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Tag: Obaseki

  • Police quiz Edo PDP chairman for accusing government of rice diversion

    Police quiz Edo PDP chairman for accusing government of rice diversion

    The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, ( PDP ) in Edo State, Chief Dan Orbih, is currently being quizzed at the state police command over comments that the state government diverted bags of rice meant for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.

    Orbih’s questioning was based on a petition sent by Governor Godwin Obaseki to the state Commissioner of Police, Babatunde Kokumo, on the need for the police to make the PDP chief present facts on the allegations.

    Orbih arrived the police command headquarters at 10:17a.m. in company of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and a large crowd of PDP supporters.

    Orbih and few party leaders headed for the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police.

    A huge crowd of PDP supporters besieged the entrance gate of the command as they were not allowed into the command’s premises.

    He had alleged that 4,721 bags of rice out of the 6,822 bags donated by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to IDPs at Ohogua village in Ovia North East local government area of the state were diverted.

    Other items the NCS donated to the IDPs were 76 cartons of vegetable oil, 100 sacks of used shoes and 20 pairs of used shoes.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Obaseki swears in council chairmen

    Obaseki swears in council chairmen

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has sworn in chairmen for the councils.

    Speaking at the ceremony in Benin City, Edo State capital, yesterday, Obaseki urged the chairmen to be accountable, responsive and responsible in administering the affairs of their councils.

    He said: “My administration has kept aside N2 billion saved from the Paris Club refunds in the councils’ treasury for the new executives to commence activities.

    “You are not coming to meet an empty treasury. I have saved your Paris refund in excess of N2 billion and some of you have savings in excess of N2 billion. So, you will be coming into office with some reserves and savings, but you have to focus on enduring projects.”

    He said the era when council chiefs left offices with debts for their successors would not be accepted, noting that his administration spent the last 17 months offsetting debts incurred by former council executives.

    The governor described the peaceful conduct of the electoral process as historical, noting: “The increasing acceptability of the laudable programmes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) enabled you to secure victory at the polls. We do not expect less from you.

    “Your elections were free and fair, so you must go and serve the people who voted you into office. You have no godfather to settle. Your sole responsibility must be the welfare of the people,” the governor urged the new chairmen.

    Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige, who witnessed the  ceremony, commended Obaseki for saving funds for the chairmen to kick-start their activities.

    He described the act as benevolent and urged the council chiefs to use the fund for the people.

    Oredo council Chairman Jenkins Osunde, who spoke for others, thanked the people for voting them into offices.

    He promised that they will live up to the confidence reposed in them and build on the foundation laid by the administration.

     

     

  • PDP to Buhari: Obaseki cannot give you 1.2m votes

    PDP to Buhari: Obaseki cannot give you 1.2m votes

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has told President Mohammed Buhari not to believe the promise by the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, that the state would deliver 1.2 million votes to him in the 2019 general election.

    The party vowed that it would defeat the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the election by securing 65 per cent of the votes.

    The state Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, said the promise of 1.2million votes made by Obaseki was empty and unrealistic.

    He urged President Buhari not to be deceived by the governor’s promise.

    Orbih spoke while addressing PDP youths in Benin City at a conference tagged: “Youth and Leadership: Waking Up The Sleeping Giant.”

    He noted that in the last presidential election conducted under former Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the APC secured 45 percent of the votes while the PDP got 56 percent.

    He said: “I listened to governor Obaseki promising Buhari 1.2 million votes in Edo State in the next presidential election. Let me use this opportunity to say the statement by Godwin Obaseki is an empty promise.

    “Godwin Obaseki is a man with a very short memory. In the last presidential election where Buhari was the presidential candidate in Edo State, Edo PDP delivered 56 percent of the votes to Goodluck Jonathan while APC deliver only 45 percent to Buhari and this was under Adams Oshiomhole spending the state funds and they did not defeat us during the presidential election.

     

  • ADP advises Obaseki to ensure credible council poll

    ADP advises Obaseki to ensure credible council poll

    Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Edo State has advised Governor Godwin Obaseki and Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) to conduct a free and fair election tomorrow.

    It said the governor should not be swayed by the actions of those it termed All Progressives Congress (APC) cabal to truncate the poll.

    The Chairman, Media and Strategy, Mr. Tony Erha, who addressed reporters at a news briefing, said law enforcement agents should perform their duties during the election without bias.

    He said ADP was to participating in the poll because of the governor’s tranparency.

    Erha alleged that ADP had uncovered a plot by a chieftain of APC to declare falsified results.

  • Driver not arraigned for blocking my convoy, says Obaseki

    Edo State government has explained that Mr. Progress Raji, 27, who was arraigned at the Oredo Magistrates’ Court in Benin City, committed a major traffic offence by driving on the wrong side of the road.

