The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oshiomole

  • Saraki, Dogara for Oshiomhole’s APC chairmanship bid declaration

    Former Governor of Edo, Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday announced that he would declare his bid for the national chairmanship of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja on Thursday.

    He told newsmen in Benin that President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, would join top members of the party at the occasion.

    Oshiomhole said that Imo Governor, Rochas Okorocha, would lead governors elected on the party’s platform to the declaration which would hold at TRANSCORP Hilton.

    The former governor is favoured to replace outgoing chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun after he received the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Oshiomhole said he was joining the chairmanship race to contribute to the growth of the party.

    According to him, it is true that I intend to make my ambition known to our party members and Nigerians.

    “I strongly believe that with the experience I have gathered in my public life, having served as President of NLC, governor of Edo, I have what it takes to take our dear party, the ruling party, to the next level.” (NAN)

  • Photo: Oshiomole, wife visit IDPs in Benin

    Photo: Oshiomole, wife visit IDPs in Benin

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and some of the young displaced persons at the Internally Displaced persons Camp at Uhogua, Benin City, during the Governor's on-the-spot assessment of facilities and the condition of inhabitants of the camp on Wednesday
    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and some of the young displaced persons at the Internally Displaced persons Camp at Uhogua, Benin City, during the Governor’s on-the-spot assessment of facilities and the condition of inhabitants of the camp on Wednesday
    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and his wife, Iara, and some of the young displaced persons at the Internally Displaced persons Camp at Uhogua, Benin City, during the Governor's on-the-spot assessment of facilities and the condition of inhabitants of the camp, on Wednesday
    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and his wife, Iara, and some of the young displaced persons at the Internally Displaced persons Camp at Uhogua, Benin City, during the Governor’s on-the-spot assessment of facilities and the condition of inhabitants of the camp, on Wednesday
    Mrs Iara Oshiomhole, wife of Edo State Governor and some of the young displaced persons at the Internally Displaced persons Camp at Uhogua, Benin City, during the Governor's on-the-spot assessment of facilities and the condition of inhabitants of the camp on Wednesday
    Mrs Iara Oshiomhole, wife of Edo State Governor and some of the young displaced persons at the Internally Displaced persons Camp at Uhogua, Benin City, during the Governor’s on-the-spot assessment of facilities and the condition of inhabitants of the camp on Wednesday
  • Oshiomohole faults Okonjo-Iweala’s claim on ECA

    Oshiomohole faults Okonjo-Iweala’s claim on ECA

    Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomole, has dismissed claims by former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, that she did not spend N2.1 billion from the Excess Crude Account without authorization from the National Economic Council.

    Speaking during an interview with Channels Television on Wednesday morning, the governor said the former minister’s claim is not true.

    “I think with all due respect to former minister Okonjo Iweala, she knows how to play around, I don’t want to lie with statistics.

    “I have made this point that she keeps opening only parts of the pages and not the entire book. The logic of transparency is that the honorable minister must publish in full what is accruing to the federation account month to month and what is distributed to who,” he stated.

  • Cash crunch: Edo Govt vows to complete ongoing projects

    Cash crunch: Edo Govt vows to complete ongoing projects

    The Edo state government has on Thursday assured that all ongoing projects embarked upon would be completed in spite of the cash crunch that has hit most states of the federation.

    This assurance was given by the state commissioner for Works, Mr Osarodion Ogie while inspecting road and flood control projects in Abudu, Oba Erediauwa and 2nd East Circular areas of the state.

    The commissioner said while some states were finding it difficult to pay salaries, Edo had continue to meet with workers salaries obligation as well as continued with projects execution across the state.

    He said this was made possible because the Adams Oshiomhole led government had from inception made conscious effort to cut down on recurrent expenditure to beef up its capital expenditure.

    Ogie said the tax drive and blockage of leakages in the state resources have also assisted the government to meet up with its financial obligation.

    He said as a responsible government, it would continue to ensure that that the people’s money was being spent responsibly until the last day of the government.

    According to him, “The people of the state know they have in place a responsible government and it is the covenant of this government that it would work until the last day.

    “As a responsible government we will ensure that no ongoing project embarked upon will be abandoned.

