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Tag: Edo State

  • Police arrest six suspects for assaulting lady

    The Nigeria Police Force said it has arrested six suspects connected to the assault on a lady in Edo State.

    The lady in the video that went viral was stripped naked and pepper was inserted into her private part for allegedly stealing a phone.

    The Police said following the viral video, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu ordered an investigation into the matter which led to the arrest of the six suspects.

    The Police also said they have established contact with the female victim who is 24 years adding that her health status and recovery rate are being monitored.

    The Police in a statement in Abuja on Thursday by the Force Spokesman, ACP Frank Mba also said that two other suspects are currently at large.

    The statement reads: “Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested six male suspects involved in the shocking, barbaric and indecent assault meted out on a young Nigerian female as shown in a video which recently went viral.

    “Following the dehumanizing incident, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the report.

    “Consequently, the Edo State Police Command, led by its Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu swung into action, leading to the investigative breakthrough.

    “Two other male suspects are still at large. Efforts are being intensified to arrest them and bring all involved to justice.

    “The Nigeria Police Force condemns jungle justice in its entirety and warns of dire consequences for persons who resort to criminal acts of self-help.”

    Read Also: Customs intercepts uniforms, others in Lagos

    The six male suspects arrested are: Otoghile Joel (owner of the phone alleged to have been stolen by the young woman), Lucky Igbinovia (alias “One Man Squad” in whose house the young woman was tortured), Edobor Osemwengie (manager of Lafun Hotel), Kingsley Iyamu, Gregg Eweka and Friday Omorogbe.

    The Police also stated that the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu will provide more details as the investigation progresses.

  • Obahiagbon promises people-centred, participatory law-making model

    Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Edo South senatorial seat in the forthcoming elections, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, has assured that when elected, his legislative agenda in the Senate will be formed by the people through a series of engagements with the constituents.

    Hon. Obahiagbon made the promise while addressing APC supporters at a rally in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

    He noted that when elected to represent Edo South, he would “in the first three months, under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki, come home and engage in a people-centred, participatory and communal appraisal of the core issues that will form his legislative agenda.”

    The people-oriented model, according to Hon. Obahiagbon, will provide a platform, “where there shall be dialectical and robust engagement between me as a senator, Mr. Governor and the people, where we shall ask you what your priorities are.

     “The products of that engagement shall become my legislative agenda for the next four years.”

    Hon. Obahiagbon assured that the era where people in Edo South were short-changed by their representatives in Abuja was over, urging residents in the constituency to come out en mass to vote for him and other candidates of the APC.

    Other candidates of the APC in Edo South include Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha, who is vying for the Oredo Federal Constituency seat at the House of Representatives; Dennis Idahosa for Ovia North East/South West seat in the House of Representatives; Hon. Johnson Agbonayinma for Egor/Ikpoba Okha Federal Constituency seat, among others.

  • Obaseki woos voters with impactful projects in Uromi

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called on residents in Esan North-East Local Government Area to join the progressives by voting for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming general elections.

    The governor, who made the call while addressing the party’s supporters at a campaign rally in Uromi on Monday, thanked the people for their support.

    He said he has executed impactful projects that have positively touched the lives of Edo people in the past two years.

    He promised that he would work on Uzea Road and other roads in the area, noting, “There is still much to do for the people especially in the area of road construction, providing potable water, jobs, and electricity for the people of Uromi. I will do this and more, please vote for our candidates to enable us have representatives in Abuja that will join hands with us to fast-track development in the area.”

    Obaseki reiterated his respect for tradition, which he said informed his decision to reinstate the Royal Father, the Ojuromi of Uromi, Anselm Eidonojie, to his position as the paramount ruler of Uromi to further enhance unity and development in the area.

    “Not minding that late Tony Anenih was from the opposition party, he was given a state burial as an elder statesman. We love our people and all we require from you is to vote for candidates of our party, the APC, to sustain the development in the state and in the country,” he added.

    Chairman, Edo State Chapter of APC, Barr. Anselm Ojezua, thanked residents in the area for their support for the APC, urging them to cast their votes for the party so as to benefit more from the Governor Obaseki’s administration.

