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Tag: Edo State

  • Govt, burrow pit operators to meet over security

    Following concerns over security threats on the lives of burrow pit operators  in Edo South Senatorial District, the Edo State Government has scheduled a meeting to address pressing issues among the operators to ensure a secure environment for their business.

    In a statement, Commissioner for Minerals, Oil and Gas, Hon. Joseph Ugheoke, said “Following series of reports on security challenges across the burrow pits in Edo State, all burrow bit operators in Edo South Senatorial District are invited to a meeting convened by my office.”

    Read Also: Security agencies capable of securing Nigeria, Buhari assures

    He said the meeting with the burrow pit operators would hold in his office in Benin City, on Thursday, June 13, 2019, at 10am.

    The meeting is coming after media reports alleged that burrow pit operators in Avbiama Community and its environs in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State are now working in fear following demand for monthly payment of ransom by kidnappers.

  • Obaseki finally opens up on reported quarrel with Oshiomhole

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has broken his silence on the alleged infraction between him and his predecessor and National Chairman of the Party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, describing the reported disagreement as fake news.

    Obasek, who also spoke on his second term bid form the first time, says whether he gets a second term in office or not depends entirely on God and the people of Edo state, especially on how much they think he has impacted their lives.

    The Edo state governor, who spoke with news men on Sunday night in Abuja shortly after attending a meeting of the Progressive Governors Forum, however did not elaborate on the two issues.

    When asked about the infraction, Obaseki simply said “there is no infraction between me and the National Chairman of the party. It is all in the press. It is all fake news.”

    There has been reports in the media in recent times of a crisis between the governor and his former boss with many insinuating  it got to a head when the governor failed to show up for the annual Okpekpe 10 km race in May.

    President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly intervened in the crisis last week, bringing the two together to discuss.

    Sources close to the governor confirmed the intervention of the President on the alleged crisis, saying “the President called them and they have been talking. I can tell you that there is nothing serious going on between them really”

    Read Also: Obaseki commiserates with Edo APC Youth Leader

    Asked about his second term bid, the governor who was believed to be the engine room of Oshiomhole’s governance in Edo state, simply said: “My second term is left to God and the people of Edo state. At the end of the day, the people will decide depending on how much they see that we have added value to their lives.”

    On his programme for the people of Edo state, Obaseki said: “As you know, we are the only APC state in the entire South South and the south east. So, we want to be flag bearer for what APC should represent as a party.

    “I have things like industrialisation, ensuring economic growth by building production centres, industrial parks and ensuring that government serves as an enabler. That is key for us.

    “So, we have been spending time improving the business climate so that people can do business more easily in the state. Hopefully, that will have a snowball effect on the region.

    “I promised to create 200,000 jobs in our first four years in office. As at the last count, we have exceeded 90,000 and we are still counting. As you are aware, these jobs are coming in from various aspect of industries, technology, ICT, education, the services and now, we are investing in production hubs where we bring electricity, water and security into specific locations and invite people to come and set up in those particular locations.

    “What we are doing which is different and which we are very excited about is education reform, particularly basic education reform in Edo state.

    “We have trained over 10,000 teachers in our basic education system, we have introduced technology. Now, we can track when teachers are in class, we can track when students are in class and for about 200,000 kids in our basic schools, we have supplied them almost one million books.”

  • Kidnappers send ransom letters to burrow pit owners in Edo

    Burrow pit owners in Avbiama community and environs in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State now work in fear following the demand of monthly payment of ransom by kidnappers.

    Four burrow pit owners operating in Avbiama, including a relation of former Edo Deputy Governor Dr. Pius Odubu, have been abducted within the last three months.

    They were released after huge ransoms were paid.

    The National President of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigerian (RTEAN), Comrade Osakpamwan Eriyo, who owns a burrow pit in the area, is said to be the target of kidnappers.

    A burrow pit owner, who spoke in confidence, said he was asked to make some monthly payment to avoid being kidnapped.

    Besides the burrow pit owners, clerics, workers of NSIK Engineering, the firm carrying out the construction of St. Saviour Road, a native doctor and many others have been abducted.

    The abduction of construction workers has stalled work on the road project.

    It was gathered that the kidnappers usually stormed the burrow pits and Avbiama community through the Ikpoba River and took their victims through the river to their hideout.

