uyi’s nonagenarian parents from the inferno. Men of Edo State Fire Service eventually put out the fire, while preventing it from spreading to the second flat.

    “Uyi was taken to an undisclosed hospital in Benin City by her neighbours, who later arrested Ahuwan. He is at Ekiadolor Police Station, in the custody of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), CSP Isah Nasiru, who is helping with the investigation, as her travel documents, life savings in Euros, packages from her friends and neighbours in Italy to their loved ones in Nigeria, and other valuables got burnt. Ahuwan confessed that Uyi’s older brother, Odaro Oviarobo, provided him with detailed information about his sister’s return.”

    Ahuwan, according to police sources, set his ex wife’s apartment ablaze for refusing him access into her apartment, despite hearing the bang on the building’s window.

    Uyi’s older brother (Odaro Oviarobo), in the second flat, was also arrested for the arson, conspiring with Ahuwan, and informing the arsonist of the movements of the victim, especially her presence at home.

     Edo Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Yamu, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), confirmed the incident, and declared that the culprits would not be spared.

  • Edo State set to host  South -south Rugby League, NRFF AGM

    Edo State set to host  South -south Rugby League, NRFF AGM

    The Edo State Rugby Association (ESRA) has reaffirmed its readiness  to host the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation’s (NRFF) 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the South South Rugby League in Benin City.

    Dr. Ademola Are, President of the NRFF, led a delegation to Benin City, where he praised the association for its efforts in promoting rugby and the continuous support they have provided.

     “We are grateful for the progress you’ve made in Edo State. Your commitment to developing the game is invaluable, and we truly appreciate your willingness to host the AGM and the South South Rugby League,” Dr. Are remarked.

    Earlier, ESRA Chairman Comrade Sunny Osayande, a prominent businessman with a strong vision, reiterated the association’s eagerness to host the AGM, which will bring together rugby stakeholders from all 36 states of the federation between December 3rd  and 5th.

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    Osayande commended Dr. Ademola Are for his dedication to unifying the rugby community and assured him of ESRA’s ongoing support.

    “We are pleased with the efforts you’re making to grow the sport, and you can count on our full support,” Osayande said.

    Meanwhile , the South South Rugby League will be sponsored by vice chairman, Mr Asuen Marcel, with teams arriving on October 7th, matches taking place on the 8th and 9th, and departures scheduled for October 10th. Teams from Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Edo will compete for the zonal title and a spot in the national Super Six finals. This regional league is part of a broader competition held across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones—South West, South South, South East, North Central, North East, and North West. The winners from each region will advance to the national finals.

  • Palace refute claims of land dispute

    Palace refute claims of land dispute

    The Royal Palace of Ekpon, Edo State, has refuted claims of a land dispute with neighboring Ewohimi Kingdom.

    It also debunked claims of a conflict involving the Onogie of Ekpon and the Edo State government.

    Their rebuttal follows a publication, ‘Ekpon and Ewohimi kingdoms in bitter land dispute: A battle for ancestral heritage’. They described the piece as ‘false and misleading.’

    A statement yesterday by Ekpon’s leadership emphasised that the author is neither a native nor resident of Ekpon, and has not been authorised to speak on behalf of the town.

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    They also clarified that any official communication from Ekpon would come directly from constituted authorities within the town.

    According to them, ongoing efforts to delineate boundaries are being conducted through due process to foster continued peaceful and harmonious relations between the two communities.

    It also debunked claims of conflict involving the stool of the Onogie of Ekpon and the government. The leadership affirmed that the stool remains secure within the Royal Palace, as formally recognised by the government.

  • Pastor beaten for flouting community’s order

    THE General Overseer of the City of God Rest Ministry, Pastor Destiny Eguavoen was on Sunday beaten up by youths of Urora community in Edo State for allegedly flouting the community’s order to stop church service before 8am.

    Chief Priest of the community, Chief Ugiagbe Aiwaguore, Ohen Ugbodeyaen of Urora, had ordered shop owners in the community and residents to stay indoors for the celebration of the annual Ikpoleki festival.

    All churches were asked to end their sunday service before 8am.

    Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Oyenude Kure, kicked against the order, saying it violated the freedom of worship as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

    Bishop Kure asked churches in Urora to go about their normal church service on Sunday.

    He said the restriction on movement was unacceptable to the church as the body of Christ.

    It was gathered that youths of the community moved from street to street to ensure compliance as shops were closed and some churches hurriedly ended their service while others refused to open for business.

    Many residents in the community were indoors.

    At the City of God Rest Ministry, the youths were peeved that the pastor was still preaching as at 9am and they disrupted the service.

    Members of the church scampered for safety as the youths hit  anybody in sight with chairs.

    Speaking to our reporter on the phone, Pastor Eguavoen said he was badly injured during the attack.

    Pastor Eguavoen, who said he was at the police headquarters, said the leadership of CAN has promised to take over the matter.

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    He said, “We were in the church and I saw a man standing in the front pointing at me. It was few minutes past nine. I told my members to concentrate for me to round up service but the youths stormed in and started beating us.

