The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo State

  • JAMB begins construction of 500-seat CBT centre in Benin

    JAMB begins construction of 500-seat CBT centre in Benin

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Friday laid the foundation stone for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board ( JAMB ) 500-seat Computer-Based Test ( CBT ) Centre in Benin.

    The governor said at the event that centre would add to the state’s education industry.

    He said that the state had been known for hosting Federal Government institutions and, thus, its decision to partner with JAMB to have the centre in the state.

    “We saw it as our responsibility to our people and the Federal Government to have a South-South Zonal Office and a CBT Centre in the state and we had to do all within our means to get a land for the project,” he said.

    The governor gave assurance of power supply to the centre and construction of access roads to the centre in 2018.

    He commended the Federal Government for releasing funds for the project, and hailed JAMB for introducing CBT which, he said, had helped to reduce examination malpractice.

    Responding, the Registrar of JAMB, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, commended Obaseki for promptly securing a parcel of land for the centre.

    Oloyede said that JAMB decided to have a CBT centre in Benin in view of the growing number of candidates sitting for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination in the state capital.

    “Benin is the seventh in terms of JAMB examination enrolment and 22nd in terms of facilities available for candidates to sit for the examination.

    “To solve the facilities need in the state, the Federal Government, is building this CBT Centre in the state,” he said.

    The registrar gave assurance of more working ties with the governor who, he said, had much zeal to meet the education needs of Edo people.

    Other dignitaries at the event include the Registrar of NABTEB, Prof. Ifeoma Isiugo-Abanihe; the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of the University of Benin, Prof, Pius Iribhogbe, and the state Commissioner for Education, Dr Christopher Adesotu.

    NAN

  • Obaseki to commission Otuo general hospital, reconstruct sobe-sabongida road

    Obaseki to commission Otuo general hospital, reconstruct sobe-sabongida road

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said his administration would commission the State’s General Hospital in Otuo before December 25, 2017.

    He stated this in Afuze during his state-wide thank-you-tour of Owan East and West local government areas of the state.

    Earlier in Owan West local council, the governor expressed his readiness to reconstruct the Sobe – Sabongida Road and disclosed that the state government has received approval from the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, to reconstruct the road.

    He assured that the contractor handling the Okpoji Road project will be mobilised to commence work on the Sobe-Sabongida Road after completing work on the former.

    “Owan West is the only local government council that is disconnected from the state capital. We will ensure the people are re-connected,” he said.

    He promised that work will commence early next year on the Federal Institute of Vocational Training, Uzzeba, to equip youths from the area with skills that will make them employable, while 500 hectares of land will be added to Sobe Farm to provide jobs for the youths.

    Chairman of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in the local council, West Tunde Omoruwa, commended the governor for translating his victory at the polls and the tribunal to better life for Edo people.

    He commended the governor for the agricultural revolution in the state and thanked him for setting up Sobe Farm. “We appeal that the Sobe Primary Health Care Center be upgraded to a hospital with a resident doctor,” he said.

    Obaseki further said that Afuze-Erah-Ekpoma road has been awarded for re-construction and noted that the priority of his administration is to create jobs for Edo people and make life better for them.

    He maintained that Afuze Technical College is top priority for his administration and said that work will commence in January 2018.

    “Owan East has a lot of potential in mining and we have a consultant recommended by the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, that will work with us. We will also explore the potential of Owan East for the production of cashew nuts.”

    Chairman of the APC in Owan East LGA, Chief Edeki Roland, appealed to the governor to re-construct Afuze-Erah-Ekpoma Road; Uokha-Ohanmi-Arokho; Ihievbe-Ihievbe Ogbe and Ivbiaro-Warrake-Egeunu roads.

  • Jide Tinubu’s death, huge loss to Nigeria – Obaseki

    Jide Tinubu’s death, huge loss to Nigeria – Obaseki

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has commiserated with the national leader of the All Progressives Congress and former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the loss of his eldest son, Jide Tinubu.

    Obaseki, who expressed shock at the sad news, said Jide’s death is a huge loss to the country and prayed for the repose of his soul.

