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  • Massive turnout in Edo council polls

    Massive turnout in Edo council polls

    There was massive turnout of voters in Saturday’s local government elections held across the 18 local government areas despite the boycott by the Peoples Democratic Party.

    Ten other political parties participated in the elections.

    Sensitive materials arrive some polling units like Ward five in Uromi, Esan North East local government.

    Voting started in many polling units as early as 8am.

    Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Agriculture, Prince Joe Okojie, who voted at about 10am at Uromi Girls Primary School said the massive turnout was a reflection of the peoples’ trust in the APC led Government.

    Prince Okojie noted the non-participation of the PDP in the election was a sign of the final defeat of the PDP.

    Okojie said the people want a replication of Obaseki’s wake and see performance at the local level.

    Governor Godwin Obaseki who spoke after he voted at about 12.30 pm, the election was peaceful. He said many supporters of the PDP have defected to the ruling APC in almost all units and wards across the state.

    Obaseki stated that the opposition PDP was no longer existing in the state.

    His words, “I think it is logical because every politicians aspires from his unit and if you do not give him the opportunity he will seek it from outside. So that was what happened. We can confidently say that the opposition party is none existence in Edo State.

    Read Also: Edo holds council polls Saturday

    “This is a precursor to 2019, Edo State as you see it is on lock down for APC. So may be the contest will be outside Edo State but Edo State is an APC state.

    “What has happened is that the councillors themselves, the candidates, have gone out to mobilize people. I had challenged them that the votes they obtained in their election must be bigger than mine when I ran for election.

    “I have been monitoring the distribution of materials since morning, reports reaching me says that things have gone on smoothly”.

    At Iyamho in Etsako West Local Government Area, immediate past Governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole,  said the local elections was a confirmation of the final liquidation of the PDP in the state.

    “You can see people are celebrating democracy at the grassroots. They are more interested in local elections because that is the man they can see everyday. You can see people are keen to vote.

    “With this election, We have just completed the liquidation of the PDP. There is no further proof of that liquidation other than that they have on their own admitted to defeat. They don’t regard the people who vote for them at the grassroots. They have my sympathy. This was the promise that from a party that used to arrogantly rig people out and ask you to go to court.

    “We have demystified them and enthrenched one man one vote which is an area they don’t have competence. They are not used to voting, they are used to writing results. It shows for them they are ready to spend in the big elections. That they are not interested in the elections for local people reveal their character. I feel fullfiled that in my lifetime, the PDP surrendered without a blow.

    “Their going to court was an excuse to their members that the are alive.”

    At Ologbosere Primary School voting centre, Ikpoba-Okha Ward 7, with 39 units, the turn out of voters was impressive, just as it was at Itohan Secondary School voting centre, Ikpoba-Okha Ward 6.

    Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie and Hon Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma described the election as peaceful and urged those remaining in the PDP to join the APC.

  • Aliyu Challenges APC to Hold Convention

    Aliyu Challenges APC to Hold Convention

    Former Governor of Niger state, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has stated that the All Progressive Congress (APC) has become too scared to hold its convention.

    Speaking to newsmen after the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Niger East Senatorial District Mega Meeting at Paikoro in Niger state, Aliyu said that despite its challenges, the PDP had been able to hold its convention challenging the APC to do same.

    “After two and a half years after they came into power, APC is becoming scared of their shadow. They have become too afraid to hold an election convention after the first convention they had that brought the executives. Fear is the reason why APC is unable to hold its convention. ”

    He declared that the PDP is ready to take over power in 2019 adding that the people now understands the difference between both parties.

    The former Governor stated that it would be easy for the PDP to take over in Niger state as the people have seen that the PDP government is much better than any other government in the state.

    Read Also: Aliyu to APC: You can’t match PDP’s achievements

    “2019 will be the year of the PDP. We will not deceive the people, we will ensure that the people are given their right; we will ensure that no Nigerlite goes to bed hungry. We will not receive the people. PDP remains strong in Niger state. ”

    The Niger state PDP Chairman, Barrister Tanko Beji emphasized on the importance of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) calling on any member who have not registered to do so before it is too late.

    “It is with PVC that we can think of outweighing the party in power. PVC is very important. Please go and registered to that we can change the change. ”

    Beji expressed optimism over the victory of the party in 2019 adding that the people can now testify the PDP government remains the best.

