The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo

  • Amodu’s son reveals last moments with his father

    Amodu’s son reveals last moments with his father

    Abdul-Aziz Amodu, the eldest son of the late technical director of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amodu Shuaibu, has revealed his last moments with his father who passed on Saturday in Benin, Edo State.
    The 26-year-old graduate from Igbinedion University, Okada, told journalists in Benin shortly after the burial of his late father that his last conversation with his father before the former Nigeria coach’s death was on Friday morning.
    He said they discussed plans for his National Youth Service Corps programme later this month.
    “I am to go for the NYSC programme this month. So, I called him yesterday (Friday) to just discuss concerning the programme,” Abdul-Aziz said.

    “He didn’t pick my call; he called me back and told me that he was very busy and I should calm down and that he would get to Okpella on Saturday so that we could see and talk. That was the last thing he said to me.”
    Abdul-Aziz also revealed that his late father had informed him that he should be buried immediately according to Islamic rites if he died.
    “He briefly said something about death, because I asked of Stephen Keshi; I know Keshi. When I asked of him, he said that he (Keshi) was not buried immediately due to the fact that he was not a Muslim.
    “He said that he hoped I knew that if he died, nobody will wait for anybody; he would be buried immediately. I told him yes.
    “He told me to be patient, and then they broke the news to me today.”

  • Dano supports Edo IDP camp

    Dano supports Edo IDP camp

    Arla Dano Milk  has donated cartons to over 2000 children at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Uguagolor near Benin-City, Edo State.This is to provide nutritional support.

    The presentation was done in commemoration of the World Milk Day held June 1 globally.

    According to the company, the effort is to further demonstrate Arla Dano Milk’s commitment to increased access to better nutrition among millions of people across key markets.

    Speaking at the short presentation, the wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Iara Oshiomhole, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Hanena Jemitola Fulani-Ojo, praised the firm for the initiative.

    She said: “The donation of the products which is geared towards the provision of good nutrition to the children at the IDP camp is an initiative that will impact positively on improved quality of life at the camp.”

    Mrs. Oshiomhole  described the intervention of the firm in scaling up the quality of nutrition for the children as ‘’exemplary and celebration of our collective humanity as a people, urging other corporate bodies to do same”.

    Also, its Marketing Manager, Afousat Traore, said the gesture   was a response to the plight of the displaced persons who obviously need everyone’s support and empathy to be able to overcome their plight.

    Traore further said the firm recognised that nutritious food was essential for children, nursing mothers and aged people at the camp in order to keep them strong and healthier.

  • Edo 2016: PDP pegs nomination forms at N16m

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has pegged the price of its governorship nomination and expression of interest form at N16m.

    It said the sale of the form has begun at the party secretariat in Benin City, the state capital.

    The Publicity Secretary, PDP, Chris Nehikhare, who disclosed this in a telephone chat, said the first aspirant would pick the form today.

    He said the N16m included N5m administrative charges.

    It was, however, gathered that some aspirants were not happy at the high cost of the nomination forms.

    Some of the aspirants’ supporters said that it was a ploy to pave the way for a consensus candidate to emerge.

    One of the the aspirants, Chief Solomon Edebiri, said on phone that they have expressed their concern about the price.

    Edebiri stated that they expected the party leadership to deal with the situation.

    He, however, said he would pay for the form whether the price is reduced or not.

    His words: “We have express our position on the matter and we expect the party leadership to deal with it. However, whatever they say, I will pay.”

  • Ex- Super Eagles coach Keshi is dead

    Ex- Super Eagles coach Keshi is dead

    Former coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, is dead.

    Keshi, 54, popularly known as the big boss, reportedly died of cardiac arrest in the early hours of Wednesday in Benin, Edo State.

    His death was confirmed in a statement issued by the family and signed by Emmanuel Ado, titled: “Stephen Keshi (CON) has gone to be with his wife.”

    “With thanksgiving to God, the Ogbuenyi Fredrick Keshi family of Illah in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, announces the death of Mr. Stephen Okechukwu Chinedu Keshi.

