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Tag: Edo State

  • Edo council poll: APC wins all 18 chairmanship seats

    Edo council poll: APC wins all 18 chairmanship seats

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) has won all the 18 chairmanship seats in the March 3 local government election in Edo.

    The Chairman of the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), Prof. Stanley Orobator, announced the results of the council polls in Benin on Sunday.

    Orobator said the exercise was rancor-free and that there was no reported case of violence across the state during the election on Saturday.

    The elected chairmen are Mr Victor Emuanhagbon for Esan South-East Local Government Area, Augustine Okhoibkole for Esan North East and Mr Musa Yakubu for Etsako West.

    Others are Mr Waziri Idemudia (Esan Central), Mr Patrick Aguinede (Esan West), Mr Ogedengbe Odia (Igueben) Mr Sylvester Okoro (Orihonmwon) Mr John Akhigbe (Etsako Central) and Mr Eric Osayande (Ikpoba-Okha).

    Also elected are Evbareke Osunde (Oredo), Mr Aremiyau Momoh (Etsako East), Oteh Omoru (Akoko-Edo), Destiny Enabulele (Ovia South West) and Ogbemudia Osaze (Ovia North East).

    Mr Napoleon Agbama was elected chairman for Uhunwode, and Andrew Osigwe won in Owan East while Eghe Ogbemudia was declared winner in Egor as Frank Ilaboya won in Owan West.

    The commission’s chairman said certificates of return would be given to them at 3:p.m. on Monday.

    ”We will now compile results of the councilors and will brief you in about 48 or 72 hours,” he said.

    Ten political parties took part in the council poll while the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) boycotted the election.

     

  • APC wins 7 councils in results declared by EDSIEC

    The chairmanship candidates of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State have won seven local councils with large margins, in the results of the election announced by the state’s Independent Electoral Commission ( EDSIEC).

    The Peoples Democratic Party boycotted the poll.

    According to the results announced by EDSIEC chairman, Professor Stanley Orobator, APC’s Oteh Omoru was elected the chairman of Akoko-Edo with 42,471 votes. ADP won only 23, SDP 17.

    In Ovia South West, Destiny Enabulele for APC triumphed with 56,664 votes. ADP won 360 votes, NCP 9, PPA 5, PDP 1.

    Ovia North East elected APC’s Ogbemudia Osaze with 41,303 votes. ADP got 256, DA 83, LP 167, PDC 33, PDP 3, PPA 26, SDP 15, NCP 60, GPN 46

    Napoleon Agbama of the APC is the new chairman of Uhunwode LG. According to EDSIEC, he polled 32,292 votes. The ADP got 83 votes, DA 52, LP 55, NCP 45, PPA 12, SDP 8.

    Owan East elected Andrew Osigwe, who won 34,579 votes and Eghe Ogbemudia also swept Egor with 15,348 votes, the smallest votes so far reported for the ruling party.

    Frank Ilaboya easily trounced all other contenders for the chairmanship of Owan West as he won with 28,406 votes. The ADP got 252, AD 100, LP 50, SDP 56.

    The chairman of the commission, Professor Orobator said further announcement of results would commence at 10am on Sunday.

     

  • Edo set to reposition EBS Radio/TV for digital switch-over

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the state government will reposition the state-owned broadcast outfits, Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) Radio and Television, as it prepares for the digital switch-over.

    Obaseki said this during the courtesy visit by the management team of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), to the Government House, in Benin City, Edo State.

    He noted, “The state government has completed assessment of how the re-positioning of the state-owned broadcast media outfits can benefit from the digital switch-over in line with modern global media practice driven by Information and Communication Technology (ICT).”

    “It is time to leap-frog our entire communication infrastructure and align it with the global media space. We understand the role of ICT in digital switch-over. The state government will leverage on the digital switch-over considering the unique location of the state,” Obaseki said.

    He added, “This administration will procure state-of-the-art digital equipment. We will require the assistance of the NBC to organise training for staff of the state-owned media outfits when this is done.”

    On his part, Director General (DG), NBC, Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, said that Edo State can leverage on the benefits offered by the digital switch-over to promote the rich cultural heritage of the Benin Kingdom to the world.

