The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo

  • Edo Deputy Governor trains with pupils ahead of Okpekpe 10km race

    Edo’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, on Thursday in Iyamu joined school pupils from Edo North in training in preparation for the 10-kilometre Okpekpe marathon race scheduled for Saturday.

    Shaibu was joined by a former governor of Edo, Adams Oshiomhole, in the exercise tagged “Let’s Play”

    While addressing the 1,100 pupils from 45 schools at the Edo University Iyamu sports complex, Shaibu encouraged the pupils to engage in all kinds of sports for their physical and mental development.

    He described sports as a sector which keeps children busy and away from negative vices, urging teachers to always encourage their pupils to engage in sports activities.

    Shaibu stated that government was currently working out a plan of providing facilities in all primary schools as well as all wards of the state to regenerate sports at the grassroots.

    Speaking with newsmen, Oshiomhole explained that he instituted the Okpekpe road race to bring government’s presence to the surrounding communities.

    He said the move was also to help take advantage of the natural landscaping of the area.

    The former governor described the “Let’s Play” initiative as a well thought-out plan to encourage development of sports at the grassroots.

    On his part, one of the event’s organisers and ex-international, Victor Ikpeba, said the “Let’s Play’’ initiative came along with the Okpekpe race to expose children to different kinds of sports.

    Ikpeba said it was also meant to encourage children to engage in physical training to keep them fit.

    One of the pupils, Aliu Nurudeen, who spoke on behalf of other students, thanked the organisers and the state government for the opportunity, describing it as a good way to keep fit.

    The pupils later participated in a mini-football match, in which former governor Oshiomhole led the male team to defeat the female team led by his wife Iara and the deputy governor 2-0.

  • New roads to travel in Edo 

    New roads to travel in Edo 

    Confucius – that renowned Chinese sage of many catchphrases – was, no doubt, high as a kite when he said: “Roads were made for journeys, not destinations”. The idea here is not that he snuck and took some opiate to heighten his creativity, or that he went and indulged in the fruit of the vine.

    The idea is that he was, of imagination, on an intellectually elevated pedestal and was seeing things that were as sound in concept as they were poetic in expression.

    In Edo State, the appositely lauded technocrat governor, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, leaves no one in doubt of his unfeigned understanding of the importance of roads to the socioeconomic wellbeing of the people of Edo State. If the road is unduly rough, the governor understands, the journey surely will be unpleasant, and the desire for the destination may wane.

    It explains why Governor Obaseki reiterates his unambiguous commitment to the development of road infrastructure in the state. During his recent commissioning of the newly constructed 500km Nevis Street Road, which links four major roads in Benin City, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to make certain that within the four years of his first term in office he completes 3000km of roads.

    To be sure, all of these roads will not only enrich the development of infrastructure and make life more meaningful for the people in the state, they will equally generate decent jobs for all categories of people especially youths who will be given requisite training in road designs and constructions using concrete technology.

    One of the things that will stand out the roads to be constructed across the state under this administration is the use of concrete technology. The newly reconstructed Nevis Street Road is the first road to be reconstructed in the state using concrete materials.

    Constructing roads with concrete rather than asphalt will facilitate durability. Road construction experts have maintained again and again that rigid concrete is more durable than asphalt; it has a lifespan of between 20 and 40 years. Such roads are less likely to have potholes. The surface of concrete is also better at preventing automobile skidding, it ensures the safety of people and in that connection helps reduce the frequent spate of accidents necessitated by poorly constructed roads.

    Besides, concrete roads do not drain the coffers like asphalt roads when it comes to maintenance. Asphalts are money guzzlers when maintenance is considered. If heavy spending on road maintenance is out of the way, money will be available for other equally important programmes. With concrete pavement, it is a win-win for both government and the people. Already in many advanced societies of the world, concrete roads are more increasingly in vogue. The reason for this inheres in the great benefits it offers.

