The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oshiomhole

  • AFCON:Commercial sex workers offer free services in Benin

    AFCON:Commercial sex workers offer free services in Benin

    Commercial sex workers in Benin City on Sunday night offered free services to any man that came their way as part celebrations marking Super Eagles’ victory at the just concluded African Nations Cup in South Africa.

    Many of the sex workers in Ugbague, Dawson road near Felona Hotel and Wire Road told our correspondent that the Eagles victory had given them “happiness.”

    In the hotel shout of “up Super Eagles” rented the air.

    “See Mr. Journalists, if you want sex, I will give you for free because our guys in Super Eagles today are my men. If Victor Moses, Sunday Mba and others are here today, I will have offered them free service.

    “Oga, reporter, am an Igbo woman, the guy that scored the goal for Nigeria is my brother, if see him, I will service him specially, or can you link me up.

    “Since the Super Eagles players are not here for us to be offered free services, any of our customers that come will benefit from these services.”

    Also on Sunday, two people were reportedly killed by vehicle while celebrating Nigeria’s triumph in the tournament.

    The victims were killed opposite a brothel in the Edo State capital by an Opel Omega, said to be on high speed.

    The men, according to one of their friend, who simply identified himself as Samson, said that they all left the hotel to cross to the other side of the road when the vehicle ran over the victims, killing them on the spot.

    Meanwhile, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has congratulated the Super Eagles on their victory at the tournament.

    In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, Oshiomhole said “the victory of the Eagles is a reflection of the can-do spirit which makes Nigerians stand out anywhere in the World

     

  • Oshiomhole: The man Nigeria needs

    Oshiomhole: The man Nigeria needs

    I am deeply convinced that this piece will generate a lot of dust, especially from sections of the country who believe it’s their turn to occupy the presidential villa. However, I owe nobody or group of persons or any section no apologies. As a free born citizen and a full-blooded Nigerian at that, I have the right to hold and express opinions  on any issue, it may not be palatable to the other party. Aside the constitutional backing, its part of the fundamental human rights.  The presidency is an issue that concerns us as a people bounded by a common destiny. So, we must start discussing it now; put the possible materials in one basket for proper assessment before the year 2015.

    In fact, I am happy that the foot soldiers of President Goodluck Jonathan kick started the campaign in Abuja early this month with the posters of their principal littering the entire landscape of the city, the feeble denial of the Presidency notwithstanding. As a trade unionist cum journalist of over two decades, I will not beg the issue, rather, I will say it the way I feel and strongly believe it is. If we must get to the Promised Land and stand tall in the comity of nations, we need a leader with very  strong character, detribalised, a   moderate, not a religious bigot or a fundamentalist, a bridge builder who sees Nigeria as his constituency, etc. Without mincing words, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole perfectly fits into this mould. A hard core trade unionist of great repute whose popularity resonates beyond the shores of this country. This political strategist and master negotiator who led a unified labour movement at  a very critical time in the history of this great country and left  unblemished, is the one  we  need. The Nigerian work force, a critical segment of the voting population placed their trust in this man and he did not disappoint them.

    This comrade can be the Lech Walesa or the Lula da Silva of Nigeria. Walesa, a Nobel Prize winner was the foremost charismatic trade unionist in Poland who successfully steered the labour movement in that country, becoming a thorn in the flesh of the Soviets. This dissident union activist  later won a popular vote in the 1990 presidential election to become the second president to rule the former communist country.  Lula da Silva on his part led the worker’s party in Brazil and eventually became a two term president of the country having been elected in 2002 and in 2006. He served his country meritoriously till December 2010. Today, Silva is about the most popular politician in that Latin American country. These can be replicated here in Nigeria if majority of us resolve that enough is enough and invest in this selfless comrade come 2015. Electoral investment in Oshiomhole is a worthy and highly rewarding one. The Edo example is a test case. The people invested in him heavily, today, they are reaping the gains of that investment. The gains are simply overwhelming. Edo will never be the same again after the exit of this human dynamo who came at the right time to salvage our dear state. Comparatively, Nigeria is at the critical state  akin to where  Edo pitiably found herself before the coming of Oshiomhole in November  2008 .

