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Tag: Oshiomhole

  • Oshiomhole’s classmate testifies at tribunal

    The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday opened its defence at the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin City.

    It presented a professor of Political Science at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Philip Enahoro Agbebaku, who told the tribunal that he was a classmate of Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the Blessed Martins Modern School, Jaittu.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Charles Airhiavbere, is challenging Oshiomhole’s victory in the July 14 governorship election for alleged electoral malpractices and lack of requisite academic qualification.

    Aigbebaku, who was cross examined by the governor’s counsel, Adeniyi Akintola, said: “I knew Oshiomhole in 1963 when we both entered St Blessed Martins Modern School, Jaittu, Uzairrue.

    “We were classmates between 1963 and 1965 when we completed that modern school and left. At that time, the governor was known as Adams Aliyu and I was known as Philip Sunday Agbebaku.

    “I later changed to Enahoro; it came from my parents. They gave it to me at birth. You know due to practices, you can decide to add or subtract some names.”

    He told the tribunal that Adams Aliyu is the same person as Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole.

    He was asked by Akintola to identify the governor which he did before the tribunal.

    When asked if the modern school certificate was equivalent to a school certificate, the don said: “As a product of that programme because myself as a product of that programme and others who also benefitted, got their certificate from that system we know what we are, the academic standing, the standard vis-à-vis the secondary school we have now”

    “It’s a personal opinion of the petitioner that Oshiomhole’s certificate is not equivalent to school certificate. Because, it’s not a business of an individual but the Ministry of Education and within that ministry there is a unit which deals with evaluation and looks at the course content and evaluate.”

    He added that Oshiomhole’s Diploma Programme was equivalent to university courses because of its course content.

  • We must revisit our revenue allocation formular, says Oshiomhole

    We must revisit our revenue allocation formular, says Oshiomhole

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday called for a revisit of the revenue sharing formular.

    The governor noted that the formular would enable states to develop according to their pace.

    He said it is illegal not to revisit the matter, 13 years after democracy was restored.

    Oshiomhole spoke in Nwaniba, Akwa Ibom State, during the Golden Jubilee lecture in honour of Governor Godswill Akpabio.

    He said: “We don’t need all the resources in Nigeria to revisit the revenue mobilisation formular. We must obey the Constitution, which says the revenue formular must be revisited every five years.

    “It is actually illegal that since 1999 – and it is now almost 13 years, in clear breach of the spirit and the letter of the Constitution – the revenue allocation formular has not been revisited. It has to be done.

    “I have argued even last week that Nigeria cannot continue the way it has been going. To service our diversity, we must revisit very quickly the revenue allocation formular. I think what Akpabio has done for the Committee of Governors is to make a bold statement and give the line to those who think that governors are in the states to share, steal.

    “Let them come to Akwa Ibom State and they will change their minds.

    “The truth is that even for the politics of national stability, we need to remove jargons, such as rotation, federal character and all those sentiments that the elites have beaten themselves with in our futile attempt to divert attention from our poverty of the brain, poverty of leadership, set brothers against brothers, Muslims against Christians. This is because they have nothing else to fill their brains with and fire their imagination.

    “If we remove resources from Abuja and leave it to maintain diplomats like the guest speaker today, maintain the Nigerian Army to defend the territorial integrity of our great nation, evolve sensible, time policies that ensure efficient customs that approve those policies, maintain diplomacy and provide all those things that untie us and challenge the state as the agent of development, the story of Nigeria would not be the same again.

    “The more resources we put in Abuja, we just have to revisit how we manage our national resources, so that different parts of the country can develop at their own pace. Those who want to sleep can continue to sleep, whenever they wake up will be their morning.”

    The chairman of the occasion, Justice Alfa Belgore (rtd), noted that if Nigeria should break, it would be the end of the black man in the world.

     

     

     

  • Land Use Charge not to victimise anyone, says Oshiomhole

    Land Use Charge not to victimise anyone, says Oshiomhole

    The Edo State Land Use Charge Law 2012 is not targeted at punishing the rich or poor, Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said.

    Addressing reporters after signing the law in Benin City, the Edo State capital, the governor said: “We will enforce the rule of law because no one is above the law. Government must continuously protect the weak and provide for them by taking from the rich to help the poor. This government will not victimise anybody. Tax laws are compulsory levies and not something you voluntarily buy into. No law is made at the convenience for anyone. That is why law is a leveller for all categories of persons. I have the trust of Edo people and I will not betray that trust.”

