The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo State

  • Flood destroys crops worth millions of Naira in Edo

    Flood destroys crops worth millions of Naira in Edo

    Cash crops worth millions of Naira have been destroyed by flood in Ayoghena and Iyora communities in Uzairue Clan, in the Etsako-West Local Government Area of Edo.

    A check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in the affected villages indicated that hectares of farmland with crops were washed away by flood, emanating from a river in the area, which overflowed its banks.

    The affected produce included cassava, yam, maize, groundnuts, plantain and others.

    Some of the victims, in interviews with NAN, expressed shock over the incident and appealed to the Edo government for help.

    One of them, Azeez Umar, said he lost all his farm produce to the flood.

    “I invested a lot of my time and finances in cultivating my farm, and I am now worried that just at about harvest time, most of my crops have been washed away by the flood,’’ he said.

    Another victim, Paul Oshioneboh, said the incident occurred when most farmers were heavily burdened by the economic recession, and appealed to the state government to give them succour.

    Oshioneboh said he lost millions of naira worth of farm produce to the flood.

    “I invested millions of naira on this farm, this year.

    “As you can see this farmland, which I rely on for my daily bread, is now washed away by the river, which overflowed it banks as a result of heavy rainfall,’’ he said.

    Another farmer, Mr Ibrahim Yusuf, said: “the flood has wreaked havoc on our farms; as you can see, we no longer have any crops to harvest.

    “We are appealing to the state government to come to our aid, as some of us no longer have any food even for subsistence, very much less to sell,’’ he said.

  • ‘No room for Corruption,’ Obaseki tells new Commissioners

    ‘No room for Corruption,’ Obaseki tells new Commissioners

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Thursday swore-in 18 commissioners, saying that “there is no room for corruption in his administration’’.

    Addressing the commissioners made up of 15 males and 3 females at Government House, Benin, the governor said their appointment was a call to service and not to make money or accumulate wealth.

    He said the commissioners were nominated by their various local government councils and they should live up to the confidence reposed on them.

    “We expect that you live above board; your confirmation by the Edo House of Assembly goes to show that you were found worthy to serve the state.

    “This is the time to build institutions; it is not a time to think about self, but to work for the common good of the people.

    “Bring your experiences to bear and treat staff with respect and follow laid down rules,’’ he said.

    Obaseki urged the commissioners to come up with innovative solutions that would help increase internally generated revenue in the state.

    The governor also tasked them on loyalty, accountability and to key into the ICT initiative of the present administration.

    Giving a vote of thanks on behalf of other commissioners, Mr Osagie Inegbedion‎, appreciated the governor for the opportunity given to them to serve.

    Inegbedion said that their appointment was a call to service, saying “we are committed to serve’’.

    The Commissioners are: Mr Yekini Idaiye (Akoko-Edo), Mr Paul Ohonbamu (Egor)‎, Mr E. Agbale (Esan-Central), Mr Emmanuel Usoh (Esan North-East), Magdalene Ohenhen (Esan South-East) and Amiolemen Osahon (Esan-West).

    Others are: Mr Joseph Ugheoke‎ (Etsako-Central), Mr Mika Amonokha (Etsako-East), Mrs Mariam Abubakar (Etsako-West),‎ Osagie Inegbedion‎ (Igueben), Erimona Oye‎ (Ikpoba-Okha) and Prof. Yinka Omoregbe‎ (Oredo).

    Also sworn-in were: Mr Osaze Osemwegie-Ero (Orhionmwon), Mr Monday Osaigbovo (Ovia North-East), Dr Christopher Adesotu (Ovia South-West), Mr Jimoh Ijegbai‎ (Owan-East), Mr Okun Reginald (Owan-West) and Dr David Osifo‎ (Uhunmwode).

  • NIS repatriates 450 illegal immigrants from Edo

    NIS repatriates 450 illegal immigrants from Edo

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Tuesday, said it arrested and repatriated no fewer than 450 illegal immigrants from Edo in the first quarter of the year.

    Comptroller of Immigration in the state, Mr David Adi, disclosed this at the presentation of a refurbished Hilux van by the Management of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc to the command, in Benin.

    Adi said that those repatriated were mainly from Niger Republic, Mali and Ghana, adding that they were “irregular immigrants’’ and security risks to the country.

    He said that the affected foreigners had no regular travel documents and credible means of livelihood.

    Adi commended Okomu Oil Palm Company for the vehicle, saying that the gesture would help the command in achieving its statutory duties.

    He said that the success of the raid on illegal aliens’ domain was attributable to logistics support by some companies, including Okomu Oil Palm Company, in the state.

    “The company had sunk a borehole at our outpost station at Iguobazuwa in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo.

