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Tag: Philip Shaibu

  • Cost of contesting election in Nigeria high – Oshiomhole

    Cost of contesting election in Nigeria high – Oshiomhole

    Hajiya Aisatu Oshiomhole, the mother of former Edo Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Tuesday advised politicians to restructure the political scene and reduce the high cost of contesting election.

    Oshiomhole gave the advice in Iyanmo when Edo Deputy Governor, Mr Philip Shaibu, and All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in Estako West Local Government Area visited her over her son in-law, Malam Momodu Yakubu’s death.

    She said that to check corruption, which had been identified as a major cause of under-development in the country, only people with great ideas and integrity should be elected into office.

    Oshiomhole said that those who spend so much to get to power, employed every means to recoup the funds spent before thinking about development.

    She also called on the electorate to shun the habit of requesting for money before voting for a candidate, saying that such act made them lose the right to demand for accountability.

    The former governor’s mother congratulated Gov. Godwin Obaseki and his deputy on the recent Supreme Court victory and prayed God to give them the wisdom to continue the development of the state.

    She also used the occasion to extend appreciation to her son, Adams, who ensured that she got the best medical attention when she fell ill recently.

    Earlier, Shaibu had said that the leaders were at Iyamo to commiserate with the mother of the former governor over the demise of her son-In-Law as well as check on her well-being after her long medical vacation.

    He described late Yakubu, who was also the Chief Imam of Iyanmo, near Auchi, as an honest and detribalized leader who always had the interest of his people at heart.

    He urged other party leaders to emulate the late Yakubu in ensuring that they formed a united front to attract development to the area.

  • Edo to support bill on physically challenged persons

    Edo to support bill on physically challenged persons

    The Edo Deputy Governor, Mr Philip Shaibu, has expressed the commitment of the State  Government to the programmes and policies that could improve the lives of the physically challenged persons.

    Shaibu gave this assurance on Wednesday in Benin while speaking at a training programme for stakeholders on “Lobby and Advocacy”, for the passage of the Disability Bill in Edo.

    He said the State Government was ready to collaborate with the stakeholders in order to check discrimination and stigmatisation against the physically challenged.

    Shaibu said the government would quickly sign the disability bill once the state House of Assembly passed it.

    The Edo Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons Leaving with Disabilities, Mr Henry Ebose, called on the House to ensure the speedy passage of the bill, which had been before it.

    According to him, the advocacy is to ensure that the disability bill becomes a law in Edo.

  • Edo to support bill on physically challenged persons

    Edo to support bill on physically challenged persons

    The Edo Deputy Governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu, has expressed the commitment of the State Government to the programmes and policies that could improve the lives of the physically challenged persons.

    Shaibu gave this assurance on Wednesday in Benin while speaking at a training programme for stakeholders on “Lobby and Advocacy”, for the passage of the Disability Bill in Edo.

    He said the State Government was ready to collaborate with the stakeholders in order to check discrimination and stigmatisation against the physically challenged.

    Shaibu said the government would quickly sign the disability bill once the state House of Assembly passed it.

    The Edo Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons Leaving with Disabilities, Mr. Henry Ebose, called on the House to ensure the speedy passage of the bill, which had been before it.

    According to him, the advocacy is to ensure that the disability bill becomes a law in Edo.

  • Buhari will take Nigeria to the apex – Otaru of Auchi

    Buhari will take Nigeria to the apex – Otaru of Auchi

    Traditional ruler of Auchi, HRH Alhaji Aliru Momoh, Ikelebe III, the Otaru of Auchi, has said that the initial difficulties experienced under the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari was meant to take Nigeria to the apex.

    The Otaru of Auchi said Buhari has brought Progressive change to the country.

    He spoke at his palace when Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu broke the Ramadan fast with Muslims traditional rulers in Edo North Senatorial district.

    The Auchi Monarch said Buhari was celebrated in all the countries he visited and that such was already transforming into reality in the country.

    He assured Governor Obaseki of their support as they did to his predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

    According to him, “We will be behind you. You are doing your work quietly. There is a being constructed to Awain now. You are superbly divine to do things for this state’s it were with your predecessor.

    “We are honored by your visit to commiserate with Muslim traditional rulers in Edo North.”

    On his part, Governor Obaseki urged the traditional rulers to use the Ramadan period to pray for the quick recovery of President Buhari.

    Obaseki noted that the country has come out stronger despite the initial challenges.