  • Aregbesola pays tribute to Adeboye

    Aregbesola pays tribute to Adeboye

    … says he is voice of peace in troubled world

    Governor of Osun State,  Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has described the founder and Global General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye,  as ‘the voice of peace and comfort in a troubled and edgy world’ and harbinger of hope to millions of souls across the world.

    Aregbesola dropped this accolade in a message commemorating the 76th birthday of the foremost man of God on Friday.

    The Governor, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Mr. Sola Fasure, described Pastor Adeboye as a beacon of hope for the numerous hopeless souls, reconciling them with God through his sermons and evangelical engagements all over the world.

    Aregbesola said few people are chosen by God for this kind of evangelical assignment in a generation, saying such chosen few are rare breed and special creation, who sparingly graces this earthly terrain.

    The Governor noted that Pastor Adeboye is an epitome and embodiment of knowledge, deep faith and a messenger who spread the word of God across the globe untiringly despite his graceful old age.

    Read Also: Buhari congratulates Adeboye at 76

    According to the Governor, the arrival of the man of God at the threshold of 76 years is an august occasion, which is very special to his congregation across the globe, Nigeria, the State of Osun, friend and well-wishers across other faiths.

    The statement read: “Some individuals, very few of them, are specially chosen by the creator to be a blessing to their generation. One of such is Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the Global General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), who clocked 76 years.

    “Pastor Adeboye is a well-educated man who gave up his brilliant academic career to do the work of God. He is a man of deep faith with apostolic fervour who has taken Christian evangelism to the nooks and crannies of this nation and the uttermost parts of the world.

    “There is virtually no community in Nigeria where his church is not firmly established or any part of the world where there is no parish of the RCCG.

    “He is also a man of prodigious energy. Even at 76, he doesn’t appear to be slowing down, but his light continues to shine brighter and brighter. He is personally a very humble and meek man. He radiates love and deep affectation, always welcoming all and generous to a fault. He played fatherly role to all.

    “His accommodation knows no bound, transcending, religious, ethnic and class lines. I have found his calming words very assuring even at my most challenging times, whenever I am privileged to meet him.

    “He is a voice of peace and comfort in a troubled and edgy world; bringing hope to the hopeless and reconciliation with God to the faithless, through his sermons and evangelical engagements all over the world.

    He is the essential Omoluabi, a gift from our state, Osun, to the world. He has brought honour and glory to our state, indeed the Yoruba race, in particular his Ijesa homestead. He deserves therefore to be celebrated and honored. I congratulate this great man of God on this very special occasion.

    “On behalf of my family, the government and the good people of Osun, I wish this invaluable jewel a very happy birthday and many more decades of service to humanity.”, the statement read.

  • No development without unity, Dickson’s aide tells Jonathan’s kinsmen

    No development without unity, Dickson’s aide tells Jonathan’s kinsmen

    Development will continue to elude Ogbia, the local government area of former President Goodluck Jonathan in Bayelsa State unless the people shun divisive tendencies and embrace unity.

    The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, who made the assertion on Friday, said present political leaders in Ogbia must work together and shun tendencies propelled mostly by greed and selfishness.

    The Commissioner made the assertion when grassroot community leaders under the Forum of the Community Development Chairmen across the four clans of Ogbia kingdom paid him a visit in his office at the Information House in Yenagoa.

    Iworiso-Markson said he was humbled by the visit and promised to channel some of the demands of the chairmen and their goodwill message to the governor.

    He said: “Personally, I do not have enemy. I see myself as brother to every Ogbia person. If I have any enemy at all; my enemies are under-development, disunity and poverty. It is therefore a task for every well-meaning Ogbia person to fight them with me.

    “The security of Ogbia is very paramount. Security is key. To drive to Ogbia town now, you need personal security. But that is not who we are. We are peaceful people.

    “For more than 50 years, they carried out exploration of oil activities in our communities, we cooperated with them. Not one day did we hear that any of the oil workers were kidnapped in Ogbia land.

    “Out of that same land they took oil that built bridges in cities across the country but neglected us. Yet we didn’t do anything. We remained peaceful and we have continued to remain peaceful.