    “The command additionally requested for the company’s assistance in refurbishing the van and the managing director agreed.

    “We appreciate the long-standing relationship between the company and the command.

    “I will definitely pass on this gesture to the Comptroller-General of Immigration Service and I hope other stakeholders will emulate this good gesture,’’ he said.

    Earlier, the Managing Director, Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, Dr Graham Heifer, had said that the gesture was the company’s way of fulfilling part of its corporate social responsibility to NIS to enhance its operational efficiency.

    “Immigration service has always assisted us in the area of educating our expatriates to ensure that they do the right thing with regard to immigration laws,’’ Heifer said.

    According to him, we have 15 expatriates from countries such as South Africa, Kenya and America in our company.

    “We ensured they came into the country following approved protocol.

    “It is our obligation as part of our corporate social responsibility, to assist Immigration Service to enhance its operational efficiency.

    “Our company hopes that this refurbished van will improve the service’s operational efficiency,’’ he said.

  • Five dead, 10 injured in Edo auto crash

    Five dead, 10 injured in Edo auto crash

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of five persons in a road traffic accident involving several vehicles on the Benin-Auchi road in Edo, on Saturday.

    Mr Bisi Kazeem, FRSC Public Education Officer, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that 10 persons were injured in the incident that occurred at the Ewu slope area of the route.

    “The accident involved six vehicles, including two trailers, two Toyota buses and an Audi 80 car.

    “The crash was caused by a head-on collision and a total of 40 persons were involved,” he said.

    Kazeem said that the injured were taken to hospitals in nearby Auchi, Irrua and Agbede towns.

  • Edo signs MoU with Nigeria Institute of Welding to establish Fabrication Village

    Edo signs MoU with Nigeria Institute of Welding to establish Fabrication Village

    The Edo Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Institute of Welding (NIW) to establish  a Fabrication Village in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Governor Godwin Obaseki signed on behalf of the state government, while Dr Solomon Edeberi, the president of NIW signed on behalf of the school.

    The ceremony was held at the Edo Government House in Benin on Thursday.

    Obaseki said the aim of the MoU was to fast-track the industrialisation process of the state.

    “Industrialisation is the core of my administration and at the core of industrialisation is fabrication, and welding drives fabrication.

    “We are very excited to work with you and it is an understanding that we will give life to,’’ he said.

    He noted that Human Capital was needed to coordinate all aspects of development and commended the institute for its initiative to train human capacity in state.

    According to the governor, the MoU with the institute will give the state global access to welding processes and technological capacity to have welding colonies.

    The governor also assured of provision of power to the proposed fabrication site in the state.

    Earlier, Edeberi said the signing of the MoU showed the level of confidence the state government had in the institute.

    He assured that the team working on the fabrication project would bring its wealth of experience to bear to justify the confidence reposed on them.

    The institute’s president said that the school would work with all aspect of the state to ensure that professionalism was brought into technical training.

    “We will work to actualise your vision of a technologically driven state and bring up a centre for welding and technology.

  • Benin High Chief docked for forgery

    Benin High Chief docked for forgery

    A high chief in the palace of the Oba of Benin, Chief John Osamede Adun, has been docked before an Egor Magistrate Court for alleged forgery and destruction of building worth N22m.

    Chief Adun who is popularly known as ‘Bob Izua’ was arraigned alongside two others on six count charges bothering on forgery of documents, procuring execution of deeds by threat, destroying a building valued at N22million and destruction of six graves/tombs among others.

    Others arraigned with Chief Adun were Omorogbe Austin’s, 36, and Festus Etta, 39.

    The accused persons were alleged to have on the 15th of January 2015 at No 114, Uselu Lagos Road, Benin conspired to forge document of sharing properties of late Victor Igbinosun Okunoghae thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 517 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol 11 Laws of the defunct Bendel state of Nigeria 1976 as applicable to Edo state.

    They were also accused of forging a document purported to be a titled document of Plot 114. Uselu Lagos Road Benin, property of late Victor Igbinosun Okunoghae thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 467 (2) (d) of the criminal code  Cap 48 Laws of the defunct Bendel state of Nigeria 1976 as applicable to Edo state.

    The accused persons were accused of procuring execution of deeds by threat with intent to defraud and by means of unlawful violence in respect of the property known as No 114, Uselu Lagos Road, Benin thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under section 409 of the criminal code Cap 48 Vol 11 Laws of the defunct Bendel state of Nigeria 1976 as applicable to Edo state.

    In count three, the accused persons were alleged to have conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of by threatening and chasing away with violence one Mrs. Loveth Austine Obasuyi in the attempt to unlawfully procure execution of deed against her brother and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol 11 of the defunct Bendel state of Nigeria as applicable to Edo state.

