TheNewsGuru

Tag: Edo State

  • Edo State to get new airport, rail lines in new development plan

    Edo State to get new airport, rail lines in new development plan

    Edo Government has proposed alternative sources of energy, a new airport and rail lines in the new Benin City and Edo regional development masterplans. In his address at the unveiling of the two masterplans on Tuesday in Benin, Gov. Godwin Obaseki said the alternative energy would be sourced from renewables such as solar and hydro.

    The governor said the new airport was being proposed to be located in Auchi. He also said new cities such as the Coral City would be developed in Benin City, Auchi and Ekpoma.

    Obaseki explained that the two masterplans were designed by the state government in partnership with Siraj Nigeria Limited under the Supervision of the state Ministry of Physical Planning, Housing Urban and Regional Development.

    “The master plans are living documents and subject to review every five years. They will be infused into the primary and secondary schools curriculums,” he said.

    Earlier, Ms Isoken Omo, the Commissioner for Physical Planning, Housing Urban and Regional Development said a total of 22,000 properties were visited during the planning exercise while 27 consultations held with various stakeholders

    Omo, who noted that the reviewing of the existing masterplans was participatory, noted that it would encourage local governments to focus on areas of their comparative advantage for development.

    According to her, the Edo Regional Development and Benin City Masterplans cover all the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

    “The success of the masterplans is dependent on the collective efforts of indigenes and residents of Edo State.

    “The masterplans will determine the location of public infrastructure, such as roads, schools, hospitals, water and power.

    “It will promote innovation and entrepreneurship by creating a supportive environment for startups and small businesses across the state,” the commissioner said.

  • Governorship election: PRP flags off campaign in Edo

    Governorship election: PRP flags off campaign in Edo

    The People’s Redemption Party (PRP) on Tuesday in Benin officially flagged off its campaign for the Sept 21 governorship election in Edo. Dr Greg Igbinomwanhia, the State party Chairman urged the residents to rally support for the party. Igbinomwanhia emphasized PRP’s mission to bring good governance to the state.

    Among the dignitaries present are Mr Peter Okafor, National Vice Chairman of PRP, South East, and Elder Godwin Akpanedem, National Vice Chairman, South South. The party National Chairman, Mallam Bello Falolu said that the presence of national officers at the event, underscored the party’s commitment to the Edo governorship race.

    Falolu said that their presence signalled strong support for the local campaign efforts. Falolu, who was represented by Elder Godwin Akpanedem, called on party members and supporters to actively participate in the ongoing permanent voters card collection and the election. He expressed confidence that the party’s candidate, Patience Ofure-Key had the capacity to lead the state to a new era of prosperity.

    ”I urge you all to rally behind the party’s candidate to ensure victory for our great party, ” Falolu said.

    The event witnessed the official presentation of the PRP’s flag to Madam Patience Ofure-Key and her running mate , Abuomwande Ojo-Advice.

    The PRP flag bearer, Patience Ofure-Key expressed deep gratitude to the national body for the opportunity to represent the party. She stated that with the campaign now officially flagged off, the PRP was poised to challenge the status quo and deliver transformative leadership to Edo State.

    She outlined her three-point agenda of Integrated Human Capital Development, Economic Diversification beyond oil and gas, and Comprehensive Infrastructure Development.

    She promised to deliver her campaign promises, noting that Edo was in dire need of redemption. She, however, called on Edo people to vote wisely, stressing that there would be alleged consequences if the wrong candidate was elected.

    Ofure-Key promised that PRP led government would usher in a new era of prosperity, improved healthcare, better education, and industrialisation in Edo.

    Highpoint of the event was the Award of Excellence presented to Ofure-Key by the Association of Female Students of Edo State, led by its President, Alice Omoruyi.

  • EFCC arrests 22 internet fraud suspects in Benin

    EFCC arrests 22 internet fraud suspects in Benin

    Operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have  arrested 22 suspected internet fraudsters at different locations within Benin City.

    EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja. According to him, the suspects were arrested based on actionable intelligence regarding their suspected involvement in internet- related fraud.

    Oyewale said that the suspects were arrested on Tuesday at different places within Benin City.

    “Items recovered from them include 10 exotic cars,  laptops and phones. The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.