    “Our son, brother, father, father-in-law,brother-in-law, has gone to be with his wife of 35 years (Nkem), Mrs. Kate Keshi, who passed on on the 9th of  December 2015.

    “Since her death, Keshi has been in mourning. He came back to Nigeria to be with her. He had planned to fly back today Wednesday, before he suffered a cardiac arrest. He has found rest.

    “We thank God for his life.

    “We want to ask for understanding in this very difficult time for the family,” Ado stated.

  • 490,000 PVCs uncollected in Edo

    490,000 PVCs uncollected in Edo

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday said there are 490,000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) which have not been collected in Edo State.

    This, the electoral umpire said, represents 30 per cent of the registered voters in the state.

    Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Sam Olumekun, who addressed reporters yesterday in Benin, the state capital, said the commission had not begun the registration of new voters who just attained 18 years.

    The REC said he was committed to the conduct of a credible election in the state, adding that the Card Reader would be used in the September 10 governorship election.

    According to him, INEC has developed a road map for the conduct of a successful poll, which everyone will accept for its transparency.

    Olumekun said nine political parties had indicated interest to participate in the election, out of the 20 active parties in the state.

    He said: “We are using the e-collation system. The collation will be transparent. As we are collating in the wards, Abuja will be receiving it. Whoever plans to dismiss the collation of result will be disappointed.”

     

  • ‘Power ‘ll shift in Edo’

    ‘Power ‘ll shift in Edo’

    •Ize-Iyamu vows to tackle corruption

    Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has described himself as the most experienced politician to succeed Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

    He said: “The period I was the Chief of Staff opened my eyes. I am not a novice. I don’t have to learn the ropes. I know the working of the government. I believe I have the education, the knowledge and experience to make a difference.

    “What our people needs is somebody that is accessible; somebody that can be trusted. I have worked at the local and state levels. I have served as the secretary to Government. I know what it takes to rule. I will steer the ship of state in a better manner.”

    The aspirant said the June 20 primary of the PDP will mark the beginning of his journey to the Edo State House, adding that, apart from winning the shadow poll, he will defeat the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Ize-Iyamu, who spoke with reporters in Lagos, also vowed to tackle corruption, if elected as governor.

    He said: “I will tackle corruption in Edo. I will be bringing in my integrity, experience, sincerity, vision, and a clear idea of what needs to be done. I have a covenant with the people.”

    The aspirant acknowledged that he has been a subject of blackmail and intimidation since he joined the race, despite the fact that he has not been indicted for any wrong doing as a past office holder.

    He lamented that his detractors have also castigated him as a serial defector, following his defection from the APC to the PDP, which he left for the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), more than seven years ago.

    Ize-Iyamu recalled that he left the PDP when it was the ruling party, adding that he also quit ruling party after he played a significant role in Oshiomhole’s re-election.

    He added: “I can’t be fixed in a place that is oppressive. In defecting, I have always been taking a risk.”

    The lawyer-turned politician said although he is interested in serving as governor, he is not desperate.

    Ize-Iyamu said: “I see myself as largely misunderstood. The stigma I have is that I was in the former government and that I once left the party. I am in politics because I am a very passionate person, a compassionate person. I am concerned about my state.

    “Our state is not a poor state, but the truth is that, in terms of development, Edo State is very poor. The people are poor, yet, we have no business to be poor because of our resources.”

    The aspirant said that he has been critical of the Oshiomhole administration because of its shortfall in role fulfillment, adding that the government has not performed creditably in the areas of agricultural development, housing and the revival of the moribund industries.

    He, however, clarified that there was no pact between him and the governor on succession, stressing that, although Oshiomhole once mooted the idea of handling over to him, he has never taken him serious.

    Unfolding his programmes, Ize-Iyamu said: “I believe in the cardinal programmes of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN); free education, free health services, full employment and integrated rural development.

  • Edo pensioners and Oshiomhole?

    Edo pensioners and Oshiomhole?

    SIR: Dear Comrade Oshiomhole, if Edo State pensioners have offended you in anyway, let us know so that I and other concerned citizens will apologise.