    If the rich must protect their investments and riches, he further said, they must pay their taxes and other levies that would help the government to provide the essential services that would make their investment safe.

    The law, according to him, is targeted at anyone who owns a house that occupies more than 100 by 100 square metres.

    “We understand that everybody uses land, but the amount of it that we use differs. That is why the law is targeted at the propertied class in order to help our poor population of people who are in the rural areas and urban slums. In places where you have family houses, rural settlers, the law will not apply to them. If you are like me, who has a modern structure or building, you will have to pay tax, because my house occupies more than 100m by 100m square metres”.

    He said the aim was to encourage those who use more land to pay for the government so that the government can cater for the greater population of our people who are predominantly poor, adding: “This is a pro-development law. I have seen and listened to commentators who have not read the law but are already condemning it. That is not the way to go about it.”

    He warned that anybody who flouts the law would be prosecuted. It is a criminal offence for you to evade taxes, the governor warned.

    He explained that the law provides for a consolidated approach to collection of levies and taxes or charges but has a proviso of exemption of certain categories of persons. For example, Section 9 subsections 1(a-i) specify clearly those who are exempted from the property tax. Such as properties owned and occupied by religious bodies, approved exclusively for religious worship or any other non-profit making religious education are exempted; ditto for public cemeteries, burial grounds, public libraries, palaces, and any other property exempted by the Governor through notice published in the State Government Official Gazette.

    Others exempted, he stated, are owner occupier residential property, which is 100metre by 100metre maximum in a non-choice area of an urban area, 100 metre by 100metre in a non-choice area in a rural setting, community property solely for community meetings, activities and events; owner occupier pensioner property and owner occupier of over 60 years old; and the last but not the least, family compound.

    He stressed that the exercise of the governor’s discretion over exemption would be guided by the reports of the assessors of any property to ensure that the right status is ascertained before any tax is imposed on it.

    The law, the Governor, said provides for a Tax Assessment Review Tribunal, which shall be set up pursuant to Section 46 of the Administrative Structure Law of Edo State.

    He said the Tribunal will have powers to summon any one to examine him, and require answers to any question, which it may deem fit to put concerning an appeal before it; and administer oaths and affirmations as well as enforce the production of all books and documents which it may consider necessary.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Public Affairs Prince Kassim Afegbua said the law is not what cynics are saying about it.

    According to him, the Governor means well for the people of the state because he wants to execute several development initiatives, which will have direct impact on the people.

    Rather than raise dust over the law where none exists, Afegbua counselled that the Governor should be applauded for coming up with a law that is on the side of the poor and vulnerable who are in greater number against the rich that have continued to be greatest exploiter of the goods and services of government.

    “If we must help the poor which is the motivation of the Governor, we must take from the rich and propertied class to bridge the gap of inequalities. Nobody is saying you cannot live in a choice building or an architectural derring-do, but you must be ready to pay the tax due for such a property. You can choose to build an archipelago and live to your comfort, but something has to go into government’s coffer who is the provider of the basic amenities, so that those amenities could remain running for the good of all”.

    Explaining why the law has to take effect immediately, Prince Afegbua stated that given the fact that revenue accruable to the state is on the decline, the governor had to look inwards to see how to generate legitimate revenue using appropriate legislation to do so.

    He added that it is such measures that have helped the state to attain its height. “You see, the government is not a popularity contest. It is a platform where the collective aspirations of the people are aggregated in a manner that the government sets its priority right to cater for a greater number against a privileged few,” Afegbua added.

  • Oshiomhole to open defence today

    Oshiomhole to open defence today

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole will today open his defence at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

    The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 14 election, Maj. Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, is challenging Oshiomhole’s victory on grounds that the governor lacks the educational qualification to contest the election.

    Airhiavbere is also alleging that the election was marred by irregularities.

    The petitioner closed his case last Thursday after presenting 22 witnesses.

    His application to call two more witnesses is pending before the Court of Appeal.

    Oshiomhole and other respondents have 10 days to call their witnesses.

     

  • ‘Oshiomhole will sustain tempo in Edo’

    ‘Oshiomhole will sustain tempo in Edo’

    Edo State Deputy Governor Dr Pius Odubu, in this interview with OSEMWENGIE BEN-OGBEMUDIA, reflects on the last governorship election in the state and why he and other politicians dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2006.

