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Tag: Oshiomhole

  • Oshiomhole’s local govt chair buried

    •Auchi Poly students protest council chief’s ill-health
    •SUG president suspended over protest

    The Chairman of Estako West Local Government Area of Edo State, Chief Hassan Kadiri, who died on Friday in a hospital in Benin, the state capital, has been buried.

    He was buried at 5pm on  Friday in Auchi, headquarters of the local government, according to Islamic rites.

    Hassan was the second local government chairman who died in office in the last two years.

    The late council chief was a lawyer, politician, businessman and chief in Auchi Kingdom.

    He had reportedly been battling cancer three months after he was sworn in.

    Some youths in the local government staged a peaceful protest, calling for Kadiri’s resignation because of his deteriorating health.

    It was learnt that some of the protesters, believed to be students of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, were arrested.

    There is confusion over the fate of the local government’s Vice Chairman, Idaro Mohammend Alasa.

    The vice chairman was said to have fled the scene of the protest when supporters of the late Kadiri almost lynched him on the suspicion that he sponsored the protest.

    Some All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains in Auchi are said to have begun moves to prevent Idaro from becoming the local government’s chairman.

    A close ally of Idaro said the Vice Chairman was not allowed to perform any role whenever the late Hassan travelled for medical treatment.

    Also, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) President of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Mr Sani Kasil Abdulqadiri, has been suspended by the institution’s management for allegedly leading a protest at the Estako West Local Government Area.

    The protesters stormed the secretariat, demanding Kadiri’s removal for his deteriorating health.

    Hassan died last Friday, few hours after the protest.

    Security agents chased the protesters away and arrested eight of them.

  • My wife is not a beauty model, says Oshiomhole

    My wife is not a beauty model, says Oshiomhole

    do State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said his wife, Iara, is not a beauty model but a model in his heart.

    The governor said his new wife is not a replacement for his late wife, Clara, who he described as irreplaceable.

    At a thanksgiving yesterday at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Auchi, he debunked reports that his wife is a “top model”.

    Oshiomhole said the speculation might have been generated from her poise and beauty.

    He said: “When I read newspaper stories and they say that Comrade has married a ‘top model’, I’m like maybe it’s another person.

    “The lady that God has directed to my path and heart to marry is not and was not a model. Of course, she looks beautiful and I understand that that is why people assume that this kind of a lady must be a model. But, of course, she is a model in my heart.

    “We hope and pray that we will be models in the heart of our God and I think that is the most important thing.”

    The governor urged the congregation to keep supporting him and his wife in prayer.

    He said: “I ask you to please continue to pray for us. It is not easy. I lost my first wife and it is not possible to replace her. Yes, I have married another but it is not a replacement. You cannot replace a wife, especially one you married when you were young and anonymous. Nobody knew you from anywhere; you had nothing, no car, no house. But now, …I understand that under the Catholic doctrine, I am entitled to have another wife, which is what I am trying to do.

    “Thank you for your prayers, support and blessings that you have always showered on me and the one you conveyed this morning on me and my new wife. We ask for more and more prayers that this marriage will be my last and that God will help us to unite us and bond us together with the blood of Jesus.”

  • My late wife is irreplaceable, says Oshiomhole

    My late wife is irreplaceable, says Oshiomhole

    Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has said his new wife, Iara is not a replacement for his late wife, Clara whom he said is irreplaceable.

    He spoke at his marriage Thanksgiving Mass held at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Auchi on Sunday.

    Oshiomhole appealed to the congregation to keep supporting him and his new wife in prayer saying “ It is not easy.”

    ” I lost my first wife and it is not possible to replace her. Yes, I have married another but it is not a replacement. You cannot replace a wife especially one you married when you were young and you were anonymous.

    ” Nobody knew you from anywhere, you had nothing, no car, no house; now, that you can never replace but I understand that under the Catholic doctrine I am entitled to have another wife which is what I am trying to do.

    “Thank you for your prayers, support and blessings that you have always showered on me and the one you conveyed this morning on me and my new wife and we ask for more and more prayers that this marriage will be my last and that God will help us, to unite us and bond us together with the blood of Jesus,” he said.

    Oshiomhole debunked reports that his wife is a ‘top model’ saying the speculation might have been generated from her poise and beauty.
    “When I read newspaper stories and they say that Comrade has married a ‘top model’ I’m like maybe it’s another person.