    You won Vanguard award because of prompt payment of workers salary among other things. Workers in Edo State payroll have never had it so good. What of the pensioners? Where did they go wrong? Is it a crime to retire in Edo State?

    You took the bailout loan for local government workers and left out the pensioners. You have again increased state workers salary from N18,000 to N25,000 minimum wage for this I am happy for the workers but what of pensioners? Why are you giving workers 100 per cent attention and pensioners zero percent attention? Why will you pay workers regularly and owe pensioners up to nine months pension in addition to their gratuity and previous accumulated pension arrears that accrued from the time they retired to the time they started receiving monthly pension? This accumulated pension arrears ought to be paid in bulk the very month they started receiving monthly pension.

    It is true that you inherited a huge amount of gratuity and pension arrears which you have cleared. But it is also true that majority (more than 80 per cent) of those that retired under you have not been paid gratuity and pension arrears. Worst of all they are not even receiving monthly pension now. This beats all logical reasoning. Or is it that you want to push it to the next governor as it was pushed to you? From the way things are unfolding politically in Edo State now, who knows who will be the next governor of Edo State? What if the governor refuse to pay any inherited pension arrears?

    Edo State Pensioners are dying under your watch. To be blunt: so long as you continue to neglect senior citizens of the state, you have achieved nothing.

    I acknowledge that you have done much. When I saw the new Central Hospital complex in Benin, I have to pinch myself to be sure I was awake and not dreaming. What of the Edo State University lyamoh and the upgrading of College of Education Ekiadolor to a university; what of the renovation of primary and secondary schools across the state, the attraction of a cement factory and a power plant to Edo State that will generate thousands of employment, just to mention a few. Please give pensioners their due and allow them to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

     

    • Ukhun Felix,

    Benin City, Edo State.

  • Edo poll won’t be manipulated, says APC

    Edo poll won’t be manipulated, says APC

    The Southsouth National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Hilliard Eta, has said the party will not manipulate the Edo State governorship election.

    In a statement in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, by his media aide, Bassey Ita, the APC chieftain said the party had the capacity to match the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said the party would rather leverage on the performance of its current administration in the state to win the election.

    Governorship aspirants for the poll were urged to avoid campaign of calumny and bigotry.

    Eta said: “Let me urge all the aspirants that are contesting the party’s primary to play by the rules. There should be no campaign of calumny, no infighting and no bigotry.”

    The party’s Southsouth zone met last Friday in Benin, resolving to win the September 10 governorship election without manipulations.

    Eta said the meeting was necessary to boost the morale of the Edo chapter towards winning the election.

    The APC chieftain added that the performance of the Adams Oshiomhole-led administration would be leveraged upon to woo the electorate.

  • Edo: Recovering old glory

    Edo State has come such a long way that it must not be allowed to lose its pace-setter status. Thus those who handle the affairs of the state must be those who are themselves forward-looking managers. I say this with all sense of responsibility and seriousness. If we examine the history of the state, we will not fail to discover that what stood out the state all along from the crowd was that it had leaders who were able to combine both human and material resources of the land to evolve a great state.

    That returns us to what the celebrated author of Things Fall Apart late Chinua Achebe said about the critical role of leadership in nation building. In a slim book titled The Trouble with Nigeria, Achebe correctly proposed that deficient leadership was the challenge of the Nigerian nation. By his reckoning if Nigeria got it right at the leadership level, everything else in the country would fall into place.

    In other words, our poverty, political crisis, underdevelopment, social malaise and other upheavals that have befallen Nigeria would recede once we had a leadership that could correctly interpret these challenges and wield them for national development and growth. Many criticized the renowned author for bringing up such a simplistic solution, as they described it to resolve the complex problems Nigeria had been experiencing.

    But if we look at the history of Edo State in particular we can prove the validity of Achebe’s well thought-out theory. For instance at the time Samuel Ogbemudia was the governor of Edo State, the people enjoyed economic and social empowerment. The state also enjoyed unprecedented nationwide acclaim. Yet when other leaders succeeded him, Edo State dipped in fame and fortune. And when the current governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole took the baton of governance, the land and its people again began to move into the realm of prosperity.

