The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Osagie Otabor

  • Edo polls: Ize-Iyamu close case Friday

    Edo polls: Ize-Iyamu close case Friday

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu will on Friday close its case in the ongoing hearing of the petition filed before the Election Petitions Tribunal.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu is asking the three-man panel headed by Justice Ahmed Badamasi to declare him the winner of the September 28 governorship election.

    A total of 90 witnesses out of 400 lined up to testify for Pastor Ize-Iyamu were called to testify before the tribunal.

    One witness, Moses Okikpere, who claimed to be a member of Action Alliance was subpoenaed to testify before the tribunal.

    During cross-examination, Moses denied submitting a report to his party that the election was properly conducted.

    He contradicted himself when he claimed that none of his party agents signed the election results but later confirmed that they signed after he was shown some Units results where his party agents signed.

    Moses insisted that he was a member of AA even though the petitioners listed him as a member of Progressive Peoples Alliance.

    On how he got the voter register with which he made his statement of claim, Moses said his party leadership never applied for Certified True Copies of voter register neither did he saw the voter register at the petitioners’ office.

    As at press time, ballot papers used in the election for four local government areas were still being recounted.

  • Female Edo street sweepers opt for mechanic apprenticeship

    Mrs. Osayemwenre Catherine is 50 years old. She is currently employed under the Edo State Employment and Expenditure for Result (SEEFOR) as a street sweeper. Her duty is to wake up early and sweep any major street in Benin City that has been assigned to her. Under the SEEFOR arrangement, Catherine and others are to be disengaged after one year.

    Catherine recent posting was to sweep the state government house. It was on her second week at the government house that she saw some females working as mechanic at the government house workshop. After several days, Catherine and other 20 Edo SEEFOR workers stormed the workshop and demanded to be trained as a mechanic, driver or automobile electrician.

    She told our reporter that she wanted to train as a mechanic because she does not want to return to petty trading after the one year with SEEFOR elapsed.

    According to her, ” I still feel very strong to learn a skill. As we are sweeping government house, we saw that only women are working in this workshop so we decided to inquire from them. They told us they are doing mechanic work. This is an opportunity for me to learn a skill. This SEEFOR job is just for one year but I want to learn more to be independent.”

    Another SEEFOR worker, Mrs. Suzy Osadolor, who said she is 49, said she came to the workshop to learn how to become either a mechanic of a female commercial driver.

    Her words, “I want to be like these girls. We are under Edo SEEFOR and we saw the way these girls are working. I know I can still make it even though I am 49 years old. I can learn  to become a female driver.”

    36 years old Vivian Okurefe said she has not been herself since the day she saw women working as mechanic.

    “I decided to join them. If I am taken, I will be grateful. I like to join them so that I can feed my children.”

    Governor Godwin Obaseki recently engaged female mechanics under the leadership of Sandra Aguebor of the Lady Mechanic Initiative to take over repair and maintenance of government vehicles. The engagement of female mechanics was part Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, initiative to empower women in the state.

    Mrs. Aguebor said she was shocked when she saw the women at the workshop and demanded to be registered as an apprentice.

    According to her, “We were here doing our work when we saw a lot of women trooping in and to my greatest surprised some were carrying children. They said they were here looking for lady mechanic. They said they want to be part of what we are doing.

    “They said they want to learn how to fix cars. Some said they want to be a panel beater, female mechanic driver, some say they want to do a whole lot in automobile because we have different areas of specialties. I said it is a welcomed idea and you are welcome and you have to write down your names.

    “I collected their names and told them they are on the right track. They will be the first to considered in the women empowerment drive of the First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki.

    “We want to support this administration. We want to train women as plumbers, auto electrician, welding, spray painter and generator repairs. We want to see a situation where women would be fixing broken water pipes in government house.”

    “I was brought back to Edo State by Her Excellency, Mrs Besty Obaseki. She has to take me from Lagos saying that ‘you have been doing a lot everywhere. We need you to come and also do something here and this is how you find me here. In fact what has brought me to the state is God blessing and I see it as something that I will be able to impact a lot in this administration as well as future administration and generation to come because I believe that when you empower somebody you are getting them off the streets, making them being useful to themselves economically, socially and technologically in which crimes and social vices will be reduced.”

