The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo

  • 2016: Edo central demands governorship slot

    As preparations for the 2016 governorship election in Edo State gathers steam, sons and daughters of Esan land in the Central Senatorial District have stepped up agitation for power shift to the district.

    To this end, all sons and daughters of the Esan ethnic nationality that make up Edo Central Senatorial District in and outside the state have been called upon to come together and speak with one voice towards the realisation of the dream.

    The senatorial district, made up of five local government areas in a press briefing organised by the Esan Journalists Forum (EJF) in Benin City, declared that for the area to move forward, all hands must be on deck. This was after a meeting with the traditional rulers from Esan land.

    Speaking at the briefing, the National President of EJF, Timothy Okojie-Ave, said the area is conscious and “conversant with the political sophistication and contributions of Esan people, who are hardworking, lovers of peaceful co-existence and very rich in culture and tradition and committed to the development of the country.”

    Okojie-Ave pointed out that, a planned two-day summit with the theme: “The Future of Esan Nation, Reasons to be Hopeful,” scheduled to hold before the end of this year, aims at emphasising the need for all stakeholders in the state to follow the route of justice and fair play and allow the zone to produce the next governor of the state.

    He said: “Our people are indeed worried about various developments we see in Esan land and we really do not see much change in the area of development. As a matter of fact, we are worried that areas that we see developments in the past, today, we tend to see retrogression which gives us reason to be really concerned.”

    The body recalled that “it was one of our illustrious fathers, a bona fide son of Esan land, Chief Anthony Enahoro who moved the much-celebrated motion for Nigeria’s independence which brought Nigeria out of the shackles of dependence and servitude.”

    According to members of the EJF, the summit aims at making a clarion call on all sons and daughters of Esan land for a collaborative, co-operative and supportive disposition to Esan agenda, recognising, however, that “for the development that we seek to come quickly, the easiest way is to ensure that we all come together to say with one voice that the time has come for political power in Edo State to shift to Esan land, by allowing the zone to produce the next governor of Edo State.

    “Indeed, this is our right, because having seen Edo South produce a governor in this dispensation that served his two terms of four years and now North is about to round off its second term of four years, it is only imperative that the third part of the tripod, which is Edo Central be allowed to produce the next governor.

    “Because we have no other land we can lay claim to as our own other than Esan land, we are concerned and believe that something must be done, if indeed Esan must move forward from its present sorry state.

    “This realisation has set us into serious thinking about how to move Esan land forward and we came to the conclusion that if indeed Esan land must really develop, all hands must be on deck to pursue Esan agenda.” they said.

    They further argued that “in taking this position, we are conscious of the fact that even though other governors have tried in their own way to do one or two things in Esan land, none can be compared to what happened when our son, Prof. Ambrose Alli was in power, because nobody can love you more than you love yourself.”

  • Edo community honours Oshiomhole

    Edo community honours Oshiomhole

    For over three hours, the long procession of different clubs, age groups, associations and societies marched on major streets of Sobe in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State, drumming, singing and dancing. Led by a team of power-bike riders, the colourful parade rounded off the week-long activities with cultural performances and award presentation to mark this year’s Sobe Day celebration. Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME was there.  

    To a first timer, this year’s Sobe Day celebration could go for a carnival of sort. But, the yearly celebration, which attracted thousands of participants from within and in the Diaspora, meant more than that to the people of Sobe.

    To them, it is a rallying point for the development of the community as well as to commemorate the merger of Sobe with her kith and kin in Edo State in 1991. This year’s celebration was to raise funds for the completion of the new community town hall.

    •Oshiomole
    •Oshiomole

    Little wonder the community honoured Governor Adams Aliu Oshiomhole with “team leadership for unity and development of the community award” for the developmental projects executed in the town by his administration.

    Receiving the award on behalf of the Governor, Chairman of Owan West Local Government Area, Hon. Reginald Okun promised to deliver the award and the community’s messages to the governor. He also pledged to support the community’s town hall project with the sum of N200, 000.

