The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo State

  • Auchi poly workers suspend strike

    Auchi poly workers suspend strike

    Workers of the Federal Polytechnic Auchi in Edo State have suspended their one month old strike.

    The workers were directed by their various unions to return to work.

    Unions that went on strike in the polytechnic were Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (NASUP).

    The unions embarked on the strike over failure of institution’s management to enroll staff of the institution on “CONTISS 15 Migration Salary Structure for Level 11 downward, non-payment of promotion arrears and alleged indebtedness of N1.8billion owed the unions.

    In a communiqué jointly issued after a Joint Action Congress (JAC) meeting the unions directed all staff of the institution to resume their duties.

    The communiqué was signed by Abdulganiyu Braimah (ASUP) Omonekhai Shaka (SSANIP) Solomon Aliabakhalumhe (NASU).

    According to the communique, “Sequel to the deliberations and resolutions reached at the inaugural meeting between the new management led by Dr. Sanusi Jimah and the executive member of the joint unions ASUP, SSANIP and NASU.

    “The current strike embarked upon by the unions on February 6 to press home our demands, we hereby suspend the strike as workers are directed to resume their duties.”

     

  • PDP accuses Obaseki of financial recklessness

    PDP accuses Obaseki of financial recklessness

    The People’s Democratic Party in Edo State has described the first 100 days of Governor Godwin Obaseki in office as a ‘classic example of how elected officials mismanage public offices.’

     

    It said Governor Obaseki has displayed what it termed the same arrogance, impunity that characterized the administration of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

     

    State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, who spoke to newsmen while appraising Obaseki’s performance in the last 100 days accused Obaseki of running the state as a sole administrator.

     

    Obaseki who was the Chairman of the Economic Team under the administration of Oshiomhole was sworn-in onNovember 12 last year.

     

    Chief Orbih said it was ridiculous for Governor Obaseki to be collecting N3m monthly for medical attention when such amount of money was not given to the state owned hospitals.

     

    Orbih who displayed alleged vouchers approved by Governor Obaseki said the present APC administration has not been transparent and condemned the governor for spending the sum of N134million in December 2016 to purchase Christmas cards, Rams and other petty items.

     

    The PDP Chairman said Obaseki took the wrong steps since he assumed power by not revealing the true financial standing of state and what the Oshiomhole left for him.

     

    Chief Orbih challenged Obaseki to tell Edo people what he did with the N11.3bn Paris Club refund he received since last December.

     

    He condemned what he termed unlawful 14 percent deduction from workers’ salaries for the contributory pension scheme.

     

    His words, “We challenge Obaseki to tell Oshiomhole what he kept the $54m he collected from the Federal Government on December 31st, 2014. We have checked the record and there was no where it was reflected.

     

    “The Central Hospital that was commission by President Buhari is now a carcass and empty. Obaseki has requested for another N500m in this year’s budget for the completion of the hospital and another money to procure equipment.

     

    “On December 2nd last year the governor approved the sum of N191million which was paid in cash to a contractor who supplied two Nissan pickups, one Prado jeep and three ordinary jeeps.

     

    “It is not even the amount. If you look at the approval the bogus side of it is stated very clearly that the financial implications for the direct purchase of these vehicles by cash is authorized by the governor”.

     

    “He has established an unusual pattern of executing government jobs using Building Maintenance Officers, BMO to prepare bill of quantities for direct Labour execution of government projects”.

     

    When contacted for comments, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Obaseki, Mr. John Mayaki, said he was already preparing his response.

     

    He was yet to send his response to the allegations as at press time.

  • Cultists behead man in renewed Edo cult war

    Cultists behead man in renewed Edo cult war

    Suspected cultists have beheaded a yet to be identified man in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

     

    Severed body of the victim was dumped at First Junction along Sakpoba road in Benin City.

     

    The victim appeared to have been dragged along the road after being beheaded as there were bruises on his body.

     

    Residents in the area who gathered to catch a glimpse of the body said they did not know the victim.

     

    They described the incident as barbaric.

     

    Several persons have been killed in the past two weeks in renewed rival cult war in Benin City.

