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Tag: Osagie Otabor

  • Ondo APC primary: Ibrahim, Akinterinwa, Oke, four others raise alarm over party’s membership revalidation

    Ondo APC primary: Ibrahim, Akinterinwa, Oke, four others raise alarm over party’s membership revalidation

    Seven governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state have petitioned the national chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje, over revalidation of members of the party ahead of Saturday’s primary election.

    The seven aspirants are Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Chief Olusola Oke, Wale Akinterinwa, Prince Diran Iyantan, Prof Dayo Faduyile, Hon. Gbenga Edema and

    Hon. Jimi Odimayo.

    They warned that the issues might be detrimental to a free, fair, credible and acceptable election if not resolved quickly.

    The aspirants, in the petition, said the revalidation of Ondo APC members was shrouded in secrecy which made their supporters not have their membership cards revalidated before the committee left the state for Abuja.

    Read Also: Ganduje remains National Chairman, says APC NWC

    According to them, they paid N300m to the coffers of the party to cover annual dues of all party members whose names appear on the register.

    The seven aspirants said they have been inundated by reports that a particular aspirant has embarked on massive printing of fake party slips and distributed to individuals who are not members of the Ondo APC.

    The statement read: “The intention of this aspirant is to corrupt the integrity of the membership register on the day of the primary by making accreditation of party members impossible as non-party members have already been recruited to flood the venues of the primary election that day.

    “This massive and pervasive production of the membership cards will certainly precipitate a situation where everyone holding membership cards, notwithstanding that their names are not on the register, will be allowed to vote without accreditation. Voting without accreditation remains illegal and unacceptable.

    “To avoid any legal or constitutional conundrum, we advise that the party makes accreditation of party members mandatory at the election venue, and that every member of the party whose name appears on the membership register already certified by INEC should be allowed to vote once he/she is able to present his/her membership slip for accreditation.

    “It is our prayer therefore that the leadership of the party make available to us the membership register already validly certified by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the only lawful register to be used by the party for the conduct of the primary election slated for 20/04/2024. No other register can lawfully be used for the said primary.”

  • Libya returnees protest in Edo

    Libya returnees protest in Edo

    Edo State Government has commenced payment of little stipend to the 373 Libya returnees to enable them to go to their various destination.

    The payment started after the Libya returnees threatened to cause chaotic situation at the Motel Benin Plaza where they were lodged and their biometric obtained.

    They were alarmed that they were asked to go home without any money whereas previous Libya returnees were paid N41,000.

    To douse tension, the state government quickly mobilised and started payment equivalent to the destination of each returnee.

    Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the state government was not aware that the federal government did not make any money available for the returnee.

    Osagie explained that the International Organisation on Migration and the Federal Government were responsible for returning Nigerians from Libya.

    He stated that “The European Union made €100 available for each Nigerians under the IOM returning programme. When they get here, they get N41,000 given to them in Lagos.

    “The Federal Government in its programme is not giving any money to returnees. Anybody who returned under the federal government is not getting any money. The federal government is returning migrants through Portharcourt while the IOM is returning Nigerians through Lagos.

    “Edo State Government is trying to provide something for them and has started making payment to enable them to visit their relatives. The little money is relative to where they are going to. It is not big money at all.

    “The returnees should be calm. We did not know that the federal government was not going to make any provision.”

  • Monarch blames Nigeria’s problem on injustice

    Monarch blames Nigeria’s problem on injustice

    The traditional ruler of Auchi, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aliru H. Momoh, Ikelebe III, Otaru of Auchi, has said that the problems confronting Nigeria were due to injustice.

    He said leaders at all level must ensure justice to both rich and poor members of the public.

    The Otaru who charged traditional rulers across the country to administer justice in their domains to foster peace, progress and economic development said the problem militating against the country today was because injustice has been allowed to thrive.

    He spoke at the 21 Auchi Day Annual Celebration of Allah held at the Palace grounds in Edo North.

    HRH Momoh noted that traditional rulers are next to God based on their roles adding that peace would always elude any society where injustice is allowed to reign.

    According to him, “Traditional rulers are next to Almighty God because he has given us the earth to take care of and what we need to do is to ensure that justice prevails in whatever we do because justice has no boundary. Justice does not have father, brother or sister.