    Despite his radicalism and a no-nonsense disposition, Oshiomhole is seen as a strong political brand across the country. Born in Edo, South -South region and lived all his working life in Kaduna, North West region, he speaks Yoruba and Hausa, two of the three major languages in the country. He is by all standard , a religious moderate and about the only governor across the country who appoints non indigenes into very sensitive positions in government. The late Olaitan Oyerinde, an Osun State indigene, was his Principal Private Secretary until his brutal murder in July 2012. He appointed Comrade Yakub, from the core north to replace him. Only last week, he announced a retired army major, Ondo State indigene, Lawrence Oloye, as a permanent secretary in the Ministry of Environment.  The man who heads the youth and students affairs arm, a Senior Special Assistant, SSA, Comrade Musa  Alechenu, is from Otukpo in Benue State. These are just samplers of the kind of leadership  Nigerians desire. Oshiomhole is one  leader who abhors   nepotism, tribalism and all other primordial vestiges that tend to stagnate us as a people. Fully convinced that he was doing the right thing as a leader, Oshiomhole closed his hears to the barrage of criticisms and protests that greeted those actions.

    On what platform is this Oshiomhole presidency realisable? Again, I will say categorically that for now, nowhere other than the rampaging Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.   I said for now, because politics is dynamic and highly fluid.

    I believe it’s high time we did away with tribal politics. The ACN has risen above a mere tribal party to a truly national and robust political party. A party that won senatorial seats in Anambra and Benue States aside other legislative offices cannot be tagged a tribal party.   About 15 unbroken years of our democratic governance, tribalism should have no place in our political lexicon; rather, we should be discussing and scouting for the best candidate to lead us as a nation. It is either now or never.

    • Musa is a Benin – based Public Affairs Analyst.

     

  • Why I appointed Loye, by Oshiomhole

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said the appointment of Major Lawrence Loye (rtd) as Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Environment was to jolt the Civil Service.

    The governor spoke yesterday at Loye’s swearing-in.

    “The appointment is deliberate; it is the most potent indication of the fact that it is no longer business as usual.

    “For us to take Edo to the next level, we cannot use outdated tools.

    “It is now business unusual. It is not how close to the governor that will determine the position you hold, but your competence,” he said.

    Oshiomhole said Loye’s appointment has shown that Nigeria is one.

    “Though he is not an Edo man, he has shown by his action and conduct that he is a full blooded Edo man.

    “Those who are aware of the changes in the state know that Loye has been a change agent, beginning with Akpakpava Road, Airport Road, Siluko Road and other roads within the state.

    “Ordinarily, this is the responsibility of the Ministry of Lands and Survey.

    “ The ministry knows what constitutes the right of way, it knows what an illegal structure is, but it also chose to look the other way when the structures were being put in place.

    “I had to sidetrack the Ministry of Lands to bring in a Major who has no knowledge of land matters to try to enforce the right of way and to clean up those illegal structures.

    “Those who said it was not possible to expand Akpakpava Road are now driving through the road, courtesy of the Major and I,” he added.

    The governor said this is part of the difficult decisions he had to take going outside the civil service to appoint Loye.

    The governor assured civil servants that they have nothing to be afraid of.

    “I am a contract worker who has less than four years to go. Therefore, I need men and women who are as impatient as me to take Edo to the next level.

    “I went to the Oba Ovoranmwene Square this morning, and I saw some broken bottles which constitute health risk to our children , yet it is the duty of a director in the Ministry of Environment to get that place clean.

    “Edo State won’t wait for anyone; since workers at the ministry are not ready to change, we will board the train and leave them at the station.”

    The governor urged the permanent secretary to obey the rules guiding the Service.

