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Tag: Edo

  • Don’t tarnish image of Auchi Polytechnic, council warns staff

    Chief Olarewaju Oloyo, the Chairman of the Governing Council of  Auchi Polytechnic in Edo,  has warned the staff  not to engage in unethical practices capable of ruining the reputation of  the institution.

    Oloyo gave the warning at an interactive session with Deans and Directors of the institution on Thursday in Auchi.

    While congratulating Dr Sanusi Jimah over his appointment as substantive Rector of the school, he said the council had come to the realisation that “the majority of staff, teaching and non-teaching, are reasonably obedient, hardworking and disciplined.’’

    According to him, the polytechnic “which is well respected among its peers,’’ has a great potential to serve the community and the nation through productive research and service.

    The council chairman, however, said a few members of the work force engage in unethical practices which impact negatively on the reputation of the polytechnic.

    “ Few members of staff wantonly break regulations by setting aside grievance procedures outlined in the terms of engagement.

    “Destroying any nation does not require the use of atomic bombs or the use of long range missiles. It only requires lowering the quality of education and allowing cheating in examination by such students.

    “Patients die in the hands of such doctors. Buildings collapse in the hands of such engineers. Money is lost in the hands of such economists and accountants.

    “Humanity dies in the hands of such religious scholars. Justice is lost in the hands of such judges; the collapse of the education sector is the collapse of the nation,” he said.

    “ We want to assure all of you that this council is in place to supervise the healthy and steady growth and progress of this institution.

    “Council believes that the welfare of staff is a necessary condition for progress. We assure you that council will pursue the welfare of staff as a cardinal principle.

    “Council also assures staff of fairness and justice. Staff should at all times endeavour to follow laid down grievance resolution mechanisms.

    “The idea of externalising grievances in the press is unhelpful. It impacts negatively on the polytechnic as an institution and on yourselves as workers of the polytechnic.

    “The community and the country have a myriad of problems requiring solutions. Problems can be solved through research; we mean productive research which solves or ameliorates problems.

    “We believe that this institution has the calibre of staff that can focus on such problems and solve them.

    “ In this direction, we challenge staff to come up with viable proposals that can solve problems.

    “We will find the money to fund such proposals. You worry about the proposal, leave us to worry about getting you the funds.

    Read Also: Auchi Polytechnic expels 18, rusticates 62

    “If this polytechnic must continue to make progress, discipline must be the guide. Under our oversight, unethical behaviour  like extortion, money or amorous gratification  for good grades for students will not be accepted.

    “The side tracking of regulations to externalise grievances in the courts or the press will also not be accepted. Council insists that internal grievance resolution mechanism should be exhausted before petitions start flying to all manner of offices in the country or in the court or the press.

    `We enjoin you to pass this message to your subordinates. Council will be compassionate, fair and just to all members of staff.

    “However, acts of indiscipline will be dealt with very firmly, I mean really very firmly.

    “Our hardworking staff needs to be protected. The image of the polytechnic needs to be protected from the nuisance of the few who soil our gowns,’’ he added.

    NAN

  • INEC swears in seven new RECs

    Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has sworn in seven new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) bringing the total number of serving RECs in the commission to 33.

    Performing the ceremony on Tuesday in Abuja, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, expressed confidence that the new RECs would contribute to the commission’s determination to make 2019 general elections the best in the country.

    He said “with the track records of service in the academia, public service and private sector, it is gratifying to note that the new RECs made positive contributions to the society in various ways.

    “I am equally delighted to note that some of you have managed elections at national level as RECs.

    “I am confident that you will bring to bear on your new assignments, the experience of the recent past that will contribute to our determination to make the 2019 general elections our best elections in Nigeria.”

    Yakubu advised the new commissioners to maintain openness and consultations, as well as be firm and courageous in carrying out their new assignments.

    The chairman disclosed that in addition to the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, the commission would be conducting four bye-elections this year to fill vacancies.

    These, according to him, include Takum state constituency in Taraba, Lokoja/Koton-Karfe Federal Constituency in c, Bauchi South Senatorial District, and Kastina North Senatorial District in Kastina State.

