The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo

  • NDLEA arrests 86 people for alleged drug trafficking in Edo

    NDLEA arrests 86 people for alleged drug trafficking in Edo

    The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) has arrested 86 people, suspected to be trafficking illicit drugs.

    The Commander of the agency in Edo, Mr Buba Wakawa, said in Benin on Monday that the suspects were arrested between July and September this year.

    According to him, the suspects are made up of 61 males, including a Malian and 25 females.

    Wakawa said that 2, 930 kg of hard drugs were seized within the period and that 46.8 hectares of suspected cannabis farms were also destroyed.

    The commander said the cannabis farms were estimated to be producing 217,414 kg of cannabis.

    According to him, a breakdown of the seized drugs are: cannabis (2,929.6 kg), Tramadol (159 grammes), Swino (four grammes), Vegha (26 grammes), Codeine (29 grammes) and Heroin (20 grammes).

    He said that the agency had successfully prosecuted one Obiora Nkemokonam, who was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment for possessing 20 kg of cannabis.

    Wakawa said that two vehicles and two motorcycles had been impounded from suspects in connection with the seizures.

    He said that 37 drug-dependent people had also been counselled and reunited with their families, while three other peole who were currently undergoing rehabilitation.

    Wakawa lamented that the drug menace was not showing signs of abatement, calling on stakeholders to strengthen cooperation in the fight against illicit drug production, trafficking and abuse.

    “Drug seizures in the state are on the increase, while cannabis farms are overwhelming.

    “Cases of drug abuse are also posing greater challenge daily as more victims are getting trapped in the web of drug abuse.

    “This calls for greater commitment on our part to resist the activities of drug cartels.’’

    He appealed for increased funding and logistics support to the command to enable it to surmount its problems.

    NAN

  • Edo to hold investment Summit to boost economy

    In a bid to re-engineer the economy of Edo State towards a better future for its citizens, the Godwin Obaseki-led government is set to host the maiden Edo State Investment Summit with the theme “Envisioning the Future” from November 10 – 12, 2017 at Edo Hotels, Okada Avenue, Benin City.

    Christened ‘Alaghodaro’ meaning ‘progress’, the three-day summit will bring together local and international business leaders and investors, bankers, financiers, industry experts, policymakers, the diplomatic community and the academia to explore Edo’s rich potential across various sectors.

    Speaking on the importance of the summit, Asue Ighodalo, Chairman of Alaghodaro 2017 said: “The world over, governments are looking beyond oil to alternative revenue sources in order to ensure sustainable development, and we must also get creative and take action today for our future and the future of our children.”

    “Alaghodaro is part of the response of the Edo State Government to the imminent threat of an oil-dependent economy. It seeks to explore opportunities for local and foreign direct investment in the state by highlighting the state’s competitive advantage across various sectors.”

    Ighodalo also disclosed that the key areas of focus at the three-day event would include Law and Order, Civil Service Reform, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Transportation, Forest Regeneration and Conservation, Education, Healthcare, Arts, Culture, Tourism and Hospitality.

    The Edo State Investment Summit is in line with the vision of the Obaseki administration to build “a modern and progressive Edo state where every citizen is empowered with opportunity to live life in its fullness.”

    Alaghodaro 2017 is designed to foster knowledge sharing, build relationships, spark innovation and inspire commitment to strategic deployment of capital for greater socio-economic and environmental impact.

  • Edo APC to begin biometric registration of members

    Edo APC to begin biometric registration of members

    The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has indicated that it would soon commence the biometric registration of its members across the 192 wards.

    It said the decision to do a biometric registration of its members was reached after an enlarged meeting of the state Working Committee with local government party chairmen.

    Its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Azebamwan, who stated this at a media briefing, said the registration would help to strengthen the membership base of the party ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Azebamwan said the initiative would help to boost the party’s membership drive, as members of the public would have the opportunity to join and contribute their quota towards the development of the APC.

    He said: “All matters relating to indiscipline within the rank and file in the party have been resolved and closed.”

    The Publicity Secretary said the party has successfully monitored its  performance index in the state ahead of future polls.

    He said the party has established a feedback mechanism through the engagement of 192 Special Assistants to Governor Godwin Obaseki.

  • Uwa Primary School Attack: Situation under control – Edo Govt

    Uwa Primary School Attack: Situation under control – Edo Govt

    …police nabs two suspects

    The Edo State Government has condemned the attack on the Headmaster of Uwa Primary School, Mr. S. I. Imafidon, assuring the school and residents in the area that the state is on top of the situation.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Basic Education and Sole Administrator, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, said this in response to the attack on the headmaster by some hoodlums at the school premises on First East Circular Road in Benin City, the state capital.

    It was gathered that some hoodlums invaded the school premises and attacked the headmaster, an incident which caused panic among students and teachers.

    Dr Osa Oviawe said that two suspects have been arrested in relation to the attack, adding that they are currently being held at the Esigie Police station.

    According to her, “The situation has been contained. Two persons suspected to be part of those who attacked the headmaster have been arrested. The headmaster was taken to the Specialist Hospital and he has been treated.”