     

    Over 22 suspected cultists including one Emmanuel Ogbemudia who was allegedly involved in several cult killings were arrested in the last one month.

     

    Policemen from Adesuwa Police Division came to remove the severed body but declined comments

  • Obaseki mourns late ex-AAU VC

    Obaseki mourns late ex-AAU VC

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has described the late immediate past Vice Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Professor Cordelia Agbebaku, as a woman who contributed to the development of the education sector.

    Governor Obaseki said he received news of the sudden death of Prof. Agbebaku’s with a heavy heart.

    Professor Agbebaku who was the first female Vice-Chancellor of the Edo State owned university died on Thursday after battling cancer.

    In a condolence message to family of the late VC signed by Secretary to the Edo State Government, Barrister Osarodion Ogie, Governor Obaseki said Professor Agbebaku would be remembered for bringing direction and stability to the university.

    Obaseki urged her husband, Professor Philip, to take solace in the fact that she contributed a great deal to the development of various segments of society especially the educational sector in the state.

    According to him, “I realize without doubt that her exit will leave you, members of the family and the university community with considerable trauma following the unexpected occurrence.

    “Professor (Mrs.) Cordelia Ainenehi Agbebaku will be remembered for bringing direction and stability to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma through her leadership role as Acting Vice Chancellor and later as Vice Chancellor and as a distinguished academic of international standing. These and her other accomplishments will continue to remain fresh in our minds”.

  • Maleke encourages artists to ‘rap’ in Edo Languages

    Maleke encourages artists to ‘rap’ in Edo Languages

    The Chairman,Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) in Edo, Maleke Idowu, has advised young talented artists in the state to promote indigenous languages in their arts.

    The comedian cum singer, gave the advice in an interview on Tuesday in Benin.

    Maleke said that one way the artists could do this was to rap in their ‘mother tongues’.

    He said the association was determined to carry the campaign to the grassroots, adding that, “we have embarked on rallies to shop for young artists from the three senatorial districts’’.

    He said that the association’s desire to promote Edo indigenous arts followed the call by the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, for encouragement of parents both at home and abroad to teach their children how to speak “our languages”.

    The PMAN chairman, therefore, said he would continue to organise rallies to discover indigenous rappers in the state.

  • Lawmaker initiates establishment of renal dialysis center in Edo

    Sen. Francis Alimikhena (APC-Edo North) had concluded arrangement for the establishment of a Renal Dialysis Center in Agenebode, Edo, for the diagnosis and treatment of kidney-related diseases.

    Speaking during the foundation laying of the center on Friday at Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo, Alimikhena said that the project, meant to serve the people of Edo North and Nigerians at large, would be completed and equipped in March.

    “The dialysis center will serve the people of Edo North as they will not need to travel to other parts of the country for diagnosis of kidney related diseases,” he said.”

    Dialysis is a process of removing waste and excess water from the blood, and serves primarily as an artificial replacement for lost kidney functions in people with kidney failure.

    The lawmaker said that the project, which is part of his 2016 constituency project, would address the increasing rate of kidney and other related ailments in the area.

    The medical officer in charge of Agenebode General Hospital, Dr Idiaghe Osahe, identified lack of early diagnosis of diabetes and high blood pressure as being responsible for the growing cases of kidney failure in the country.

    Osahe advised persons suffering from kidney problems, prostrate, urinary leakages and blockage to conduct frequent medical checks so as not to compromise their health.

    The traditional of ruler of Agenebode, George Eghabor, thanked the Senator for locating the project in his domain.

     

  • Edo government house not bank – Obaseki

    Edo government house not bank – Obaseki

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Tuesday said the Government House was not a bank where people went to collect money but a place to render service.

    Obaseki made this known while receiving executive members of Women’s wing of All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state in Benin.

    He assured the women of 35 per cent appointment in his administration but insisted that ‘’government house is not where you come to make money, but where you come to serve.

    According to him, I don’t have money to give anybody; the money I have is to work for the people.

    “I can create money going by my experience as an investment banker; I can organise things and people must be ready to work,” the governor said.

    He told the women that the days had gone when politics was about money sharing.

    “The question is what do you do with the political power. It is our level of commitment that gets us where we want to be.

