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Obaseki, Oshiomhole Mourn Departed Former Head of Service, SSG, Shower Encomium

Published

5 years ago

February 18, 2021

The death of former Head of Service, HoS, and Secretary to Edo State Government, SSG, Dr. simon Imuekemhe, has been described as great loss to the state.

He was said to have passed on in the early hours of Thursday at the age of 66.

It was gathered that the former SSG had not been on good health for a while before his health degenerated on Saturday, when he was rushed to an undisclosed hospital in Benin.

Governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, in his reaction to the death of the former civil service doyen, expressed deep shock.

A statement issued on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Osarodion Ogie, and made available to newsmen said, “The Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has received with deep shock, the news of the death of a one-time Head of Service and Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Simon Omoaka Imuekemhe, KSM, FNIM (JP)”.

“Dr. Simon Imuekemhe joined the then Bendel State Public Service in 1988 as a Consultant Pediatrician. He held several positions in the Hospitals Management Board and was appointed Permanent Secretary in 1999. Dr. Imuekemhe was Head of the Edo State Civil Service from 2005-2011 when he retired from the Civil Service. He was appointed Secretary to the State Government in 2011, a position he held till November, 2012”, the statement traced the trajectory of the deceased in the service of the state.

The statement continues, “Edo State Government mourns the loss of an Administrative Colossus, who impacted positively on all spheres of Public Service having served the State under four (4) Military Administrators and three (3) Civilian Governors.

“Our deep and sincere condolences go to his wife, children, the entire Imuekemhe family, the Public Service and the good people of Edo State. May the good Lord grant us the fortitude to bear this huge loss,” statement added.

Also in his reaction to the death the former Head of Service, former governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in a statement said he received death of the former Head of Service with shock, just he described Imuekemhe as a very good man with outstanding personality and excellent career in public service.

Oshiomhole in the statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Benin added that the former Head of Service understood his vision when he was governor, keyed into it, stressing that he (HoS) contributed immensely to the many successes recorded by his administration as governor of the state.

“He contributed immensely to the many successes recorded by my administration as governor of Edo State, by tirelessly offering his expertise and vast experience whenever he was called upon to serve.

“It is noteworthy that he worked assiduously to introduce several far reaching institutional reforms into the Edo State civil service, which enhanced productivity and afforded substantial benefits to the state’s workforce.

“As Secretary to the State Government during my first tenure as governor, he understood my vision and immediately keyed in to be part of it. His loyalty and commitment to this vision was never in doubt and coupled with his courage, boldness, intellectual depth, honesty, managerial capacity and experience, we were able to achieve so much in such a short period of time,” he said.

Oshiomhole therefore prayed God to grant the family he left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Imuekemhe was Head of the Edo State Civil Service from 2005-2011and when he retired from the Civil Service, he was appointed Secretary to the State Government in 2011, and served till November, 2012. He was also at a time the Chief Medical Director of the Central Hospital, Benin; as as he was Chairman of the state’s Local Government Service Commission.

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Food Security: 14,000 Smallholder Farmers To Benefit From N4bn Smart Agriculture Training In Bauchi

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Editor

The Heineken Africa Foundation, through Nigerian Breweries Plc is investing N4 billion to train 14,000 smallholder farmers on smart agriculture across seven Local Government Areas of Bauchi state for three years.

Mr Chukwuemeka Aniukwu, Head of Public, External and Government Affairs, Nigerian Breweries Plc, disclosed this in Bauchi on Thursday during the official Launch of the ‘empowerment of Smallholder farmers to thrive and build climate resilience through regenerative agriculture’.

Aniukwu, who explained that the foundation is in collaboration with the Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS), added that the investment builds on the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to improving access to healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene across Africa.

“Our decision to invest in Bauchi is both deliberate and strategic. Bauchi is home to resilient, resourceful, and industrious smallholder farmers whose contributions are essential to Nigeria’s food security.

“The strength of your farming communities, combined with the natural potential of this land, gives us confidence that meaningful and lasting impact can take root here. We are here because we believe in the people of Bauchi.

“This project is designed to strengthen the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, particularly women and young people, by enhancing their capacity to generate sustainable income.

“It will deliver training, access to quality inputs, stronger market linkages, and opportunities across the agricultural value chain,” he said.

Also, Dr Isaiah Gabriel, Executive Director, Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS), explained that the farmers would receive hands-on training through Farmer Field Schools and demonstration plots in.

According to him, out of the 14,000 smallholder farmers, 60 per cent were women and 40 per cent of youth.

The farmers, he said, would also be trained on regenerative and climate-smart agriculture, soil and water conservation, pest and disease management, crop diversification and post-harvest handling, among others.

“The project supports the restoration and protection of natural resources by promoting regenerative farming that rebuilds soil fertility, efficient water management and irrigation practices, and adoption of drought-tolerant crop varieties.