    He said, “There is a lot to be grateful to Allah for. We have gone through a lot in this country. We have come out stronger and we understand the challenge we face.

    “We should use the Ramadan to see ourselves as one. I encourage you to pray for our state, country and President Buhari.”

     

  • We are in a hurry to develop Edo – Shuaibu

    We are in a hurry to develop Edo – Shuaibu

    The Godwin Obaseki-led APC government in Edo, says it is in a hurry to bring all round development to nooks and crannies of the State.

    Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu of Edo gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Wednesday.

    “We are actually in a hurry to develop every aspect of Edo economy. This is because the shoes that Adams Oshiomhole left behind are very big for us to fit into.

    “We therefore need to redouble our efforts and that is what the governor is doing. We promised Edo people that we are going to beat the records of Adams Oshiomhole.

    “And the only way we can conveniently fit into those big shoes he left behind is to double our efforts.

    “That is why we christened the 2017 budget a Budget of Consolidation and Prosperity.

    “What we are consolidating on is the infrastructural development that the last administration left behind.

    “The prosperity in it is that we are taking advantage of the infrastructure and the one we are building to open up the economy of Edo State.

    “We will generate employment and that employment is what will bring about prosperity’’, Shuaibu said.

    He also told NAN that the State Government would explore “Edo’s natural habitat to drive the economy. We have decided to take advantage of our geographical location’’, he said.

    Shaibu said the state government was poised to reduce unemployment to a minimal level, adding that the
    administration had started the employment-generation process with the establishment of the Edo Job Registration.

    “Very soon, we are rolling out a major first set. Already, employment has been on.

    “But we want to have the one we call a bang and from our statistics, we are already working toward achieving the minimum of 200,000 jobs that we promised Edo people.’’

    Shaibu added that the state government would revolutionise agriculture.

    “We want to bring Edo state back to the limelight that it used to be in the area of agriculture’’, he said.

    He disclosed the state government was already partnering experts and had established companies to develop the rubber plantation and the processed palm oil sub-sector.

    “We are bringing back our natural endowment; the untapped limestone and other minerals because we are in a hurry to get them back to contribute to our gross domestic product and infrastructure.

    Shaibu stressed that the state government would rather go about its developmental efforts quietly than resort to what he called noise making in the media.

    “We said everything we needed to do during the campaign. Now is time to work and you do the talk. That is what we are doing presently’’, he said. (NAN)

  • Edo Deputy Governor trains with pupils ahead of Okpekpe 10km race

    Edo’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, on Thursday in Iyamu joined school pupils from Edo North in training in preparation for the 10-kilometre Okpekpe marathon race scheduled for Saturday.

    Shaibu was joined by a former governor of Edo, Adams Oshiomhole, in the exercise tagged “Let’s Play”

    While addressing the 1,100 pupils from 45 schools at the Edo University Iyamu sports complex, Shaibu encouraged the pupils to engage in all kinds of sports for their physical and mental development.

    He described sports as a sector which keeps children busy and away from negative vices, urging teachers to always encourage their pupils to engage in sports activities.

    Shaibu stated that government was currently working out a plan of providing facilities in all primary schools as well as all wards of the state to regenerate sports at the grassroots.

    Speaking with newsmen, Oshiomhole explained that he instituted the Okpekpe road race to bring government’s presence to the surrounding communities.

    He said the move was also to help take advantage of the natural landscaping of the area.

    The former governor described the “Let’s Play” initiative as a well thought-out plan to encourage development of sports at the grassroots.

    On his part, one of the event’s organisers and ex-international, Victor Ikpeba, said the “Let’s Play’’ initiative came along with the Okpekpe race to expose children to different kinds of sports.

    Ikpeba said it was also meant to encourage children to engage in physical training to keep them fit.

    One of the pupils, Aliu Nurudeen, who spoke on behalf of other students, thanked the organisers and the state government for the opportunity, describing it as a good way to keep fit.

    The pupils later participated in a mini-football match, in which former governor Oshiomhole led the male team to defeat the female team led by his wife Iara and the deputy governor 2-0.

  • Edo state: Obaseki, Shaibu sworn into office

    Edo state: Obaseki, Shaibu sworn into office

    Mr. Godwin Obaseki, winner of the September 28 governorship election, has been sworn-in as the Governor of Edo State.

    Obaseki took oath of office at about 12:45pm administered by the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Cromwell Idahosa.

    He was accompanied by his wife, Betsy.