    “The lady that God has directed to my path and heart to marry is not and was not a model. Of course, she looks beautiful and I understand that is why people assume that this kind of a lady must be a model but of course, she is a model in my heart and we hope and pray that we will be models in the heart of our God and I think that is the most important thing”.

    In a homily entitled, “Communicate the truth in Christ”, the Parish Priest of the Immaculate Concpetion Cathedral, Auchi, Rev.

    r. Valentine Anavbeokhai urged Christians to eschew misrepresenting or twisting the truth in their daily communication saying we all have a duty and obligation to speak the truth, live the truth and if the need arises, to die for the truth.

    He also used the opportunity to congratulate the Comrade Governor and his new wife on the success of their marriage and prayed for God’s peace and blessing on them.

  • Oshiomhole: I can do what young people do

    Oshiomhole: I can do what young people do

    Barely 24 hours after he wedded former Miss Iara Fortes, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole Saturday participated in the annual 10 kilometers Okpekpe road race.

    The governor who completed the 10 kilometer race under the VIP category was joined by Chief Mike Ozekhome, Chief Oseni Elamah, Nollywood artistes and other dignitaries.

    In his speech after the race, Oshiomhole said he worked very hard to ensure he emerged winner of the race.

    “I worked hard but was not successful. To do 10 kilometers after the wedding assured me that I am capable and strong to what young people can do”

    Oshiomhole urged businessmen to key into his administration’s rural development by setting up cottage industries, hotels and amusement parks in Okpekpe community in Etsako East local government area in order to boost the economic potentials of the community.

    “I am excited that Okpekpe community is not only now at the world map but people from various part of the world of various countries and various continent are now participating actively in what is now known as the Okpekpe annual 10km road race. I am informed that in this year we have more participants than the previous years and by logic we expect that more and more people will participate.

    “This is one practical way to remind all of us that there is life outside urban cities and that the real Nigerians, the forgotten majority are in our rural communities.

    “I am satisfied that part of the objectives of our rural development policies have been achieved by the growing interest that this competition is trying to attract but i will be even more fulfilled if our industrialists, bankers and investors can provide by complementing this efforts by setting up cottage industries and other business activities. That is the only way we can increase the prosperity of our rural people.”

    “For all us of that participated in this competition you will observe the beautiful scenery, greens all over the place, beautiful valleys, lovely hills you will think that you are in San Francisco. And I think for those who are involved in the entertainment industry there is no better place now to locate a befitting hotel for people who want comfort and quite neighbourhood to have a weekend outside the busying cities and polluted environment that we have in our urban areas.”

    The Okpekpe road race marathon competition which commenced in May 2013 has been dominantly won by athletics from Kenya, Ethiopia for male and female categories.

  • Buhari, Gowon, Tinubu, Dangote, governors honour Oshiomhole as he remarries five years after

    Buhari, Gowon, Tinubu, Dangote, governors honour Oshiomhole as he remarries five years after

    The President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, governors and several top dignitaries , yesterday trooped out to honour Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, as he said ‘I do’ to former Miss Iara Fortes, five years after losing wife, Clara, to breast cancer.

    The wedding, which was previously scheduled to hold at the Auchi Marriage Registry, was shifted to the country home residence of Governor Oshiomhole.

    Few friends and family members witnessed the joining together of the couple.

    Oshiomhole, who was dressed in a black suit, decked with bow tie, announced that his new wife “is the mother of the house”.

    Iara, a lawyer and top model, hails from the Cape Verde Islands.

    The couple stepped out at about 12:20pm to the Peoples’ Hall venue of the reception for the wedding.

    Commercial motor-cyclists, popularly called Okada, made brisk business as they upped their fares from N200 to between N300 and N500 to take guests from Auchi to Iyamho village, Oshiomhole’s hometown.

    The wedding caused heavy vehicular traffic along the Benin-Auchi express road owing to the dignitaries that graced the wedding.

    Top dignitaries that graced the occasion included the President-elect, Mohammadu Buhari and his wife, Aisha Buhari; Vice President elect, Yemi Osibanjo; Governor-elect of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai; National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State; Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State; Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu and his wife, Endurance; former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi; former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon; Speaker Aminu Tambuwal; former Minister of External Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi; Hon Pally Iriase and Hon Samson Osagie.

    Others are the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Governors and Governors-elect from across the country, Senators Bukola Saraki, Domingo Obende, Chris Ngige and many other dignitaries.