     

  • VIDEO: Police murdered Oyerinde — Oshiomhole

    VIDEO: Police murdered Oyerinde — Oshiomhole

  • Oshiomhole: Nigeria ‘ll surmount its challenges

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday said despite the challenges confronting Nigeria, it would emerge a stronger nation.

    Speaking in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government, at the 16th Auchi Day celebration, he said the challenges facing the country are being experienced by other nations.

    Said he: All nations have their problems. I’m confident that Nigeria will fulfill its mission on this planet. We may have some challenges, but we won’t fix them by lamenting our fate.

    “I plead that the leaders resist temptations to say anything that will give the young ones the wrong impression that all hope is lost. Our task as religious leaders and royal fathers is to enlighten our people.

    “The challenge of building a great country is not easy, but we must do a soul searching and pray to God to guide our hearts and thoughts and channel our energies to make the country work.”

    The governor said the Auchi-Aviele Road built by his administration has been completed and that it would decongest traffic at the Auchi Polytechnic on the Okene-Benin Federal Highway.

    He hailed the Otaru of Auchi for his support during his second term re-election bid, promising that the government would consult, interact and ensure that the resources of the state are managed to touch the lives of the people.

    Governor Oshiomhole assured that the government would work with the traditional rulers, adding: “The least obligation I have to the Edo State people is to leave the state more united than I met it.”

     

  • Why we retired perm sec, by Oshiomhole

    •Commissioners to be named in Feb

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday explained why the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment was retired.

    He said the retired permanent secretary hired out the Kings Square premises to a multinational company for 31 days at a “ridiculous rate of N300,000.”

    The governor spoke at a meeting with permanent secretaries at the Government House, Benin City.

    He urged them to reflect on the challenges of providing good governance in the state.

    Oshiomhole said commissioners would be appointed next month.

    He said permanent secretaries would be accounting officers of their ministries until the appointment of commissioners.

    “I have a duty and obligation to explain why we had to retire the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Environment.

    “I hope that this will guide you on how you manage your own ministries.

    “We are all at the mercy of the Edo people and we would have our jobs secured to the extent that we are able to manage our portfolios in a way our people get maximum benefit.

    “The cost to government maintaining the facility at that square, the salary we pay, the overhead expenditure we have to incur is far in excess of that, which means the government will be subsidising a private multinational.

    “They took over that facility and generated so much waste.

    “I was told that the firm will clear the waste but the firm claimed it paid N20, 000 to clean the waste but the ministry insists it was N200, 000 it paid for 31 days and that translates to about N6, 000 a day to manage the waste generated.”

    The governor said Benin City is still dirty despite the huge investment made to beautify the place.

    “Going round in Benin City you will agree that in spite of all investments we have made, the city has remained substantially unclean.

    “We have refuse in so many places, our walk ways have been taken over by all manner of persons, people are parking vehicles on the roads we have expanded thereby denying our people free-flow of traffic.

    “I have even seen people converting highway to permanent garage where they sell vehicles and you find things such as vehicle for sale as if we have expanded the road to serve as a permanent motor park.

    “Public places like the Oba Ovonranwen Square has been turned to refuse dumps and across the state the markets are dirty.

    “I have met with officials of the ministry of environment to take their job a little more seriously,”

    “We cannot get good governance if the civil service is not ready to play its part .

    “ You are to ensure that government policies are executed, you are responsible for the formulation of agreements, MoUs and to ensure they are also implemented.

    “This year, we cannot do things exactly the way we did them in the past.

    “ We must revisit our attitude to work and take the state as their own by doing their best to keep the state going,” he added.

  • Edo: Why Airhiavbere can’t challenge my qualification – Oshiomhole

    Edo: Why Airhiavbere can’t challenge my qualification – Oshiomhole

    Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Monday explained why the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Charles Airhiavbere cannot challenge his educational qualification.

    Oshiomhole said Airhiavbere lost the opportunity to do because it is not contained as a ground in his (Airhiavbere) petition against his victory.