     

    How has it been working with Governor Adams Oshiomhole?

    They say the opposite attracts. So, we just blended very well and no matter the stoic picture you see of Mr Governor, he is a very simple human beings. It is very easy to get along with him; easy to work with because he believes in carrying everybody along. All of us have easy access to him, whether in the office or at home. So, whatever issues that were raised, you have direct access to him and you can discuss it with him. He is always engaging stakeholders in every issue, there will be arguments but at the end of the day consensus will be reached and that becomes the position of government. So, he is a wonderful human being, and very humorous as you know he is the one always referring me as a native doctor.

    We operate as brothers, he is my senior, both in governance and in age, but we joke a lot. I accord him the maximum respect because he deserves it. He is a man that means well for the state, he is a man that is consumed with the passion to deliver to the good people of Edo State. And indeed, I am one of those that would lead the campaign to have him drafted to the national politics at the end of his tenure as Governor. Because if we have a man like him at the national level, Nigeria will surely benefit from him and we will move forward.

    In the run-up to the 2007 general election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state was hit with a gale of defection and you were one of them. What happened then?

    You know my tenure in the House of Representatives ended in 2007. Suddenly, there was this talk about registration. Before we knew what was happening, some of us who were perceived to be of particular tendencies were branded disloyal. So when that came up, we were de-registered. And we all gravitated to a new political party. Let me quickly clear the air here, I was a legislator at the national level, I did not operate at the state level. I was a member of the Federal House of Reps so my business was business of making laws at the national level so I cannot be tied to whatever happened at the state at that time.

    Would you say the mass defection spelt doom for the PDP in the state?

    Without mentioning names, some of us were dissatisfied with the way the party was being run in the state. And coupled with the fact that we were de-registered, we just decided to move on. It is always better to be a born-again democrat than to die an anti- democrat. What we did was to come together, as like minds, and worked together with other like minded progressives in the state ably championed by the Comrade Governor. And here we are, you can see what is happening today in the state and today it is clear that this crop of leadership means well for the people of the state. You can see the difference in terms of development, in all aspects of human endeavour and today, Edo State has become a reference point for achievement and performance by any governor in the country.

    How did you come into politics?

    Everybody is a politician in a way. I have always been very active in politics. For example, I was first the state legal adviser of Liberal Convention during the aborted Third Republic. When this dispensation came in 1999, I found myself in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and I was elected into the Federal House of Representatives in 1999. And I won the election as an unopposed candidate because after my nomination, Anthony Inye, who was the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) candidate, stepped down for me. According to him, it was due to the respect he has for my father. My father is one of the pioneer politicians in the then Midwest region. So I was returned unopposed to the Federal House of Representatives.

    And in 2003, I won the election and went back to the Federal House of Representatives. So, I was there for eight years. And towards the tail end of my second tenure there was this agitation in the state then, some of us were not too happy with what was happening to the PDP, so we decided to migrate to what is today called Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). And I was lucky to have been found worthy to be nominated as running mate to the Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

    They rigged the election but with the doggedness of the Comrade Governor and the support of Edo people, we reclaimed our mandate. Then, again, we just won our second term in office and I thank God for every thing.

    Which political battle has been most difficult for you since 1999?

    I have fought so many political battles. This last election was my six election and by the special grace of God I have never lost a primary and I have always operated from the position of an under dog. May be because of my family background and my kind of person because they say if you humble yourself you shall be exalted. The most difficult for me was the last one, that is the one for the deputy governorship prior to the 2012 governorship election. It was difficult for me because I was unable to do anything. You are not supposed to contest for the position of the deputy governor. You are not supposed to run for the primary of the deputy governor but here I was being vilified. I was called a native doctor, called a ritualist, called a cultist and was even called a thief. But I could not reply because, who will I campaign to. For me that was the most difficult situation because we had a group of persons, who for one reason or another, wanted me out; hauling insults and abuses at me. I could not reply and I was just like a lame duck because you don’t campaign for a deputy governorship position, it is left for the governor and the party leadership to decide. For me it was a trying time and I thank my God for helping me through it. And I thank the people of Edo State for giving me the massive support. I did not even know that the people have that likeness for my person because I got overwhelming support from the length and breathe of Edo State through phone calls every day; hundreds of text message every day, people from the rural areas. They came to me that they are with me and praying for me that they applaud me for the continuous support and loyalty to the governor. That gave me hope and that was what sustained me through out that period. And I thank God that we have put that behind us now that is politics for you.