    Also in recognition of the contributions of some of its illustrious sons and daughters, the community gave awards to no fewer than 14 recipients. They included the late Chief S.J Mayaki, the late Chief Andrew J. Sule, the late Pa Michael Arenrin, the late Odibiado of Sobe, Gold Omonikhe, the late Pa Eboh Addo and the late Chris Obadan.

    Others were Mr Francis Iruobe, Mr. Modupe Olomu, Bishop Pandit Oburekin, Pa Anthony Ehimiaghe, Mr. Olu Sikpojie, Special Apostle Funso Osoro, Chief Cletus Owuze and Mr. Joseph Oziren Igure.

    In the beauty pageant contest, Miss Bridget Egbezomo emerged Miss Sobe Day Queen and won a deep freezer while second place went to Miss Adelomo Udugbezi who won a flat screen TV, followed by Miss Blessing Desimoh who got a power generating set as third place winner.

    In his address, His Royal Highness Anthony Ero Aleburu, the Odibiado of Sobe land, said the slow pace of development in the community is not a function of lack of will to pool resources but that of global economic recession.

    “In terms of pooling our resources for development, not much has been achieved in this regard as a result of shortage of funds due to economic meltdown. However, our merger with our kith and kin has given us sense of belonging as we now feel at home with our people,” he said.

    •Odibiado of Sobe
    •Odibiado of Sobe

    The Odibiado of Sobe commended the developmental projects completed by Oshiomhole’s administration; citing the renovation of Sobe High School and renovation and fencing of St. Thomas Moore’s Primary School, Sobe as some of such projects. He, however, appealed to the Comrade Governor to post teachers to Sobe High School, reconstruct and equip the Science laboratory in the school.

    He assured that “on our part, we would support the present administration…We should come together and unite towards moving Sobe to greater heights.”

    He also urged parents to have time for their children and wards, noting that this has become necessary because of the high rate of crime in the community. He stressed that “our youths should engage in learning skill at the Skill Acquisition Centre in Sobe because an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.”

    First Deputy Governor of Edo State Rev. Dr Peter Obadan described Sobe as a distinct clan that must not be treated as an appendage in any scheme and to be left as a single political ward is also an error.

    “Sobe is a great community that must not be deserted. It must be given the altitude to show forth her greatness in commerce, education, politics and agriculture. Let no other community neither marginalise your community nor let anyone despise your greatness.  I am persuaded that one day, a light will shine from Sobe that will lighten the hearts of men to the greatness of our nation and to the glory of God. Your glory will soon and very soon manifest,” Obadan added.

    In her address entitled “So, Love it is”, the chairperson of Sobe Day 2015 Dr. Kate Obasuyi enjoined all to embrace love as the only element that would drive patriotic zeal needed to make Sobe an enviable society.

    She said Sobe has a large heart for love to germinate and grow but that ‘we must bury all those grievances and animosities that create clog in the wheel of progress of Sobe community.’ She noted that Sobe has all the tools required to be great but that love is the only oil to make the tools work.

    “Politics and titles should not be used as weapon of disorganising our society. Rather, they have to be harnessed as tools for progress and development of Sobe. Let each and every one of us resolve today to be good ambassadors of Sobe through genuine love that promotes conflict resolution coupled with sincere spirit of forgiveness,” she added.

    Interim President Sobe Development Association (SDA), Mr Francis Uwaifo, who commended Governor OShiomhole for his developmental projects in the community as well as the state in general, however drew government’s attention to some urgent needs of Sobe High School which include the uncompleted school hall, science laboratory block and equipment, fencing of the school compound, provision of teachers and classrooms furniture, renovation of the dilapidated primary school at the Agricultural Farm Settlement and the renovation of St. Eugene’s Primary School.

    Others are the purification of water from the borehole sunk by the state government near the Skye Bank, the abandoned 19km Sobe – Sabongidda-Ora road which is A federal government project, the abandoned market project (a project handled by the past House of Assembly member Hon. Mike Ohio-Ezomo and the former Council Chairman, Hon Godwin Aigbodion ), the upgrading of the three health care centres in the community to a general hospital; effective use of the approved court in the community as well as the building of a standard police station to checkmate criminal activities in the community and its environs.

