The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo State

  • Hausa-Fulani community begins biometric verification to fish out criminals

    …lauds governor for commitment to peaceful coexistence

    The Hausa-Fulani community in Edo State, led by the Sarkin Fulani, Alhaji Muhammed Sossa, has commenced the bio metric verification of its members in the state, to fish out cattle rustlers and other criminals that hide in their community to perpetrate crimes.

    Alhaji Sossa, who disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, at the Government House in Benin City, the state capital, said his group has been having meetings with security agencies in the state to ensure the Obaseki-led administration enjoys the desired peace to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

    He commended the governor for the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in the state under his watch.

    “We have started the biometric varication of people in our communities to ascertain genuine businessmen and women in the state. The process will help us fish out bad elements,” the Sarkin Fulani said.

    Read Also: Community threatens to withdraw support for PDP

    In his remark, Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, said his administration will continue to collaborate with the Hausa-Fulani community in the state to maintain peace and ensure that people are living harmoniously with one another in the state.

    He commended the Sarkin Fulani for providing leadership among the Hausa-Fulani community in the state especially during trying times.

    “We need to sustain and build on the existing relationship to maintain the peace through information gathering and management,” the governor added.

    “We have set up committees at different local government areas to support in tackling crimes. We need to have a meeting to review the activities of these committees in all the local government areas. In reviewing their activities your contributions will be needed,” the governor added.

    He explained, “It is in the interest of the government to give the Sarkin Fulani all the support to help fish out the bad elements in the state. We will continue to collaborate with you to enjoy peace in the state.”

  • ASUU Strike paralyses Academic activities in UNIBEN

    As the strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) enters its third day, academic activities at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) in the Edo state capital have been paralysed.

    A Correspondent who monitored the compliance level and the effect of the strike on lecturers and students in Benin on Wednesday observed that the institution was unusually empty, as only a few persons were around the campus.

    The institution’s ASUU chairman, Prof Julius Iyasele, who spoke with, said that government’s insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians and public tertiary institutions in the country prompted the strike.

    Iyasele disclosed that other reasons for the strike were the under-development of tertiary institutions, the revitalization of the country’s education system, insecurity in the country, as well as the non-implementation of a previous agreement reached between the union and the federal government.

    He stressed that the government, after reaching agreement with the union, later reneged, adding that the union was now prepared to implement the Ghana model of not returning to work, until government does the needful.

    The UNIBEN ASUU chairman said that in most countries of the world today, tertiary education was free, as education was a public good and the pivot of every developing nation.

    “But here in Nigeria, we see a situation where government wants to take education beyond the reach of the common man.

    “The UNESCO budgetary standard for education is 26 per cent, but in Nigeria, we have moved from nine per cent in 2011 to six per cent, and we are saying no, we cannot continue like this.

    “The government wants public universities pauperized so that private universities can flourish, because most of them in government are proprietors of private universities.

    “For instance, Dr Wale Babalakin, the leader of the government negotiating team is building a private university; that is why he is fixated that government can’t fund tertiary institutions, and that is why ASUU is saying that Babalakin must step down as a representative of government,’’ he said.

    He, however, said that it was sad that government’s insensitivity was causing a setback to students and parents, adding that clearance for new students for the new academic session ought to have commenced on Monday at UNIBEN.

    “But we h ave directed all the students to go home, and they have gone home.’’

    Meanwhile, Mr Sunday Ogheneyore, a 400-level Economics and Statistics student at the institution has lamented the ongoing strike.

    According to him, “I am supposed to be doing my project work, but I can’t do that now due to the strike. The irony is that I don’t even know when it would be called off.

    “As it is now, I don’t know whether to go get a job somewhere and be working first or not,’’ he noted.

    Similarly, Miss Jacinta Ikediuwa, another student of the institution, said it was sad that government was playing politics with the education and the future of her youth.

    ASUU announced an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday over the non-implementation of its memorandum of Action (MOA) signed with the Federal Government.

    The association’s National President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, said the strike would involve all federal and state-owned institutions.

  • Man kills his mother, makes love to her corpse for money ritual

    Men of the Edo State Police Command have arrested a 21-year old man, Samuel Emobor Oghenekporboro, for allegedly killing his mother and making love to her corpse several times for money ritual.
    His 58 years old mother identified as Mrs Christiana Ighoyivwi was said to have been strangulated at their residence at 8B, Market road, Ologbo Community along Benin- Sapele road in Ikpoba-Okha local government area.
    It was gathered that an herbalist had told the suspect that money would fall from heaven while making love with his mother’s corpse.
    Sources said it was a grandmother of the suspect, Mrs Maria Gabriel, that caught him having sex with the corpse.
    She was at the residence at about 6am to invite her late daughter to a nearby church for morning prayers when she caught the suspect.
    The old woman was said to have knocked repeatedly on her daughter’s (victim) door but nobody responded and raised an alarm after peeing through the door.
    The suspects who opened the door and attempted to escape was held by neighbours who handed him over to the police.

