News

Embrace ICT For Your Own Good, Edo Deputy Speaker Urges Assembly Staff

Published

2 years ago

July 12, 2023

The Deputy Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Maria Edekor, on Wednesday, called on members Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Edo Assembly chapter, to ‘upskill’ their knowledge in Information Communication Technology (ICT) so as to expand their capabilities.

Edekor, who made the call when members of the association visited her at the assembly complex in Benin, said being ICT compliant would make them more proficient in their duties and improve quality of government services.

She noted that governor Godwin Obaseki had digitalised the state public and civil service, adding that the state had moved away from analog to digital economy and e-governance.

Edekor said: “This is the 21st century and every staff working in the ministry and in the judiciary are ICT compliant.

“ICT has helped workers in the ministry to automate government services that previously required bureaucratic hassles.

“I am very saddened to see that the staff working in the Edo state house of assembly operates an analog system. You have been left behind.

“I have asked my colleagues how an analog system can perform an oversight function over a digital system.

“If you are in Edo State, you will know that your counterpart in the ministry and Judiciary have been upskilled and their lives have been transformed.

“I wonder how someone will get to a director here and do not even know how to operate computer or a laptop.

“If you were to be transferred to the ministry or other agency of government in this state, you cannot fit in because you have been left behind technically,” she said

Edekor further stated that as a former commissioner in the ministry of Social development and Gender issues, she reformed the ministry by training and retraining of all staff in ICT.

She explained that she had worked in different capacities as a lecturer, commissioner and heads of different bodies such as the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), adding that she knew how effective service delivery could be, using ICT.

“Many of my staff then that we trained, some of them have gotten job with international organizations because of the digital skills they acquired while working in Edo state.

“People are always afraid of change and the changes are for your own good. Do not be afraid that you might lose your job with the reform that is coming.

“Nobody lost their job in the ministry where the digital reforms started. I was able to function in different capacities because of the experiences I have gathered in ICT over the years.”

According to her, the EdoBEST programme in the state is a testimony of how digitalised system can enhance productivity and performance. Edo teachers can comfortably compete with their counterparts anywhere in the world using ICT.

“So be prepared to develop yourselves. If you do not change, you will be left behind.Whether government buys laptop for you or not, try and buy one and learn how to use it, it will help you a lot,” she added.

The deputy Speaker noted that she would be working with the Speaker and other members of the house to design a road map and strategic work plan for the assembly.

“By the special grace of God, I am going to work with you people and I will begin to advocate seriously for your upskilling by training you to become ICT compliant.

“I want to be remembered for a positive change in people’s lives. I want to see that the human beings that come my way are better than the way I met them.

“I am very happy to have you in my office, my doors are opened for conversations and ideas of how we can do things differently”.

Earlier, the chairman of PASAN, Haruna Farouk, said the staff would appreciate the deputy Speaker, if all she had said would be carried out to enhance their performance.

Farouk said: “From all you have said, we can see that you have the welfare of staff at heart. We will gladly make ourselves available for the ICT training so that we are not left behind.”

News

Edo Sports Commission Boss Celebrates Okpehbolo On Birthday

Published

1 hour ago

August 29, 2025

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has felicated with Governor Monday Okpebholo, on the occasion of his birthday.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele Okpebholo as a visionary leader whose dedication to the growth and development of the state has continued to inspire confidence and admiration across all sectors, especially sports.

Enabulele, who highlighted the governor’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through sports development, noted that under his leadership, Edo State has witnessed significant strides in grassroots sporting initiatives and infrastructure.

“His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is not just a political leader but a beacon of hope for the younger generation.

“His passion for excellence and inclusive governance is evident in the way he has continued to support policies that uplift our youths and promote sporting excellence,” the statement read.

The Executive Chairman prayed for long life, good health, and continued wisdom for the governor as he steers the affairs of the state towards greater prosperity.

“On behalf of the entire Edo State Sports Commission, I extend our warmest birthday wishes to His Excellency at 55. May this new chapter of his life be filled with more accomplishments and divine grace,” he added.

News

Oba Of Benin Suspends Palace Chiefs

Published

12 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has suspended two of his chiefs for falling for dereliction of duties.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor and made available to journalists in Benin City.

He said their suspension was as a result of their long absence from the palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their palace responsibilities.

