Borderline News 24

By DADA AYOKHAI An Oredo Magistrate Court 1, sitting in Benin City has remanded One Charles Amadasun ( m), of no fix address for malicious damage   by forcibly entering the property of one Pastor Fanstin Uwaibi, which is likely to cause breach of peace. Charles Amadasun was   arraigned on two count  charge of  illegal trespass has  on Wednesday, April 28th, 2021 appeared before Magistrate Court 1, Benin City, Edo State. Amadasun was accused of forcibly entering the property of one Pastor Fanstin Uwaibi situated at 23, Ihama Road, GRA, Benin City on April 18th, 2021 with intent to erect a building and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 81 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol. 11 Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976 as applicable in Edo State. The police Prosecution, J. O. Omoruyi(ASP), told the court that , Charles Amadasun,(m), of no fix address did maliciously damaged asphalt laying of Car  park of the buildi...

By DADA AYOKHAI The Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ has announced the conclusion of  the implemention of Civil Society Advocacy to Support Anti-Corruption  and Rule of Law in Nigeria  project.  According to ANEEJ , the CASARN Project recorded  string of achievements which include the development of Integrity and accountability strategy for Edo state, EDSIAS, the an innovative Compliance ranking of federal MDAs on the Nigeria Open Contracting Portal NOCOPO, and provided a platform  for CSOs to interface with the Edo state ministry of budget and economic planning. Speaking with journalists, ANEEJ executive director, the Rev David Ugolor who was represented by his deputy, Leo Atakpu, said that the CASARN Project was expected to improve oversight, transparency and accountability in the management of resources, and enhance CSO participation in the fight against corruption. ‘ANEEJ has trained CSOs and journalists on several ...

By DADA AYOKHAI Two close associates of the senator representing Edo North, Sen Francis Alimikhena, have dismissed rumours of his attack and abduction as "blatantly false and  cruel". : An online media recently reported that  the senator was attacked and abducted by hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers at Osara village along the Okene - Abuja highway, on his way back to Abuja.  In a swift denial of the online news report, the duo of Mr Peter Anegbe, former Nigeria's ambassador to Malaysia and Hon Solomon Taiwo, political aide to the senator, vehemently debunked the story in separate interviews with an  online platforms, insisting the incident never occurred and labeled those behind it as "mischief makers".  Ambassador Anegbe, also a  federal commissioner who representing  Edo state as an ombudsman in the Public Complaints Commission, said the online publication was grossly false, wicked and distasteful.  He stated that as soon as the ne...

By DADA AYOKHAI The news about the revocation of South East Uneme clan recently  hit the airwaves . Technically, the decision also meant a withdrawal of the appointment and/or recognition- of HRH Benjamin Ikhani as the clan head of South Uneme. The state government action definitely send shock waves and forced pundits back to the drawing board in a bid to figure out the real motives behind the government action.  With divided opinions on the rightness or wrongness of the government action, a fresh unwarranted crisis which has drawn the ire of many has erupted in the state.   To, once again, refresh our memory, the administration of Comrade Adams Oshiomole elevated  South Uneme to the status of a clan, with headquarters at Uzanu in the twilight of his tenure.  South Uneme is also the home base of Prince Clem Agba, the honourable minister of national planning and budget.  According to the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Bar Osarodion ...

By DADA AYOKHAI Hon Abubakar Momoh, the popular Edo North rpolitician and muslim scholar,  chaired the maiden Ramadan lecture organised by the management of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, in Uzairue.  Though it is the first of its kind since the station was established in Uzairue, there are, however, plans to make it a yearly event.  Sources within the NTA Uzairue  management revealed  the Ramadan lecture was essentially conceptualised to enable the station identify with the prevailing cultural milieu in its host community.  NTA Uzairue, with its base station in Jattu, covers the entire Edo North senatorial district of Edo Stare.  Prominent muslim clerics, scholars as well as muslim adherents of Edo North extraction attended the lecture that was also  beamed to a live audience, from its base station in Jattu. Hon Momoh, who was ably represented by Bar Muhammed Ibrahim, the Edo North branch chairman of the Nigeria Bar Associati...