  • Oba’s coronation: Suspended Isekhure denies allegation

    Oba’s coronation: Suspended Isekhure denies allegation

    Suspended Isekhure of Benin, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure, has denied allegations levelled against him by the Benin Traditional Council that he boasted that the Enwinekhua (funeral rites of Oba Erediauwa) and subsequent coronation of Oba Ewuare II could not hold without him.

    Chief Nosakhare was last week suspended from performing the duties of the Isekhure title for alleged desecration.

    The duties of the Isekhure were reversed to be performed by Chief Ihama, head of the Ihogbe Palace Society.

    Chief Nosakhare has also given 14 days to the BTC to prove that he used his residence to review cases already decided by the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

    He stated that he would have performed his expected roles during the Emwinekhua and subsequent coronation if her were invited to play the role expected of him.

    He spoke through the Ihogbe N’ Ore family in a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr. Osagbakhoe Ogbemudia.

    In the statement, the Ihama N’ Ore family said they would allow Chief Isekhure take appropriate legal action to redeem his image at the expiration of the 14 days ultimatum.

    “Chief Isekhure is a lover of Benin tradition and custom. How on earth will somebody after getting judgement in the Palace where such a person did not pay a dime would turn to Chief Isekhure for another round of justices where such a person would be forced to pay gratification?

    “This is a case of giving a bad name to a dog so that one can have reason to hang such dog. To this end, we demand to see and verify the people that Chief Isekhure demanded money from so that members of the public will be convinced”.

    Reacting to the allegation that Chief Isekhure allegedly used his position to collect the kolanuts, monies and drinks to new Chiefs celebrating their investitures, the statement explained that new chiefs are expected to perform some rites as part of their investitures at some designated houses and shrines.

    The statement said the rites started as far back as 1255AD during the reign of Oba Ewedo and such visits were accompanied with eight kolanuts, a bottle of hot drink and 13 Shillings and 6 pence now about N2,000.

    Other shrine/places visited by new Chiefs according to the statement are Ogbelaka shrine, Ekpenede 1 & 11, Uhuoba shrine, Iyase N’Ohenmwen shrine amongst others.

  • Vacant Rep seat: Agbomhere, Oghuma battle for APC ticket

    Vacant Rep seat: Agbomhere, Oghuma battle for APC ticket

    Plans by leaders of the All Progressive Congress in Edo North Senatorial district to settle for a consensus candidate for the bye-election to fill the vacant seat of the Estako Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives suffered a setback on Thursday.

    Six aspirants including the oldest son of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Dr Cyril, indicated interest to contest the party primaries but as at press time, only two aspirants have purchased nomination forms.

    Those that bought forms were Blessing Agbomhere and Johnson Oghuma.

    Others were said to have stepped down after a meeting with the Deputy Governor, Hon Philip Shaibu.

    Dr Cyril was said to have stepped down after it was discovered that he does not have a membership card of the APC and may be difficult for him to obtain tax clearance certificate since he has not held any paid employment in the country.

    Another aspirant, Professor Waziri Erameh, named aspirants at the meeting with the Deputy Governor to include John Akhigbe, Jonny Oghuma, Joseph Ugheoke and Blessing Agbomhere.

    He said all the aspirants from Estako Central local government agreed to support Oghuma since Estako West local government with its size and population conceded the seat to them.

    A source meeting said one of the aspirants was forced to step down or he would be made to face the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    According to the source, “They blackmailed many of them to step down. One of them said he should be compensated and they said they would find something for him. Oghuma is saying if he does not get the ticket he will work against the party at the tribunal because he is a witness.”

    In a telephone chat, Agbomhere denied stepping down for Oghuma and has gone ahead to buy the nomination form.

    Agbomhere said he bought the form because he is confident of clinching the party’s ticket.

    He stated that the Edo North  party leaders wanted to opt for a consensus candidate but

    “The party made them understand that there will be no consensus without the aspirants talking. It is the aspirant that will agree. They have been trying to cancel the primaries.

    “We attended the meeting and they ask what I wanted. I told them whatever they think they can give to me, they should give it to Oghuma. I cannot disappoint the young people of this country.

    “I rather go to a contest and fail than to step down because of piecemeal.”

    National Chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun, had told newsmen that primaries would be conducted for all the aspirants.