    What do you think the people of the state expect from Mr Governor?

    You will agree with me that Mr Governor has done the greatest good to the greatest number of persons in the shortest possible time. Before the Oshiomhole administration, like I said during the debate, Edo State was in coma and people were just watching for that day to come to give up on Edo State. Mr Governor came and he has touched every aspect of human life in the state. Today, I make bold to say that in every local government in the state, there is an ongoing project. You are also aware that thousands of classrooms have been rehabilitated and rebuilt. Before now, pupils use to sit in classrooms without roof, such that when it rains they are drenched. Before now, you have about four or five different classes in one room but today all that is history.

    Before the Governor came on board, there was embargo on employment and indeed promotion. People were sacked. But today, the governor has not lifted the embargo on employment and promotion; he has employed thousands under the YES scheme. Under the Neighborhood Watch thousands of people have been employed too. And indeed teachers, doctors, nurses, Pharmacists, Accountants are being employed. As we speak, the Post Primary Education Board is in the process of employing five hundred science teachers here in Edo state. Pensioners now receive their salaries before other civil servants. We now have electricity, in my village we have trunk A road. Talking about water now, we have three dedicated Dando rigs one to each senatorial district. Before now, pipe born water was impossible in many parts of the state. Hospitals are being rebuilt or renovated and today we have a state of the art building currently going on at the Specialist hospital. You have seen markets, roads and many others. The Governor has touched human lives in many aspects and that is what he is going to continue to do. But I want to appeal to our people to continue to give support to the governor because times like this, in order to succeed, you must step on toes. Some powerful individuals few of them though, are not happy with what he is doing but he is being sustained by the prayers of everybody in the state and he is he remains undaunted and by the Special grace of God he will over come. I want to tell Edo people is that Mr Governor intends to consolidate on the gains recorded.

    What are the major challenges?

    The major challenge we have faced since we came in has been how to fund our projects. Yes Edo State is an oil producing state but it is very marginal. But like the Governor said, he did not come to lament, so he sat down and planned his strategy. There was this day that we slept at Government House having Exco meeting. We were fashioning out ways to look inward so as to generate money and that is how the formula of Internally Generated Revenue came about. When we came on board, the IGR was about N250million but today it hovers around N1.5billion, it got to N2.2billion at a point but it went down because of the subsidy issue. They said they have removed subsidy but that amounted to less funding for states. The Governor also decided that we must cut cost, we have blocked all leakages so as to save money. And if you look into our 2013 budget, provision for recurrent expenditure is about 1/3. We have 60 percent in favour of capital projects and 40 per cent for recurrent. So this shows that we are going to continue with the developmental projects.

     

     

  • Lawmakers approve 19 aides for Oshiomhole

    The Edo State House of Assembly yesterday okayed Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s request to appoint 19 special advisers.

    The request was contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Juluis Ihonvbere.

    It reads: “I am directed to, on behalf of the governor, request your approval for the appointment of 19 special advisers for the governor.”

    Majority Leader Philip Shaibu urged the members to grant the request.

    He said alot of ministries and parastatals need the governor’s attention.

    Shaibu said: “A lot of activities needs the attention of the governor and, obviously, he cannot be everywhere at a time.

    “The advisers will make it easy for the governor to attend to all the ministries and parastatals.’’

  • Jonathan, Oshiomhole, Northern governors condole with Buhari

    Jonathan, Oshiomhole, Northern governors condole with Buhari

    President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday commiserated with former head of state, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) on the death of his eldest daughter, Zulaihatu.

    The President, in a condolence letter to Buhari, according to statement by his media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, prayed that God Almighty would comfort him and grant him and members of his family succour from the pain of losing a beloved child who has been nurtured and raised to adulthood.

    “I write to extend sincerest commiserations to you and your family on the death of your eldest daughter, Zulaihatu, yesterday November 29th, 2012.

    “I can well imagine the profound pain, sadness and sorrow brought upon you by the tragic loss of a beloved child whom you have nurtured and raised to adulthood.

    My heart goes out to you as you mourn Zulaihatu. I pray that God Almighty comforts you and grants you and your family succour at this very traumatic time for all who knew and loved her,” President Jonathan wrote.