     

  • Edo Police, hunters rescue three kidnap victims

    Edo Police, hunters rescue three kidnap victims

    Three passengers who were abducted on Monday by suspected kidnappers along the Benin-Lagos express road have been rescued.

    They were rescued on Tuesday night by a combined team of Edo State Police Command and local hunters.

    The three passengers comprising two males and a female looked traumatized and exhausted when they were presented before newsmen.

    Names of the victims were simply given as Humphrey, Ruth and Kester.

    Edo Police spokesman, DSP Stephen Onwochei, said the victims were abducted after the driver conveying them stopped to check a flat tyre.

    Onwochei explained that the police joined by local hunters pursued the kidnappers until the victims were forcefully released.

    He said clues left by the kidnappers revealed their identities and that they would so be arrested.

    The victims said they trekked through hills and valleys and slept in the bush.

    They said their abductors numbering eight could not demand for ransom because of the constant movement.

    They praised the police for securing their release.

    Meanwhile, a robbery suspect whose gang snatched an Audi car has been shot dead.

    The suspect was killed in a shout out with the police shortly after they robbed a woman of the car.

    DSP Onwochei said other suspects who fled with bullets wound would soon be arrested.

    Owner of the Audi car who gave her name as Mrs. Okungbowa said she just closed shop when the armed men accosted her.

    She said they took her car and money and expressed joy over prompt response by the police.

  • Edo lawmaker to companies: adopt Corporate Social Responsibilities

    The lawmaker representing Ikpoba-Okha/Egor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Ehiozuwa Agbonnayima, has urged multinational companies operating in his constituency to do more for their host communities.

    Ehiozuwa spoke after he visited Ward Nine, Ologbo community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government, to see the abandoned health care facilities built by an oil firm, Pan Ocean.

    Ehiozuwa was peeved to learn that the health centre was built and inaugurated in October, 2014 but has since remained under lock and key.

    The lawmaker had earlier visited the oil firm and Guinness Nigeria Plc to urge them to be alive to their Corporate Social Responsibilities when he was told about the now abandoned health centre.

    At the health centre, some community members said they requested for the health centre at Imasabor quarters of Ologbo as the Itsekiri and Idologbo quarters already has an health centre each.

    They however said one doctor is available in one of the health centre.

    The abandoned health centre, according to the community members, is equipped  with modern medical facilities with a stand-by generator and a borehole.

    A large part of the centre has been overtaken by weeds.

    Mr. Actor Osakpolor, who spoke on behalf of the community, said the health centre was closed because no medical personnel was available.

    According to him,  “It was built and commissioned years back. There are some equipment there but some professionals said the equipment are not complete. We don’t have doctors and nurses on ground.

    “We have two other health centres but there is only one doctor in one of them while at the other one, there are only nurses.  We have not been using it because there are no doctors. Pan Ocean has more than 20 oil wells in this community.”

    Eziozuwa promised to visit the Edo State Government to ascertain why the health centre was not put to use said he would encourage investors to invest in his constituency so that the people could be employed.

    His words, “It is not to discourage those already here. I went there to tell them about things to be done and to know how many people that they have employed, especially as it concerns their CSR.”

    “Some of the equipment at the health centre are not in other big hospitals. It was well furnished and now it is laying down fallow. If Pan Ocean could build a health care centre and the people are now being denied it means they have done enough but I want them to do more.”

    “What is important is for me to visit the State Goevrnor to know what happened and what are the problems, why there are no doctor and nurses. Grass have taken over the beautiful healthcare centre.”

    Speaking on his visit to Guiness, Hon Ehiozuwa said he discovered that the firm was serious in carrying the community along.

    “I challenged them on Western Boys football field. Guinness has a football team that make use of the field for training. They have not anything to improve on the field. I told them I want to see improvement in the school that is just opposite them.”

    “They showed me schools that they have renovated and a road they constructed. I appealed to them to build the bridge across the river to link Upper Sakponba. They have agreed with me to partner on the bridge but it would be done stage by stage. Other companies should do something, we have a lot of churches and mosques. They should do something in their immediate society.”

