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Tag: Edo State

  • Security foils #RevolutionNow protests in Osun, Rivers, Kano, Kwara, others

    SECURITY agencies on Monday foiled the #RevolutionNow protests in many states.

    In Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, security agents defied a downpour to man strategic places in the capital city, especially the Isaac Boro Park, near the State House.

    Governor Nyesom Wike on Sunday warned against the protest, directing security operatives to foil it and arrest participants.

    There was no gathering of any kind and business activities went on as usual in the state.

    As early as 6 a.m., policemen took over the main gate of the Isaac Boro Park in Mile One, Diobu, Port Harcourt, the usual take-off point for most protests in Rivers.

    Shortly after the policemen’s arrival, the downpour started, forcing them to move into the six Toyota Hilux patrol vans parked under the flyover, directly opposite the park. The heavy rain was still on, as at press time.

    In Benin City, the Edo State capital, and other towns, there were no protests. The Oba Ovoranmen Square, the city centre that served as a rallying point for previous protests, was empty.

    Residents went about their daily activities. A news conference scheduled by some activists in the state was called off after a call from Abuja. Security was beefed up around Benin City and major streets.

    In Ondo, the protest also failed. Business and social activities went on smoothly in Akure, the state capital. Security agents were deployed to strategic areas of the Akure metropolis.

    At the M.K.O Abiola Democracy Park, close to the main market, Oja Oba, officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and some plain-clothed men took charge.

    Policemen and NSCDC men were stationed at the Mobil Roundabout, Alagbaka, Shoprite, Oda Road, NEPA Roundabout and Isikan Roundabout. Several police vans patrolled major streets.

    Ondo State Police Command spokesman Femi Joseph, a Superintendent of Police, said the state Commissioner of Police, Undie Adie, ordered policemen to be on red alert.

    He said: “We have a good number of our men in strategic areas of the metropolis. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) commanding are in the streets with our men, monitoring the situation.

    “It is the right of every individual citizen to protest, but the manner and the lexicon they (organisers) are using ‘revolution’ depicts forceful takeover of a legitimate government in power. No security agencies would allow that to any groups to attempt to overthrow the government. A forceful takeover is no longer fashionable all over the world. No country would allow that.

    “The only means of change now is through the ballot. That’s why the proposed protest was condemned by many Nigerians. That’s why we are going to resist any vestiges of revolution.

    “We are on the ground and ready. We are not leaving anything to chance because Omoyele Sowore is from this state and surely he would have some of his supporters here. We would not allow that in our state.

    “This is not acceptable. It is tantamount to treason and we all know the consequences. They should dissipate their energy on better things. They should not make any attempt in Ondo State because we will deal with them decisively though within the ambit of the law.”

    Poor response in Southeast

    There was a poor response to the call for protest in the Southeast.

    The Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu, attributed the poor response in Enugu to the Igbo quest for president in 2023.

    Okechukwu spoke with reporters shortly after a meeting with Wawa Farmers Association in Enugu.

    He described the call for nationwide protest by Global Coalition for Security and Democracy (GCSD) led by Omoyele Sowore as unpatriotic.

    “Methinks our people are aware that 2023 is the date we are waiting to elect Nigeria president of Igbo extraction. That’s why they didn’t participate in the protest. All one hears from the people one discussed within the meeting with WAWA Farmers Association was their anger over incessant killings like that of Rev. Fr. Paul Offu.

    “Instead of protest, they are urging Mr President to overhaul the security architecture and upgrade the security infrastructure. They cried that insecurity is hampering their farming activities,” Okechukwu said.

    All quiet in Kano

    The protest did not hold in the ancient city of Kano. Business and commercial activities went on as usual.

    Many residents were not even aware of the planned protest. Security men were drafted to beef up security at strategic flashpoints of Kano metropolis.

    Also, several police vans, including that of the armed, patrolled major streets in Kano.

    The spokesman of the Kano State Police Command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, told this reporter that the Commissioner of Police Ahmed Iliyasu ordered policemen across the state to be on red alert.

    He said: “As I am talking to you, as you can also observe, Kano is peaceful, our men have been drafted to strategic areas to monitor the situation.”