    Of the significance of constructing roads with concrete, Mr. Ashif Juma, the Managing Director of AG-Dangote, the company contracted to refurbish the Nevis Street Road with concrete, noted further that, “Concrete has always made most sense in the long run. No other paving materials match concrete’s strength and durability in standing up to heavy usage and truck traffic. Concrete lasts longer without the need for resurfacing, patching or surface sealing. Concrete delivers structurally, financially and environmentally.”

    He added that the road was constructed in compliance with Governor Obaseki’s directive that the materials must be sourced locally, noting that what the governor’s directive enabled his company to prove is the fact that concrete roads could be built within a short period.

    Doubtlessly, it is the habit of leaders who are prudent and are irresolute in their commitment to the progress of their people to make sure that they maximise resources and achieve the best with what is available. Governor Obaseki demonstrated that he belongs in the fold of such uncommon leaders when he noted that given the success recorded in the use of concrete technology, about 45 roads that have been awarded for construction and reconstruction would be done solely with the use of concrete. The roads would be constructed, he observed, with raw materials sourced from within the state.

    In his view, Edo State does not need to depend on foreign exchange for road construction as all materials and human capital could be sourced locally. It is to this end that the governor encouraged youths in the state to take advantage of the opportunity for employment available in the Edo Jobs Initiative by registering for it. As he emphasised at the referred road commissioning ceremony, there would be a beneficial, enduring road infrastructure revolution in Edo State, for among other things, he has “come to change the face of politics in Nigeria.”

    In other words, he has come to change the narrative of road infrastructure in the country setting his state up as a model. And this is no mere sweet talk. Hear him: “The construction of this Nevis Street within seven weeks showed that this government can make promises and fulfil them. This is a revolution in our road construction. We will design our roads, and we will train our youths on roads design and construction without waiting for foreign exchange. We have all the raw materials here.”

    As of now across different areas in Benin City about 29 roads are in different stages of reconstruction and rehabilitation, with some being remodelled with concrete technology.

    For Edo residents, the revolution springing up in road infrastructure in the city centre in the state is no fluke. It is in view of this unmediated reality that some of them have expressed their heartfelt delight and satisfaction. The summary of their experience in this regard is that life is surely getting easier. They feel really happy that their socioeconomic undertakings will be greatly enhanced by the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads. Indeed, the journeys for which the roads are made will be more pleasurable, even as their desire to achieve the goals of their varied activities become more boosted.

    Reporter who went round the state capital last Friday on a tour of some ongoing projects coordinated by the Office of the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Godwin Obaseki captured the infectious gladness of the people in response to the vast improvement taking place in road infrastructure.

    A resident and fabricator working along Wire Road, Iyoyin Shekiri, expressed joy over the development, saying that Obaseki had started following the developmental footsteps of his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiohmole, in ensuring that Edo people have access to good roads.

    He said Wire road had never had it good in terms of access to good roads until Governor Obaseki assumed office “to redeem the people from the road that had suffered years of abandonment” and had become a death trap.

    The situation at Nevis Street was not different as residents came out in their large numbers to applaud the Governor Obaseki on his determination to improve the socioeconomic wellbeing of the people through massive road construction and rehabilitation across the state.

    Daniel Ohenhen, who was among the residents that spoke to reporters at Wire Road, thanked the governor for doing a good job, and appealed that more of those works be replicated across the state.

    The Director of Construction in the state Ministry of Works, Mr John Obanor, explained that from the total 29 roads of over 50km earmarked for rehabilitation, 15 have been completed with either flexible pavement or rigid pavement.

    At Ikpokpan Road in the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Obanor said rigid pavement with concrete was used on the road to check areas susceptible to erosion. According to him, lkpokpan Road, which was about 60 to 70 metres of rigid pavement, was expected to stand the test of time for a minimum of 25 years.

    Other roads include Oba Eweka/Ogbetuo Oni Road, Osabuihien Close GRA, Wire Road, Nekpenekpen, Nevis Road, Ugbor, Nekpenekpe, Oni Street, and Jemide/Akhiobare.