    “So, it is a source of concern to some of us who are from that area that the peace that we want seems to be evading us. There are some people coming to create insecurity in our community. We must not allow it. You are CDC chairmen and you have a duty to protect our kingdom.

    “We have the duty to maintain the peace in Ogbia. I want to work with you to ensure there is peace. I am tired of the report we are getting from Ogbia kingdom. I know all of you are tired. We want to live in a place where there is peace.

    “It is when you have peace and security that development can come. If Ogbia is not peaceful, people will not come. This security challenges must stop and you need to make it possible.

    “I am very concerned about the peace and development of Ogbia more than anything else. It is a must that we develop Ogbia. Nobody can develop Ogbia apart from us”.

    The pledged their support for the administration of Governor Seriake Dickson describing him as a righteous man, whose government had brought joy to their council.

    The Chairman of CDC chairmen, Chief Sylvanus Egele, said the governor had done well in education, health, agriculture and infrastructure.

    He referred to the airport projects, senatorial road projects, Agge Deep Sea Port, flyover, sports academy, Ijaw National Academy, boarding schools and others as the key achievements of Dickson.

    “We have vowed from this day to partner with the Restoration Government to move Bayelsa a State forward”, he said.

    He, however, lamented the recent insecurity in Ogbia such as armed robberies, kidnapping, cultism, piracy, killings among others and sympathised with the families of policemen murdered at Ogbia Town waterfront by unknown gunmen.

    He said: “This body had, therefore, unanimously decided to walk closely with all security agents to fish out all suspected criminals from all our communities and hand them over to government for possible prosecution”.

  • Stakeholders beg Buhari over Peace Corps bill.

    Stakeholders beg Buhari over Peace Corps bill.

    Stakeholders especially have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to rescind his decision on the withholding of assent for the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) bill.

    They said the action would deprive the teeming youths the opportunity to secure targeted employment.

    A public analyst, Thomas Ikugbese at a news conference in Akure, the state capital said signing the bill would have boosted the image of Buhari’s administration.

    He expressed fear on possibility of more youths who were disappointed on the development not to go on suicide mission like it reportedly happened recently in Gombe state.

    Buhari had declined to assent to the Nigeria Peace Corps (Establishment) Bill passed in 2017 by the National Assembly.

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara read the letter from the President who cited security concerns and financial implication as parts of the reasons for declining to sign the bill.

    Read Also: Attack on aid workers godless, despicable – Buhari

    Ikugbese who is a Presidential Candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) noted that the refusal of President Buhari to sign the bill would affect many youths who had hoped that the Peace Corps of Nigeria would provide them employment.

    He urged President Buhari to save youths from committing suicide by rescinding his decision and assent to the PCN’s bill.

    In the alternative, Ikugbese urged National Assembly to recall the bill to the parliament and muster two-thirds of the membership of the House of Representatives and Senate to pass it into law.

    Ikugbese said that Nigeria with the population of 186 million and police numbering about 370, 000 need effective policing.

    He said, of the 370, 000 a staggering 80 percent of this number are assigned to private citizens, politicians, businessmen and private enterprises while leaving only 20 percent for the core police duties of peace and security.

    According to him, there are people in the security agencies and in the presidency frustrating efforts of President Buhari to append his signature on the bill.

    He said that the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) was not in a competition with the police or other security agencies.

    He explained that the Presidency should not be scared of monthly remuneration that the Peace Corps of Nigeria will gulp from the scarce resources of the nation.

    The NCP Presidential aspirant noted that the fund to run the corps should not necessarily come from the federal government as those who required its service could pay.

  • Niger-Delta: Stakeholders advocate technology to check vandalism

    Niger-Delta: Stakeholders advocate technology to check vandalism

    Stakeholders in the Niger-Delta have advocated improved technology as well as efficient communication between the federal government, oil companies and oil bearing communities to check oil pipeline vandalism in the oil industry.

    These were the recommendations at the end of a one day sensitization workshop on education, good governance and peaceful coexistence in the Niger Delta organised by a non-profit organisation, Benaiah Care Foundation, which held weekend in Warri, Delta State.

    Participants drawn from mostly the youths and women groups called for urgent intervention to avert imminent crises as the 2019 polls comes closer.

