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Tag: Yakubu Gowon

  • Flooding: Edo deploys more relief materials to displaced persons

    To reduce the effects of flooding across communities in the state, the Edo State Government has released more relief materials, including food items, kitchen utensils, sanitary kits, to communities affected by flood in the state’s three senatorial districts.

    The items were released through the Edo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for deployment to resettlement centers around flood-prone communities, where many people have been displaced by floods caused by torrential rainfall and overflow of the River Niger.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Mr. Yakubu Gowon, who spoke with journalists in Benin City, said that the state is mobilizing support to the affected communities to provide succour, and ensure that affected persons are not overly distressed at the resettlement camps.

    According to him, “We are deploying these materials to cushion the effect of flooding in the affected communities. The relief materials include food items, kitchen utensils, bedding materials, sanitary kits, among others. We empathise with the people, and feel their pains. In times like this, there would be need for most of these items we are deploying to the camps, as a lot of food items might not have been salvaged by the people from their homes.

    Read Also: Robbers stab two to death in Edo

    “However, for the time they will spend at the camps, we want them to feel some comfort. In the coming days, we will be deploying more materials to the camps.”

    Gowon said the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration will work assiduously to provide relief to the people, help in resettling the affected communities and provide needed support to mitigate the adverse effect of the floods.

    Recall that the Edo State Government had initially mobilised relief materials to Ubiaja in Esan South-East and to Ekperi in Etsako Central as well as other parts of the state.

    The government is also working with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Early Warning Mechanism for Nigeria (EWMN) to raise awareness on flooding and sensitise the people on safe environmental practices to mitigate the adverse effects of the disaster on communities.

  • Flooding: Edo distributes relief materials to victims

    …As ECOWAS, State strengthens emergency mgt in councils

    To mitigate the impact of flooding resulting from incessant rains and the overflow of the River Niger, the Edo State Government has intensified the distribution of relief materials to victims in affected local government areas across the state.

    Speaking to journalists during the distribution of relief materials in Benin City, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Mr. Yakubu Gowon, said the materials will cushion the effect of flooding in the affected communities across the state. The materials, according to him, include mattresses, deep freezers, drugs and food items, including rice, milk, beverages, salt, groundnut oil, detergents, among others.

    Gowon said, “One trailer-load of mattress is going to Ubiaja in Esan South-East and another to Ekperi in Etsako Central Local Government as well as other areas in the state, to assist the affected communities.”

    “The deep freezers are to store the food items to ensure that they do not go bad. We are mobilising more relief materials to the communities to provide the people with food and shelter, until the floods recede before that they go back to their homes and communities.”

    In the past few weeks, persistent rainfall has dislodged some persons from their homes, and the state government has opened resettlement camps for residents that were adversely affected by the heavy downpours.

    Meanwhile, as part of the response plan to the flooding occasioned from incessant rains, the state government has partnered with the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) Early Warning Mechanism for Nigeria (EWMN) to strengthen the emergency management teams in local councils to mitigate effects of the floods.

    Mr. Gowon disclosed this during a road walk organised with ECOWAS-EWMN to raise awareness on the dangers of indiscriminate waste disposal and other unsafe environmental practices that lead to flooding and other environmental disasters.

    The sensitization exercise was coordinated by the state government and ECOWAS-EWMN and involved a multi-agency delegation, including the State Emergency Management Agency, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), Security agencies and other concerned citizens. The team marched through Airport Road, King Square, Oba Market, Akpakpava, Agbado Market, Ikpoba-Hill Market, New Benin, Ekiosa Market, among others. They distributed flyers and sensitised the people on safe environmental practices in English, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Benin, Etsako, Igbanke and Isoko languages.

    Read Also: Edo to grow tourist traffic, showcase culture at 2018 EDOFEST

    Mr. Gowon said his office will work with the ECOWAS team to fast track response and emergency services to local government, noting that the council chairmen will be supported with relief materials to minimize the effect of the floods. He noted that the response plan includes preemptive measures that will see the councils developing a workable template to forestall the devastating impact of the floods in future.

    Head of ECOWAS-EWMN, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the resolution reached at the end of the two-day workshop is for emergency management teams to be well-coordinated and that stakeholders must work together to tackle the challenges of flooding in the state.

    “Each local government area must have a contingency plan in place while the state government will develop a state contingency plan. They will meet quarterly for review. We also agreed that emergency management is everyone’s business, as such all should work together as a team in tackling the challenges of flooding in the state.”