    “In Nigeria today, I believe justice is not applied in anything we do and that is why we are having problems. When there is injustice you will observe restlessness and that is a big problem. The nation must give justice to both the rich and the poor.

    “So, whatever we do, we must ensure that justice prevails. The problems we are facing today is because of injustice. So as traditional, we have it as our own responsibility to ensure justice is served to everyone without minding who is involved”

    Governor Godwin Obaseki urged the people to promote the culture of peace for rapid economic development of the people.

    Obaseki who was represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Hon. Mariam Abubakar said the government has bent on driving the economic of the state through agriculture and that the people of the community should make effort to key into its programme.

    “We want to drive our economy through agriculture and that is why we are making lands available to farmers and giving out empowerments for people to set up their farms.

    “I thank the Otaru of Auchi for ensuring that peace reigns in Auchi Kingdom and we will continue to support Auchi Kingdom and other communities in the state in terms of development and empowerment of our women and youths”.

  • Obaseki’s 2018 budget is full of deceit, duplication – PDP

    Obaseki’s 2018 budget is full of deceit, duplication – PDP

    Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the state 2018 budget as signed into law by Governor Godwin Obaseki is full of deceit and duplication.

    It said the Edo 2018 budget was meant to inflict pains on the people.

    The PDP said the budget was padded and funds allowed to projects already completed and commissioned by former Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

    What it said made the budget unserious was the allocation of N15bn to the office of the Governor.

    State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, who spoke at a press briefing in Benin City yesterday it was worrisome that Obaseki allocated 10 percent of the entire budget sum to his office at a time Edo people are experiencing hard times and finding it difficult to make ends meet.

    Chief Orbih accused Obaseki of wasting state fund on frivolous things by allocating N4bn as security vote, N1.5bn for governor’s office, N2.5bn for central administration, N2.105bn for governor’s entertainment and N1m monthly for an essential drug for the Governor.

    Orbih alleged that the budget was padded to the tune of over N500 under the guise of providing equipment for the new accident and emergency ward and construction of new and emergency ward complex at the Benin Central hospital 

    He said the provision of N134m to build a water fountain in the budget was misplaced as portable water was not available in the state.

    The PDP chairman said it was wrong to provide N100m for start-up packs for young entrepreneurs and small loans and another N100m for consultancy service.

    According to him, “The APC government is unserious. If Obaseki is sick, he should let us know about his health status. How come we will use N1m monthly to buy essential drugs for the Governor. We are forced to ask what exactly is wrong with the Governor?

    “The man Oshiomhole foisted on us is not a technocrat. Look at the budget breakdown. They gave us a man that has no knowledge of governance. There is no functional public water in Benin City. Water Board is not functioning now.

    “You need to go into the details of the 2018 budget to know what we are talking about. The government has remained adamant to pensioners but voted money to provide water fountain.

    “Some of the money is duplicated in other sub-heads. In the Ministry of Health, you will see Obaseki’s wonder.”

    Reacting to the allegations, Governor Obaseki said the PDP could not appreciate plans and initiatives contained in the 2018 budget because it was still stuck in primitive politics and a system that glorifies avarice.

    Governor Obaseki who spoke through his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, noted that the 2018 budget was meant to fix the damage caused by decades of misrule by the PDP.

    Obaseki stated that the budget was targeted at improving the well being of Edo people and aimed towards enhancing enterprise, building infrastructure, promoting agriculture, enhancing job creation and social economic well being of Edo.

    He added, “Specifically, some roads that will be constructed this year were budgeted for by the PDP in the past and money was released that ended up in their private safes. These roads were not constructed. We have the same issues in the education sector where money was released to build schools, only to be stolen.

    “But under Governor Obaseki, we are seeing roads being fixed everywhere and this will continue in the years to come. The PDP is bitter because there is no more money to share for birthday parties and ego trips. This budget will address the needs of ordinary Edo people.”

    “Hard as they tried, they cannot say that Governor Obaseki allocated any sum to himself, his family or his political party, as is the stock in trade of the PDP. The budget is clear in its purpose.

    “Specifically, given the need to fast-track development, the 2018 budget is focused on key areas that can easily spur growth. Over 60 percent of the budget went to infrastructure; around 20 percent to growth enablers, such as job creation and agriculture. Law and order got 10 percent because the PDP bastardised the state when it held the helm of affairs and almost succeeded in turning the state to a place without order.