     

  • How my police father, disabled mum shaped my life , by Edo lawmaker

    How my police father, disabled mum shaped my life , by Edo lawmaker

     Hon Osaigbovo Iyoha is a first-time lawmaker in the Edo States House of Assembly. He won election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to represent Oredo East Constituency. In this interview with Osagie Otabor, the lawmaker reveals how the determination to succeed, in spite of his humble background, spurred his efforts.

    How do you combine business with politics?

    It is not easy. It is only in Nigeria and in some other countries that politics has become a full time job. It is bad for it to be so. Ask somebody here who he is, he will tell you, I am a politician. I think politics should be part-time. We should make politics less attractive. That is what drives stealing and other vices. It will make people to know that public service is an avenue to serve. People should have time for their business as well as being involved actively in politics.

    What was your growing up like?

    It was not easy growing up. I was not born with a silver spoon. I am the son of a policeman and a disabled tailor. They did their best to make sure I had a good education. I grew up in Benin City. I sold things on Lagos Street to survive. A lot of people had it more difficult than I did. It was not bread and butter always. My parents had to bend their backs to ensure I got educated. The secondary school I went to, the Immaculate Conception College, was one of the best in old Bendel State. For me to get admission into ICC then, being from a modest background, means my parents meant well.

    How did you make the breakthrough in business?

    As every young man, while in secondary school, you aspire to be a doctor, lawyer or an engineer. I attended former Edo State University now Ambrose Alli University. I actually wanted to be an Electrical Engineer but I was given Mechanical Engineer. At that time, we were under the illusion that after school, jobs would be waiting for us. Growing up in a difficult time, I knew that I had to find a way to survive.

    After completing my National Youth Service Corps, I went to live with my sister in Lagos. Luckily, I was around where real estate was growing – the Badagry area real estate was growing. I became an agent and turned into a super-agent. I moved to Ajah axis where they call the fastest growing real estate area in Africa and I became a broker for most of the communities. That was what we did for 10 years. In 2007, we moved to Bayelsa. The attraction was real estate. But after three years, I was lucky to be close to people through which we started doing construction jobs. It was from there I moved into politics.

    How did you feel when you made your first millions?

    I am not a millionaire, but the reward for hard work is success. You will realise that some people work harder than you but they have not been fortunate. It is only through God we can achieve more. Making money is like arithmetic; when you are able to be at the right place at the right time and take it when opportunities call. When you project and work towards your dream, you will get there. You also need to be truthful. Morally, I was taught to be modest by my parents. No matter what happens, nobody knows tomorrow. When I look at my background compared to where I am now, I never believed it. If you have the desire and energy to work at something, make sure you have every time and not taken by the vices. Once you keep the focus, you will achieve your goals.

    What pushed you to run for political office?

    I have been a private businessman all the while. I got interested in politics because of what Oshiomhole said the day he declared to run for governorship. He said governance is a serious business that should not be left for mediocre. That was where the drive came from. We needed to start building the system and to make good laws. That was the drive and I believed (that) I have a lot of goodwill.

    How has it been this past three months?

    It has been a very interesting time at the Assembly. We are learning on the job. We are not a rich state. We are doing something but you know we are barely three months in office.

    Do you think your party will make headway in 2016?

    What you sow is what you reap. If you ask people on the streets and market women they will tell you the difference between the PDP and APC. I was surprised people were congratulating Jonathan for conceding defeat. He did not have a choice because the people wanted change. The thing is to impact on the people because the day of reckoning will come. I always tell people they should vote us out if we do not perform. The only reason people voted APC was when they compared what APC governors were doing in Lagos and Edo to other PDP controlled states, they saw the difference.