    A top worker of NSIK Engineering, who confirmed the abduction, said their workers had been released but refused to disclose how much ransom was paid.

    Sources said the chairman of tipper drivers was chased to his home and narrowly escaped abduction.

    The source said he has increased private security guard at his home.

    Read Also: ‘How I was kidnapped on my birthday’

    Also, the Bénin branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned attempted kidnap of its former Chairman Solomon Odiase.

    A statement by its spokesman Douglas Ogbankwa said Odiase managed to escape from his abductors but the kidnappers made away with his Toyota Camry saloon car with registration number (Edo) USL330EL.

    The statement said continuous target of lawyers by armed robbers and kidnappers validated the position of the Benin NBA for boycotting kidnapping and armed robbery cases in court and police formations.

    It called for the rejigging of the state’s security architecture to provide a safe security corridor for the residents.

    Police spokesman Chidi Nwabuzor, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), promised to speak today on the matter after getting an official report.

     

  • Obaseki commiserates with Edo APC Youth Leader

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has commiserated with the family of Edo State Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Valentine Asuen, as the Asuen family celebrates the 20th remembrance anniversary of late Mrs Victoria Asuen.

    In his tribute, Obaseki said late Mrs. Asuen lived a life of love and service, which she bequeathed to her family and community, noting that all who had contact with her would continue to cherish memories of her.

    “The indefatigable stalwart of our great party, the APC, on behalf of myself and government of Edo State, I felicitate with you on this auspicious occasion in honour of your beloved mother,” the governor said.

    At a reception held in honour of late Mrs Asuen, the Edo State APC Youth Leader, Mr Valentine Asuen said his late mother lived a life worthy of emulation as the virtues she instilled in him and his siblings had made them successful in life.

    Read Also: ‘Edo committed to clean up project’

    He noted, “We are celebrating our mother’s 20th remembrance because she impacted a lot of virtues in my life and that of my siblings. She gave us sound education and made us Christians. I am successful today because of the good morals and virtues she taught me.”

    A thanksgiving service for late Mrs. Asuen’s remembrance anniversary was earlier held at the Living Faith Church, in Benin City. Late Mrs. Victoria Asuen who was born in 1942, was a successful business woman until her death in 1999.

  • Lawmaker builds ICT, skill acquisition centre for constituents

    The lawmaker representing Ikpoba-Okha/Egor in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ehiozuwa Agbonyinma, has inaugurated a skill acquisition centre and an Information and Communication Technology centre for the people of Egor Local Government Area.

    Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon Philip Shaibu, who inaugurated the projects said some lawmakers would rather line their pockets instead attracting projects that will enhance the well-being of members of their constituencies.

    Shaibu said the projects were in line with the vision of the Edo State government to build skilled work force.

    He said the 200,000 jobs promised by the All Progressives Congress (APC) under Governor Godwin Obaseki were to be achieved by providing skills for youths and not through the civil service.

    He said: “We are creating job opportunities for our youths. It is only when labour are skilled that they can become self-employed. We are driving an economy that is private-sector driven.

    “The only way is when we have skilled man power. People trained here will be employers of labour. This project is in line with our vision. We urged other lawmakers to build same for their constituencies.”

    Agbonyinma said he has attracted projects that his constituents are happy about.

    He assured that he would reclaim his mandate at the tribunal because those that rigged him out have been charged to court.

    His words: “In the last election, they voted for me. Whatever happened, the end will justify the means. We are at the tribunal. The mandate stolen by some people will be retrieved.

    It is not only physical infrastructure I attracted; I have bills and motions I sponsored that helped to move the country forward. The bills helped to return stolen money back to the country.

    “I sponsored the Money Laundering Bill, the NNPC Motion on crude oil that left the shores of the country. Nigeria’s undeclared crude oil was taken to 41 countries. $18 billion worth of crude oil was taken to the United States. I went to the US Customs and they provided comprehensive details of what came to their country through the back door.

    “The issue of gas flaring and payment to host communities by the Federal Government was also achieved. I moved the motion for oil leakages. Is it Abacha loot? The PENCOM probe I investigated uncovered missing $33billion. “

  • Airport upgrade: Hope rises for Edo agro-business

    In a few months’ time, exporters of agricultural products in Edo State and its environs would not need to bother about delays in travelling to Lagos for the purpose of taking their products to any part of the world.

