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Akoko-Edo: Charting A New Socio-economic Development

Published

4 years ago

May 4, 2021

Editor

The need to put cultural and language differences aside and work as one in moving Akoko-Edo forward was the centre of discussion at the first edition of Akoko-Edo Summit held May 1st, 2021 at Filani Hotels & Suits, Ososo comminity in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.

The summit with the theme: ‘Evolving a New Socio-economic Order’ was for people of various disciplines in the area to ruminate on issues bothering on development of Akoko-Edo; analyse the problems from non-partisanship perspective and suggest ways for sustainable development and inter-ethnic/religious unity. It was also to X-ray the investment potentials of the local government area and suggesting ways of financing such investments.

The Summit held under the distinguiship chairmanship of Dr. Kingsley Ekundayo, and His Royal Highness, Oba E.A. Saiki, the Otaru of Igara as father of the day, also attracted no few than twelve other Royal Highnesses in the area as the Hall where the event held was filled to capacity, giving credence to the fact that the people have resolved to come together to build the area. Akoko-Edo in diaspora were not left out as they hooked up to the summit via the internet (zoom) and had opportunity of making their contributions to the discourse.

Akoko-Edo, with an area of 1,371 km2 and a population of 262,110 (according to 2006 census) is made up of different languages and blessed with over 56 mineral resources such as: Limestone, Fedspar, Dolomites, Sharp-sound, Laterites, Bentonite, Kaolin, Granite, Gypsum, Salena, Tantalite, Germstones, among others that could bring development and more wealth to the over 57 communities in the local government, and change the lives of the populace if fully invested on. But the narrative seems not to be so. This seemingly worrisome situation probably prompted well-meaning Akoko-Edolites to as a matter of necessity put heads together and convene the summit with a view to utilising the God-given mineral resources for the benefit of all and sundry in Akoko-Edo.

A cross section of participants at the summit.

Speaking on the sub-theme: ‘Self Denials and Marginalisation: Way Forward in Akoko-Edo’ one of the guest speakers, Dr. Kingsley Ekundayo said Akoko-Edo has the best of granite in the axis of Igarra with expanse of land in Dangbala community and some other areas but unfortunately these God-given gold are being mined uncontrollable (illegally). Dr. Ekundayo who doubles as the chairman of the occasion opined that granite alone, out of the abundance mineral deposits, has the potential of generating over N200bn annually to the area if fully utilised and invested on.

He said, “Akoko-Edo has the best stones for granite in the axis of Igarra, Somorika, Uneme-nekwa, Ogbe and Aiyegunle. What of the expanse of land in Dangbala and some areas where gold is being mined uncontrolled (sic)? The annual demand for granite for the purpose of construction in the South-South of the country is in excess of N200bn. What is the source of Petra and Heartland companies?… It is supplies of granite of Akoko-Edo(sic). We have this in abundance. We can raise the needed capital to establish a Quarry to take advantage of this.”

Speaking from the political perspective, Dr. Ekundayo lamented that Akoko-Edo has not gained much when compared with other local governments particularly in Edo North District. According to him, of the other local governments in Edo North District, only Akoko-Edo has remains the way it was back in the early 50s while its contemporaries have been splited thereby bringing more development to the local governments in question, while Akoko-Edo remains as one LG 71 years after. The implication of this seemingly “indivisible LG” is enormous to the local government and her people in terms of development.

He admonished political leaders in Akoko-Edo to at least take advantage of the proposed delimitation of state constituency/creation of additional polling units/voting points by INEC to increase the polling units and demand for restoration of four (4) state constituency like that of the defunct Midwestern Region where Akoko-Edo had four House of Assembly members at the parliament.

The Otaru of Igarra, HRH, Oba E.A. Saiki declaring the summit open.

To bring speedy development to Akoko-Edo and her people, the Guest Speaker suggested establishment of a Centre for Communities Integration (CCI) where community, religious leaders, institutions, government policy makers, academia, concerned citizens and activists meet periodically to share information and exchange ideas as it relates to each comminity to evolve an Akoko-Edo broad-based agenda for common good for all.

He added, “There is a need for a joint effort by way of constituting an Akoko-Edo Development Committee made up of patriotic indigenes cutting across our socio-economic and political belts (residents and diasporas) with quality contents of professionalism to draw a sustainable development agenda for Akoko-Edo.”