Title: The Work of a Press Secretary Author: Burkard Weth, formerly press attaché German Embassy Nigeria. Publisher: Shaker Media Germany Year of Publication: 2019 Number of Pages: 58 ISBN: 978-3-95631-709-5 Reviewer: Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku, editor WADONOR, Cultural voice of the Niger Delta   Introduction Many factors make Dr Burkard Weth’s book The Work of a Press Secretary relevant to press secretaries in Africa and Nigeria in particular. The first relates to a recent incident involving Danladi Umar, chairman of Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, who allegedly assaulted a security guard at the Banex Plaza in Abuja in March 2021. The incident provoked a national backlash, especially because it was about a man who ought to uphold good conduct amongst public officials. To control the damage, Mr Danladi Umar’s press secretary, Mr Ibraheem Al Hassan made a release which the Guardian newspaper of April 1, 2021 described as ‘error-ridden’. In it, the press secretary of...

By DADA AYOKHAI  All roads will on Monday May 3rd leads to ivianake -Ekperi in Etsako Central local government for the 40th day fidau prayers for the reposed soul of Alhaja sulaimon Yinusa Anakhu. Alhaja Anakhu who died on the 24th of march after a brief illness was  until her death, the wife of ivianake community leader and a Lagos based business tycoon, Alhaji Sulaimon Anakhu. The late woman which most sympathizers described as a mother to All due to her loving disposition to many  is survived by children and grandchildren. The fidau prayers is expected to attract Muslims Faithfuls and cleric across Ekperi and Etsako.  The husband, Alhaji Sulaimon Yinusa Anakhu, is feeling the void left by the late wife. As a strong muslim adherent, he is taking it all in his strides, knowing her absence has created a deep physical and spiritual   vacuum that would be hard to fill.  However, Alhaji Anakhu has taken solace in Allah's words whic...

By DADA AYOKHAI The management of Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, has postponed resumption for the new academic session indefinitely.  Registrar of the institution, Dr. Godwin Ihionkhan, made this known in a statement on  in Auchi.  The statement read in part, "This is to inform staff and students that resumption for the new academic session has been postponed indefinitely."  The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) had vowed to continue with its nationwide industrial action despite a ₦15bn offered by the Federal Government. According to ASUP’s President, Anderson Ezeibe, the strike will still continue. ASUP had on April 6 declared a strike, demanding the implementation of a new salary scheme for polytechnic lecturers. ASUP had explained that its decision to down tool was to draw the attention of the government to the nine basic needs of the union, adding that the need to release the 10 months in arrears of the new minimum wage owed its members in Federa...

By DADA AYOKHAI The Edo State governor, Mr Godwin obaseki has approved the revocation of  South East Uneme clan and also withdrawn the  appointment of HRH Benjamin Ikhani   as the  Clan Head of the clan., . South East Uneme clan with headquarters in uzanu was created at the tail end of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole's administration and it is also the country home of Prince Clem Agba,the Hon Minister of state for Budget and National Planning,.  In an undated statement signed by the Secretary to the Edo State government, Bar Osarodion Ogie said both action takes immediate effect. According to the statement , the state government "action is predicted in the incessant and flagagant disregard to peace agreement and government directive to maintain peace in Uzanu and it's environs by the oliola"   By this action, Uzanu is back to his former status as a village under weppa. The Uzanus and her neighbour, lgiode, the country home of Senator Francis ...

By DADA AYOKHAI Against the growing public acknowledgment of the interventionist role of the Benin - Owena River Basin Development Authority, BORDA, led by the Engr Saliu Ahmed, more facts have  emerged showing the imprints of some notable Edo North lawmakers in the workings of the Authority.  BORDA has recently become pivotal in the provision of critical infrastructures in Edo North senatorial district.  Residents of the Authority's catchment areas, especially those  in Edo North and beyond, read about its activities in the media, but in terms of direct impact, there was none.  The appointment of Engr Saliu Ahmed, however, brought a new lease of life into the Authority. Since then, the BORDA has rekindled hope and brought smiles on the faces of Edo North people, otherwise known in local parlance as Afenmai.  Findings have now emerged to show that behind the superlative performances of the BORDA management, there are a set of notable...

By DADA AYOKHAI The last may not have been heard about the drama and intrigue surrounding the death of a Chief Lecturer of the Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, Dr   Shola Eshiobo. Before his death, Dr Ehieobo was a Chief Lecturer as well as the Dean of Student Affairs.  News of his death created panic and suspense within the institution's host community, Auchi, as well as in academic circles, leading to speculations as to what could have caused the death of   the late Dean.  Even more intriguing is the fact that his corpse was found in his office on Sunday morning, after a frantic search of his whereabout by family members and friends.   The drama heightened as people wondered what the late lecturer could be doing in his office on a weekend.  It was gathered  that  the late Dean whom many of his students including the former described as a displinarian  was in the school on the fateful Saturday along with other ...