    The INEC boss reassured newly registered voters in the ongoing nationwide Continuous Voter Registration ( CVR ) of getting their Permanent Voter Cards ( PVCs ) before the 2019 general elections.

    He added that “we have consistently reassured the public that for those who registered in 2017, their PVCs would be available for collection in the first week of May 2018.

    “Those who registered in the first quarter of this year, that is between January and March, as well as those who are registering right now in the second quarter of this year, would collect their cards thereafter.”

    Yakubu also reassured the public and those who applied for replacement of their PVCs that their cards would be available for collection before the 2019 general elections.

    Read Also: Wanted: An ‘independent’ INEC

    “For those who registered in Ekiti and Osun in 2017 and 2018, priority attention was given to the production of their PVCs, such that all the cards would be available ahead of the July 14 and Sept. 22 governorship elections,’’ he said.

    Responding on behalf of the new RECs, Mr Segun Agbaje, representing Ekiti State, pledged the new commissioner’s readiness to justify the confidence reposed in them.

    He said “by the grace of God, we shall finish well.”

    He expressed confidence in the leadership of Yakubu, saying “with your style of leadership, we would
    not be surprised if 2019 elections turned out to be the best elections in the country.”

    The new RECs are: Mr Baba Yusuf and Mr Segun Agbaje, representing Borno and Ekiti states for second term.

    Others are Dr Uthman Ajidagba, Kwara;  Yahaya Bello, Nasarawa State; Dr Emmanuel Hart, Rivers; Mohammed Ibrahim, Gombe and Dr Cyril Omorogbe, Edo.

    NAN

  • Court arraigns man, son, for defiling minor in Edo

    A 50-year old man, Reuben Enosegbe and his son Destiny aged 16, have been arraigned at the Evboriaria Magistrate Court  for allegedly defiling a 10-year old girl.

    They were said to have separately gave their victim the sum of N20 each time they have sex with her.

    The victim who was present in court told reporters how both the accused persons had carnal knowledge of her at different occasions.

    She. Said she was always tempted with N20 during the countless times they defiled  her and that they always sent her to buy recharge card for them just to lure her into their house.

    Both father and son were charged on a one count-charge each bothering of forceful penetration.

    They however pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The offence is  punishable under section  218 of  the  criminal code cap 48 Volume 2 laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976 as  applicable in Edo State.

    Defense Counsel, Barrister Nicholas Omobude, applied for his clients to be granted  their bail since they were innocent of the crime until proven otherwise.

    Omobude promised that the accused persons would not jump bail.

    But presiding Magistrate, Efe Akhere said the matter would not be tried in his court.

    He transfered the case to a  family court where the accused persons’ bail will be considered upon resumption on Wednesday April 21, 2018.

    Magistrate Akhere  remanded the father to Oko Prison while his son was remanded to the Children’s Remand Home at Ugbekun Quarters.

    Coordinator of the Child Protection Network, Mrs. Jennifer Ero assured that the cases would be pursued to logical conclusion.

  • Edo clamps down on illegal revenue collectors

    The Edo Deputy Governor, Mr Philip Shaibu, on Thursday arrested some illegal revenue collectors in Egor Local Government Area of the state.

    Shaibu who is also the Chairman of Committee on Local Government Harmonised Levies, effected the arrest, in company of the Chairman of the local government, Mrs Eghe Ogbemudia.

    He said the illegal collectors were issuing fake tickets to tax payers, adding that their nefarious activities would have negative impact on the local government’s coffers.

    Read Also: NDLEA arrests 45 in Edo, 89 in Bayelsa

    The deputy governor said that projects on roads and other infrastructure could not be executed and if taxes were not prudently collected and utilised.

    Shaibu, however, charged the people to endeavor to pay their taxes to the genuine officials and report any sharp practice by revenue collectors to the appropriate quarters.

    He charged tax payers in the state to collaborate with government to fight illegal tax collection across the state, adding that government could not do it alone.

