News

Edo 2020: Ize-Iyamu Receives Royal Blessings

Published

3 years ago

July 26, 2020

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the Edo Governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Sunday, July 26, received the blessings of the Enigies in the Benin kingdom to emerge victorious in the September 19 governorship election.

Ize-Iyamu, alongside other leaders of the APC including Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, visited the Enigies at the palace of its president, His Royal Highness, Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbean, the Enigie of Egbaen town, to present the core policies and plans of his campaign manifesto, the SIMPLE agenda.

He lamented the elitist, detached style of administration of the incumbent which, according to him, has resulted in the implementation of wrong policies that fail to address the problems of the people, especially at the grassroots.

The APC governorship candidate cited the worsening conditions of security in the state, explaining that the Governor has failed to tackle the problem due to his poor investment in the security architecture of the state and refusal to work with traditional rulers and community heads closer to the people and in possession of vital intelligence reports.

He also criticized the government’s failure to address the acute shortage of teachers in rural communities across the state.

According to him, most of the schools in the communities have only one teacher, a situation which has resulted in poor performances during national exams and low enrollment.

Ize-Iyamu promised to reverse these failures and run an inclusive government that will bring needed developments to the grassroots through a respectful partnership with the traditional rulers who are well-versed on local infrastructural needs.

His Royal Highness, Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbean, who spoke on behalf of the Enigies expressed their non-partisanship and gave him their blessings for his governorship bid.

On his part, the former Governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who received a warm reception at the event, assured the Enigies that Ize-Iyamu will continue his tradition of regular meetings with the traditional rulers to give an account of his stewardship and seek their inputs in policy formation and implementation.

He apologised for endorsing Governor Obaseki who he criticised for abandoning the projects his administration initiated and for frittering away the trust and resources of the state on ineffectual consultancies and MOUs.

All the Enigies of the Benin kingdom were at the event, including HRH Edugie. O. Oguigo, the Enigie of Ugo- Niyekorhiomwon, HRH Anthony Osagie, the Enigie of Uruegbe, and HRH Dr. Aiweroghene Iduriase, the Enigie of Eyaen.

APC leaders at the event included Chief Lucky Imasuen, former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, Vice-Chairman of Media and Publicity Committee of APC National Campaign Council, Hon. Washington Osifo, member-elect of the Edo Assembly, Hon. Osaretin Edosomwan, former Special Adviser, Rt. Hon. Festus Ebea, former Speaker of the Edo Assembly, Hon. Razaq Bello Osagie, former member of House of Reps, Hon. Samson Osagie, Edo South Coordinator, and Hon. Chris Okaeben, member of the Edo Assembly.

Other dignitaries present are Lawrence Okah, APC state secretary, Engr. Isaac Isahon, former member House of Reps, Prince Ekpen Eweka, Chief Francis Inegbeniki, Mr Gallant Ogbomo, Mr. Tony Uwaifo, Mr. Osadolor Omoregie among others.

Up Next

Group Tasks Nigerians To See Fight Against Corruption As Everyone Project

Don't Miss

Shooting At Benin Monarch’s Palace : APC, PDP Trade Blame, Accusation

Comments

News

Edo Sets Up Task Force To Tackle Fuel Crisis

Published

6 hours ago

May 30, 2023

Editor

The Edo State Government has commenced inspection to check fuel scarcity, hoarding, and a hike in the price of premium motor spirits in the state.

According to the special adviser to the governor on media projects, Cruseo Osagie, The task force set up to regulate the product, on Tuesday, inspected fuel stations in the Benin Metropolis to check against hoarding, as well as address the issue of artificial scarcity and arbitrary hikes in prices of petroleum products in the state.

Speaking to journalists during the inspection, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Mining, Ferguson Enabulele, said the state government will carry out further engagements with relevant authorities on the matter.

He said, “We discovered under-dispensing in some of these stations, over pricing which cannot be fully justified as some are saying the sector has been fully deregulated but there is no formal letter from the state government concerning that. So, we still stand with the old prices of these products.