    Noting that the state is keen on ensuring that school premises are safe for learning, she said, “We want to assure the pupils and their parents that we are on top of the situation. Normalcy has returned to the school and we are working to ensure that the situation remains that way.”

     

  • Gelegele Sea Port: Committee submits Technical Report Obaseki

    Gelegele Sea Port: Committee submits Technical Report Obaseki

    The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has received the technical report on the proposed Gelegele Seaport, which is envisioned to serve as a key artery for the state’s economic diversification efforts.

    The governor received the report at the Government House, Benin City, on Wednesday, from the Technical Committee on the actualization of the Gelegele Sea Port, led by its chairman, Engr. Greg Ero. Obaseki commended the committee for a job well done and noted that the project was a critical infrastructure in the state.

    He stressed the role of water transportation as a major driver of economic activity, noting that moving goods through the waterways remain one of the fastest means to grow the economy.

    According to him, the Gelegele Seaport is essential in view of the incoming investment to the state, as the setting up of a sea port will enhance the evacuation of agricultural produce in a cost-efficient manner to both the local and global markets.

    He said the move to establish the port is apt and in line with the Federal Government’s economic recovery plan, which stipulates that states develop economic plans that will stimulate exportation.

    “We have travelled to various countries, especially Asia, to attract investment that will revamp our competitive advantage in oil palm and rubber. Edo State is a logistic hub for this country. From here, goods can be efficiently moved to various states and distributed across the country.”

    Noting that the state government would ensure that the report guides the implementation of the project, he said, “As a government, we want to assure you that the report is critical. We will immediately commence work on the recommendation and seek expert impute in building an infrastructure of this magnitude.”

    The chairman of the committee, Engr. Ero said his team worked on the terms of reference it was given to prepare a report on the port that would open Edo up to the world, adding, “We visited Gelegele community, relevant offices and locations. We gathered information and data from various sources, including reports on previous assignment commissioned by the Federal Government on Gelegele.”

    Ero said the committee took a holistic view of the project and addressed in great details, the location of seaport, sea route to the Atlantic Ocean, and critical issues of port viability required to pass a business case test.

  • Gov. Obaseki receives report on Gelegele Seaport

    Gov. Obaseki receives report on Gelegele Seaport

    The Technical Committee on the Actualisation of  the Gelegele Sea port  on Wednesday submitted its report to Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo.

    Receiving the report  at Government House in Benin, Obaseki said the successful building of the sea port would enhance the movement of  agricultural produce from the state to  local and global markets in a cost effective manner.

    He said under the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, states were  asked to develop an  economic blueprint that would  stimulate exportation.

    Obaseki said that the seaport was also a critical infrastructure needed by the state government in view of  the investment expected in  the state.

    “We have travelled to various countries,  especially Asia,  looking at how to re-enact our competitive advantage in oil palm and rubber.

    “Edo is a logistic hub for this country,  goods can be efficiently moved into various states and distributed across the country,’’  he said.

    The governor assured the committee members  that the report would  be studied with a view to implementing its recommendations   in addition to  seeking  experts’   inputs toward executing the  seaport initiative.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the committee, Mr  Greg Ero, said the committee  took a holistic view of the project  and addressed in details the location of  the seaport, sea route to the Atlantic Ocean as well as  viability.

    “We visited Gelegele community, relevant offices and locations and gathered information and data from various sources, including reports on previous assignments  commissioned by the Federal Government on Gelegele,” he said.

    NAN

  • Army lunches operation crocodile smile II in C/River

    Army lunches operation crocodile smile II in C/River

    The Nigerian Army has lunched the second phase of its operation code name `Crocodile Smile II’ in Cross River.

    Maj.-Gen. Adamu Abubakar, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu lunched the operation on Wednesday in Calabar.

    He said the operation was meant to complement the ongoing `Operation Python Dance in the South-East.

    He said the operation was in line with the Army’s efforts to curb militancy, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other forms of illegality in the state and beyond.

    The Commander, 13 Brigade, Nigerian Army Calabar, Brig.-Gen. Ismaila Isa, conducted the GOC round the creeks of Ikang in Bakassi LGA to the Amphibious Training School fleet yard in Calabar by speed boat.

    Abubakar said: “from Ikang in Bakassi local government to the Calabar channel, I can say that the soldiers have been doing well in protecting the coastal areas along with the navy.

    “I am happy that the Director of the State Security Service also went with us throughout the sea patrol.

    “It shows that we are united in providing security to the people of the state and beyond.

    “I am very certain that this exercise will help in securing our nation just as we recorded tremendous success in exercise Egwu Eke.

    “Crocodile smile cut across four divisions; they include 81, 2, 6 and 82 divisions respectively.

    “We hope to record successful outcome at the end of the operation on the 28 of Oct.

    “What we are doing here right now is exactly what is going on in Lagos, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa Rivers and Cross River states respectively.’’

    The GOC said the operation would also help in enhancing civil-military relationship, teach the troops general administration, operational logistics, equipment maintenance, arms handling and others.