    NAN

  • NDLEA arrests 45 suspects in Edo, destroys 13, 542kg drugs

    The Edo Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) says it apprehended 45 suspects in connection with illicit drug trafficking in the first quarter of 2018.

    The state Commander of the agency, Mr Buba Wakawa, disclosed this in an interview with the newsmen in Benin on Wednesday.

    Wakawa also said that the NDLEA seized 13, 542kg substances suspected to be illicit drugs within the period.

    He told the newsmen that the arrested persons included 36 males and nine females.

    The commandant also said that the agency convicted seven drug traffickers at the Federal High Court, Benin within the period.

    Wakawa told the newsmen that the impounded drugs included 13,518kg of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa, 0.019g of drug suspected to be cocaine and 0.01 drug suspected to be heroin.

    Read Also: Edo partners EU on water projects in 46 communities – Commissioner

    He said that the agency also destroyed suspected psychotropic substance weighing about 24.2kg, adding that it discovered 12 suspected cannabis farms measuring 7.4 hectares.

    According to him, two of the cannabis farms were discovered at Okumo Oil Extension II in Uhumonwode LGA, while the others were discovered at Emun Forest in Orhiomwon LGA.

    Wakawa told the newsmen that the command also impounded four vehicles and a motorcycle used in conveying illicit drugs.

    He decried the low sentences passed on convicted drug peddlers, noting that none of the seven convicts got up to a year imprisonment.

    NAN

  • Confusion in Odu community over alleged mysterious deaths

    In traditional African communities deities mean different things to different people. For many, it is succour in times of communal trouble; as devotees rush to appease shrines where the deities are worshiped to avert punishment from the gods.

    Smaller gods were presumed to be the moral compass of traditional communities where mysterious developments were attributed to the anger of such gods.

    In Odu communty in, Ewohimi Edo State, a deity worshiped by the people at Odu Shrine is allegedly on fire following the sudden and mysterious death of the former chief priest .

    Investigations revealed that the chief priest mysteriously passed on in 2017, creating serious succession challenges for the traditional community.

    Investigations revealed that the first son of the late chief priest, who according to tradition is billed to take over the reigns of the shrine as custodian is facing some hurdles because of the condition set by the community to assume such responsibility.

    His ascent to becoming chief priest according to the community is subject to having a male child.
    Confusion sets in, following pressure by the community that the younger brother to the supposed chief priest should make available his first son to his bother for deity rituals.

    This strange demand, investigations revealed may have set the community into deeper confusion as the younger brother escaped from Odu with his children as his refusal to yield to the community request may trigger mysterious deaths already ravaging the community.

    Sequel to his escape with his children, confusion has enveloped Odu community over anger of the gods allegedly manifesting in strange deaths in the town, which has claimed several lives.

    Investigations revealed that the new chief priest, who should have been installed since seven months ago after seven days burial of the late chief priest, is yet to hold due to conditions attached to traditional stool.

    Investigations revealed that exodus has hit the community as many residents are on the run for safety of their lives to neighbouring towns, villages, cities and even abroad.

    Investigations also revealed that two young boys reportedly died mysteriously in the same village in 2005 concerning issues related to the shrine.

    To mitigate possible effects of the god’s anger, some elders in the village are alleged to have commenced rituals to appease the gods to safeguard the lives of the people.

    But, the question on many lips remains: “How safe are the people of the town?”

    Will appeasing the god’s finally put an end to the mysterious deaths? ”

    It was learnt that the late chief priest did a lot to appease the deity to avert further bloodletting, but his efforts has not yielded much results.

  • Edo Police/youth clash: White paper ready in 30 days

    …Negligence, Illegal siphoning caused Ugbor gas explosion in Edo – Panel

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that a white paper on the report of the Investigative Panel on the youths/police clash in upper Igun Area, in Benin City, will be issued in 30 days’ time.

    Obaseki disclosed this when he received report of the panel led by Retired Justice Joseph Olubor, at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State.

