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Tag: Edo

  • Okpebholo-Ray tasks Edo diasporans to return home, vote on Sept 21

    Okpebholo-Ray tasks Edo diasporans to return home, vote on Sept 21

    The Lead Spokesman of Team Asue Media Organisation, Darlington Okpebholo-Ray, has urged Edo indigenes abroad to return home and cast their votes for the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21, 2024 election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo.

    Okpebholo-Ray, a chieftain of the PDP, also stated that should the Edo diasporans be unable to come home, they should mobilise their relatives in the state to ensure the victory of Ighodalo.

    He made the admonition, when he met with members of the Edo Diaspora Movement for Asue Ighodalo/Osarodion Ogie in London, according to a press statement yesterday.

    Okpebholo-Ray maintained that Ighodalo’s emergence was divinely ordained to take Edo to another level of industrialisation, economic revamping and stemming the tide of insecurity in the state.

    He noted that if it was well with their brothers and sisters back home, the workload on them abroad would be reduced.

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    The PDP chieftain stated that Governor Godwin Obaseki had done a lot in the past seven and a half years in Edo, while a continuation of development projects was needed, with Ighodalo to successfully build on his legacies.

    A member of the Edo Diaspora Movement for Asue/Ogie, Eunice Inegbejie, while also speaking at the meeting, which was convened by Dr. Peter D’Rock Uwaibi, noted that the group had established functional committees across all 18 local governments of Edo, with coordinators and members in the 192 wards of the state.

    She said: “We are working tirelessly to monitor and coordinate grassroots efforts, in order to gain landslide victory in all the units.

    “Campaign materials, such as billboards, banners and leaflets have been deployed to garner public support.

    “The campaign also aims to mobilise youth participation in the upcoming election, and raise awareness about political accountability through talk shows and other initiatives.”

    Another member of the group, Princess Ronke Akilola, also stated that the group would be willing to partner the state government in providing free healthcare services, including free hernia surgeries, through operational centres in the three senatorial districts.

    While speaking on the importance of the meeting, Uwaibi hailed the efforts of Ighodalo’s supporters, stressing that their commitment to ensuring that Obaseki’s 30-year development plan was actualised would highly be appreciated.

    The convener of the meeting also stated that it was important to evaluate mechanisms to assess campaign progress and focus on the engagement of the youths.

  • Edo Speaker orders Deputy Majority leader out of plenary over improper dressing

    Edo Speaker orders Deputy Majority leader out of plenary over improper dressing

    Edo Deputy Majority Leader Natasha Osawaru was ordered to leave the plenary for improper dressing and wearing of a dark sunshade.

    Speaker Blessing Agbebaku, yesterday ordered Osawaru, the representative of Egor constituency, to leave the session, following a point of order raised by Nicholas Asonsere, who represents Ikpoba-Okha constituency.

    Asonsere noted that the Deputy Majority Leader’s mode of dressing was against the rules of the House.

    He said: “This Hallowed Chamber is a sacred place. We will not continue to accept or allow anybody to bring it to disrepute.

    “We have tolerated enough of the attitude and behaviour of some honourable members, so to speak, and if we do not correct this now, it will become a precedent for others to emulate, if not now, in the near future.

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    “Please, Mr Speaker, if I have the permission, I want to crave the indulgence to read some rules of the House’s sections and sub-sections.

    “We have our own Bible, which is often referred to as the rules of Edo State House of Assembly, upon these we are being guided.

    “Any member that violates or contravenes the rules is punishable by the law.”

    The speaker, while ordering the Deputy Majority Leader to leave the chamber, stated that the action was not his making but in accordance with the House’s rules.

    Agbebaku said: “Improper dressing and wearing of dark shade are not allowed in this House. It is not me that said it, but the House’ rules.”

    The Speaker also admonished all the lawmakers in the 24-member Assembly to always comply with the House’s rules.

  • Edo Assembly recalls suspended lawmaker

    Edo Assembly recalls suspended lawmaker

    Edo House of Assembly yesterday announced the recall of one of the three suspended lawmakers, Mr Bright Iyamu.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Iyamu (PDP-Orhionmwon South) was suspended on May 6, alongside two others over alleged plot to impeach the speaker and other principal officers of the assembly.

    The two lawmakers, who are still on suspension, are Donald Okogbe (PDP-Akoko-Edo II) and Adeh Isibor (APC-Esan North-East I).

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    Announcing the lifting of the suspension during plenary in Benin, the Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, said the house had found Iyamu to be remorseful.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that shortly after Iyamu’s recall, other lawmakers took turns to appeal to the speaker to consider lifting the suspension of the two remaining lawmakers.

    The speaker, in his reaction, however, said Isibor had taken the matter to court.

    One of the lawmakers, Nicholas Asonsere (PDP-Ikpoba-Okha), thereafter, passed a vote of confidence in the speaker and an unalloyed support of the assembly to him.

