The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gabriel Igbinedion

  • Dankwambo urges FG to increase allocations to states

    Gombe State Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State on Wednesday said appealed to the Federal Government to increase the allocation to states.

    Dankwambo made the appeal in Okada near Benin, Edo, while delivering a lecture at the 18th  Founder’s Day celebration of the Igbinedion University, Okada.
    He said that the state as a tier of the he Federal system had been pivotal in the political and socio-economic developments of the nation, and that they were shouldering heavy financial burdens.
    According to him, states are constitutional over-burdened yet, they received inadequate revenue in terms of revenue distribution.

    The central government which was farther from the grassroots has always taken the lion share of federal allocation, he said.
    The governor who spoke on the theme: “The States in the Nigeria’s Federation” emphasised the need for increased revenue allocation to states in order to strengthen their capacity to fulfill their constitutional responsibilities.
    The governor said that local governments lacked the capacity the states have, but that could be addressed gradually and in synergy with state governments.
    He said the states should be more accountable for allocations received from the Federal Government and from their IGR.

    “I believe if there is prudent management of resources, states could really transform lives of people in their jurisdictions.
    “Their citizens will benefit and lead more meaningful lives, and this will certainly douse tensions and agitations,” he said.
    Dankwambo said that this would give the nation the space and peace to better address fundamental issues of unity, peace and progress that were vitally needed in an increasing volatile world.
    Earlier, Prof. Eghosa Oseghae, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the institution; said the institution had made progress in spite of challenges.

    It opened space for youths who were desirous of education that could not easily get it through public instruction, he said.
    He said that with the coming of private university, fewer burdens were placed on federal and state governments just as it had helped to absorb what the public universities could not accommodate.

    The Chancellor and founder of the institution, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, in his opening remarks said that it was a day of joy, as a dream he nurtured and birthed in 1999 had now attained 18 years.
    He attributed the success story of the university to God.

     

  • I’m not afraid of Lucky Igbinedion’s father – Oshiomhole

    I’m not afraid of Lucky Igbinedion’s father – Oshiomhole

    Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Monday said he is not afraid of telling the truth about Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the father of a former governor of the state, Lucky.

    Oshiomhole vowed to publish activities of the former governor in office.

    Lucky Igbinedion ruled Edo State from 1999 to 2007.

    Oshiomhole spoke when thousands of women dressed in white attire marched through the streets of Benin City, demanding an apology from Chief Igbinedion to the people of the state.

    The women carried placards with inscriptions such as – “Esama leave Oshiomhole alone.” “Chief Igbinedion stop using youths and women to cause trouble,” “Edo people must move forward,” “Oshiomhole, Edo people are proud of you” and “Igbinedion, go and pay Land Use charge.”

    Some women who dressed in red attire known as “Ododo” last week protested to the Emotan shrine about Oshiomhole’s invectives on the Esama and his policies.

    Monday’s protesters were drawn from the three senatorial districts in the state.

    Those who spoke to journalists said Oshiomhole has brought infrastructural development to the riverine areas.

    “We have seen your good work. We came to tell you not to be afraid. We heard what people are saying but we are behind you. Nothing will happen to you,” they stated.

    Oshiomhole on his part said he would be ashamed to talk in public if two of his children were convicted for corruption and money laundering.

     

  • How the Igbinedions looted Edo – Oshiomhole

    How the Igbinedions looted Edo – Oshiomhole

    Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday said the people of the state will stone Chief Gabriel Igbinedion and his son – Lucky if they realize how the state resources was converted to their personal use.

    Lucky was a governor in the state between 1999 and 2007 and a seeming cordial relations between the ex-governor and Oshiomhole has turned sour.

    Oshiomhole spoke while addressing youths who protested to the state government on Wednesday.

    He told the mammoth crowd why Chief Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin kingdom, is not happy with his administration.

    The governor explained that one of the reasons was because he revoked the reclamation of 200,000 hectares of land in Ovia North East given to Chief Igbinedion by his son, Lucky when he was governor of the state.

    Other reasons were the N180million demanded from Chief Igbinedion for the six years usage of the Central Hospital facilities by medical students of the Igbinedion University and the $31million illegally withdrawn from the state government coffers to set up a cement factory.

    The governor said he also stopped students of Igbinedion School of Nursing from using the Stella Obasanjo Hospital without payment for many years.

    He said Lucky gave the 200,000 hectares to his father for mechanized farming, but his father later gave them in piece to cocoa farmers who in turn paid royalties to Chief Igbinedion.

     

  • All set for Gabriel Igbinedion’s 80th birthday

    All set for Gabriel Igbinedion’s 80th birthday

    If the frenzy around the preparation for the 80th birthday of one of Benin’s most flamboyant high chiefs is anything to go by, no form of geriatric frailty would stop the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Sir Gabriel Igbinedion, from doing a gig when he joins the enviable club of octogenarians on September 11.

    With the day still about two weeks away, his children and grandchildren are said to be working round the clock to throw a lavish party in celebration of their patriarch. Celeb Watch gathered that the of man of means will be celebrated in a month-long series of events that will be observed around three continents, beginning from his magnificent home in G R A, Benin City, Edo State.