    He said, “Within the next 30 days, we will go through the report and issue a white paper on the issue. We are committed to the well-being and safety of our people. We will get to the bottom of this report and take the necessary action to ensure justice is done in the matter. I assure you that this report will not be left in the shelf.”

    Obaseki added, “Sometimes, it is not easy to get to the truth of issues of this magnitude, but we have no choice but to select credible and intelligent people to help us get the truth out.”

    Chairman of the panel, retired President of Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Joseph Olubor, said, “26 witnesses appeared before the panel to give evidence on the incident. The numbers reveal how members of the public are ready to assist the panel in its work to get the truth of what happened on that day.”

    Meanwhile, the Investigative Panel on Ugbor Gas explosion has revealed that the incident was caused by negligence and illegal siphoning of gas at the gas station.

    Chairman, Administrative Panel of Inquiry on the Incident of Gas Explosion at Ugbor, Justice Peter Isibor, made the revelation when the panel submitted its report to Governor Obaseki, at the Government House in Benin City.

    Justice Isibor said, “Findings of the panel revealed that the three victims who died due to the gas explosion were staff of the gas station whose proprietor is one Mr. Idemudia Osagie, while a trainee with the station was admitted for 23-degree burns.”

    “The panel also gathered that the three staff members who died from the explosion did not heed to the station manager’s instruction not to tamper with the gas installation within the premises. They went ahead to siphon gas from the plant for their personal use. The explosion was triggered when a generator set was switched on to enable them siphon the gas,” he said.

    Isibor said the gas plant was illegally set up, as the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) revealed that the station has no permission and licence to operate. At the time of the explosion, the station lacked water hydrant and gas detector as precautionary measures.”

    Governor Obaseki said the report will be passed on to the Secretary to the State Government to develop policies that will regulate the activities of gas stations in the state and prevent similar occurrence in the future.

  • DSS arrest major financier, armourer of kidnap gang in Kogi

    The Department of State Services ( DSS ) said it had arrested Lawal Mohammed, a suspected major financier and amourer of the dreaded Basalube kidnap gang in Kogi.

    A statement issued by an operative of the service, Mr Tony Opuiyo, on Tuesday in Abuja, said the suspect was arrested on March 23, at Japama in Obajana Local Government Area of Kogi.

    Opuiyo said that the suspect was apprehended with two other members of the gang, Mohammed Tukur and Abubakar Ibrahim, by the joint team of the Service and the Military during the operation.

    He said that Tukur was identified as the Chief surveillance officer of the gang who coordinated the gang’s movement across Rivers, Edo, Delta, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory, preparatory to the execution of their operations.

    The operative said that items recovered from the suspects include: three cell phones and 25 bottles of psychotropic inducers.

    In a related development, the DSS said it had also arrested five suspected members of the Basulube kidnap gang at Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta.

    The suspects are: Ali Abubakar, a top ranking member of the gang, Abubakareem Idrisa,Bashir Tsoho, Sanusi Abubakar, Nuhu Muhammadu and Abubakar Abdulhammeed.

    “This arrest was effected while Abubakar was perfecting plans to carry out kidnap operations in Obajana, Kogi,“he said.

    He said that in its determination to decimate the gang, the Service on on March 26 arrested Abubakar Danlansu, driver and weapon courier of the group at Dikko area of Niger.

    “The suspect was arrested enroute Edo from where he was to convey weapons to Obajana in Kogi for the gang’s planned kidnap operations.

    He said that the service had arrested Matthew Ekam, 39, in connection with the kidanap of Obianuju Onyema in Yenagoa on March 12 and later released by the kidnappers on March 18.

    Opuiyo said the suspect is a native of Ogoja, Cross River and a driver of a heavy duty truck operating between Bayelsa and Rivers.

    He said that on March 24, the service arrested a suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Mohammed Bello on the outskirt of Wudil Local Government Area of Kano State.

    Read Also: How we secured Dapchi schoolgirls’ release —DSS

    He said Bello was believed to be carrying out surveillance activities for the extremist group in the area.

