News
Okpebholo Restores Statutory Rights To Oba Of Benin
The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has restored the full statutory rights of the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, abolishing the new traditional councils in Edo South created by the last administration.
He also backed the Federal Government’s Gazette, which gave the ownership of the returned artefact to the Oba’s palace, which was looted during the 1897 Benin massacre by the British colonial forces.
Also, the state government is withdrawing the letter revoking the concession of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre issued by the last administration to be used as a motor park.
These were contained in a statement released by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Sunday.
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The statement further read, “This administration is restoring the Oba Akenzua centre to a suitable condition for its original purpose.
“This administration also hereby abolishes the new traditional councils in Edo South, created by the last administration.
“Accordingly, Okpebholo has restored the statutory financial entitlements of the Benin Traditional Council and has ordered that the status quo before the creation of the now abolished councils be maintained.
“The Okpebholo administration is backing the initial plan of the state Government to build the Benin Royal Museum that will house the returned artefacts and is distancing itself from the Museum of West Africa Art (MOWA) which the previous administration fronted as the museum to hold the returned Benin artefacts before the federal government intervention on the matter.
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“The Federal Government has also issued a Gazette for the recognition of ownership and custody of the repatriated Benin artefacts to Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II. This was done through a Government Notice No.25 in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No.57, Volume 110.”
The statement added that Okpebholo respects the rights and privileges of the traditional ruler of the Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare ll, and pledges the support of his administration to ensure the Monarch plays his role as the custodian of the rich cultural heritage of the Benin people.
“It is in recognition of this that the administration of Governor Okpebholo shall support the decision of the Federal Government to uphold the Oba of Benin as the exclusive owner of the returned Benin artifacts that were looted by the British Colonial forces during the Benin massacre of 1897.
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“The Oba of Benin, as the father of all Benin people, is the sole custodian of the customs and traditions of the Benin people and my administration respects customs and traditions in the land and hereby restores the statutory rights of the Oba of Benin as the true custodian of the returned Benin artefacts.
“Okpebholo said his administration is committed and will refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the Benin Traditional Council.
“The governor is using his constitutional powers and the respect for traditional institutions and the revered Oba of Benin to restore all other Statutory Rights of the Monarch not mentioned hereof, ” the statement read.
News
Edo To Dredge Ikpoba River For Revenue, Flood Control
Edo State government has proposed the dredging of Ikpoba River to curb flooding and exploring potentials for enhancing revenue generation in the state.
The state Commissioner for Mining, Hon. Andrew Ijegbai, disclosed this when he led a delegation on an inspection of the river in Benin City.
According to him, the initiative was to find a lasting solution to the incessant challenges of flooding and river overflow on the busy road.
He added that his team was on the ground to assess the condition of the river to get a firsthand observation of its impact on communities near its bank.
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Also speaking, Director of Mining in the ministry, Mr. Omoruyi Ihianle expressed the state government’s determination to turn challenges into successes.
He stated that the primary objectives of the project were to generate revenue for the state government through mining and to mitigate flooding in the host communities.
“As a government, we have found a way of converting our challenges until success.
“As a result of the silted river channel, the host communities have been suffering from flooding, hence the Edo State Government is stepping in to desilt while raising revenue for the State Government,” he said.
News
JUST IN: Ex-Eagles Goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, Is Dead
Peter Rufai, the former Super Eagles goalkeeper, has died.
Waidi Akanni, a former teammate and associate, confirmed the legendary goalkeeper’s death to TheCable on Thursday.
Rufai, affectionately nicknamed Dodo Mayana, died at 61 after a reported battle with long-term illness.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria also announced the demise of the former goalkeeper on the team’s official X account.
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“Forever in our hearts, Dodo Mayana. We mourn the passing of legendary Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai, a giant of Nigerian football and a 1994 AFCON champion,” the post reads.
“Your legacy lives on between the sticks and beyond.”
Rufai is regarded as one of the best football goalkeepers Nigeria has ever produced. He was the Eagles’ first-choice goalkeeper when Nigeria won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
He also represented Nigeria at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the US and the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.
Rufai had over 60 caps for the Super Eagles over the course of a decade with the team.
News
AMCON Sells Ibadan DisCo For N100bn
The Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) has announced the sale of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) for N100 billion.
AMCON’s Managing Director/CEO, Gbenga Alake, disclosed this at a media parley on Thursday.
Apart from IBEDC, AMCON also manages other distribution companies, including the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Benin Electricity Distribution Company, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, and Kano Electricity Distribution Company.
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Alake said, “Today, I announce to you that Ibadan DisCo has been sold. When we came in, it had already been sold, but we renegotiated the price and got almost double of what it was initially going to be sold for.”
Regarding ongoing legal issues, Alake stated, “We have sold it, and whatever is still happening in court, we will face it.”
However, officials of IBEDC did not respond to inquiries about the sale.
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