    Captains of Industries, who were led by to the ceremony by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, included Mr Jim Ovia, Femi Otedola, Captain Noggie Meggisson and Captain Hosa Okunbor among others.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, former Governors Kayode Fayemi, Oserheimen Osunbor, Senator Tunde Ogbeha; Osaigbovo Ogbemudia and Otunba Niyi Adebayo were also in attendance.

    Top military brass, including Brigadier-General MJ Abel, Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Auchi, the Director-General of the State Security, represented by Engr Joseph Oworuya, Mr Bello Bakori and the Director, SSS, Edo State, were also at the ceremony.

    Royal fathers were not left out, as they attended the ceremony in their numbers.

    The Oba of Benin was represented by high ranking palace chiefs, which included Chief David Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin Kingdom.

    Oshiomhole described his new wife as very humble.

    He said: “This is something that one is happy about. One is also happy that I have people across all political divides. The occasion reminds me that across all divides, we have friends and well wishers.”

    “She is very humble, she appreciates the nature of my work and life. She understands that one comes back home late, sometimes at 3 am. She understands my weaknesses, and she is moreorless the mother of the house, the one that has accepted to be the mother of my children. I am happy that all my children are at home with her and accept her as their mother. Even though she is not old enough to be their mother, she has accepted to fill that gap.

    “I have seen a lot of publications, some saying she is Filipino, Dutch and others. But she is from Cape Verde, which is part of West Africa and I hope that put to rest where she is from.”

    Aisha Buhari in her speech, prayed for God’s guidance as “she becomes a Nigerian”

    Chairman of the occasion, Gowon described the day as a special one and urged the couple to live as one.

  • Glitz, glamour as Oshiomhole weds Iara

    Glitz, glamour as Oshiomhole weds Iara

    It was glitz, glamour and a list of who is who in the country as Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Friday, exchanged marital vows with his heartthrob, former Miss Iara Fortes.

    The Governor and his bride had signed the dotted lines at a private marriage registry attended only by family and a few friends at his Iyamho residence after which top dignitaries in the country, were led by the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari to the wedding reception held at the People’s White Hall  in the Governor’s country home.

    Among other top dignitaries who also graced the ceremony were the Vice President-elect, Prof Yemi Osinbajo and his wife Dolapo.

    APC chieftains were led by its National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Governors and Governors-elect across the country, Senators Bukola Saraki, Domingo Obende and a host of others and Senators-elect from across the country were also in attendance. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Bello Tambuwal led members of the House of Representatives and incoming ones to the wedding reception.

    Captains of Industry who were led by to the ceremony by Alhaji Aliko Dangote included Mr Jim Ovia, Femi Otedola, Captain Noggie Meggisson, Captain Hosa Okunbor,  among others.

    Royal fathers were not left out as the attended the ceremony in their numbers.

    The Oba of Benin was represented by high ranking palace chiefs, which included Chief David Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin Kingdom.

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, former Governors Kayode Fayemi, Oserheimen Osunbor, Senator Tunde Ogbeha; Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, Otunba Niyi Adebayo were also in attendance.

    Top military brass including Brigadier-General MJ Abel, Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Auchi were also in attendance. The Director-General of the State Security was represented by Engr Joseph Oworuya, while Mr Bello Bakori, Director, SSS Edo State was also at the ceremony.

    Parents of the bride, Mr and Mrs Fortes flew in from their home in the Netherlands to attend the ceremony while the Governor’s mother, Hajia Aishetu Oshiomhole was also in attendance.

    The Governor’s children Steve, Adams, Jane and two of his grandchildren were also on hand to show love and support for their father and his wife.

    The Governor’s marriage is coming about five years after the painful death of his first wife, Clara Oshiomhole, following a protracted battle with cancer.

    The delectable Iara, a lawyer by profession and top model, is from the Cape Verde Islands.

    The chairman of the ceremony, General Yakubu Gowon said the Governor’s wife completes and complements him and he admonished the couple to show true love and have patience in their dealings with one another.

  • Photos: Oshiomhole remarries

    Photos: Oshiomhole remarries

    Oshiomhole and his wife Lara
    Oshiomhole and wife Lara

     

    Photo: Gov Adams Oshiomhole signing the marriage register
    Photo: Gov Adams Oshiomhole signing the marriage register
  • Oshiomhole to workers: Expect better life under Buhari

    Oshiomhole to workers: Expect better life under Buhari

    … Workers hold parallel rallies

    Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has assured workers in the state that better life awaits them during the in-coming administration of Gen. Mohammadu Buhari.