    The government said Raji was not arraigned for obstructing Governor  Godwin Obaseki’s convoy.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said: “Contrary to media reports that Raji was arrested for obstructing the convoy of Governor Obaseki, he was actually apprehended for driving against traffic and the governor, who was on his way from church, witnessed the offence and ordered Raji’s arrest, as he posed a grave danger both to himself and to other road users.”

    Osagie added that during interrogation, Raji was also found to be driving without a valid driver’s licence.

    “The revamp of the Edo State Traffic Management Agency (EDSTMA) and the massive road construction and rehabilitation projects across the state, are parts of the government’s strategies to ensure that the roads are motorable and fit for safe driving. Law and order is a major policy of this administration and road users must appreciate the efforts that have been made to ensure our society is sane for decent living,” he added.

  • Bill is immature, says Obaseki

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has described the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) anti-open grazing bill as immature.

    He said it was good the PDP heeded his counsel to become a responsible opposition that can contribute to development of Edo State through well-researched policies and laws.

    Obaseki, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the PDP required more insight to appreciate that his pronouncement on night grazing was yielding a positive result.

    He described the PDP’s bill as impulsive, adding that ‘sending the bill to the House of Assembly is a civilised thing to do, rather than propagation of falsehood at a state-wide circus and making outrageous comments on issues of national security.’

    “It is interesting to see members of Edo PDP embrace our advice. However, their proposed bill for a law that will ban open grazing is a faulty start. Policies have clear timelines and set outcomes. Since February 8 when Governor Obaseki unveiled the new set of policies to end the clashes between herdsmen and farmers, there has not been any incident. This means that the policies show promise and no one changes a winning team. So on what basis is the Edo PDP proposing its bill?”

    “PDP should stop being overly emotional about issues that require tact and research. They have started learning how to be responsible, but they need to learn more from our technocrat governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki.”

  • Man docked for obstructing Obaseki’s convoy

    Man docked for obstructing Obaseki’s convoy

    A 27-year- old man identified as Progress Raji has been arraigned before an Oredo Magistrate Court in Benin City, Edo State, for allegedly obstructing the convoy of the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki.

    He was said to have obstructed Governor Obaseki’s convoy on February 18 along Country Home road, off Sapele road.

    Raji, who was arraigned on two- count charge, was also accused of driving his car marked GWA 325 SA with expired driver’s license

    Both charges are punishable under section 18 of Road Traffic Law, Cap 148, Vol. 1 and regulation 42 of Road Traffic Law Cap 48 Vol. 5 of former Bendel State of Nigeria 1976 now applicable to Edo State.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs. O. Ojo, granted the accused bail after his Counsel, Mathew Adebola, applied for bail considering the nature of the offences.

    The magistrate granted the accused bail in the sum of N20, 000 with a surety in like sum.

    She adjourned the case till March 2 for hearing.

     

  • Obaseki to begin construction of 150km of roads

    Obaseki to begin construction of 150km of roads

    EDO State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that his administration would soon commence construction of 150km of roads across the state. He also assured that ongoing reconstruction and rehabilitation work on over 90 Kilometres of roads across the state would be completed before the raining season sets in. Governor Obaseki who spoke through the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Engr. Osahon Abraham Amiolemen, said the roads would be ready for use within the stipulated time as he has mobilized all contractors to site.

    Obaseki stated that the rehabilitation and construction of 150km of different roads would commence before the middle of the year.

    He also assured that, “all bad roads within and outside Benin City will be fixed in phases.” He listed the ongoing road projects to be completed this year to include the popular TV Road measuring 2.3km, reconstruction of Lucky Way (3km long), Irhirhi-Aroobga-Obazagbon- Obag ienevbosa-Oghehghe road all in Edo South; the Ekpoma-Uhumudumu road in Edo Central; Agbede-Anwain road, Uzzeba-Ukpoji road and Okuokphellagbe road in Edo North Senatorial Districts. “We are using the dry season to work on the roads, the contractors are doing a good job and are ready to deliver the projects within the stipulated time. The drains are well laid and the quality of the drains is commendable,” he said.

  • Buhari, Obaseki, IBB, ACF mourn Shagaya

    Buhari, Obaseki, IBB, ACF mourn Shagaya

    President Muhammadu Buhari, former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, former Senate President David Mark and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) last night mourned the passage of Gen Shagaya.

    Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said in a statement:

    “The President pays tribute to the great Nigerian whose legacies will live on in the patriotic work he did as a military officer who rose to the position of a General, and a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic that ably represented the Plateau Southern zone.

    “The President affirms that at each step of his distinguished career in national service and politics, Gen. Shagaya brought his deep convictions and discipline to national, regional and community assignments and was ready to always offer his best to the development and stability of the country.

