The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Osagie Otabor

  • NCP candidate protests at debate

    Candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) in the Edo State governorship election, Pastor Peters Omoragbon, on Sunday night protested alleged partiality of the organizers of a debate for political parties’ candidates in the state.

    The debate tagged the ‘Mandate’ was shunned by eight candidates including Mr. Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressive Congress.

    Pastor Omoragbon who was among 12 candidates that participated in the debate expressed his disappointment during the debate after the time keeper cut him off.

    He said he regretted inability to articulate his party’s programmes and manifestos because of time.

    His words: “I want to express my disappointment at this event. The timing given to other candidates is different from what is allowed us now. I cannot be used as a photo shop.”

    Another protest erupted when party logos were to be placed on the podium after four candidates stepped down without their party logos pasted on the podium.

    The candidates said it was unfair for the organizers to allow them speak without their party logos but to paste such on the podium at a time candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, United Progressive Party, KOWA party and Social Democratic Party.

    Candidate of the UPP, Adviser Shedrack Nowamagbe said he would recover stolen funds from past administrations in the state to ensure stable electricity and adequate security.

    Adviser Nowamagbe who was briefed in his comments urged all candidates to be prepared to swear before the Oba’s shrine if the people were to take them seriously.

    KOWA’s party candidate, Mr. Thompson Osadolor, described himself as a mechanic that want to fix the state.

    He promised to set up a state owned construction firm with a view to carrying out road construction with direct Labour without award such contracts to contractors.

    Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu said the ruling APC policy has not been friendly to investors as well as not giving access to credit facilities.

  • Edo: PDP chairman defects to APC

    Edo: PDP chairman defects to APC

    Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in ward 11, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo state, Chief Sunday Edehor, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Chief Edehor said he led his supporters to the APC because he does not want to be stoned by his people for showing ingratitude owing to what the people of the area have benefited from the APC led government.

    Edehor said he has been in the PDP since 1998 but recently observed he and his supporters have been deceiving themselves by remaining in the party.

    “The truth is that I found out that some of us have been deceiving ourselves in PDP for a long time. This is the first time Etsako man will be governor in the person of Adams Oshiomhole and now the same APC is giving us Deputy governor so how do you expect us to remain in PDP.

    “We have been managing over the years abusing Oshiomhole despite the fact that he is our son but we are in PDP, but it has come to a stage when we decided to think about what is good for our people. PDP since 1999 never gave Edo North governorship not to think of giving it to Etsako. One leader is always moving it to wherever he feels while our people suffer here.

    “Just take a drive around Etsako area you, you will see the roads, schools Oshiomhole has built for us, so don’t you think our people will stone some of us if we continue to remain in PDP? I don’t want to risk my life because they will say I am an enemy of progress.

    “So I will be a mad man to remain in PDP. And let me tell you, there is no more PDP in the entire three Local Governments in Etsako. It will not make sense to remain at all, because both the people and God will even punish us so that is why we decided to leave for APC. It makes more sense for us to join APC so that the developmental projects Oshiomhole that has started in Etsako land will continue.

    “People are supposed to play politics for good life, development and not selfish interest. I will be considered a selfish man if I remain in PDP. Today in Etsako, I am proud that we have seen development and I want that development to continue when Shuaibu becomes Deputy Governor” he stated.

  • Guber poll: APGA promises to build fashion village in Edo

    Guber poll: APGA promises to build fashion village in Edo

    Candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the September 10, governorship election, in Edo State, Mr. Osaro Onaiwu, has promised members of the Tailors and Fashion Design Association (TAFDAN) that he would build a fashion village in the state if elected as governor.

    This promise is coming 24 hours after tailors in the state threatened to pull support from the All Progressives Congress (APC) over unfulfilled promises by Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

    Onaiwu who was the former Director General of the PDP Governors’ Forum said the fashion village would be equipped with all necessary infrastructures for the fashion industry to attract more investors to Edo State.

    He said his intention is to create a better business environment for the textile and Fashion industry to excel.

    In a press statement issued yesterday in Benin City, Onaiwu said his administration would also focus on employable education whereby everyone trained in any vocation is gainfully employed before finishing the formal  training.

    Onaiwu enjoined all eligible voters in the state not to mortgage their future for temporary frivolous gifts from selfish politicians who do not have their wellbeing at heart.

  • ‘Nigeria’s economy is destination of choice’

    Chairman of Presco Plc., Mr. Pierre Vandebeeck, has said that the resilience and robustness of the Nigerian economy makes it the destination of choice for investors despite increased challenges experienced by the business environment in 2015.

    Vandebeeck said the company’s newest project tagged “Sakponba Project” would create at least additional 2500 jobs for the unemployed.

