The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo

  • Fed Govt wades into Delta, Edo boundary dispute

    The Federal Government will resolve the boundary dispute between Delta and Edo states, Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, Dr Mohammed Ahmad, has said.

    A statement by the commission’s Resident Information Officer, Mr Kabir Bala, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja said resolution of the dispute was part of efforts to advance the definition and determination of boundary between both states.

    Ahmad noted that there was need for the two states to maintain peace in their boundary communities.

    He said: “A boundary dispute is not a do-or-die affair. The lines are not walls; they are only identified and drawn for administrative purposes.”

    Ahmad said a joint meeting of officials of Edo/Delta Interstate Boundary Committee was held in Asaba, the Delta State capital, a few months ago to deliberate on how to resolve the dispute.

    He recalled that the meeting deliberated on grey areas constituting challenges between both states.

    According to him, the meeting resolved to continue the enlightenment and sensitisation of boundary communities through the involvement of traditional rulers, chairmen of local government areas and other stakeholders.

    Ahmad said the states would maintain the “status quo” pending the final determination of their boundary by the commission.

    The commission chief added that field work on the grey areas would be undertaken from June 6 to July 22.

    The statement said Delta State Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro noted that the states were one and the same, notwithstanding the “artificial boundary” between them.

    Otuaro called for an urgent resolution of the boundary dispute to avoid unhealthy commotion between the communities and states.

    Also, Edo State Deputy Governor Pius Egberanmwen hailed the commission for getting the parties to resolve the boundary dispute.

    Egberanmwen said Edo State would complement the efforts of the Federal Government by supporting and cooperating with the commission.

     

  • Don’t manipulate primary, chieftain warns Edo PDP

    Don’t manipulate primary, chieftain warns Edo PDP

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state, Mr Okharedia Ihimikpen, has warned against the manipulation of the primary to favour a governorship contender. He also advised an aspirant, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, that criticising Governor Adams Oshiomhole will not give him the ticket. The politician said the contender will be judged by his manifestos.

    He chided Ize-Iyamu over his comment that he is the only PDP aspirant that criticizes Oshiomhole. Ihimikpen said: “he was the same man who said no man is God, when he was the SSG during the Igbinedion administration. He said Anenih was not God and led the rebellion against the PDP. So, has Anenih become God now that he is in the PDP?

    The chieftain added: “he even lacks the morals to criticize Oshiomhole because he was in the ACN when those things he was condemning Oshiomhole for happened. So, he does not need to condemn Oshiomhole. Ize-Iyamu must apologize to the PDP for running the party down when he was there and when he went to the ACN, otherwise, he will fail.

    “He is the least qualified in the party because he has made anti-party activity a valour. for him to come now to say he never decamped, that he was deregistered is a big lie. Nobody was deregistered at that time. I recall that the national body of the PDP came to Edo and requested that every body should go to his polling unit to register. he did not go. he wanted himself to be registered in Government House because he was pompous, he sees himself bigger than anybody.

    “Then, the people who came from Abuja said they were not instructed to meet with people in their offices. so he was never deregistered. He should tell the people the truth, he is not talking to fools. The delegates  his lobbying to vote for him knows the truth, he destroyed the PDP. For him to come back now to say that the PDP should give him the ticket, it is for him to come and tell the PDP members that he is sorry. So they will know whether he will be forgiven or he will not be forgiven”.

    Warning the leadership of the party against manipulating the primary in favour of Ize-Iyamu, Ihimekpen said that it will spell doom for the party.

    “What is happening is that a large segment of the leadership of the party are in support of Ize-Iyamu, but, the ordinary voter in the street, the ordinary delegate are not for him.

    They are either for Matthew Iduoriyekemwen or Solomon Edebiri.

    “Any of these three people-Edebiri, Iduoriyekemwen and Osaro Onaiwu – will be good for them, not Ize-Iyamu. This belief by some persons that Ize-Iyamu has structure, it is a misnomer because those people who are following him are election seekers. we call them nomadic politicians. And we call them nomadic politicians because they are always migrating and if Ize-Iyamu loses the PDP ticket he will be the one to migrate back to the APC tomorrow” he stated.