    Explaining the technique behind the constructions, Obanor said: “We have done quite well as regards reconstruction and rehabilitation of the roads. In fact, we are sure of completing all these roads before the rains set in proper.

    “As you may have noticed, we adopted quite a number of measures to ensure these roads last longer. These measures are the combination of rigid pavement and flexible pavement. For areas that are prone to environmental condition, we used rigid pavement while we used flexible pavement for the areas that are not prone to flooding.”

    In Governor Obaseki, Edo has got itself another bright mind willing to modernise the state for the overall good of a greater number of the people. The rising tide of road infrastructure, among other laudable programmes, is an eloquent proof of this.

    • Osadolor writes from Benin City.

  • Edo poll: PDP, Ize-Iyamu file 41 grounds of appeal

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate in last September 28 governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, have filed a 41-ground of appeal against the judgment of the lower tribunal.

    Chairman of the three-man tribunal, Justice Ahmed Badamasi, had thrown out PDP’s and Ize-Iyamu’s petition for failing to support their pleadings with evidence as well as abandoning some pleadings in their petition.

    Justice Badamasi, who upheld the election of Governor Godwin Obaseki, ruled that many witnesses called by the petitioners were discredited during cross-examination because they allegedly gave hearsay evidence.

    Respondents in the appeal are: the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Godwin Noghehgase Obaseki and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Among reliefs sought by the appellants is an order setting aside the decision of the tribunal and an order nullifying the return of the second respondent while declaring the first appellant validly elected.

    The appellants said the judges of the tribunal misdirected themselves and truncated their right to fair hearing by the “unequal treatment” allegedly given to the cases of the parties.

    They said the tribunal first found fault, discredited disbelieved and dismissed the petition of the appellants before considering and reviewing the testimonies of the witnesses of the respondents.

    The appellants insisted this caused a miscarriage of justice against them.

    They said the tribunal erred in law when it held that the testimonies of their witnesses from Akoko-Edo, Egor, Etsako Central, Etsako East, Orhionmwon, Ikpoba- Okha, Oredo, Igueben, Uhunmwode, Ovia South West, Ovia North East, Owan East, Owan West, Esan West and Etsako West local government areas, who were called to support the allegations, were unreliable.

    The appellants said the tribunal erred when it held that the testimonies of their witnesses were hearsay and that they were discredited under cross-examination, when this was not true legally and factually.

    The appellants said the tribunal misdirected itself and caused a miscarriage of justice against them when it held that the testimony of PW 1, (first appellant) was hearsay evidence and that he did not give evidence on the exhibits tendered before the tribunal, when a proper and dispassionate consideration of his testimony showed he gave evidence that was believable, cogent and demonstrated the exhibits tendered before the tribunal.

    They contended that the trial tribunal erred in law by holding that the Manual for the Election Officials, 2016, was merely an administrative document and that Exhibit 2RO64 and IRO22(1) had abolished the ticking for accreditation on the voters’ register.

    The appellants said the tribunal erred in law by disregarding the report of ballot papers recount ordered by it when legally and factually it was prevented from doing so.

    The petitioners averred that the tribunal erred in law by holding that mere tendering of some documents by the first respondent was enough to exculpate the first respondent from calling or adducing evidence and that the first respondent did not abandon its defence which is contrary to be position of the law.

    No date has been fixed for the hearing of the appeal.

  • APC, Obaseki file Cross Appeal against Edo tribunal ruling

    APC, Obaseki file Cross Appeal against Edo tribunal ruling

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the All Progressives Congress (APC), have filed a four-ground of Cross Appeal against part of the judgment of the tribunal that upheld the result of the gubernatorial election in the state.

    The APC and Obaseki are the 2nd and 3rd Respondents in the appeal filed by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Court of Appeal.

    Obaseki and the APC are challenging the ruling of Justice Ahmed Badamasi refusing to strike out the offensive paragraphs and or the petition based on the two applications.