    Go to Delta State, you will not believe it is an oil rich state. Go to PDP states, they have not done anything. We have the momentum in APC. It is no longer business as usual in this country because a new sheriff is in town. Everything in this country was programmed to fail because certain individuals want to reap from the system before it collapses. We will not lose focus on what we have for the people. Very soon, everything is going to fall in place. The problem we have in this country is corruption but things have started falling into place. There is improvement in power. Policemen now conduct themselves a little better. I travelled and was surprised to see a new immigration service at work. Where several immigration officers used to stay, you find only two and there was no queue. I was initially worried. We got in the baggage room and all the baggage were ready. Before now, you will wait for two hours and be asked series of questions just to be extorted. Things are falling into place in this country.

    What is view on the search for Oshiomhole’s successor by Dr. Ogbemudia?

    Only the people have the power to install a successor. When he finds his successor, we are still going to determined who to succeed Oshiomhole.

     

     

  • Edo community to govt: give us good roads

    Edo community to govt: give us good roads

    The people of Uwessan, a community that comprises of eight villages, are not happy. What pained them is that they see communities around them enjoy basic amenities such as good road network, electricity and water but they are still yearning for government to come to their aid.

    Uwessan is located in Esan Central local government. It is a boundary community between Estako West and Esan North East local government areas in Edo State. Indigenous of Uwessan are mainly farmers but they find it difficult to convey their farm produce to where they could sell for profits because the main road connecting the community to other communities is an eye sore.

    The road which connects from Utako in Esan North East through Ujabhole to other communities in Uwessan is about 21 kilometers. It is supposed to reduce travel to Abuja from the Eastern part of the country without motorist getting to Ewu along the Benin-Auchi express road. The road however cuts off at Utako and has been overtaken by weeds. Residents who live opposite each other along the road cannot walk through to the other side.

    Side drains constructed on the road and was abandoned have collapsed. The drainage was said to have been constructed in 2005 by the then Chairman of Esan Central,  Okhai Enegbo but was stopped because of funding.

    Residents in the area blamed former Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen for the collapsed side drains because flood water from Uromi was channelled to the drains. Besides, they said the former Minister focused on building roads within Uromi and environs without extending same to other local government.

    Apart from the inaccessible road to Uwessan, the residents said access to portable water has remained a mirage to them since the days of Awolowo. Water tap erected in the community many years ago still stand but no water.

    Charles Akhere, a businessman, said his house used to be a like a fighting spot during the dry season as people struggle to get free water.

    According to him, “This road is appalling when you are going from Utako to all the villages. We have no business following another long route. Uwessan as a whole, there is no road. We go through another road.”

    “When it is time for campaign, you see politicians here. It has affected development of Uwessan. Good road network is vital to development. If the road were good, those places where you find bushes, people would have built houses. A journey of five minutes would take you longer hours. It has affected business and our farmers are mainly affected.”

    “We don’t have a single borehole dug by either the state or local government in the whole of Uwessan. During dry season, you see my house like a war front because people are looking for water. There are no teachers in the secondary school here. Oshiomhole has renovated the primary school but our grammar school is appalling. I built house for female corpers here. It is at Uwessan you find the worst road in Esanland”.

    Vice Chairman of Uwessan Youth Movement, Henshaw Oligbi, described the situation as pathetic. He said vehicles stopped playing the road for the past 16 years.

    His words, “That is the original road to access Uwessan Community. It was the original road connecting Southern and Northern part of the country via Auchi before it was diverted to Ekpoma-Ewu-Auchi road. For the past 16 years, the road has been abandoned. Successive government has promised to construct the road for us but after election, we will not see them again.”

    “During the days of Action Group, we were told politicians used the road to campaign but nothing was done. We are farmers but no road to move our products to the market. Uwessan is made up of eight communities but the road is our headache. We have been neglected for so long that we don’t have government presence in our communities. All the developmental structures were through self help or through our sons who excelled in their chosen careers.”

    “The electricity was brought by late Sunday Okoduwa. Uwessan has the highest population in Esan land. Oshiomhole promised to construct the road during his second term electioneering campaign. We need govern-ment to construct the road so that we would stop passing through long distance.”

    Paul Iyoha, Ujabhole community youth president, said, “This is the only access road we have that lead to the eight villages in Uwessan. We have not been passing that road for many years now.”