  • Flooding: Edo intensifies work at resettlement camps, safe havens

    The Edo State Government has said that work has intensified at designated resettlement camps across the state to receive residents, who are displaced by flooding.

    Persistent rainfall in the past few weeks dislodged some persons from their homes, as the state government announced the opening of resettlement camps for residents that were adversely affected by the heavy downpours.

    The state government issued flood alert in parts of the state last week, following new predictions that the state will experience flooding incidence with the persistent rainfall and the release of water from dams in neighbouring countries.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Mr Yakubu Gowon, said that an inter-ministerial committee to oversee the relocation of affected persons and running of the resettlement camps and safe havens has been set up.

    He disclosed that the committee is made up of officials of the state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), special assistants to the governor in the various wards, officials of ministries of infrastructure, environment and health, local council chairmen, members of the Red Cross, Fire Service and local government councillors, who are on standby to assist people in distress.

    He listed the areas earmarked as safe havens to include “the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camp in Oghomere in Etsako Central Local Government Area and the skills acquisition centre in Fugar.

    Read Also: Edo intensifies promotion of local languages

    “In Esan South East Local Government Area, the council hall and the hall of St. Benedict Catholic Church in Ubiaja will serve as safe haven.  In Ikpoba-Okha local council, Western Boys High School hall has been pencilled down to receive those displaced from their homes in the council area,” he added.

    He said that men and women will be separated in the camps to protect their rights and assured that effort is being made to procure more relief materials to be delivered when the camps are ready.

    “In Ovia North East, the local government chairman has donated a place in Okada while another place in Gelegele, in the same local council will provide succour to flood victims,” Gowon said.

    The governor’s aide maintained that the relevant ministries have desilted blocked drainages to ease the flow of water in the city.

    Two weeks ago, Edo State government donated relief materials to communities affected by windstorm in Esan West and Owan West local government areas of the state. Similar donation had been made in ten local councils where windstorm destroyed houses.

    Handing over the relief materials on behalf of the state government to chairmen of the two local councils in Benin City, the state capital, Gowon said “This is a continuous exercise, we have donated relief materials to communities in about 12 local government areas and we have been receiving letters of appreciation from the beneficiaries.

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Hydrological Services Agencies (NHISA) have warned that 12 states across the country would experience flooding due to torrential rain falls.

    The two agencies gave the warning during an emergency stakeholders’ meeting held with relevant stakeholders in Abuja.

    Mr Clem Nze, Director, Engineering Hydrology, NHISA, listed the states to include: Kogi, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Edo, Anambra, Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states, from the River Niger axis.

    He also listed Taraba, Benue and Adamawa as states to be affected from the River Benue axis.

    He said that the decision to raise the alarm was to ensure preparedness among stakeholders and residents of flood-prone communities.

    The NEMA and NHISA alert followed a similar alert issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMeT), warning of high floods in some identified states across the country including Edo.

  • Flooding: Obaseki assesses impact, distributes relief materials

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday, dispatched a team of officials, headed by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Yakubu Gowon, to take a tour of areas affected by flash floods occasioned by the heavy and persistent rainfall in the state.

    The assessment, according to the government, is to ascertain the degree of destruction caused by the flood and deploy intervention to mitigate the impact of future rainfall.

    Places visited by the state government’s team include: Erediauwa Road linking Upper Sokponba and Sapele roads in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Ivbiotor, and Ehigiamusoe streets also in Ikpoba-Okha LGA. Others are Akugbe and Edebiri in Ikpoba-Okha as well as Idumwunowina on Auchi Road.

    Speaking to residents in areas hit by flood, Gowon explained that the governor shares in their pain and loss and assured that relief materials would be delivered to them to cushion the effect of the disaster.

    “The state government is aware of your plight and will send relief materials to reduce the effect of the havoc caused by the heavy rainfall. We are here to assess the degree of the damage caused by the heavy downpour,” he added and urged the victims to be calm as help is on the way.

    He explained that some roads and drainage systems in the state have been awarded to contractors for reconstruction, and called on all those affected to stay calm as the government will surely come to their aid by providing relief materials.

    Read Also: Police arrest suspected attackers of Obaseki

    “We have already started distributing relief materials to those affected by rainstorm since March this year and same will be extended to you as we treat all our citizens equally.”

    The Chairman of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Hon. Eric Osayande, commended governor Obaseki for his prompt response to their call for help.

    He assured that the local government administration will ensure that the people dispose their waste properly and clear the drains.