    Since he did not specifically raise the issue, the governor said the apex court should not allow the petitioner to ambush him by raising the issue in his argument.

    Oshiomhole spoke through his legal team led by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) at the hearing of his appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Benin, Edo, which ordered fresh hearing of Airhiavbere’s petition.

    On the governor’s legal team are Ricky Tarfa (SAN), Niyi Akintola (SAN), Femi Falana (SAN), Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN).

    Adopting his written address, Olanipekun said there was no basis for the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

    According to him, the petitioner grounded his petition on corrupt practice and none compliance with the Electoral Act 2010, but not on Oshiomhole’s non qualification.

    Besides, he berated the petitioner/respondent for asking the tribunal to declare him as the winner of the election after claiming that the election was invalid.

    He wondered why Airhiavbere wants to benefit from an exercise he claimed was fraudulent.

    Olanipekun pointed out that the Respondent is challenging results in only five of the 18 local governments.

    Responding, counsel to Airhiavbere, Chief Efe Akpofure (SAN) asked the court to dismiss the appeal and affirm the judgment of the lower court.

     

     

  • Oshiomhole: follow Christ

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has urged the Christian faithful to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ by doing good to all.

    In his Christmas message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, Governor Oshiomhole said: “The faithful should use the Christmas season to show love and do good to all men, as the progenitor of the faith did over 2000 years ago.

    “As we celebrate with family and friends, we should not forget the teaching of Jesus Christ in Matthew 22:39 to love our neighbours as ourselves.

    “The message in this teaching should not be lost as it would heal our nation of her woes if imbibed by all.

    “As a state, this is an opportunity for us to sober-reflect on our journey thus far. It is an opportunity for us to ask at the individual level the salient question: ‘what impact have I made towards the growth of our state.’

    “As we celebrate, we should not forget the less-privileged in the society by extending a hand of love to them.

    “I salute the Christian community for their continued peaceful co-existence with people of other religions and for their continued prayers and support.

    “I wish all faithful a Merry Christmas.”

     

  • Oshiomhole advises politicians

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has urged politicians to see their foray in politics as service to the people.

    The governor said politicians must fulfil their electoral promises to the people.

    Oshiomhole spoke yesterday at Jattu, Etsako West Local Government, at the opening of a market built by the Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, Philips Shaibu.

    He said promises are like bonds between the governed and the politicians, which must be honoured.

    The governor said some politicians alienate themselves from the people after securing their mandate.

    Oshiomhole hailed Shuaibu for building projects that impact positively on the lives of his constituents.

     

  • Oshiomhole signs 2013 budget

    Oshiomhole signs 2013 budget

    Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomole, on Friday, signed the N149.5 billion Appropriation Bill for 2013 into law.

    Oshiomhole, who commended the leadership of the House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the bill, said the lawmakers’ alteration of the original estimate added value to the final approval.

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalled that the governor, in November, presented a budget estimate of N150.45 billion to the house for consideration and approval.

    “We acknowledge that the Assembly scrutinised and altered the original document because what I am signing is exactly not the same document we proposed to the House.

    “I will say that it is a clear demonstration of the essence of separation of powers and that the document is in fact much better.

    “It also goes to show that the Assembly is not a rubber stamp but one that has added value to the original proposal,’’ he said.

    Oshiomole added that the quick passage would enable his administration commence infrastructure development, especially road construction in 2013.

    “With the passage, the executive will have no excuse not to commence work in earnest in 2013.

    “And the challenge for us now, is to be a little more aggressive to realise the revenue projection aspect of the budget,” he said

    Aside the federal allocation, the governor explained that the state government should be able to improve drastically its local revenue generation profile through the land use charge.

    Oshiomole assured the House leadership that the administration would not disappoint the people as government would intervene in all sectors of the economy.

    “After four years, we will now work at a faster pace to achieve greater level of efficiency and cut that level of wastages for the people to get quality value for their money,’’ he said.