  • Edo govt condemns murder of UNIBEN graduate

    Edo govt condemns murder of UNIBEN graduate

    • Obaseki gives Edo CP seven days to fish out perpetrators

    Edo State Government has condemned the rape and murder of Adekolure Idowu Glory, a fresh graduate of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), who was killed in Iyowa community, Benin on June 13.

    Glory, 22, was on her way home after processing her clearance, when she was tortured and raped to death by yet-to-be-identified persons, and her remains dropped close to her mother’s house.

    The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, in a statement, expressed shock and sadness over the incident.

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    Nehikhare said Governor Godwin Obaseki had ordered Edo Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, to fish out the perpetrators of the act, within the next seven days.

    He said:  “Edo State government is shocked and deeply saddened by the gruesome murder of Adekolure Idowu Glory. It is most disheartening to hear of the sad incident.

    “Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, expresses his deep-felt condolences to the family of the victim, and has ordered the State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Funsho Adegboye, to thoroughly investigate the circumstances that led to the death of Miss Adekolure Idowu Glory, and fish out the perpetrators of the heinous and mindless act, within the next seven days.”

  • Edo partners on human trafficking series

    Edo partners on human trafficking series

    Native Media TV is partnering Edo State on a telenovela. The 78 episodes will address  irregular migration, human trafficking, rehabilitation, and redemption. The project is supported by Governor Godwin Obaseki, and supervised by Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, and Edo Film Project.

    At a meeting with the governor’s wife, Dr. Rogers Ofime, chief executive officer of Native Media, noted the importance of setting the series in Edo State. He stressed the region’s historical context with irregular migration and the authenticity it brings to the storytelling.

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    Ofime hailed the government and other agencies in combating this issue, specially mentioning Mrs Betsy Obaseki’s for female empowerment and her support for organisations and charities in this regard.

    “Her initiatives aim to reduce dependency on forces that aid human trafficking and ensure returnees are reintegrated into society,” he said.

    Native Media is renowned for its commitment to telling original Nigerian stories with international appeal. 

  • Edo govt, Benin Traditional Council disagree

    Edo govt, Benin Traditional Council disagree

    The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) and Edo State government are in a war of words over the custody of ancient artifacts looted from the palace during the Benin Massacre of 1897.

    This conflict, laden with historical significance, has reached unprecedented levels, sparking debates surrounding cultural preservation and sovereignty.

    In a recent development, the Council, in a statement through its solicitors, Profs. Yemi Akinseye-George and Edoba Omoregie, said the Federal Government resolution favoured the palace as the rightful owner to take custody of the artifacts.

    The statement reads: “The conflicts between the BTC and Edo State government appears to have begun with the bitter dispute over ownership of the ancient artifacts looted from the palace of the Oba of Benin by the British Colonial forces during the Benin Massacre of 1897. The Federal Government has since settled the issue of rightful ownership in favour of the palace by the gazetting of the ownership and custody of the artifacts in the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II.

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    “When the idea of creating new traditional councils in Edo South was proposed by some Enigies in a November 2022 to the government, the BTC, through the Iyase and other chiefs, tried to dissuade the government from acceding to the request.

    “The BTC emphasised that the government’s plan would amount to balkanising the Benin Kingdom as there is no other traditional ruler in Edo South to preside over the proposed traditional councils than the Oba of Benin.

    “Despite the conciliatory efforts of the BTC, the government proceeded to announce the creation of new traditional councils in the seven local government areas of Edo South, to co-exist with the BTC.

  • JUST IN: Edo speaker suspends three lawmakers

    JUST IN: Edo speaker suspends three lawmakers

    The speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday, May 6, unilaterally suspended three lawmakers.

    The suspension was reportedly due to an alleged juju scare in the Assembly complex, as well as an alleged plot to impeach Agbebaku and other principal officers.

    The suspended lawmakers are Donald Okogbe (PDP, Akoko-Edo II), Bright Iyamu (PDP, Orhionmwon II), and Adeh Isibor (All Progressives Congress, APC, Esan Northeast I).

    Agbebaku, while announcing the lawmakers’ suspension, accused them of being influenced by external forces to cause chaos and remove the leadership of the Assembly.

    The speaker reiterated that some persons brought native doctors into the Assembly complex at midnight on May 1, 2024, made some demonic incantations, and dropped charms.

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    The suspension created tension in the Assembly, as the affected lawmakers kicked against the action, saying: “Mr. Speaker, you do not have the right to unilaterally suspend any member of this House. You must call for votes. Allow members of the Assembly to vote on the matter.”

    To douse the tension, Agbebaku quickly adjourned the plenary.

  • Edo, Ondo polls: a tale of two states

    Edo, Ondo polls: a tale of two states

    Both Edo and Ondo States have completed their governorship primaries. In Edo, after a false start, the All Progressives Congress (APC) finally in February managed to get its aspirants to unite into a ticket hosting both Monday Okpebholo, a senator, who polled 12,433 votes during the repeat primary, and Dennis Idahosa, who was initially declared winner of the first primary, but scored 6,541 votes at the repeat primary. They seem to be prepared to forge ahead in the face of a rancorous Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) whose candidate, Asue Ighodalo, is alleged by dissenters to have been foisted on the party by Governor Godwin Obaseki. Incumbency will only be partly relevant in Edo, but significantly relevant in the Ondo poll where a sitting governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, not the outgoing governor Mr Obaseki, is contesting the governorship.