  • Police launch manhunt for fleeing 43 teenagers

    Police launch manhunt for fleeing 43 teenagers

    A massive manhunt has begun for about 43 teenagers who escaped from the Children Remand Home along Welfare road in Ugbekun quarters, Ikoroha-Okha local government.

    The teenagers who were being held for crimes ranging from cultism, armed robbery, murder escaped after gunmen stormed the centre on Sunday morning and broke through the security to set them free.

    Seven of the inmates who refused to flee returned to the centre after the gunmen have left.

    remand-homeThey were said to have operated for over two hours before the burglary proof in the windows were torn down.

    When our reporter visited the centre, it was like a deserted place as only a few staff were seen around.

    Some family members of the runaway teenagers said they were at the centre to get information about their wards.

    They refused further comments.

    remand-hoThe Children Remand Home which is supposed to be a place where delinquent juveniles are kept, rehabilitated and reintegrated back to the society is an eye-sore.

    Inmates at the centre could be seen from outside as the perimeter fencing is low which perhaps made access very easy.

    A large part of the surrounding is unkempt and overgrown with weed. No chairs were seen in places designated as classrooms which made the inmates sit on the floor.

    remand-hSome staff told our reporter that there is dearth of staff especially counsellors and psychologists at the centre.

    The staff who pleaded anonymity said there are no offices for the Director of the centre and other staff. They said they usually sit outside under a tree while the Director makes use of a makeshift office.

    A staff said: “We don’t have staff here. This place is not fortified as a correctional centre and it has not been renovated for many years.”

    “Look at the fence. We are not supposed to be seeing people outside but you can see the whole place. We want urgent intervention and total rehabilitation of the place.”

    The police said they have sent some men to provide extra security at the centre.

    Officials of the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development declined comments as they described it as a State government matter.

  • AAU shuts down over students’ protest

    AAU shuts down over students’ protest

    Authorities of the Edo State owed university, the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma has shut down the institution following violent protest by students of the institution.

    The students were protesting alleged 200 percent increase in the tuition fees of the institution.

    A press statement  signed by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Edward Aihevbe, said the decision to close the institution indefinitely was reached after the University’ Senate reviewed the students’ protest.

    Edward said the university’s Senate viewed the protest was uncalled for and unnecessary as the students barricaded the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi highway.

    He denied social media report that two students were shot by security agents.

    He said the students were given until 4pm to vacate the institution.

    His words: “No student was shot. They barricaded the highway and soldiers escorting an an Army vehicle that was passing the road had to shoot into the air to scare the students away.”

    A truck said to be carrying rice was reportedly set ablaze after the goods were looted by the protesters.

    The truck was said to be in traffic congestion along the highway few meters from the school gate when the looting occurred.

    Edward however said what caused the fire was yet to be ascertain and no confirmation on the goods being carried by the truck.

    Some students of the institution were said to have been injured during the stampede that ensued after the soldiers shot into the air to break the barricade on the highway.

  • Obaseki promises to reduce cost of governance

    Obaseki promises to reduce cost of governance

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has promised to reduce the cost of governance not by sacking workers but by realigning the current workforce.

    Governor Obaseki said his team would work with the Permanent Secretaries in the next six weeks with a view to understanding the processes and redefining the system to make it more efficient.

    He spoke while swearing-in the new Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Osarodion Ogie.

    It was his first function when he assumed Monday.

    Obaseki said the total monthly revenue including Internally Generated Revenue of the state has dwindled to about N4bn unlike when it stood at about N7bn six years ago.

    He reminded the newly appointees and Permanent Secretaries that his purpose in governance is to serve the people because expectations from the people are high.

    Obaseki assured that his administration would deliver on its promises but it began from the way he organise government right from the quality of people who head government.

    He disclosed that he started working with Ogie nine years ago when he (Ogie) was asked to join the team that drew the blueprint for Oshiomhole’s administration?

    His words, “Our project is God’s project. God has given us strength. God has given us the power. Ogie and I started this project nine years today. Both of us have been at the integral part of the Edo project. I feel secure that he is somebody who understands what this is all about.