    Kawu said, “NBC is committed to assisting state-owned broadcast stations to fully embrace the digital switch-over to improve their operations and expand their reach.

    “The NBC also seeks the partnership of the state government to improve its operations, and will assist the state-owned media outfits on the repositioning programme.”

     

  • Trafficking: Edo govt. seeks UN, EU partnership on returnees’ resettlement, empowerment

    Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has commenced talks with the British High Commission and the United Nations Women on areas of partnership spanning resettlement of victims of human trafficking and empowerment.

    The meetings with the two International bodies held on the sideline of the Senate Roundtable on Migration and Human Trafficking, which held in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    Obaseki met with the Country Representative, United Nations Women, Comfort Lamptey, with whom he discussed areas of partnership on empowering returnees and stemming the tide of human trafficking.

    The talks are expected to lead to partnerships that will see the UN Women engage in programmes to resettle returnees, halt the tide of irregular migration and empower women to lead productive lives without resorting to dangerous journeys outside the country.

    Governor Obaseki also had a separate session with British Deputy High Commissioner, Ms Laure Beaufils, to synergise on measures to mitigate human trafficking and initiate novel agriculture programmes.

    The efforts are expected to culminate in an inter-agency committee to coordinate the programmes of international agencies in the state.

    The state’s effort to stem human trafficking is led by the Edo State Taskforce on Anti-Human Trafficking Illegal Migration.

     

  • Sports reforms to drive job creation, youth development in Edo – Obaseki

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration’s vision to reform sports is aimed at creating jobs and curbing restiveness among youths.

    The governor made the submission during a dinner organised to unveil the new logo, jersey, team bus, technical team as well as manual for the rebranded Bendel Insurance Football Club (FC) in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    Obaseki said, “We have a keen interest to reform the sports sector in the state, and this is aimed at providing solutions to youth restiveness and unemployment. For us, sports have the potential to uplift the lives of our people and offer hope to youths who seek a better country.

    “Edo people are sports-loving. We will leverage this as we continue our reforms and give hope to our teeming youths. The steps made in reforming the Bendel Insurance FC will serve as reference point to drive more reforms in the sector.”

    He added the reforms will focus on grassroots sports development, noting, “Design and contracts for the construction of mini stadium in each local government area across the state have been completed. Local government chairmen will be mandated to ensure that the project is completed to encourage young men and women at the grassroots to tap into sports.”

    Obaseki called on investors in the state to support the present administration’s efforts to restore the state to its pride of place in sports in the country.

    Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, hailed “the achievements of the club, which has a reputation of producing contenders in the national team. These include, Peter Osazee Odemwingie, Austin Eguavoen, amongst others. These great players have represented the state at national and international assignments.”

    Shaibu added, “The decision to rebrand the Bendel Insurance FC’s logo with the image of Queen Idia was to project the club members as warriors, out to win battles. I am optimistic that the rebranded Bendel Insurance FC will emerge as a force to contend with.”

    On his part, President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, commended the state government for its initiatives in repositioning Bendel Insurance FC, and urged “The state government to partner corporate bodies for sponsorship to achieve self-funding and ensure the club is not dependent on government grants.”

    “It is important for football clubs to run independent of government interference to ensure consistency. The club can develop its cards; Silver and Premium cards and VIP stand to serve as means for generating funds,” he added.

     

  • FG donates relief materials to IDPs in Edo

    FG donates relief materials to IDPs in Edo

    The Federal Government through the National Commission For Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), on Tuesday donated relief materials to the Internally Displaced Persons, (IDPs) in Edo.

    The IDPs received the food and educational materials in the camp located at Uhogua, in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state.

    Mrs Halimat Musa, Special Assistant on media to the Federal Commissioner, NCFRMI, Sadiya Umar-Farouq, presented the materials on behalf of the commission.

    Umar-Farouq said it was the duty of commission to ensure that lasting solutions were provided for persons and communities displaced.

    “We have worked assiduously and had interventions in 28 states and FCT where humanitarian crisis were identified.