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    Nothing is, however, predictable in Ondo State. The Ondo primary reportedly witnessed a lot of manipulations inspired and orchestrated by the governor’s supporters. The election appeal panel headed by former Bauchi State governor Mohammed Abubakar, however, said it found no substance in the petitions by aggrieved aspirants. Except the aggrieved pursue the legal option or gang up together to subvert the APC campaign as the PDP may experience in Edo, there may be no stopping Mr Aiyedatiwa in the November governorship poll. Will he make a great governor should he win? It is doubtful. What is more certain is that his judgement will not be sounder than it is poor already.

    And for Edo State, it is ironical that Mr Obaseki who campaigned for a second term on the basis of ‘Edo says no to godfatherism’ has done nothing since the past one year other than to act the godfather. He barred his former deputy, Philip Shaibu, from contesting, and then went ahead to virtually foist Mr Ighodalo on the PDP. Will he succeed in also foisting him on the state? This is even more difficult to determine. Notwithstanding these apprehensions, both Ondo and Edo elections will certainly stir up the emotions of voters and either raise, dampen or dash their hopes.     

  • Edo: Beware of the Greek

    Edo: Beware of the Greek

    Edo Governor, Godwin Obaseki, with aplomb, just announced N70, 000 for the least paid Edo worker.   Bravo!

    But you could almost picture Obaseki, a graduate of Classics before going into money and allied business, as an Edo 21st century equivalent of the Roman Cicero, playing to the gallery on the grandstand, expecting raucous and thunderous applause!

    The applause he got all right, with many Edo workers exploding in fulsome praise of the outgoing Edo governor — a worker-friendly governor exiting with charm and grace!

     Yet, these folks should beware of the Greek and his gifts!  Otherwise, they might just be sapped with a Trojan horse that promised hope but delivered nothing but utter pain! 

    Again, Obaseki, as a Classics graduate, knows too well the war between the love-soured King Menelaus of Sparta and the love-struck Prince Paris of Troy, who stole away with the divinely beautiful Queen Helen of Sparta, and made her Helen of Troy!

    But again, enter the Trojan War, with its fatal gift of a Trojan horse of hidden warriors, that stormed the walls of Troy, to retrieve Helen of Troy, to Sparta where she belonged!

    This is no tutorial on classical history.  But it shows that stratagem — strategic deceit, to put it bluntly — was pivotal to ancient warfare as it is crucial to cynical contemporary politics.

    Obaseki’s latest election-eve foxtrot comes in two forms: the N70, 000 minimum pay is a fob for the masses, the Edo hoi polloi, whose low-hanging votes must be plucked. 

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    But the fob for the Edo elite is Obaseki’s latter-day beatification of Oshiomhole — the same Adams Oshiomhole that Obaseki and his impeached deputy, Philip Shaibu, thoroughly humiliated, as the high-wire plots of their reggae morphed into happy blues (apologies to musician Ariyo/Harrysong), and both danced away in reckless bliss, to mark Oshiomhole’s political death!

    Now, election is virtually “tomorrow” and Obaseki just jerked awake to name the new Edo Labour House after Oshiomhole!   By the way, how does Shaibu, busy biting the dust, feel about this new gambit?  It must be sweaty, prickly and lonely out there!

    Let the long-suffering Edo workers take their cake.  It’s their due.  Let Oshio Baba too take his new trophy.  It’s his life desert, given his Labour pedigree.

    But let no one press both gestures beyond the cynical and desperate election-eve gimmick that it is.  Besides, let whoever succeeds Obaseki beware of his Edo Trojan horse.  They might yet find the funding a crushing bag of pains, when it’s time to pay.

    By then, however, the election would have been lost and won!  The end justifies the “mean-ness” — to echo the re-make of Nicolo Machiavelli, by our very own WS!

  • Two undergraduates killed in Edo cult clash

    Two undergraduates killed in Edo cult clash

    Two students of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, have been killed in an alleged cult reprisal.

    One of the victims was an official of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), a 400-level student of Agriculture. He was allegedly shot at the Poultry Road Extension in Ekpoma.

    The incidents happened barely 48 hours after one Eddy was beaten and left for dead by a group of persons, for allegedly purchasing some items with fake bank alert.

    Information on Eddy’s ordeal was misconstrued for an attack by rival cult members, to the effect that he was later killed.

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    The misrepresentation of facts led to the reprisal by a rival cult group, resulting in the murder of two undergraduates.

    Police spokesperson Chidi Nwabuzor confirmed the incident and said some suspects had been arrested while investigation was ongoing.