    They would export their agro-products right from the Bénin Airport. Besides, businessmen, politicians and individuals can now land at the Bénin Airport any time of the day. This is because the airport has commenced night operations.

    In 2013, during the inauguration of the remodeled Bénin Airport, former Governor Adams Oshiomhole requested the then Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah to ensure that the Airport operates in a 24-hour basis.

    Oshiomhole had argued that the 24-hour operation for the airport would enable individuals, especially himself, meet emergency engagement in Abuja. He regretted that the Benin Airport being one of the oldest in the country remained the way it was despite the increase in traffic.

    Oshiomhole’s successor, Godwin Obaseki has, however, seen to the realisation of his dream. Facilities in the 63-year-old Bénin Airport has been upgraded for it to carry out night operations. The equipment installed for the night operations were inaugurated last week by the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika.

    The equipment inaugurated at the Airport included thunder and lightning system, Secure Aviation Data Information System (SADIS); Enhanced Simple Approach Lightening System, CAT ll and Instrument Landing System (ILS)/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME).

    Speaking at the inauguration, Senator Sirika said Edo people would gain a lot from the improved operational capability of the Bénin Airport because of the ability to come and go out of Bénin by air in reduced weather condition even when the pilot can barely see anything.

    Senator Sirika further explained that the equipment are both ground-based and satellite-based. He said the satellite-based equipment would begin work if the ground-based ones failed.

    He said: “The importance of the Benin culture and history is such that we cannot ignore. We will continue to upgrade facilities to meet its peers in other cities. The operational capacity of the Benin-City Airport has tremendously improved as we can now guarantee safe landing in reduced visibility and in bad weather condition. Aircraft can now land in Benin Airport at night. No more closure of the Airport by 6:00 p.m.

  • The best things in life naturally trail virgins/sexually-pure people! (II)

    Dear Ma, I’ve been a regular reader of your articles since last year and I must say God has been using you to reach so many lost ones the devil has put into captivity. May God bless and strengthen your effort. By the grace of God ma, I’m still a virgin at the age 22 and I have said a lot of times that I doubt I’ll meet the right person to settle down with in marriage. Please I need more understanding on this.

    Sarah, Edo State

    My darling Sarah,

    Blessed are you among young women! The best thing that can happen to any human being is to choose God above all the pleasures of life! I understand your experience so far! I imagine the number of guys with good prospects and rich men who would have come your way and the number of times people around you would have made snide remarks about your state of life especially if you’ve had to suffer lack. However, I have good news for you- even if you turned down the world’s richest man because you didn’t want to get deflowered before your wedding night, I tell you, his master’s master is coming for your hand in marriage! It’s all up to you. You have the power to attract a man ten times better than the men you turned down especially if you have the power of God activated in you! You’re certainly ripe for marriage but if I were you, I’d develop myself in every way possible and spiritually too so you can naturally magnetise the best things in life to yourself. May God arise for your sake and give you what no one in your generation can boast of in Jesus mighty name!

    Dear Mum,

    In recent times, I lost my virginity because I wanted to purchase a JAMB form. My parents are dead and I don’t have anyone to assist me in pursuing a tertiary education. It appeared I didn’t have a choice but I know I was deceived by the devil. I don’t feel good at all. Please help me!

    Miss A. 20

    My darling, precious, glorious, dignified, world-famous and heavenly celebrated Nigerian sisters,

    I empathise with Miss A. and can only pray she retraces her steps real quick and holds on tight to God! I know a lot of you would have remained virgins and be sexually pure but for your financial incapacity and uncountable overtures from men. The world has gone so bad that an average man thinks every female lady can be bought with money so they slam their sexual overtures in your faces and are so quick to move on to another lady if you refuse because quite frankly most girls would gladly exchange their bodies for money/favour.  What a destructive transaction! What a dreadful waste! What a shameful depraved world! Every sexual intercourse carries a heavy spiritual significance and the very first is even weightier and could practically determine how a life would go. It not only involves some blood-shed through the piercing of the hymen, it opens up the gate of your life- your entire existence in the supernatural. Now, who are you opening it up to? Why are you opening it? For money? Money and enormous wealth of which you are a harbinger? I’m sorry but I must let you know any girl who breaks her virginity for money/favour is signing away her birthright/goodness to the devil and becomes his slave! Why do you think prostitutes are stuck to their trade? The more you fornicate, the more you sink in the devil’s abyss! Can you imagine how much you’d light and goodness your destiny would lose when in the devil’s captivity? Why go through that? May you not fall into ruin, destruction, perdition in Jesus name!