    “

    he Bad Roads In The Community
    he Bad Roads In The Community

    The road has been in a deplorable condition. There is no accessible road in the whole of Uwessan. You see lorries falling off the road. We have paid our taxes and it is government time to help us. We have been trying through self help. Flood water from Uromi destroyed the whole drainage that was constructed. There is no pipe borne water. The last time we had water was during the days of Awolowo. Since the water scheme broke down, we have not had water. We get water from wells.”

    Retired Commissioner of Police, Young Emmanuel Arebamen, said it was bad politics that caused the situation of the road linking Uwessan to other communities.

    Arebamen said the Auchi expressed road was diverted to pass through Agbede by powerful politicians even when the colonial masters saw that the stretch of road between Ewu-Agebde and Auchi was swampy and not suitable for road construction.

    According to him, “The only solid road in that axis is through my village. I am surprised that what politicians promised my forefathers, they are promising my children in my presence.”

    “Our people are suffering. Nobody can go there and buy anything. The schools were built by our collective effort. What is the essence of government? We want Oshiomhole to come and work in our community.”

     

  • Oshiomhole nominates new Commissioners

    The Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole has nominated Chief Tom Uloko and Mr Gideon Obhakhan as Commissioners- designate in the state.

    The names of the nominees have been forwarded to the Edo State House of Assembly for screening and clearance.

    Until now, Chief Tom Uloko, a Chartered Accountant, was Chairman of the State Procurement Agency, while Mr. Gideon Obhakhan was candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2015 House of Representatives election.

    Both nominees according to a statement by Prince Kassim Afegbua, Special Adviser (Media & Public Affairs are expected to come on board with their wealth of experience and inject fresh ideas into the state Executive Council.

    Both men are married with children.

  • Photo: Oshiomhole, Arase on the dance floor with wives

    Photo: Oshiomhole, Arase on the dance floor with wives

    overnor Adams Oshiomhole and his wife and Mr Solomon Arase, Inspector-General of Police and his wife dance at a reception organised by the Edo State Government for the Police I-G, on Friday
    overnor Adams Oshiomhole and his wife and Mr Solomon Arase, Inspector-General of Police and his wife dance at a reception organised by the Edo State Government for the Police I-G, on Friday
  • PDP flags off e-registration exercise in Edo

    PDP flags off e-registration exercise in Edo

    The Peoples Democratic Party has flagged off the e-registration exercise of both old and new members in Agenebode, headquarters of Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

    At Ward 1, existing and prospective members of the party were seen as early as 9am seen filling registration forms given to them and waiting to be registered.

    Director of Operations of the firm handling the project, Emmanuel Nsubuisi, said registered members would have been issued identity cards immediately but some equipment arrived late.

    He however promised that the cards would be ready by Monday.

    According to him, “The project itself is highly complicated and technical because we have to do instant issuance. When you register their bio-metrics, you print their cards for them and you encode on the card instantly.

    ‎”Due to logistics reasons, some of the equipment could not arrive on time. But we are taking custody of them in the next one or two days.

    Chairman of the e-Membership Registration Committee, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, said the PDP has begun an inclusive process of rebranding itself in order to conform with global best practice of political participation.

    Chief Dokpesi said the e-registration would put an end to godfatherism within the party and create room for all members to be owners of the party.

    Dokpesi warned that the PDP would collapse if younger generation were not given opportunity to aspire and participate in democratic processes.

    “They (registered members) will contribute their own quota, so you don’t have to look for a godfather. You can imagine if you pay your N100 every month. For six million members, that the PDP at one time said it had, that would have been N6 billion in one month, N72 billion in a year. So, why are you looking for a godfather?

    “When in August 1998, we said PDP, Power to the People. That means power resides with the people; it is the people that decide. But we now have a PDP where a group of people, when they get together, they determine who the governorship candidate is. They determine who the governor is, taking away the power from the people.

    “When you are going into an election, unless you have a good godfather, or a powerful godfather and godmother, or a garrison commander, with your merit, you will not become what you want to become,” he said.

    He continued, “In Edo North here, there were some certain persons who will determine who the councillors will be; who will determine who the local government chairman will be, will determine who will contest for state house of assembly.