    Police brutalise 70-year-old, arrest 10 protesters in Osun

    The police on Monday brutalised a 70-year-old poor woman, Sariyu Akanmi, during the protest in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

    She was hawking fufu where the protest was going on. The police hit her with the butt of their gun, kicking her on the floor while trying to throw her inside their van. But the intervention of some people around prevented them from arresting the woman.

    The police also arrested ten of the protesters. Tear gas canisters were thrown at reporters covering the protest.

    Men of the State Security Service and the Police prevented members of the Coalition for Revolution in Osun State from protesting against alleged suffering of Nigerians under the Mohammad Buhari administration.

    The protesters, mainly students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and other public tertiary institutions in the state, gathered at Olaiya junction in Osogbo, the state capital around 9.00 am to sensitise Nigerians about the “deplorable conditions prevalent in the country under the watch of the President Buhari.”

    The protesters called for a revolution to stem the tide of a spate of joblessness, insecurity, hunger, modulated workers salary and “fraudulent implication of the Contributory Pension Scheme in Nigeria.”

    For hours, security agents, including the SSS, the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps kept the students under watch and did not allow them to move out of Olaiya junction.

    Some of the students, who used the Public Address System to speak to passers-by, demanded the unconditional release of Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the Revolution Now movement.

    Calm in Kogi, Anambra

    There was no protest in Kogi State. Aside from the early morning rain, normal business activities resumed around the capital, Lokoja. People went about their daily chores.

    Many residents were unaware of the call for the protest march by the NigeriaRevolutionNow group. There was no unusual deployment of security agents.

    Anambra State police command deployed over 50 patrol teams in the state. They moved around the state.  There was no protest in the state. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Haruna Mohammed said the Command was ready for anybody or group that would try to disturb the peace in the state.

    Commissioner of Police John Abang directed the deployment of policemen both in plain clothes and uniform to patrol all the roads in the state.

    Mohammed said: “The state is not involved in the protest, but what the Command has done is to take proactive measure in case of any disturbances from some miscreants.

    “Anambra has been a quiet place and the Command will like it to remain so. But if anyone tries to be smart, the person will face the wrath of the command.”

     

    Police disrupt sporting activities in Ilorin

    Some heavily armed men of the Kwara State command yesterday stormed the state’s stadium complex to disperse athletes on training.

    The police were ordered to block the stadium gate over speculation that the facility would be used for the pro-revolution rally.

    Police spokesperson Ajayi Okasanmi said the presence of policemen at the stadium was a proactive measure put in place by the police command to prevent chaos.

    Okasanmi said: “Kwara State is largely recognised as a state of harmony and Ilorin is reputed to be peaceful. We owe our law-abiding people the duty to sustain that. More so, we had to prevent the planned protest from being hijacked by hoodlums in order not to lead to any dangerous dimension.”

    Anti-revolution protest in Alausa

    A group, Democracy Watch Africa (DWA), an umbrella body of over 30 Civil Society Organisations in West Africa Monday morning protested against the planned RevolutionNow protest earmarked for Monday.

    Its convener, Josephine Okpara, demanded the expulsion of Amnesty International (AI), and not revolution.

    They carried placards with various inscriptions like: ‘Amnesty International leave Nigeria or we give you war, we will fight you and not our country’, ‘Amnesty International must go’, ‘We stand by peace in Nigeria, we say no to Amnesty International and all her allies’, ‘We say no to terrorism, Amnesty International, Boko Haram, Islamic movement, revolution’, ‘No more war in Nigeria, shame on Amnesty International and her sponsors’, etc.

    They accused the pro-revolution group of acting against the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians “under the active support of some external forces that are bent on destabilising the country.

  • Edo Assembly crisis: Lawyer faults suit against inauguration

    A Benin based lawyer, Barrister. Olayiwola Afolabi, has faulted the suit filed by some members-elect challenging the June 17 inauguration of nine lawmakers.

    Barrister Afolabi said there were deficiencies in the suit.

    Hon. Victor Edoror, Barr Washington Osifo and Hon Crosby Eribo on behalf of 12 other members in Suit no B/810S/2019 is asking the court to declare the June 17 inauguration as “unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional and a nullity ab initio”.

    They are also seeking a declaratio that the election of Okiye and Idiaye as Speaker and Deputy Speaker as ineffectual, illegal and should be set aside.

    The claimants want the court to determine whether by virtue of Section 91 of the constitution of Nigeria, Edo State House of Assembly is constituted by only nine members.