    In a paper presentation titled ” Oil Theft and Pipeline Vandalism”, Oil Pipeline Management Expert , Mr. Ini Isong said ” oil majors must explore the use of modern technology to secure oil pipelines as well as establish right of way(RoW) to enable security personnel easily identify where there are such cases”.

    According to him, the advocacy became necessary to raise the standard of security towards checking vandalism in the Niger Delta region.

    Read Also: Buhari committed to peaceful, developed Niger-Delta – Boroh

    He also advocated stronger synergy among the stakeholders stating that oil bearing communities should be engaged in the oil economy through what he described as ” open and frank communication to avert imminent crises”.

    Mr. Isong who  doubles as the Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of Kligz Energy, an oil pipeline survey outfit in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, said local communities have to select credible leaders in representative capacity and must also design a visionary template that will actualize concrete development of their areas.

    This, he maintain ” will make the oil bearing communities maintain their commitment to stop oil pipeline vandalism especially among the youth ”.

    He, however , condemned the deplorable conditions of the region occasioned by prolonged oil exploration activities stating that the issue of Corporate Social Responsibility needs to be reviewed to provide commensurate impact to cushion the effect of the exploration activities.

    Also in a paper presentation titled ” Effect of Political Violence in Nigeria ”, a University of  Port Harcourt Don, Dr. Celestine Nwanokwai said Nigerian youths have to move away from the culture of violence mostly associated with politics.

    According to him, the recent electoral reforms have considered the place of the youth in political leadership and therefore urged that rather than take to the option of violence, youth must think towards taking the lead in governance.

    Earlier , the programme facilitator, Mr. Okon N. Effiom remarked that the organization was concerned about improving the condition of the Niger Delta people through education

     

  • Patronize more indigenous companies, NSE urges FG

    Patronize more indigenous companies, NSE urges FG

    The Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, has urged the Federal Government to engage more indigenous companies to execute its projects across the country

    Chairman of the Calabar Branch of the Society, Engr (Dr) Nsed Akonjom, who made the call when a technical team of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing visited Cross River State to inspect interventions on Federal roads in the state, said Nigerian engineers are of the best standard and if the government continued to patronize them, they would keep improving.

    Speaking on the intervention work on the Ikot Okpora/Nyamoyong axis of the Calabar-Ikom Federal Highway, carried out by an indigenous company, Sermatech Nigeria Limited, Akonjom, described the work done as world class.

    He said, “It gives me so much pride that it is being handled by our members and the company, an indigenous one, itself handling the job is doing a good job. It shows that is the way to go. If our government continues to patronize Nigerian engineers, we would do better. This is a learning curve for everybody. Nigerian engineers are up there and I am very proud.

    “Everything here is 100 per cent Nigerian and I am very proud of it and I am happy that the government of President Buhari is looking seriously to make us proud as Nigerian engineers. Even materials are sourced locally. We can see the good quality of job by Sermatech has been excellent.

    “For people who are afraid of Nigerian companies, I would say it is just ignorance Nigerian engineers are well trained and have standards that we adhere to.

    “Nigerian engineers can do the best if we are given the opportunity. We need to be given the opportunity. It is compulsory that any nation that wants to grow must allow their engineers handle their infrastructure.

    “I thank President Buhari for taking the bold step on local content. Except you don’t have such knowledge within the country that you bring from outside, but I can bet you that there is no knowledge in engineering that is not here. We are still producing good engineers in this country. This road by Sermatech is evidence that we are doing well.”

    Engr Desmond Ewa who spoke for Sermatech, said they had competent hands and that all their workers and materials are sourced locally

    He said they mobilized to site even though they had not been paid yet because they were partners with the Federal Government.

     

     

  • Edo LG poll: Voters wait for election materials, officials

    Edo LG poll: Voters wait for election materials, officials

    Election materials, including sensitive and non-sensitive, were yet to arrive in polling units for the local government election in Edo, as voters anxiously waited for them.

    At Iyoha grammar school, Ikpoba-Okha ward 6, units 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, and 38 there were no electoral staff as at 8.06 a.m.

    Some voters were seen hanging around the premises waiting for the EDSIEC officials and the materials to cast their votes.

    At 8.17 a.m., the situation was the same at George Idah primary school ward 2 units 2, 3, 4 and 5. in Ebenezer Primary School wards 2 units 6 and 7.