    “They alone will determine who will go for governorship; they alone will determine who will be minister. They will determine who will be president, they will determine (and) above all this one, the assistant to God because actually, they were quarter to God.

    “And we said no; we have to try to return power to the people and the only way we can do it is to be a part owner of it, is to be able to properly get the ordinary man to play a role (and) to give him a voice.

    Dokpesi, who is also the head of the reconciliatory and mobilisation committee of the PDP in Edo, warned that the “party will collapse,” if it failed to create an opportunity for the younger ones.

    He said, “PDP as you can see have become party of the old men. We have to return the party to the younger generation. The times of the Anenihs of this world, of the Shehu Shagaris, of the Adamu Ciromas of this world, of the Babangidas and Raymond Dokpesis of this world have come and gone.

    “This party will collapse if will do not encourage the younger ones and give them opportunity. After all, Shehu Shagari became a federal minister at the age of 18, (Richard) Akinjide became a minister at the age of 21; M. T. Mbu became an ambassador at the age of 20. Just all of them had the opportunity to get involved. They didn’t say they were too young then.

    “The party is coming back with the policy of zero for primaries. We are saying if we have biometric registration. People don’t like this because they can no longer sit in their air-condition of their sitting room and decide the fate of others.

    “We must return Nigeria to an ear where ordinary citizens of this country have the right to aspire to anything he wants to become without having some up there to push him. We are in an era of technology and we need this to rebuild the party, mobilize the youths and let the people know the core value of the reforms of the party.”‎

  • Edo: Baby dumper begs for forgiveness

    Edo: Baby dumper begs for forgiveness

    A 28 years old girl who threw her new born baby away is begging for forgiveness from her parents and Nigerians.

    Joy Osarhiakhi had on June 13, 2015 delivered herself of a baby girl in a bathroom of the house she lives with her parents and immediately packed the baby in a nylon bag and threw her away in the same neighbourhood.

    It took three days before the baby was discovered by neighbours who immediately called for help from the police.

    Joy who said she successfully hide her pregnancy from her parents for nine months, attributed her action to the fact that the baby’s father, denied being responsible for the pregnancy.

    Joy has been remanded in prisons since July after spending about three weeks in the custody of the Nigeria Police who arrested her upon her confession on June 16.

    “I regret my action and have begged my parents, siblings for the pains and embarrassment I have caused them. I also want Nigerians to forgive me.

    “I want my baby back. I want to take proper care of her and promised that I will not in any way harm her.

    “It was never my intension to do what I did; I just took the decision immediately I delivered.

    “I felt labour pains when I was about to bath and when I had the baby, I held her in my hands for some minutes and asked myself what to do with the child.

    “It was then I saw a N10 nylon bag and rapped her inside I quietly dropped her across the fence. I regret my action and appeal for forgiveness from everybody.”

    Also speaking, parents, Mr Ebohon Osarhiakhi and his wife, Mrs Elizabeth Osarhiakhi who both denied any knowledge of her pregnancy, stressed that they would not have allowed her take the decision she took if they were in the know.

    Mr. Osarhiahki said he and his wife were even part of those reigning curses on who dumped the baby without knowing it was their daughter.

    ‘When we heard of neighbour cry after discovering the baby, we joined them to curse whoever did it and never knew the person was with us.

    “I don’t know what my wife discovered for her to later ask me to question my daughter about the baby who actually confessed to it. I immediately handed her to the security agency for her to face the appropriate punishment.

    “I have received lot of pleas from families and neighbours who appealed for me to assist her out of prisons. You don’t throw a bad child away and I want her back to be assisted in whatever capacity.

    Osarhiakhi said though, pride price was yet to be paid on her daughter, but noted that it was the same man who she had her first child for that was responsible for the pregnancy.

    “My daughter told me so but the boy has denied it and even said he would carry out paternity test on the first child. They never quarreled but had an arrangement for my daughter to be staying in my house she it was closer to where she learn fashion design.

    “I do not only want my daughter back but my granddaughter who has been kept in an orphanage home after being discharged from hospital,” he stated.