    Barrister Afolabi who is one of the Counsel for defendants said claims of Edoror and others saying there were no proper parties before the court were wrong.

    Afolabi stated that in civil proceedings there must be proper parties before the court and that since the other 12 members elect were specifically mentioned in the suit, the court has no jurisdiction.

    Read Also: Edo councils to adopt new revenue collection system

    He said the claimants lacked powers to bring federal institutions into the case in the state High Court as their actions could only be questioned at the federal High Court.

    Afolabi noted that the 14 lawmakers-elect have not complied with Section 94 of the 1999 constitution as amended which give conditions a member-elect must meet before being addressed as a lawmaker.

    He said, “The claimants have not shown any documentary evidence to the fact that they have been sworn as Honourable members of the Edo State House of Assembly members thus making them lack the locus to bring the suit to contest the inauguration of the 7th assembly”.

  • Suspects in Edo prison bomb plot held

    EDO State Commissioner of Police, Danmallam Abubakar, has confirmed arrest of some suspects plotting to attack Oko minimum security prison with explosives.

    Oko minimum security prison is located at Oko community in Oredo local government area.

    It was gathered that security has been beefed up around prison formations in the state.

    Residents around the prison premises said they heard sound of gun fire as part of security measures by prison official on their preparedness to repel any attack.

    Police sources said the arrested suspects were planning to bomb the prison to free some kidnappers remanded within the prison facility.

    The source said police Special Squad acting on intelligence report embarked on what was termed “Pre-emptive arrest” to apprehend the militants.

    Read Also: Edo Assembly crisis: Clark warns against anarchy

    It was learnt that the suspects were to be armed with sophisticated weapons to kill the security operatives on duty and free their men from the prison.

    Those to be freed were the kidnappers of the Managing Director of Zoological Garden, Andy Ehanire, where four policemen were killed.

    The suspects were said to have made confessional statement about their mission.

  • Edo councils to adopt new revenue collection system

    The Chairman of the Edo State Chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Jenkins Osunde, has said that the 18 local councils in the state have concluded plans to switch to a new system of revenue collection.

    Osunde, who is also chairman, Oredo Local Government Area, disclosed this at the end of the monthly Edo State Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting at Government House, in Benin City.

    He noted that N24,094,500 out of the N3.261 billion that accrued to the 18 local councils in the month of June (distributed in July), was used to pay for Airtel Internet connectivity that will drive the new revenue collection system, adding, “The Airtel internet connectivity will provide the network that will be used for the new system of revenue collection we are migrating to.

    Read Also: Fayemi seeks new formula for revenue allocation

    “The 18 LGAs are contributing towards the new internet connectivity and we need to send the money before the connection can be done.”

    According to him, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) teachers’ and non-teachers’ salaries gulped N929,462,153 while Local Government contributions for pension is N423, 429, 894.

    Osunde added that payment for pension arrears gulped N100 million while Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by LGAs in the month of July was N196,590,479.

    He said there was an increase in the IGR realised in July compared to that of June, noting, “The share of the IGR to the LGAs in June was N159,618,465 while the share to the LGAs in July was N160,340,540.”

  • How twin brothers touched lives in Rivers community

    No fewer than 200 people who are indigenous to Wakrike Kingdom of Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State have benefited from skill acquisition programme organised by Mike and George Etomi for the people of the community.

    The twin brothers, who are natives of Edo State, however, share relationship with the people of Okrika, their late mother being a member of the community.

    Although they are Edo State-born, they were raised in Wakrike community, where they grew up and attended both primary and secondary school before they left for the overseas for further studies.

    The duo pride themselves as Okrikans, “We are from there, we speak their language, know and enjoy all their food, even participate in their cultural dances.” George said.

    Mike, a Medical Doctor and George a Lawyer, jointly set up M & G Etomi Foundation, basically to respond to devastations of oil explorations in the land and the consequent agitation.

    At the 10th graduation, starter packs/certification presentation ceremony held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital recently, George, who represented his brother at the event revealed that no fewer than 200 people of Okrika have been empowered by the Foundation.

    “We grew up and went to school in Okrika before we left for further studies abroad.

    “Then Okrika was a nice place to live; it was friendly and a place of delight because of the natural endowments, the flora and fauna, the mangroves, the fine rivers and their fishes that were the source of income and livelihood for the people, the natural beauty of the land among others.