    “It requires a lot of hardwork, commitment and dedication to our people. I have no doubt that the task is daunting. We do not have the kind of resources we had six years ago. Everywhere we travelled to during the campaigns; people had demand for better schools, healthcare system and new lease of life. We cannot afford to make excuses. Even though we have these challenges, it is incumbent on us that we must deliver and it starts from the way we organise government right from the quality of people who heads government.

    “We will tackle the challenges ahead of us. We are cognizant of what is going on around. Government has to work for politics to succeed. Initially, We will emphasize more governance.

    “Let us put in place a governance structure so that our political structure can survive and endure. For the next six weeks we are going to work with the Permanent to understand the structures of government so that we can make governance much more efficient. We cannot afford with the high cost of governance we run today. The money is not there. We can restructure how we work. We can get more from the people we already have.”

  • Don’t fight Obaseki, Bishop tells Oshiomhole

    Don’t fight Obaseki, Bishop tells Oshiomhole

    Arch-Bishop of Benin Diocese, Bishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze, has told outgoing Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to live up to his words not to interfere in the administration of his successor, Mr Godwin Obaseki.

    Bishop Akubeze said the people of the state do not want a divided state where political leaders are constantly fighting themselves.

    Akubeze spoke last night at a special thanksgiving mass to mark the end of Governor Oshiomhole’s tenure.

    He urged Oshiomhole to be active politically as he (Oshiomhole) still has a lot to offer the country. 

    Bishop Akubeze told Oshiomhole to continue to fight for the poor and forgive those that offended his administration.

    Apparently referring to the deposition of the Ojuromi of Uromi, Zaiki Edenojie II, the Catholic Priest noted that power ‘is most efficiently used to forgive than to impose sanction.’

    He said Nigerians must continue to fight corruption with good conviction so as not to depeened the gap between the rich and the poor.

    His words: “We are suffering because those who God has blessed, refuse to spread the wealth. If blessings of God are well distributed, there will be less suffering”

    Bishop Akubeze advised Obaseki not to try to be like Oshiomhole but to do things his own way because his loyalty is to the people.

    Akubeze urged Obaskei to increase private sector investment in the state as well as create employment.

    He warned him to resist the temptation of working only in areas where he won elections.

  • God answered my prayers to end well – Oshiomhole 

    God answered my prayers to end well – Oshiomhole 

    After the death of his wife, Clara, in 2010 following a three years battle with cancer, Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole vowed to build a well-equipped hospital that will end medical tourism in Nigeria. The hospital, according to Oshiomhole, when completed will also be a cancer screening centre where the disease could be diagnosed early.

    It was an elated Oshiomhole that on Tuesday declared that God has answered his prayers to finish strong and to finish well. He made the declaration when President Mohammadu Buhari visited the state to inaugurate projects among them a new five-star Central hospital as Oshiomhole promised.

    Other projects inaugurated by President Buhari were the dual carriage way Upper Siluko road, Dr Samuel Ogbemudia College formerly New Era College, the 7.3km Ugbegun-Ujiogba-Ebudin-Igueben-Ewohinmi-Ohordua-Emu road that connects five local government in Edo Central senatorial district and the new Edo University, Iyamho in Estako West Local Government.

    All the projects executed by Oshiomhole that were inaugurated by President Buhari were projects that critics said were impossible due to dwindling financial resources. For over 15 years, the Upper Siluko road was impassable. Flood sacked over 150 landlords in the area. The ruling Peoples Democratic Party told the people it was impossible to construct the road because of mermaid spirit in the flood. Residents in Egor village and other communities had to pay over N200 to get to the Benin City centre because of the bad road but today they pay only N70 while many landlords have returned to their houses even as economy activities have bounced back.

    The Dr. Ogbemudia College was one of the three model secondary schools Governor Oshiomhole promised to build in each of the three senatorial district in 2009. It is equipped with a laboratory, library, a standard hall with floor tiles and PVC ceilings. 

    Before Oshiomhole constructed the 7.3km Ugbegun-Ujiogba-Ebudin-Igueben-Ewohinmi-Ohordua-Emu road, it was difficult to transverse the five local government areas in Edo Central. The road has reduce travel time within the localities.

    The Benin Central hospital which the new five-star hospital now replaces was first built in 1902 with only 10 beds. Successive administration saw the bed space expanded to about 200 but the hospital lacked modern medical facilities including x-ray machine.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the hospital, Oshiomhole said the hospital was fitted with the latest technology and that the contract for equipping the hospital was given to a reputable firm. He said the hospital will deliver quality health care in 11 key areas.

