The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo State

  • APC receives PDP defectors in Edo

    The Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has received defectors from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Esan South East Local Government Area of the state.

    Led by Dr. Andrew Ojiemhenkele, the defectors were received by the Governor Godwin Obaseki and the party chairman in the state, Barr. Anselm Ojezua.

    Presenting the party’s symbol, a broom, to Dr. Ojiemhenkele at an enlarged meeting of the APC in Benin City, the state capital, Obaseki said: “I have not formally received anybody into the party but the chairman wants me to do it because of the calibre of person we are receiving.

    “I have a lot of confidence in him and just listening to him, his commitment to his people and politics, I realised that this is someone we should have in our party.”

    The governor noted Edo APC was working to build a strong platform, noting that the outcome of the 2019 elections will show that Edo is an APC state.

    Read Also: Edo headteacher gets house gift

    Ojiemhenkele said he decided to join the APC because of the exemplary leadership style of the governor, noting “Every good man in the state should work with Governor Obaseki.”

    He added: “I have come here today with my supporters to join the APC. Our decision to join APC is simple: We have watched from a close distance the way the governor is piloting the affairs of the state.

    “He has brought decency, discipline, and transparency into governance.  Esan South East council has 10 wards and we are assuring you that we will be victorious at the polls.”

  • Obaseki targets 50 percent reduction in irregular migration, human trafficking

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to reducing the incidence of irregular migration and human trafficking by 50 per cent by the end of 2019.

    The governor made the submission while delivering a speech at the one-day Prosecution and Investigation Training on Irregular Migration themed; ‘How to Bridge the Gap between Investigation and Prosecution,’ held in Government House, Benin City, Edo State.

    He said that about 4,800 returnees have been received by the state government after going through harrowing experience in the quest for greener pastures in foreign lands.

    “In dealing with the crime of human trafficking, my administration is tackling the root cause by providing quality education, technical training which will provide jobs,” he added.

    Obaseki noted that the state government was receiving greater support from the international community as the state continues to combat the scourge of human trafficking.

    He said activities of the state taskforce against human trafficking have attracted the support of both the Federal Government and international partners in organising training on prosecution and investigation, noting, “For us in Edo State, we have realised we have a problem which has led to several steps that we have taken to solve the problem.”

    Guest lecturer at the training and Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mohammed Babandede, who delivered a lecture entitled; ‘Effective Investigation and Prosecution of Human Trafficking Cases,’ urged stakeholders to join hands with governments in the fight against the scourge.

    Babandede averred that trafficking was not an issue only for uniform personnel, but for all stakeholders such as religious leaders, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), among others.

    “Trafficking is an organised crime with three elements which must include the acts, means and purpose. Trafficking poses serious threat to governments as it relates and connects to other crimes.”

    The NIS Comptroller-General recommended policy, protection, prevention, prosecution and partnership (5Ps) as a strategy to assist investigation and prosecution of human trafficking and related cases.

     

     

  • Obaseki signs violence against persons bill into law

    Two years jail term for wife beaters

     

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has signed the Violence Against Persons (VAP) Bill into law, to address all forms of violence and protect vulnerable members of the society.

    Obaseki, who signed the bill in Government House, Benin City, on Tuesday, said he was aware that the bill touches on fundamental practices among the people, assuring that he was not only signing the bill as a formality, but will ensure it is implemented to the  letter.

    “We will not stop here by just signing the bill into law, but will commence the much difficult work of implementing it to the  letter. It must be noted that this bill has been in consideration for over six to eight years but the time has come for us to have a law like this VAP Law, to protect the most vulnerable and weak in our society.

    “As a government, we have aligned with the Federation of Women Lawyer (FIDA)’s purpose and objective and therefore have no hesitation in signing the bill into law,” he said.

    Addressing protesters on violence against women, the governor commended them and stressed that the time to change the way society responds to violence against the weak has come. He added that his administration was not afraid of change and will embrace it to the fullest.

    “I want to appreciate FIDA for their doggedness, leadership and commitment to this cause. I am not sure many other states in the nation has such bills. This bill goes to the core of some of the most pressing issues in society particularly violence against women and other persons.”

    Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, told the governor that the newly signed VAP law will eliminate violence in private and public life.

    “This bill prohibits violence against all persons and provides maximum protection and effective remedy for victims and punishment for offenders and other related matters,” he said.

    “This bill was sent to the EDHA in the fourth Assembly but suffered a setback. It also suffered a setback in the fifth Assembly but it was passed in the sixth Assembly.”