    “However, when we came back to Okrika in early 2000, we met a completely different Okrika, we saw despair, we saw hopelessness and hardship. Okrika was practically lifeless.

    “When we inquired of what wreaked our Okrika to such point, we discovered that, in-between the years, oil was discovered, exploration began and everything that was dear to us was destroyed.

    “That was the sorry state and story of Okrika we met,” he said.

    He noted that the skill acquisition programme was the way they responded to ameliorate their difficulties.

    “Our response is that we must give back to the place of our birth. So, we set up the foundation to assist people come out of the woods.”

    “Through the Foundation, we’ve been able to identify those who have been to school. Even  those who did not complete school can benefit from the skill acquisition scheme.

    “The stories we have been receiving in the last 10 years we have been giving starter packs have been phenomenal. Many of those who had no hope are now master bakers, some have established fashion making shops and are now employers of labour, while others have picked up jobs based on their trainings.

    “This gives us personal satisfaction, whenever we come down here to assess what they are doing. We are monitoring what they are doing and it gives us relief and satisfaction,” he said.

    He urged the beneficiaries to give their best to whatever skill they have received, develop and grow it to enviable height where they will, in turn, touch other lives in the future.

    “If one person assists somebody and the other person helps the other, before you know it everybody will be meaningfully engaged. In a short time unity and love is restored. There will be growth soon and gradually we will regain our glory,” he said.

    George revealed the plan to expand the scheme to incorporate other parts of the Niger Delta region, beginning from the next batch.

    Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to Niger Delta Report at the event thanked their benefactors, even as they promised to make the best use of the opportunities provided for them.

    Mr. Abiye Dick Abroka, who holds a Diploma certificate in Mechanical Engineering was trained in Health, Safety and Environment, (HSE 1, 2, and 3), said lack of knowledge, training in this area has been the reason he has no job but expressed the hope for a change in the positive direction, giving his new certificate.

    “I have the National Diploma Certificate in Mechanical Engineering, but I have not been able to get a job because most of the companies that indicated interest to hire are looking for HSE personnel which I did not have. ,” he said.

    In the same manner, George Damiebi Frank, a graduate of Petroleum Engineering from the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), who studied catering and hotel management in the training, described the decision to delve into cooking profession instead HSE as the best step he has taken in all his life.

    “There is no doubt that women are always regarded as those who are supposed to cook in the kitchen; but I dared to join the number of male folks that have joined in the kitchen business.

    “And today, I make bold to say I am satisfied. I do not need any other job, not even a job at the biggest oil industry can satisfy me now. I may not start big now, but will certainly grow very big and become an entrepreneur in catering and hotel business. I am so excited and proud to say I will soon become a popular chef in town,” he said.

    The beneficiaries, who were trained in catering, were provided with standing gas/electric cooker, and some baking equipment an well as certificate to show they are certified professional chefs, while the HSE graduates were given certificates to confirm they are qualified HSE personnel.

  • Edo, Slot Foundation to train 100 youths in mobile phone, laptop repairs

    The Edo State Skills Development Agency (EdoJobs) in partnership with Slot Foundation have concluded plans for a six-month training on mobile phone and laptop repairs and maintenance for 100 youths in Edo North Senatorial District of the state.

    Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Skills Development and Job Creation, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, disclosed this in a chat with journalists, stressing the state government’s determination to equip youths with in-demand skills to make them self-reliant.

    She said the training programme would hold in Etsako West Local Government Area in Edo North Senatorial District and is open to residents in Edo North axis of the state, adding that similar training programmes have held in other senatorial districts of the state.

    Read Also: Edo APC crisis: Is peace now in sight?

    According to her, “We have concluded plans to commence another round of training for mobile phone and laptop repairs and maintenance in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state. The training is designed for youths in Edo North axis. The idea is to train them to be self-employed such that they would have skills that are highly sought after. The training package has an entrepreneurial bent which will ensure that they do not just learn the skills but are also able to build a business from it.”

    She noted that the state government’s commitments to youth development and job creation are unwavering as similar initiatives to get youths meaningfully engaged are being implemented by the government.

    She added, “We have a number of training programmes ongoing in different locations in the state, with the Edo Innovation Hub being the anchor point. So, we want youths to register and participate in this programmes because they are free and would afford them the opportunity to earn decent wages as entrepreneurs in the long run.”