    Dear Miss A,

    Please ask God to forgive and destroy the stronghold stupid, bad, devil has established in your life!  He will surprise you! He knows what you need right away! He is bound to send help if you are genuinely repentant because His word says He’s faithful to those who are faithful to Him! God bless you my dear!

    I invite you to follow me on Facebook –TEMILOLU OKEOWO Instagram @ Okeowo Temilolu.

  • Airport upgrade: Hope rises for Edo agro-business

    In a few months’ time, exporters of agricultural products in Edo State and its environs would not need to bother about delays in travelling to Lagos for the purpose of taking their products to any part of the world.

    They would export their agro-products right from the Bénin Airport. Besides, businessmen, politicians and individuals can now land at the Bénin Airport any time of the day. This is because the airport has commenced night operations.

    In 2013, during the inauguration of the remodeled Bénin Airport, former Governor Adams Oshiomhole requested the then Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah to ensure that the Airport operates in a 24-hour basis.

    Oshiomhole had argued that the 24-hour operation for the airport would enable individuals, especially himself, meet emergency engagement in Abuja. He regretted that the Benin Airport being one of the oldest in the country remained the way it was despite the increase in traffic.

    Oshiomhole’s successor, Godwin Obaseki has, however, seen to the realisation of his dream. Facilities in the 63-year-old Bénin Airport has been upgraded for it to carry out night operations. The equipment installed for the night operations were inaugurated last week by the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika.

    The equipment inaugurated at the Airport included thunder and lightning system, Secure Aviation Data Information System (SADIS); Enhanced Simple Approach Lightening System, CAT ll and Instrument Landing System (ILS)/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME).

    Speaking at the inauguration, Senator Sirika said Edo people would gain a lot from the improved operational capability of the Bénin Airport because of the ability to come and go out of Bénin by air in reduced weather condition even when the pilot can barely see anything.

    Senator Sirika further explained that the equipment are both ground-based and satellite-based. He said the satellite-based equipment would begin work if the ground-based ones failed.

    He said: “The importance of the Benin culture and history is such that we cannot ignore. We will continue to upgrade facilities to meet its peers in other cities. The operational capacity of the Benin-City Airport has tremendously improved as we can now guarantee safe landing in reduced visibility and in bad weather condition. Aircraft can now land in Benin Airport at night. No more closure of the Airport by 6:00 p.m.

    “When the country was divided into regions, the centrality of Benin is very important. Benin is the cradle of history, tradition and culture. There is connection between aviation, culture, commerce and others. We are intertwined and we hold Benin in high esteem. We will continue to promote this city, to enhance this city and make people come here. The more people come to Benin, the better for commerce.

    “You have the Instrument Landing System which allows pilots to land in reduced weather. It is no longer pleasure to say from 6:00 p.m., you cannot land in Benin. We will continue to do more for Benin. We will site the agro-allied terminal at the Benin Airport. We are bringing cargo terminal for agro export. People involved in export of perishable items can send their goods to Europe very quickly. Obaseki has promised to participate in putting the structure for the facility in place.

    “Airplane owners must improve their aircraft. They have to train their pilots. If their pilots are not trained, they cannot come here.”

    On his part, an elated Governor Obaseki said the Bénin Airport could now compete with its peers across the world with the installation of the equipment and commencement of night landing facilities. He noted that people would have no excuse not to come to Bénin again whether at night on the excuses of bad weather.

    He said, “Edo is a hub. We are a transportation hub. Benin Airport is one of the top five airports in Nigeria in terms of passenger traffic. We do not want to wait for the Federal Government alone to provide all that are needed.. So, we have to put in our resources to support them to ensure that they are attracted to make investment in our airport. With the night landing facility put in place, we shall now persuade airlines to make night stops in Benin. That way, they bring traffic into our state.

    “We are inaugurating an array of things at the Airport. The benefits of all these facilities are limitless. What the cargo terminal means is that we can export our produce from here to all over the world.