    In its four grounds of cross appeal, Governor Obaseki and the APC contended that the trial tribunal erred in law when it held that “the whole essence of the application is to defeat the intendment of the petition through technical process, it is premature at this stage to consider striking out paragraph 17 – 753 and we so hold ”

    Among the reliefs sought by the Cross Appellants are an order of the appellate court to allow the cross appeal, an order granting their motion on notice dated and filed on ,30th November 2016 by striking out paragraph 16(1) of the petition touching on corrupt practices and all other paragraphs of the petition; in which allegations of corrupt practices are pleaded including paragraphs 17 – 753.

    They are contending that the tribunal breached the Cross Appellants’ constitutional right to fair hearing when it failed to adequately consider all the issues raised and submitted before it.

    The Cross Appellants also said that the trial tribunal erred in law when it held at page 35 of the judgement as follows: “A careful perusal of paragraph 4 – 501 of the 3rd Respondent’s reply to the petition, one will see new issues raised by the 3rd respondent which are not contained in the petition”

    They also submitted that the trial tribunal erred in law and breached the Cross Appellants’ right to fair hearing when it held on page, 36 of the judgement as follows “There is no law prohibiting the petitioners from filing additional statement on oath of the Petitioners in response to the 3rd respondent’s reply to the petition”.

  • Edo polls: PDP, Ize-Iyamu file 41 grounds of appeal

    Edo polls: PDP, Ize-Iyamu file 41 grounds of appeal

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate in the September 28, governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize – Iyamu has filed a 41-ground of appeal against the judgement of the lower tribunal.

    Chairman of the three-man tribunal panel, Justice Ahmed Badamasi, had struck out the petition of the PDP and Pastor Ize-Iyamu for failing to support their pleadings with evidence and abandoning some pleadings in their petition.

    Justice Badamasi who upheld the election of Governor Godwin Obaseki, ruled that many witnesses called by the petitioners were discredited during cross examination and gave hearsay evidence.

    Respondents in the appeal are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Godwin Noghehgase Obaseki and the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Among reliefs sought by the appellants is an order setting aside the decision of the trial tribunal and an order nullifying the return of the 2nd Respondent while declaring the 1st Appellant validly elected.

    The appellants in their appeal stated that the learned Judges of the trial tribunal misdirected themselves and truncated their right to fair hearing by the unequal treatment given to the cases of the parties by first finding fault, discrediting, disbelieving and dismissing the petition of the appellants before considering at all and reviewing the testimonies of the witnesses of the Respondents, insisting that this occasioned a miscarriage of justice against them.

    They stated that the trial tribunal erred in law when it held that the testimonies of their witnesses from Akoko- Edo, Egor, Etsako Central, Etsako East, Orhionmwon, Ikpoba- Okha, Oredo, Igueben, Uhunmwode, Ovia South – West, Ovia North – East, Owan East, Owan West, Esan West and Etsako West local government areas who were called to support the allegations were unreliable on grounds that their testimonies were hearsay and that they were discredited under cross examination, when this was not true legally and factually.

    The appellants said the trial tribunal misdirected themselves and caused a grave miscarriage of justice against the appellants when they held that the testimony of PW 1, (1st Appellant) was hearsay evidence and that he did not give evidence on the Exhibits tendered before the tribunal. when a proper and dispassionate consideration of his testimony revealed that he gave evidence that was believable, cogent and demonstrated the exhibits tendered before the tribunal.

    They contended that the trial tribunal erred in law by holding that the Manual for the Election Officials , 2016 was merely an administrative document and that Exhibit 2RO64 and IRO22(1) had abolished the ticking for accreditation on the voters’ register.

    Another ground in the appeal canvassed by the appellants was that the trial tribunal erred in law in disregarding the report of ballot papers recount orderd by it when legally and factually it was prevented from so doing.