  • Edo 2016: Many aspirants no issues

    SIR; This is an election year in Edo state and as the September 10 election date nears, several persons have indicated interest in succeeding Governor Adams Oshiomhole when his final term expires on November 12. The two major parties, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) parade no fewer than 15 aspirants.

    With the release of time table for the governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the tempo of political activities has heightened particularly with party nomination of candidates for the election fixed for early June. While many of the aspirants may just be pretenders seeking to thrust themselves into the consciousness of the people for future reference, a few others are contenders whose hope to getting to government house appears to be fading each day.

    What, indeed, are the issues which should dominate discussion at this time of campaigns? Why have aspirants shied away from issue-based campaigns? Is it that they believe Governor Adams Oshiomhole has covered all ground that they do not think there is any issue requiring improvement or reversal? Are there not serious issues with education, water, electricity, health, taxation, civic duties, employment, transportation, industrialisation, security,  salaries and pension, infrastructure and sanitation?

    Comrade Oshiomhole had, a few months ago, listed the qualities an aspirant should possess to expect to be governor of the state. According to Oshiomhole, the preferred aspirant must be someone who believes in the state as well as have the capacity to manage it. There is no doubt that Edo state has, under Comrade Oshiomhole, witnessed a high tempo of infrastructural development thereby setting a standard which must not only be maintained but be improved upon by succeeding administration.

    It is in the area of sustaining and improving on what has already been achieved by the Oshiomhole administration that Edo people must scale the aspirants jostling to take over from Comrade Oshiomhole. How many of the aspirants have a demonstrated and acknowledged capacity not only to sustain but improve on the many legacies of the present administration? How many have told us, for instance, what they will do in the area of road rehabilitation, construction and reconstruction or in improving on the ‘’red roof’’ revolution and the attendant leap in the standard of education in the state? In the face of dwindling oil revenues, how do the aspirants plan to generate additional revenue to meet basic responsibilities of government? What will the aspirants do with the massive erosion control projects commenced by the present government in Benin City, Auchi and elsewhere in the state? What plans for the generation of employment opportunities for the youths?

    It may not be enough for Edo people to pray, as Comrade Oshiomhole admonished us recently, “for God to give us a governor that will put Edo people first, respect the traditional institution and that will work for the unity of our people across the 192 wards”. Edo people must look at the contenders, sift the serious from the pretenders, shun sentimental and primodal interests and focus on those with passion for development of our state and the ability and capacity to harness and utilise most creatively the resources available to the state. Edo people must choose their next governor from among the many aspirants based on proven capacity to these multi-faceted issues confronting our state and her people.

     

    • Nasamu Jacobson,

    Benin City.

  • Oshiomhole’ s aide in trouble for online article against governor

    Oshiomhole’ s aide in trouble for online article against governor

    A Senior Special Assistant on Media to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Mr. Curtis Eghosa Ugbo, has been arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate Court for allegedly publishing an article online against his boss

    Ugbo, aged 47, was also arraigned for unlawful possession of firearms.

    Police said his action was likely to disturb public peace.

    The article published by Ugbo, according to the charge sheet, had the caption, “What is wrong with my boss, the ground breaking of Edo State own Cement industry in partnership with a private company under Government Public Private Partnership (PPP) and stakeholders, no state House members or Speaker and National Assembly members presence notice.”

    “Is Edo State now a personal business of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole?”

    Ugbo pleaded not guilty to the three count charges preferred against him.

    Police Prosecutor, ASP Sylvester Omor, informed the Court that the accused committed the offence on April 2, at No. 2b, Ugbor road Benin City.

    Omor told the Court that the accused unlawfully had in his possession a double barrel gun without a duly acquired valid license.

    The offenses contravened section 59 (1), 249 (d) and 430 (2) of the criminal code cap. 48, vol. II laws of the defunct Bendel state of Nigeria 1976, as now applicable in Edo.

    The Magistrates’, Mrs C.A. Nwoha, granted the accused person to bail in sum of N100,000 and a surety in like sum who must be have a landed
    property.

    Nwoha adjourned the case till April 26, for hearing

  • My plan for Edo, by Edebiri

    My plan for Edo, by Edebiri

    Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant Chief Solomon Edebiri  has promised to transform the state through industrialisation.

    He said Edo will be transformed from a tax-reliant state to an economic hub, if elected as governor.

