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Tag: Governor Adams Oshiomhole

  • I didn’t plan to kill Oshiomhole – Odubu

    Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu, has said that he did not sign any pact with any witch doctor or native Doctor to kill his boss, Governor Adams Oshiomhole or any other persons.

    Dr. Odubu insisted he has no rift with Governor Oshiomhole.

    A newspaper report had quoted the Governor Oshiomhole of stating that he was informed that his Deputy plot to kill him through diabolical instrument.

    Dr. Odubu in a statement signed by his Chief Press a Secretary, Kelly Odaro, said it was against his Catholic faith to make pact with native Doctor to avenge for him and would never condescend to that level.

    He noted that it was for God to avenge even when the innocent suffers and mischief makers appeared to triumph.

    According to the statement, “The Deputy Governor will by the grace of God continue to disappoint the dubious expectations of those who are bent on driving a wedge between him and the Comrade Governor.

    “It is his nature and character to be loyal to those who God has set over him because they are his instrument. At times like this, blackmailers are at their best.

    “The Deputy Governor has decided to take solace in God who knows the hearts of men, trusting and believing as always that God will vindicate the just.”

  • Oshiomhole appoints VC for new Tayo Akpata Varsity

    Oshiomhole appoints VC for new Tayo Akpata Varsity

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has appointed Prof S.E.O Aduwa Ogiegbaen as the Vice Chancellor of the Tayo Akpata University of Education, Ekiadolor.

    Until his appointment, Prof Ogiegbaen was the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Ekenwan Campus, Benin City.

    In a letter dated April 14, 2016, the Governor said; “I wish to inform you that Edo State Government has approved the up-grading of the Edo State College of Education, Ekiadolor to a University of Education to be known and called Tayo Akpata University of Education, Ekiadolor.

    “I feel privileged to have the honour by virtue of the powers conferred on me as the Visitor by the enabling laws establishing the University to appoint you as the Vice Chancellor of the University with effect from April 18, 2016.

    “Given your resourcefulness, expertise, experience, global network and reach, I believe that the University would benefit enormously from your uncommon visionary leadership,” the Governor said.

    Prof Aduwa-Ogiegbaen, a descendant of the Benin Royal Family is the Enogie (Duke) of Egaben/Ogbeson in Benin Kingdom who has combined academics with the traditional administration of his Dukedom.

    He has over forty publications in reputable national and international journals and is a member of the Nigerian Association of Educational Media & Technology (NAEMT); Curriculum Organisation of Nigeria (CON) and Association for Promoting Quality Education in Nigeria (APQEN).

     

  • Oshiomhole’s aide resigns over alleged corrupt practices

    Oshiomhole’s aide resigns over alleged corrupt practices

    An aide to Governor Adams Oshiomhole on the board of Edo state Produce committee, Sir Peter Oba, on Wednesday resigned on grounds of corrupt practices by the Chairman of the committee.

    A copy of his resignation letter made available to newsmen in Benin city, Sir Oba alleged that over eighty percent of the revenue generated is paid as cash into the chairman’s personal account.

    The resignation letter read in part: “There is a high level of corrupt practices perpetuated by the present chairman of Edo state produce Committee,

    “The Chairman of the Committee illegally constituted a parallel committee that now performs the function and duties of the committee put in place by the office of the Governor. It is pertinent to know that these illegal activities of the Chairman have been in place on, before and after the inauguration  of the Committee

    “Over eighty percent of the revenue generated from the produce bits across the state are paid in cash to him in some cases to provide accounts. This is gross corruption.”

    “However, for record purposes,I wish to dissociate myself from these acts, especially at this period of the fight against corrupt practices. I wish to state clearly that with effect from today,29th February, 2016,I seize to be a member of Edo State Produce Committee.”

  • Edo 2016: Esan Youths allege marginalization

    Edo 2016: Esan Youths allege marginalization

    The Esan Youth Movement have raised alarm over marginalization of Edo Central Senatorial district since 1999 in the sharing of political positions in the state.

