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Tag: Kabiru Adjoto

  • Obaseki sacks eight commissioners

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has sacked eight commissioners. Obaseki reshuffled his executive after he returned from Abuja.

    Immediate past Speaker of the House of Assembly, Kabiru Adjoto, was appointed a Special Adviser.

    Those sacked were Joseph Ugheoke (Energy and Water Resources); Magdalene Ohenhen (Women Affairs and Social Development) and Osahon Amiolemen (Commissioner for Infrastructure).

    Others were Dr. David Osifo (Health); Mika Amanokha (Youths and Special Duties); Mariam Abubakar (Budget); Emmanuel Usoh (Wealth Creation, Cooperatives and Employment); Dr. Christopher Adesotu (Science and Technology).

    Read Also: Breaking: Edo monarchs seek Buhari’s intervention in Obaseki, Oshiomhole feud

    A statement by Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, reads: “The following persons have been nominated for appointment as commissioners – Damian Lawani; Joe Ikpea; Felix Akhabue; Moses Agbakor; Momoh Oise Omorogbe and Marie Edeko.

    “The government offers its gratitude to the outgoing commissioners for their service and assures of continued cordial relations in the years ahead, while congratulating the newly appointed commissioners and special advisers, urging them to serve the people with integrity.”

    The statement advised the outgoing commissioners to hand over all government property in their possession to the Permanent Secretaries in their ministries, and wished them well in their future endeavors.

    Others appointed Special Advisers are Magdalene Ohenhen; Osaigbovo Iyoha; Andrew Momodu and Ojo Asien.

  • Ex-Edo Speaker attacks Oshiomhole

    Immediate past Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly Kabiru Adjoto has vowed to open a can of worms on National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Adams Oshiomhole.

    Adjoto was sacked by the Supreme Court two weeks after he was sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives. He was replaced by Peter Akpatason, who has the backing of Oshiomhole.

    At a homecoming reception at Igarra, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Adjoto said Oshiomhole, who was an apostle of ‘One Man One Vote’, and fought ‘Godfatherism’, has now become an ‘Emperor’ who wants to lord over everybody and everything.

    The former speaker said the APC chairman had succeeded in negatively changing the destiny of many people since becoming the National Chairman. He vowed to speak on Oshiomhole’s ‘many atrocities’ when the time is right.

    He said: “Oshiomhole wants to be everywhere at the same time. Everything he preached against, and we supported him to fight against, is what he is now doing. When Oshiomhole introduced one man one vote, we believed in him and supported him. We did same when he fougth ‘godfatherism’, insulting Chief Tony Anenih and Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.

    Read Also: Adams Oshiomole: Victim of reactionary forces

    “We were with him, and even helped him to remove the leadership of State Assembly that was against his government then. Whatever success you can attribute to him today is because of the support we gave him.

    “I was under intense pressure to give Governor Godwin Obaseki problem when I was speaker, but I resisted because it is the people who will suffer when it happens. We will resist Oshiomhole’s antics. We will support Obaseki to make him succeed. He is doing wonderfully well and has surpassed the previous administration.

    “God will catch them if they say Obaseki will not come for second term. Let them try it, that time, the whole world will know the truth about the Mobutu Seseseko Mansion and many other things.”

    But Akpatason described Adjoto’s comments as the cry of a frustrated man, who lost at the Supreme Court.

    Akpatason challenged Adjoto to tell Akoko-Edo people the development he brought to the area as Speaker.

    He said: “Adjoto should be ashamed of himself for trying to deride Oshiomhole who made him all he is today in politics. What will he say his new found friend Obaseki has done for him, rather than use willing tools like Adjoto to insult our leader Oshiomhole. They are a bunch of ingrates and God will not forgive them.

    “The masses have always known and identified with the dispositions of Comrade and what he stands for. The APC National Chairman has always been recognized for his unassailable democratic ethos, his championing of political inclusiveness. So whether Adjoto and his cohorts like it or not, they cannot change history.”

    Pioneer of One Man One Vote; One Woman One Vote, his headlong battle against godfatherism, and several other causes that promote the Rule of Law. So whether Adjoto and his cohorts like it or not, they cannot change history.”

  • Edo Speaker, ex-Speaker bicker over sporadic shootings at quarters

    Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, Hon Kabiru Adjoto and a former Speaker, Victor Edoror, have traded blames over Friday’s sporadic shootings at the legislative quarters.

    It was gathered that Edoror has been questioned by the police and asked to return on Monday for further interrogation.

    Sources said resident in the lawmakers’ quarters heard sporadic shootings and the police was invited after which Edoror was invited.

    The source claimed the shootings were carried out by boys invited by Edoror during the naming ceremony of his new baby boy.