    “People should be ready to work. We should prioritise and cut waste because our biggest problem is wastes.

    “God chose me for a purpose to change things at this time and politics of money and sharing is not possible,’’ Obaseki said.

    He commended the party women for supporting him during the 2016 governorship poll in the state and urged them to be the vanguard of the new politics.

    He called on the women to partner the government in the development of the state, especially in the area of ensuring quality basic and technical education for their children.

    In her remarks, the APC women leader in the state, Dr Aisosa Amadasun, commended the governor on his victory at the polls and pledged their support to the success his administration.

    Amadasun said that the visit was to solicit the fulfilment of the United Nation’s mandate of 35 per cent appointment position for women in his administration.

  • Edo: 400 witnesses to testify for Pastor Ize-Iyamu

    Edo: 400 witnesses to testify for Pastor Ize-Iyamu

    Over 400 witnesses are expected to testify for the People’s Democratic Party and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu at the ongoing hearing of the petition against the victory of Godwin Obaseki in the September 28 governorship election.

    Some witnesses who testified before the three-man panel insisted that there were no accreditation before voting at their various polling units.

    The witnesses who were Ward agents of the PDP in Akoko-Edo local government said they used incidence forms after the INEC card reader malfunctioned.

    They said there were over voting in during the elections.

    Those that testified are James Mayaki, Charles Osagbemeh, Richard Olori and Ayeni Sunday.

    During cross examination by Prosecution Counsels, James said he voted even though he was not accredited.

    He said there were no accreditation in Unit 2, 9, 11, 12 and 14 in Ward 2, Akoko-Edo local government.

    Richard told the tribunal that all party agents in Ward 5 signed the unit results and that he examined the pink copies of form EC8A before he handed them over to the party chairman.

    Hearing was still on as at press time.

     

     

  • Ensure Independence of  judiciary, new Chief judge tells Obaseki

    Ensure Independence of  judiciary, new Chief judge tells Obaseki

     

     

    The New Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Esohe Frances Ikponmwen, has tasked Governor Godwin Obaseki to respect the rule of law and ensure independence of the judiciary as enshrined in section 6 of the Nigeria Constitution.

    Justice Ikponmwen who spoke after she was sworn-in as the Chief Judge of the state promised to work assiduously for the enthronement of justice in its finest form in the state.

    Making reference to the seven months unpaid salaries of judicial workers in the state over strike action, Justice Ikponmwen appealed for forgiveness where there are perceived wrongs saying ‘it is time to forge ahead and heal wounds.’

    Justice Ikponmwen stated that her work ethics and what makes her happy ‘is that in matters of principle, I stand as a rock.’

    Her words, “There will be no room for corrupt practices in our judicial system nor for undue favoritism and influence or untoward conduct by judicial officer.

    “All judicial officer will be made to understand that every court must be ready to prevent the improper use of its machinery as a means of vexation and oppression in the process of litigation.

    “I appeal to staff of the judiciary to be patient. We shall not allow ourselves to be controlled by people, money or past experiences.”

    On his part, Governor Godwin Obaseki said the over 500% increase in the budgetary provision in this year’s budget is to enhance quick dispensation of justice.

    Governor Obaseki promised to respect the rule of law and called for more cordial relationship among all arms of government.

  • Court remands two men over alleged homosexuality, stealing

    An Oredo Magistrates’ Court in Benin on Wednesday ordered the remand in prison of two men, Paul Frank, 31, and Christian Ejimofor, 22, over alleged homosexuality and stealing.

    Frank and Ejimofor, whose addresses are unknown, allegedly committed the crime between Dec. 14 and Dec. 16, 2016 at Embassy Hotel, off Boundary Road, in Benin.

    The prosecution told the court that the accused allegedly romanced and had carnal knowledge of each other.

    The prosecution said further that the accused also attempted to have carnal knowledge of one Solomon Shaibu after stealing his Techno Y6 phone, valued at N25, 000.

    It said the offence contravened Sections 214(3), 217 (3) and 516 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol. II of the defunct Bendel State.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs M.C. Ojobo, ordered that the accused should be remanded in prison and adjourned the matter indefinitely.