    It said for equity and justice to prevail in the politics of Edo state, political parties in the state should pick the next governor from Esanland

    President of the group, Mr Kingsley Ohens, who spoke at a world press conference Tuesday in Benin City, said Edo south and Edo North have had their fair share of power as producing governors but Edo Central was not privileged.

    Ohens noted that it was time for the injustice to be rectified.

    He said Governor Oshiomhole made nonsense of the federal character principles as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution ‎and succeeded in keeping Esan people out of his government without any explanation.

    He pointed out; “Esan has credible, reliable and dependable candidates that have what it takes to take Edo state to the next level. All Esan people must unite and bring this injustice to an end.”

    “Edo south has since 2008 held on to the deputy governor, Chief judge, Head of Service,  accountant-general, auditor-general, Attorney-general, solicitor-general ‎as well as chairmen, Judicial  service Commission, law Review Commission, Oil and gas Commission among others”.

    “Edo North has held on to the Governorship, the SSG, ‎chairmen, board of Internal Revenue, Universal basic education, Local government service commission, Executive Director, ICT, Directors of Edo state Liaison Office in Abuja and Lagos, State Security Adviser and Principal Security Officer among others.”

     

  • ‘No apology for demolished buildings housing UNIBEN staff’

    ‘No apology for demolished buildings housing UNIBEN staff’

    Edo State government has said that it has no apology for the demolition of some buildings from which some staff of the University of Benin were forcefully evicted.

    It said it acted based on judgment from the court of law.

    The response of the state government followed press statement issued by the Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities that the “the governor has taken his lawlessness and disrespect of the laws of the land.”

    Zonal Chairman of ASUU, Anthony Monye-Emina, who briefed journalists Tuesday urged the state government to respect the laws of the land and pay the sum of over two hundred million naira compensation  to the affected UNIBEN staff.

    Anthony said the action of Governor Oshiomhole was an affront on orderliness and good conduct in the state.

    He urged Governor Oshiomole to live up to his promise to compensate those whose properties were affected rather than embarking on demolition spree.

    Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Kassim Afegbua described the language of ASUU as conclusion not only derived from sheer sentiments, unreason, poor scholarship but also a product of intellectual inertia.

    According to him, “It is very unfortunate that members of ASUU who ordinarily should be knowledgeable and schooled about the dynamics of government can descend to the level of using gutter language to describe a popularly elected Governor of Edo state.”

    “What is lawless about our action? Waiting for judgment to be given on their stay of execution thus far or what? Where is the lawlessness? As far as law is concerned till date following the respective judgments, those buildings remain the property of Edo State Government.”

     

  • Oshiomhole, others for Iyamu’s book launch

    The Executive Director on Protocol to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Efosa Iyamu, popularly called EFEX De Entertainer, is set to launch his long-awaited book titled: ‘MORE THAN COMEDY’.

    This bundle of talents has made name for himself as one of the finest comedians in the South South before joining Governor Oshiomhole’s administration.

    Dignitaries being expected include Oshiomhole as Special Guest of Honour. The event holds at Imagiero School Hall, Sapele Road in Benin City, on 19th February 2016.

  • Oshiomhole expresses shock as soldiers block INEC officials

    Oshiomhole expresses shock as soldiers block INEC officials

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole has expressed shock over reports that accredited INEC officials were restricted and stopped by soldiers from conducting their lawful duties in some parts of Edo State.

    The Governor who feared that the soldiers must have acted based on some illegal orders from their Commander said; “Yesterday (Friday), I addressed the Press and I did say that Brigadier Odidi has chosen to frustrate this election in Edo North. Ironically, Brigadier Odidi is from Agenebode and he is the one who is giving this unlawful order.”

    Reports said INEC officials who were taking election materials to Ward 10, Unit 1 in Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area, were stopped by soldiers who had laid siege to the home town of Governor Adams Oshiomhole. The INEC officials told reporters that they were forced to sit on the ground, alongside their police escort for several hours.

    They were later allowed to leave after they got calls from their superiors. The soldiers said they were acting on orders from above.

