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Tag: Edo

  • INEC presents certificates of return to 24 Edo Assembly members-elect

    The Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) in Edo on Wednesday presented certificates of return to winners of  the House of Assembly election held in the state on March 9.

    Mr. Emmanuel Alex-Hart, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Edo presented the certificates to the elected members of the house.

    Alex-Hart implored them to use their positions to enact good laws for the development of the state.

    He called on the lawmakers-elect to extend hand of friendship to all for the sake of peace and unity for which Edo had been known amongst the South-South states.

    “May l use the occasion to congratulate you all on your victory at the polls and also implore you to use your good offices to make good laws for the development of Edo State,” he said.

    The REC urged those aggrieved because of the outcome of the poll to approach the election petition tribunal in the state to seek redress in accordance with the law of the land.

    The elected members who received their certificates of return were Mr Idaiye Oisayemoje (Akoko-Edo I), Emmanuel Agbaje (Akoko-Edo II), Victor Edoro (Esan Central), and Onobun Marcus Iziebeaya (West Esan).

    Others were Francis Abumere Okiye (Esan North East I), Emmanuel Okuduwa (Esan North East II), Ojidzwle Osezua (Esan South East), Ahmed Oshomah (Etsako Central), Kingsley Ugabi (Etsako East) and Abdul Audu (Etsako West I).

    Also presented with certificates were Seid Oshiomole ( Etsako West II), Crosby Eribo, (Egor) Henry Ikhuarob (Ipoba-Okha), Aluebhosele Ephiraim (Igueben), Osaro Obaze (Oredo East), Okaeben Christopher (Oredo West) and Onaiwu Ugiabu (Ovia North East I).

    Other recipients were Vincent Uwadiae (Ovia North East II), Aghedo Sunday (Ovia South West), Eric Okaka (Owan East), Michael Ohio-Ezomo (Owan West), Osofo Washington (Uhumwode), Nosayaba Okunbor (Orhionmwon 1) and Roland Asoro (Orhionmwon South).

  • Edo distributes relief materials to flood victims in 5 LGAs

    Edo State Government has distributed relief materials, comprising food items and building materials to victims of flood disaster in five local government areas across the state.

    Addressing journalists after presenting the materials to representatives of the affected local government areas, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Hon. Yakubu Gowon, said the exercise is the second for donating materials to victims of the 2018 flood disaster.

    Gowon said the five local government areas that received the materials are Ikpoba-Okha, Oredo, Ovia North-East, Uhunmwode, and Etsako East.

    READ ALSO: Edo production centre opens for business

    He added: “Sometime last year, rainstorm affected about five local councils. We gave some relief materials to them last year and today, we have perishable and non-perishable materials to give to the communities. The items include bags of rice, garri, beans, gallons of red and vegetable oil, bundles of roofing sheets, nails, and noodles.”

    Relief materials being distributed by Edo State Government, to victims of flooding in five local government areas, in Benin City, Edo State capital.

    The governor’s aide said the state government is putting flood control measures in place in the affected areas to prevent future reoccurrence.

    Protocol Officer to Uhunmwode Council Chairman, Mr. Lucky Idehen, expressed appreciation to the state government for the donations, assuring that the distribution committee set-up last year would ensure the materials get to the affected victims.

    Idehen, said, “We thank Governor Godwin Obaseki for ameliorating the plight of the people of the council, who were affected by the rainstorm. The governor has brought succor to us and we are grateful to him.”

  • Edo grants clemency, parole to 84 prisoners

    The Edo State Government has granted clemency and parole to 84 inmates in various prison formations in the state, in alignment with the Federal Government’s commitment to decongest prisons across the country.

    Edo State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, said the move has the backing of Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Salihu Isah, with the aim of tackling overcrowding in Nigerian Prisons.

    Prof. Omorogbe said the state government in conjunction with the Attorney General of the Federation and a donor agency raised the sum N9 million to secure the release of the prisoners, who could not meet their bail conditions due to their lowly status.

    READ ALSO: Edo LG IGR hits N210m

    According to her: “the high number of inmates awaiting trial for crimes ranging from stealing, breaking and entering and other minor offenses, are the major causes of overcrowding. The state government is working hard to decongest and improve the living condition of prisoners as well as ensure proper rehabilitation of the inmates.

    Edo State Controller of Prisons, Mr. Joseph Esu Usendiah, said 23 inmates were being released from the Benin prisons, while 61 inmates are to be released across the various prisons in Edo state, bringing the total number of those affected to 84.

     He said the move will help decongest the already overcrowded prisons, as it would help the Ministry properly manage resources for the welfare of the remaining inmates.

     One of the affected inmates, identified as Mr. Efosa, who has been in prison since 2016, thanked the Edo State Government for coming to their rescue. He said he is now a changed man and promised to lead a crime-free life.

  • Obaseki commiserates with Ohiwerei over wife’s passing

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has commiserated with Dr. Felix Ohiwerei and his family over the passing of his wife, Mrs. Janet Ohiwerei.

