Borderline News 24

By DADA AYOKHAI The efforts of the Deputy Majority Leader' of the House of Representatives, Hon Peter Akpatason in ensuring the Akoko Edo federal constituency got two of the four Integrated Farms recently commissioned, was acknowledged by the Management of Benin Owena River Basin Authority. The two Integrated Farms sited in Okpe and Uneme N'Ekhua in  Akoko Edo local government were part of the four Integrated Farms commissioned virtually by the Hon Minister for Water Resources. Hon Akpatason who is the member representing Akoko Edo federal constituency at the National Assembly  supporting role was reveled by the Managing Director of Benin Owena River Basin  Development Authority, Engr Saliu Ahmed  in his welcome address during the virtual commissioning of the Integrated Farms across the state. According to Engr Ahmed , "we started with the  farms in Okpe and Uneme N'Ekhua with the active support of the deputy Majority Leader' of the federal House of ...

By DADA AYOKHAI   Iyagbugie Community Development Progressive Association, based in Ayua, Uzairue, has fired a strongly worded petition in which it accused the Ogieneni of continuously using some members of the local vigilante to remove the body's sign post at Ayua, without any convincing justification for the action.    The association alleged that armed vigilantes led by one Mohammed Danladi, from Yelwa, who claims to be acting on behalf of the Ogieneni, had on two separate occasions pulled down the body's sign post without any just cause.  Some inhabitants of Ayua village who spoke in confidentiality disclosed that the sign post in question has the name of the association embossed on it, wondering why it had suddenly become an object of interest to the Ogieneni, adding that the sign post has been erected on that same spot for over ten years.  Similarly, the association,  with its registered office at Ayua in Uzairue and ...

By Deborah Coker  The Nigerian Army 4, Brigade, Benin as part of its Civil/Military relationship has inaugurated an industrial borehole at Ugoneki community in Uhumwode Local Government Area of Edo. The Brigade commander, Brig.-Gen. Sani Abdullahi during the inauguration on Monday said that the borehole was for the benefit of the people of the community. Abdullahi, who is also the Commander Sector 1 in the ongoing Exercise Still Water in the state, said that the completed borehole was part of the Brigade’s Corporate Social Responsibility to the people of the locality. He noted that security would be easily restored and much easily achieved, If everybody gets involve in the fight. According to him, this project is to extend our service as part of our Civil/Military relationship to our immediate host community. “Security is not all about who is on ground, but about seeing something and saying something.” Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya wh...

By DADA AYOKHAI The Management of Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA), has in line with the federal government policy of shifting from oil to the non oil of the economy with emphasis on Agriculture has  established four integrated farms in Edo state. The farms located in Benin, Auchi, okpe and Uneme N'Ekhua were recently virtually commissioned by the minister of water resources, Engr Suileman Hussein Adamu from Benin, Edo state capital. In his address during  the commissioning of 4 Integrated Farm Schemes (Songhai Model)  the Managing Director of Benin owena River Basin  development Authority, Engr saliu Ahmed said the will to established the farms was borne out of the directive of the minister directing river basins across the country to set up an integrated farm in Senatorial district in every states of the country.   Engr. Amhed said the Integrated Farm are Production, Processing, Service Rendering and Research Based Centres. Am...

By DADA AYOKHAI The former hon member representing Etsako federal constituency at the National Assembly,Hon Engr Momoh Abubakar has commended the management of Benin owena river basin authority for the establishment of integrated farm in the district. Hon Momoh made the disclosure at the commissioning of the farm at Auchi. Hon said the establishment of the farm will be a catalyst for youth involvement  in farming which is now be seen as a profession. The former reps member who has the record of spreading human face projects across the constituency when in office also said by extension the farm will be a way of reducing hunger in the land and opening up the farm site for rapid development. The Benin Owena under the leadership of Engr Ahmed saliu established 3 farm across the Edo north district, namely Auchi, Etsako West local government, okpe and Uneme nekhua, both in Akoko Edo local government. The farm were commission by the minister of water resources, virtually from ...

