Borderline News 24

  Every 1st of December is special to Hon Shaibu. He spares little or nothing to celebrate the day, considering his spectacular profile as one of the best politically-exposed persons in Edo state today . Even if he chooses not to mark it, his coterie of associates, friends and well wishers would prefer to roll out the drums to celebrate the life of a young political turk and generalissimo whose stature bestrides Edo North in particular and Edo State in general , like that of a colossus.  This year's birthday would certainly be different from the rest in view of the fact that the celebrant is ordained , having secured re- election as the deputy governor of Edo State, in a landslide victory along with his principal, Gov Godwin Obaseki, in the September 19 Edo guber poll .  Over the years, Hon Phillip Shaibu has shown exceptional courage and commitment to the cause of uplifting the society, a cause to which he remains steadfastly unshaken, though some say he's mi...

By  DADA AYOKHAi A victim of the recent #ENDSARS protest which took place in Auchi, Godwin Junior  Iraoya's has been buried at  his ancestral home in Otuo, Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State. The Youths across Edo North district had gathered at the popular Jattu junction in Auchi to replicate  the #EndSARS  protest  which was meant to  draw  the government's attention to the police inhuman treatment to the citizens which they were meant to protect.  Unfortunately  what was meant to be a peaceful rally became a sad moment when soildiers who were said to be attached to a local construction company allegedly fire shots which hit about 3 people  with one of them identified as Godwin Iraoya,  lost his life on the road to seek medical assistant.   The solemnly burial ceremony was withnessed by the representative of the Edo State deputy governor,  Alhaji Imonofi Inusa, the chairman of Etsako West LGA. T...

By: Ben Ogbemudia  As the Federal  and state governments roll out plans for the post #Endsars protest to engage Nigeria Youths in different activities, the Chairman of Owan West Local Government Council , Edo State , Hon. Frank Ilaboya, said  last night that his Council has concluded  plans to launch a Youth Foundation that will positively engage the youth in the local govt.  Speaking to the Press at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja where he was given an award  as "The Most Outstanding Local Government Chairman"  by the Association of  Christain Journalists, Hon Ilaboya said the foundation will raise N100m in three years (2021-2023) and this will be used to engage the youths of the council positively.  Ilaboya, a former  Chairman,  Lagos State Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, and  Edo State Football Association, added that the #EndSars protest has provided him the unique opportunity to roll out this package. "When I assu...

By DADA AYOkHAl A federal High court sitting in Abuja will on  the 2nd of  December  delivers   rulling on  an  applications  filed by the Edo state  Governor, Mr  Godwin obaseki  on a case of Forgery and perjury instituted by the APC against him. The outcome of the rulling on the applications will  in a way   determine the outcome of the case  which may eventually  retain or removes  the present  occupant of Edo state Government house. At the resume hearing of the case , the legal team to Governor obaseki  led by j. o. Odubela,SAN,  as slated took  the floor to reply on a  points  of Law to an earlier  submission made  by the APC legal team led by Chief olujimi ,SAN, during the last sitting of the court.  With the conclusion of the legal arguments  on both sides on the applications  and  motions, the presiding judge adjourned to...

By DADA AYOKHAI The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has has added a baby girl to  the Benin Royal family. This was contained in a press release issued by the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), signed by its Press Secretary, Mr. Frank Irabor and made available to Journalists in Benin.  The  press release said; "By the grace of the Almighty God and the benevolence of our ancestors, the Benin Traditional Council on behalf of His Royal Majesty, Omo N'Oba N'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin and the Royal Palace of Benin Kingdom, joyfully wish to announce that Her Royal Highness, Queen Owamagbe of Benin Kingdom has been delivered of a beautiful baby girl. "The delivery took place on 20th October, 2020 on the birthday and coronation anniversary day of His Royal Majesty. "On that day, the #EndSARS protest and tension were already on, therefore, the announcement was delayed till now" the press release said. The press statement said further that the ...

