News

Tension Brew In Ologbo, Others Over Alleged Imposition Of Alien Administration

Published

4 years ago

October 14, 2020

Editor

Tension is presently brewing between residents of Itsekiri speaking peope, other tribes and Benins resident in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha local government area of Edo state over allegation by the communities that the Benins are foisting an alien administration on them.

The Itsekiri, during a protest in the area claimed that they have been living independently in Ologbo for over 400 years.

Speaking during a press conference held Wednesday in the community, spokesperson of the group, Comrade Gregg Temisan Luma on behalf of the people said the Itsekiri live in Ologbo, Ikara, Kolokolo, Ajoki, Ajatiton, Ajamogha, Abiala 1 and Abiala 2.

He noted that what was happening in the area was capable of sparking a community war and accused the Enogie of Ologbo, Prince Owen Akenzua of allegedly claiming to be their head.

Comrade Lima said the Itsekiri and the Ijaws have their independent heads.

He explained that the boundary adjustment made when Edo and Delta states were created, and the use of Ologbo River as a natural boundary was a mistake which he said was responsible for the Enogie to now lay claim of ownership of Ologbo and other riverine communities in the area.

He said, “The Itsekiri and Ijaw as a people have their own unique identity and will not be subsumed into another tribe in this modern day Nigeria.

“Therefore, we don’t recognise any dukedom put in place by the Binis to tactically obliterate the identity of the Itsekiri and Ijaw from Edo state and their right of self determination in Nigeria.

“These communities have their native laws, customs and local administrative system before the advent of British colonial rule in the areas they are today. We have never been an appendage of the Benin kingdom at any given time in history and will not accept that aberration of a dukedom to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

However, reacting to the development, the General Secretary of Ologbo dukedom, Deacon Friday Osazuwa in company of elders of the community said the protesters were faceless.

He said “The people that protested are faceless people, we don’t know them. The real Itsekiri people in Ologbo, the Ologbo people know who owns the land.

“Ologbo River is the natural boundary between Edo and Delta states. All areas in the Ikpoba-Okha local government area falls within the area under the Oba of Benin who owns the land and if Oba of Benin owns the land and in Benin custom and tradition, the enogie represents the Oba, then what are they sayinf? So whoever is disputing that, he should go to the palace of the Oba of Benin.”

Related Topics:#community news #Itsekiri #Ologbo Edo State

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Bauchi Lawmaker Pledges To Expedite Passage Of Bill On Reduction Of Out-Of-School Children

Published

3 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Editor

Honourable Nasiru Ala, the Chairman, House Committee on Education in the Bauchi State House of Assembly has pledged to expedite the passage of the state framework Bill to reduce Out-Of-School in the state.

He made the pledge during a two-day regional stakeholders meeting on out-of-school children and retention, transition as well as completion models in Bauchi, Gombe and Adamawa states.

According to him, any moment the bill is sent to the state House of Assembly from the Executive, the lawmakers would expedite actions to ensure that the bill is passed within three to four weeks.

He said: “Based on the law making, we are going to enact this particular law on the domestication of the Bauchi state framework to reduce Out-of-School children bill within three to four weeks from the day of reception from the Executive Arm.

“Our governor has been very cooperative and supportive on this particular issue of out of school children because it is a serious menace.

“As an academic, I’m not always happy anytime I hear the word Out-of-School children.

“That is why it’s not going to be a big deal in the Bauchi state House of Assembly to enact the state framework to reduce Out-of-School children in the state.

“In three weeks time In-Sha-Allah, we are going to pass into Bill this State Framework to reduce Out-of-School children in the state”.

Also speaking, Mr Raphael Aiyedipe, Education Officer, UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, said that the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) had developed a National Framework of Action to Reduce Out-of-School Children and drive access to education in the country.

According to him, the framework commits to substantially and systematically decrease the number of Out-of-School children in Nigeria by 2030.

He highlighted some of the objectives of the framework to include; improve access and quality of education for all Nigerian children, drive improvement in learning and relevant skills development.

Others, he said, were to accelerate the social and economic development of communities and the country at large.

“The Framework has 5 thematic areas that includes; political actors and this means gaining the political will and government commitment.

“Best practices and alternative pathways and this translates to defeating learning poverty, Community accountability, that is engaging stakeholders to build ownership.

“Technology and ICT which means improving access through innovative solutions and Financing mechanisms, that is, reaching the most vulnerable,” he explained.

News

EFCC Trial: ‘Even The Prophets Went To Prison’ – Buhari’s Minister Comforts Self In Court

Published

13 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Editor

A former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, standing trial for an alleged N7.2bn fraud, said he was ready to go to prison just like the prophets.

Sirika, his daughter, and three others were arraigned at a Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday on a six-count amended criminal charge before Justice Sylvanus Oriji.

A video of the ex-minister speaking in court with his lawyers surfaced on X on Thursday.

In the video, Sirika, dressed in cream Babariga, could be heard saying, “It’s okay. Fatima, it’s okay,” while comforting his daughter.

He continued, “Even prophets have gone (to prison). Those that went, haven’t they finished theirs already?…whatever Allah says”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had accused the ex-minister, his daughter, son-in-law and Al-Duraq Investment Limited, of fraud in connection with the botched Nigerian Air project.

Meanwhile, the court granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of N100m with two sureties each.

Before the trial judge, Justice Sylvanus Orji granted the bail request of the defendants, they pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them after it was read out to them.

The prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, had informed the court of an amended charge by the EFCC dated May 7, and filed on May 8, which was not opposed by the counsel for the defendants.

Sirika’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court of his client’s bail application dated May 6.

The other defendants similarly, moved their bail applications and prayed the court to be liberal in the bail conditions.

Jacobs, on his part, told the court that all the defendants were on administrative bail and asked the court to grant bail on the condition that would make them appear for their trials.

Apart from the N100m bail, Justice Osuji added that one of the sureties must own a landed property with valid land titles in like sum within the Federal Capital Territory.

The judge also held that the sureties must depose to an affidavit of means while he barred the defendants from travelling outside the country without its permission.

He added that failure to fulfil the bail conditions would earn the defendants a stay in a correctional facility.