The chairman craved partnership across ethnic blocs in the local government and the need for all to see themselves as one. He also appealed to Akoko-Edo sons and daughters both home and abroad to donate generously towards the development of the area saying, “we must not keep all our wealth outside the shores of Akoko-Edo; let is relocate some back home by way of cash and investment.”

Traditional Rulers at the summit.

Another Speaker at the event, Dr. Bamidele Agbadua decried the slow pace of development in Akoko-Edo. He was, however, optimistic that the challenges for the slow pace in development was surmountable if all come together and unite.

Dr. Agbadua who spoke extensively on the theme noted that the purpose of evolving a new socio-economic order is to alleviate poverty, improve security and engender development in the area.

He urged the people of the area to see themselves as one large and united family and eschew envy amongst themselves. He opined that the diversity should be a unifying factor amongst various communities in Akoko-Edo rather than division. He also called on political and opinion leaders to make sacrifice by carrying most people in the local government along.

Panel of discussants at the summit.

“Efforts should be made by all and sundry to deemphazise difference in language; we should see ourselves as one large, diverse and united entity. Our diversity, if not for anything, should be a unifying factor amongst various communities in Akoko-Edo. In addition, to foster unity, political and opinion leaders should be ready to make sacrifice by carrying most people along.”

He enjoined all Akoko-Edo people both at home and abroad to team up with leaders in the area and take Akoko-Edo to an enviable heights.

Another guest speaker at the event, Alhaji Usman Ibrahim opined that political leaders in the area need to synergize to attract investment into Akoko-Edo.

Cultural display by cultural troops at the summit.

In affirmation to submissions by other speakers, Ibrahim asserted that the area is blessed with solid minerals that can conveniently outperform that if oil and gas on a net-gain basis at revenue generation.

Cultural display by cultural troops from various communities in the local government added glamour to the event.

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Tension As Unknown Gunmen Kill Police Informant In Imo Community

Published

3 months ago

April 25, 2025

Editor

By Qosim Sulaiman

Palpable tension engulfed the residents of Nkwogwu community, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State following the killing of an elderly man, Pa Albert Nwanchukwu, believed to be a police informant.

The assailants, numbering about eight, who reportedly stormed the home of the late Nwanchukwu at about 10pm on Tuesday, 22 April, 2025, were said to have met him where he was relaxing in his compound and immediately opened fire on him.

According to our source who pleaded anonymity, before his assassination, the late Nwanchukwu, had reportedly went to a police station in the locality to inform them of the activities of the gunmen, just as he pleaded to the police to get them arrested.

Our source disclosed that the late Nwanchukwu never knew that some policemen are accomplished in the act, adding that the policemen no doubt informed the gunmen who in anger came and killed him.

Our source narrated: “They were about eight in number. They came with different weapons – guns, machetes. They were all masked except their leader.

“It was late but the floodlight from the streetlight was bright. They drove dangerously and went straight to Mr Albert Uwandu Nwachukwu house. The man was relaxing in the front of his house. Immediately they saw him, they opened fire,” he died on the spot”, an eyewitness who saw the entire scene from the balcony of his house recounts.

Our source added: “Further investigations proved that the spy had informed this notorious gang of late Pa Nwachukwu’s visit to the police, thereby leading to the attack on his household.”

After killing the man, the gang reportedly went inside the house searching for other family members.

While it was evident that the gang intended to eviscerate the entire members of the family, three of his children – Victor Onyedikachi Nwachukwu, Promise Rita Nwachukwu Yakubu and Blessing Nzebechi Nwachukwu escaped.

“I saw the three of them. They ran through the back door. Since that time, we have not seen them again”, the same eye-witness disclosed to our correspondent.

This particular incident has thrown the entire community and Aboh Mbaise Local Government in general, into mourning.

While some questioned the safety of police informants, other believed the incident shows the rot in the police force of the country.

Expressing his disappointment in the police, the chairman of Aboh Mabise LGA; Honourable Barrister Iheukwumere Henry Alaribe vowed a major crackdown on the unknown gunmen.

The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma promised a total clampdown and return of sanity to the community.

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Protect Oil Palm Host Communities; Address Spate Of Kidnapping, Violence, Govt Told

Published

5 months ago

February 26, 2025

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

A non-profit organization – African Law Foundation (AFRILAW), has appealed to the government at levels to ensure the protection of oil palm host communities and address the spate of kidnapping and violence in such areas.

AFRILAW further urged the governments to ensure that communities’ rights and privileges are respected in land deals with oil palm companies to avoid human rights violations.

