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Tag: Igbinedion

  • Igbinedion visits Oshiomhole

    Igbinedion visits Oshiomhole

    The Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, yesterday held a closed door meeting with Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

    Igbinedion, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is the father of former Governor Lucky Igbinedion. He came in his customised maroon red Rolls Royce Phantom car.

    It was learnt that the last time Chief Igbinedion was at the Government House was in 2011.

    He spent about 35 minutes and told this reporter: “He is the Governor of Edo State and I have come to see my Governor.”

    Oshiomhole congratulated the Esama on his forthcoming 80th birthday.

    He said: “Let me welcome you formally to my modest office. Thank you for taking time out to visit. I am in receipt of your birthday invitation. I promise you that I will be there with our friends. It is something that we want to join in celebrating because longevity and good health are a rare combination. Some people have longevity, but poor health, others have good health but not long life. So when God gives you both, only He and He alone decides whom He chooses to so favour.”

  • I spent nine years seeking varsity licence, says Igbinedion

    I spent nine years seeking varsity licence, says Igbinedion

    THE Esama of Benin kingdom and Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, has said it took him nine years, four months and three days to get operational licence for the university.

    For him, the struggle for the licence was a solo fight for him, as some powerful forces were opposed to private universities in the country then.

    The Benin chief, who spoke during the 11th convocation of the university, last weekend, said those who opposed the private universities were afraid of competition.

    He said the building of an ultra-modern library by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the university was an indication that their prayers for private universities to benefit from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund would soon be answered.

    “When I mooted the idea of a private university, I encountered obstacles. It was a solo fight for me but with God by my side, I won. The powers that be did not want to see private universities so that there will be no competition. We are complimentary,” he said.

    The Chief accused regulatory bodies of being hard on private universities and creating more hurdles for them.

    The university’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Prof. David Awanbor, urged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to include private universities’ concern on their demand list to the Federal Government.

    Awanbor said including private universities would make ASUU demands “more holistic and all-inclusive.”

    The former Registrar of the National Business and Technical Education Board (NABTEB) denied speculations that private universities established rapport with ASUU to declare yearly strikes so as to boost admission drive of private universities.

    Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae said 1007 graduates were awarded first degree while 57 were awarded higher degrees.

    Among those awarded higher degrees was the Gombe State Governor, Dr. Ibrahim Dankwambo who bagged a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Accounting.

    Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta, Kingsley Kuku and Rev. Matthew Okpebholo were awarded honorary degrees.

    Dankwanbo in his speech, dedicated his doctorate to the people of Gombe State and his late daughter.

    He said it was the zeal for qualitative education that made him study for the course.

     

  • Igbinedion dissociates self from aircraft ownership

    Igbinedion dissociates self from aircraft ownership

    Former Governor of Edo State ,Chief Lucky Igbinedion has dissociated himself from the ownership of the ill-fated Embraer 120 aircraft belonging to Associated Aviation Limited which crashed on Thursday while conveying the remains of a former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, 20 passengers and crew members.

    Igbinedion, former Chairman, Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), in a statement while commiserating with the families of the deceased noted that “My attention has been drawn to the news report linking myself with the ownership of the Associated Aviation Limited,the airline that operates the Embraer 120 aircraft with registration number SCD 361 and to state without iota of doubt that I have no interest whatsoever in the airline. No proxy ownership

    either. This information can be verified from the records at the Corporate Affairs Commission(CAC).”

    Igbinedion who had earlier consoled with the family of Agagu when he died also sent hisn condolence to the families of the Thursday victims and prayed for speedy recovery of those injured.

  • Gabriel Igbinedion marks 79

    Gabriel Igbinedion marks 79

    Society heavyweights and top politicians flocked to the home of the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, to celebrate with him on the occasion of his 79th birthday last Tuesday. It was an exclusive low-profile bash for the father of former Edo State Governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion.

    The Esama of Benin is undoubtedly one of the wealthiest Nigerians, the status he has enjoyed for more than four decades with properties in Nigeria and abroad.

    Friends, family members and those he has assisted in one way or the other are already looking forward to his 80th birthday.

  • Alleged N25bn scam: EFCC to close case against Igbinedion September 23

    Alleged N25bn scam: EFCC to close case against Igbinedion September 23

    THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it will on September 23 close its case in the ongoing trial of Michael Igbinedion, the younger brother of former Edo State Governor Lucky N. Igbinedion.