    Among APC candidates seeking the mandate of the people in the forthcoming general elections, include, Hon. Joseph Ikpea, APC House of Representatives candidate for Esan South-East and Esan North-East Federal Constituency seat; Hon. John Inegbedion, APC senatorial candidate for Edo Central; Hon. Frank Okiye, APC State House of Assembly (EDHA) candidate for Esan North Constituency I; and Hon. Emma Okoduwa, APC House of Assembly candidate for Esan North Constituency II.

  • Obaseki’s reforms: Acting EBS mgt. remits N5.7m in six weeks

    Efforts to reposition state-owned media organisations in Edo State have started yielding positive result as the interim management appointed recently by Governor Godwin Obaseki to oversee the affairs of Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) has remitted N5.7million in six weeks.

    The new EBS management led by Mr Ransley Abu- Osagie, is clearing the back-log of inherited debts and meeting with representatives of the business community in the state to communicate the state government’s new direction for the media house.

    According to Abu-Osagie, the N5.7million remitted as Internally Generated Revenue to the state government, came after settling the station’s internal financial obligations.

    Special Adviser to Edo State Governor, Mr Crusoe Osagie, said the news of remittances by the new management of EBS is heart-warming and shows commitment to frugal management of resources.

    “I have often asked why EBS workers who earn their salaries regularly from the state government cannot compete with their peers in private broadcast stations, where salaries are not paid or irregular.

    “Well that era of non-performance is over with the ongoing reforms of all government-owned media organisations. We thought it was impossible to bring EBS to a point where it can begin to remit as much as N5.7 million in six weeks.”

    The governor’s aide noted that: “What the new development means is that EBS can do much more with the right people, who are transparent and clear-headed about their core functions in society and obligations to the government and other stakeholders.”

    The Abu-Osagie management has cleared the compound of trees that posed threat to the station’s equipment such as the mast and transmitters amongst other efforts to reset the station on a new path.

    Recall that the media house was one of the first few government establishments visited by Governor Godwin Obaseki, shortly after assuming office.

    At the visit, Obaseki decried the poor state of facilities in the media house and promised to revamp the station.

  • PDP rejects INEC ad-hoc staff list in Edo

    The Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State has rejected the list of ad-hoc staff the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) planned to use to conduct the February 16, 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections in Edo state.

    It said the directive to Vice Chancellors of Nigeria universities was clear and explicit that they should provide a list of its members of staff who would be used as ad-hoc staff.

    A press statement signed by State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, said the list handed over to INEC contained APC card carrying members and operatives who poised as University of Benin staff.

    Nehikhare alleged that the list was written in Edo Government house Benin and handed over to the UNIBEN VC, Prof. Faraday Orhunmwense for transmission to INEC.

    According to him, “This purported INEC ad-hoc staff list must be completely discarded as it is a recipe for chaos and poses a great danger to our nascent democracy. We reject it and condemn the politicalisation of the “employment” of APC members as ad-hoc staff to manage the election process.

    “We call on the vice chancellor of the University of Benin not to allow himself to be used. He must do the right thing by withdrawing the scandalous list he was prevailed upon to submit, and hand over one made up of genuine staff of University of Benin.

    Read Also: INEC to collate elections results manually

    “The forth coming election must not only be free, fair and transparent, it must be seen to be so.”

    But the authorities of UNIBEN have asked the Edo PDP to visit the institution and be free to verify names on the list.

    It debunked allegations that the names were written in Edo Government House and handed over to the VC.

    Spokesman for UNIBEN, Mr. Micheal Osasuyi, said it was laughable to claim that the institution would recommend persons who are not staff to work as INEC ad-hoc Staff.

    Micheal urged the PDP not to play politics with the list as according to him, ‘INEC has a way of doing its checks and balances.’

    “How can we recommend who is not our staff to INEC. Our staff are verifiable. They should not play politics with the list.“

  • Edo flags off 740m College Road in Uhunmwode LGA

    The Edo State Government has flagged off the construction of the 740m College Road project in Uhunmwode Local Government Area, assuring that the project would boost socio-economic activities in the area.

    At the flag-off ceremony in Ugieghudu, Uhunmwode LGA, at the weekend, Edo State Head of Service, Mr. Isaac Ehiozuwa, said the road was part of the State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR) projects, noting that finance to ensure its completion has been budgeted for.

    He said, “We want to thank our wake and see governor for the developmental efforts in Uhunmwode council. Through the state government, we have renovated schools and markets, town halls, health centres, water facilities as well as road projects.”