     

  • Obaseki tasks pilgrims to pray for peaceful coexistence

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has tasked Muslim pilgrims participating in the 2019 hajj in the holy land, Mecca, to pray for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

    The governor, who made the call while inspecting the newly-built Hajj Camp in Benin City, urged the pilgrims to pray for peace in Nigeria.

    He said, “I call on pilgrims to pray for our people in Edo State, pray for Nigeria and our President, as all the security challenges we experience in the country now will not destabilise the nation.”

    He urged the pilgrims to continue to pray for his administration, adding that some persons who are not happy with the developmental strides recorded by his administration over the past two years, are threatening the peace being enjoyed in the state.

    “Since I became the governor, I have ensured that I visit you to ask for your prayers for this government. I have no fear that God owns this administration,” the governor noted.

    On the construction of Hajj camp by the state government, Obaseki said while growing up he was made to understand that Edo people are one and as a governor he would not discriminate against anyone on the basis of their religious persuasion.

    He said, “Two years ago, you told me you wanted to improve the Hajj Camp and I listened to you. With the support of the Chairman of Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, we started work and look at the outcome of this project in this Hajj Camp today.”

    He urged the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board to put a plan in place which will allow Muslim faithful contribute towards self-sponsorship to the holy land.

    The Chairman of Edo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Sheikh Ibrahim Oyarekhua, expressed appreciation to the governor for the developmental projects across the state including the construction of the Edo State Hajj Camp, which he described as the first government project in the camp for over 50 years.

    Read Also: RUGA will not happen in Edo – Obaseki

    He noted, “We commend you for the development in Edo State in the area of agriculture, roads, schools and even helping us to build this beautiful Hajj Camp. We assure you of our prayers daily to ensure you succeed despite the ongoing distractions to pull your administration down.”

    The Amiru Hajj and the Enogie of Ewu, His Royal Highness, Abdurasak Ojiefo III, assured the Governor that the 2019 pilgrims will be of good conduct and will not bring shame to the state, adding, “We will continue to support you in all you do as you have been a Governor to all.”

    The Chief Imam of Benin, Sheikh Abdulfatai Enabulele, said Governor Obaseki will rule the state for eight years as he urged all Muslims to continue to pray for the governor for God to touch the hearts of his distractors.

    Former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, commended the governor for the Hajj building, noting that it has endeared the government to the hearts of Muslim faithful in the state.

  • Obaseki’s proclamation letter in order-Benin elders

    The Committee of Bénin Elders has declared support for Governor Godwin Obaseki, saying the proclamation he issued for the inauguration of the 7th Edo State House of Assembly remained effective.

    It said the inauguration of members is the responsibility of the Clerk of the House and any dispute arising from inauguration could be resolved by resort to the judiciary in line with proper democratic practice.

    Some members of the Bénin Elders that signed a statement to journalists in Bénin City include: Prof. Emmanuel Emovon, Prof. Dennis Agbonlahor, Justice I Aluyi, Justice J.O Olubor, Prof. Union EDEBIRI amongst others.

    The Bénin Elders said the ongoing political crisis was an unfortunate distraction, which should be resolved amicably such that it does not disturb peace and development of the state.

    They vowed to ensure the ongoing developmental stride of Governor Obaseki is sustained.

    According to them: “We are aware the present Governor and his immediate predecessor in a reciprocal manner helped each other into office at different times with a mandate to develop Edo State.

    “The predecessor played his part well and his successor is in the meantime doing the same.

    Read Also: Darkness can’t overcome light, says Obaseki’s wife

    “We therefore opine that the Governor should be given a peaceful atmosphere to develop the state and he has not deviated from that sacred mandate.

    “We need to put it on record that the governor Mr Godwin Obaseki has been performing creditably in terms of infrastructural development, education advancement , economic advancement and maintenance of peace across the state since assumption of office.

    “We are aware that the governor has issued a proclamation and forwarded the same to the clerk of the house . Under the relevant provision of the constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), such proclamation once made remains effective.

    “The circumstance, the committee feels that the intervention by the house of representative at this stage is premature and unwarranted.

    “This is more so when it is clear from the express wording of section 105 of the constitution that any intervention in the affairs of any state house of assembly should be by the joint action of the two House of National Assembly”.