    “In those areas, we have in short run, provided care and maintenance to alleviate the suffering of persons of concern.

    “While on the long run, we continue to plan with a view to providing durable solutions to them,” she said.

    She said, “Based on the information provided about the children, the commission dispatched a desk officer to carry out need assessment of these children.

    “It is on this premise that I lead the team to identify and flag off the distribution of food and educational materials for the purpose caring for these children,’’ she said.

    According to her, NCFRMI would continue to make sure that its activities take into account the serious protection issues faced by the children.

    “I want to use this opportunity to thank the management of International Christian Centre who has managed the Uhogua camp in keeping the children together,” she added.

    Umar-Farouq listed the food items donated to include, 80 bags of 50kg rice, 80 bags of 100kg beans, 80 bags of 50kg gari.

    Others are 26 cartons of groundnut oil, 26 cartons of red oil, 10 bags of salt and 10 cartons of Maggi.

    In addition to these were 140 branded school bags, 140 food flasks, 430 dozens of 20 leaves notebook, 430 dozens of 40leaves notebook, and four cartons of pen.

    Also speaking, Gov. Godwin Obaseki thanked NCFRMI for its efforts in consolidating on the campaign to resettle and re-integrate victims of human trafficking who returned to the country.

    The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Mr Yakubu Gowon, said such structure provided by NCFRMI had curtailed the trend of illegal migration.

    Mr Solomon Folorunsho, the General Overseer of the camp, thanked Federal Government for the gesture.

    Folorunsho also expressed gratitude to the state government for creating an enabling environment for the IDPS to stay.

    “As you can see, despite the challenges the IDPs are happy here,’” he said.

     

  • Saraki, Dambazau, EU back Edo Govt.’s fight against human trafficking

    The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau and the European Union have thrown their weight behind the Edo State government’s efforts at combating the scourge of human trafficking and illegal migration.

    At a Senate Round-table on Migration and Human Trafficking held in Benin City, the Edo State Capital, on Monday, Saraki commended the effort of Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, in the fight against the menace.

    He said that the effort by the Edo State Government was the beginning of many steps to be taken in halting illegal migration.

    He canvassed for renewed efforts in stemming the tide, noting that it was regrettable that youths save funds to leave the country and, in the process, fall prey to predators that sell them as slaves.

    Saraki urged stakeholders to join forces to fight the menace, noting, “The government has been doing its best to liberate Nigerians from slave trade in Libya, as many lives have been lost in the cause of irregular migration. The time is apt to end the scourge.”

    Noting that the summit is expected to provide direction on how to improve collaborations to tackle human trafficking, he said that some of the resolutions will lead to improved legislation, funding to agencies such as the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and accelerating pending treaties.

    In his address, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, said the incidence of irregular migration and human trafficking has become critical, noting that its magnitude wasn’t fully grasped before.

    Obaseki said the Edo government considered the menace at variance to the culture and value of the people, which led to the establishment of the taskforce to handle the issue.

    He added that the taskforce has “worked assiduously to achieve its objectives, as it has coordinated the receipt and reintegration of returnees, led the prosecution of offenders, and managed public perception to tackle stigmatisation.

    “Edo State Government under my watch considers modern day slavery, a practice that is at variance with our rich cultures and values.”

    Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, expressed concern over the trend, noting that it was unpalatable for youths to risk their lives across difficult terrains to Europe.

    The European Union (EU), Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ketil Karlsen, said it has recorded no fewer than 10,000 cases of irregular migration within the last two months.

    Karlsen said that EU’s illegal migration registration of the 10,000 took place in 2018, as the records were taken between January and February.

    He said that in 2017, EU registered about 187,000 cases, while number of deaths registered so far was 411, as against 116 reordered in 2017.

    He said that of the figure, Nigeria accounts for about 60 percent, adding that in view of this, there was need to correct the worrisome error.

    “What should be of worry and concern was the irregular migration and the conditions the victims were being migrated. We should also look at the causes for such migration,” he said.

     

  • Edo Govt releases IDPs distribution materials roster – Official

    The Edo Government on Thursday released a roster showing how relief materials approved by the Federal Government for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state were distributed.