     The governor, who expressed sadness over the news of Mrs. Ohiwerei’s passing, consoled Dr. Ohiwerei, praying that God grants him and his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

     According to him, “I received the news of the passing of Mrs. Janet Ohiwerei with shock. At this moment of grief, I urge you to take solace in the memories that you shared with her and the abiding love of God.

    READ ALSO: Obaseki commiserates with Igbinedion family over passing of Osaretin

    “Mrs. Ohiwerei was a great woman, who stood for the finest ideals of motherhood. She was a great pillar in the family and worked hard to the benefit of her family, immediate environment and the society at large.

     “She was a strong, dedicated Christian, who toiled tirelessly in the vineyard of the Lord to propagate the gospel. We will miss her guidance.”

     “As you and the family grieve over the passing of Mrs. Ohiwerei, on behalf of the government and the good people of Edo State, I extend my heartfelt condolences to you and pray that you find the fortitude to bear the loss,” the governor added.

    He said the state government will fully participate in her funeral and the events that follow, in solidarity with the family.

  • Edo LG IGR hits N210m

    The Internally Generated Revenue of the 18 local government areas of Edo State has hit N210m monthly.

    Before the coming of Governor Godwin Obaseki, the 18 local government area could barely raise N30m monthly.

    State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon Jimoh Ijegbai, who disclosed this in a chat with newsmen said the introduction of e-ticketing helped to boost revenue of the local councils.

    Ijegbai said plans were on to block leakages in the council’s revenue through the introduction of scratch cards.

    He said the scratch cards were already being test run in Ikpoba-Okha, Egor and Oredo local government areas.

    According to him, “If you look across the 18 local government areas. You will see massive infrastructural development. For the first time, Esan South East now have a transport line. They never had it before and their salaries are now regular.

    “In December, Mr. Governor approved 50 percent of their savings for grading of rural roads. We have completed work on 20 primary health centres we used as pilot scheme. We want to use technology to drive our primary health. We now have Primary Health Care Development Agency. That will enable access whatever is due to Edo from the National level.

    “Before Obaseki came in, the 18 local governments IGR was about N30m monthly but it is now oscillating between N190m to N210m. By the time we leverage on all other sources, it will improve more than. We will now be using scratch cards to block minor leakages we are seeing.”

  • Cultism: 4 Brigade denies report of arrest of officer in Edo

    The 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Benin has denied some media reports on the arrest of an officer of the Brigade for suspected cultism in Edo.

    This was contained in a statement issued by Capt. Mohammed Maidawa, an Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, and made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Benin on Sunday.

    According to Maidawa, “the attention of the Headquarters 4 Brigade Nigerian Army has been drawn to a media publication dated 23 March, 2019.

    “In the said publication, it was alleged that Private Igbavboa Lucky and not Private Opiri Stephen as erroneously published was alleged to have been arrested and paraded by the State Police Command for cultism activities.

    “For emphasis, Nigerian Army (NA) is a professional organisation with extant policies that regulates the conduct of its personnel. It does not allow any of its personnel to belong to any confraternity such as cult groups and related associations.

    “Consequently, any of its personnel who cross the red line in this regard will face the full rigours of military discipline.”

    He further said that the alleged case of Private Igbavboa Lucky who was arrested was an isolated case.

    Read also: Ondo violence: Group seeks compensation for victims

    He also said that preliminary investigation had revealed that the suspect was not personnel of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army but a deserter from 101 Special Force, Borno since January.

    “Thus, his conduct is a complete negation of the minimum behavioural conduct expected from personnel of the Nigerian Army.

    “I also wish to use this medium to appeal to journalists to verify their stories before publication in order to avoid negative reportage capable of bringing the image of the Brigade or the NA into disrepute.

    “The public should be rest assured that the case will be thoroughly investigated and the military justice system will take its course,” Maidawa said. (NAN)

  • 23 new Lassa fever cases confirmed in Edo, Bauchi, others

    No fewer than 114 Nigerians have been confirmed killed between January and March 17 by the current Lassa fever outbreak in  the country.

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said yesterday that the deaths resulted from a total of 1,801 suspected cases   reported from 21 states.

    Four hundred and ninety-five of the cases were confirmed positive, 15 probable and 1,277 negative (not a case).

    The number of deaths recorded so far this year is almost three-quarters of the total recorded from the disease in 2018.

    The annual report by NCDC last December showed that there were 171 deaths with 3,493 suspected cases in 23 states in 2018.

    The Director-General of NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu, said 73 local government areas in 21 states have recorded at least 1 confirmed case as at week 11.

    The states are Edo, Ondo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Plateau, Taraba, FCT, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Kwara, Benue, Rivers, Kogi, Enugu, Imo, Delta, Oyo, Kebbi and Cross River.

    Currently, 63 patients are at various treatment centres across the country. Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital treatment centre has the highest number of patients with 26 undergoing treatment. The Federal Medical Centre, Owo has 16, Federal Medical Centre Abakaliki 10; Nasarawa 1; Bauchi- 1; Plateau 3; Taraba 4; and others 2.