By DADA AYOKHAI As part of its contributions to the development of its host communities, BUA Cement, one of Africa’s largest cement companies has donated 6 units of 500KVA transformers to boost access to electricity in Okpella Community of Edo State. In the same vein, the company also announced it had provided 2 security patrol vehicles to the security agencies within the community.  Binji, Managing Director/CEO of BUA Cement Plc, said that BUA Cement Social responsibility is a critical part of the BUA Cement DNA and as a result, BUA Cement is committed to the development of host communities wherever it operates. He further added that the 6 units of 500KVA Transformers will ease the burden of access to Electricity currently being experienced in Okeplla and promised that BUA will also install the transformers on the community’s behalf. On the security vehicles, Binji noted that this will help boost the capacity of the security agencies within the community to provide a m...

By DADA AYOKHAI As part of its contributions to the development of its host communities, BUA Cement, one of Africa’s largest cement companies has donated 6 units of 500KVA transformers to boost access to electricity in Okpella Community of Edo State. In the same vein, the company also announced it had provided 2 security patrol vehicles to the security agencies within the community.  Binji, Managing Director/CEO of BUA Cement Plc, said that BUA Cement Social responsibility is a critical part of the BUA Cement DNA and as a result, BUA Cement is committed to the development of host communities wherever it operates. He further added that the 6 units of 500KVA Transformers will ease the burden of access to Electricity currently being experienced in Okeplla and promised that BUA will also install the transformers on the community’s behalf. On the security vehicles, Binji noted that this will help boost the capacity of the security agencies within the community to provide a more secure e...

By DADA AYOKHAI President Muhammed  Buhari has further gives recongnition to the women's folk with the appointment of Alhajia Nana Ashia  Obomeghie as  the  Executive secretary of joint tax board,JTB,. The joint Tax board is a federal government agency primarily charged to ensure uniformity of standards and application of  personal income Tax in Nigeria. o taru of Auchi The appointment which takes effect in November  is a tenured office of 4 years. Alhajia  Obomeghie  who  hails from  Auchi, in Edo north of Edo state was before her appointment the director of budget of the agency.  A product of Auchi polytechnic where she got her HND in accounting and later added an MBA at the Bayero university Kano. Alhajia obomegie joined federal inland revenue service in 2010 as deputy director after years of experience in the private sector. A devout Muslim and a well noted philanthropist across Auchi and environs. Most o...

By DADA AYOKHAI  Though Governor Godwin Obaseki has shelved the reconstitution of his cabinet till February next year, intense lobbying for inclusion by various interest groups have commenced in earnest. : Various interest groups and stakeholders are laying claims to sensitive positions in the yet to be constituted cabinet, with leaders of Edo North senatorial district staking their claim to the position of Chief of Staff, CoS, to the governor  Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo North are in the forefront of the lobby for the retention of the CoS slot, previously occupied by Mr Taiwo Akerele, from Akoko Edo axis of the district.  Governor Obaseki had dissolved his cabinet on the eve of his inauguration for a second term. He thanked the commissioners, aides and special assistants for their loyalty and service to the state.  After his swearing in ceremony, Gov Obaseki did not waste time in announcing the reappointment of Mr Osarodion Ogie as Sec...

By DADA  AYOKHAI pastor Ize-Iyamu For the umpteenth time, the legal battle instituted instituted against Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki by the APC, which bordered on allegations of certificate forgery, yesterday suffered another round of adjournment as the Federal High Court, Abuja, adjoined further hearing on the suit to November 25.  The certificate forgery suit was first filed on July 14, at the Benin Division of the Federal High Court, where it suffered series of legal setbacks. However, a presiding judge in the Abuja Division of the Court, Justice Mohammed, later set Wednesday as the date for the hearing of the substantive suit . At the Wednesday sitting, the court was to allow for the resolution of all the pending motions on the suit.  Counsel to the APC, Chief Olujimi, SAN, was the first to address the court on the objections raised by Governor Obaseki, which was brought in the form of an application through his counsel, Bar Ken Mozia, SAN. That ...

