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OPINION: Interrogating The Simple Agenda, Erosion And Flooding In Edo

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Don Ofure Osehobo

In most parts of Benin City, today, the fear of rains is the beginning of wisdom. The reason is that whenever it rains, almost every part of the city gets flooded and residences are turned into swamps; some for days and weeks and others, months.  As a result, tales of woe fill the lips of most residents as flood waters envelope their homes, overwhelm the surroundings, and destroy properties like cars, and household items like furniture among others.

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Few years ago, the Edo State government revived the Benin City Masterplan and articulated the Storm water project to deal with the perennial problems of flooding and erosion. The project was designed to channel the flood waters through artificial underground canals. However, Governor Godwin Obaseki rather than continuing with the project, abandoned it. Unfortunately too, the PDP of which he is now a member has never articulated any plan for the flood menace in the state capital or the other communities. It will be therefore be disastrous for the state, if the party finds itself back in power.

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the Edo APC governorship candidate in this year’s election has a solution for this erosion and flood menace, which is a source of concern, not only for residents in the state capital but the entire state. He has aptly captioned and enunciated it under the heading, “Infrastructure Development and Urban Renewal Programme” in  his Manifesto of Hope called Simple Agenda. With this plan, the new Edo state with Pastor Ize-Iyamu as Chief Executive, will adopt an integrated approach with new ways of building public works systems that is both cost and resource effective.

READ ALSO: OPINION: Captain Hosa’s Open Letter Illuminates The Tyranny Of Edo’s Reprobate Governor By John Mayaki 

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As part of his commitment, he will review the Benin Storm Water Project for speedy completion to ensure that the problem of perennial flooding in the state capital is taken care of. In addition, major erosion reclamation projects and sites in the state will be diligently tackled to their completion stage while his government honours all outstanding obligations to the World Bank and other relevant agencies.

This is will be backed up with the provision of both primary and secondary drains to accompany roads, to ensure the proper channelization of floodwaters to appropriate receptacles instead of the present practice where floodwaters are directed to residential or inhabited areas .

Towards this end, all the major roads and streets within Benin City and the 18 local government headquarters will be asphalted and in most cases, accompanied with walkways, drains and streetlights, in an unprecedented urban renewal scheme. The walkways plan to include bicycle tracks so as to encourage cycling, as most distances within the metropolis can be embarked on with bicycles as roads should be for all users and not motorists alone. In what the Simple Agenda envisage, even car owners would wish to own bicycles. This also will infuse a new culture for the environment and lead to bicycle plants/job creation and a reduction in fuel consumption. The idea is to bring what has worked well in China, Holland and the Scandinavian countries to Edo state. This will also help in no small way to erase the  misconception that bicycles are for the poor.

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On the reconstruction and rehabilitation of existing road networks in the state, the Simple Agenda objective is to bring many of Edo’s neglected communities back to life by building strategic roads, to link them with Highways or Express roads so they serve as alternative routes, when necessary.

As for Local Government roads, the agenda has a policy plan for collaboration between Local Government Council Chairmen and the State Government. This will be achieved by restoring autonomy to Local Governments in Edo state, so they can be encouraged to spend significant percentage of their allocations on road rehabilitation. In more specific terms, adequate funding will be extended to roads and drains at the local government areas, such that 10km of asphalted roads with accompanying road infrastructure will be constructed in each of the 18 Local Government Councils. Also the State Government under the leadership of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu will construct an average of 300km of roads to link major towns with the state capital. In addition, under the Simple Agenda, communities shall be encouraged to embark on self-help projects to which the LGAs and the state government shall contribute meaningfully.

READ ALSO: Opinion: Random Musings On A Lazy And Failed Country, Nigeria

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Pastor Ize-Iyamu as a youth, saw this strategy working successfully during the period Dr Samuel Ogbemudia’s administration held sway in the good old days of Bendel State. His government will resuscitate this approach and take it to the highest level of community awareness and active participation.

With regards to all existing road construction projects, Pastor Ize-Iyamu hopes to complete all of them. With the Simple Agenda, he deliberately plan to create new towns and settlements around Benin City. He also plans a second bridge to link Upper St. Saviour and Ikpoba Hill not only to reduce traffic bottlenecks on the Ikpoba Hill axis and Murtala Muhammed Way junction of Sokponba road but also to boost commercial and industrial activities in the area.

The Simple Agenda also contains the plan to extend the Airport Road beyond the Iyekogba bridge to Evbuodia Utagba Village to join Ekenwan Barrack Road by Ojemai Farms. This means that all vehicles coming to Ring Road from Ekenwan Barrack, Ugbine, and even Ugbiyoko axis will access the Ring Road through his extended Evbuodia/Airport Road.

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To ensure that all the projects for erosion and flood control, road construction and rehabilitation remain in good conditions all year round, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu will send a bill for the establishment of the Edo State Road Maintenance Agency to the State legislature. When established the agency, will have full complements of earth moving equipment at its state capital headquarters and all zonal offices in each of the three Senatorial Districts. The agency in collaboration with the  State Ministry of Works, will have full responsibility for continuous road maintenance and rehabilitation across the state. The objective is reduce cases of road failures and the huge costs of fixing them.

READ ALSO: Opinion:Soyinka’s Wisdom Cures Buhari’s Impotence

From the above, it is obvious that the objective of the infrastructure development and urban renewal programme in the Simple Agenda is to bequeath to Edo state, durable physical structures and facilities that will promote decent living standards. Moreover, the deliberate policy is to eliminate waste and bequeath a state-of-the-art infrastructure across the state that will be affordable to maintain so that future generations of Edolites can utilize it and be proud of it.

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Ofure Osehobo, a journalist writes from Benin City.