    Also at 8.45 a.m. in Etete units 8 and 9, EDSIEC ad hoc staffs were seen waiting for materials to arrive from Oredo EDSIEC office.

    At 9.15 a.m. at Adesuwa Grammar School, ward 2 units 12, 13, and 14, EDSIEC officials were seen waiting for materials to also arrive.

    At Ivbiotor primary school ward 6 units 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32, few voters were waiting for officials and materials to arrive.

    Mrs Helen Asemota, a voter at Itohan Grammar School, said she was not happy with the situation.

    “I am not happy at all; we have been having elections in the past.

    “Maybe because the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is not participating in the elections that is why it is like this.

    “Well, I will wait for them to come, let’s hope that by 11 a.m. or 12 noon they will bring the materials so that we can cast our votes,’’ she said.

    Another voter, Mr Farouk Mohammed said “we are not happy but we will wait for them maybe they are having logistics problems’’.

    At 9.40 a.m., materials were being sorted out by the officials at EDSIEC office in Oredo Local Government Area.

    The Chairman of the EDSIEC, Prof. Stanley Orobator, had said that voting and accreditation would be done simultaneously.

    Security personnel were on ground at various wards and polling units as at the time our reporters visited.

    NAN

  • #BBNaija: My relationship with Cee-C is over – Tobi

    #BBNaija: My relationship with Cee-C is over – Tobi

    If the diary session Tobi Bakare, current head of house had with Big Brother on Friday is anything to go by, then it means his love relationship with Cee-C (Cynthia Nwadiora) is over.

    Tobi revealed to Big Brother that he is not happy with the way things are going between him and Cee-C and so he feels that letting her be will be the best option.

    Cee-C had in a diary session last week told Big Brother that she likes Tobi, even wishing that both of them can be paired together again, but Tobi put her up for eviction last Monday, telling her later on that he did that “because it’s just a game.”

    It will be recalled that both of them were the first lovebirds in the Big Brother house, but he lost interest in her, following her continued quarrels with housemates, especially with her partner, Lolu. They both went on a date in the house, hoping to talk things through, but it did not produce much results.

    Read Also: BBNaija: Cee-C up for Eviction

    Speaking to Big Broter, Tobi said “I like her (Cee-C) very much from when we got to know each other but gradually it faded out.”

    Tobi however did not say this to Cee-C after the diary session, and as such, she does not know how he feels about her at the moment.

    Cee-C and her partner Lolu, (Ceelo) is up for eviction on Sunday, as well as Gelah (Angel and Ahneeka) and Lifu (Leo and Ifu-Enada)

  • Five dead in IDP camps – Ortom

    Five dead in IDP camps – Ortom

     

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom said five Internally Displaced Persons  (IDPs) including three children taking refuge at designated camps in Benue State have died.

    He said the IDPs fled their homes as a result of the sustained fulani killing are in various IDPs camps

    Governor Samuel Ortom made this known on Friday when the National Commission For Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMI) visited the state to distribute relief items for displaced people.

    Ortom said that two of the five deceased were crushed by a truck while crossing the busy highway around the location of the Abegana camp, as he expressed worry that they ran away from their homes to secure their lives but found death in the camp.

    Earlier, the Federal Commissioner of NCRMI, Sadiya Umar Farouq, said during the visit to two of the IDPs camps situated in Guma Local Government Area, near Makurdi out of a total of nine camps in the state that the intervention was meant to ameliorate the sufferings of some Persons Of Concerns (POCs) to the commission.

    “Let me state that the items provided for our POCs does not reflect the totality of our interventions, rather a demonstration of our continued support to the Benue State Government in its efforts to provide succour and other necessary social services for our POCs and communities in the State,” she said.

    Read Also: Ortom: I’ll keep crying until we get justice

    Represented by Mr Charles Anaelo, the commissioner noted that the NCFRMI was aware of the influx of over 10, 000 Cameroonian migrants presently in Kwande Local Government Area of the Benue state, adding that the commission in collaboration with the United Nation High Commission for the Refugees (UNHCR) is currently conducting data  registration of all the victims for further necessary action.

    She therefore reiterated the commission’s commitment to continue to work very hard to ensure that the lives of the IDPs are improved, rehabilitated and fully restored while stressing that in this phase of intervention, the commission had distributed food, care and empowerment items to POCs in the state