    He said the “Sakponba Project” would made the company the biggest Palm and rubber industry in Nigeria and West Africa as well as helped to developing Nigeria’s
    economy.

    Vandabeeck stated this at the company’s 23rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) while presenting the company’s financial report to the shareholders.

    He announced a profit of N2.231bn after tax for the year 2015.

    The Presco boss proposed 100 kobo per share which he said amounts to N1bn for  shareholders approval subject to withholding tax at the appropriate rate.

    Vandebeeck said the company’s turnover for the year 2015 was N10.448bn as against N9.138bn recorded in the previous year.

    His words, “The performance of the year 2015 is very good. We achieved a fresh fruit production of 176,477 tons.

    “We are sailing in the right direction, making progress in all facet of our business and continually pushing forward in all fronts to sustain and further enhance our leadership position in our industry.

    “2016 will see further expansion in our oil palm plantation hectarage, additional investments in processing facilities and support infrastructure and commencement of development in the 14,000 hectare new project site in Orhionmwon”.

    The shareholders however approved the dividend of 100 kobo per share.

    Speaking on behalf of the company’s shareholders, Bishop Goodluck Akpore praised the management for their magnanimity towards shareholders and called on government to invest in the company.

    Bishop Akpore said the company which has employed over 3500 workers in the country has helped to strengthen the economy and also assisted
    Nigerians who are willing to invest in farming.

  • Man jailed for stealing stabilizer

    An unrepentant thief, Blessing Obazuwa, who previously served two years jail term, has been jailed again for stealing a 500 KVA stabilizer.

    Blessing, aged 40, was jailed by an Evboriaria Magistrates sitting in Benin City.

    Presiding Magistrate, Mrs Esther Aimofumhe, said the accused person was not ready to change his lifestyle and repent after spending time in prison.

    Police Prosecutor, Inspector Violet Soyemi said the accused person committed the offence at No 21, Nova Road, Ugbowo in Egor local government.

    Inspector Soyemi informed the court that the accused person was found at her residence of one David Osaghae and stole one stabilizer valued at N35,000.

    Soyemi said the accused person was found with a knife with intent to commit felony and when arrested, confessed to the crime

    Blessing who pleaded guilty to the crime admitted the exhibits, but plead for leniency.

    The Presiding Magistrate, however, sentenced the accused person to six months imprisonment with an option fine of N50,000 in count 1, and one year imprisonment in court 11 with an option fine of N50,000

  • Edo 2016: Popular Edo musician emerges UPP candidate 

    A social critic and popular musician, Adviser Shedrack Nowamagbe, has emerged the candidate of the United Progressive Party (UPP) for the September 10 governorship election in Edo State.
    Adviser Nowamagbe garnered 327 votes to clinch the party’s ticket.
    He was the sole aspirant for the election after two other aspirants stepped down from the race.
    Members of the party however voted after accreditation that was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
    Out of the 339 party members the were accredited to vote, four voted no to Nowamagbe aspiration while eight declined to vote.
    Chairman of the UPP electoral committee, Oguehi Dike, urged the party members to be steadfast and resolute in their bid to form the new government in Edo State
    In his acceptance speech, Nowamagbe said he has shamed his critic who described him as an illiterate.
    Nowamagbe promised to lead the campaign that would ensure victory for the party during the polls.
    He said he does not have money to share but that he would provide real democratic dividends.
    His words, “I am overwhelmed. You can now see that musicians are illiterates as people believed.
    “When I told people about my dream, they asked me whether I was going to pla music in government house. I have the name and we will be victorious.”
  • Oshiomhole, lawmakers clash over tenure of council chairmen

    Oshiomhole, lawmakers clash over tenure of council chairmen

    The Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole and lawmakers in the Edo State House of Assembly on Wednesday clashed over resolution that lawmakers should hand over to Heads of Local Government Administration.

    It will be recalled that the tenure of elected council officials will end on Thursday.

    Governor Oshiomhole however described the resolution as inappropriate and unacceptable.

    Oshiomhole in a letter read during plenary accused the lawmakers of usurping power of the executive.

    The letter reads: “My attention has been drawn to the resolution of the house directives asking local government chairmen to hand over administration on April 21, 2016.

    “The resolution is a usurpation of the powers of the executive. The house does not have the power to give such directives

    “I have already directed the local government chairmen to submit their handing over the note and transmit such to the office of the governor.”

    Lawmakers who spoke expressed disappointment with the content of the letter.

    They stated they acted within the ambit of the law and the powers conferred on the assembly by section 4,6 and 7 of the 1999 constitution as amended and section 10 (1) of the local government law 2000 as amended.

    Kabiru Adjoto, the member representing (APC Akoko-Edo) constituency, said the letter amounts to executive rascality.