    “On behalf of my family, the Government and the good people of Edo State, I express our heartfelt sympathy to the Tinubu family and pray that God grant you the strength beyond normal, to bear this irreparable loss,” Obaseki said.

    He assured that he has joined “other friends and associates of the Tinubu family in prayers as they go through these trying times.”

  • Dr Dolor Ent. unveils new artistes

    Dr Dolor Ent. unveils new artistes

    Following its launch in December 2016, Dr Dolor Entertainment has unveiled a new set of artistes who will soon be releasing their works under the record label.

    Making the announcement recently, CEO of the outfit, Osadolor Nate Asemota revealed that the record label now houses three talented rising stars; Ryan, Teni Entertainer and Vanila.

    In his words, the CEO, who is simply known as Dr Dolor, explained that his passion for good music is fueled by with the dissatisfaction of seeing many talented young music artists struggle to realize their potential in the music industry were his motivation for taking this direction.

    “At Dr Dolor Entertainment, we are bringing something different. These artistes are some of the best of their generation and we are promising nothing but good sound. What stands us out from the others is the fact that we pay attention to detail, using only the best hands in our projects,” he said.

    Dr Dolor was born into the family of Chief Asemota-Ero in Edo State. He spent most of his early life in Edo State, attaining his primary and secondary education in Benin.

    He later attended the University of Benin where he graduated with a second class upper degree in Mathematics and Economics (Double Honours).

    He spent few years working in a Business Consulting firm, and then began his career in several telecommunications organizations. His stay in the telecoms industry spanned for about a decade during which he rose to position of Manager.

    Dr Dolor (Nate) has since left the telecommunications industry to follow his long held passion for music. He currently runs one of the fastest rising and diverse music outfits in Nigeria and Atlanta USA.
  • Edo pensioners dare Obaseki, cause traffic gridlock

    Edo pensioners dare Obaseki, cause traffic gridlock

    Pensioners in Edo State on Thursday continued their protest in Benin City over unpaid pension arrears and gratuities against the threat by the Edo State Government that it would no longer allow stage-managed protest.

    They blocked the King Square thereby causing heavy vehicular traffic in over ten adjoining streets.

    Edo State Head of Service, Mrs Gladys Idahor, had in a press statement said: “the state government would henceforth prevent miscreants who under the guise of agitating for pension payment, disrupt law and order in the society, particularly when there is sufficient evidence showing that they are being sponsored by some anti-development agents and mischievous members of the opposition who have refused to accept the verdict of the people.”

    The pensioners who are staging their 15th protest brandished placards of various inscriptions which read thus “Gladys Idahor, tell Edo people the anti-development agents, mischievous members of the opposition party that are sponsoring the protesting pensioners in Edo State.” “To stop street protests by pensioners, pay them their pensions benefits.” “Obaseki Godwin, tell Edo State what you have done with Paris/London Loan Refunds meant for payment of pensioners entitlements”

    The spokesman for the group, Barr. Gabriel Osemwekhai, said the government want to divert the Paris Club Refund by going on to place advertisements on the newspapers to say it was not owing.

    “There is money the federal government brought which is the Paris Club Refund money. It was brought to pay all the outstanding arrears of pensioners and serving workers including pensioners gratuities.

    ” This is the Money they diverted that is making them go all about to bring adverts. They know that people cannot know what is really on the ground. The plain truth is that they cannot dare confront us because they know they are owing us.

    “The good side of it is that they paid directly to the bank if anything is in doubt, we will refer to the various banks and let them say where they pay the money to. So, what we are asking for is pension arrears and gratuities, simple. It is not all the noise Gladys Idaho, the HOS is making. That is just an empty noise couple with her empty threat”, he said.

    The pensioners alleged that they were owed between five and 42 months pension arrears, gratuity for local government pensioners from 2008 till date and for the State pensioners, it is from 2012 till date.

  • Police bows to pressure, transfer CP Gwandu out of Edo

    Police bows to pressure, transfer CP Gwandu out of Edo

    After the outcry by Edo State indigenes and residents recently, the force headquarters, Abuja, Wednesday yielded to reason and  transferred the embattled Commissioner of Police, Edo State, Haliru Gwandu Abukar, who despite initial transfer by the Police Service Commission, PSC, refused deployment to his new station.