    Even journalists were not spared the soldiers’ ordeal as the INEC accreditation cards and reflective jackets were ignored while each reporter was asked to produce their company ID cards. The soldiers said the reporters were not permitted to monitor the exercise from one unit to another as they were only allowed to monitor at particular units.

    Miffed by the restriction, Oshiomhole continued, “Why the Nigerian Army will be used in this manner, only God knows. So I am surprised that they are restricting INEC Officers from distributing materials. I have told the Brigade Commander and I am waiting to see what he is going to do but when you bear in mind that time is of essence, you will fear for this country,” he said.

  • Edo youths back Obahiagbon for Senate

    Edo youths back Obahiagbon for Senate

    A coalition of youth organisations in Edo State has endorsed Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon for the Senate in Edo South District.

    Obahiagbon, who is the Chief of Staff to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, is on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Rising from a meeting in Benin-City, the state capital, the youths described him as a man of honour and integrity. In a communique by Coordinator of the coalition, Comrade Kola Edokpaiyi, they explained that Obahiagbon is the best among the aspirants.

    Urging the APC leaders to field him as the candidate, the youths said competence should not be sacrificed on the altar of ethnic sentiment.

    Edokpaiyi said: “The choice of Obahiagbon was informed by his outstanding performances when he was opportuned to serve in the State and National Assembly. Sending a candidate that do not enjoy the support of the youths and masses will no doubt weaken the fighting spirit of the youths and reduce the chances of the APC at the elections.”

  • Oshiomhole praises Fed Govt on power sector reforms

    Oshiomhole praises Fed Govt on power sector reforms

    EDO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has praised President Goodluck Jonathan for his determination to fast track the power sector development.

    The governor, who spoke at the Azura Transaction Closure Summit in Abuja, added that the government’s commitment to the power sector was moving in the right direction.

    He said as a unionist, he believes that the challenge of poverty could only be fought through sustained and concerted efforts at wealth creation, adding that the private sector leadership in this direction must be appreciated.

    Oshiomhole, who hailed the initiator of the Azura project, David Ladipo, for his doggedness and foresight, said the project is adjudged to be the country’s first large-scale Independent Power Plant (IPP).

    The governor said his administration is committed to partnering the private sector and genuine investors in deepening the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the economy of the state through appropriate waivers and incentives.

    He assured would-be investors of investment-friendly host communities in Edo State, including “peaceful and secured environment clearly ahead of others in the South-South region”.

    The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, described the Azura project as the most important milestone in the nation’s development of IPPs, as it has paved the way for others to learn from its experience.

    On the challenge of inadequate transmission infrastructure, he assured that the project would not suffer, pledging that government would make adequate provisions for infrastructure, which will be sufficient to wheel-out all energy produced at the plant.

    The minister also spoke about the power sector privatisation, describing the process as a pointer to the country’s coming of age and privatisation as being sacrosanct to the power sector reform.

    The Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria is leading other banks as the Global Mandated Lead Arranger for the $750 million Azura-Edo Power Project.

    It is the first foreign private investor-led power plant in the country, which is projected to add 450 megawatts to the national grid at first phase and peak at 1,500 megawatts at the project’s final completion.

  • Oshiomhole employs widow, gives her N2m

    Oshiomhole employs widow, gives her N2m

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has employed a widow, Mrs. Joy Ifijeh, whom he upbraided, penultimate week, and whose goods were seized by men of the traffic War Against Indiscipline for obstructing on Mission Road in Benin City.

    The governor, who announced the job offer to the woman, in addition to a N2 million grant for her to get a shop and trade, said during a breakfast meeting with her at the Government House, yesterday, that her job would be to join the state’s War Against Indiscipline in the campaign against street trading and to keep the state clean.

    The governor, who again apologised to the widow, said: “When you put your goods on the road, a vehicle can run into you. Some people have been killed in that manner. I am really sorry.

    “I want you to join us. We will employ you and pay you salary. You will help us to campaign to other women not to trade on the roadside.”

    Mrs. Ifijeh thanked the governor for the gesture and promised that she would be part of the fight to keep Benin City clean.