    He called on the public to support the operation by availing the Army and other security agencies with useful and timely information that would enable them respond on time to cases of emergencies.

    NAN

  • Edo cultural icon in bondage 

    In the last four decades, he has relentlessly deployed his talent in anti-establishment activism, forever seeking fairer deal for the downtrodden. The reason it came as a supreme irony, if not a rude shock, few days ago that Osayomore Joseph (a.k.a The Ambassador) had been seized in Benin City by kidnappers cruel enough to also shoot his wife in the head.

    No sacrilege could be more abominable.

    By so doing, it is not only law the abductors have broken; they would also seem to have betrayed the custom of the very underworld they inhabit – obligation not to harm the poor nor their advocates. On account of his countless runs-in with successive military administrations and their civilian successors over the years, the Ulele Power Sound exponent has undoubtedly been the consistent spokesman of the oppressed. Little wonder he became known also as the “Fela of Benin”.

    Indeed, people of my generation grew up enamoured of his portraiture of Benin rich culture, to say nothing of the prodigious facility at making melodies of transcendental folk-tales.

    Overall, in contemporary times, no other performing artiste in Edo musical industry adopting “pidgin English” as vehicle would appear to possess his reach in the propagation of Edo culture outside its borders.

    In terms of output, only the much older Victor Uwaifo could be said to surpass him in the cultural arena. But then, he clearly stands head and shoulders above “the guitar boy” in material sacrifice by being overly political in his songs. He sings not to make himself rich, but free the poor. It is obviously more lucrative to praise-sing power; OJ would rather haul missiles at thieving politicians.

    So, why hurt a man like that?

    Maybe, OJ’s abduction and the brutal harm done his wife were in error. So, the least expected of those holding the people’s Ambassador today is to set him free, unconditionally.

     

     

  • Edo offsets N430m council pension arrears in two months

    To assuage the suffering of pensioners in the state and clear up a backlog of arrears that accrued over two decades, the Edo State Government has released about N430 million through the Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) in the last two months.

    In a statement, yesterday, the state government said the sum was released as part of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s phased approach in offsetting pension arrears, which accrued over a 20-year period.

    According to the statement, “In August, Edo JAAC allocated N212, 879,888 for settlement of pension arrears, while in September, the sum of N212, 879,000 was set aside for the same purpose out of the N2, 868, 174, 276 that accrued to the 18 local government councils as revenue.”

    “Efforts are ongoing to harmonise the pension system in the state. We want to ensure that those at the local councils enjoy smooth transition to the new pension scheme. This is so that they are on the same scheme with their counterparts in the employ of the state government.”

    Noting that the plight of pensioners was top priority for the administration, the state said, “The sum is for the settlement of arrears of pensioners in local government areas. The pensioners have been protesting for a while and we assured them that we have an elaborate plan to address their concerns. So, it is in this light that we have made arrangement that part of JAAC disbursement addresses pension arrears.”

    The state added that it has been responsive to the suffering of pensioners, many of whom have sacrificed a better part of their life in service to the state, noting, “We are touched by the suffering of pensioners. It is regrettable that we have to deal with these issues, because, as a government, we value the dignity of work.

    “We hope to continue to approach this issue with the phased approach and are confident that in no distant time, the state wouldn’t have to deal with issues such as this anymore.”

  • Edo plans alternative sources to power street lights

    Edo plans alternative sources to power street lights

    Edo state Government says it plans to use many sources of energy to power street lights in the state.

    Mr Cruse Osagie, the Special Adviser to the state Governor on Communication and Strategy, disclosed this in an interview with a reporter.

    He said that this would ensure that the streets were well lit all the night.

    Osagie said the current sources of keeping the streets illuminated at night were no longer sustainable, stressing that the epileptic public power supply was not helping the matter.

    Edo State depends on the public power supply and electricity generating sets to power the street lights.

    Osagie said the government would maximize the use of resources at Azure power plant, Siemens and Osiomon power plants to boost power supply in the state.

    Osage said these plants would power critical public assets in the state, including street lights, and help to keep the streets lit for longer hours at night.

    A top government official, who pleaded anonymity, said that the state had entered into a partnership with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company ( BEDC ) to help power the street lights.

    The source also said that there was another plan to outsource the street lights to private firms for efficiency.

    “Yes, this has been concluded.

    “The firm will be responsible for the maintenance of the street lights such as changing the dead bulbs and ensuring the they are all in perfect working condition all the time.”

    The source said most of the street lights were provided by the state government with council areas and Niger Delta Development Company ( NDDC ) providing some.

    He said Benin metropolis, Ekpoma, Uromi and Auchi were the major towns where the state government was providing street lights.

    An official of the BEDC confirmed the company’s partnership with the state government on the street light project.

    Mr Fidelis Obishai, an official of BEDC, said the partnership was effective in places like Airport Road, Akpakpava and Sapele Road in Benin City.

    “We have connected these areas to the double circuit lines to ensure that they remain lit for 24 hours.

    “We did all this at no cost to the government.

    “We are hoping this partnership will help improve life for the commoners as well as for better governance,” he said.

    NAN