    “But we understand why the PDP would come out to make these spurious allegations. In their heydays, they built roads on paper; the budgets were for the fun of it. Roads were budgeted for but no one could see where they were built. These, for them, were their hallmarks of governance.

    “The culture of stealing and greed, of appropriating to themselves the Commonwealth of the state still runs fresh in their veins. So, it is not a surprise that they are stuck in primitive politics and expect that others would wallow in such lows with them. This is just to let them know that the 2018 budget is for the people and for the growth of the state.”

  • Edo is sitting on gold, Dangote

    Edo is sitting on gold, Dangote

    Africa’s richest man Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on Friday, declared that Edo State is the perfect place to be at the fore front of Nigeria’s drive for economic diversification.

    Alhaji Dangote who stated that ‘Edo is sitting on gold’ owing to the presence of abundant resources urged the state government to focus on its area of comparative advantage such as agriculture and agro-processing. 

    Dangote disclosed that a single agricultural product exported from the state in 2016 fetched millions of dollars in 2016.

    Speaking at the Edo State Alaghodaro Investment Summit to mark the first year of Governor Godwin Obaseki in office, Alhaji Dangote said Governor Obaseki has several initiatives in place aimed at exploring the non-oil sector.

    Dangote noted that Governor Obaseki began the initiatives began nine years ago when Obaseki was the head of the Economic Team under former Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

    He noted that the Obaseki’s strategic focus on institutional reform, environmental sustainability, infrastructural development and economic revolution showed that the administration is very ambitious

    Dangote opined that Nigeria can charge away out of the doom that oil dependency can cause by focusing on providing better infrastructure and exploring the opportunity in the non-oil sector.

    He called for more reboots relationship between the government and the private sector.

    According to him, “An effective partnership between the government and private sector  before the end of 2019 see Nigeria becoming the largest exporter of fertilizer and refined petroleum products in Africa. 

    “The relationship between the public and private sector should be symbiotic and not adversarial. One side does not have to loos for the other side to win. Government should focus on providing the right policies, enactment of enabling laws, provisions of the attractive incentives and regular policy implementation, the private sector will take the risk.”

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, noted that Edo was one of the state Nigeria is looking forward to lead the way in transformation of economic fortunes. 

    Saraki urged the state government to ensure adequate security in the state for the safety of investors as well as engage community leaders and traditional rulers.

    President Mohammadu Buhari who was represented by Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, said more business reforms would be pursued to accelerate progress and position Nigeria in her march to become a post-oil economy.

     

    Buhari stated that the reforms to ease the business climate has brought the needed change to registering businesses, issuance of visa on arrival and tax collection.

     

    He said partnering with the private sector was the key in driving economic growth and progress.

    “I am impressed and delighted at the way the governor is going about his work. He is bringing his energy, network and intellect to bear,” President Buhari said.

     

    “One of the things that have impressed me about this summit, is the presence of the private sector. There is no way things can happen at the center without bringing it to the subnational level.

     

    “There are noticeable improvements in paying taxes, registering businesses and many more. The Ease of doing business reforms are going to domesticated at the state level. Edo state is one of the states to lead that with the discussions at this summit.”

     

    In his remark, Governor Obaseki said his administration has made progress on the six pillars of growth his team identified.

    Governor Obaseki said over 500km of roads across the state have been resurfaced, reconstructed and still under construction.

     

    He said, “We have done a lot in the last twelve months. We have recorded some institutional reforms, as the key to development is by repurposing institutions for optimal results. The bastion of reform is in the civil service and the bureaucracy in government. We have embarked on processes that are making the civil service more efficient and productive to ensure smooth service delivery.  

     

    “We are determined to rebuild the civil service and improve on the capacity of the entire government workforce. A fully computerized staff training school has been built at the Government House.

     

    “I am glad to inform you that one of the events in this summit is to sign a memorandum of understanding between the United Nations training institute and the Edo State Government. The other institutional reforms include revenue collection, where we have insisted that government revenues should be collected and accounted for.”

  • Hotel staff arrested over death of two teenagers in swimming pool

    Hotel staff arrested over death of two teenagers in swimming pool

    Some staffers of the Play House hotel located along Okhoro road in Egor local government area have been arrested over the death of two teenagers in the hotel swimming pool.