    Earlier, Philip Shaibu was sworn-in as the Deputy Governor of the state.

    Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole personally drove his Jeep into the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, venue of the even.

     

  • INEC presents Certificate of Return to Obaseki, Shaibu

    INEC presents Certificate of Return to Obaseki, Shaibu

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday presented Certificate of Return to Edo State governor-elect, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu.

    It said the presentation was in accordance with the Electoral Act as amended.

    National Commissioner of INEC in charge of South South zone, Dr. Mustapha Lecky, who presented the certificates, said only a tribunal could upturn the outcome of the election held on September 28.

    Dr. Lecky said the commission would continue to improve on the electoral process with a view to deepening democracy in the country.

    He said INEC would also improve on the use of card readers as according to him, the device has helped to eliminate multiple voting and election rigging.

    State Resident Commissioner, Mr. Sam Olumekun, said an inconclusive election in Edo State would have led to crisis in the state as the commission would have to grapple within two weeksto conduct another election.

    Olumekun said he was grateful that the election has been adjudged free, fair and credible.

    Obaseki in his speech said he joined the race to expand the political space and a clear vision of what to achieve.

    He said he focused on issues that affect the people and ran his campaigns professionally.

    The governor-elect noted that the protests against the election results were sponsored as the people of the state were happy with the conduct.

    He said his victory has proven that campaigns could be run professionally without having to lie to get people’s votes.

  • EFCC detains Edo lawmakers over alleged forgery

    Three principal officers of the Edo State House of Assembly have been arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged signature forgery.

    The lawmakers are – Speaker Uyi Igbe, Majority Leader, Philip Shaibu and Chief Whip, Folly Ogedengbe.

    They were asked to report in Abuja on Wednesday and were still detained at the time of filling this report.

    The Chairman, Edo Assembly Committee on Information and Sports, Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, said the trio were being detained by the EFCC for allegedly forging the signature of Hon. Abdularazaq Momoh whose seat has since been declared vacant.

    Hon. Momoh, who recently defected to the Peoples Democratic Party was said to be among signatories to the petition that led to the impeachment of former Deputy Speaker, Festus Ebea.

    Adjoto, who spoke at a press briefing, urged the EFCC to investigate serious financial crimes committed under the PDP led Federal government rather that pursue impeachment proceedings.

    He said the detained lawmakers were denied medical attention despite injuries they sustained during last Saturday attack on them by hired hoodlums.

    “Hon. Shaibu was seriously wounded. In fact, three of them were wounded during the attack on us. The Speaker collapsed two times at Abuja. EFCC said they forged the signature of Hon. Razaq Momoh when former deputy speaker, Festus Ebea was impeached.

    “When has EFCC become an agency to investigate forgery of signature? When has forgery of signature becomes a financial crime? Impeachment of either Mr. Speaker of deputy speaker is an internal affair of the assembly. EFCC has no business to do with this. We are surprise that the EFCC can reduce itself to investigating a crime that has already been spelt out.”

    “It is a criminal matter to forge signature. The punishment is as spelt out in the criminal code. The EFCC was not an establishment to investigate forgery of signature. That they have reduced themselves to this is most unfortunate.

    “Information available showed that they are not just acting. Leadership of the PDP is meeting with the EFCC now. We understand that President Goodluck Jonathan has given directives for the Speaker and others to be detained, charged to court and remanded indefinitely,” Adjoto stated.

     

     

  • Court grants Majority Leader bail

    Court grants Majority Leader bail

    The trial of  the Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Philip Shaibu, began yesterday with the accused taking his plea. Shaibu pleaded not guilty to the six-count charges.

    He was charged to court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences on allegation of falsification of tax clearance certificate.

    His counsel, Enahoro Aghomo, applied for bail based on self recognition but the ICPC counsel, Godson Igbadumhe, urged the court to give stringent conditions for the bail.

    Igbadumhe told the court that the accused had threatened some ICPC officials and that assailants were also sent after the investigating officers.

    Justice Esther Edigin held that the ICPC failed to provide print of the network provider to get details of the telephone conversation between the accused and the ICPC officials.

    Justice Edigin said the ICPC should have reported the attack to the police and that it was not enough to tie the assailants to the accused.

    She held that the reasons adduced by the ICPC were not sufficient enough and bereft of substance to deny the accused bail as according to her, no witnesses were called.

    The judge granted the accused bail of N3million and a surety, who must be a land owner and resident in Benin City.