    The accused persons were accused of allegedly destroying a building worth N22million, only property of late Victor Igbinosun Okunoghae family and further destroying six existing graves/tombs therein committed an offence contrary and punishable under section 451 of the Criminal code cap 48 Vol. 11 Laws of the defunct Bendel state of Nigeria as applicable to Edo state.

    Chief Adun and other accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges when the charges were read to them.

    The court however reaffirmed bail earlier granted the accused persons.

    Presiding Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Igho Braimoh directed the court Registrar to reverify the bail earlier granted to the accused and adjourned hearing to the 28th August, 2017.

     

  • Obaseki seeks end to agitations for Nigeria’s break up

    Obaseki seeks end to agitations for Nigeria’s break up

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has called on Nigerians to stop agitations for the country’s disintegration, saying all ethnic groups have a lot to contribute to its development.

    Obaseki made the call in Benin on Sunday at the St. Patrick Catholic Church, Ikpoba Hill, 4 Brigade Garrison, Nigerian Army.

    ‘‘We are one; Nigeria has come to stay; every group has its own relevance in the country.’’

    The governor, who said Nigeria would never break up, admonished divisive elements to stop the hate speeches.

    He, therefore, called on Church leaders to pray for the continued unity and economic prosperity of the country.

    Obaseki explained that he decided to worship at the Church because it volunteered to house equipment of contractors handling the ongoing rehabilitation of the Luckyway road project.

    He stated that his administration is working tirelessly to redefine the value of a political office and make its occupiers see it as service to the electorate and residents of the area.

    According to him, most of those who served in the military deserve better infrastructure.

    Obaseki, who volunteered to join the Church’s harvest committee, gave an assurance that he would assist the Church to raise funds for the completion of its building project.

    Earlier, Rev. Father Richard Bwami, a retired major, had applauded the governor for tackling the deplorable road situation in the locality.

    Bwami described Obaseki as an action governor whose commendable performance is glaring statewide.

  • Driver murders, dump girlfriend’s corpse in bathroom

    A commercial bus driver working in one of the major transport company in Edo State, Anthony Akhimien, has been arrested for allegedly killing his girlfriend and dumping the corpse in the bathroom of a nearby house.

    The incident happened at house number 17 Akugbe Street off TV road in Benin City.

    It was gathered that the suspect threw the corpse over the fence and it landed inside the bathroom where it was discovered on Friday morning.

    A tenant in the house where the corpse was found said the man who found the body thought she was still alive.

    The tenant who refused to say his name said the man raised alarm after he discovered that the girl was dead.

    He said the discovering sent fears among other tenants as all of them denied bringing any woman home the previous night.

    It was gathered the tenants stormed other nearby houses before they found out that the deceased was brought home by the suspect popularly called DPO.

    All residents in the house where the killing occurred have fled the building when our reporter visited.

    A source in the area said the fleeing residents claimed that they heard the suspect and his lover quarreling and fighting at about 4am.

    Residents in the area said they thought the suspect has fled but were surprised that soldiers came at about 2:30pm and broke into the suspect’s apartment.

    The suspect was said to have been trapped inside his apartment after other fleeing tenants locked him inside.

    It was the soldiers that brought him out and handed him over to men of the Textile Mill road police station.

    As at press time, the corpse of the yet to be identified victim has taken away by policemen from Textile Mill road police station.

     

  • Why I accepted N200m severance package – Oshiomhole

    Why I accepted N200m severance package – Oshiomhole

    Former Edo State Governor has explained why he accepted the N200m severance package approved for him by the Edo State House of Assembly.

    He spoke in the current edition, described by the MD/Editor-In-Chief, Azu Ishiekwene, as “perhaps one of the most exhaustive in the magazine’s nearly two-year history”.

    “I was never going to talk about it (the severance package),” he said, “but I have to say it now so that you can understand where I’m coming from.”

    The former labour leader delved into his decades of service as a union leader “without a kobo” as severance benefit, the legal challenge he mounted to remove his predecessor and his legacy, among many other explosive subjects.

    He said he withdrew his support for former President Goodluck Jonathan because he believed that a Jonathan second term would have ruined the country.

    Before the 2015 general election, Oshiomhole was the only South South governor in the opposition party and some expected that Oshiomhole’s hands might be tied by his geographical kinship with the former president.

    In the current edition of The Interview Oshiomhole said, “Competence that was expected was not there. The level of fairness was not there. And even if you talk about sentiments, the sentiment of servicing the geo-political zones, the South South had nothing to boast of. Even the road to Yenagoa did not show that a president came from there!”

    He also said he referred to a private meeting where he advised, through Jonathan’s former Chief of Staff, Mike Oghiadomhe, that the former president should not contest after 2011, but his advice was ignored.