The suspended persons are: Chief John Igiehon, the Izuwako of Benin and chief Aimiukpomonyako Oghogho (Ebengho), the Oyenmwensoba of Benin.

“The under-mentioned two (2) chiefs have been suspended from the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

“This is as a result of their long absence from the Palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their Palace responsibilities.

“The public is advised to be wary of unscrupulous chiefs that are no longer functioning in the Palace. His Royal Majesty has approved their _ Suspension and directed the public be duly informed.

“The names of the chiefs are: – ; 1. CHIEF JOHN IGIEHON, THE IZUWAKO OF BENIN and, _ 2 CHIEF AIMIUKPOMONYAKO OGHOGHO (EBENGHO), THE OYENMWENSOBA OF BENIN”, the statement said.

News

Lawyers Fault EFCC Statement, Say It’s Misleading

Published

13 hours ago

August 28, 2025

Editor

Some legal practitioners in Bauchi state have faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) official statement about their client on Wednesday, adding that it was erroneous, false and misleading.

It could be recalled that EFCC posted on its official Facebook handle that a Bauchi State High Court has cleared the commission to proceed with its investigation of a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bauchi State, Hamza Koshe, and his company, Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd.

According to the EFCC statement, the commission said Justice Aliyu Baba, in a judgment delivered on July 30, 2025, dismissed an application by Koshe seeking to restrain the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission from probing him.

However, in a statement jointly signed and made available to newsmen in Bauchi on Thursday by Jibrin S. Jibrin Esq, M.M. Usman Esq, H.B. Pali Esq, Abbas Ibrahim Esq, I.G. Agwam Esq and Salome Audu Esq all counsel to Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd & Anor as well as Koshe insisted that the statement was misleading.

According to them, the EFCC owed the public the duty of relating only the truth of what the courts decided as regards the contract financing agreement in the issues their clients were parties.

“Our attention as the legal representatives of Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd & Alhaji Hamza Koshe in respect of suit No. BA/271/2024 has been drawn to the statement posted on the official page of the EFCC on Wednesday, where the Commission supposedly rendered an analysis of the judgement delivered by the High Court of Justice No. 4 Bauchi Presided by Justice Aliyu Usman on the 30th July 2025.

“Now against the background of the erroneous, false and misleading publication by the EFCC on the matter, we deem it necessary to set the records straight by stating what actually is the truth of the matter in terms of the enrolled judgment Order of the Court to which this press release is attached.

“It is proper to state as a fact that in an earlier judgement relating to the subject of this release, the verdict of the High Court of Justice No. 10 Bauchi presided by Justice M. M. Abubakar delivered on the 19th December, 2024 is to the effect that the Contract Financing Agreement the subject matter of the suit having been found to be valid and not contravening any law remains enforceable hence, Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd is accorded the applicable injunctive reliefs as regards the activities of the Commission.

“We state as a fact that the main question of law determined in Justice Aliyu Baba Usman’s judgment is to the effect that the Contract Financing Agreement the subject of the suit is valid.

“The EFCC failed to state in its statement in reference the fact that many parties and contractors concerned or involved in the Contract Financing Agreement in the issue have been invited by the Commission with virtually all of them responding, honoring its invitation on the matter and thereby discharging their legal obligation speak volumes of ‘the bidding of some’ which the publication seeks to achieve ab initio,” said the lawyers.

The counsel added that the mischief and deliberate misrepresentation in EFCC’s statement could be seen when not only did it make no mention of this fact but also created the impression that their clients went to Court to evade investigation on the matter.

They said that Koshe was a guest of the Commission having honored its invitation in September 2024 which he was released on administrative bail, the terms and conditions applicable to which he has been observing.

“It is also important to clarify as a fact that there is no truth at all in the Commission’s statement to the effect that our client sought a perpetual injunction of general nature against the Commission’s activities.

“The truth about the reliefs sought by our clients is as contained in the Court’s processes filed in the suit in reference.

“We challenge the Commission to provide evidence of where our client ever sought a perpetual injunction at large or of general nature against it or any other body duly established by law.

“We urge members of the public to disregard in its entirety EFCC’s statement on the subject and be guided in its stead by the facts as contained in the relevant court processes to which this release is attached,” he said.