    Edoror however accused Adjoto of orchestrating the shooting to put criminal charges on him despite not paying him salary for many months.

    He said it was not possible for him to celebrate the birth of a son and caused mayhem at the same time.

    The former Speaker urged the police to investigate the allegation and urged his detractors to stop putting idols in their heart.

    “My wife gave birth to a baby boy and I celebrated it. They are doing this despite not paying my salaries and I still won election,” he stated.

    Read Also: Edo farmers get N5bn investment

    Speaker Adjoto, on his part, said whoever is on suspension is not supposed to be seen within the quarters.

    “He brought cultists and they were shooting sporadically. When the security could not control them I called the Police Commissioner who came to chase them away.”

    On the complains about non payment of salaries by the former Speaker, Adjoto said he is not in charge of salary payment and that the matter is before the court.

     

  • Obaseki signs N183.7bn budget for 2019

    …as Edo Assembly reviews estimate upward by 4.3%

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Wednesday, signed the N183.7 billion 2019 Appropriation Bill passed by the Edo State House of Assembly into law.

    The budget estimate, earlier pegged at N175 billion, was reviewed upward to N183,744,326,962.19 by the House of Assembly to provide funds for the completion of ongoing infrastructural  projects across the state.

    The governor, who signed the budget after Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Kabiru Adjoto presented the 2019 Appropriation Bill to him at the Government House,  thanked the legislature for the timely consideration and passage of the budget.

    According to him, “Last year, when parliament considered our budget and approved the budget before 31st December 2017, people taught we were joking. I recall you said as long as you are Speaker, this will be the tradition. You have kept your word. I want to thank you sincerely for considering the budget in this manner.

    Noting that the House of Assembly was flexible enough to accommodate additions to the budget due to new developments, he said, “What is significant is your flexibility and sensitivity. We just got the right to host the 2020 National Sports Festival last Sunday and no sooner, an application was made to the committee, you moved into action to incorporate the expenditure that will be required to ensure that we successfully host the game.

    “We want to thank you for the gesture of putting in reasonable amount to support our security architecture. We want to assure you that from the plans we have in place and from the operational details we have, this fund will be put to very good use and we would not disappoint Edo people,” he added.

    Presenting the 2019 Appropriation Bill for his assent, Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, said due consultation was undertaken with different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) before the upward review of the bill.

    Adjoto explained that the upward review, which is in the area of capital expenditure, is 4.3 percent of the N175 billion presented to the House and is to ensure the completion of ongoing infrastructural projects in the state.

    He said “We decided to adjust the budget from N175 billion to N183 billion to accommodate preparation for the hosting of the 2020 National Sports Festivals. We had to also make more money available for the Agriprenuer programme, healthcare and infrastructure. Special focus was also paid to the completion of the State High Court project and the revamp of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.”

  • Edo assembly passes bill to prohibit trafficking in persons

    The Edo House of Assembly on Wednesday passed a bill for a Law to prohibit trafficking in persons and also approved the establishment of a State Task Force against the practice.

    The motion for the house to consider the bill was moved by Nosayaba Okunbor, member representing (APC, Orhionmwon East).

    The motion was seconded by the Chief Whip, Osaigbovo Iyoha, member representing (APC, Oredo East) constituency.

    The bill, made up of 80 sections, seeks the establishment of the Edo State task force against trafficking in persons.

    According to the house, the appointment of members shall be by the governor and subject to the ratification of the house of assembly.

    The secretary shall be appointed by the governor, from the ministry of Justice or could be any practising lawyer in the state.

    The bill stated that offenders shall be liable to not less than five years imprisonment or an option of fine of not less than one million naira.

    Mr Nosayaba Okunbor, member representing ( APC Orhionmwon East), however, pointed out that the Nigeria Police, the DSS and the NDLEA should not be included in the taskforce because of the clause mandating members of the task force to appear before the Parliament for screening.

    The house unanimously adopted the bill.

    The clerk of the house, Mr Eghe Otabor, thereafter, announced the third reading of the bill.

    The speaker, Kabiru Adjoto, after the passage of the bill, directed that clean copies of the bill be sent to the governor for his assent. (NAN)

  • Obaseki assents to 2018 budget of N150bn in Edo

    Obaseki assents to 2018 budget of N150bn in Edo

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Friday assented to the 2018  budget of N150.09 billion pledging 95 per cent implementation before the end of 2018.

    Edo House of Assembly on December 21 passed the state’s budget with an increase of about N3.4 billion.

    Gov. Obaseki, had on November 29, presented a budget proposal of N146.6 billion, made up of N66.7 billion recurrent and N79.8 billion capital expenditures to the legislature for consideration.

    Assenting to the budget in Benin, the governor described the occasion as ‘historical’, noting that it was the first time in the history of the state a budget was given assent before the beginning of the new fiscal year.