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has also condoled with Buhari on the death of Hajia Zulai.

    In a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria, Comrade Oshiomhole said: “We learnt with rude shock, the death of your beloved daughter, Hajia Zulai.  I wish to offer my profound condolence and the commiseration of the people and government of Edo State.

    “Our hearts are with you at this very difficult period, as the death of a beloved one can be traumatic.

    “While we grieve over her death, we take solace in the fact that she lived a worthy life as a mother, an accomplished economist, a devout Muslim and a hard-working young Nigerian who did not rely on her father’s name and influence to get an upper hand in life, but rather relied on her intellect and hard-work to carve a niche for herself.

    “We pray Almighty Allah to grant you and the rest of the Buhari family the courage to endure the loss of Hajia Zulai and also pray for the repose of her soul.”

    Similarly, governors of the 19 Northern states under the aegis of the Northern Governors Forum (NSGF) yesterday commeserated with former head of state and leader of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), on the death of his daughter, Zulaihat.

    The Chairman of the forum and governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu urged the CPC 2011 standard bearer to take solace in the fact that it is only God that gives and takes life whenever He pleases and that no living soul shall escape death as it is the necessary end that would come when it would.

    In a condolence statement signed by Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Malam Danladi Ndayebo, the forum enjoined the former military leader and members of his family to be encouraged by the fact that although Zulaihat died at a relatively young age, she lived an inspiring and a fulfilled life.

    The statement reads: ”Life is not about how long people live, but how people impact positively on the environment around them.

    ”Though Zulaihat lived a short life, she brought change to her immediate family, her community, and all those she met,especially women and children.”

    The Forum advised the CPC leader that the best tribute he can pay to his late daughter is to sustain her good deed of touching the lives of the weak and poor.

  • Agenda for second term: ‘No more shall our people travel to our capital city to see civilisation’

    Agenda for second term: ‘No more shall our people travel to our capital city to see civilisation’

    The banner at the capacity-filled Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium fluttered with buoyancy and optimism. It bore such assuring declaration as “Edo is in safe hands: Welcome to the future”.

    As early as 8.am, students from different primary and secondary schools, crowd of party faithful, military and Para-military personnel and cultural ensembles, in their thousands, surged and fought their way to be part of the future that was being ushered in with the swearing-in for the second term of the new light of Edo politics, Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole.

    At exactly 9.30 am, the stadium was already filled to the brim in kaleidoscope of colours don by an ecstatic and jubilant throng of citizens ready to hold the future in their own hands.

    Security personnel had a challenging time controlling the hordes of guests who wanted to be part of history that was being celebrated. History not because it was the first time a governor was being sworn in for a second term, but history that records the victory of one man one vote crusade that began sometime last year. History that celebrates the interment of the politics of godfatherism. History about a kingdom regained. History about a return from the wasteland.

    Despite the water-tight security, the crowd was ready to break barriers to see their governor, who has come to be known as ‘Oshio Baba’ coroneted for yet another voyage that would put Edo State firmly in the pantheon of democratic and developed state.

    The Edo people were not alone in their felicitation with the Comrade Governor. Friends and associates, cutting across political divides braced the early morning showers to register their camaraderie. As at 10.30am, the roll call of political gladiators included the former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ACN National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Peter Obi of Anambra State, Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, ACN National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Muhammed. Also on hand to honour Oshiomhole were former governors of Ekiti, Ogun and Anambra States, Chiefs Niyi Adebayo, Segun Osoba and Chris Ngige respectively, among others.

    A phenomenon that he has become in the state, even those in opposition could not but admit that this was an epochal as they turned out to witness the coronation of the diminutive gadfly whom God has given to the state. A gadfly who, even before his assumption of office, has fastened himself upon the citizenry, persuading and jolting them out of their political docility and obsequiousness. And a reproach for a few who for long reduced the state to a fiefdom.

    Much more than the convergence to witness the inauguration of Oshiomhole’s second term, was a demonstration by the people that once they find a leader who is not only selfless but one who has a demonstrable skills to lead, they are ready to follow. And with shouts of “Osho Baba”, “Osho Baba”, there was no denying the fact that this was a leader they had long been in crying need of. This was why they turned out in their thousands to celebrate what they regard as the extermination of the forces of darkness. A state whose people were for a long time reduced to miserable spectators, persuaded to believe that Edo was no longer viable as a state by a godfather and a coterie of his followers, the showpiece could not be embraced any more than as a political emancipation of some sort.

