The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo

  • Edo, Sahara Energy to power public utilities with gas 

    Edo, Sahara Energy to power public utilities with gas 

    Plans by the Edo State government to improve power supply through partnership with oil and gas companies have received the buy-in of Sahara Energy.

    The innovative energy solution includes the conversion of gas, hitherto flared, to electricity that will be used to power hospitals, schools, street lights and other public utilities.

    Governor Godwin Obaseki, who spoke yesterday after the weekly Executive Council (EXCO) meeting at the Government House, Benin City, said during the unveiling of representatives of Sahara Group, led by the Chairman, Funso Kupolokun, an engineer, the company indicated interest in partnering the government in electricity generation through the exploitation of the state’s gas assets and other key developmental areas.

    The Co-Founder/Executive Director, Sahara Energy, Tonye Cole, hailed the governor for opening up the space for investment, saying he (governor) had expressed interest in collaborating with Sahara Energy in electricity and curbing illegal migration.

    “Governor Obaseki is committed to stopping gas flaring and to convert it to electricity. This ties 100 per cent to what we stand for. On illegal migration, which has become the biggest problem in the state, we are standing here to give hope to the people and commit to developing the nation,” he said.

     

  • Edo unveils tourism desks at Benin Airport

    Edo unveils tourism desks at Benin Airport

    The Edo State Government in partnership with Viko Nigeria has unveiled tourism information desks at the Benin Airport, Benin City, to market the state’s tourism sites.

    Speaking at the unveiling of the desks at the arrival and departure wings of the Benin Airport on Wednesday, Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, said he wants investors and visitors to know about the tourism potentials of the state.

    The governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Taiwo Akerele, said the idea driving the project is the commitment to make the state a 24-hour economy.

    “As a state, we want to leverage on our potentials to attract local and foreign investments. We are partnering with the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to make night landing possible at the airport to increase influx of passengers coming into the state for business and leisure.”

    Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Osaze Osemwegie-Ero, said the information desks are a part of the arts and tourism roadmap for the development of the state.

    He said the idea was conceived by Governor Obaseki in his quest to boost investments and employment opportunities in the state.

    “The airport is the gateway to the state if you are coming by air and the desk will give all the needed information about the places to visit in the state,” he said.

    Executive Director, Viko Nigeria, Mr Kanu Chidi, said tourism portends great potential in developing the economy, noting that the partnership will yield positive results for Edo people.

    He added that the information to be provided to guests visiting the state include information about culture, tourism, hotel reservation, taxes and other information about the state.

  • Edo, Sahara Energy reach deal to power utilities with flared gas 

    Edo, Sahara Energy reach deal to power utilities with flared gas 

    Plans by the Edo State Government to improve power supply in the state through partnership with oil and gas companies, have received the buy-in of Sahara Energy.  

    The innovative energy solution includes the conversion of gas, hitherto flared, to electricity that will be used to power hospitals, schools, street lights and other public utilities.

    Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, said this after the weekly Executive Council (EXCO) meeting, held at the Government House, Benin City.

    Obaseki explained during the unveiling of representatives of Sahara Group, led by the chairman, Engineer Funso Kupolokun, that the company has indicated interest in partnering with the Edo State Government in the area of electricity generation through the exploitation of the state’s gas assets and other key developmental areas.

    Managing Director, Sahara Energy, Tonye Cole, lauded governor Obaseki for opening up the space for investment in the state, adding that the governor has expressed interest in collaborating with Sahara Energy in the areas of electricity and curbing illegal migration.

    “The governor has committed to stop gas flaring and to convert it to electricity. This ties 100 per cent to what we stand for. On the issue of illegal migration, which has become the biggest problem in the state, we are standing here to give hope to the people and commit to developing the nation,” Cole said.

  • Edo seals off AIT office for alleged N4m tax liability

    Edo seals off AIT office for alleged N4m tax liability

    The Benin office of Daar Communications PLC, owners of AIT and Raypower FM, has been sealed off by Edo State government for alleged N4.3 million tax liability.