    “They said we did not comply with their directive. They told us to open church between 6am and 8am  but we pastors met and said Sunday is a day of our worship and there is no way they can stop us.”

    Spokesman for the community, Sunday Osagiede, said they gave churches time within which to open service on the day of the Ikpoleki festival.

    The chief priest said all the pastors agreed to hold service between 8am and 9am.

    Police spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, said the matter was being investigated.

  • Gunmen abduct NRC MD’s wife

    A WOMAN identified as Francisca Okhiria, wife of the Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria, was abducted on Wednesday by suspected gunmen in Benin, the Edo State capital.

    The gunmen, who were in police uniform, were said to have trailed her from the airport and abducted her on the way to her house.

    It was learnt that the hoodlums, in escaping with the victim, shot a soldier who was standing by the road side.

    Police spokesperson Chidi Nwabuzor, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the incident last night.

    He said an Army Sergeant attached to the woman was also shot, adding that he was taken to the military hospital for treatment.

    Nwabuzor said the woman was held at Irhirhi at an NNPC filling station in Oredo Local Government Area.

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    “It is confirmed that she was kidnapped and the police recovered the vehicle, a Land Cruiser Prado jeep, when the incident took place.

    “The Army sergeant shot by the hoodlums was with her as a security personnel and eventually taken to the military hospital by the police. The gunmen came in a Toyota Camry,” he said.

    He said investigation into the incident had begun.

    Contacted on phone last night, Okhiria was said to be unavailable.

    One of his aides answered the call, saying the NRC chief was not around to speak with our correpondent.

    When asked to confirm the incident, the aide said: “We have no comment for now.”

     

     

  • NUT hails Obaseki on basic education reforms, teachers’ welfare

    The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has hailed Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on reforms in the basic education sub-sector and his administration’s commitment to teachers’ welfare in the state.

    The NUT said Governor Obaseki’s deftness and diplomacy in dealing with issues of teachers’ welfare in the state should be emulated by other governors in the country.

    The commendation was contained in a letter addressed to Governor Obaseki and signed by NUT’s National Deputy Secretary, Rev. M.M. Braimoh, on behalf of the Union’s Secretary General, Dr. Mike Ike Ene.

    Recall that the Governor Obaseki-led administration has trained over 8700 teachers and equipped them with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) devices for improved learning outcomes. This has positively impacted over 150,000 school children in the state under the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme.

    The National Executive of NUT, in the letter, said its communication with the state chapter of the union showed that the governor has maintained a harmonious relationship with them, ensuring that issues do not degenerate into strike actions.

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    According to them, “It is the tradition of the NUT and its national leadership to receive Monthly Reports from each of her 38 State Wings in order to be abreast of issues and events affecting our members.

    “On 20th August 2019, we received a communique issued by the NUT Edo State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) after its meeting of 19th August 2019 on a number of issues. While we were busy strategising on the way forward, we received another communique from NUT Edo State Wing dated 2nd September 2019 with cheering news of how Your Excellency has addressed all issues to the satisfaction of the entire teachers of Edo State within a short period of time.”

    “Sequel to these, it behooves on us to commend Your Excellency for your various roles in improving Basic Education and Teachers’ Welfare in Edo State. These are achieved without any Strike Action,” the NUT added.

    The union urged other governors in the country to emulate Governor Obaseki’s feats, noting, “On behalf of the National President, National Executive Council (NEC) members and the entire teachers of Nigeria, we wish to most heartily congratulate and appreciate Your Excellency for this feat. It is our belief that some of your brother governors will take after you.”

     

     

  • Constituency projects: Our findings will shock Nigerians – ICPC

    THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which is currently probing constituency projects  executed by National Assembly members across the nation, hinted On Saturday that its findings would shock Nigerians.

    The commission said its investigation has already exposed some shady deals. The ICPC Commissioner in Edo State, Mr. Yusuf Olatunji cited the state as an example where, according to him, a project was awarded to one contractor twice with no job done.

    He spoke at a town hall meeting organized by Social Action with support from the MacArthur Foundation on Promoting accountable governance through tracking of Constituency and public projects implementation.

    He said the findings of the agency on all abandoned and constituency projects would soon be made public.  He said those found culpable would be prosecuted. According to him, “Just last week, we discovered another contract which we have not made public and we are still working on it to know how true it is. I cannot tell you for now but the commission will make public the outcome of all the constituency projects tracking.

    “The idea to investigate the constituency projects, is not to witch hunt anybody. The idea is to examine what they have done with our money.

    “Constituency projects have been a major channel through which public funds are being siphoned.”

    He lamented that the commission is bedeviled with acute shortage of man-power.

    Chief of Staff to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Mr. Taiwo Akerele, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the governor, Strategic Planning and Programme Management Office, Mrs. Uyi .J. Oduwa-Malaka, said the government set up the  office to checkmate corruption.

    In our last edition, we reported how some current and old members of the House of Representatives had been kicking   over the ongoing probe of their handling of constituency projects  by  the ICPC and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.

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    The politicians fear that the findings of the two agencies in states already visited may cost them their reputation and militate against the continuity of constituency projects.