    He assured residents in the area of the state government’s commitment to carry out more projects, adding that the people were in support of the transformation agenda of the state government and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The residents applauded Governor Godwin Obaseki for the completed and ongoing developmental projects in the area, which they described as motivation to vote for candidates of the APC in the forthcoming general elections.

    According to residents who spoke to journalists at the flag-off of the road project, they said the APC led-government in the state has brought more dividends of democracy to their doorsteps.

    Chairman, Uhunmwode LGA, Hon. Napoleon Agbama, said since the inception of the Obaseki-led APC administration, residents of the area have benefitted from the pilot scheme of Edo Health Improvement Programme (Edo-HIP), 22 water projects and renovation of about 20 primary schools, among others.

    “We just witnessed the flag-off of College Road construction in Ugieghudu Community. The governor has also marked out three other road projects for rehabilitation in the area. We thank him for his developmental projects,” he added.

    The Odionwere of Ugieghudu Community, Mr Ekoma Edobor, described Governor Godwin Obaseki led-administration as people-oriented, which has restored hope to the community.

    Edobor said people of the community would vote for the candidates of the APC in the 2019 elections as a way of showing gratitude to the governor.

  • World Cancer Day: Obaseki lauds Buhari on care for patients

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has commended the efforts of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government at prioritizing care for cancer patients.

    Obaseki gave the commendation on Monday in Benin City, in commemoration of the World Cancer Day, a day set aside by the World Health Organisation to draw global attention to the disease, review progress on treatment and management options with global stakeholders.

    Emphasising the need for people to go for regular checks  to detect the cells early, the governor said: “Under president Buhari, we now have the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (Establishment) Act, 2017.

    “The Act provides the much-needed national direction in cancer research, control and treatment and guides scientific improvements to cancer prevention, treatment and care, coordinates and liaises between the wide range of groups and health care providers with an interest in cancer.”

    He added that few weeks ago, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, inspected the ongoing installation of three new cancer machines at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos, as part of efforts to bring cancer treatment closer to sufferers across the country.

    Read Also: Obaseki hails legacy of Ambrose Alli

    The governor further said that he is “aware of plans by the federal government to establish similar centres in other geo-political zones in the country to bring the treatment facilities closer to the people and check capital flight occasioned by medical tourism.”

    Obaseki explained that the Federal Government inaugurated a radiotherapy centre with new multilevel linear accelerator equipment for cancer treatment in 2017 at the National Hospital Abuja, and urged Nigerians to re-elect president Buhari so that all parts of the country can benefit from his initiatives in health and other sectors of the country.

    According to the WHO in its 2018 publication, “cancer is now responsible for almost one in six deaths globally. On World Cancer Day (4 February) WHO highlights that cancer no longer needs to be a death sentence, as the capacity exists to reduce its burden and improve the survival and quality of life of people living with the disease.”

    The global body added in “In May 2017, Member States came together around priority actions to ensure cancer care for all. World Health Assembly resolution WHA A70/A/CONF./9″Cancer prevention and control in the context of an integrated approach” lays out a clear road map to realise the potential for prevention, early diagnosis, prompt treatment and palliative care for people with cancer.

    “Since adoption of the resolution, Member States are taking action on its recommendations. Governments are enacting evidence-based risk-reducing strategies such as imposing higher taxes on tobacco and alcohol, promoting healthy diets and physical activity, and advocating for access to HPV vaccination. Approximately 30-50% of cancers can be prevented if these policies are maximally implemented.”

  • APC to Buratai: Igbinedion harassing our members with soldiers

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has raised the alarm over the brutalisation and harassment of its members by military personnel attached to Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Bénin Kingdom.

    A daughter of Chief Igbinedion, Barr. Omosede is seeking re-election to the House of Representatives and her main contender is Mr. Dennis Idahosa of the APC.

    A press statement by the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Chris Azebamwan, said the campaign train of the party was on its way to Usen in Ovia South West local government when Chief Igbinedion ‘with a retinue of thugs dressed in Army Uniform blocked the road.’

    Read Also:Lagos APC elders settle Ambode, House of Assembly rift

    Azebamwan said a bloody clash was averted as its candidate, Idahosa, who was leading the campaign team was able to bring sanity to the situation which he said was fraught with danger.