  • Constituents roll out the drums for ex-lawmaker

    It was a day to say ‘Thank you’ to the immediate past Deputy Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon Pally Iraise by residents of Owan Federal Constituency for providing quality and effective representation. Hon. Iraise had earlier served as Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Chairman of Owan East Local Government Area and Secretary to the Edo State Government.

    Last week, the people rolled out the drums to celebrate Iraise by organising a reception in his honour. Chairman of the “Committee of Friends” Hon. Ambrose Imoode said Iraise focused on people-friendly legislation and policies.

    The reception also provided an avenue to remind their incumbent representative in the House of Representatives, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere to perform above the standard set by Iraise as they would not accept any excuses.

    Imoode listed some projects executed and attracted by Iraise to include electrification of over 50 communities, construction of the Otuo-Ikhin-Afuze Road, N500 million earth dam projects to provide water for over 50 communities.

    Others are five health facilities with Doctors’ residence and solar-powered borehole at Ihievbe and Ikpeyan-Okpujid, borehole projects at Ozalla, Uhunmora-Ora, Okpujie, Ukhuse, Eruere, Ugbubezi, Sobe, Otuo, Ake, Ikhin, Igue-Sale, Ikao, Ihievbe, Ogben, Afuze and Errah communities and ICT centres at Michael Imodu College of Physical Education (now a campus of Tayo Akpata University) and Edeki Grammar School.

    He said several projects attracted by Iraise were geared at economic and social empowerment  of the people.

    He said: “Owan had hitherto been faced with leadership problems and this has always affected our development.”

    Other speakers, however, lamented the continued closure of Otuo General Hospital despite N200 million intervention projects by Hon. Iraise. The Otuo General Hospital was built and completed during the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole. The intervention of Iraise saw the installation of solar-powered energy, a new ambulance, construction of Radiology building housing X-ray machines; supply and installation of incubators, incinerator; hospital beds, mattresses, trolleys and refrigerators, among others.

    The residents said the hospital was supposed to make the people have access to quality health care but they had to resort to traditional healers to treat their ailments if they could not go to either Afuze in Owan East Local Government Area, Igarra in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area or Auchi in Estako West Local Government Area for medical care.

    Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu urged Iraise not to consider retiring from politics as the country still needs his services.

    He said politicians such as Iraise are difficult to find.

    On his part, Iraise said he was a restless legislator moving to key ministries because he knew his people would not understand if he counted to them the many motions and bills he sponsored.

    He said he picked the projects based on their benefits to the people and to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of people, adding that he has no fears that the projects would be abandoned since funds were released to the tune of 70 per cent.

    His words: “The Otuo General Hospital is yet to be functional. It is equipped to a standard that is above the normal standard you find in other hospitals. It is a state government facility. The question of why the government has decided not to be attracted to do what they must do in order to inaugurate the hospital is what I don’t have any idea about. I feel bad. I feel sad that people in this community and its environs are dying needlessly. Even if the hospital is just a department alone, we are talking about 150,000 people. We have good health facility but it is not functional. There is total neglect of a good health facility.

    “I was able to attract these projects because my thought processes were re-modelled. I had to focus on how I would attract Federal projects when people asked me during campaigns what projects I would attract to them.

    “I used my constituency projects as seed projects to bait Federal Government to start key projects which the government later took over.”

  • Kidnappers kill naval officer

    Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have killed a Naval Warrant Officer, Felix Akanbi.

    The hoodlums kidnapped seven other passengers travelling from Akwa-Ibom State to Lagos via Edo State on Tuesday.

    A source said the gunmen, armed with AK47 rifles, intercepted the 18-seater bus between Ekiadolor and Ovia River Bridge along the Benin-Lagos Expressway and opened fire on the bus.

    The source said eight of the passengers, including the deceased, were abducted and taken into the bush.

    It was learnt that the late Akanbi could not walk as fast as others and was shot dead.

    Read Also: Police parade 13 suspected kidnappers of Daura district head

    Policemen attached to the Ekiadolor Police Division swung into action and pursued the kidnappers after receiving report of the attack.

    The police rescued the seven victims and recovered the body of Akanbi after two hours search.

    Edo State police spokesman Chidi Nwabuzor said the police were still combing the bush in search of the kidnappers.

    He said the warrant officer was about to be retired before his death.

    Nwabuzor said the police would do everything to arrest the kidnappers.