    The city of Benin is said to be in frenzy already. There are nine assorted invitation cards currently in circulation among the high and mighty, notifying them of the imminent party to usher the Benin high chief into the league of octogenarians. Besides a veteran highlife musician whose service has been enlisted to cap the event, many other entertainers have been invited to grace some of the activities lined up. A prominent Benin cultural group has also been contracted to add colour to the event.

  • Gabriel Igbinedion serenades wife at 62

    Gabriel Igbinedion serenades wife at 62

    The Esama of Benin Kingdom, Sir Gabriel Igbinedion, is said to have shelled out multi-million naira for a new Bently Continental GT convertible 2013 series for his wife, Lady Cherry Igbinedion, as her birthday gift. Lady Cherry clocked 62 penultimate Sunday, and as a surprise, the Esama took his lovely wife on a journey to their London home and presented the wonderful ride to her as gift. The luxury car is parked inside the igbinedons’ London home where the family held a private party for their matriarch. The man of means presides over chains of businesses which cut across all sectors of the economy. He is the chairman of Okada Group of Companies.

  • Omosede Igbinedion, Ayiri Emami still an item

    Omosede Igbinedion, Ayiri Emami still an item

    Contrary to the gist from the rumour mill that things have fallen apart between Omosede Igbinedion, the daughter of the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion and her very close friend, Ayiri Emami, investigations have revealed that both of them remain yet an item. Close friends and associates of the duo told Celeb Watch that not only are they still friendly, they still maintain some closeness which could not be placed within the frame of mere friendship.

    While neither of them has admitted involvement in an intimate relationship, inside sources insist that they are romantically bound together. Ayiri Emami, a former militant endowed with riches, is already married with lovely kids. Omosede had opted out of her marriage with Prince Alvon Akenzua, a direct descendant of the royal Akenzua family in Benin. While the crown prince appears to have put the relationship behind him, Omosede has only found solace on social media platforms, particularly her Facebook account, where she has continued to express her feelings.

    Emami, in a recent interview granted a soft sell journal, had said that his relationship with Omosede was a private issue and that his ‘friendship’ with her had not drawn any disapproval from the Esama as was being rumoured.

  • Omosede Igbinedion thinks matrimony again

    Omosede Igbinedion thinks matrimony again

    THREE years after the union between Omosede, daughter of the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, and Prince Aven Akenzua hit the rocks, the charming prince, obviously not one who sought for undue attention, went out of limelight. Not much has been heard about him ever since. But the buxom lady seems to be enjoying life and moving on. Rumour mill is agog that she is giving matrimony a second trial.

    Theirs was one of the weddings of the year. It was a royal wedding that drew many from all walks of life. But after two years, the residents of Edoyaye Avenue, off Osawe Street, Etete, GRA, Benin City, were thrown into panic when armed mobile policemen, said to be acting on the order of the Esama, stormed the palatial mansion of his in-law (Aven) in two lorries to evacuate his daughter’s belongings.

    Aven is a son of Enogie Uyieken Akenzua, the younger brother of the Oba of Benin, His Royal Highness, Oba Erediauwa, and had against the wish of the Benin palace forged ahead and got wedded to Omosede, the eldest daughter of Lady Cherry Igbinedion.

    The marriage produced a baby boy in 2009 and was widely celebrated by the house of Igbinedion in a grand style. Although the reason for the separation was kept as a top secret, sources had speculated that the marriage probably crashed on the ground that the ancestors as epitomised by the Oba of Benin never gave their support and blessings as required by Benin tradition.

    In what appeared to be a total disregard to the apparent disapproval of the Benin monarch to the marriage, Chief Igbinedion and Enogie Uyieken agreed to the uncommon colourful royal traditional/church wedding of their son and daughter on December 31, 2008 and January 5, 2009 respectively.

  • We planned our success strategies at nights – Igbinedion

    We planned our success strategies at nights – Igbinedion

    The Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, on Monday revealed that the secret of his successes was because he spent sleepless nights thinking.

    Igbinedion, who is father of Lucky, a former governor of Edo State, said the rewards for his sleepless nights were his business ventures in the state and across the country.

    He spoke shortly after the official opening of a multi-million cinema and entertainment centre built by Lucky.

    Chief Igbinedion said the centre could have been built in other parts of the world but for the love his family has for Edo people.

    “What a wonderful day. What a wonderful experience. Let me say one thing, the Igbinedion family has always been looking for ways to make the Edo people happy. We could have put this investment any other place around the world, but irrespective of tongue-wagging, we still mean well for Edo people. We will continue to lead while people follow.

    “When people are asleep, we are thinking, what next should we do to make people comfortable. This is one example. Each and every one of us has traveled out and as soon as you bring your children from anywhere, you can be rest assured there is no place that is better than this place. Therefore, the hand that created this place means well. You can now bring your children to an environment of security.

    “All of us will appreciate that you use this place to the glory of God. I am very happy today, this is one of my happiest days in life.”

    Lucky refused to comment but his wife, Eki said the place was built for relaxation and holistic enjoyment.