By DADA  AYOKHAI For the umpteenth time, the legal battle instituted instituted against Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki by the APC, which bordered on allegations of certificate forgery, yesterday suffered another round of adjournment as the Federal High Court, Abuja, adjoined further hearing on the suit to November 25.  The certificate forgery suit was first filed on July 14, at the Benin Division of the Federal High Court, where it suffered series of legal setbacks. However, a presiding judge in the Abuja Division of the Court, Justice Mohammed, later set Monday as the date for the hearing of the substantive suit . At the Wednesday sitting, the court was to allow for the resolution of all the pending motions on the suit.  Counsel to the APC, Chief Olujimi, SAN, was the first to address the court on the objections raised by Governor Obaseki, which was brought in the form of an application through his counsel, Bar Ken Mozia, SAN. That was the only item ta...

By DADA  AYOKHAI For the umpteenth time, the legal battle instituted instituted against Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki by the APC, which bordered on allegations of certificate forgery, yesterday suffered another round of adjournment as the Federal High Court, Abuja, adjoined further hearing on the suit to November 25.  The certificate forgery suit was first filed on July 14, at the Benin Division of the Federal High Court, where it suffered series of legal setbacks. However, a presiding judge in the Abuja Division of the Court, Justice Mohammed, later set Monday as the date for the hearing of the substantive suit . At the Wednesday sitting, the court was to allow for the resolution of all the pending motions on the suit.  Counsel to the APC, Chief Olujimi, SAN, was the first to address the court on the objections raised by Governor Obaseki, which was brought in the form of an application through his counsel, Bar Ken Mozia, SAN. That was the only item taken that day...

By  Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku   Benin City, Nigeria …The Africa Network for Environment & Economic Justice, ANEEJ, has concluded a 2-day Monitoring & Evaluation Capacity building programme for CSOs and Journalists  at the Vichy Gates Hotel in Benin City, 16 th  -17 th  November 2020. ANEEJ said that the objective of the workshop is to design monitoring & evaluation framework for Edo State Integrity and Accountability Strategy, EDSIAS, to be owned by participants and used by CSOs and Journalists to monitor implementation of the EDSIAS.   ANEEJ executive director, the Rev David Ugolor, who was represented by Leo Atakpu said that ANEEJ is implementing the Civil Society Advocacy to Support Anti-Corruption and Rule of Law in Nigeria, CASARN, as part of effort to improve oversight, transparency and accountability in the management of resources while also targeting corruption prevention measures.   ‘We have assembled experts to pro...

By Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku   Benin City, Nigeria …The Africa Network for Environment & Economic Justice, ANEEJ, has concluded a 2-day Monitoring & Evaluation Capacity building programme for CSOs and Journalists  at the Vichy Gates Hotel in Benin City, 16 th  -17 th  November 2020. ANEEJ said that the objective of the workshop is to design monitoring & evaluation framework for Edo State Integrity and Accountability Strategy, EDSIAS, to be owned by participants and used by CSOs and Journalists to monitor implementation of the EDSIAS.   ANEEJ executive director, the Rev David Ugolor, who was represented by Leo Atakpu said that ANEEJ is implementing the Civil Society Advocacy to Support Anti-Corruption and Rule of Law in Nigeria, CASARN, as part of effort to improve oversight, transparency and accountability in the management of resources while also targeting corruption prevention measures.   ‘We have assembled experts to provide t...

By DADA AYOKHAI  Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, addresses residents in a state-wide broadcast on August 7, 2020.   A Federal High Court in Abuja has again adjourned the hearing of the alleged certificate forgery suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki. Although the suit was slated for hearing on Monday, Justice Ahmed Mohammed adjourned the suit until Wednesday. The adjournment followed the submissions by counsel to Governor Obaseki, Mr Ken Mozia, that all pending motions relating to pleadings must first be resolved before going into the substantive matter. Mozia specifically asked the court to allow him move his motion challenging the competence of the reply filed by the APC to the defence of his in the matter. However, lawyer to the APC, Mr Akin Olujimi, objected to the position of the governor’s counsel on the pending motions. He prayed the court to step down all the pending applications and allow him ...