    The petitioners stated that the trial tribunal erred in law by holding that mere tendering of some documents by the 1st Respondent was enough to exculpate the 1st Respondent from calling or adducing evidence and that the 1st Respondent did not abandon its defence which is contrary to be position of the law.

    No date has been fixed for the hearing of the appeal.

  • Edo Govt. to build clinics, crèches in markets

    Edo Govt. to build clinics, crèches in markets

    Gov Godwin Obaseki of Edo has said that his administration would build functional clinics and crèches in markets in the State.

    Obaseki said this after he made an on-the-spot assessment of facilities at the Oba market in Benin on Friday.

    The governor, displeased with the decayed toilets, non-functional clinics and poor power supply at the market, promised to revive and create such facilities across markets in the state.

    “The provision of clinics in markets will help to take healthcare closer to traders who spend most of their time in the markets.

    “I have seen and inspected a space designed for the clinic in Oba market; I will clean up space and put a primary healthcare clinic to cater for the health needs of traders and their children.

    “I will also establish crèches to allow for proper care of children who accompany their mothers, who are traders to the market,” he said.

    The governor frowned at trading on the streets and walkways saying that it was totally unacceptable to his administration

    He said his administration would investigate why people preferred to trade along walkways and in front of the markets while there were empty stalls inside the markets.

    The governor added that drastic action would be taken to stop the trend.

    Traders at the market commended the governor for the inspection.

    Some of the traders told the governor that street trading in front of the market affected the sales of other traders inside the market negatively.

    They said that there were lots of empty stores on the market but were not occupied due to the high cost being charged.

    The traders appealed to the governor to stop street trading and refurbish facilities in the market.

  • Edo: Paradigm for prosperity

    A new economic and political reality is rapidly emerging in Edo State. The people have incontestably proved that citizens’ action, peoples’ power and determination are the most durable and powerful catalysts for societal change.  Edo electorate was unquestionably far-sighted in their decision to ensure the fatal termination of the aspiration of the PDP in the September 28,  2016 governorship election. It is perceivable that the voters still bear bleeding wounds from the squandered decade of opportunities and progress under the previous directionless, clueless and ‘do nothing’ PDP government –the memory of the prominent but ignominious role of, Ize Iyamu, as the former Chief of Staff and subsequently Secretary to the State Government under ex-Governor Lucky Igbinedion remains indelibly repugnant to considerable size of Edo people. Thus in resoundingly rejecting Ize-Iyamu as the 2016 PDP governorship candidate, the people wanted to edify a new chronicle  for Edo State in the spring years of the 21st Century. Edo people wanted a responsive and responsible government and therefore embraced the vision and phenomenon  that was advanced by Godwin Obaseki of APC. One could say by every metric of progress that Governor Obaseki has duly reciprocated the trust that was invested in him by the people-he has responded with gusto and dedication to the call of service without any loss of time.

    In fact, Governor Obaseki commenced the construction of tracks for the actualization of the electoral promises on which he campaigned immediately following his inauguration in November.  It was evident from some of the initial executive decision of the governor that his (Obaseki) professional experience in the world of finance and economics, political background and premium of character were crucial capacitors  for the activation of the engine of prosperity in Edo State. These were some of the real and intangible capital that the governor brought along with him to Dennis Osadebey House from inception.   There was an unmistakable cohesive theme in the paradigm of societal advancement that was projected by the governor from the genesis of the administration; Obaseki seem to have embodied a vision of vibrant development that was nurtured in the tried and tested understanding of micro policies simultaneously secured within formidable macro foundations. Unlike the unconscionable era of PDP impunity, the citizenry is watching a healthy political process of governance with inclusive and transparent intentions and institutions. This is a new arena where profound ideas and major policy initiatives are adopted only after the question, qui bono, for whose benefit, has been selflessly examined and honestly answered.