    The two teenagers, Emmanuel Obuzu aged 16 and Ikpomwosa Isibor aged 17, paid to use the swimming last Saturday.

    It was gathered that the teenagers were brought out of the pool dead after somebody raised an alarm.

    When our reporter visited the hotel on Wednesday, the swimming pool area was sealed off while businesses continued.

    A staff of the hotel who claimed to the manager but refused to give his name said the police was already handling the matter.

    When asked what safety measures was out in place to prevent such incident since somebody also died in the pool two years ago, the man said, “It is left to the police. They are investigation the matter. You can meet the police to tell you more.”

    A source at Okhoro Police Station where the matter was first reported said the staffers on duty were arrested for interrogation on what led the death.

    It was gathered that the matter has been transferred to the homicide department at the headquarters of the Edo State Police Command.

  • Tragic: Man beheads mother after raping own daughter

    Tragic: Man beheads mother after raping own daughter

    Residents of Uzebba community, Owan East local government were thrown into mourning on Friday afternoon after a 36-year old man identified as Segun Odihiri beheaded his 83 years old mother after allegedly raping his own daughter.

    Head of the victim identified as Maria Odihiri was severed with a cutlass.

    Witnesses told The Nation that the lifeless body of the deceased was still in the pool of blood when residents trooped to the area to have a glimpse of the incident.

    An eyewitness, Mr Ekemeiren Ojekhugbo, said Segun killed his mother for raising an alarm that he (Segun) was raping his own daughter.Murd

    Ojekhugbo said that Segun was apprehended while trying to dispose of the body of her late mother.

    [quote font_size=”18″ color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#ddb373″ bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]He threatened to kill his mother each time they had misunderstanding.

    Trouble started when Segun was caught sleeping with his daughter. His late mother caught him in the act and started screaming.[/quote]

    “For him to cover his shame, he took up a cutlass and cut off his mother’s head while the daughter ran for safety.Murderer

    “Segun was apprehended by some youths after he injured two of them before he was eventually apprehended by the vigilante members.

    The culprit has been taken to the Owan West Divisional Police Command Sabongidda Ora for interrogation and investigation.

  • Alleged police brutality: AIG vows to sanction erring officer

    Alleged police brutality: AIG vows to sanction erring officer

    The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 5, Alhaji Abubakar Adamu  Mohammed has promised to give appropriate sanction to any police officer found wanting in the alleged beating of two sisters at the Oleh police station in Delta State.

    Alhaji Abubakar said an ongoing investigation was yet to be completed in the petition written by the two sisters, Erowo and Joy Ekere.

    The AIG spoke in a press statement issued and signed by its Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Emeka Iheanacho and made available to newsmen in Benin City.

    Abubakar explained that investigation into the alleged beaten and harassment was still on-going when the two sisters went to the press to issue seven days ultimatum.

    He said Miss Erowo in her petition alleged that she was arrested on February 28, 2017, by the investigating police officer at Oleh police station following a complaint made against her by one Egbaoghene Oke whom she accused of stealing her 14 birds valued at N42,000.00.

    The AIG said the suspect was not happy about the accusation and went to Oleh police station and lodged a complaint against the petitioner (Miss Erowo), which warranted her arrest.

    He noted that as the investigation was ongoing, both parties opted for amicable settlement which later collapsed as both the petitioner and the suspect could not reach a compromise.

    He stated there was a serious argument between the petitioner’s elder sister and police women on duty at the charge room and the women police on duty at the charge room was assaulted.

    “It was the assault that angered one of her colleagues who incident a case of assault against the petitioner’s sister which led to her arrest and detention.

    “I wish to state that investigation into the matter is almost concluded. An appropriate sanction would be meted or applied as soon as the investigation police officer forwards his findings to the Assistant Inspector General of Police.The AIG is a very distinguished and seasoned administrator who has

    “The AIG is a very distinguished and seasoned administrator who has a track record of impeccable reputation in terms of discipline who at all time uphold the tenets of equity, fairness and justice and would not hesitate to apply same in this matter irrespective of whose horse is gored.

    “Let me reassure that the AIG will soon come up with his findings and subsequently appropriate sanction to whoever that is found wanting, please,” he said.