    We’ll deploy technology to fight corruption – EFCC

    Meanwhile, EFCC Chairman, Mr Olanipekun Olukoyede has said the Commission is poised to deploy technology-driven facilities and avenues to fight economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption.

    The EFCC Chairman said this at the inauguration of an electronic learning management studio at the EFCC Academy in Abuja. According to him, the studio would help to boost the intellectual strength of the commission’s workforce and promote distance learning.

    While stressing the importance of technology in the fight against corruption, Olukoyede pointed out that the studio would add value to the productivity of staff and help develop capacity.

    “As you are all aware, our mandate is now technology- driven.  In those days, you get to go to the bank; you fill vouchers, fill everything, collect your card, put it in your boot and drive it home.

    But today, at the press of a button, you move money across the world So, if they have advanced in the way they move money, we are also advancing in the way we checkmate them, and that is the essence of this project,” he said.

    The Commandant, EFCC Academy, Mrs Chinwe Ndubeze explained the concept of  the e-learning studio.

    Ndubeze said that  the academy had statutory capacity-building mandate for the EFCC workforce and staff of other law enforcement agencies.

    According to her, it is also the designated training Academy for the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions of West Africa (NACIWA).

    “The EFCC Academy is the designated training Academy for NACIWA. You will be delighted to be part of launching our E-Learning system.

    “It is a demonstration that, not just the EFCC, but NACIWA is moving forward and not lagging behind with trends  relating  to the digital era.

    “It is clear that, indeed, education must go digital. We are in the digital era and it is staring us in the face,” she said.

    The commandant said that the Academy had been leading in the area of training and education.

    “We are delighted that we are moving our training from the mundane, the regular to the innovative, and of course, you know that when it comes to E-Learning, it is more inclusive,” she said.

    Head, External Corporation Unit of the EFCC, Aliyu Wali, said that the potentials and possibilities of the studio were enormous.

    According to him, it will open doors of endless possibilities for growth, learning and innovation for officers of the EFCC, Nigerians, sister agencies and other stakeholders.

    “Today, as we launch this E-learning studio and platform, we are not just unveiling a facility; we are opening the doors to endless possibilities for growth, learning, and innovation.

    “This platform will play a crucial role in enhancing the capacity of our officers and staff. It will provide them with the tools they need to excel in their duties and uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism,” he said.

    The commissioning of the studio was graced by members of NACIWA,  representatives from the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), MacArthur Foundation,  ECOWAS, USAID, among others.

  • Edo gets new Commissioner of Police

    Edo gets new Commissioner of Police

    Mr Nemi Edwin-Iwo has assumed duty as the new Commissioner of Police (CP) in Edo State.

    According to a statement issued in Benin on Tuesday by the spokesperson of the Police Command in Edo, SP Moses Yamu, the new CP replaced Funsho Adegboye.

    The statement described Edwin-Iwo, the 47th CP in the state, as a hardworking, versatile and dedicated law enforcement officer.

    Until his deployment to Edo, he was the CP in charge of Intelligence at the Force Intelligence Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

    According to the statement, the police chief hailed from Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Port-Harcourt, and a Master’s degree in Industrial Relations from the University of Ibadan.

    He was enlisted into the Nigeria Police in 1992 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.

  • Edo State: Igbinedion dumps PDP

    Edo State: Igbinedion dumps PDP

    Ms Omosede Igbinedion, daughter of a Benin High Chief, Gabriel Igbinedion, has formally tendered her resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Igbinedion announced her resignation in a letter dated Aug. 11, which was addressed to Mr Lucky Edosomwan, Chairman of the party in Okada West Ward 1, Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state.

    In the letter, a copy of which was obtained by the NAN on Tuesday in Benin, she cited lack of equity, fairness, and justice within the party, particularly in Edo, as the reason for her resignation.

    She expressed disappointment that in spite of her complaint to the state and national leadership, the party had continued to marginalise its indigenous members.

    “I am resigning from the PDP based on the principles of equity, fairness and justice, that I hold to dearly, which no longer prevail within our party in the state.

    “This is because of the marginalisation of the aboriginal PDP members, who have worked assiduously to sustain this party, prior to its infiltration in spite of complaints to both the state and national.