    Hence for instance, it was not surprising that the administration’s 2017 overall economic plan reads like a study in contemporary classics of stimulating a besieged, quasi autonomous economy in a developing world. Obaseki’s entire agenda is thoughtfully enhanced with metrics for gauging progress-the blueprints for Edo’s progress is highly commendable for its people-centered feature in its overall outcome. There are clearly measured short, mid and long term timelines in the comprehensive Obaseki’s budgetary guidelines for 2017. Among other remarkable features in the document were the six key pillars, or the hexagonal engine of prosperity –the six areas included institutional revolution, new township developments, environmental revolution, social welfare revolution, infrastructure revolution and economic revolution. In the past few months, all the six engines of Obaseki’s governing visions are being simultaneously activated and synchronized for the cherished and anticipated goals. Indeed, since the unfolding of the fiscal plan of action, Obaseki has engendered the vital momentum to accelerate the scientific maturation of the fruits of political and economic democracy for the benefit of Edo humanity.

    The government has remained faithfully active in pursing the implementation of its cherished agenda despite the continuing obstruction and obstacles being erected by the PDP through endless electoral litigations. Fortunately the people of Edo State are realistically enthusiastic and responding positively to the administration as the sociology of solidarity between the governor and the citizenry flourished remarkably even through the proceeding at the election tribunal.

    From job creation to infrastructural development and reforming education to agricultural revolution, Obaseki is widening the horizon of opportunities for the evolvement of a more prosperous Edo State; the governor is systematically laying today’s foundation for the architecture of the future- the rainbow of a rapidly rising economic power house in the South-South of Nigeria is becoming endearingly apparent.

    Quite remarkably, along with various other angles within the orbit of the hexagon of prosperity, the governor continues to courageously pursue the agenda of job creation-this was an idea that Obaseki’s political opponent said was impossible during the campaign. Thus far, the strategic layout in variety of the participatory technical forums initiated by the governor shows a secured road map towards achieving the objective of creating 150,000 jobs within Obaseki’s first term. Every impartial assessment indicate that the envisaged  clusters of public/private  agricultural and agribusiness  enterprises of the government  will generate about 60-thousand good decent paying jobs- this is the conservative statistical estimate from this single sector alone. The contemplation that was endowed by Obaseki in the agricultural policy arena is emblematic of the technocratic quality and visionary leadership of the governor in all areas of policy initiatives.

    Understandably, the skeptics and opponents of the governor during the campaign are lacking even the rudimentary capacity to even fathom such job generating potentials-their forte in politics has never included growing the economy and expanding the base for the welfare of the people. The cruel fate of ravenous pillage suffered by such profit-making and employment generating agencies like Bendel Brewery, Bendel Line and Okpilla Cement Factory under the PDP administration is an irreversible indictment in the annals of our history.

    Edo State is being steadily awakened from stupor and from what was previously described as a vegetating civil service state-the geo-political entity is rapidly rising to become a vibrant and formidable agribusiness, industrial and mid-level technological skills exporting region in West Africa. The aggregate potentials of the Gelege seaport blueprint, the rejuvenation of Benin Technical College, the maximization and commercialization of the areas of comparative advantages in agriculture and progressive reforms in education are indestructible foundations for a more prosperous Edo State. A new and historic journey has begun in the geographical heart of Nigeria,this is an opportunity that must not be squandered through diversionary and frivolous electoral litigations of the opposing PDP.

     

    • Adams, a political commentator writes from Benin City, Edo State.
  • Edo to partner with CAN to address social-economic challenges

    Edo to partner with CAN to address social-economic challenges

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, on Wednesday, said his administration would collaborate with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to address the socio-economic challenges facing the country.

    Obaseki made this disclosure when he received the new executive members of the Edo chapter of CAN at the Government House in Benin.

    The governor said the areas of collaboration would include, basic education, youth empowerment, primary health care, street trading and moral rebirth.

    He said that the church should be at the forefront in the struggle for a better society, noting that the church carried a greater blame when the society failed.

    “We must have a partnership; we have to go beyond what you have requested.

    “The partnership has to exist for your own good and the good of government because our society must fail.