    In a veiled reference to the brusque manner with which the ghost of the godfather of Edo politics was exorcised, echoes of “Hurricane Adams”, “Adamant Adams” wafted all round the stadium.

    For four dizzying years, the people believed and anchored their hope in the Comrade Governor and in the end, it turned out to be a voyage of promises kept, hope kept alive and an unprecedented transformation across the state.

    Speaking to The Nation in Benin, a former PDP member, Mr. Osahon Obazele, who said he defected to the ACN said: “For once, Edo people can trust their governor.”

    After nine years of growth stasis, the people can look back and heave a sigh of relief that the pains and deprivations of the past have been righted within so short a time by the Comrade Governor in the saddle. So far, there has been what Obazele described as “evidence of democracy for development, democracy for good schools, democracy for new roads, water supply, for women, children and youths.” Without fail, the slogan of ‘no youth, no election, no children, no tomorrow, no women, no nation became the plank on which the governor has anchored his developmental agenda for the state.

    KINGDOM LOST

    Regretting how the ancient Kingdom of Benin suddenly became a ‘Paradise Lost’, Governor Oshiomhole traced the cause of the rot to lack of planning and neglect:

    “Regrettably, in the recent past, the State became riddled with mismanagement, oppression, corruption, poverty, marginalisation of the people, suffocation of civil society, and the general neglect of the basic needs of the masses. There was hardly a difference between the rural and urban centres in terms of planlessness, unemployment, infrastructural deficit and decay, unaccountable leadership, political manipulation, waste and criminal diversion of state resources, and general insecurity. Investors refused to come to Edo State, security forces were overwhelmed, schools and hospitals were dilapidated, workers were not paid as and when due, many retired without benefits, pensioners died without pension and our people just continued to hope against hope. This situation, in a general sense, continued until November 12, 2008 when a new dawn began in Edo State.”

    This explains why in the first four years of his reign, he was focused on a blistering campaign of urban and rural renewal to regain the lost kingdom of Benin. For Oshiomhole, development remains the greatest weapon against the godfathers who, he accused of being opposed to development.

    EDO IS WORKING

    As part of strategy to engender hope in the people and address the rural/urban drift, there was urgent need to take development to the people, if anything, to instil a sense of belonging in them. After reminding the people that everything that was considered impossible has been made possible, the governor belched with contentment and added that Edo is working, but not without firing a potshot at those he labeled godfathers. “We have proved the godfathers wrong and today, Edo is working,” assuring that in his second term, he would attract private investments, revisit water supply in Benin City and pursue the sinking of boreholes in the rural areas. Apart from developing the new Benin Layout and an effective land use act, he vowed to make the rural areas centres of development so that people “will no longer travel to the capital city to see civilization.”

    Lending voice to the governor’s rural/urban renewal effort, Chief Ihemien Omorodion told The Nation that until Oshiomhole became governor, access to electricity and potable water was a mere wishful thinking. The people were far removed from modernity. According to him, “For long, we were far away from civilisation. We did not know what electricity was, neither did we know how pipe-borne water tasted like. Yet we had people who carried on like our leaders, but failed provide leadership. But they are now in their senility. We cannot thank the Comrade Governor enough. The reason we are here today (the day of inauguration) is to show that we are solidly behind him.”

    The next four years

    Unveiling his administration’s agenda for the next four years, Governor Oshiomhole said there will be conscious effort at rebuilding faith in the citizenry and mobilize the people to rededicate themselves to the collective growth and development of the state.

    “In the next four years, we shall continue to rebuild faith in government and governance at all levels; mobilise our people to commit to collective growth and development, and strengthen institutions for efficient and effective service delivery. It is our hope that traditional leaders and institutions as well as religious bodies and civil society groups continue to mobilise their members to complement our efforts. We shall not fail to deliver on all our promises and to complete all on-going projects.

    “Allow me to say that while we will continue to work on infrastructure, we plan, in the next four years, to place emphasis on promoting sustainable economic growth and development. Our Government will emphasize human capital development, training and retraining of teachers and public servants; promotion of agriculture for food production, employment and increased income to our farmers and rural dwellers; small and medium scale industrial development. We shall continue to attract local and foreign investors to Edo State so as to create more jobs for our people.”