    A victim of the flood at Evbomodo Community, Mr. Osaro Otabor, thanked the governor for sending people to assess the destruction caused by the heavy downpour.

    The governor’s aide was accompanied on the assessment tour by officials of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and Ministry of Environment and Sustainability officials.

    Recall that the state government recently distribution relief materials to communities affected by windstorm in Esan West and Owan West local government areas, as well as in other parts of the state.

    Hon. Yakubu Gowon, handed over the relief materials on behalf of the state government to chairmen of the two local councils in Benin City, the state capital.

    He explained that Governor Obaseki has fulfilled the promise he made shortly after the disaster, to assist the affected communities.

    “This is a continuous exercise; as at date, we have donated relief materials to communities in about 12 local government areas and we have been receiving letters of appreciation from the beneficiaries.

    “While some states in the country that experienced similar disaster are still waiting for the support of the federal government, the Edo State government has gone ahead to render assistance to these communities,” he said, while handing over the relief materials to the local councils’ bosses, recently.

  • Gowon calls for end of killings

    Former Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) has expressed sadness at the security situation in the country, particularly the killing of innocent unarmed villagers by armed herdsmen, which has continued unabated.

    Gen. Gowon, who said he is disappointed at the handling of the security situation called on the security agencies to invite and question the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore who had threatened to unleash violence on Benue State and later justified the killings for their role in it.

    He spoke on Saturday at the  Government House, Makurdi when he visited Governor Samuel Ortom to commiserate with him, the government and people of the state on the killings in the state.

    The former Head of State who said he was out of the country when 2 priests and 17 worshipers were killed in a church in the state during morning mass expressed the condolences of his group, “Nigeria Prays” to the government and people of Benue state.

    Gen. Gowon said he is sad and worried at the religious dimension the killings is assuming and called on the authorities to redouble their effort to deal with the security situation; warning that if that is not done, the country could descend into a religious war, with no one coming out victorious.

    Read Also: Killings: Gowon wants Buhari to deal with culprits

    The former Head of State who commended Governor Ortom and the Benue State government for its admirable handling of issues concerning the killings and devastation of communities said that for us to survive as a nation; we must learn to live together as one regardless of ethnicity or religion.

    Welcoming the elder statesman, Governor Ortom, represented by his deputy, Engr Benson Abounu thanked him for coming to commiserate with them and adding his voice to the call on the federal government to take decisive actions to end the orgy of violence plaguing  the state and the country.

    He said the magnitude and frequency of the killings and devastation of communities have defied every logic with over 185,000 people internally displaced, and living in camps; far away from their ancestral lands and their farms.

    He disclosed that though the killings in the state have come down a little due to the change of tactics by the military who upgraded their operation in the state from “exercise cat race” to “operation whirl stroke”, the threat is not yet over as killings still go on in many places.

    He said that the country is at cross roads, with complaints coming from all sections of the nation state. According to him, the present structure of the Nigerian federation is sick and defective; and in need of injection which must be given intravenously for reasons of its urgency.

    Governor Ortom said he agrees with the calls for restructuring, explaining that restructuring would eliminate many of the contradictions and imbalances that have limited the capacity of the federating states to flourish and maximise the benefit of their existence.

    Gen Gowon was billed to attend a church programme in the state and commission some projects executed by Evangelist Ogewu David of Divine Oracle Ministry.

  • Edo, NEMA partner on Emergency Ambulance Bay

    The Edo State Government has concluded plans to partner the Nigerian Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on the construction of an Emergency Ambulance Bay at Irrua, in Esan Central Local Government Area, Edo State.

    Speaking during a visit to the proposed site for the bay at Irrua, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Mr. Yakubu Gowon, said the state government was ready to provide structures for first responders to do their job without hinderance.

    Gowon said the state government was keen on the execution of the project and was ready to provide all the necessary support, noting, “The initiative for the site was borne a month ago and a proposal was sent to NEMA for its execution.

    “We are expecting the facility to be built in a few months from now and are optimistic it will take care of emergencies along the Irrua axis of Benin -Auchi Expressway, going by the high vehicular traffic on the corridor.”

    Read Also: Group rejects ranching in Edo

    Director General (DG), NEMA, represented by the Agency’s Director, Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Akugbe Iyamu, said the facility would help reduce incidence of death recorded from road accidents along the Irrua axis of Benin -Auchi Expressway.