“We are here to make smallholder farmers big players and our target is to increase incomes by at least 30 per cent, but our dream is bigger.

“This programme spans seven Local government areas of Katagum, Shira, Jama’are, Giade, Itas-Gadau, Zaki, and Gamawa. Women and youth are not an afterthought, they are at the heart of this intervention because the future of agriculture depends on their strength, creativity, and leadership,” he said.

The Executive Director commended the Bauchi state government for its partnership, support and provision of an enabling environment and promised that the programme would be effectively implemented.

In his address, Mr Iliyasu Gital, Bauchi state’s Commissioner for Agriculture commended the foundation for bringing the programme to the state and expressed the state government’s commitment to support the training in every capacity.

Some of the beneficiaries commended the gesture, adding it would transform agriculture and encourage productivity towards achieving food security in the country.

Maimunatu Sani, a farmer, who had benefited from the programme in Kano state, said that she learnt how to recycle farm residues and transform it into an effective organic fertilizer, calling smallholder farmers in the state to key into the programme.

She said she acquired practical skills to improve her farming activities and increase output.

Another farmer from Kano, Mama Mairam, said the introduction of new techniques assisted farmers to significantly reduce wastage and increase yields per hectare.

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Edo Govt Bars Ijaw Communities From Laying Claim To Disputed Forest Reserve

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Editor

The deputy governor of Edo state, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, says the disputed forest reserve between Abere and Ajakuruma Ijaw communities of the Ovia South West Local Government Area belongs to the state government.

The deputy governor who is the chairman of the state boundary committee subsequently barred members of the two communities from laying claims to the forest reserve.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, the deputy governor declared the disputed reserve as “Bona Vacantia” on Wednesday when he met with both communities.

He directed both communities to maintain peace and adhere to the resolution of the state boundary committee on the disputed forest reserve.

Idahosa explained that it was criminal for either of the communities to go into the forest reserve to take ownership of the landmass as the area in dispute was not “Bona vacantia.”

He noted that documentary evidence available suggests that the area in question belongs to the government of Edo state.

“You cannot fight over what doesn’t belong to you. Documentary evidence showed that the landmass in question belonged to the state, a process verified through the use of digital Coordinates.

“Whatever we have done here today is in line with the law. Go back to your communities and ensure that there is peace. Anybody that wants to foment trouble should be ready to face the wrath of the law,” he emphasised.

The deputy governor commended the Ovia South West council chairman, Mr Nosakhare Edobor, for averting crisis that would have led to loss of lives.

Edobor, who said the issue had been on for about seven months now, appealed to communities in the local government to always embrace dialogue in resolving contentious matters.

News

Edo Journalist Hospitalised After Being Attacked By Political Thug

Published

5 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Editor

Juliet Asein, a female journalist with the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS), has been hospitalised after she was allegedly assaulted by the suspended Coordinator of the Edo State Public Safety Response Team (PSRT), Kelly Okungbowa, widely known as Ebo Stone.

The incident occurred on Wednesday inside the Edo State Government House, where Juliet who covers the Office of the First Lady was said to have been shoved and slammed against a wall during a confrontation with Ebo Stone.

The violence reportedly stemmed from a disruption at an empowerment programme for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), organised by the First Lady’s Office and held within the Government House.
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Trouble reportedly broke out when some PWDs stormed the venue’s entrance, protesting alleged exclusion from the programme.
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‎In the commotion, an EBS cameraman attempting to film the scene was allegedly harassed by Okungbowa, prompting Juliet to intervene, which reportedly led to her being physically attacked.

READ ALSO:NUJ Reacts As Sacked Edo Taskforce Boss Assaults EBS Staff
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‎Okungbowa, a chieftain of the ruling APC and the former PSRT coordinator, previously faced public backlash after the taskforce he headed was linked to a tragic incident in which a two-year-old girl died in a crash involving team members.
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‎The public outcry that followed led Governor Monday Okpebholo to suspend him from the role.

Confirming Juliet’s state of health, a family member Andrew Enabulele, said she began experiencing severe pains later that night and could not sleep.
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According to him, ‎she was taken to a private clinic on Thursday before being referred to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for further medical care.

READ ALSO:Iran Has Executed At Least 841 People This Year — UN
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‎He said: “We took her to a private clinic where doctors said she may have suffered muscle spasms.

“She has now been referred to UBTH, where she is receiving treatment. She is a mother of twin toddlers, so we are praying for her quick recovery,” he added.
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Meanwhile, Ebo Stone had visited the NUJ Press Centre, Benin on Thursday, where he reportedly apologized to leadership of the Council after the Union had condemned the act, threatening a press conference to that effect.

After meeting the Chairman and the Secretary of the council for the apology, the NUJ Chairman urged members to sheath the sword.