    According to the NCDC, 590 contacts have been identified from 19 states. Of these, 2353 are currently being followed up, 3384 have completed 21 days follow-up, while four were lost to follow up.

    So far 84 symptomatic contacts have been identified, of which 49 have tested positive.

     

  • Edo cult killings: Our fight is generational, says cultist

    A suspected member of Eiye confraternity, Leviticus Okon, who was arrested while on his way to kill a rival cult member, has said that the ongoing cult war between Eiye and Aye confraternity in the state is a generational war.

    Leviticus was paraded alongside 81 suspected cultists arrested in connection with the ongoing cult war.

    Police described Leviticus as a dangerous killer cultist.

    Leviticus told newsmen only one of his victims died while the other escaped with bullet wound.

    He was arrested along Second East Circular road while he and other cultists were on their way to kill a rival cult member

    His words, “the first person I shot did not die. The other one died. We were on our way to kill another person when we were arrested.

    Read Also: Edo production centre opens for business

    “The one we killed is a bus conductor. He is a member of Aye. The fight is generational fight. The fight does not end.”

    Meanwhile, in Uromi, the police arrested one Micheal Ebhodaghe and Henry Ighalo for selling arms and cartridges to cultists in the locality.

    An army deserter, Private Mbawa Lucky was paraded for belonging to one of the cult groups.

    The Edo Police Commissioner, Mr. Muhammed Dan Mallam, said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

  • Obaseki warns against disruption of activities at Benin Central Mosque

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has warned against disruption of prayers and other religious activities at the Benin Central Mosque, insisting that persons or groups found disturbing the area will be dealt with accordingly.

    The governor gave the warning during a meeting with Muslim leaders in the state led by Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kabiru Adjoto and the Otaru of Auchi, His Royal Highness (HRH) Alhaji Aliru Momoh Ikelebe III at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State.

    Obaseki noted that he was aware of the leadership tussle at the Benin Central Mosque involving Alhaji Edosomwan and Alhaji Enabulele, adding that he refused to interfere, with the hope that both parties will resolve their differences internally.

    “As a government, we saw the development, challenges, and crisis as an internal matter that needed to be settled by members of the faith. The death of Alhaji Edosomwan should have naturally resolved the matter but I was disappointed that the crisis continued. I am glad that the issue has been addressed,” he said.

    The governor continued, “I will inform the Director of State Security (DSS) to make adequate security arrangement at the Benin Central Mosque to stop the disruption of prayers and other activities.”

    Assuring the Muslim community of his administration’s support, he urged them to go about the practice of their faith peacefully, adding, “Let me warn at this point that anybody or party that disrupts activities at the Benin Central Mosque henceforth will be dealt with according to the law.”

    Governor Obaseki also commended the Otaru of Auchi and other Muslim leaders in the state on how the leadership tussle was handled and the subsequent turbanning of Alhaji Fatai Enabulele, as Chief Imam of Benin Central Mosque.

    “You have done what the faith asked you to do by turbanning Imam Fatai Enabulele as the Chief Imam of Benin Central Mosque, so be it. The government has no choice but to recognise him as the Chief Imam,” he noted.

    Obaseki expressed confidence in the leadership of the Otaru of Auchi and Alhaji Kabiru Adjoto, adding that he will continue to consult them for advice relating to affairs of Muslims in the state.

    The Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Momoh Ikelebe III, explained what was responsible for the leadership tussle at the Benin Central Mosque, noting that the tussle has been laid to rest with the death of Alhaji Edosomwan.

    He condemned the disruption of activities at the Benin Central Mosque, noting that a true Muslim should not subscribe to thuggery.

  • Human trafficking: Edo, NAPTIP strategise to reduce menace

    …as NAPTIP applauds Obaseki’s tactics for curbing menace 

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration will collaborate with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), to reduce the menace of irregular migration and human trafficking by 50 per cent by the end of 2019.

    The governor made the submission during a courtesy visit by the Director-General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli, to the Government House, in Benin City, Edo State capital.

    READ ALSO: Obaseki targets 50 percent reduction in irregular migration, human trafficking

    Obaseki said as part of efforts to tackle the scourge of human trafficking and irregular migration, the state government established a task force, noting, “As a government, we have admitted to the huge challenges we face and we decided to set-up a task force to provide local solutions to the issue.

    NAPTIP and Edo State Government are working closely to reduce irregular migration and human trafficking by 50 per cent by the end of this year and if I am governor for eight years, it will reduce to zero.”

    He urged donor agencies to support efforts of the state to address the problems faced by returnees, noting, “We are working to pressure foreign government to create legitimate travel windows that will enable them travel legally.”

    The Director-General of NAPTIP commended Governor Obaseki for his commitment to eradicating human trafficking as illustrated in his strategies, including the setting-up of the Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking.

    “The successes already recorded by the Taskforce justify the foresight of your excellency and have inspired NAPTIP to encourage other state governments to set up similar institution of government, in order to consolidate on the efforts of NAPTIP and other stakeholders,” the NAPTIP boss added.