By DADA  AYOKHAI The newly appointed  Medical Director of Edo Neuro Psychiatry Hospital, Dr  Imafidon has identified the running of two sites as one of the major challenges facing the hospital management in a situation of dwindling resources.  He made the revelation during an interview session with journalists on the challenges been faced by the hospital and his plans of making it a referral point among other hospitals of similar nature.  Promising to make the hospital's rebuilding efforts a collective one rather than individual, Dr Imafidon observed that the hospital's management is saddled with the onerous task of running a dual site with its attendant duplicity in waste management, disposal bills, overhead expenditures and others.  Noting the idea of a dual site grew out of the fact that the original site of the hospital at Uselu, which started as a clinic at inception, could no longer cope with patients traffic and staff  He said  ...

By  DADA AYOKHAI  Barrister Asamah Yusuf Kadiri, a Prince of Ikelebe Royal  Dynasty Of Auchi has created the record  of becoming  the first member of the rulling family in Auchi, Edo North District of Edo State  to be decorated with the prestigious silk robe of SAN. The SAN is the highest legal title in Nigeria and is awarded as a mark of excellence to members of the legal profession who have distinguished themselves as advocates and academics and also  confers a lot of privileges on its recipient.  Prince Kadiri  who was called to the bar  in 1995 was among the list of 62 others in the practising lawyers category who scaled the vigorous screening hurdle conducted by the Legal practioners  Privileges  Committee, LPPC, which  draws membership  from both the bar and the bench.  News about his making the final cut first crept into Auchi and quickly spread like a wild fire amongst residents of the ancient...

By DADA AYOKHAI oshiomole Fifty- five days after leading the All Progressives Congress, APC, to its first  electoral defeat  in Edo State, former APC national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomole made a rare public appearance in Auchi penultimate week.  The former Edo State governor paid an unscheduled condolence visit to the family of the Ahmed's in Auchi over the death of their father, Alhaji Mikailu Ahmed  Comrade Adams Oshiomole had gone into a self imposed exile after the APC lost the Edo governorship election to the PDP in September. : As expected, Comrade Oshiomole's presence in the family house of the  Ahmed's caused a stir in the  vicinity as people surged forward in a bid to have a glimpse of the former labour leader who was making his first public appearance in two months after disappearing from the political radar ,The comrade governor refused to  make any public comments. Instead, he appeared excited while exchanging pleasantries ...

By DADA AYOKHAI .              Dr. Imafidon O. Agbonile The Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, a  renowned centre for the treatment of  mental illness  in Benin, Edo State capital is about to enter a new phase of life following the appointment of Dr. Agbonile Imafidon as its Medical Director. Dr. Imafidon, the newly appointed Medical Director, has set for himself the vision of  transforming the fortunes of the hospital and bring it ar par with it's peers in other parts of the world. A confident looking Dr. Imafidon, a staff member of the hospital in the past 20 years, sounded like one who knows his onion as he unveiled his transformation plans to revitalise the hospital. Dr. Imafidon's appointment ironically took effect on the same day the country celebrated her 60th lndependence. As an insider with more than a fair knowledge of the myriad of problems confronting the hospital, Dr. Imafidon is expected to use his vast co...

By DADA AYOKHAl .            Late Alhaji Mikailu Ahmed A Front line Edo North APC chieftain and the Managing Director of Benin/Owena River Basin   Authority, Engr Saliu Ahmed, is in deep mourning over the death of his father, late Alhaji Mikailu Ahmed  Alhaji Ahmed, aged 89, died in  the  early hours of Monday morning and was committed to  mother earth same day in his  family compound in Auchi  in line with Islamic rites. The passage of rites ceremony was attended mostly by close family members, Islamic clerics,  community leaders and well wishers  Alhaji  Ahmed, a devout Moslem, who lived a disciplined and  Spartan  life earned the nickname  'insha Allah", which translates into  'By the  special grace of  Allah ". due mainly to  his  passion for  ending every sentence  with "insha Allah".  He was survived by three wives and 13 children ...