    Read Also: Man in court over alleged house breaking, stealing

    Sources said semen-stained pants belonging to the suspect and his late mother were recovered from the room as exhibits by the police.
    It was gathered that the suspect told interrogators that he thought money would rain from heaven after killing his mother and making love to her.
    Spokesman for Edo Police Command, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, said investigation was ongoing saying the suspect would be arraigned soon.

  • ‘Edo Civil Service committed to continuous staff training’

    The Head of Service, Edo State, Mrs. Gladys Idahor, has commended the Godwin Obaseki-led administration for making staff training and re-training and prompt payment of salaries and allowances in the State Civil Service a cardinal objective of his government.

    Mrs. Idahor said this at a one-day seminar on “Preparation of Establishment Proposals” for Senior and Middle-Level Officers in the State Public Service, at the Imaguero College Hall, Sapele Road, in Benin City.

    She said the seminar was conceived to equip participants with relevant skills and tools required for the preparation of important documents and to further enhance on-the-job effectiveness and efficiency.

    She stated that government was determined to ensure that staff at all levels are equipped with relevant skills for effective and efficient performance, urging participants to apply the skills garnered at the training in their various offices.

    She reminded the participants of the need to conduct themselves in a civil manner as any act of indiscipline will be viewed as a bid to truncate the good wishes of the state government.

    Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Establishments, Training and Manpower Services, Barr. Deborah Enakhimion, whose office organised the training, urged participants to make the best of it, as the skills are essential in their day-to-day operations.

    She stated that an establishment proposal is an essential planning document for personnel budgeting, staff promotion, transfers and advancement in the service, which requires keen administrative skill and techniques in its preparation.

    She said that it was necessary that schedule officers in Government Ministries, Agencies and Extra-Ministerial Departments be exposed to the technicalities in preparing establishment proposals, taking into consideration the personnel budget/requirement of their ministries and agencies vis-à-vis government plans and directives as it concerns their establishments.

     

  • Obaseki goes tough on thuggery

    …to amend laws to curb cultism

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has revealed that plans are in place to sponsor a bill for a law to strengthen measures aimed at curbing cultism in the state.

    The governor disclosed this when he played host to the new Commander, 107 Air Maritime Group of the Nigerian Air Force, Wing Commander Fatai Ayinla Ganiyu, at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State capital.

    Obaseki said that his administration will not give room for thuggery in the state as the country prepares for the 2019 general elections, noting, “We are heading into election period and there are some bad habits that are trying to reoccur. As a government, we will not accept thuggery in our politics as we are going to take serious action against anybody or group of persons who perpetuate thuggery in any form.”

    The governor said that the state government is concerned about the rising cult-related violence in the state, and assured that, “We are finalizing amendment of our laws which will soon be sent to the Edo State House of Assembly to strengthen our law enforcement agencies to deal with cultism in the state.”

    Read Also: Obaseki’s aide resigns, joins PDP

    According to him, security is key to his administration as the state serves as “a transit route with people going through the state. For this, we must ensure lives and property are secured. The goal is to use our natural endowments to stimulate economic growth and activities as nobody will invest in a state with lax security.”

    Obaseki commended the harmonious relationship between the state government and the Nigerian Air Force Command in Benin City, adding that his administration will continue to support the Command.

    The new Commander, 107 Air Maritime Group, Nigerian Air Force, Wing Commander Fatai Ayinla Ganiyu expressed appreciation to the governor for his efforts at ensuring peace and security and promoting a conducive environment for businesses in the state.

    “We are already assisting the government in the area of patrol to ensure the safety of lives and property,” Ganiyu said.

  • Edo finalizes audit of roads as contractors mobilize to site

    The Edo State Government has finalized the audit of roads across the state to determine the areas and level of intervention needed to bring them to good shape, as part of efforts to fast-track improvement in road infrastructure across the state.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the road audit was carried out to provide government with a reliable assessment of road infrastructure with a view to categorizing the level of intervention and mobilizing resources to fix the roads.