    “President Buhari prays that God almighty will comfort all who mourn him and grant his soul eternal rest.”

    Gen. Babangida, who appointed the late Shagaya as minister of internal affair, said he “received with great shock the sudden demise of one of the brilliant retired military officers.”

    “General Shagaya until his death had been an ardent supporter of the unity of Nigeria as a nation and a peace builder irrespective of ethnicism, tribalism and religious bigotry.”

    Mark in a statement by his media assistant, Paul Mumeh, said: “I am shocked, I am sad, he was my friend, comrade and colleague. He was among the best fertile minds in the Armed Forces during our days in the Nigerian Army.

    “He believed in the sanctity of our unity. He believed in the rule of law and in a society where every citizen is free to pursue his or her legitimate ambition in any part of the country without fear or molestation intimidation.

    “After our retirement from the army, we reunited again in the 6th Senate in the service of our father land.

    “His death is a huge personal loss to me. I have lost a bosom friend, a pathfinder and a patriot.

    “Nigeria has lost one of her finest and fertile minds. I am however consoled that he left positive footprint on the sand of time. I am convinced that his legacy of uncommon commitment to the ideals of nationhood will endure and will be a reference point in many years to come.”

    The ACF, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Muhammad Biu, “Nigeria has lost one of its fineness politicians, a bridge builder and a leader who lived a simple and humble life.

    “ACF extends its condolences to the Shagaya family, the government and the good people of Plateau state and all Nigerians over the demise of Senator John N Shagaya. May his gentle soul rest in peace.”

    Obaseki said Shagaya “was a strong advocate of a united, progressive and prosperous Nigeria and his contributions will be greatly missed as the nation’s democracy continues to evolve.”

  • ‘No agreement to establish cattle colonies in Edo’

    ‘No agreement to establish cattle colonies in Edo’

    The Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, has declared as frivolous, comments by the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the strategic steps the Edo State government has taken in bringing the clashes between cattle herders and farmers to an end, in the state.

    Osagie cautioned the opposition party not to trivialise a sensitive subject matter that requires a great deal of expertise to comprehend, a requirement he said, the PDP lacks and urged the party to know where to draw the line of propaganda.

    “We want to state as we did before that there is no agreement to establish cattle colonies in Edo State. Our decision was based on expert finding after a scientific research on the herdsmen/farmers clashes in the state. The Obaseki administration subjects every issue to critical thinking, wide consultation and research.

    “But unlike us, we have noticed that the Edo PDP’s decisions and declarations are never thought through and are self-serving. As we expect, because of the learning challenges of members of the Edo PDP, it seems to be an uphill task for them to comprehend the position of the state government despite the repeated declaration that there is no agreement to establish cattle colonies in Edo State. “Or is the Edo PDP subtly pushing for the establishment of cattle colonies?” He asked.

    He maintained that “A study of this matter has shown that an overwhelming majority of the nefarious activities of herdsmen happen at night. We are taking our decision based on the findings of a scientific research and not some knee-jerk reactions that are characteristic of the Edo PDP.”

    He asked the chairman of Edo PDP, Dan Orbih, to honestly tell Edo people and Nigerians if the total ban on cattle movement in any part of the country, be it at night or day, has stopped herdsmen from rearing their cattle across the country.

    “In the states where cattle rearing have been banned from moving in the day and night, are there no herdsmen activities or cattle in those states?”

    The governor’s aide stressed that “to make declarations that are not realistic and sustainable for the sake of talking is not the style of this administration.”

    He explained that “the ban on night-grazing and armed herdsmen are steps in the right direction in addition to the setting up of two committees that will monitor the activities of herdsmen in all parts of the state.”

    Edo State Government on Thursday after a crucial meeting with representatives of the various Fulani communities in the state and security officials, announced a ban on night grazing and the carrying of guns and other dangerous weapons by herdsmen in the state.

    He also announced a seven-man committee in each of the 18 Local Government Areas in the state to check clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

    “The seven-man committee will include the chairmen or heads of the LGAs, the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), representatives of State Security Service and four representatives from the communities in the state.

    At the stakeholders’ meeting with the Serikis Hausa/Fulani from the 18 LGAs in the state, Obaseki charged the committee to “review all cases of herdsmen/farmer clashes in all the local government areas.”

    He said the State Government would release the report of clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the state to the committees for review.

    He explained: “The committees will ensure the registration of all the Serikis Fulani in every community across all the local government areas and the Seriki Fulani will liaise with everyone rearing cattle in the area.”

    According to the governor, there will be another committee that will be headed by him and members of the committee will include the State Commissioner of Police, the Director of the State Security Service in the state, the Commander of 4 Brigade with other members drawn from the communities across the three senatorial districts in the state.