    The statement was signed by Mr Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser to Gov. Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy in Benin.

    Osagie said: “Out of a total of 6,821 bags of rice allocated to the state, the State Government received only 4,639.bags.

    According to him, 2,182 of the bags were bad, unfit for consumption and were not collected by the state government.

    He explained, these figures could be verified from the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Army, who witnessed the distribution of the items.

    Osagie added that not a single jar of vegetable oil was received because all of them had expired, according to the dates marked on the containers by the manufacturers.

    He said that: “On Christmas eve, Dec. 24, 2017, the IDP camp in Uhogua received 500 bags of rice from the state government.

    “Also on Christmas eve, 50 sacks of used shoes were given to the IDPs in Uhogua.

    “Two weeks ago, the IDP camp Uhogua received another 2,101 bags of rice, which brings the total number of bags of rice received by the IDP camp at Uhogua to 2,601.”

    Osagie added that displaced persons in Edo Central, Edo North and orphanages in the state received 1,421 bags of rice.

    “The remaining 617 bags are in the state government’s warehouse. We also have about 35 sacks of used shoes in the store, scheduled for distribution in the coming weeks.

    Osagie also said that besides the IDP camp in Uhogua, displaced persons were also at Ilushin in Edo Central, Oghomerhe in Edo North and various orphanages across the state.

     

  • Edo records 521 suspected cases of Lassa fever

    Dr Osamuwonyi Irowa, the Director of Disease Control, Edo, says the state has recorded 521 suspected cases of Lassa fever this month.

    Irowa disclosed this at the inauguration of the Emergency Operation Centre on Lassa fever in Benin on Wednesday.

    He said 124 cases have been confirmed out of the 521 suspected cases recorded in 13 local government areas of the state.

    The director also said 15 deaths were recorded with 509 cases under surveillance, while 10 suspected cases had developed symptoms.

    Inaugurating the centre, the Deputy Gov. of the state, Mr Phillip Shaibu, said that the Lassa fever response mechanism was aimed at ensuring a coordinated control of the epidemic.

    He charged the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to encourage volunteers to support their staff for effective control of the disease.

    He assured that the state government was working towards building isolation centres to decongest the patient population at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.

     

  • Police/Youth clash: Gov. Obaseki consoles deceased wife, sets up N10m fund for children

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has set up a N10 million education fund for the training of two children of late David Okoniba, whose death was allegedly caused by an exchange with a police officer at Upper Igun, Third Junction area of Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    Obaseki disclosed this when he led some members of his cabinet on a condolence visit to the family of the deceased at Urora community, in Benin city.

    The governor said he was at the victim’s home to assure his relatives that the government of Edo State share in their grief, assuring them that those culpable in the killing will be brought to book.

    “I am here today to get the details of what happened. Listening to you, I am heartbroken. I can feel your pain and appreciate your pain and anger. I want to assure the family that the case will not be swept under the carpet.

    “It will be followed to a logical conclusion as a reputable retired Judge of Edo State High Court, Justice Olubo has been selected to head the panel of enquiry which will investigate what truly happened on the said date of the incident that led to the death and consequent fracas between the youths and the police,” he said.

    According to him, “I learnt that the deceased has two children. I have released N10 million fund to be used for their education, to reduce the pain of the absence of their father and ensure their education does not suffer much because of this incident.”

    Obaseki also assured the family that government will support in the burial of late David Okoniba and advised the family to take the wife of the deceased to the hospital for medical attention at government expense, as she was still traumatised from the incident.

    Earlier, Spokesperson for the family, Mrs. Aremu Roseline, expressed appreciation to the governor and the state for the visit to the family, noting that the presence of the governor has given them hope for justice.

    She also thanked the Commissioner of Police, Mr Johnson Kokumo, who visited the family and showed concern over the death of David, thanking him for promising to get to the root of the matter.

    “We appeal to the governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki to help the family ensure David gets Justice. His death must not be in vain as he was the pillar of the family. He had two children and his formal wedding was to be in two-weeks’ time. His wife who was an eyewitness of the incident is psychologically affected and seriously traumatised,” she added.