    According to him, “The incident at Usen was a major blot on the integrity and impartiality of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

    “We hereby call on the Chief of Army Staff Tukur Yusuf Buratai and the Commander of 4 Brigade, to bring to book, the black sheep in their rank and file who hired themselves out to Chief Igbinedion as political thugs and agent of violence, in his desperate attempt to shore up the dwindling political fortunes of his daughter who has been rejected by the people of Ovia.

    “We have appealed to our teeming members and supporters in Ovia to remain calm and toe the path of peace and to ignore the provocative antics of Chief Igbinedion.

    “We call on the Military authorities to do the needful by identifying the miscreants in army uniform who are hell -bent on bringing the gallant men of the Nigerian Armed Forces to opprobrium and public ridicule.”

    When contacted for comments, Omosede described the allegations as ‘not true and completely unfounded.’

    An aide to Chief Igbinedion who picked calls to his cell phone promised to get back to our reporter.

    He was yet to do so as at press time.

  • Outstanding Edo workers receive cash reward

    Efforts by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led government to deepen reforms in the Edo State civil service received a fillip on Friday as outstanding civil servants and officials of Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA) received varied sums of money as rewards from the government, for their hard work.

    Presenting cheques to the recipients of the 2016/2017 Productivity Order of Merit Award, drawn from the state civil service and the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA, the Head of Service, Mr Isaac Ehiozuwa, stressed that “there is always reward for hard work, diligence and high productivity.”

    Ehiozua explained that Governor Obaseki had promised to reward outstanding workers on November 1, 2018 as a way of motivating workers to give their best at work.

    “We are presenting cheques to you today in fulfilment of the governor’s promise to diligent and hardworking staff under the state’ Productivity Order of Merit Award. We expect better performance from you as the reward for hard work is more work,” the HOS said.

    In their vote of thanks, Mr Fidelis Ediagbonya, Director, Public Service Matters, Directorate of Administration, Governor’s Office, and Mr Osagie Emokpae, of ESTMA, commended the governor for fulfilling his promise.

    The duo said the gesture has demonstrated that hard work pays and will motivate to do more.

    “We thank God for finding us worthy to be beneficiaries of the award and are happy that the governor fulfilled his promise of cash reward.

    “This is the first of its kind in the state and we believe that this move will encourage other civil servants and workers in the state to put in their best in their jobs.”

  • I created 77,000 jobs in 2 years- Obaseki

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki on Tuesday his administration has created over 77,000 direct and indirect jobs following comprehensive institutional reforms in the last two years.

    He added the target is to create 200,000 jobs as soon as possible.

    According to him, massive infrastructural development, transparency and accountability in governance coupled with the inauguration of series of investment and innovative projects have changed the narrative of the state as the preferred Investment destination in the country.

    Obaseki, who said he had a vision to turn Edo state to a knowledge- based economy within the shortest period, said his administration has completed construction of over 200 roads within the three senatorial zones in the past two years while 20 Primary Health Care Centres have also been inaugurated in the rural areas.

    The governor spoke at the National Defence College Abuja while delivering a lecture titled: Strategic leadership: My Political Experience to members of Course 27 of the NDC.

    He said besides his personal experiences , his professional background also played key roles in his approach to governance issues, stressing that strategic leadership should revolve around the ability of leaders to execute conceptualized plans in a religious manner.

    According to him, the valued systems adopted by leaders also played significant roles in driving governance towards sustainable growth and development.

    He recalled when he assumed office, he made it clear that people should not expect him to share government money to them while they paid him courtesy calls or solidarity visits.

    Governor Obaseki said he anchored his vision for the development of the state on six pillars of institutional reforms, social welfare, infrastructural development, environmental stability, inheritance and culture and economic revolution.

    He emphasised the need for transparency and accountability in government at all levels, stressing that it is also imperative that after institutional reforms have been conducted, the business of governance by institutions saddled with various responsibilities would be free from interference of the political leadership.

    Read Also; Obaseki streamlines policies, initiatives on open data

    The governor said he would like to be remembered for the imprints his administration would leave for future generation in educational development, stressing Edo state was able to overcome the challenges in the education sector by using technology.

    According to him over 7,000 teachers have been retrained while massive renovations and constructions have taken place in various schools across the state.

    The Commandant of the College Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo noted the institution as the highest strategic training institution for senior military officers had trained over 2000 participants since its inauguration in 1992.