By DADA AYOKHAI The former Chief of Staff to former president Goodluck Jonathan has adjudged Edo State owned university in Edo North, Edo University Uzairue as one of the best in the country. According to chief Oghiadomhe who was also a two term Edo  deputy governor, said  “this is one of the best universities we have in the country as at today by standards and I will like it to be the best university in Nigeria”.  Chief Oghiadomhe made the statement at  Iyamho as a guest  during the university's  matriculation ceremony. Earlier,   the Vice Chancellor of the university,  Engr. Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor, while presiding over the  matriculation, said the school  management is committed in ensuring that all programmes offered by the institution are completed within the stipulated time frame. The vice chancellor also listed  some of the institution’s achievements to include its ranking as 3rd in Nigeria and best amongst the...

By DADA AYOKHAI The duo of Prince Abu Umoru, palace chief and Mr Anthony Issa Momoh, palace secretary of the Oghiator branch of the  Okhokho ruling house have co-signed a  public notice, in which they made a passionate appeal to the Edo State government to  recongnise  and install Prince Umoru as the Aidonogie of South Ibie Kingdom.  According to the duo, Prince Umoru has fufiled all the pre-requisites for recongnition and installation as Aidonogie of the Kingdom.  The duo based their assertion on various court pronouncements, including that obtained from Edo High Court and of the Appeal Court which they claimed even went as far as nullifying the appointment of Oba Kelvin Danesi as the Aidonogie of South Ibie. The duo demanded that the state government should do the needful and immediately recongnise Prince Umoru as the rightful Aidonogie of South Ibie Kingdom. The battle over which of the two ruling houses in South Ibie should produce the Aidon...

By DADA AYOKHAI After several years of battling acute water shortage, residents of  the commercial town of Auchi may be in for a reprieve if the efforts of Benin - Owena River Basin Development Authority to reverse the ugly trend yields fruitful results.  To actualise its plan of providing portable water to Auchi residents and its environ, the Authority has concluded plans to construct an Earth Dam in Auchi.  The Earth Dam  is to be situated on the course of the popular River Orle  in Auchi.  Even with its status as the administrative nerve centre of Edo North as well as Etsako, the sight of commercial water tankers supplying portable water to the residents is a common feature in  Auchi metropolis.  Over 70 per cent of the residents of Auchi rely heavily on commercial water  tankers for access to portable water.  The rest rely on streams and boreholes, most of which not only entails long treks but also dependent on an epilept...

By DADA AYOKHAI   The court of Appeal, Benin Judicial Division has affirmed    the appointment of HRH Alhaji Yakubu Ugbodaga as the Village Head of Anegbette and Clan Head of South Uneme in Etsako Central  Local government of Edo State. The High Court sitting in Fugar had earlier dismissed the case for being incompetent and for failure to comply with the mandatory statutory pre -condition under Section 19 (2) of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict (1979).  Dissatisfied with the judgment of the lower court, the appellants, Prince Paul Omomzuawo and Anthony Erameh for the Erameh family   had approach  the Court of Appeal to set aside the ruling.  In a judgement delivered by Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill affirmed the ruling of the Edo State High Court Fugar, which held that the claims of the Appellants for failure to comply with the mandatory statutory precondition  as prescribed in the State Traditional Rulers Edict of...

By DADA AYOKHAI    Following the sighting of the moon in Saudi Arabia and other part of the world Nigeria inclusive,  this year’s Ramadan starts on Tuesday,.  In Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar on  Monday directed the Muslims to commenced fasting. The sultan , who is the president of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), said this in an announcement on NTA live broadcast. He urged all Muslims to use the occasion of the holy month to pray fervently for the country and indulge in acts of charity so as to benefit maximally this month. The NSCIA on Monday had issued a guideline enjoining the Ummah to practice social distancing during the 1442AH Ramadan. “All COVID-19 protocols should be observed. I’tikaf should still be put on hold while strict observance of all COVID19 protocols including avoiding lengthy or crowded sessions should be observed,” it stated. Ramadan is the ninth lunar month of the Islamic calendar seen as ...

By DADA AYOKHAI  The Edo state  House of Assembly has approved the request of Governor Godwin obaseki  to appoint 15 Special Advisers. The approval was contained a letter dated March 31 and signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Barr. Osarodion Ogie, requesting the House to approve the appointment. A portion of the letter reads: “I write at the instance of the governor, His Excellency, Mr Godwin Obaseki to inform the honourable House of the need to appoint Special Advisers to the governor. “Accordingly, Mr governor has directed me to seek the kind approval of the House for the appointment of 15 Special Advisers to the governor,” Ogie said. Consequently, the house unanimously in a voice vote approved the governor’s request . The House Speaker, Mr. Marcus Onobun thereafter directed the Clerk of the House  to convey copies of the approval to the Governor for immediate action . Earlier,  the Majority Leader of the house, Mr. Henry Okhuarob...