    Oshiomhole said the administration of Buhari would improve the economic fortune of states and local governments through reduction in oil theft and fight against corruption.

    The Governor said the fight against oil theft and corruption would translate to better life for workers and Nigerians in general.

    He spoke at the Edo State May Day rally held at the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

    Oshiomhole, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu, praised the workers for realizing their long desire for change at the national level.

    He said his administration has been paying salaries as at when due despite dwindling resources from the Federal Government.

    Some unions such as the Judiciary Workers Union of Nigeria and the National Union of Local Government Employees wore black to the rally to lament delay in the payment of their salaries.

    However, leadership crisis rocking the NLC deepened in Edo as another faction loyal to Joe Ajaero held a parallel May Day rally at the NTA Pavillion ground.

    The Ajaero NLC faction’s rally was attended by eight affiliates unions in Edo.

    The Chairman of the Ajaero faction in Edo, Comrade Eddy Ossai, said more unions would soon join the faction.

    He said Oshiomhole has taught them how to exist in the face of stiff opposition.

     

  • Oshiomhole: why national education policy must be reviewed

    Oshiomhole: why national education policy must be reviewed

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has called for a revisit of the national education policy to make it possible for the child of the poor to have the best quality learning.

    Oshiomhole, who noted that no Nigeria child should be denied admission to the nation’s best schools, said Oxford university had to revise its decision to only admit children of the elite by creating a quota to ensure a worker with basic intellect had admission into the university.

    The governor, who spoke at the 19th convocation ceremony of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma said the long-term challenge of funding the university could not depend on goodwill alone, but on looking inward.

    Oshiomhole, who wondered whether $200 being paid by an undergraduate per annum could deliver quality education, said the university had to seek more funding internally and externally.

    Making a veil explanation on why tuition fees in the institution would be increased, Oshiomhole said increased funding to the university has dwindled the state’s financial resources.

    He wondered why a parent could afford to send a child to a secondary school in Benin and pay N200,000 a year, but the same parent would have difficulty to paying N50,000 per annum at AAU.

    Oshiomhole queried the nation’s generalised system of subsidy, where the state government subsidises education for both the rich and the poor.

    He said: “To go forward, we must find courage to revisit those things we have taken for granted. There is some element of hypocrisy, which I see.

    “Those of us in the political class must recognise when we must find common voice to deal with issues that require courage and leadership and not the petty issues of the next elections. We must ask ourselves whether $200 a year can deliver quality education.

    “I have difficulties in understanding how a man can spend N1 million for his birthday and find it difficult to support his child’s education. Leaders must find courage to revisit some of these things. Nigeria cannot go on like that.”

    A total of 7,928 graduands were awarded first degrees and higher degrees.

    Founder of Believers Love World, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, who was to be honored with a degree of Doctor of Science, was absent.

    The university honoured the Esogban of Benin Kingdom, Chief David Edebiri, with Doctor of Letters degree and business mogul Chief Lee Ikpea with Doctor of Business Administration degree.

  • NLC faction angry with Oshiomhole

    NLC faction angry with Oshiomhole

    The Joe Ajaero-led faction of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed displeasure over comments credited Governor Adams Oshiomhole over the outcome of the rescheduled election of the labour movement.

      Ajaero, who addressed a news conference yesterday in Abuja, described Oshiomhole’s comments as “unhelpful, divisive and partial”.

    The governor had said on Monday that the rescheduled NLC election was transparent, free and fair.

    Oshiomhole spoke when he paid a solidarity visit to the NLC President, Dr Ayuba Wabba.

    He also advised members of the congress who were not happy with the outcome of the election to emulate President Goodluck Jonathan, who conceded defeat in the March 28 Presidential election.

    Ajaero said: “He gave a false impression of us as bad losers; it is interesting that Governor Oshiomhole urged us to emulate President Jonathan who conceded defeat in a free and fair presidential election.”

    Ajaero recalled that the Edo governor refused to concede defeated when he was rigged out during the governorship election in 2007.’’

    He said Oshiomhole’s acceptance of the NLC rescheduled election as transparent, free and fair was in contrast to the belief of other democrats.