    He noted that the facility would have a Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) with medical personnel, who will provide care at the shortest time before referral to the hospital, adding, “We got a proposal from the Edo State Government for NEMA to establish a response facility in the state.”

    “The agency is passionate about the initiative and have come to inspect the proposed site for us to replicate the MICU models we have in Abuja, here in the state,” he said.

    According to the DG, the site for the project was strategic for a response facility considering its proximity to the Irrua Specialist Hospital.

    The Chairman, Esan Central Local Government Council, Dr. Edokpa Waziri, commended the state government for the proactive decision, noting, the Ewu axis of the Benin-Auchi Road had recorded series of road crashes that had claimed lives and property.

    Waziri said the land for the facility was provided by the council, adding that the council will continue to support the effort of the state government in provision of essential amenities.

  • Killings: Gowon wants Buhari to deal with culprits

    Former military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to identify arrest and deal with the culprits responsible for the various killings across the country perpetrated by suspected bandits and herdsmen.

    General Gowon, who was speaking while in Katsina State for a 2-day North West zone Nigeria Prays event, also called on government to bring justice to all those affected by the incidence. He said Nigerians needed to come together and condemn all forms of animosity among her citizens, including bloodletting, clashes, and hate speech.

    The former Nigerian leader further observed that if it were not for God’s mercy, the country would have been plunged into crises as result of the killings, as orchestrated recently in Plateau state where more than 100 people lost their lives.

    Read Also: Gowon, ouster and corruption

    He maintained that the Nigeria Prays project is aimed at praying for the peace, prosperity and security of the country, adding that prayers were able to solve problems faster than what generals and solders were able to do with weapons of war.

    He said “We are gathered in the true spirit of worship to intercede fervently for our dear nation for God’s intervention in our affairs, particularly social, political and economic, and to douse hatred and animosity amongst our citizens’’.

    “If not for God’s abundant mercy and grace, the nation would have been plunged into another round of crises’’.

    “Let us be assured that our prayers are not in vain. I can say this with every authority that prayer can solve problems better and faster than generals and soldiers can do with physical weapons of war’’.

    “I have no doubt in my heart that God will honor our collective prayers and intercession for our nation and heal our nation of insecurity.”

    “We however call on the authorities to deal with culprits and bring justice to the grieved. We must rise to condemn needles bloodletting and clashes, hate speeches and all manner of evil,”

    The event, which lasted for two days, is expected to be held in other parts of the country in the coming months.

  • IPOB: Call your wards to order, ACF tells Igbo leaders, Governors

    Following threat by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to declare 30th of May as a sit-at-home day, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has advised the governors and elders from the South-East to call their wards to order.

    ACF while reacting to the statement by IPOB, ordering people to sit at home, described it as destructive to national cohesion. It cautioned group to desist from making moves capable of causing chaos in the country.

    The forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu in a statement recalled that the sit-at-home order of last year by the IPOB did not only infringe on the liberty and rights of innocent and law abiding citizens residing in the South-East zone of the country, but was also hijacked by hoodlums who unleashed terror on non-indigenes.

    The statement reads in part that: “The attention of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has been drawn to a press statement by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which was proscribed by the Federal Government last year, again declaring May 30th this year as a sit-at-home day in honour of not only for a Biafra state but also for those alleged to have been killed by herdsmen in 20 states of Nigeria.

    “The statement was issued by the Publicity Secretary of IPOB in the person of one Emma Powerful and widely published in the news media. ACF considers such press statement as destructive of our national cohesion. It is also a negation of our national unity comprising a people who having ended the unfortunate three (3) years of civil war, 48 years ago with “no Victor no Vanquish”, and have been working hard through the 3Rs of Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction introduced by General Yakubu Gowon in order to overcome what divide us.

    Read Also: IPOB threat to Ohaneze: JTF begins show of force in Anambra

     

    “Our faith in one indivisible Nigeria despite our moments of national instability and challenges, have continued to be reaffirmed by individuals and groups at different fora. We have also demonstrated it in words and deeds in our political sojourn. We cannot therefore jettison our collective sacrifice for primordial sentiments that would do no one any good.

    “The Nigerian components, like all developing nations, have challenges which can be overcome through collective hard work and due democratic process. Intimidation and threats are not viable means that give voice to people’s aspiration as it is unnecessary and unhelpful.

    “It would be recalled that the sit-at-home order of last year by IPOB did not only infringe on the liberty and rights of innocent and law abiding citizens residing in the South-East zone of Nigeria, it was also hijacked by hoodlums who unleashed terror on “non-indigenes”. We therefore cannot afford a repeat of such incidence.