    We must discern some pattern at play here: it is the quality of a leader which determines the rise or fall of a society. So, no matter how richly endowed a society is, how it utilizes such resources would be determined by the vision, or lack of it, of its leaders.

    Therefore as Edo State prepares to bid goodbye to Governor Oshiomhole who has succeeded in returning Edo State to the old path of greatness, the electorate must seriously work on getting an equally progressive and development-minded person to succeed him. We must be careful not to drop the momentum of progressive governance started by Oshiomhole.

    Now many calculating observers point to only one man who they believe can not only succeed Oshiomhole but also can raise the state to a far higher level. They believe that the people can tap from the vast experience and pedigree of Engineer Christopher Aigbovbiosa Ogiemwonyi. Now it is difficult to fault their conclusion. Why do I say so? At this stage of our development in Edo State, we need someone who can combine the past of an accomplished professional and a proven integrity in politics to deliver respectable governance. Ogiemwonyi best illustrates these qualities with a stint as a former Minister of State for Works. That is as far as politics goes. And as a professional he was Group Executive Director (Exploration and Production) at Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, where he posted 30 years of what has been described as unblemished work in the oil and gas industry.

    Ogiemwonyi is a graduate of the University of Benin. He bagged B.Sc (Hons) in applied physics in 1974 and obtained a post graduate diploma (PGD) in petroleum engineering in 1976 from the University of Ibadan. He was also at Harvard Business School for a top management course. He is a fine gentleman, a man of integrity.

    If Edo State has such a man standing on the tripod of personal integrity, sound educational credentials and unspotted record in public office, the state will be assured of a steward who can be trusted to deliver not only the dividends of democracy but also the benefits of the great resources of Edo state. He can’t be expected to be deficient intellectually, managerially, and politically. For a leader to be successful he must possess these qualities. They are the tools he would need to grasp with the challenges of running a complex and highly mobile state like Edo. Otherwise he would be at a loss when critical challenges emerge as Edo state strives not only to recover lost grounds but also to surpass what the previous leaders achieved.

    There is no society which wants leaders whose goal would be to maintain the status quo of development and not to improve on what they inherit. If for instance the whole world hailed Edo(Bendel) in the 70s under Ogbemudia for being at the forefront in sports, an accomplished person in the person of Ogiemwonyi would strive to put Edo on the world map in all spheres of life.

    Given therefore his accomplishments in politics, community service, the academia and public service, the man Ogiemwonyi should be the choice of Edolites in the September 2016 governorship ballot. It is in the interest of the state that we choose a man certified as a high performer capable of exploiting the vast human and natural resources of Edo state not only to regain its old honours but also to bring us prosperity and more accolades as a prosperous state.

    • Ikharo is a public commentator

  • Edo to spend N3b on schools

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State says the government will spend N3 billion to build more schools in the state, this year, insisting that every Edo child must go to quality schools.

    Speaking at the Children’s Day celebration at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Governor Oshiomhole said government had in the past seven and half years devoted resources to rebuilding public schools in order to make them attractive and conducive for teaching and learning.

    He assured that government would “continue to build more schools” before the end of this year, adding that another N3 billion is being voted by government to build more primary schools.

    He said: “We will continue to make investments in constructing modern primary and secondary schools so that we would have an enabling environment to be taught by teachers who are well paid.

    “You are also aware that the Federal Government is working to introduce one meal a day feeding for our school children. We have a president that is totally committed to ensuring that the right of the Nigerian child is upheld.”

    Oshiomhole continued: “We in Edo State will sustain free bus ride we have already started. I am sure you are happy when you enter the Comrade Bus. For us, the Edo child deserves the very best. I ask you to continue to take your studies very seriously. As you already know, we are now in a knowledge-driven world. Anyone who is not educated has no future.

    “Today, we are proud to say that in Edo State, we have the lowest percentage of out-of-school children which is today about six per cent. We want to bring it down to zero. Every child has a right to go to school. Every parent must be encouraged to stop child labour. Children who should be in school should not be allowed to be involved in hawking.”

    The event featured march past by pupils from various primary and secondary schools as well as voluntary organisations. Prizes were also given to deserving participants.