    “I said,” Oshiomhole recalled, “let Jonathan complete Yar’Adua’s second term and hand over to a northerner…”

    The edition also features an interview with the Chairman of ThisDay editorial board and author, Mr. Segun Adeniyi, who spoke on his new book and his tenure as the spokesperson of former President Umaru Yar’Adua, especially in the final, turbulent days of that government.

    The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Professor Ishaq Oloyede; and the survivor the Abuja UN building bomb blast, Member Feese, also shared rare insights on their experiences.

  • Edo Fertilizer plant set to begin commercial production

    Edo Fertilizer plant set to begin commercial production

    One of the achievements being bandied by supporters and admirers of former Governor Lucky Igbinedion was the construction of a Fertilizer Blending Plant in Auchi, Estako West local government area. The supporters were quick to criticize immediate past Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for failing to revitalize the plant built and commissioned by Igbinedion for the purpose of jobs creation.

    It was in 2003 that former President Olusegun Obasanjo commissioned the fertilizer plant but unknown to Obasanjo, bags of fertilizers displayed at the plant during the commissioning were purchased from the open market and rebagged on site. It was gathered that the plant was not working because one of the Chinese technical partners pulled out over an untidy contractual agreement and the Mainframe computer unit which controls all the operations of the plant was reportedly stolen.

    Former Commissioner for Agriculture during Oshiomhole’s administration, Hon Abdul Oroh had this to say about the fertilizer plant, “If you look at the fertilizer company in Auchi, most of the equipment installed at the point of commissioning were all fraudulent because they were outdated and not useful and fertilizers were procured from somewhere and released as being products of the company.”

    However, 17 years after, the Edo Fertilizer Blending Plant is set to begin commercial production under the Godwin Obaseki administration. The plant has been revived and it targeted to produce 55,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer annually.

    The quest to revitalize the plant began in January when Governor Obaseki led the Director General of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, Mr. Uche Orji and the President Fertilizer Producers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Thomas Etu, to the plant site with a view to reviving it to meet the Federal Government target of creating 250,000 jobs from all the 38 fertilizer blending plants across the country.

    Orji told newsmen that the visit to the fertilizer plant was part of the Presidential Initiative on Fertilizer (PIF) whose purpose was to ensure that farmers in the country buy fertilizer at N5,500 before the next planting season.

    According to him, “Edo is one of the investors in the SWF. We are working on the PIF to import some components of fertilizer from Morocco and revive blending plants in the country.

    “The net effect is to create jobs and for farmers to get fertilizer for as low as N5,500. With this type of facilities in the state, Edo state has been missing lots of opportunities with a factory like this.

    “Once the governor and the investors have agreed, I don’t think it will take too long to get this plant running. Our objective as the governor has mentioned, is to put the raw materials into this plant and have it to start working.

    “The president has presidential initiative for fertilizer, and the idea is instead of importing finished fertilizer, we bring in the component and blend it locally. If you do that, price will come down significantly and luckily, Edo is a state that has lots of raw materials needed.

    “So this should be a natural advantage for Edo state to start which will employ alot of people. It will also at the same time, bring alot of advantages with it; bring down the prices of fertilizer for the farmers that is the idea of the presidential special programme,’’ he said.

    On his part, President of Fertilizer Producers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Thomas Etuh, explained that the initiative was to encourage local blending of fertilizers with a view to create jobs and save foreign exchange. Thomas said Nigeria will be saving $300m in foreign exchange in 2017 and $120bn in terms of subsidy on fertilizer.

    Last week, Governor Obaseki accompanied by his Deputy, Philip Shaibu, visited the fertilizer plant of ascertain the level of work done. He was shown round the facility by Mr Ayodele Ejaoye, the General Manager of the Technical Company managing the fertilizer plant.

    Obaseki inspected the power plant, production line, storehouse, administrative building and the new line. He was assured that the plant was capable of producing seven tons of fertilizer per hour and prepared to be test run by mid-June while commercial production starts by June ending.

    Addressing newsmen after the inspection, Governor Obaseki said the plant would employ about 120 direct and indirect workers when it became operational.

    Obaseki disclosed that talks were on with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), to draw a dedicated 33KVA line to the plant in addition to standby 500KVA generating set that has been refurbished at the plant.

    “I am quite impressed with the progress of work here because if you compared the situation now to what we met about two and half months ago, when we came here first, you’d find that there is significant difference,” the governor said.

    “We have been able to get the technical partners under the federal government fertilizer programme to start work here and they have made investment to revamp the plant. The equipment have been tested and manufacturers were brought to fix the faulty parts. They are also constructing a new line to meet up with the specification of the federal government fertilizer programme.”