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How To Spot Fraudulent Online Vendors

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Over the years, there has been a rise in online shopping because of its convenient and its wide reach across the globe. Likewise, there has also been a rise of fake vendors who hide behind glossy photos and too good to be true prices.

Here’s how to identify and avoid them before you become their next victim.

1. Check their digital footprints

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A legitimate vendor will usually have a visible and traceable online presence. You can start by checking their business name on Google and social media platforms. Check if they have a website, or the consistency in the use of their social media platforms. Fraudulent vendors often change username frequently or use poorly designed pages with few details about who they are.

A trustworthy vendor typically shares verifiable contact information, customer reviews, and business registration details. if the page is new, appears just a few weeks ago and it already boasts hundred of “sales”, that is a red flag. You can also use online tools to verify website legitimacy.

READ ALSO:DSS Arrests Two Dismissed Officers Over Impersonation, Fraud

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2. Unrealistic prices and Urgent promos

If the prices looks too good to be true, it probably a scam. Scammers often lure buyers with huge discounts, flash sales or with the popular “limited stock”. the urgency in the way they present their products makes you pay before you think twice. You can start by comparing prices with known online store and see if the difference is extreme. It it is, you need to pause and think twice in your purchase.
You can further watch out for statements or messages like, “Offer ends in 30 minutes!” or “Pay now to avoid losing your slot!.” This common emotional tricks embodied in words rush unknowing buyers to make payments.

3. Read customer reviews and comments

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Reviews reveals the product and services that has been purchased. It reveals what the vendor might not say. However, fake vendors write reviews or pay people to write reviews for them. Genuine reviews tend to be specific. It mentions the delivery time, packaging, and the product quality. The fake reviews tend to sound overly generic or identical across posts. It usually praises the product and and the vendor. You can check the social media page of a review. Silence or restricted comments often signal something fishy.

READ ALSO:Police Declare Man Wanted For Attempted Murder, Fraud

4. Payments method and delivery options

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Reputable online stores usually offer secure payments gateways or pay-on-delivery options. Fraud vendors, on the other hand insist on full payment before delivery, often to a personal account instead of a registered business name.
Before you transfer money, confirm if the account name matches the business name.

5. Watch out for poor communication and grammar

Professional vendors take their branding seriously. Frequent spelling errors in content write ups, unprofessional replies, or inconsistent messaging indicate carelessness, unprofessionalism, or worse deceit. If the vendor cannot clearly explain product details or return policies, take it as a warning sign.

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6. Trust your instincts

Sometimes you might have to go with your gut feeling. It is usually the best fraud detector. If you feel something off: whether it is a pushy tone, inconsistent information, or just that uneasy sense about a product or service or its vendor, you might need to end further transactions. There is always another vendor offering the same product legitimately.

It only takes extra minutes to verify a vendor and saving you from months and years of regret. Stay curious and cautious and always double-check before you click, “pay now”.

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Drama As Kwara Housewife Faints In Court After Husband Insists On Divorce

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There was drama at the Area Court Centre, Igboro, Ilorin, Kwara State, on Wednesday, after a woman, identified as Mulikat Yusuf, fainted when her husband, Ishaq Abdulganiyu, rejected her plea for reconciliation and insisted on ending their marriage.

According to The PUNCH, the incident happened during proceedings before Judge Toyin Aluko, where Abdulganiyu told the court that he was no longer interested in remaining married to his wife.

“I’m tired of the marriage, My Lord,” Abdulganiyu reportedly said. “We’ve had several misunderstandings, and I don’t see any reason to continue.”

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But in a tearful plea, Mulikat appealed to the court to intervene, saying she was not ready to accept a divorce.

READ ALSO:My Wife Is Cheating On Me, I Want Divorce —Husband

My Lord, please help me talk to him,” she said. “I have nowhere to go. I have given birth to six children for him, and I still want the marriage to work.”

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However, her plea did little to change her husband’s mind, as he restated his decision to proceed with the separation.

Moments later, the distraught woman left the courtroom in tears but suddenly slumped outside, causing panic among court officials and onlookers.

Sympathisers quickly rushed to her aid and revived her by pouring water on her face.

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READ ALSO:Why I Can Share My Husband With My Friend — Regina Daniels

A court official, who did not want to be named, told The PUNCH on Thursday that Mulikat regained consciousness after a few minutes and was later assisted to a bench to rest.

She fainted immediately after the man confirmed he would not change his decision,” the official said. “People quickly gathered around her, and she was revived with water.”

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Presiding judge, Toyin Aluko, advised Mulikat to make every effort to reconcile with her husband and resolve their differences amicably.

The matter was adjourned till December 10, 2025, for a report on the reconciliation or continuation of the hearing.

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Tragedy In The Sky As Pilot Dies Mid-air

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What began as a routine trip from Seattle to Istanbul turned tragic. Turkish Airlines Flight 204 was cruising normally when one of the captains, 59-year-old İlçehin Pehlivan, suddenly collapsed.

Despite the crew’s efforts, he sadly passed away mid-flight a veteran aviator lost among the skies he loved.

Over the radio, the co-pilot’s voice trembled: “Initially we had three pilots, but we lost one of our captains today.

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That’s why we’re diverting to JFK.” Air traffic controllers responded with compassion, arranging medical help on the ground.

READ ALSO:Travel Chaos: Air Canada Shut Down By Flight Attendant Strike

The aircraft landed at New York’s JFK Airport at dawn, met by emergency teams and a heavy silence. Turkish Airlines later paid tribute to Captain Pehlivan, who had passed medical checks just months earlier and spent nearly two decades flying safely around the world.

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Passengers continued to Istanbul, but the memory of this flight endures a reminder of the resilience of aviators, the fragility of life, and the bond shared by those who soar through the skies.

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