News

‘I’m Journalism Ambassador,’ Says Shaibu As He Commissions Edo NUJ Correspondents Chapel’s Secretariat

Published

5 months ago

December 19, 2023

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has described himself as an ambassador of the journalism profession, saying if not for journalists he would have been dead and forgotten.

He, therefore, vowed to “do everything and anything for the growth of journalism and journalists anywhere I am.”

Shaibu, who made these assertions at the commissioning of the secretariat of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State council, reiterated his commitment to the growth of the journalism profession anywhere, anytime.

Dignitries who attended the commissioning ceremony include: Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor represented by Dr. Uzoya Okuogbosun; Senator Matthew Urhoghide represented by Mr. Paul Nobore; Comrade Festus Alenkhe, Chairman, NUJ, Edo State council; Mr. Femi Johnson, Zonal Director, Nigerian Television Authority among others.

“I want to identify with you and to say that I am your member; I am a member, and I will always do everything and anything for the growth of journalism and journalists anywhere I am.

“I am your ambassador anywhere I am. This not because of politics, but because of what you have done to save my life in the cause of doing your work.

“I wouldn’t have been deputy governor today if I am not alive. A journalist that could investigate and write a report, saved my life in the hands of the the military.

“So, you can see why anytime you invite me, even if it is difficult, I must show up. Because, that is the only way I can appreciate you and show that whatever you are doing, you should keep it up,” he said.

Shaibu who is aspiring to be the next governor of the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), boasted that he had made several sacrifices to make sure things work in Edo, just as he expressed his determination to make sure Edo becomes first.

Shaibu said: “I am determined to make sure that good governance is seen, felt and touched.

“I am also determined to make sure that in all things, Edo must be first, and I am determined to strengthening institutions.

“I came into politics because I felt that we should have an egalitarian society. I came into politics to make institutions stronger, because that is the only way we can have that society of our dream.

“Institution does not know the rich, strong, and the poor, it takes care of all strata of life. That is what I am standing for, that is my calling to joining politics.

“That is why I have sacrificed a lot of things to make sure the institution works.

“I even sacrificed my personal entitlement to make sure this institution works, and in the coming weeks I will give a stewardship of what I have done as deputy governor from 2016 to date.”

His his brief speech, the Chairman, Edo NUJ, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, while reiterating the council’s support to the chapel, declared that Edo NUJ remains an indivisible body.

Earlier, in her welcome address, Chairperson, Correspondents Chapel of the NUJ, Mrs Nefishetu Yakubu, said the decision to move to the new secretariat was fuelled by the need for a more spacious and serene environment, especially for “our members who are duly accredited journalists working in national newspapers with head offices outside Edo State.”

While noting that the new secretariat is not an alternative to the Edo NUJ Press Centre, which is home to all journalists, Mrs. Yakubu said the new secretariat “merely symbolises our commitment to providing a comfortable and productive workspace for our members.”

“It’s a testament to our unwavering dedication to the principles of journalism and the pursuit of excellence,” she added.

News

Amadasun Owns Landed Property Situated At Zone MD Obazagbon, Benin Court Rules

Published

17 mins ago

May 20, 2024

Editor

A Benin High Court presided over by Hon Justice A.N. Erhabor has issued a certificate of “execution of warrant of possession” to Mr Frank Omo- Amadasun in order to take full possession of his landed property situated at Zone MD/A44/OBAZAGBON in lkpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

In 2021, some persons encroached the landed property measuring 1,000 feets by 1,000 feets in Obazagbon near Avbiama in Ikpoba okha local government area of Edo state.

The land acquired in 1979, was in full control of the complainant before its encroachment.

This forced Amadasun to institute a legal procedure against those who encroached on his land including Johnson Akpobosa, Peter Akpobosa, Abel Oyo Akpobosa l, Mrs Omoruyi, Mrs Oronsaye and 11 unknown persons.

In the case marked: No.B/975/2021, there was consequently an enrolment of order where the judge granted an interlocutory injunction restraining all the defendants/ respondents, their servants, agents, or any person howsoever described as acting on their behalf or instruction from further trespassing on the piece or parcel of land measuring approximately 1,000 feets by 1,000 feets known as plot 53351 lying and situate at Zone MD/A44/OBAZAGBON, lkpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suite before the court.

But despite the restraining order, the defendants went ahead to start developing property in the land.