    “I no longer have the drive, conviction, sentiment and commitment towards a party that I once called home.

    ”There is no indigenous PDP member on the Edo governorship ballot today, either as the governorship candidate or a governorship running mate, which brings to fore the question, who exactly are we working for?

    “My overriding interest and commitment to the people of Ovia, whom I hold so dearly and who have always stood by me, supersedes my personal interest as well as any other interest.

    “It is on this note that I have decided to tender my resignation from the PDP, effective from today Aug. 11, 2024,” she said.

    Recall that Igbinedion served as a member of the House of Representatives representing Ovia Federal Constituency between 2015 and 2019 on the platform of PDP.

  • Financial malfeasance rattles NDDC

    Financial malfeasance rattles NDDC

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has denied diverting funds to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Edo.

    NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Monday that the claims are fabrications by mischief makers.

    “NDDC is aware of online reports claiming it is diverting contractors’ funds to finance APC’s campaign in Edo.

    “We are constrained to respond to this false story on imaginary diversion of NDDC funds originating from an undisclosed source,” she clarified.

    Thompson-Wakama explained that NDDC does not finance political parties or candidates at any government level, focusing instead on accelerating development in the Niger Delta.

    “The NDDC board and management is now more than ever determined to positively impact the lives of Niger Delta people.

    “We urge the public to disregard the false reports being spread by mischief makers to undermine the commission’s various innovations,” she said.

    The NDDC spokesperson noted that NDDC was now accountable and operates with greater transparency, having recently engaged KPMG to enhance its governance and internal processes.

    According to her, this partnership aims to foster a culture of ethics and good corporate governance within the commission.

    “We are committed to working with stakeholders to drive President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and fulfil our mandate in the Niger Delta.

    “NDDC is also working with regional state governments and development partners to create a stable, prosperous, ecological regenerative and peaceful region,” Thompson-Wakama stated.

    The NDDC had come under scrutiny for allegedly diverting funds meant for contractors to finance the gubernatorial campaign of Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC candidate for Edo State.

    Reports indicate that the NDDC, which has been criticized for its long-standing debts to contractors, is now using funds designated for settling these debts or funding ongoing projects to support Okpebholo’s campaign.

    Sources in the commission revealed that the NDDC has been owing various contractors for extended periods, with some waiting for payments for years.

    ”Instead of addressing these outstanding payments, the NDDC is reallocating these funds to bolster the political campaign of Okpebholo, who is vying for the governorship position in Edo State under the APC banner,” a source told journalists in Port Harcourt where the headquarters of the commission is located.

    The move has raised concerns about the misuse of public funds and the ethical implications of diverting resources meant for development projects to support political campaigns.

    Critics argue that the practice undermines the integrity of the NDDC and exacerbates the financial strain on contractors who have already experienced significant payment delays.

    Civil society groups are now calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to scrutinize the NDDC’s finances.

    ”The EFCC should look into this. The NDDC should not have any political affiliations. It is detrimental to the work that they do as they work across all Niger Delta states which have various political persuasions,” an activist, Soboma Peters said.

  • Edo govt slams Shaibu for parading as Deputy Governor

    Edo govt slams Shaibu for parading as Deputy Governor

    Edo Government has accused Comrade Philip Shaibu, of impersonating Marvellous Omobayo as the deputy governor of the State.

    This is contained in a statement by the state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare on Monday in Benin.

    The state government alleged that Shaibu had been carrying out correspondence with individuals and organisations, claiming to be the deputy governor.

    Nehikhare urged the public to disregard such correspondence from Shaibu because the issue of his reinstatement as deputy governor was still in court.

    Recall that Shaibu, who was impeached by the state House of Assembly, was reinstated on July 19, by a federal high court in Abuja.

    Shaibu said the judgment that reinstated him was declarative and had to be carried out before any outcome of appeal on the declaration was concluded.

    Nehikhare said Shaibu, for now, was not the Deputy Governor of Edo  and every correspondence from him in that regard should be disregarded and considered a forgery.

    According to him, the next hearing in the case is scheduled for Sept. 24.

    The commissioner noted that the state government and the Edo House of Assembly had filed motions challenging Shaibu’s purported reinstatement by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court.