  • Flavour, Psquare, Omawumi to thrill Benin City fans at Glo Music show

    Telecoms giant, Globacom said arrangements have been concluded for top A-list music and comedy artists to thrill fans at its Benin City music and comedy show.
    It said Benin City was picked to host the first show because of it large subscriber base.
    Speaking at an informal media luncheon hosted by Globacom’s National Sales Coordinator, Mid-West Territory, Mr. Augustus-ndi Offor, said the Glo Mega Music Nationwide Tour and the Glo Laffta Fest was to reward its customers in the State.
    Mr. Offor explained that the two shows would also go round other 26 major cities across the country
    Among the first-rated artistes to perform in Benin City included Olamide, Flavour, Runtown, Omawumi, Yemi Alade, PSquare, Phyno, Timaya, Reekado Banks, Korede Bello, Di’Ja and Kiss Daniel.
    Expected comedians are Gordons, Basketmouth, Bovi, Salvador from Uganda, I Go Dye, Dan D Humorous, Bash, Seyi Law, Omobaba, Acapella, Senator, Helen Paul, Osama, Princewill, Mr. Patrick, Frank D Don, MC Tagwaye, Kenny Blaq, Funky Mallam, Arinze Baba, 2CanTalk, Maleke, Still Ringing and AB Simple.
    He further disclosed that the  Glo Mega Music Nationwide Tour would commence in Benin on April 7 at the Best Western Hotel, Etete, GRA, Benin City and Glo Laffta Fest comedy shows will commence on April 9 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos and then move to 26 other cities.
    According to him, “we are running the spectacular shows as a way of saying thank you to our teeming subscribers across the country for their loyalty, support and abiding faith in the Glo brand over the years.”
    “The shows are specially designed to celebrate and reward our teeming subscribers and to demonstrate to them that we will spare no efforts at delighting them at all times as they are the reason why we are in business. The icing on the cake is that all these arrays of mega-stars will be entertaining our esteemed subscribers in all the locations free of charge”, the telecommunications giant added.
    “Subscribers who desire to be invited for the Glo Mega Music Tour are required to use N3,000 one month preceding each show and text “Music” and their preferred location to 207. A subscriber who wishes to attend the Ibadan event for example, should text  “Music Ibadan” to 207.  Subscribers wishing to attend the Glo Laffta Fest shows are also encouraged to use N3,000 before the show and send “LOL” to a short code, 240.
    “Benin city will be hosting the first show because of the importance of the city to Globacom business, while the first Glo Laffta Fest will hold  at the Eko Hotels Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday, April 9.”
  • Edo poll: INEC to open defence Tuesday

    Edo poll: INEC to open defence Tuesday

    …APC counsel allays fears over recounting of ballot papers

     

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will Tuesday open its defence as the first respondents in the ongoing sitting of the Edo State Election Petitions Tribunal.

    Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ahmed Badamasi, had adjourned sitting to Tuesday after the Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu closed his case last Thursday with the recounting of ballot papers used in four local government areas.

    Counsel to INEC, Onyinye Azumonye, told the tribunal last week that the commission could not open its defence because it need to know the results of the ballot papers that were recounted.

    Local government areas that were recounted were Estako West, Estako East, Egor and Akoko-Edo.

    Justice Badamasi had earlier ruled that the tribunal’s secretary would today made known the results of the ballot papers recounting.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu is asking the tribunal to declare him winner of the September 28 governorship election which was won by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    Ize-Iyamu called a total of 91 witnesses for a period of 14 days against 400 witnesses that were to be called.

    Meanwhile, Counsel to the All Progressive Congress, Lateef Fagbemi, has allayed fears of the party’s supporters over the recounting of ballot papers.

    Fagbemi told newsmen that there was no problem with the recounting and that the issues would be dealt with at the appropriate time.

    His words, “There is no issue about recounting. When we get to that bridge we will cross it. There is no problem about recounting of ballot papers. What issues have been made out of the recounting?

    “I cannot be arguing my case in the media or the pages of newspapers. This is not the first time they are doing recounting but whether they are doing it the right way is another matter. I know that recounting of ballot papers is one of the weapons the petitioners can use effectively and the law has spelt out the procedure to follow. Our contentious is that the procedure had not been followed. It is not like the case of Oshiomhole.”