 By DADA AYOKHAI  The Divisional Police Officer of  Fugar in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State, Ibrahim lshaq, has been reportedly abducted by kidnappers who are demanding N50m ransom before his release.  He was said to have been abducted around Ise River along the old Auchi-Ekperi- Agenebode road.  Sources said the DPO was driving his private car when he was accosted on Friday evening by the gunmen, who shot indiscriminately into the air and forced his vehicle to stop before he was seized ‎and taken into the bush. The incident is said to have caused panic among the people of Fugar, the headquarters of Etsako Central Local Government. The source said, “If a DPO can be abducted, who is safe? This incident is causing panic among the people because of the Fugar Day Festival which comes up during Christmas. ‎I also heard from people close to the family that his abductors have demanded for N50m as ransom.’’

By DADA AYOKHAI The management of Benin - Owena River Basin Authority, BORDA, has stepped up its game and opened an area office in Auchi, Etsako West council, in a bid to  bring its services closer to the people The new area office is the first of its kind to be established in Edo North senatorial district by the BORDA management Otaru of Auchi, HRH H. A. Momoh, Ikelebe lll, was on hand to officially commission the office Other prominent Edo North citizens were also present to witness the epochal event, including Hon Abubakar Momoh, a former member of the House of Representatives Recall the managing director of BORDA, Engr Saliu Ahmed had vowed to ensure the activities of the Authority was decentralised to meet the yearnings of farmers who represent its critical stakeholders.  Thus, the recent opening of the Auchi area office of the Authority, is a practical demonstration of the resolve by the BORDA management to take its services closer to those in its catchment a...

By DADA AYOKHAI   The recent faceoff between the Ogieneni of Uzairue, HRH Kadiri Omogbai with some security operatives  over an attempted arrest which was  allegedly linked to prominent daughter from Ayua community  said to be married to a state governor is presently taking a violence dimension. Some members of the Ayua community and the Imodagbe family where the Kogi governor  wife  hails from, have complained of being attacked and their  houses invaded by  men suspected to be thugs ordering them to move out from Jattu . The victims alleged that one Mr Omogbai Yusuf Eze from Omogbai's family in Iyauno quarters  lead the attack on them and their houses. Speaking on the development, one of the victims of the attacks, Abdulhakeem Mohammed said, "...I was in my residence in Jattu  when thugs invaded my house and attacked me with sophisticated weapons, causing me body injuries .  According to him, " Mr Omogbai Yusuf Eze said...

By Lucky Isibor. The people of Ugiamwen community in  Uhunmode Local Government Area of Edo State have appealed to Edo State government to re-open Ugiamwen Secondary School which was closed by the state Ministry of Education in 2019. The school which is the only secondary school at Ugiamwen, was established in 1980 by the administration of the late Prof. Ambrose Alli serves four communities along that corridor of Uhunmode Local Government Area namely Ugbiokho, Ukpogo, Agunuagbie and the host community, Ugiamwen. While appealing to the Edo State government to come the aid of the community by re-opening the school, Chief Andrew  Eronmosele, the Aiguobasimwin of Udianmwen pointed out that their children of school age are idling away at home while their peers in other communities are in school. According to him the plight of the children and parents are compounded by the bad road linking Ugiamwen and Ekpoma, the nearest community with secondary school. "We are begging ...

By DADA AYOKHAI The personel of  the Kogi state police command and not the  DSS were responsible for the  recent  attempted arrest of the clan Head of Uzairue, ogieneni of Uzairue , HRH kadiri omogbai. Recall that the youths of Uzairue Clan, had on Tuesday foiled an attempt to arrest the clan head, by some security personnel, who initially identified themselves as DSS personnel. The DSS through realizable  sources has denied involvement in the arrest saga but  were also  highly embarrassed of being associated with such incident. A source from the DSS, who did not want his name in print, while speaking on the matter, said that the DSS "does not operate in that manner". "The claim, as reported that the DSS was involved is misleading. The DSS was not involved. Our mode of operation is different from the normal security agency and we don't have any problem with any traditional ruler in Edo State", the source said. It was  gathered that on ...