    “Given the benefit of hindsight, ACF therefore calls on the South East Governors to prevail on their citizens to ignore such acts that seek to affect our sense of oneness and could also affect the economy and political stability of not only the South East but of Nigeria as a whole.

    “ACF further urges members of IPOB to listen to the wise counsel of their elders, States Chief Executives and elected political representatives at both the National and State Assemblies and opt for due democratic process. Our present democratic structure provides sufficient avenue for people to give voice to their aspirations and vent their concerns. Nigerians should therefore avail themselves to this opportunity rather than pander seek to heat up the polity.

    “ACF also calls on the Security Agencies to put in adequate measures that will ensure the safety of all citizens in every part of country.

    “ACF wishes Nigerians a Happy Democracy Day and as we approach the 2019 election year, we equally appeal to our political leaders to play the game by strictly obeying its rules to ensure a fair, peaceful and credible elections.” ACF said.

  • 2019: PDP announces ‘generation next’ plan

    National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), Mr Uche Secondus, on Wednesday said the party was coming up with “Generation Next” programme for repositioning youths to take over leadership in 2019.

    Secondus made the disclosure at the opening of PDP Youth Leaders meeting in Abuja.

    He said that the programme was designed to prepare the youth to take over political leadership in the country.

    According to him, with the programme, age barrier will be removed and a 25-year old that is popular and intelligent can be voted into power as governor.

    Secondus urged the youths to mobilise young people in their communities irrespective of party affiliation to rescue the country in 2019.

    He also charged the youths to rise and defend marginal unity and democracy in the country.

    According to him, any nation whose youths are not participating in the development process is heading for doom.

    The chairman recalled that at 32, Gen. Yakubu Gowon became Head of State and that with youthful energy, presided and piloted over the affairs of Nigeria.

    He said that Gowon succeeded in keeping Nigeria as a united entity along with other military governors who were also youths.

    “Unless you come out and volunteer to make that sacrifice, you will not be noticed and the country will be missing you.

    “Today is the day to go into memory lane, make firm declaration and stand by it; the country needs the youth and the party is ready to allow you participate,” he said.

    Secondus said that Nigeria had never been polarized as being witnessed currently, adding that unless the youth rose to rescue the nation, there would be nothing left for the next generation.

    He said that the rebranded PDP was practicing internal democracy and assured that henceforth, they would be no imposition of candidates in the party.

    He revealed that there was a new reward system in PDP and that only those who delivered their polling units for the party at elections would get appointment.

    Earlier, the National Youth Leader of the party, Mr Sunday Ude-Okoye, had said that the meeting was to avail youths the opportunity to deliberate on strategies to take over power in 2019.

    He said that youths in the country were angry as majority of them had no jobs, yet they were being displaced and losing their lives and property to violence.

    Ude-Okoye said the youths wished to return home to a healthy living, stating that democracy must be allowed to run smoothly.

    NAN

  • Human trafficking: Edo to partner Peace Corps on returnees’ re-integration

    Human trafficking: Edo to partner Peace Corps on returnees’ re-integration

    The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has expressed his administration’s readiness to partner the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) on the reintegration programme for Libya returnees as soon as the bill establishing the Corps gets assent from President Muhammad Buhari.

    Governor Obaseki disclosed this when he received Edo State Commandant of PCN, Patriot Ayuba Hammed, at the Government House, Benin City, on a courtesy.

    The governor, represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Hon. Yakubu Gowon, said the support of the Peace Corps is required in empowering the Libya returnees.

    “I want to liken your duties to that of Edo State Government, which is empowering Libya returnees in the state by setting up skill acquisition centers, where they can truly acquire skills and be re-integrated into society,” he said.

    He commended the Corps for its involvement in combating social decadence in educational institutions in the state, noting “One of the key areas this government is working on is to revamp basic education in Edo State.

    “We are aware that the bill establishing the corps is awaiting assent. We are sure that when assented to, the corps will train more people for employment.”

    State Commandant, Edo State Peace Corps, Patriot Ayuba Hammed, said the corps aims to train, educate and re-orientate youths, particularly students on their leadership role in the society.

    He said the Corps was formed due to the alarming involvement of youth in criminal and anti-social activities in educational institutions across the state.

    Hammed said the state command of the corps parades over 5,000 officers spread across the three senatorial districts, where they work with schools to actualise set objectives.