    Adjoto said the lawmakers  derived their powers from the  constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Mr Speaker, I want to state clearly that the house has the powers to make laws for the state and any other matter not included in the exclusion list.

    “We did not dissolve the councils, what we did was to remind them that their tenure expires on Thursday, April 21, 2016 and directed them to hand over administration to their various heads of local government  as there can be no vacuum in government.

    “I want to move that the Attorney General and commissioner for Justice, Henry Idahagbon be invited to explain why he has misinformed the governor on constitutional matters,” Adjoto said.

    Speaker Victor Edoror said the house resolution directing the council chairmen to hand over administration to their HOS at the expiration of their tenure stands.

    Edoror also summoned the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to appear before the house on Tuesday, April 26.

  • Man killed after false alarm of N8000 theft

    Man killed after false alarm of N8000 theft

    A 56-year old man identified as Bernard Ikuenobe has been mobbed to death over an alleged false alarm that he duped a lady to the tune of N8,000.

    Bernard, a driver, was said to be going to work when he was accosted by the lady identified as Joy Iyere at Owegie Street off Ekewan road.

    The lady whose names were not given was said to have held him and raised an alarm that Bernard was a native doctor that duped her.

    Wife of the deceased, Patience, said she used to see her husband in her dreams every night because he was yet to be buried three months after he was killed.

    Patience narrated that the incident happened on January 2 and that she met her husband stone dead at a hospital where he was taken to by the police and the people that mobbed her.

    She stated that all efforts to bring her husband killers to justice have failed as according to her, the police has released three suspects arrested.

    According to her, “I see my husband everyday in my dream. They called my son to come and sign some papers for my husband to be buried but we suspected foul play.

    Her twin sister, Kehinde, who witnessed the killing, said she pleaded with the mob to leaver her in-law alone but her pleas fell on deaf ears.

    Kehinde stated that she was also beaten up and wounded while attempting to save the deceased.

    According to her, “They were more than 15 persons that used sticks and planks to beta my in-law to death. By the time they took him to the hospital, h easy already dead.”

    Counsel to the family, Ikuenobe Anthony, said they were waiting for legal advice from the DPP when the suspects’ lawyer secured bail for two of the suspect through the High Court.

    Barr. Ikuenobe, a cousin to the deceased, said the family rejected money brought by the suspects.

    Police spokesman, DSP Abiodun Osifo, said he was yet to get brief on the matter.

  • Two killed in Edo communal clash over mango

    Two persons have been killed and 40 houses burnt in a clash between two communities in Akoko-Edo local government.

    The two communities, Uneme-Ekpedo and Bekuma-Okpameri, had the fracas on Wednesday after some members quarreled over mango.

    It was gathered that four persons from Uneme-Ekpedo community went to a bush to pluck mangoes but one of them was killed by youths from Bekuma-Okpameri community who claimed the mango tree belonged to them.

    Peeved by the killing, youths from Uneme-Ekpedo were said to have mobilized and attacked Bekuma-Okpameri attacking residents and set houses ablaze.

    The palace of the traditional ruler of Bekuma-Okpameri, HRH Moses Alabi, was set ablaze.

    Persons injured in the attacked are now receiving treatment at an emergency camp at Lampese, a neighboring community.

    A source said, “As I am talking to you, there is nobody in Bekuma-Okpameri. It was unbelievable. The youths have completely sacked the community and residents are now camped in Lampese.”

    Edo State Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, confirmed the incident and said a fact finding police team has been sent to the community to arrest the perpetrators.

    Ezike added that the police held talks with the two traditional rulers.

  • Benin Crowned Prince confers titles on wives

    Crowned Prince of Benin kingdom and Edaiken N’ Uselu, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, on Thursday conferred titles on his three wives also known as the Oloi N’ Erie.

    The conferment of titles was part of the on-going 14 days Iyan-Ehien rites being performed by Prince Erediauwa.

    Iyan-Ehien is supervised by the Ogbe group under the leadership of Ihama N’ Ogbe.

    It is the highest level of chieftaincy rites which served as a gateway for high spiritual attainment.

    Palace chiefs that performed the Iyan-Ehien are accorded special respect.

    The titles were conferred on Prince Erediauwa’s wives at his Palace at Uselu in Egor Local Government at a well attended ceremony.

    First wife of Crown Prince, Princess Iroghama was named the Obazuaye N’ Erie, second wife, Princess Iyayiota was named the Obazuwa N’ Erie while the third wife, Princess Ikpakpa was named the Ohe N’ Erie.

    Chief Osagie Utetenegiabe, the Obadagbonyi of Benin announced the titles to the crowd after a colorful cultural display.

    The Crown Prince was accompanied by his wives.

    Members of the Isekhuen group were present at the occasion.