“It’s a bit difficult to reach a specific position on this issue now (pricing). We will hold further conversations with the DPR Office in the State and thereafter, inform the state governor of our findings.

“We will invite owners of filling stations to engage with them also. It is when we have that information that we will now know what to do because as we stand, there is no formal authority deregulating that sector but as against what most of these petrol stations are acting on – as if the sector has been fully deregulated and they have control over their pricing.”

He appealed to the residents to be patient as there is going to be more engagement with the Department of Petroleum Resources to arrive at an authoritative position.

News

Senate Amends ICPC Act, Slams 2 Year-imprisonment On False Petitioners

Published

7 hours ago

May 30, 2023

Editor

The Senate on Tuesday passed an amendment to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC Act with stiffer punishment for false petitioners.

Specifically, the amendment to Section 25 of the Act, now provides two-year imprisonment with no option of fine on anyone whose petitions to the commission is found to be false or intended to mislead.

This was sequel to the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, chaired by Senator Suleiman Abdu Kwari (APC Kaduna North).

In the principal Act, the offence of false petition attracts a fine of N100,000.

The amendment in Section (25) (1) says Any person who makes or causes any other person to make to an officer of the commission…any statement which to the knowledge of the person making the statement, or causing the statement to be made is false, or intended to mislead shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two (2) years.

The Red Chamber had in the past, planned to streamline the operations of the ICPC with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC so as to make it more proactive.

News

EFCC Told To Start Probing Buhari, Leave Ortom

Published

7 hours ago

May 30, 2023

Editor

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been urged to start probing the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari and leave ex-Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom.

Unconfirmed reports had it that EFCC had allegedly invaded Benue State, in an attempt to arrest Ortom.

It was claimed that the anti-graft operatives were invited on the orders of the Minister of Interior, George Akume.

Reacting, Ortom had said the anti-graft agency operatives were welcomed into the state because he had nothing to hide.

However, a civil society organization wondered why EFCC was looking away from the alleged corruption allegations against Buhari’s government, but opted for Ortom.

Ternenge Bendega, the President of Benue Coalition for Democracy, BCD, recalled that in August 2018, after Ortom dumped the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on account of gross insecurity and his maltreatment by the leadership of APC in Benue State, the EFCC had went after him like a rabid dog.

A statement by Bendega reads: “Yesterday, the media were awash with reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC was laying ambush to apprehend the immediate past Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom on alleged corruption charges. The reports however did not state what Chief Ortom’s offense was.

“The government of Muhammadu Buhari is on record as the most corrupt administration in the post-independence history of Nigeria! Trillions of naira have been stolen under the watch of “Mr Integrity”, but the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies always look the other way while the country is being raped. They prefer to oppress those who have volunteered to fight for justice, like Samuel Ortom.

“Former President Muhammadu Buhari did not hide his disdain for Ortom. He wanted Ortom removed at all costs and his agent for executing the “project” was Senator George Akume, the leader of APC in Benue State.

“Today, the EFCC, apparently following the wink and prompting of the immediate past President, has resumed the witch-hunt of Ortom? But what is the former Benue Governor’s crime? His only “sin” is his boldness to challenge the powers behind the Fulani occupation agenda. He has dared to take the tiger by the tail. Ortom is apparently the first Governor to directly question the Fulani subjugation machinery and refuse to shift even a foot backwards.

“The immediate past Benue State Governor also knew that the beast would fight back and he prepared his mind for the war ahead. In the last couple of weeks, he often told his audience that he was ready to visit the EFCC if the commission wanted him to appear before it. What is not clear is why the commission would want to arrest a man who is willing to answer charges against him.

“EFCC has exhibited the height of impunity by its selective war against financial crimes in the country. The situation where the commission harasses innocent citizens on politically motivated grounds is unacceptable.

“We task the EFCC to beam its searchlight on corrupt officials in the immediate past administration of President Buhari who turned the national treasury to their personal estate.”