    According to Osagie, “Governor Obaseki means business in Edo State. He is out to ensure that contracts awarded for road construction and reconstruction are carried out to specifications and are of the best quality.”

    “The data from the audit carried out on the roads give details of roads that need intervention, outlining those that need serious or minimal work to put them in good shape. On a number of the roads,  contractors are returning to site to commence work. This will give tax payers value for their money,” he added.

    Read Also: Edo unveils paid Graduate Internship Programme

    He said that “In areas where construction or reconstruction work is still ongoing, the audit measures progress that has been made and the challenges, if any. Governor Obaseki is clear about the quality of work and expected dates for the completion. The road projects must meet the agreed terms.”

    Osagie added that roads are critical components of the Governor Obaseki led-administration’s vision for economic transformation and wealth creation for Edo people as the road projects will not only connect the different parts of the state but open up more areas to economic activities.

    He said, “After completing the road audit, contractors will mobilize equipment from their locations towards the various project sites. The governor will be on selected sites to personally flag-off the construction work.”

  • Obaseki pledges support for One Million Trees project in Edo

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured of his administration’s commitment to sustain the One Million Trees for Peace Afforestation project on-going in the state.

    Obaseki made the commitment when he received members of the Board of Association Bernadette Strebel World Peace (ABSWP) based in Switzerland and Spain, who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Benin City on Wednesday.

    The governor lamented that the forest cover of the state has dropped to less than six per cent, noting that replenishment through continuous tree planting is paramount.

    “We are committed to the protection of the forest covers in the state in order to tackle climate change and preserve our beautiful state for future generations. We are ready to support the replenishment of our trees which are our heritage,” he added.

    He assured that with the setting up of the Edo Forestry Commission, the state would be able to plant one million trees in two years.

    Earlier, the president of the association, Mrs Bermadette Strebel, said the association in 2008, promised to support the Edo State Government’s Reforestation programme by raising one million trees to be planted in the state.

    Read Also: Obaseki’s aide resigns, joins PDP

    Strebel added that about 270,000  trees have been planted in the state since the inception of the project.

    She noted that the world forests were depleting at an alarming rate and commended the governor Obaseki-led administration for giving support to forest regeneration.

    “The establishment of the Advisory Committee on Forestry and the proposed Edo Forestry Commission are welcome development. You are working in line with the saying that the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago and the second-best time is now” the President said.

    She also expressed appreciation for the cooperation of the Africa Initiative for World Peace  in Europe and the Edo State Government in the implementation of the One Million Trees for Peace Afforestation project.

  • Oshiomhole questions competence of suit seeking his probe for graft

    Court schedules hearing for Nov 19

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has queried the competence of a suit seeking his probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for corruption related conduct.

    Oshiomhole, who also questioned the plaintiff’s right under the law, to seek to compel the EFCC to probe his tenure as Governor of Edo State, urged the court to dismiss the suit for being incompetent.

    The plaintiff, Bishop Osadolor Ochei said he, on October 28, 2016 petitioned the EFCC, demanding that Oshiomhole be  investigated on some allegations he (Ochei) has made against the ex-Governor.

    The said his suit, filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja and marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/ was as a result of the EFCC’s alleged failure to act on his petition.

    Plaintiff’s  lawyer, West Idahosa said the court that there were documents and electronic pictures of palatial houses credited to the former governor, whose earnings throughout his lifetime, according to the plaintiff, could not have been able to afford.

    Idahosa said, among other allegations, there was evidence that the ex-Governor allegedly diverted Edo State’s funds.

    He claimed that there are also vouchers of exorbitant air fares that the former governor allegedly incurred.

    Oshiomhole, in a notice of preliminary objection filed by his lawyer, Damien Dodo (SAN), argued that the plaintiff lacked the locus stand to bring the suit.

    In the objection, supported by 10 grounds, Oshiomhole argued that the suit has become a mere academic exercise since the plaintiff failed to file the suit for judicial review within three months of the occurrence of the subject of the case.

    He argued that the action or inaction of the EFCC being subjected to review by the proceedings occurred on December 13, 2016, while the plaintiff only institute the action for judicial review on June 13, 2018.

    Read Also: Anti-Oshiomhole protest rocks Imo

    He noted that this came about 18 months after the occurrence of the alleged failure being complained about.

    Oshiomhole contended that the plaintiff’s right of action has become unenforceable, because Ochei has been unable to state that he has the legal right to file and maintain the suit for judicial review, “having not shown how the actions of the second respondent/applicant affected him over and above other residents and indegenes of Edo State.”