    He said the motions sought an order for a stay of execution and an order suspending the judgment, as well as restraining Shaibu from parading himself as deputy governor.

    “Security agencies are, by this notice, alerted to the potential breach of peace and are urged to hold Philip Shaibu responsible for any security breach in the state arising from his ignoble actions,” Nehikhare said.

    The commissioner reaffirmed that Omobayo remained the deputy governor of the state and any correspondence carried out by Shaibu was an act of impersonation.

  • 44,687 agents to monitor Edo governorship election

    44,687 agents to monitor Edo governorship election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said details of only 44,687 out of 80,410 expected party agents for Edo governorship election were submitted on its dedicated portal, by the July 30 deadline.

    This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, by Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee.

    Olumekun said that the commission met and among other matters, reviewed the preparations for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

    He recalled that since 2020, INEC replaced the manual process for accreditation of observers, media, polling and collation agents with dedicated portals to which the required information, including photographs, was uploaded.

    He recalled that political parties were, subsequently, required to upload the details of their agents for polling units and collation centres for all elections.

    Olumekun said that for the Edo Governorship Election, the portal opened on July 17 and will automatically shut down at midnight on July 30.

    “In Edo, there are 4,519 polling units and 211 collation centres, comprising 192 ward centres, 18 Local Government centres and the State collation centre in Benin.

    “A political party fielding a candidate in the election is expected to nominate 4,730 agents.

    “From the 17 parties participating in the election, the Commission expected a cumulative figure of 80,410 agents.

    “However, only 44,687 were uploaded to the portal made up of 43,043 polling, 1,452 ward, 179 Local Government and 13 State collation agents.

    “Put together, the 17 political parties nominated 55.6 per cent of the expected number of agents.

    “Three political parties uploaded the details of their agents for all levels of polling and collation while one party has no single agent for any level of voting or collation,” Olumekun said.

    Based on infographics on the political party polling and collation agents issued by INEC, 43,043 agents were nominated for polling units agents.

    While the APC, PDP and NNPP nominated the highest number of 4,519 agents each, followed by LP and ZLP with 4,518, the APP submitted nine, while the Booth Party (BP) did not submit any agents.

    Also, while 13 parties including APC and PDP, submitted one state collation agent each, the ADC, APGA, BP and SDP did not dominate any.

    Of the 179 local government collation agents nominated, the summary shows that the AA, AAC, APC, LP, PDP, NNPP, and ZLP nominated eight each, APGA and APP nominated one each, while ADC, BP and SDP did not nominate any agent.

    Equally, of the 1,452 Registration Areas (RAs) agents nominated for the election, APC, NNPP and PDP nominated the highest number of 192 each.

    This is followed by AA which nominated 190, while Accord party, ADC, APP, BP, and SDP did not nominate any for the category.

  • Edo govt confirms receiving trucks of rice from FG

    Edo govt confirms receiving trucks of rice from FG

    The Commissioner for Information and Orientation in Edo, Mr Chris Nehikhare, has confirmed that the State received trucks of rice from the Federal Government after its initial denial.

    Nehikhare had in a national television denied that the State Government received trucks of rice from the Federal Government.

    “We only received grains and garri from the Federal Government, not rice,” he had said on a live television programme.

    However, the Peoples Democratic Party-led government’s denial prompted the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to accuse it of being economical with the truth.

    APC claimed that the bags of rice looted in Benin during the recent nationwide protest were part of the palliative by the Federal Government, which were hoarded by the State Government.

    In the midst of the controversy, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Abubakar Momoh, clarified that every state, including Edo, each received 20 trucks of rice.

    But at a news conference on Wednesday in Benin, Nehikhare capitulated and confirmed that the State Government did receive trucks of rice from the Federal Government.

    He said that the Federal Government delivered the rice to the state with instructions that it should be shared amongst the Internally Displaced Camps (IDPs), orphanage homes and Local Government Areas.

    He said: “On the issue of the Federal Government giving us rice, I will tell you, few months ago, maybe early this year or late last year or mid this year, they brought some trucks of rice.

    “They (the rice) were distributed according to the formula that they be sent to IDP camps, different people, and orphanage homes. You people should do the investigation.

    “Edo State Government did not touch any of the trucks. They moved straight to the Local Governments and where they were designated to be given out.