By DADA AYOKHAI  The Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Edo State, Col David Imuse has described as “spurious, alarmist, untrue and wicked”, the allegation by Governor Godwin Obaseki that Nigerians wil soon wake up like the South American country, Argentina. Col Imuse in a statement by the Edo APC Assistant Publicity Secretary, Victor Osehobo also described as laughable, unwarranted and unfounded claims, creditted to Governor Obaseki last week, that the country's economic situation is more critical now because of the huge amount borrowed to service it, adding that the  the situation is a classic case of the Pot calling the Kettle black. He said, " the true position is that under Governor Obaseki's watch, the economy of Edo state is in dire straits with the Governor bereft of ideas about how to get it out, with a foreign debt of $300million and a domestic debt including loans from commercial banks, the capital market, and other d...

By Wajeed Obomeghie Families, friends, well wishers and  Muslim faithfuls converged on Saturday 10th April in Karu, Abuja for a prayers session in honor and memory of late Alh. Engr Muhammed Bello Momoh Jp, fondly called Wahappy by admirers.  Late Engr Momoh was the Doudu 1 of Auchi Sacred Kingdom and a front line Islamic propagator who devoted a sizeable portion of his time and wealth in the propagation of Islam. The prayers session was organised by the Ansar- un_ Deen Society, in collaboration with the Afenmai Islamic movement. According to the Chief Imam of Ansar- un- Deen mosque, Maraba, Abuja, Alhaji Adetunmobi Sharaf_ Deen, late Engr Bello supported the body  immensely in the propagation of Islamic religion and also gave out scholarships  to members  during his lifetime to deserving students as well as donated his hotel for use.    Alhaji Adetunmobi said the  prayers is the body's way of honouring late Engr Momoh for his good dee...

By DADA AYOKHAI The Community Development Associations CDA in communities and villages in Edo State seem to have staged a deadly comeback against the backdrop of the position of the the palace of the oba of Benin and Edo State government on land allocation, land grabbing and double dealing on land matters.  The latest, among hundreds of such victims who are helpless and have lost their lands and property to the avarice of the CDA leadership is the Former Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council and Principal Editor, SPARKNEWSNAIJA OTUNBA MIKE ALADENIKA, who at a press conference in Benin City alleged that the OHEN of OKHUOROMI village in Benin City, Chief  Ovbokhan Igbinovia trespassed "on my land measuring 100 × 100 feet at Okhuoromi, destroyed the foundation of two blocks of three bedroom flats built up to DPC level and sold the land to someone else". OTUNBA Mike ALADENIKA who was armed with a video playback of relics of the destroyed property, ...

By DADA AYOKHAI  The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, sitting in Benin City, Edo State, has  unequivocally declared that the Edo State Commissioner for Education lacks the powers to alter and or change the decision of the Governing Council of the state-owned Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. In the judgment on suit No: NICN/BEN/26/2020 in Asigene Peter against Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and others, which included the Edo State Commissioner for Education as defendants, the Court presided over by His Lordship Hon. Justice A. A. Adewemimo, voided the dismissal of Mr. Asigene Peter from the services of the university as a result of the intervention and interference of the State Commissioner for Education in the disciplinary process of the University.   The Court specifically held that the Governing Council being the final organ on the discipline of staff of the University cannot be over ruled by the State Commissioner for Education. The Court therefore or...

By DADA AYOKHAI  The President Muhammadu Buhari has in line with their enabling laws reconstituted the Governing Councils of the 25 Federal Polytechnics and 21 Colleges of Education, in the country   In the statement, Arch Echono, the Permanent Secretary said that all the councils will be formally inaugurated by the Education Minister Mallam Adamu Adamu on Tuesday 20th April 2021 at the National Universities Commission Auditorium, Abuja. In Edo state, , Auchi Polytechnic Auchi  reconstituted  Govering council will be Chaired by  Prof Stephen ocheni from kogi state .   Professor ochei was  formerly a Lecturer at the department of  Accounting at the kogi state University Lokoja . He  was  also a former minister of state for Labour during president Buhari first term  of office. The other  members of the council  are , Dr Aminu Saad,  Adamawa , kinsley Wali, Rivers , Rt Hon Joshua Madaki, Plateau , and Sanni G...