    “It shows seriousness of both arms of government and it also demonstrates the level of alignment between the legislative and the executive,” he said.

    The governor commended the legislature for fine-tuning the budget, saying that the increment of about N4 billion was realistic going by the current crude oil prices.

    “The ratio of capital to expenditure is now better; 2018 will be much better than what we experienced in 2017.

    “We will implement the budget to bring succour to the people of the state,” he said.

    Earlier, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Kabiru Adjoto, had said the budget was designed to meet with the prevailing realities as well as for the benefit of the people of the state.

    Adjoto said the legislature increased the budget allocation for agriculture and infrastructure to allow for revenue generation for the state.

    NAN

  • Edo Assembly passes 2018 N150.09 bn budget

    Edo Assembly passes 2018 N150.09 bn budget

    The Edo House of Assembly on Thursday passed the state’s N150.09 billion budget for 2018 with an increase of about N3.433billion.

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki had on November 29 presented a budget proposal of N146.6 billion, made up of N66.7 billion recurrent and N79.8 billion capital expenditures to the House for consideration.

    The House increased the proposal by about N3.433 billion.

    Considering the bill clause by clause, the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation and Project Monitoring, Mr Damian Lawani (APC-Etsako Central), said the proposal, christened “Budget of Growth’’, was designed to ensure completion of ongoing projects in the state.

    The house also raised the capital expenditure from N79.8 billion to N82.53 billion, while the recurrent was raised from N66.7 billion to N67.55 billion.

    The House, after considering the amendments, passed the bill into law.

    The speaker, Kabiru Adjoto, directed that clean copies of the document should be sent to the governor for his assent.

    NAN

  • Obaseki to present 2018 budget on Wednesday

    Obaseki to present 2018 budget on Wednesday

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Monday sought the House of Assembly’s approval to present the state’s 2018 budget estimates for its consideration and approval on Wednesday, Nov. 29.

    The request of the governor was conveyed in a letter dated Nov. 17 and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Osarodion Ogie.

    The letter, titled “Presentation of the Year 2018 budget’’ was read by the Clerk of the house, Mr James Omoatamae, during plenary.

    It stated that the presentation of the budget earlier scheduled for Monday, Nov. 27, 2017 was, however, now rescheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 29.

    The Speaker, Mr Kabiru Adjoto, however, urged members to be available for the budget presentation on Wednesday.

    Obaseki presented an Appropriation Bill of N150b for the fiscal 2017 to the State House of Assembly in Benin on Dec. 19, 2016.

    NAN

    Read also: Gov. Emmanuel presents N651.5bn 2018 budget

  • Edo Assembly approves reduction of 2017 budget

    Edo Assembly approves reduction of 2017 budget

    The Edo House of Assembly on Monday approved a downward review of the state’s 2017 budget, as proposed by the executive arm of government.

    It will be recalled that Gov. Godwin Obaseki, had on Oct. 16, wrote to the house to approve the budget’s reduction from N153.18 billion as passed in February to N127.92 billion.

    In the reviewed bill, the government slashed the recurrent expenditure from N76.5 billion to N66.9 billion, while the capital expenditure was also reduced from N76.6 billion to N61.8 billion.

    Moving the motion for the consideration of the bill, the Majority Leader, Roland Asoro (APC -Orihionmwon South), said the reduction in the budget was to allow the state government meet the prevailing economic realities.

    He also explained that the reduction was due to the dwindling allocations from the Federation Account, arising from the fall in oil prices at the international market.

    The Deputy Speaker, Victor Edoror (APC – Esan Central) seconded the motion.

    The house unanimously adopted the motion.

    The Speaker, Kabiru Adjoto, said that the 2017 Appropriation Act had to be reviewed downward because of dwindling revenue.

     ‘‘We are reviewing the budget downward to reflect the reality of the nation’s economy,” he said.

    House rules 20, 27, 42 43 44 and 45 were suspended to enable the lawmakers consider the bill.

    NAN

  • Updated: Adjoto emerges new Edo Speaker

    Updated: Adjoto emerges new Edo Speaker

    A lawmaker representing Akoko-Edo I State Constituency, Kabiru Adjoto, has been elected the new Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly.

    He replaced Justin Okonoboh who was removed Monday morning.

    Adjoto would be the fourth Speaker to preside over the Assembly since 2015.

    Former Speaker, Victor Edoror, who was impeached in 2016 over alleged high-handedness, dictatorial tendencies and financial recklessness, was elected the Deputy Speaker while Roland Asoro was made Majority Leader.

    Adjoto was elected Speaker by 16 lawmakers after a vote of no confidence was passed on Okonoboh.

    The new Speaker has set up a three-man panel to probe Okonoboh’s tenure.