    “Edo State Government does not keep rice. We have spent N2.2 billion to feed our people.

    “What can 20 trucks of rice do where we are close to seven million people in the state. How does that help?”

    According to the commissioner, the state government provided free bus services since September as part of its measures to fight poverty.

    “I will state categorically that Edo State Government does not buy rice. It did not buy rice.

    “What it did is to provide N2.2 billion to the Christian Association of Nigeria to purchase food items: garri, yam, plantain and rice to give to the vulnerable people and that is a deliberate government policy,” he said.

  • Protesters loot truckload of rice in Edo

    Protesters loot truckload of rice in Edo

    Protesters on Thursday looted  a truckload of rice at Urora community in Ikpoba-okha Local Government of Edo State.

    Eyewitnesses disclosed that the protesters found the vehicle parked on a road as they protested in the community.

    Some of the beneficiaries, who spoke under anonymity, told NAN that the rice might be the one from the Federal Government for Edo residents but was allegedly diverted.

    They alleged that  the politicians representatiing  the state had been  diverting palliatives  met for Edo residents because the rice was in 10kg sacks.

    They vowed to search for all hidden locations  where Federal Government palliatives designated for Edo were hidden.

    The protesters also  made video of the looting from the unidentified truck.

    The state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, in a statement, denied that the rice belonged to the state.

    Nehikhare alleged that the videos making the rounds as regards the looting was a desperate attempt to score cheap political point by opposition parties.

    He said, “The Edo State Government has received information about the looting of bags of rice from an unidentified truck and private residences in parts of Benin City in the wake of the ‘EndBadBGovernance protests.

    “The videos making the rounds are said to have emanated from the Urora axis of Ikpoba Hill, Benin and the government does not have a warehouse in that location,” he said.

    APC, Edo Govt. bicker over ownership of rice looted at warehouse

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Edo Government on Thursday traded words over the ownership of the truck of rice looted at a warehouse in Benin.

    Some residents of Benin were sighted in a viral video looting the rice at a warehouse in Urora, Uhunmwonde Local Government, as the nationwide protest was ongoing.

    In the video, the looters were heard alleging that the warehouse belonged to the state government.

    Most of the residents were seen carrying more than a 10kg bag of rice.

    At a news conference on Thursday, the Acting State Chairman of APC, Jarret Tenebe said the video had allegedly exposed Gov. Godwin Obaseki’s deliberate plan to deprive Edo people of the Federal Government palliative.

    Tenebe alleged that there were reports that a substantial part of the rice was being sold in markets by a prominent PDP market woman leader.

    “If Edo people were in doubt, the video that emerged in the social media today, where an abandoned trailer load of repackaged Federal Government rice with Edo State Government inscription. has exposed the state government.

    “The rice was discovered by Urora residents and it has exposed Obaseki’s deliberate plan to deprive Edo people from accessing the different palliative measures of the Federal Government.

    “We have intelligence reports on several warehouses in the state, hoarding rice and other grains met for Edo people.

    “There are reports also, that substantial part of the rice are being sold in markets by a prominent PDP market woman leader,” the state opposition party leader said.

    The APC leader described the purported scenario as economic sabotage, which the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) must take note of.

    But in its reaction, the Edo Government denied ownership of the warehouse.

    A statement by the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said the government did not keep relief materials in its warehouses

    The commissioner said government’s feeding programme for vulnerable persons in the state were being implemented through religious bodies.

    Nehikhare, however, accused the state chapter of the APC of being responsible for the video.

    “The Edo State Government has received information about the looting of bags of rice from an unidentified truck and private residences in parts of Benin City in the wake of the #EndBadGovernance protests.

    “The videos making the rounds are said to have emanated from the Urora axis of Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, and the government does not have a warehouse in that location.

    “The video is the handiwork of APC in a desperate attempt to score cheap political points.

    “The government supports the vulnerable with relief materials through religious organisations particularly the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and the Muslim leaders in the State.

    “The State government does not keep any relief material by itself but reaches out to the people through these channels,” said the commissioner.

    Nehikhare also slammed opposition party for purported misleading video, adding, “We will not put this tactic past the APC, which is spreading malicious content to score cheap political points.

    “This condemnable action is intended to cause chaos in the state,” he said.