    He further argued that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit for failure of the plaintiff to commence the action within the time provided by extant rules of the court and for failure to disclose locus standi to file the action.

    The judge, Justice Anwuli Chikere, had on October 8, 2018, granted leave to the plaintiff to commence the suit for “judicial review”.
    Justice Chikere granted the leave upon an ex parte motion to that effect filed by the plaintiff and ordered that Oshiomhole and the EFCC be served with all the processes filed in the suit.

    The EFCC was not represented by any lawyer when the case came up on Tuesday.

    Idahosa told the court that the commission was duly served as ordered by the court, following which the judge adjourned to November 19 for hearing

  • Obaseki counts gains of Edo Innovation Hub

    …As world marks Devt. Information Day 

    …Urges more Edo youth to snatch training opportunities

     

    The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has said that thousands of Edo people have benefited from the series of training programmes designed to equip Edo youth with in-demand Information and Communication Technology-based skills in a fast- changing world that places huge premium on solution offerings that rely on  technology.

    Obaseki who said this in commemoration of the World Development Information Day, marked on October 24, each year, explained that in less than two years into his administration, the state has successfully plugged into the global technology ecosystem, with thousands of Edo people making the desired impact and taking their share of the gains that abound.

    The United Nations General Assembly explained that “Information and Communication Technologies have the potential to provide new solutions to development challenges, particularly in the context of globalisation, and can foster economic growth, competitiveness, access to information and knowledge, poverty eradication and social inclusion.”

    According to Obaseki, “World Development Information Day is a day for stakeholders in the information and communication sector to take stock of their activities and set new targets.

    “I am delighted at the prospect of having millions of Edo people join the global army of techpreneurs through our empowerment initiatives at the Edo Innovation Hub.”

    Read Also: Obaseki mourns death of Ex-CJN, Kutigi

    He urged leaders across the world “to replicate the Edo Innovation Hub model which has set Edo State on the path to becoming the Silicon Valley in South-South Nigeria.

    The Edo State Government-backed Edo Innovation Hub is a cluster for innovators and inventors in Benin City, and is priming youth to evolve and strengthen the technology ecosystem in the state.

    The facility houses the South-South Innovation Hub ad has two halls, five training rooms, six fully-furnished co-working spaces, four rooms with a total of 100 computers, offices, conference rooms, outdoor workspaces, among others.

    Some of the trainings taking place at the hub are handled by partners such as Microsoft, Tech4Dev, LinkedIn, Curators University, Hotels, NG, Makers Academy, Pan Atlantic University University’s Enterprise Development Centre, and Siemens’ Impact Hub.

    The UN said the World Development Information Day was established in 1972 to draw the attention of the world to development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them.

    “The Assembly deemed that improving the dissemination of information and the mobilization of public opinion, particularly among young people, would lead to greater awareness of the problems of development, thus, promoting efforts in the sphere of international cooperation for development,” it added.

  • Obaseki commends Police for crime reduction

    …charges Command to root out criminal gangs

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has applauded the Edo State Police Command led by Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, over the reduction in cult clashes, armed robbery and kidnapping incidents across the state.

    Obaseki said, “I commend the Police Command for stepping up its operations against cult groups, armed robbers and kidnappers, who have been terrorizing innocent citizens in the state.”

    The governor’s commendation is coming on the heels of arraignment by the Edo State Police Command of 72 armed robbery, cultism and kidnapping suspects, who have been terrorizing Benin metropolis in the past few weeks.

    “It is evident to all that the synergy between the state government and the Police hierarchy is yielding results. I not only commend the command for the effort to dislodge the cult groups, I charge them to dig deeper and cut-off the roots of the miscreants, ensuring that safety returns to our streets,” he stressed.

    He said it is important “to rid the state of criminals to consolidate on the gains to support the growth of businesses and engender economic prosperity for our people.”

    Read Also: Obaseki vows to sustain poverty eradication policies

    Obaseki urged the State Police Command to sustain the onslaught against all criminal gangs, noting, “Much as the Police has done a good job, we are not oblivious of the fact that more needs to be done to secure lives and property in the state. So, I charge the Police to redouble their effort, adopt innovative techniques and deploy more tactical manoeuvres to dislodge these criminals.”

    He advised the police command to work with sister security agencies operating in the state to rid Edo of criminal elements.

    “Breaking the backbone of cultism, armed robbery and kidnapping will ensure Edo is free from the vicious cycle of vices perpetuated by members of these groups who do not mean well for us in the state.”

    He assured that the state government will continue to do all that is necessary to make the state safe and conducive for social and economic activities.