    According to him, “We demolished a portion of the old hospital built in 1902 and built this new hospital. My own idea is that public health institutions should not be inferior to private health institutions.

    “I almost wept when I first visited this hospital. What I found here was shocking and I concluded that even if a healthy man visited the hospital, the healthy would be admitted the next day.”

    “This hospital is fitted with the latest technology in health care delivery. This hospital will not be run as public service.

    “We will make that effort to work are rewarded and not for those that want to embark on strike.”

    On the six-lane Upper Siluko road which was completed with street lights, walkways and underground drains, Governor Oshiomhole said he decided to put resources where it would maximum impact on the lives of the people.

    Oshiomhole noted that his administration focused on those things that would deliver the greatest happiness to the greatest number of citizens in the shortest possible time. 

    “As you can see, this is not a GRA, but this road leads to where the real people are the real forgotten majority. They are the ones we use for census purposes so that we can attract revenue allocation. They are the ones who queue to vote, whether it is raining or it is sunny, without whom we democrats cannot be in office. But oftentimes, when they have finished, they are forgotten until the next four years. We have tried to bond with them by addressing the critical areas of their needs. That informed the choice of this area.

    “I am glad that this road has opened up two other local government areas, and it has made life a lot easier. I want to thank the Enogie, I want to thank His Royal Majesty, Omo n’Oba n’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II for his support without which it could have been impossible to do some of the things we had to do. 

    “I am grateful to Mr President for graciously accepting to come to commission this major project.”

    President Buhari who took out time to inspect all the projects described them as very solid and of high quality.

    Speaking at the commissioning of the Ugbegun-Ujiogba-Ebudin-Igueben-Ewohinmi-Ohordua-Emu road, President Buhari said Oshiomhole had shown the importance of rural roads to the economic and security lives of the people.

    Buhari said he ask Oshiomhole who owned the central hospital edifice when he first saw it without knowing it was the project he was coming to inaugurate.

    He said: “the quality of the projects I was made to commission, are very, very solid, whether it’s the roads, the educational institutions or the hospital.  Certainly, Governor Oshiomhole is lucky to last his two terms and to engrave his name in a golden historical plate.

    “I believe the roads and the bridges will bring more people to live more comfortably and securely. He has done for well for the people. He built a good hospital, again he served the people.

    “I congratulate the incoming Governor, I thank him for his stamina going through the primaries and going through the elections and importantly, winning it.

    “We believe this system, the multi-party democracy system is the best for us. We are doing best because we found ourselves as part of this great country called Nigeria. We are blessed with human and material resources. We made a terrible mistake in allowing ourselves to be cornered into a mono-economy and we are now paying dearly for our mistake.

    “Now we have to go back to the land, solid minerals and do a lot of savings so that we can leave a lot of savings for our children and grandchildren.

    “I very much congratulate the Governor, he has shown a lot of foresight by the quality of infrastructure he has put on the ground. May God reward him abundantly.

    “I stand here to congratulate Adams Oshiomhole for his foresight, for his hard work and for his personal integrity. I hope when he successfully hands over, he will take some leave away from the local problems maybe for a couple of months, before he comes back to square one.”

  • Obaseki: Oshiomhole hands-over Friday

    Obaseki: Oshiomhole hands-over Friday

    Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole will on Friday hand-over power to the Governor-elect, Mr Godwin Obaseki.

    Obaseki and his Deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu will, however, be sworn-in on Saturday at the Dr Samuel Ogbemudia stadium by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Cromwell Idahosa.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the  Edo University, Iyamho, Oshiomhole confirmed he will hand over on Friday.

    He said God has answered his prayers to finish well and to finish strong.

    Several flagship projects of the Oshiomhole administration including the new 200-bed Central Hospital, 6-lane Siluko road; Samuel Ogbemudia College, reclaimed Queen Edo gully erosion site, the Ugbegun-Ujiogba-Ebudin-Igueben-Ewohinmi road, Edo University, Iyamho, Second East Circular road and schools have been inaugurated since on Monday.

    Obaseki polled 319,483 votes to defeat Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party who got 253,173 votes.