    Igbinedion, Patrick Eboigbodin and four companies – Gava Corporation Limited, Romrig Nigeria Limited, PML Securities Company Limited and PML Nigeria Limited – are facing trial at a Federal High Court sitting in Benin, Edo State, over N25 billion scam.

    A statement yesterday by the Head of Media and Publicity of the anti-graft commission, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said three witnesses had testified for the commission.

    The statement said: “At the resumed hearing on Friday, June 21, 2013, EFCC called three witnesses. The first witness, Mr. Ajoyo Sowale, an Accounts Officer with Guaranty Trust Bank, identified various account statements and account opening documents of the accused and confirmed the lodgements made into the various accounts. He also told the court that he printed the various account statements and got them certified.

    “The EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), further led the second witness, Mr. Eriyo Amadiayagbon David, who was a Personal Assistant to Micheal Igbinedion, in evidence. David told the court how the second accused, Michael Igbinedion, instructed him on several occasions to make lodgements into his GTB accounts and those of Romrig Nigeria Limited and Gava Corporation.

    “According to David, he usually received cash from the Accountant at the Government House and paid into the account of the second accused ‘and after paying the government entourage, the remaining cash is usually given to the ADC (Aide-De-Camp) to the Governor’.

    “The witness further identified his name on the printed account statement of Michael Igbinedion, which is part of the exhibits before the court.

    “During cross-examination, counsel to the first accused, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), asked the witness if he ever stole government money with the first accused, Mr. Patrick Eboigbodin, and the witness told the court that he never did.”

    Justice Liman adjourned the matter till September 23 and 24.

  • Igbinedion commiserates with Tinubu

    Former Edo State governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, yesterday joined other Nigerians to commiserate with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the death of his mother.

    He described the late Alhaja Abibat Mogaji as “a bridge

    builder.” Igbinedion said Alhaja Mogaji left a legacy of philanthropy, hard work, grassroots mobilising and quality leadership.

    He said she was a mother of democracy and a symbol of womanhood.

    Igbinedion prayed that Allah should grant her eternal rest.

  • Oshiomhole revokes Igbinedion’s land

    EDO State government has revoked a large parcel of land, which Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin, sub-let to farmers in Ovia North East Local Government Area and assured the farmers that they are free to farm on the said land without fear of molestation.

    Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, gave the assurance during his campaign tour of Okada, Ovia North East Local Government Area, and in Ovia South West and Orhionmwon Local Government Area as part of the ongoing Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) campaigns for the forthcoming April 20, 2013 local government elections.

    Speaking to a massive crowd of supporters in the local government areas, Oshiomhole said the people have seen the difference between the forces of darkness and light.

    According to him: “At the local level, we want to form a government that is committed to the welfare of the people. Before now, there are two forces in Edo State. The forces of darkness that under developed the state, stole all the money, visit our people with misery and excuses, while they are getting rich, the people are getting poorer.

    “Those forces that would award a road contract and they would not do it. Those forces who could not build one good school; those are the forces of darkness. The force of light you can see it right here.”

    He noted that in the ten years of the Peoples Democratic Party, there is no one project that was successfully completed.

    “We want a local government chairman who has conscience.

    “A political party that has a record of performance. Our chairmen will work with the fear of God. There is no compromise.”

    On the revoked land, the governor said, “Let me sound a note of warning. I understand that some people are still carrying rumours that the land that has not been revoked that they still own it. There is only one government in Edo State and there is only one governor.

    “I understand that some of our farmers are being threatened by people government gave land to farm. Now they are not farming on the land.

    “They are giving the land to people and making them to pay rent. Don’t pay royalties to anybody any more. Edo is a free society,” he said.

    “Let me assure you that on Monday, all those land you are farming on which government gave to individuals who now in turn sublet it to you.

    “I, the Governor of Edo State say I will revoke those lands on Monday. I will revoke it in the public interest.”

    “The reason we revoked the land is simple. Every Nigerian has a right to live in any part of Nigeria. I lived in the north. I was not treated as a settler. Therefore, we cannot be here while fellow Nigerians who are cocoa farmers are treated like tenants.”

    He stressed, “in this land, there are only two authorities, the Edo State Government and His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin. Those are the only two. If you are not the Oba of Benin or the State Government, how can you be a landlord? People are paying rent to you on a land you do not own. When you farm on Edo land, whatever money you make is yours.

    “All we ask of you is to pay your personal income tax. You cannot pay rent on land.”

    “That land has been reclaimed for the good of the people of Edo State.