    “For you to have economic growth, you must have infrastructure. People must be able to come in and go out. Money must come in and leave freely. This air transportation infrastructure will just complement our other efforts in area of tourism, agriculture, infrastructure even education. What it means is that there will be no excuse. It will help business once people know they can get in and out of Benin at any time.

    “We are not just unveiling a new technology for our airport; we are celebrating a very unique privilege and honour for a state to collaborate very closely with the Federal Government agency. The Benin Airport built in 1956 is being upgraded so that it can be ranked as an airport that could match any airport in the world by equipping it with the instrument every airport should have.

  • Kenya’s Cheprot sacrifices race to save life

    Kenya’s long-distance runner Simon Cheprot was outstanding during the road race as he was a lifesaver to Kinrono Kipkeomi of Kenya which made him dazzle at the just concluded 7th Okpekpe 10 kilometre Road Race in Edo state, Nigeria.

    Cheprot, who finished in twelfth place, made a kind gesture as he stunned the large crowd at Okpekpe, when he would have finished in the sixth place but came across his Kenyan counterpart athlete who was struggling to make his way to the end then Cheprot stopped to help the athlete finish up the race.

    Former Governor of Edo state, Adams Oshiomhole, Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu and some other dignitaries present at the event recognised the full worth of the charming act made by the 25-year-old athlete as instant reward came his way which  totaled $10,000.

    Speaking to an overwhelmed Cheprot, he said: “The reason why I helped him was due to what I have learnt from my father and my pastor back in the days, so I never had to think it twice. I did this like he was my friend because last year I did the same, I make sure I do something good for my future and the tomorrow of my children too.

    “This was unbelievable to me because I didn’t know I will reach this stage of appreciation because I felt I was doing something that is normal but all the same I give glory to God. My plans for the money are to invest in the Church and my children’s future.

    Cheprot who have participated four consecutive times in this race and has twice represented Kenya at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships and won a team gold medal in 2016. He also urged Nigerian athletes to continue striving hard and never relent in their struggle to become successful in life.

    Read Also: Kenya, Ethiopia: Far, but close

    Also speaking to Kenya’s Kinrono Kipkeomi who fell close to the finish line on what happened to him during the race, he said: “When I was in 7.5km we were a group of five guys, so I thought that when I get to 9km I will struggle to fight with those guys but eventually when I got to 9km/half, I fell near to the finish line.

    I was striving because I knew I was position six when three guys overtook me then I didn’t want them to pass me by. I saw that I was already in the eight position again. I was seeing the finish line but I couldn’t get to it so I was to crawl but immediately I saw a guy who came to help me finish up the race. I was going to surrender but the guy came to my rescue; it was so difficult.

    While appreciating the kind act of Cheprot, Kipkeomi said, “Simon is a good and caring guy after he helped me. Though I am surprised at his kind act because not all athletes will do that.

  • CBN, BoI mull financing window for Edo Creative Hub

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bank of Industry (BoI) have disclosed plans to partner with the Edo State Government to ease access to finance to creators at the Edo Creative Hub, an initiative of the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki to rejig the state’s entertainment industry.

    The finance windows are expected to come from the programmes extended to the entertainment industry in an effort to diversify the Nigerian economy.

    Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Governor on Investment Promotion, Mr Kelvin Uwaibi, who said this in a chat with journalists, said the opportunity came in the wake of the Stakeholders Meeting with actors in Nigerian’s entertainment industry held in Benin City. The stakeholders meeting was organised by EdoJobs, Edo State Investment Promotion Office, Trace TV and Market Development in the Niger Delta (MADE), which is funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID).

    Read Also: CBN gov explains how Nigeria came out of recession

    He said the state government is working on a creative industry policy document that would provide the framework for the industry in the state and set parameters for government intervention and incentives.

    According to him, “We had a productive chat with members of the creative industry and are currently working on the entertainment industry policy document. The CBN and BoI have made commitments to ease access to finance and we are excited about that. This will set the tone for government’s engagement with the actors in the industry and set modalities for the incentives we will be providing.”

    He added that the plan was to ensure that the indigenous actors in the industry benefit from the input of those in the Diaspora, ensuring that the funds to be attracted are domiciled in and used by the actors across the different value chain in the state.

    “Our intention is to raise the standard. There will be a lot of capacity building. In no distant time, people from Edo will dominate the entertainment scene in Nigeria, as they will be getting the needed incentives to truly make an impact,” he added.