By DADA AYOKHAI  The relationship between the chairman of Etsako West local Government chairman, Alhaji Imonofi  Inusa and the staff of the local government  recently went soured over the decision of the chairman to conduct what the workers tagged inappropriate screening exercise .  The screening they  claimed  is a disguised way by the council chairman  to relieve some of the  workers of their job  and replace them with his loyalist through a back door approach. According to the workers who spoke  under annoymity , said  the screening exercise is only taking place  in Etsako West LGA out of  the 18 councils in the state . Again,  the appropriate government  body responsible for such exercise, the Edo State Local Government Service Commission  is neither aware nor represented in the exercise. The council workers pointed accusing fingers at the secretary to the local government, Zibiri Mohammed...

By DADA AYOKHAI shaibu The All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Edo North district of Edo State may go into political liquidation following the decision and the commitment of the APC local government chairmen to continue their loyalty and allegiance  to the Edo deputy governor, comrade Philip Shaibu  who has jettisoned the party before the election for PDP.    An ominous indication of this came to the fore with the recent visit by some APC executives to the deputy governor of Edo State, Hon Philip Shaibu  Pastor Kenneth Asekhome, who  was the Edo state vice chairman of the party before the crisis, Edo State vice chairman of the party, led a delegation made up of the district's six local government chapter chairmen of the party    to pay a thank you visit to the deputy governor. The  6 APC LGA chairmen are . Sir Sunday Adogah, Etsako East, Hon. Ashefor Henry, Akoko-Edo, Hon. Zakeri Ozizi, Etsako Central, Hajia Rabi Ezolome, Etsako W...

The Edo state government has made a commitment to approve the State Action Plan, SAP, of the Open Government Partnership OGP in Edo State. Prof Yinka Omorogbe, Edo state Attorney General, and Government Co-Chair of the of the Edo OPG Secretariat, made this  announcement at a Post-Election Stakeholder’s Meeting organised by the Africa Network for Environment & Economic Justice, ANEEJ, in Benin City, Edo State. ‘Edo state has been committed to the ideals of good governance. Recall that Governor Obaseki runs government in Edo State in an open and transparent manner, and has always acted within the principles of the OGP. Edo state has moved a great deal towards signing the state Freedom of Information into Law’, Prof Omorogbe said. In an address of welcome at the post-election OGP meeting, ANEEJ deputy executive director and OGP Co-chair Leo Atakpu said that sensitization workshops had been organised for both state and non-state actors since June 2019 to provide a forum for generat...

By DADA AYOKHAI  Otaru of Auchi The royal family in the ancient Auchi sacred kingdom is quite upbeat on the prospect that a member of the royal family is highly tipped for decoration with the silk robe of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN).  Prince Yusuf Asamah Kadiri, a member of the Auchi royal family, is among those tentatively shortlisted for the SAN title, pending  final screening sometime next month In recent times, Auchi sons began to gain substantial foothold in the legal profession. This resulted in some sort of hushed talks among the folks that it was only a matter of time before more Auchi indigenes, from the teeming class of eminently qualified legal icons, is picked for the silk robe. The door to the SANship was flung open last year when Barrister   Maliki Antony Akhunegbe    emerged as the first Auchi lawyer to be conferred with the prestigious SAN silk robe.  Prince Yusuf Asamah Kadiri, a lawyer and member of the Ikelebe ruli...

By  DADA  AYOKHAI The Edo State Government, in a swift response aimed at hearkening to the yearnings of the concerned communities, has accorded formal recognition to three royal fathers in the state. By this singular action, the recognised royal fathers now have the legal instrument they required to preside over the affairs of their respective domains  The newly recognised three royal fathers cut across Edo North and Edo Central districts.  A breakdown of the newly recognised royal fathers shows that while Edo North has two, Edo Central has only one.  The approval was the product of the resolutions reached by the Executive Council at its weekly virtual meeting which was presided over by the state governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki.  Among the recently approved royal fathers is Prince Clement Obayemi Erimiakhena, the village head of Ojirami community in Akoko Edo local government area.  Others includes Chief Anthony Aikpegbe Asebhofoh, the clan hea...