    We reported that they were plotting to force the hands of the agencies to discontinue the probes midway.

    Sources familiar with the development said that  but for the restraint being exercised by the leadership of the Green Chambers  in dabbling into the matter, the anti-graft agencies, especially the ICPC, would have been stampeded into halting the  ongoing probe of constituency projects in 12 states of the federation.

    The ICPC in June began the first phase of investigation of alleged fraudulent procurement practices in the award of over N15bn contracts for constituency and other projects in 12 states of the six geo-political zones of the country.

    The investigating panel is currently working in Lagos, Osun, Kogi, Benue, Adamawa, Bauchi, Sokoto, Kano, Imo, Enugu, Akwa Ibom and Edo States.

    The team is expected to look into at least six controversial projects in each of the states, based on petitions and complaints already received by the commission.

    Spokesperson of the commission, Rasheedat Okoduwa, said: “the ICPC is carrying out the exercise with support from the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Budget Office of the Federation, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Premium Times, International Centre for Investigative Reporting, Public and Private Development Centre, Bureau of Public Procurement, Community for Peace and Corrupt-free Society and BudgIT. In Lagos, the ICPC investigating committee is probing the construction of a community recreation centre in Epe, which was awarded at the cost of N720m in 2016.”

  • Four arrested for ‘murder’ in Edo

    FOUR persons have been reportedly arrested over the murder of a woman, her daughter and her grandson.

    The victims were identified as Mrs. Alice Omorogbe aged 52, Mrs. Blessing Efe, 25, and her six-month-old baby boy.

    They were killed last week Thursday at their residence at Iguadolor community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

    A two-year-old daughter of the late Blessing identified as Gift Efe was spared as he was seen in the apartment where the three mutilated bodies of the victims were discovered.

    Among those arrested is Pa Iguma Amasowomwan, the Deputy Odionwere Assistant village head) of the community.

    Sources in the community said Pa Iguma was picked up by operatives of Ogida Divisional Headquarters following allegations of complicity leveled against him by the deceased’s family.

    He was interrogated at the anti-cult unit of police headquarters in Benin City, the state capital.

    Eldest son of Odionwere of Iguadolor Community, Mr Enaruna Omorogbe said the victims were the wife and children of his late brother.

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    He said the Okaighele (youth leader) of Iguadolor Community, one Perrick Egbon, recently threatened to eliminate his late brother’s wife for having the guts to report him to some elders in the community for demolishing her uncompleted building with a bulldozer.

    Egbon who denied the allegations appealed to the police and relevant authorities to unravel the killers and prosecute them.

    He said he travelled out of town and did not even know the victims.

    “All they are saying are allegations. It is not true that I killed those people.

    “The world will soon know the truth about the incident and I call on the police to investigate the matter.”

    Spokesman for Edo Police Command, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, could not be reached for comments.

  • Obaseki, Oshiomhole celebrate with Iyase of Benin at 90

    THE Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, on Saturday joined other dignitaries to celebrate with the Iyase (Prime Minister) of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, on his 90th birthday anniversary.

    At the thanksgiving service in honour of the Iyase at Our Saviour Church, Diocese of Benin Anglican Communion, the Bishop of the Church, Friday Imaekhai, called on Oshiomhole to resolve political differences with his successor, Governor Obaseki even as he urged the former governor to forgive his successor for the state to move forward.

    The Bishop then called out Obaseki, Oshiomhole, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Frank Okiye, and the Secretary to Edo State Governor, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, to the altar and prayed for them.

    Waxing philosophical, the clergy said it was the ground that suffered when two elephants engaged in a fight.

    At last, Oshiomhole, Obaseki, Ogie and Okiye embraced and shook hands in compliance with the priest’s directive.

    However, at the reception service, Oshiomhole refused to recognise Okiye as Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly while observing protocols.

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    Addressing journalists after the thanksgiving Governor Obaseki described the Iyase as an icon of the Benin culture, history and people.

    He thanked God for his life, noting “We celebrate him at 90; we wish him good health and pray for God Almighty to continue to protect him and take care of him.”

    On his part, Oshiomhole described Chief Igbe as a man of immense discipline and patience, adding, “He is a man of clean heart and truly believes in the development of his community and that explains why he is the Iyase of Benin Kingdom.”

    “Everybody prays to reach age 90. From the bottom of my heart, I celebrate with him and his family. I am happy that he has lived long enough to see the investment of his children,” the All Progressives Congress National Chairman said.

    Other dignitaries at the thanksgiving service included the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion; former Inspector General of Police, Solomom Arase, former Edo State Deputy Governor, Chief Mike Ogiadomeh; Iyalode of Lagos, Chief Mrs. Bintu-Fatima Tinubu, among others.

    Chief Igbe obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1947 and graduated with a Cambridge Grade Two School Certificate in 1952.

    In 1956, he was recruited into the first Cadet Sub-Inspector Course of the Nigeria Police Force and served 22 years in the service as a Police officer. He served as Commissioner in Ondo and Anambra states. Chief Igbe became the 18th Iyase of Benin Kingdom in 1997.