    “We must join hands to strengthen our primary school system and technical education, so that our children can be hardworking and be useful to themselves.

    “We can also train young boys and girls on the provision of basic health services; this will go a long way in reducing youth restiveness,” he said.

    Obaseki said the partnership would also extend to the provision of better welfare for persons with special needs.

    He urged the association to ensure that youth groups in their various churches participated in the State Government’s empowerment programmes.

    The governor, however, expressed displeasure with the number of pilgrims, who absconded during the pilgrimage to Mecca, noting that it was not the right thing to do.

    The governor also promised to do what is right in the sight of God, adding that God alone made it possible for him to be governor.

    Earlier, the Edo chairman of CAN, Bishop Oyonnude Kure, lauded the governor for the achievements so far recorded by his administration.

    Kure said that CAN was ready to support the present administration to ensure a stable society.

    He said, “we want you to succeed and that is why we are here; you will need prayers and we are pledging the support of CAN”.

    The CAN chairman enjoined the State Government to partner with the association in praying.

     

  • Obaseki promises open administration

    Obaseki promises open administration

    Gov Godwin Obaseki of Edo has promised to operate an open door policy and commended workers in the State for the trust they have in his administration.

    The governor spoke at a dinner on Monday night to felicitate with members of the Nigeria Labour congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on 2017 May Day.

    The dinner was held alongside an award night organised by the Edo chapters of NLC and TUC.

    The governor assured that he would operate an open door policy with them provided they continued to have confidence in his administration.

    “Nothing good thrives in a community where there is no trust, you have given me your trust and I will not betray that trust.

    “Today marks a new dawn, I want to be able to look back and say while I was a governor, I never had an incident of strike.

    “As long as you trust me, I will put every issue in front of you for dialogue”, he said.

    Obaseki promised the workers that the hosting of the Workers Day dinner would be a yearly event.

    The governor said his government did not the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), from collecting dues and levies from its members in the state.

    He said the present administration had adopted electronic system for revenue collection sequel to the ban on collection of taxes and levies by non government agents.

    Obaseki explained that the technology was being test run so that the union would start collection of tax and levies from its members via electronic payment before the end of May.

    The governor also commended leaders of the labour unions for the presentation of awards to outstanding personalities who he said had contributed immensely to the development of the state.

    Chairmen of the NLC and TUC in Edo, Emmanuel Ademokun and Marshall Orhue commended Obaseki for hosting the unions’ members to a dinner after gracing the May Day celebration earlier in the day.

    The duo said that the dinner went to show that the governor was workers friendly.

    They added that the labour unions working with the state government would build a stronger Edo state.

    Former Gov. Oserheimen Osunbor, former Deputy Governor Pius Odubu and immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Julius Ihonvbere were honoured.

    The organisers of the award said it was a tradition of the labour unions to present awards of excellence to outstanding Nigerians during workers day celebration.

  • ASUU demands N2bn damages from Edo CP

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ambrose Alli University (AAU) chapter has asked the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Haliru Gwandu, to pay it the sum of N2bn as damages for allegedly making what it termed malicious and false statement against its members.

    It also demanded a public apology from Gwandu within seven days or face legal action.

    In a Demand Notice through its lawyer, Chief A. B. Thomas, ASUU-AAU said the public apology must be published in at least five national newspapers, and aired in three major television stations in the state.

    The demand notice said a press briefing by the CP was meant to ridicule and denigrate the entire ‘world class credentials of our clients’ in a malicious manner.”

    It would be recalled that Gwandu had in a press briefing denied that men of his anti-cult unit beat and harass Prof. Sunday Edeko, the Dean, Faculty of Law in AAU.

    Gwandu who displayed a letter of apology tendered by Prof. Edeko vowed to arrest and prosecute lecturers in the university found to be sponsoring cult activities in the university.

    He also paraded arms and ammunition recovered from a lecturer in the university and said headless bodies were recovered from a site in Ekpoma after a cult war.