    Edebiri, who met indigenes of the state in London, attributed poverty, unemployment and under-development to over-reliance on tax and federal allocation.

    The aspirant said the key to industrialisation is the establishment of an export base in the Southsouth state..

    Edebiri said: “I have perfected my strategy of a one- local- government, one- crop -programme. This will serve as a base for the much desired industrialisation and commercialisation bid.

    “ I have also perfected plans to ensure that there is a constant electricity power supply in the state just as we intend to stimulate independent investors and industrialists by putting in place government owned cottage factories to serve basic purposes”

    He added:”Our state is quite endowed with various natural and a vibrant human resources. All the government needs to do is to have the right will and intent to ensure theexecution of policies that will translate these to progress.

    “My government will focus on reducing unemployment as a way of reducing crime and violence and make the state one of the most developed and  peaceful states in the country.”

  • How APC can retain Edo, by aspirant

    How APC can retain Edo, by aspirant

    Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant Dr. Pedro Obaseki has warned Governor Adams Oshiomhole against any imposition of candidate, saying that it may backfire.

    He said the governor is not bigger than the party, recalling that last year, the governor’s candidate failed during the senatorial polls.

    Obaseki urged the people, including Edo in the Diaspora, to make a good choice, adding that the choice they make will determine the progress of the state in the future.

    The 49-year old politician stressed: “Edo is on the throes of motor park democracy. Change is good, but we must change properly.  I don’t have a godfather. God is my father. I will take my message to the Edo people, even in the Diaspora, to make a good choice.”

    Oshiomhole has anointed Obaseki’s cousin, Godwin Obaseki, as his preferred candidate. The governor, who described the Chairman of the Edo State Economic Team as a competent technocrat and administrator, justified his decision, saying that he has the constitutional right to make a choice.

    No fewer than eight aspirants are struggling for the ticket. Other contenders are Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, former Governor Osherhimen Osunbor, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, a former minister, Chris Ogiemwonyi, Osarodion Ogie, and Kenneth Imasuagbon. Some of the APC contenders came from the PDP. Also, majority of the PDP aspirants defected from the APC.

    Obaseki, a broadcaster and film maker, cautioned the APC against over-confidence, stressing that the PDP is roaring like a wounded lion, seeking to devour the ruling party.

    He said: “Edo is not an APC state. I can make it an APC state, leveraging on the achievements of Oshiomhole.”

    The aspirant said the onus is on Oshipmhole, who rode to power on the back of his ‘one man, one vote’ campaign and serious resistance to godfatherism, to learn from the past. he said any manipulation of the selection process in favour of any aspirant will be to the detriment of the party.

    Obaseki also condemned what he described as the evil of money politics, adding that stomach infrastructure will not play any role during the election. He said: “Only God anoints. I am not rich in terms of the interpretation of stolen wealth.”

    Reflecting on the zoning debate, the former university teacher said: “I will not sacrifice competence on the altar of zoning. Edo people are one.”

    He also warned against violence during the primary, saying the perpetrators of violence will be taken to task.

    Unfolding his programmes, Obaseki said: “Edo is my political message, ideology and focus.” He said he will focus on agriculture, health care system, education, employment generation, culture and tourism.

    He lamented that “Edo is where it is because of leadership laziness,” stressing that its natural endowment can take it far, if properly harnessed.

    Obaseki, who shed light on his health manifesto, lamented the lack of ambulance serve in the health sector. He promise to introduce the ‘Edo health Initiative,’ which he described as a coordinated health policy to redeem the health sector. He said he will also create a data base in the health sector detailing the health history of the people.

    On agriculture, he said: “We have the land. Nigeria imports 63 percent of its palm oil, which Edo can produce.”

  • Cultism: Edo expels 8 students, 20 on suspension

    Edo state government has expelled eight secondary school students for their alleged involvement in secret cult activities in various schools in the state.

    Commissioner for Education, Hon. Gideon Obhakhan disclosed this on Wednesday in an interview with newsmen in Benin the State capital.

    He also stated that over twenty students suspected to be members of secret cult groups in different schools who are currently being investigated by the police have been suspended by the state government.

    Obhakhan pointed out that if those under investigation by the police are found to be culpable, they would be expelled from their various schools to serve as a deterrent to others.