    Over 15 workers were trapped inside the office when officials of Edo State Inland Revenue Services (EIRS) took the action.

    EIRS spokesman Courage Eboigbe said the sealing off was done in compliance with a court order.

    He urged the management to pay the money, which he said was Pay as You Earn (PAYE) tax deducted from workers’ salary.

    A top management official of Daar Communications plc, who pleaded anonymity, said no notice was served on them before the premises were sealed off.

    The official, who claimed that the government was owing the organisation N81 million for media coverage, explained that the N4.3 million tax liability was for 2015, which was not paid due to discrepancies, “although the organisation has paid subsequent taxes.”

    He said: “An understanding would have been reached because the government is owing the organisation over N81 million with evidence for media coverage during the last governorship election won by Governor Godwin Obaseki.  I perceive it to be political.”

    Special Adviser to Governor Obaseki on Media and Strategy Mr. Crusoe Osagie said the N81 million debt claimed by Daar Communications PLC was a hearsay that had not been substantiated.

    Said he: “Whatever claim they are making about the N81 million debt is yet to be substantiated. You cannot bringing issues of debt that has not been verified when you are asked to pay tax.

    “Tax is an obligation. How long does it take them to accumulate the tax debt of N4 million? They should not use the transaction as a way of not paying taxes. You owe government taxes, you pay. If you do not pay, it is a violation of law. AIT should go and pay. They should not bring up any transaction.”

  • Libya returnees: Edo knocks NAPTIP’s uncooperative posture, writes FG

    Libya returnees: Edo knocks NAPTIP’s uncooperative posture, writes FG

    …to partner Sahara Energy on power, gas

    The Edo Executive Council on Tuesday expressed disappointment over the uncooperative posture of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), in the evacuation and reintegration of victims of human trafficking, particularly the last batch of Libya returnees that came through Port Harcourt International Airport, Rivers State.

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said this after the weekly Executive Council (EXCO) meeting, which he chaired, at the Government House, Benin City.

    Obaseki also said that the state was developing a new tripartite arrangement with oil companies involving the oil companies, the state government and host communities to ensure that Corporate Social Responsibility programmes achieve the desired impact and are sustainable.

    He said the new relationship model which will replace the conventional bilateral model was important to create a better, valuable investor-community relationship and effective service delivery to the target communities.

    While briefing journalists, Governor Obaseki expressed dissatisfaction with the way NAPTIP and other agencies that are statutorily charged to cater to victims of human trafficking, treated the victims.

    He added that it was in the brief of NAPTIP to properly guide the Federal Government on packages for the victims, like the batches evacuated by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), who were given one hundred Euro, noting that it was only wise for NAPTIP to have advised government on the need for transport stipends for those being airlifted into the country so that they are not stranded on arriving Nigeria.

    “NAPTIP’s commentary on the efforts of Edo State government to reintegrate the victims have been uncomplimentary. The efforts of the Edo State Government have received local and international commendations. If NAPTIP was proactive in carrying out its task, we won’t have the scale of crisis we have in our hands today,” he said.

    The governor said the Exco meeting discussed key issues affecting the state, which includes migration, noting that the state was not pleased with the abysmal level of support shown by some agencies.

    “We are writing to the presidency to register our displeasure so that urgent actions will be taken,” he said.

    On the new model of relating with companies, the governor explained that “In Edo State, we have decided to create our own model for relating with the oil producing companies. We do not want a situation where the communities and the oil companies have a bilateral arrangement that is not effective.

    This time, it is going to be a tripartite arrangement among the oil companies, host communities and government, and each party will contribute to the purse and execute huge projects that will meet the expectations of our people on a sustainable basis.”

  • Three die in Edo multiple accidents

    Three die in Edo multiple accidents

    Three persons were yesterday confirmed dead in two separate accidents that occurred along the Benin-Lagos highway near the Ovia River.

    In one of the accidents, a tanker truck carrying diesel towards the Ore axis rammed into a stationary truck conveying iron rods and killed the driver on the spot.