By Dada Ayokhai What could have led to a breach of peace in  South Ibie kingdom  in Etsako West council area have  been nipped in the bud.   The peaceful atmosphere in the kingdom was about to be distrupted following a  publication in a national daily credited to the duo of Prince Abu Umoru and Anthony Isah Momoh, in which they asserted that the present occupant of the office of the Aidonogie of South Ibie, Oba Kevin Danesi, is illegally parading self as the Aidonogie of the kingdom in defiance of a court ruling which had previously voided his appointment.  In a swift reaction, the Aidonogie -in- Council,  composed of senior palace chiefs, village heads  and kingmakers,  dismissed the claims attributed to Prince Abu Umoru and his cohorts.  The Council maintained that Oba Danesi's position as the Aidonogie of South Ibie kingdom was never  in dispute, and also remains the prescribed  authority  as recongnised...

By Ben Ogbemudia  The House of Representatives member representing Owan Federal Constituency, Professor Julius Ihonvbere and former Secretary to the Government of Edo State during Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s administration on Tuesday broke his silence over the demolition of his property by Governor Godwin Obaseki.  The Iyase of Iuleha in a press release personally signed and titled "Demolition of my property in Benin City by the Obaseki Administration: Setting the facts right" and made available to journalists in Abuja said the building  Governor Obaseki is presently  occupying in Benin city   is  a government owned land which belong  to  a school. The lawmaker was   was a former  Chairman Strategic Planning Team (SPT) that replaced the Economic Strategy Team where Obaseki  Chaired during the Oshiomhole administration. According to ihonvbere , who was a  former secretary to the Edo  state government...

By Dada Ayokhai The cold war which exists between former Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomole and his erstwhile political godsons, Mr Godwin Obaseki and Hon Philip Shaibu, is not in any way abating.  . The duo of Gov Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Hon Philip Shaibu, were conspicuously absent at the series of activities which took place in iyamho climaxing with a Thanksgiving service to mark the 69th birthday of the comrade governor. The Thanksgiving service, held at the soley  built church and donated by comrade oshiomole   St Joseph Catholic church iyamho, Etsako West council area, was attended by top APC chieftains,led by national chairman of the caretaker committee of the Apc, who is also the Governor of Yobe State, HE Mai mallam Buni who was represented , Prince clem Agba, , political associates and well wishers who came to felicitate with the celebrant, also a one time President of the  Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC. The Edo state deputy g...

By Dada Ayokhai Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State on Sunday received the festival torch of the 20th National Sports Festival at the Government House.  The Governor received the torch from the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, represented by the South-South Director of Sports, Peter Nelson.  In his remarks, Obaseki described the national sports fiesta as a rallying point for the country which ought to be sustained.  "As you are all aware, the National Sports Festival is a festival of unity, the festival that brings the entire country together.  "More than ever before in our history, we need to come together at this time. That is why Edo State government decided that in spite of all the challenges and difficulties from the pandemic, to ensure that we still hold the 20th edition 9f the national sports festival in Benin City.  "I have received this touch and we will keep it alive and will pass it on to the next generation and the ...

By Dada Ayokhai  Agbede, an agrarian  community in Etsako West council area in Edo North senatorial district, shot to  national limelight following the appointment of one of her illustrious daughter's, Mrs Elohor Aiboni, as the first female managing director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, SNEPCO. By her appointment, Mrs Aiboni becomes the first Nigerian woman to attain such a lofty height in the employ of the oil giant.  Her appointment was, however, made public in an unconventional way via the Facebook page of her proud father, Alhaji Nimetu, himself a Prince of the Agbede royal family.  Alhaji Nimetu, a trained pharmacist and a Prince from Agbede royal family broke the cheery news of his daughter's appointment when he wrote on his wall thus: "With gratitude to God, l have the pleasure to inform family and friends of the appointment of my daughter as the first female Managing Director and CEO of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Pr...

 By Dada Ayokhai Undeterred in its resolve to make life more comfortable for those residing in its catchment area, the management of Benin - Owena River Basin Authority has finalised plans to construct a dam  in Uzairue kingdom as a way of providing portable water  for the inhabitants. Most inhabitants of Uzairue, including its environs, rely on water drawn from the stream while the few lucky ones have accesse to boreholes provided by distinguished sons or communal effort. It is expected that the rivers in Iyora and Ayaoghena axis will be dammed to provide water for the reservoir. Work on the dam, known as Jattu dam, has commenced in earnest, with the Authority having acquired a vast portion of land in Iyora village for that purpose.  Many of those whose land was acquired for the construction of the dam have already been compensated thereby removing any encumbrance that may delay the project execution. It is envisaged that when completed, the dam will pro...