    “At the point of his arrest, several handsets, multiple identity cards including those of a Police Constable and neighbourhood vigilante member and N37,857.00 were recovered from him,“he said.

    “The arrest of these suspects hold major significance for law and order and safety of persons.

    “It is instructive to note that the activities of kidnappers and armed robbers on the Lokoja-Okene and Abuja-Kaduna corridors have relatively reduced as a result of sustained counter operations of the Service and sister security agencies,“he said.

    Opuiyo said that the recent arrest of Abubakar and other members of the dreaded Basalube kidnap gang would apparently result in the complete elimination of violent and other allied crimes in those regions.

    “The successes so far recorded by the Service are geared toward providing a safe and peaceful environment for law abiding citizens to pursue their legitimate endeavours.

    “We wish to reassure the public that the tempo of these operations will be continually reviewed, strengthened and sustained.

    “The Service, therefore, wishes to reiterate its stance that all perpetrators of violence and criminality against the Nigerian State and its law-abiding citizens will be made to face the full course of law no matter how long it takes, “he said.

    NAN

  • NCC, Edo partner on connectivity

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Edo State government have reaffirmed commitment to work together to improve access to telecoms infrastructure and provide citizens of the state with  telecoms and information communications technology (ICT) facilities.

    This commitment was made during a meeting between the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the NCC, led by its Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Mr Sunday Dare at NCC headquarters, Abuja.

    Mr. Dare commended the forward-looking policies of the governor and assured him of NCC’s readiness to support the achievement of the ICT aspirations of the state through the deployment of fiber infrastructure under the Commission’s InfraCo project and interventions by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).

    He noted that the NCC is aggressively driving accessibility to telecoms networks at all nooks and crannies of the country. He however regretted that situation with multiple taxation and regulation in some states  is counter-productive for the states – this is because they end up losing substantial revenues and developmental opportunities which could have been stimulated with the presence of telecoms infrastructure.

    He assured the governor that NCC is keen to partner the state to achieve win-win solutions in the overall interests of the good people of Edo.

    In his remarks, Obaseki said the state government is focused on exploring non-oil resources and has therefore articulated developmental priorities. This focuses on creating a sense of order, security, safety and stability necessary to attract investments to develop the state.

    Since its developmental goals relies on the seamless availability of telecoms/ICT infrastructure, Edo State is passionate about the need to attract robust telecoms infrastructure to drive manufacturing, education and other socio-economic activities. As an example of the State’s forward-looking approach, the Governor noted that Edo State has always made provision for shared fiber ducts in its road projects and looks forward to engaging with NCC and operators to agree on fiber deployment projects and routes as necessary.

    During the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the USPF, Mr Ayuba Shuaibu confirmed that the USPF has evaluated and agreed to support the College of Education in Benin City and the Institute of Continuing Education in Abudu, Edo State with a grant to establish a computer laboratory and provide Optic Fiber Connectivity to the institutions.

     

     

     

  • Edo Govt. reinstates commitment to attract investors

     

     

    The state Deputy Governor, Mr Philip Shaibu, stated this at a one-day investment promotion workshop with the theme “Investment promotion in Edo state as a tool for enhancing economic growth.”

    Shaibu said that the workshop was to examine ways to attract potential investors to the state and to provide ease of doing business in the state.

    He said the one-day deliberation among the resource persons and other participants would proffer solutions to the challenges that confronted investors when trying to set up businesses in the state.

    The deputy governor said that development strategy had shown that the state was focused on achieving millage in the areas of agriculture, solid minerals, power, culture, tourism and housing among others.

    Read also:staging.thenationonlineng.net/edo-committed-attaining-self-sustenance-igr-shaibu/

     

    He assured investors that the state government had new security architecture in place being implemented ”to give total security coverage to all.”

    Shaibu further assured that the state government had embarked on massive construction of access roads in the state with particular importance to roads leading to industrial sites.

    In his presentation, one of the resource persons, Kenny Aliu, said that investment in the state would among others, creation jobs opportunities, especially the unemployed.

    (NAN)