    “You will notice that we have continue that contractors have not left the site of all ongoing projects in spite of the cash crunch that have hit most states of the federation. Edo is not owing any workers while several states of the federation have been unable to pay salaries for months now.

    “We are not saying we are not being affected by the cash crunch because there are many projects the government would have love to execute. What we are saying that we have ensured that the ongoing ones does not suffer In spite of the financial challenges in the country.

    Speaking on the 10km Oba Erediauwa and 26 adjoining road projects in Upper Sakponba, Ogie said it was carefully initiated to address the menace of flood problem in the areas.

    “The Erediauwu road project comprises of 26 adjoining streets. Several of this streets have not witness any vehicular movement for about 20 years as a result of their states And many houses in the area have been swallowed due to challenges of flooding problem in the area.

    “The same goes to the Abudu township road and three adjoining streets that we are also working on. The abudu road project put together is 4.5km.

    “On the 2nd East Circular, the road which has totally failed have been left abandoned for over 30 years. It is a commercial road hence our decision to reconstruct the road from it original single lane to dual carriage road fitted with work -way and street light, ” he explained.

  • Photo: Edo swearing-in ceremony

    Photo: Edo swearing-in ceremony

  • Photo: Oshiomole commissions biogas plant

    Photo: Oshiomole commissions biogas plant

  • Oshiomhole, Osunbor for N150m school fund raiser

    Old students of Holy Trinity Grammar School, Sabongida Ora, Edo State will gather at their alma mater on Saturday to raise N150 million.

    First Vice-Chairman of the old students association (Lagos State chapter), Mr Godwin Dudu Orumen said at a briefing in Lagos that the funds will be used to improve facilities in the school that has produced many illustrious alumni. One of them, Prof Osareme Osunbor, will chair the occasion which will have Governor Adams Oshiomhole as Special Guest of Honour. Mr Tony Ezekiel, chairman of IFEX Furniture and a son of Sabongida Ora, is the chief launcher.

    Orumen said the funds realised will be used to purchase laboratory equipment, improve sports facilities; upgrade hostels, provide bore hole and generator, including remunerations for science teachers. He said the association is doing this all to complement the state government’s rehabilitation efforts and restore the school’s lost glory.

    He said: “The school is okay but not in the state we want it to be. The laboratory is practically non existent. The world today is science-oriented. So we want to leave an authentic legacy. There are no science teachers in the school; and if we have all the equipment without teachers, then there is still a problem. We will make representations to the government to provide science teachers, but if the funds, will be a problem, we plan to provide emolument for five years for the science teachers.

    “The hostels are dilapidated. We want to renovate a couple of hostels; put boreholes in place and make the system run like it used to.”

    Speaking on previous efforts by the school’s alumni, the second Vice-Chairman of the association, Mr Philip Eseile, said the Lagos State chapter recently raised N5 million which was used to provide furniture for the laboratory. He expressed confidence that Saturday’s programme would help the old students further improve the school.

    “We, on our own, were able to raise over N5 million which we used to put the furniture in the laboratory. The government renovated the building. That was the first phase of the project which was commissioned in February. This is the second phase,” he said.

    Remembering how Holy Trinity Grammar School was in his time, Orumen said: “The entire school was a community then. Many of our teachers were old boys. It was a tremendous atmosphere at the time.

    “We used to have American Peace Corps coming to teach us. Sports were very vibrant. We had two tennis courts; football pitch, and others. I made most of my best friends from that time.”

  • Oshiomhole appoints Eguavoen Insurance coach

    Oshiomhole appoints Eguavoen Insurance coach

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has approved the appointment of Austin Eguavoen as the Administrator of Insurance Football Club of Benin.

    Also appointed are Amodu Shaibu, Technical Adviser, Abel Ehigie, Edo FA chairman, Charles Ihiemekpen, Secretary while the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere is the chairman of the interim Board.

    Oshimhole, in a special broadcast, said Insurance FA must be return to where it belongs not the lower league.

    He mandated the interim Board to oversee the transition of Bendel Insurance FC for a period of three months preparatory to the appointment of a Board.

    He said their responsibilities should include House keeping ant to ascertain the financial position of the club.

    He said: They are to verify debts and salaries owed by the club, and prepare the club for the new football season.