    An eye witness said the other accident happened few minutes after the first occurred.

    The witness said a truck attempting to overtake another vehicle had a head on collision with another vehicle and two persons were killed on the spot.

    State Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Samuel Odukoya who confirmed the accident said obstruction on the road caused by the accident has been cleared by officials of the FRSC.

    The accidents have caused traffic gridlock before the arrival of FRSC officials.

    Odukoya blamed the accidents on over-speeding and dangerous overtaking, adding that the corpses have already been taken to the morgue while the injured driver has been taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical treatment.

     

  • Robbers seal 89-yr-old woman’s mouth with super glue

    Robbers seal 89-yr-old woman’s mouth with super glue

    TWO suspects have been arrested by men of the Edo State Police Command for allegedly using super glue to seal the mouth of an 89 year woman, Imasogbonre Enahoro, to prevent her for shouting for help.

    The suspects  also allegedly glued the mouth of her daughter, Marylyn Ajibola, and proceeded to steal  valuables and a Toyota Camry car from the victim’s’ residence at Igueben villagen,near Benin.

    A third suspect  is said to be on the run.

    They allegedly  stormed Madam Enahoro residence on November 20 and first tied up their victims.

    But when mother and daughter kept shouting for help,the unwanted guests decided to use super glue to shut them up.

    After searching the house and finding no money the robbers made away with a Toyota Camry car which they drove  to Osun State.

    Marylyn identified one of the suspects at the police headquarters as the person who slapped her mother and applied super glue to shut her mouth.

    She said the incident happened at about 5pm and that it was her husband that eventually untied them on his return from work.

    Kingsley, one of the suspects who claimed to be a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, said it was Tosin that brought the robbery plan.

    “When we got to Mama’s place, she had no money to give to us. Two of us were outside and Tosin went inside. We found only N7,200 inside the car.

    “I did not know that this Mama’s mouth was glued because I waited outside. We have not sold the car. Tosin said he wants to use the car but we told him there is no way we can stay with him in Osun State. I couldn’t stay in his father’s house without doing anything. The car is still in Osun State.”

    Police Commissioner, Babatunde Kokumo, said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

  • Robbers glue 89-year-old woman’s mouth

    Robbers glue 89-year-old woman’s mouth

    Two suspects have been arrested by men of the Edo State Police Command for using super glue to seal the mouth of an 89 years woman, Imasogbonre Enahoro, to prevent her for shouting for help.

    The robbers also glued the mouth of her daughter, Marylyn Ajibola, before stealing valuables and a Toyota Camry car from the victim’s’ residence at Igueben village.

    Names of the suspects were given as Kingsley Odion and a third suspect identified as Tosin is said to be on the run.

    They were said to have stormed Madam Enahoro residence at Igueben on November 20 and tied occupants in the house down.

    When she and her daughter refused to stop talking, they used super glue to seal their mouth.

    After searching the house and no money was found, the robbers made away with a Toyota Camry car and took it to Osun State.

    Speaking to newsmen at the police headquarters in Benin City, Marylyn identified one of the suspects as the person who slapped her mother and tied their mouth.

    She said the incident happened at about 5pm and that it was her husband that came home and freed them.

    Kingsley, one of the suspects who claimed to be a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, said it was Tosin that brought the robbery plan.

    “When we got to Mama place, she has no money to give to us. Two of us were outside and Tosin went inside. We only found N7,200 inside the car.

    “I did not know that this Mama’s mouth was glued because I waited outside. We have not sold the car. Tosin said he want to be using the car but We told him there is no way we can stay with him in Osun State. I couldn’t stay in his father’s house without doing anything. The car is still in Osun State.”

    Police Commissioner, Babatunde Kokumo, said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

  • Engineer ejected by landlady emerges N20m lottery winner

    Engineer ejected by landlady emerges N20m lottery winner

    Mr Sidney Osahon, 35, Engineer from Edo, who won the ‘Give ‘n’ Take N20 million’ National Jackpot Bonanza said, his landlady almost ejected his family hours before he won the lottery.