     

    Abukar’s posting order, issued on Tuesday October 17, 2017, by the Secretary, Office of the Inspector General of Police, has the reference: TH. 5361/FS/FHQ/ABJ/V.2/532, with the title: Posting Senior Officers.

     

    The order which was obtained by this reporter, directed him to move to his new duty post with immediate effect.

     

    Other police commissioners affected by the posting order are Moses Ambakina Jitoboh and Johnson Babatunde Kokumo. 

     

    In July, Abukar, along with other CPs like Fatai Owoseni, formerly of Lagos State, Garba Umar formerly of Bayelsa, were all redeployed. Owoseni, initially, was belligerent and wouldn’t give way for Egdal Omohinmi, his successor, claiming that there hasn’t been signal from the IGP.

     

    The matter was however smoothened later. While Owoseni and Umar have since moved to their new stations, Abukar adamantly refused to budge, allegedly citing directives from the IGP to stay put.

     

    The breakdown in the relationship between the Police and Edo people was amplified by members of the public, who alleged many infractions against the state police command.

     

    Crime rate, especially, kidnapping and robbery, spiked in Edo and the state police command appeared helpless in the matter. There was the brazen kidnap of Andy Ehenire, a brother of Minister of state for Health, Osagie Ehanire, after three policemen were cold bloodedly killed by abductors. Andy has since been released by his abductors, though, but his captors are yet to be apprehended.

     

    Till date, the whereabouts of Osayomore Joseph, a popular musician from Benin, is unknown after being plucked from public view almost a month ago. The police are still clueless on the matter. Till date, too, the brutal killing of Paul Otasowie, a UNIBEN professor, is yet to be unravelled.

     

    The public also accuse the Edo police Command under Abukar of being selective in the protection of citizens and residents in Edo State. They cited the incessant harassment by herdsmen in Edo State as example. Rather than protect vulnerable communities, the police deploy, instead to protect herdsmen on routine grazing of their cattle. The state governor, Godwin Obaseki, had taken up the insecurity matter with the presidency after which he visited the office of the National Security Adviser.

  • Edo plans Alaghodaro Investment Summit

    Edo plans Alaghodaro Investment Summit

    …Set to boost State’s Economy

     

    In a bid to re-engineer the economy of Edo State towards a better future for its citizens, the Godwin Obaseki-led government is set to host the maiden Edo State Investment Summit with the theme “Envisioning the Future” from November 10 – 12, 2017 at Edo Hotels, Okada Avenue, Benin City.

    Christened ‘Alaghodaro’ meaning ‘progress’, the three-day summit will bring together local and international business leaders and investors, bankers, financiers, industry experts, policymakers, the diplomatic community and the academia to explore Edo’s rich potential across various sectors.

    Speaking on the importance of the summit, Asue Ighodalo, Chairman of Alaghodaro 2017 said: “The world over, governments are looking beyond oil to alternative revenue sources in order to ensure sustainable development, and we must also get creative and take action today for our future and the future of our children.”

    “Alaghodaro is part of the response of the Edo State Government to the imminent threat of an oil-dependent economy. It seeks to explore opportunities for local and foreign direct investment in the state by highlighting the state’s competitive advantage across various sectors.”

    Ighodalo also disclosed that the key areas of focus at the three-day event would include Law and Order, Civil Service Reform, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Transportation, Forest Regeneration and Conservation, Education, Healthcare, Arts, Culture, Tourism and Hospitality.

    The Edo State Investment Summit is in line with the vision of the Obaseki administration to build “a modern and progressive Edo state where every citizen is empowered with opportunity to live life in its fullness.”

    Alaghodaro 2017 is designed to foster knowledge sharing, build relationships, spark innovation and inspire commitment to strategic deployment of capital for greater socio-economic and environmental impact.

  • Pensioners’ protest: Edo govt calls for calm, restraint

    Pensioners’ protest: Edo govt calls for calm, restraint

    The Edo State Government has called on local government pensioners in the state to exercise patience as it addresses the backlog of pension arrears using a ‘phased approach,’ nothing that “N2.1 billion has been disbursed to offset the bills from January to September, and that they would get more when economic indicators improve.”