    “Anybody farming on that land will pay tax to government.”

    While thanking them for the confidence in his leadership, Oshiomhole urged them to keep the flag flying.

    The governor presented Mrs. Lucy Omagbon, Moris Ogurobo Ovia and Roland Ibirotomwen as Council Chairman candidates for Ovia North East, Ovia South West and Orhionmwon local government areas.

    This is coming on the heels of the announcement by Oshiomhoe that his administration has approved the sum of N110 million for the coming primary schools final and the Junior Secondary School examination, just as he said 23,000 chairs and tables would soon be purchased for public schools in the state.

    The governor stated this in Ekpoma, headquarters of Esan West local government council, during the campaign by the party ahead of next Saturday’s local government election in the state.

    Tom Ikimi, in his comments said PDP is now surviving on “Abuja oxygen” which he said would soon expire. “In the last one month, I have been discussing with Nigerians one message they have given me, that they want the young to take over from us and I give you the guarantee that that is the project we have in hand in the ACN.”

     

  • Eki Igbinedion on the rebound?

    One woman who is fast losing her place in the corridors of power and high octane social functions is the amiable former First Lady of Edo State, Eki Igbinedion. Even her pet project, Idia Renaissance, has gone into oblivion. The non-governmental organisation by which Eki sought to restore hope and dignity to humanity and promote the cultural values of the people of Edo State is now history.

    At inception, the project enjoyed widespread acceptance due to the twin scourge of prostitution and women trafficking that constituted major headaches to the ancient city of Benin. But in spite of the remarkable success that attended the initiative at inception, it has gone the way of many of its kind established by some other first ladies in the past.

    Since 2007 when Lucky igbinedion finished his two terms as governor with virtually nothing to show for it, Eki seemed to have also disappeared from the social radar. And so has her Idia Renaissance project, with all the money invested in it going down the drain. But those who are close to her told Happenstances that she is planning to revive the moribund project. How true? Well, time will tell.

  • Igbinedion varsity matriculates 900

    Nine hundred students have subscribed to the matriculation oath of the Igbinedion University, Okada in Edo State.

    The students, christened ‘Paragons set,’ took the oath at the 14th matriculation held at the institution’s auditorium.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Eghosa Osaghae, who administered the oath, urged the students to avoid religious or ethnic intolerance and other social vices that can disturb the peaceful co-existence of students on campus.

    Osaghae challenged the students to make their marks as successful entrepreneurs in the foorsteps of the founder of the university, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.

    He warned the students that acts which breached the matriculation oaths would lead to expulsion, suspension or rustication.

    The VC admonished them to take their studies seriously and see the opportunity to be in the institution as a life-changing transition.

    Said he: “To be leaders, self-conscious models and accomplishers, do not show religious or ethnic intolerance of any kind.

    “I congratulate you, our matriculating students on this life –transforming transition and admonish every one of you to make use of the opportunity on offer through this matriculation,” he said.

    Chairman of the institutions’ Parents Consultative Forum (PCF), Dr. Johnbull Aibangbe, said parents have launched an assurance policy for the students.

    He said the policy allows PCF to pay three session tuition fees for any student whose sponsor dies in the course of study.

    Dr. Aibangbe disclosed that the PCF has also built a recreational centre as well as a medical centre for the students.

     

  • Igbinedion pays homage to monarch

    For the first time in five years, the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, yesterday joined other Benin chiefs to pay homage to the Benin Monarch, Oba Erediauwa.

    Igbinedion was suspended from participating in palace activities in January 2008 for allegedly usurping activities of the Benin Monarch.

    He was pardoned by Oba Erediauwa earlier this year and his presence at the palace yesterday was the first in five years.

    Igbinedion was in the palace to participate in the Otue Igueoba as part of activities to mark this year’s Ugie Festival.

    Ugie is celebrated by the Bini annually to mark the end of a year and the beginning of a new year by the Ugie Ewere.

    The presence of the Esama at the palace attracted huge crowd to the event to see how he would be received.

    There were shouts of awe from the crowd when the Benin Monarch presented kolanuts to Igbinedion after he bowed before him to reaffirm his loyalty and allegiance to the monarch.

    Others who paid homage included former Minister of Science and Technology Prof. Emmanuel Emovon, former Ambassador to Italy, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Southsouth leader, Chief Amos Osunbor, Chief Osamede Adun, Chairman of State Board Internal Revenue, Chief Oseni Elama amongst others.