Okereke Chinwike Esq,
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, AFRILAW, made the appeal in Benin on Tuesday at the Public Presentation and launching of ‘The Community-based Report on Human Rights Violations in the Palm Oil Supply Chain in Edo State.’

INFO DAILY reports that the event is part of AFRILAW activities under the “Promoting Human Rights in Palm Oil Supply Chain in Nigeria Project,” being implemented by AFRILAW in partnership with Zero Tolerance Initiative (ZTI) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with funding support from True Cost Initiative (TCI) USA.

According to the AFRILAW founder, addressing companies’ human rights violations from their operations in host communities require evidence-based research, hence the research and report presentation.

“The Report we are presenting today documents evidence of community rights violations by major oil palm companies operating in the state. The research is informed by the increasing spate of violence and community protests against the operations of oil palm companies operating in Edo state, and provides greater understanding of the prevailing cases of community and human rights violations and nature of conflicts,” he noted.

He, therefore, urged the government to
“put in place a mandatory binding CSR laws and guidelines for companies to ensure that community rights and privileges are protected.”

He further appealed to the government to “ensure effective implementation of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights and set forth clear expectations for business enterprises regarding the importance of respecting the rights of human rights defenders, indigenous people and communities in Nigeria.”

On his part, Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Anthony Ojukwu (SAN), described the report as essential, stressing that beyond normal advocacy, research-based advocacy is more efficient and effective.

Represented by Mrs Mary Okoh, Deputy Director, Legal/Focal Point Business and Human Rights, NHRC, Ojukwu said beyond Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) organization should take seriously major issues of mainstreaming human rights into their operations.

“That means anyone who wants to set up a business must put into consideration the needs of the people and not what the organization or company needs. We have found out that this is where human rights violations start.

“Let them be part of the discussion and planning in the setting up of the business. Let them know what is at stake for them,” he said.

Goodwill messages were delivered by government agencies and ministries, while the presentation and launching also attracted security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Customs Service, and the Nigeria Immigration Service among others.

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#EndBadGovernance: Police Manhunt Activists, Others, As Artist Cries Out For Help In Benin

Published

12 months ago

August 15, 2024

Editor

The suspect, Osarenkhoe Destiny Oghosa,

The Nigeria Police Force has launched a manhunt for suspected sponsors of the #EndBadGovernance in Nigeria protest that swept round the country last week.

Though police had arrested scores of such protesters across the country, many, especially vocal personalities and civil rights activists who have been criticising policies of the Tinubu administration in Nigeria have been penned down for arrest.

Also of interest to the police are those alleged to have massively produced and supplied Russian flags that were displayed during the protests, as they have vowed that none of the suspects would be spared.

It was gathered that undercover policemen are closing in on the social critics including one Osarenkhoe Destiny Oghosa, a vocal music artiste in Benin City.

This has raised fears and trepidation in that circle with many going underground for fear of being arrested by the police.

Oghosa is accused of masterminding an attempted jail break in the Benin metropolis similar to the End SARS protest in 2020, experience that resulted in the prison break and escape of prisoners and detainees alike.

Oghosa, in an interview with our correspondent, lamented that his music which focuses social justice, equality, societal ills among others in Nigeria, is now being as a crime.

He further lamented that despite several tactics to beat the security tab on him by agents of the government, he had faced persecution from invincible nocturnal groups.

Further lamenting how the government is hell bent in silencing voices speaking for the masses, Oghosa recalled how he was called at midnight to stop production of his song titled “OBI”, adding that he was seriously warned .

In a related development, Ahmed Bello, one of the suspect producers of the Russian flag hoist in some cities in Nigeria has been attested.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in Abuja on Monday at the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee joint press briefing.

He added that the police were on the trail of other suspects, especially the sponsors of the protest which led to the destruction of government properties in Kaduna and Kano States.

Adejobi said the suspects committed a treasonable felony, offence by waving a foreign country’s flag in Nigeria.

He said: “So, we need to set the record straight. It is important for us to know, so far so good we have been able to arrest some individuals who were engaging themselves in what I call a treasonable felony, while we are still going after their sponsors.

“To carry the flags of a foreign country in another country is a criminal offence. We have them arrested. Just this morning, we arrested one Ahmed Bello from Kano State fuor producing a large quantity of Russian flags given to young Nigerians to hoist for reasons best known to him.”

The police added that protesters in Benin City had made attempts to invade the DSS office in the state with the intention to free persons who in their opinion were being unjustly detained there-in forcing the law enforcement agencies to disperse them.