    Read Also: Obaseki inspects revamped Abudu College

    Adjoto commended the wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki for her doggedness, dedication, and commitment in ensuring that the bill is passed into law.

    He said rape is properly defined in the bill and a rapist will now spend his or her life in prison, adding, “If a man beats his wife, he risks two years in prison if the case is proven. It is now an offense for men to abandon their duties of upbringing as the responsibility is not for women alone.  Female genital mutilation now attracts life imprisonment without an option of fine.”

    Wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, commended the Edo State Governor for assenting to the VAP bill, stressing that the government is gender-sensitive.

    She thanked the speaker of the sixth Assembly, Hon. Kabiru Adjoto for ensuring the passage of the bill and that all important sections are intact.

    “This bill takes care of everything related to violence against persons,” she noted.

    Earlier, FIDA, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, CSOs, and other stakeholders protested against violence against women.

    They marched through major streets in Benin metropolis, Police headquarters and Edo State Government House, where the governor addressed them.

  • PDP, Obaseki, trade words over plot to postpone election in eight LGs

    The Peoples’ Democratic Party in Edo State has raised the alarm over plot by the Edo State Government to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone Saturday’s elections in eight local government areas of the state.

    It listed the targeted local government areas to include Orhionmwo, Uhunmwode, Ovia, Esan North-East, Esan South-East, Akoko-Edo, Etsako East, Estako West and Estako Central.

    The Edo PDP said the plot was leaked by some covert members of the ruling All Progressives Congress and officials of INEC.

    Spokesman of the Edo PDP, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, who spoke at a press briefing in Bénin City voting would be postponed in the eight local government areas to a later day due to what would be termed “logistical problems”.

    Nehikhare said the aim was to have stand-alone elections in these local government so that the federal government could unleash their agents of intimidation and harassment to full effect.

    Describing the plan as barbaric, evil, and a recipe for chaos that would lead to  unprecedented people’s revolt and reaction, Nehikhare said Edo people would not accept, condone or tolerate any display or exhibition of “deliberate incompetence” as excuse to sabotage the general elections.

    Nehikhare also raised alarmed that on plans to arrest and detain some PDP leaders ahead of the election over alleged money laundering charges.

    He said the PDP would resist any plot for officials of the state to go near any polling unit under the guise of being a security officer.

    Read Also: Obaseki mobilises teachers to vote for APC candidates

    According to him, “The logistical problem excuse is a lame one that will not fly. The election must hold simultaneously with other elections and no cooked up excuse or reason will be acceptable!

    “It’s also appropriate to alert Nigerians that we are aware of the plot by DSS and the Police to arrest our leaders with the aim of removing them from circulation the Wednesday before the elections and thus destabilizing our supporters and members.

    “The intimidation and harassment of our leaders is unacceptable, tyrannical and exposes the desperation of this government to hold on to power even as it is clear that Nigerians have rejected them!

    “We call on all Nigerians and the international community to condemn this act and prevail on the government to organize a free, fair and transparent election devoid of government intimidation and harassment. It is clear and unfortunate that they are paying lip service to a free and fair election.”

    But Governor Godwin Obaseki advised the PDP to go to the streets and villages and campaign to the people instead of raising defeatist alarm.

    Governor Obaseki described the allegations as baseless and unfounded.

    Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said there as son such plan to postpone elections in any local government areas the State

    “These are signs of failure on the part of the PDP. Governor Obaseki is campaigning in different villages.

    “They are putting up alibi in the background knowing fully well that the people have rejected them. The PDP will meet defeat at the polls. The PDP should of and campaign instead of dishing out false information.”

  • Vote APC candidates for continuity, progress – Obaseki

    Less than a week to the 2019 general elections, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has charged voters in Oredo Local Government Area to come out en masse to vote for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking to represent the people in the State and National Assemblies.

    Obaseki gave the charge at the APC rally in Oredo LGA, where he described the 2019 elections as important events that would determine the future of Nigeria, urging residents of the area to ensure they vote for continuity and progress.

    “The issue is very simple. Do you want to go back or go forward? My message today is simple: I just started to work in the state and if you want me to do more, you must vote for APC candidates to support me at the Senate and House of Representatives. I have gotten approval to do the Benin River Port, so I need strong people to represent us in Abuja,” he said.

    While urging voters to support the APC candidate for Oredo Federal Constituency, Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha, Obaseki said Iyoha has assisted him in actualising the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EDOBEST) programme while serving as member of the Edo State House of Assembly.

    APC Senatorial candidate for Edo South, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, according to the governor, is also a trusted ally and a public servant who is ready to attract development to the state.

    Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said voting for APC candidates in the forthcoming elections translates to voting for better things to come, noting, “President Muhammadu Buhari has done a lot in the last four years; we are no longer importing fertilizer and now import only 10 per cent of rice. The president wants to spend Nigeria’s money on Nigerians, so let us vote for him.”

    Read Also: Obaseki decries assault on lady accused of phone theft

    Other APC candidates seeking seats in the Edo State House of Assembly to represent Oredo LGA include Oredo East Constituency candidate, Osaro Obazee, and Oredo West Constituency candidate, Christopher Okaeben.

    Chairman, Edo State Chapter of the APC, Barr. Anselm Ojezua, assured that the party is fully prepared to participate in the 2019 elections, adding, “We want to retain power and the only way to show that the governor is working is to vote for all APC candidates that will support the governor to achieve greater success.”

    The chairman also received decampees from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties who pledged to ensure victory for the APC at the polls.

    Chairman, Oredo LGA, Hon. Evbareke Jenkins Osunde, who welcomed the governor to the APC rally, said the residents in the council are happy to have benefitted from programmes initiated by the Obaseki-led administration.

  • Pepper in vagina saga: No phone was missing, Police CP

    Edo State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosun, has declared that investigation into the missing phone saga that led to pepper being inserted in the vagina of a female sex worker showed that no phone was actually missing.

    The sex worker identified as 24 years old Favour Ada Friday was beaten and  stripped naked by her accusers and raw pepper inserted into her vaginal despite her repeated denial that she didn’t steal any phone.

    She was beaten after a native doctor through magical means said she was the person that stole the phone.

    Three persons including head of vigilance group in Ugbiyoko community, Mr. Lucky Igbinovia popularly known as One Man squad, Joel Otoghile and Iyamu Kingsley have been remanded in prison custody over the saga.

    Odumosun who spoke while addressing female protesters led by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and Edo State Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, said the victim was accused of stealing the phone just to extort money from her.

    Read Also: Oyo police read riot act to politicians

    He assured the protesters that the police would carry out thorough investigation to ensure the case is not thrown out by any judge.

    Chairperson of FIDA, Barr. Iryn Omorogiomwan, urged the CP to ensure investigations are expedited so that all the suspects are convicted if found guilty.

    Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, said the crime against Favour shocked human conscience and would not be tolerated by Edo people.

    Mrs. Obaseki said her husband was very upset and angered by the incident.

    Governor Godwin Obaseki who immediately signed the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) bill into law assured that law would take its course.

    Obaseki condemned the action and said his administration would not cover anybody no matter how highly placed.

  • Edo signs tripartite agreement to benefit 455 cassava farmers

    In a renewed drive to diversify the economic base of the state for expansion, the Edo State Government has signed a tripartite agreement with the Elephant Group and Heritage Agro Allied Foods (H2AFoods), of United States of America (USA), to strengthen the cassava value chain, which would benefit not less than 445 farmers across the state.

    At the signing of the tripartite agreement, in Government House on Tuesday, Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security, Joe Okojie, said the cassava project would  span across the three senatorial districts of the state while financing of the project has been secured and disbursed to the farmers.

    According to him, “238 hectares of land will be utilised in Edo North; 223 ha in Edo Central and 206 ha in Edo South. The farmers have been aggregated across the three districts and each farmer will get one and a half hectares of farmland.”

    He said the state government would assist the farmers in land clearing, secure inputs while planting would commence at the end of April.

    “We are bringing all the players across the value chain together and we have secured the loan for each farmer under the Anchor Borrowers Programme. The state government will be helping to de-risk land clearing and provide off-takers for the cassava farmers.”

    Executive Director, Elephant Group, Akin Ogunbiyi, said the company is determined to transform cassava flour into industrial food ingredient and packaged convenience food in Nigeria and Africa at large.

    He explained that the company has processing centres across the state and would buy directly from the cassava farmers.

    “We want to add value to what the farmers are producing and are guaranteeing the off-take for the products. We have our processors in Edo North, Central, and South senatorial districts. Each is located close to the farmers,” Ogunbiyi added.

  • IGP vows to end scourge of jungle justice

    …Orders CP Delta to probe case

     

    The Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, has expressed concerns over increasing acts of jungle justice and all manner of dehumanising treatment meted out to some Nigerians.

    The IGP who described the trend as worrisome highlighted the recent assault on one Odugu Blessing Dada ‘f’, 45yrs, of No. 77 Morka Street, Boji-boji Owa in Ika North East LGA of Delta State and other similar incidences before it, in Edo, Lagos, Abuja and Ebonyi States.