    Humbled by the overwhelming endorsement of his administration’s collective mission and support for the struggle to refocus, reposition and redefine Edo State for peace, progress and prosperity, Governor Oshiomhole was seemingly lost for words to qualify his gratitude to the Edo people whose unparalleled and unflinching support and encouragement saw his administration overcome all obstacles, booby traps placed in his administration’s path.

    Symbolically, Oshiomhole’s return for a second term, the turnout as evident in the mammoth crowd for his inauguration, was by all means an open endorsement of his governance approach as well as the people’s collective rejection of domination, bad governance, bad leadership, and undemocratic conduct in the management of the state’s commonwealth in the nine years preceding his assumption of office in 2008.

    He summed up his scorecard tersely: “Collectively, we set an example and political milestone for Nigeria and Africa as we showed that it was possible to defeat negative political forces, run elections without violence, and campaign on performance and the support of all strata of society.”

     

     

     

     

  • Oshiomhole picks Ihonvbere as SSG

    Oshiomhole picks Ihonvbere as SSG

    …Obahiagbon is governor’s new Chief of Staff 

    Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has made key appointments into his cabinet.

    Prof. Julius Ihonvbere has been appointed the Secretary to the State Government. He replaces Dr. Simon Imuekemhe.

    Former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Patrick Obahiagbon is the new Chief of Staff, replacing Mr. Osarodion Ogie, while Mr. Stephen Idehenre is the new Deputy Chief of Staff, Governor’s Office.

    He replaces Mr. John Odigie Ejale.

    Mr. Peter Okhiria retains his position as Chief Press Secretary. Princess Theresa Erediauwa also retains her position as the focal person and Executive Director, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

    Comrade Yakubu Aliyu is the Governor’s new Principal Private Secretary.

    Mr. Godwin Obaseki remains the Chairman of the Economic Team, while the former Chief of Staff, Mr. Osarodion Ogie, is Vice Chairman of the Economic Team.

    Born in June 1956, Prof. Ihonvbere holds a Ph.D in Political Economy from the University of Toronto.

    A Professor of Political Science, the SSG-designate was a former Special Adviser on Policy Monitoring as well as Speech Writer to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    He holds a national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

     

  • Oshiomhole has made us proud, says Tinubu

    •Governor urges police to find Oyerinde’s killers
    •Dangote to site N300b plant in Edo

    National Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has said Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s performance in his first term has made the party proud.

    Tinubu said with such performance, the ACN is poised to take over power at the federal level in 2015.

    He spoke on Monday at a reception in Benin, the state capital, shortly after Oshiomhole was sworn in for a second term.

    Tinubu said: “I thank you for your courage and dedication to duty. We will take power in the centre in 2015 with this performance. Oshio Baba is a bundle of achievements and vision.

    “He is a short man with the tallest brain and fattest vision. He took himself from an ordinary agitator to a performer. We thank you for making us proud today. In the last four years, you have made us proud indeed.”

    The former Lagos State governor said Oshiomhole has made Edo State the centre of trade and development and has swept through Nigeria like a colossus.

    Governors Babatunde Fashola (Ekiti), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Senator Chris Ngige and other ACN chieftains described Oshiomhole as “an inspiration”.

    They said Edo people have insisted on having more development with their votes.

    President of the Dangote Group Alhaji Aliko Dangote said the foundation of a N300 billion fertiliser plant, the biggest in Africa, will be laid in Agenebode in January.

    Dangote said the company, which will be completed in three years, would create over 10,000 jobs.

    He said: “Oshiomhole has delivered on roads and infrastructure. Now, he is going to deliver on job creation. We will partner him to create jobs here.

    “We will build the biggest fertiliser plant in Africa here in Edo State.

    “It will cost us $2 billion. I assure you that in the next three years, we would be exporting fertiliser from here to other parts of Africa.”

    Oshiomhole thanked everybody for standing by him.

    He said by God’s grace and with the support of the people and the ACN, he will remain focused on improving the state.

    During his swearing in at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Oshiomhole urged the police to apprehend the killers of his former Principal Secretary, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde.

    He said he has the capacity to make the state uncomfortable for the police until they apprehend Oyerinde’s killers.

    The governor said he would ensure that policemen “stop harassing innocent citizens just like they did to the Executive Director of the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev. David Ugolor”, in the search for Oyerinde’s killers.