In the judgement, the court confirmed that Mr Amadasun has a verifiable Certificate of Occupancy to the land with digital registrar in the EDOGIS.

The court also confirmed that the claimant is the rightful owner in possession of 1,000 feets by 1,000 feets bounded by Beacon numbers 542, 543, 544 and 454 which covers an area measuring approximately 8, 557 hectares now known as plot 53351, lying and situate at Obazagbon in lkpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

After the judgement, the claimant, then got a certificate of execution of a warrant of possession which has been fully executed.

Contacted , the Edo state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor said the police received a letter from the Deputy Director of the High Court to execute the court order over the land.

SP Chidi Nwabuzor said the Edo state Commissioner of Police , CP Funsho Adegboye has since ordered men of the Anti Kidnapping And Cybercrime Unit of the Edo State Police Command to take over the judgement execution order.

As at Press time, the claimant has since taken over the full possession of the land as ordered by the court but not without resistance by some persons in Obazagbon in Ikpoba Okha local government area of Edo state.

News

Ex-First Bank Chairman Is Dead

Published

2 hours ago

May 20, 2024

Editor

A former Minister of Labour and former Chairman of First Bank Nigeria, Ajibola Afonja has died aged 82.

The Oyo-born Prince passed away on Sunday night, May 19 at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Confirming the passage of the former Minister in a statement, the Oyo Global Forum (OGF) through its Chairman, Taiwo Adebayo described the late Afonja as a unifier.

“On this dark day in Oyo, we mourn the loss of Ajibola Afonja, former Labour Minister and Chairman of First Bank Nigeria, who passed away on Sunday night, aged 82.

“Although, a national figure with tremendous influence, he was particularly light for the Oyo community where he made pioneering efforts as an industrialist. His legacy of generosity and open-heartedness touched countless lives, and his presence will be profoundly missed.

“Until his last month, Daddy IDS, as he was affectionately known, as a reference to his manufacturing company, remained hardworking, dedicated to realizing one of the most transformative business visions for the country’s economy. It was the E-Customs project.

“His absence leaves a void that will be difficult to fill, but his spirit of generosity and leadership will continue to inspire us. For all of us that he inspired, we shall honour his memory by carrying forward the values he embodied and continuing his legacy of service and compassion, the values that guide OGF, which he supported during his lifetime.”

Afonja was Chairman of the Board of Directors of First Bank Plc and was appointed as Minister of Labour under the interim government of Earnest Shonekan.

He was the chairman of Integrated Dimensional System and many other companies. He attended Kingston University, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom where he bagged a degree in Accounting in 1970.

News

UK Regulator Reports Air Peace Over Alleged Safety Violation

Published

5 hours ago

May 20, 2024

Editor

The United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority has written Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority stating Air Peace has reportedly violated some aviation safety regulations

The development came barely three months after the Nigerian carrier commenced the Lagos-London route.

Two mandatory occurrence reports on Air Peace had been reportedly sent to the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority.

The UK CAA, in turn, forwarded the complaints to the NCAA.

The CAA’s letter of complaint forwarded to NCAA was entitled; ‘United Kingdom SAFA Ramp Inspection Report with reference number: CAA-UK, -2024-0217’ and ‘NATS Management System Safety Report.’

The NCAA has also written to Air Peace to provide clarification on the issues.

The letter, with reference number: NCAA/DOLTS/APL/Vol.11/03624 was titled, “United Kingdom SAFA Ramp Inspection Report.

It was dated May 14, 2024, and signed by the NCAA General Manager of Operations, Capt. O.O. Lawani.

In the letter, the NCAA said the UK CAA had called its attention to the no operational approval of Electronic Flight Bag functions affecting the safe operation of the aircraft, while adding that the captain of the flight admitted that an Electronic Flight Bag was being used for navigational purposes.

NCAA further noted that the CAA stated in its letter that there was “no mounting device for the use of EFB, no charging points or battery for backup.”

Air Peace recently commenced operation to London Gatwick from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, which Nigeria has with the UK.

The spokesperson of Air Peace, Stanley Olisa, could not be reached as of press time.

When called, the spokesperson of the airline picked but when this reporter began to enquire about the development, he kept mute until the call ended.

The PUNCH correspondent also sent a text message of enquiry to the spokesman but there was no response as of the time of filing this report.