    Osahon, who disclosed this at a news briefing organised by Give `n` Take National Lottery in Abuja, said he was threatened by his landlady on his way to claim the prize.

    He said that his family was being threatened by his landlady before he received the call that changed his life.

    He said, “My mother is still alive, my father passed on last year. So we couldn’t pay our rent and we were almost thrown out of our house.

    “My landlady gave us quit notice. As I was coming out to claim my prize she sent a text message that she will soon be at the house to give me a show down.

    Osahon revealed that he had been playing the Give `n` take National lottery from the beginning in June 2017, but just got lucky now.

    “Last week Sunday while watching the jackpot, and I saw my ticket number, I was in tears, I told God that I was tired of embarrassment of rent and I am moving into my house.

    “The interesting thing about this win is that there was another bonanza draw the first one, I did not win. But the person who won apparently did not show up to pick his ticket.

    “What this means is that if the person had showed up, I wouldn’t have been the winner, but God just got it for me. Today I am twenty million naira richer.

    “The whole thing is like a dream but I am living that dream. I say a big thank you to Give ‘n’ Take national lottery; they have changed my life for good. Now I am a landlord,” he said.

    In his address, Jolly Enabulele, Managing Director, Give ‘n’ Take National Lottery, said the N20million lottery prize from available records is the biggest in the history of lottery in Nigeria

    He added that a winner emerged for the N20 million bonanza of National Jackpot after 29 weekly Rollover.

    “Today we are bold to inform you that so many millionaires have been made in this lofty venture of giving back to the society through lottery business and good courses.

    He noted that the bonanza was done to reward the loyal players who trusted the brand and identified with it since its inception in June 2017.

    He added that the cheque will be officially presented to him on Sunday, January 14 during the live National Jackpot Game show by the Director-General of National Lottery Regulatory Commission.

    NAN

  • Edo increases fares to N5,000

    Edo increases fares to N5,000

    •Assures returnees of N20,000 monthly stipend 

    Edo State government has increased fares for Libya returnees from N1,000 to N5,000.

    This followed yesterday’s protest by the returnees that N1,000 was not enough to take them to their destinations.

    The government said it was committed to the payment of N20,000 monthly stipend to every Edo indigene deported from Libya.

    It said the stipend would last for three months.

    The returnees, who were on the verge of storming out of the hotel to protest in the streets, were assuaged after the increment.

    The Chairman of the Task Force on Anti-Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, attributed the protest to misinformation.

    He said the returnees from Port Harcourt hoped to get money like their colleagues evacuated and paid by International Organisation on Migration.

    Omorogbe, who is also the attorney-general and commissioner for Justice, said the government was discussing with the Federal Government on how to care for the returnees.

    She said the stipend was not paid at the venue of profiling the returnees.

    Her words:  “When they come to Benin, we have a package for them. We give them a pack for their essential needs. We profile them, we do medicals for them, we do counselling for them and we keep them for a couple of days for those who wish to stay.

    “We have a stipend programme of three months for every returnee. It is not available immediately. We do not start payment immediately. Their biometrics are taken by the revenue service. They open an account and pay the stipend into it. We have paid for the first few set of returnees. We do not give money at the venue. On the designated day, they will receive message from us and get their money.

    “The returnees from Port Harcourt were brought under a different regime. I am told they were not paid any stipend. These people from Port Harcourt, maybe they have been told about our stipend and the money others got from Lagos and believed they would get the money immediately. We decided to manage them and opted to give them some money for transport. It was not what we planned. These ones see themselves as not getting the same standard of treatment.

    “You can see that they have calmed down now. The fact is we have two categories of returnees. What we have done is a proof of the proactive nature of Governor Godwin Obaseki. No amount has been approved to be given to returnees at this stage.

    “We are discussing with the Federal Government. Everything the state government has promised to do is what we are doing. We have not deviated from our promise.

    “We are committed to paying the stipend for three months. During the period, training will be organised for the returnees.”