    He explained that the ongoing clampdown by the state government was aimed at checking the wave of secret cult activities now spreading across secondary and primary schools in the state.

     The commissioner added that the state government was working in collaboration with the anti cultism unit of the Edo state police command to flush out the menace of secret cult activities amongst pupils and students in all the primary and secondary schools across the three senatorial districts of the state.

    Obhakhan also explained that the state government will soon embark on the reconstruction of dilapidated office complex of the ministry of education now that the red roof revolution has gone round all the local government councils of the state.

    He further dispelled the rumour making the rounds that the newly Edo state university, Iyhamo, is jointly owned by private/public partnership, stressing that Edo state has the full ownership of the multi million project.

  • Bendel Insurance crashes out of Edo FA Cup

    Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin on Tuesday crashed out of the Edo FA cup at the quarter finals.

    Bendel Insurance lost 4-2 via penalty to BJ Foundation FC.

    The Edo representative in the Nigeria National League (NNL) were beaten by 4-2 penalty after the game had ended one all at the regulated time.

    Both team played a well entertaining football to the delight of fans who came out en mass to cheer their team.

    While BJ Foundation were dominated the first half with more precision in their passes, Insurance FC came out strongly in the second half.

    The Benin Arsenal played with more cohesion and came close to taking the lead on three occasions.

    Insurance tried to increase the score line of the goal scored by Prince Isuku in the 38th minute of the highly entertaining match.

    However, the match went into penalty shoot out after score line remained one all  at the end of the 09 minutes.

    BJ Foundation coach, Douglas Idahosa said he has his eyes on playing in the finals of the national FA Cup.

    Insurance coach, Roland Ewere on the other hand, commended his lads for a good play.

    He said losing through a penalty is one of those things in football, adding that penalty is always anybody’s game.

    He however said he has used the FA Cup to access his team ahead of the NNL.

    It would be recalled that BJ. Foundation were nicknamed “The Giant Killer” after beating top teams to reach the round of sixteen at the national FA Cup in 2016.

  • Police arraigns man for defiling minor

    The Police in Edo State has arraigned one Ogbe Moses before an Evbouriaria Magistrates court for having unlawfully carnal knowledge with a five-year-old girl.

    Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Olatoye Oluwaseun, informed the Court that the accused committed the offence on March 2, at Elemare Street, off Sapele road in Benin.

    Oluwaseun said Nwaobi unlawfully inserted his penis into the victim’s vaginal.

    Nwaobi pleaded not guilty when the one count charge of unlawful carnal knowledge was read to him.

    Presiding Chief Magistrates, Mrs C.E Oghuma, granted the accused person bail to the sum of N400,000 and a surety in like sum who must be a civil servant with grade level 14.

    Oghuma adjourned the case to April 4 for hearing.

  • Edo expects tough Wolves tie

    Edo expects tough Wolves tie

    Akwa United defender, Namso Edo has said his side are expecting a difficult match against ousted CAF Champions League campaigners, Warri Wolves.

    The Promise Keepers will host the Seasiders in midweek Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matchday 8 clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

    Edo said the clash against Wolves is a rare opportunity for his side to redeem their pride after the 0-3 loss at Enugu Rangers.

    “The 0-3 defeat at Enugu Rangers still hurts so the match against Warri Wolves is a rare opportunity to redeem our image. Wolves are familiar foes we have met severally and it has always been difficult and I do not expect anything different this time around.

    “Wolves pride is bruised following the exit from the CAF Champions League competition in the hands of Sudanese side, Al Merrikh same as ours, too in the hands of the Congolese side, AS Vita so there is the push on both sides to get back to winning ways once again.

    “However, I think we have full squad to expect victory against Warri Wolves with the return of virtually all our players those injured and on national assignment.

    “Our main focus is on how to return to the continent and the possible route is to perform creditably well in the ongoing league.

    “Right now we have decided to give each match 100% attention to ensure we amass enough points to challenge for the summit and the clash against Wolves happens to be one of the matches we must win. So our singsong at the moment is ‘Wolves must fall’ come  Wednesday in Uyo,” said the Nigeria U-23 player. strongman to supersport.com.

    Akwa United have raked in 10 points from possible 18 with a game to spare at El Kanemi Warriors in Katsina.