    The state government in a statement in response to renewed protests by pensioners, who obstructed vehicular and human traffic at Ring Road, in Benin City, the Edo state capital, on Monday, said that much as it was concerned and sympathetic to the plight of the pensioners, government is doing all within its power to ensure that the backlog owed by previous administrations has not extended into the current dispensation.

    “From January till date, since this administration settled into power, it has paid pension emoluments to all arms of government promptly and has promised to clear the arrears owed by previous administrations when the economic environment improves” the government said in the statement.

    According to the state government, “We are using a phased approach to tackle the pension arrears issue. It is unfortunate that these bills built up for over two decades. We have already disbursed N2.1 billion between January and September. We are confident that the approach we have adopted would gradually ease the burden of pension arrears in the state, as it would, over time, help in offsetting all outstanding issues.”

    Edo state government faulted allegations that the state governor misapplied the Paris Club refund, stressing “the state judiciously used the fund to offset salaries, emoluments and gratuities, which was why it wasn’t owing workers’ salaries, which is a common trend in many states across the country.”

    Reacting to protest by the pensioners, the statement said: “We are pained to see these protesters. But we want them to understand the times, as well. We have just survived a recession, and things are picking up. But in all these, we have been consistent and faithful to our commitments to workers in the state. It is only unfortunate that the pension arrears built up for over two decades.

  • Edo pensioners resume street protest

    Edo pensioners resume street protest

    Pensioners in Edo State on Monday resumed their street protest to demand for the payment of their pension arrears and gratuity.

    The protesting pensioners wore red attires and caused heavy vehicular traffic in Benin City by blocking the popular Oba Ovoramwen Square (Ring Road).

    They sang solidarity and derogatory songs as well as they prayed to God to intervene on their behalf.

    Spokesman of the protesters, Barr. Gabriel Osemwekhai, said they resumed their protest because Governor Godwin Obsseki was not prepared to use the Paris Club refund money to pay their pension arrears and gratuity.

    Gabriel said they have protested severally in the past and the state government failed to listen to them.

    He said the pensioners were owed between five and 42 months pension arrears, gratuity for local government pensioners from 2008 till date and that the state pensioners were owed gratuities from 2012 till date.

    On claims by the state government that N220m was paid to pensioners, he said the money was paid from statutory allocation to the local government areas.

    “The latest development is that we have not heard from the government. We have protested times without number. This is the 13th time we are coming out to protest in respect of the non-profit of our arrears and gratuity.

    “As a matter of fact, the money is available, it has been given to the State government to be disbursed to pensioners and ever since the money came, Edo state Governor has kept mute, he has been so silence over the disbursement. He has never given a dime to pensioners from the Paris Club refund.

    “That is the money the federal government brought with specific instructions that it should pay all arrears and gratuity. But this man has paid dear ears. We don’t know if it is because he is Governor of the ruling party. We don’t know if that is why he has remained obstinate.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari himself called all the traditional rulers when he returned from his sick leave. He told them that he is disappointed with some Governors. Our own Governor is the only one who has not come out to say this is how much am going to bring out for the pensioners.

    “It is the two months monthly pension he is owing them. The amount for one month is N220 million, and he paid for two months successively. But he did not brought out any money from the Paris Club refund.”

  • Army denies carrying out vaccination in Edo

    Army denies carrying out vaccination in Edo

    The Nigeria Army has denied carrying out any vaccination exercise in schools in Edo State.

    Spokesperson of 4th brigade, Captain Mohammed Maidawa, who denied rumours the that Nigerian Army administered monkey pox vaccines to unsuspecting school children in Edo State said adequate publicity is carried out before it embarked on any medical outreach.

    Read Also: Army responds to Bayelsa vaccination scare

    He said, “(The) medical outreach is one of the activities lined up in support of Operation Crocodile Smile II, (and) vaccination and immunisation (are) not included in the package. Nigerian Army did not conduct any lethal injunction let alone vaccination.”

    He noted that whenever army organised a medical outreach, stakeholders are always involved and with adequate publicity before embarking.