    Their mandate are also to disband the team and replace with the Amodu tutored Academy players, and any other responsibilities as may be desired.

    However, the already screened players by Loveday Omoruyi are also to go.

    Football stakeholders in Benin hailed Eguavoen’s appointment saying,” this is the right step Comrade Oshiomhole has taken since five years ago about Insurance.”

  • Oliha buried, Edo, Kwara donate N3m

    Oliha buried, Edo, Kwara donate N3m

    Eguavoen Urges Jonathan to Redeem House Pledge

    The body of late Thompson Oliha was finally laid to rest at his no. 3 Thompson Oliha Crescent off Edo Street, Upper Sokponba Road, Benin City at about 1.30pm yesterday.

    Memorial match was played in his honour by his colleagues led by Austin Eguavoen at the lying- in state at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.

    The match which was played by Edo selected and some members of the 94 squad ended 1-1 apiece.

    Also in memory of his last place of work, the 94 squad and some ex internationals were on Kwara football academy jersey while Edo selected were on Insurance Jersey.

    In a short remark, Comrade Adams Oshiomole of Edo State said the death of Oliha was such a big loss to the people of Edo state and Nigeria in general.

    The governor who spoke through the commissioner for youths and sports, Lady Omorede Osifo said that the State will be organizing a yearly Youths football championship, to be called Thompson Oliha Soccer Championship.

    The governor also donated 2million to the two kids of Oliha and personally appealed to the family to come to the government house on Monday with the kids where he will present the cheque to them.

    On the part of Kwara state governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed made a donation of 1million to the kids.

    In his speech made by the Kwara State director of sports Mallam Tunde Kazeem expressed the feelings of the government and people of Kwara State over the death of Thompson Oliha.

    He condoled the government and people of Edo State, especially the Oliha Family adding that Thompson Oliha was a dedicated and loyal employee of the state government who will be missed by all.

    On her part, Perpetua Clement, the admin manager, Kwara football academy described him as a hard working gem.

    Nigeria Football Federation represented by Barr. Leye Adepoju and Dr. Chris Emeruwa in their own speech said Thompson Oliha was a loyal, dedicated and respected player in his day at the national team.

    They therefore urged the current players in the Super Eagles to learn and emulate the loyalty and dedication of the LATE Thompson Oliha when he played for the senior National Team.

    Austin Eguaveon who led the likes of Ben Iroha, Alloy Agu, Emeka Ezeogu and others said that it is regrettable that up till now the 23 of the 94 squad who chose Lagos for their house promises up till now are yet to get their promises from the Federal Government even when the 9 others had already received theirs in Abuja.

    Eguaveon further said that he believed that one day the president, Jonathan Goodluck will have the wisdom of God to redeem their image in the eyes of the world.

    Immediately the Nigerian Flag and a football that carried the autograph of some of the 94 squad was presented to the son of Thompson Oliha, Jesus Asosa Oliha by the Edo State commissioner for sports Omorede Osifo, the little Oliha however reiterated his commitment to follow his fathers footsteps.

    Little Oliha who is in basic four at the high bridge school Lagos said he is already captaining the junior team of the school.

    He said he hopes that someday he will wear the green white green.

     

     

  • Insurance awaits Oshiomole’s lifeline

    Insurance awaits Oshiomole’s lifeline

    THE continued participation of Bendel Insurance in the National league is dependent on Edo State governor Adams Oshiomole making good his promise to settle accumulated debts owed players and officials of the club.

    SportingLife understands that players and officials are being owed about 13 months’ wages, a situation which has not only demoralised the spirit in camp but has also affected the team’s performance.

    A reliable source close to the former premiers league campaigners reveal that some players are tinkering with the idea of leaving the club but are leaving the door open for a change of mind depending on the action of the Comrade Governor.

    Insurance Coach, Lawrence Akpokana, told SportingLife that the governor has however asked that the debts owed the players and officials be compiled and sent to him.

    “The governor has ordered that the debts be compiled, so there is hope. I believe something is being done about it. It will be well,” he said in a chat with SportingLife, Friday.

    Passionate fans of the Benin Arsenal originally known Vipers of Benin are still brooding over their relegation to the second tier league, even as many have continued to fast and pray for the side to make a return to the elite Nigeria Professional Football league (NPFL).