    The Police boss in a statement in Abuja on Monday by the Force Spokesman, ACP Frank Mba however stated that his regime has zero tolerance for human rights abuse especially gender based violence.

    He also assured that he will do everything humanly possible and within the ambit of the law to put an end to the scourge and effectively prosecute all offenders.

    The IGP while condoling with all victims of jungle justice and other forms of extra-judicial acts particularly Dada, her family and friends over the unwarranted assault on her by one Friday Ndudi Eluro also commended all Nigerians who have clearly identified with the victim and raised the red flag on impunity and all forms of inhuman treatment in the Country.

    Read Also: Police arrest 25 suspected cultists

    Adamu who expressed excitement that most of the alleged perpetrators of the crime have been apprehended, ordered the new Commissioner of Police, Delta State, CP Adeleke Yinka to ensure that the case be expeditiously and thoroughly investigated and all indicted suspects charged to court.

    The IGP urged all Nigerians to steer-clear of human rights violations and all manner of impunity and jungle justice and to report all incidence to the nearest relevant authority.

    He also noted that henceforth, violators of the rights of human persons will be dealt-with in accordance with the law.

     

     

  • Police arrest 25 suspected cultists

    -rescue seven kidnap victims

    Edo State Police Command said it has arrested 25 suspected cultists in different parts of the state within 30 days.

    It said the suspected cultists belonged to Aye, Jurist, Vikings and Eiye confraternity.

    State Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosun, who disclosed this while briefing journalists said three of the suspects, Ehizode Isreal, Esumen Emmanuel and Idahosa Orobosa were linked to the killing of one Oriakhi Osemwengie on February 2nd, 2019.

    Odumosun said police operatives rescued seven persons who were abducted along the Benin-Lagos road and recovered two vehicles from the abductors.

    He said the leader of a kidnap gang that killed a policeman last month has been killed while other members of the gang fled to neighbouring states.

    Odumosun said one Princess Oberuomo Jakpor aged 54 was arrested at Oluku area in Ovia North East local government for duping her victims to the sum of N4.3m.

    Read Also: Police arrest Uber driver ‘s alleged killers, recovers car

    The Edo Police boss said the suspected confessed that her victims parted with the money to enable her procure travelling documents.

    He assured the public of adequate security of lives and property.

    Some of the suspected cultists confessed but said they were planning to renounce membership.

  • Obaseki charges parents, teachers on girls participation in science

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has charged parents, teachers, school administrators and community leaders to prioritize the participation of girls in science.

    Obaseki gave the charge on Monday in Benin City, in commemoration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, marked on February 11, each year, by the United Nations and its partners.

    The governor decried practices in some societies that relegate the girl child in the pursuit of knowledge and explained that girls can contribute as much to development, as their male counterparts, if equally empowered.

    “With the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EDOBEST) programme, which my administration initiated, we have provided a level playing field for our male and female children to actualise their God-given potential,” he said.

    According to the governor, “the ongoing revamp of 230 primary schools across the state and the conversion of the former Benin Technical College (BTC) to Government Science and Technical College (GSTC) were informed by our realisation of the new offerings of science education in fast-tracking development.”

    He added that several trainings have been organised for girls at the Edo Innovation Hub to equip them with hands-on skills to participate in the Information Communication Technology-driven global market.

    Obaseki assured that more opportunities will be created for girls by his administration, to enable them take charge of their space and contribute significantly to the nation’s growth and development.

    The United Nations said that “Over the past 15 years, the global community has made a lot of effort in inspiring and engaging women and girls in science. Yet women and girls continue to be excluded from participating fully in science.”

    On the 2019 theme: ‘Investment in Women and Girls in Science for Inclusive Green Growth’ the UN explained that Science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    It notes that “At present, less than 30 per cent of researchers worldwide are women. According to UNESCO data (2014 – 2016), only around 30 per cent of all female students select STEM-related fields in higher education.

    “Globally, female students’ enrolment is particularly low in ICT (3 per cent), natural science, mathematics and statistics (5 per cent) and in engineering, manufacturing and construction (8 per cent).”

    The global body further said that “Long-standing biases and gender stereotypes are steering girls and women away from science related fields. As in the real world, the world on screen reflects similar biases — the 2015 Gender Bias Without Borders study by the Geena Davis Institute showed that of the onscreen characters with an identifiable STEM job, only 12 per cent were women.

    “In order to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, and further achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/70/212 declaring 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.”