By DADA AYOKHAI Unknowingly, Senator Francis Alimikhena, may have touched the raw nerves of his constituents, over the decision to build public toilets in Igarra market, Akoko Edo local government area, as part of his constituency reach out project Senator Alimikhena represents Edo North senatorial district in the national assembly.  The public toilets, built within the precinct of the popular Igarra market, is meant to serve as public convenience for both the traders and other members of the public.  However, the decision seems not to have gone down well with a large segment of the people.  Rather than receiving commendations for the gesture, inhabitants of the community have questioned the rationale behind the gesture, insisting the project is misplaced and insulting to them.  They pointed out that the distinguished senator "disrespected" the people by his decision to build a public toilet instead of a more "worthy constituency project".  Following...

By DADA AYOKHAI  Youths of Uzairue clan in Etsako West local government of Edo state  foiled attempt to arrest the clan head,  His Royal Highness, Kadiri Omogbai, the Ogieneni of Uzairue by the Directorate of State Security service (DSS). It was gathered that the incident happened yesterday on the Benin-Abuja road when the traditional ruler was on his way to his palace. It was gathered that DSS officials  blocked the traditional ruler at Ayua junction on the  road and attempted to drag him to their vehicle and whisk him  when the youths stormed the area and resisted the attempt. He said following the stern resistance of the youths, the DSS later took the traditional  ruler accompanied by the youths to the office of the Police Area commander at Auchi. It was gathered that youths mobilized other subjects of the traditional rulers who barricaded entry and exit points in the area to forestall any attempt to arrest their clan head. According to ...

By DADA AYOKHAI The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has increased its senior secondary certificate exam (SSCE) registration fee by 29 percent. Patrick Areghan, head of WAEC’s national office, who announced the release of the results for its 2021 May/June SSCE in Lagos, said the exam body has increased the fee from N13,950 to N18,000. The increment, the examination body said, will be taking effect from 2022. Areghan also said that no candidate sponsored by any state owing WAEC would have access to his or her results. According to him, the hike was necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, rising inflation rates, and insecurity. “It is no longer possible to continue to provide services with the current fee of N13,950.00 per candidate,” Areghan said. “Furthermore, our ad-hoc workers – Supervisors, Examiners, Checkers, item Writers and indeed, all examination functionaries, have been agitating for improved remunerations. “We have received approval from the appropriate quar...

By DADA AYOKHAI  The non remittance of the various deductable and deductions from council workers salaries into such schemes  as the National Housing Fund, Union dues, cooperative deductions among others  was at the front burner at the just concluded 2-day Orientation Workshop for State And Branch Officers of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Edo State Chapter. In his welcome address, the President, NULGE Edo State Chapter, Comrade Lazarus Adorolor said the workshop could not have come at any other time than now, when council workers' welfare demands more attention as administrators at various levels seem to be more determined, than before, to exploit the workers.  Comrade Adorolor told participants to take advantage of the workshop to broaden their skills and be rededicated to the struggle to librate the workers.  Resource persons for the workshop who include Former National President, NULGE, Dr. Deji Akinwalere,  Former Presi...

By DADA AYOKHAI The Zacks Garuba and Co, a legal firm set up by the former Speaker of Edo state House of Assembly has rolled out the drums to celebrate her managing consultant, Chief Anthony A. Malik, SAN who clocks 51.  Chief Malik  holds the record of being the first son of  Auchi Kingdom, Etsako West Local Area of Edo State to be decorated with the enviable and prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). The award  was  celebrated by his people and loved  ones across the country. Following the unfortunate passing-on of Rt. Hon. Zakawanu  Garuba, the former Speaker of Edo State House Assembly and Executive Commissioner of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last year, Chief Malik took charge of Zacks Garuba & Co.,   The  firm is celebrating the legal luminary birthday and also for his  immense contribution towards the advancements of the chamber. A  birthday message signed by  Kingsley Idah...

By Deborah Coker No fewer than 111,455 persons have so far registered and revalidated their membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo, in the last nine weeks. Alhaji Kabiru Adjoto, the Chairman, Edo PDP e-Registration Committee, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Friday. Adjoto explained that the e-registration exercise was geared towards migrating from analogue to digital for the purpose of having a durable and comprehensive database of members. He said that the exercise was inaugurated on Sept. 6, with a mandate to kick off the pilot scheme of its electronic registration and revalidation of at least 1,000,000 Edo sons and daughters. “With this mandate, the committee is set to work, and I’m happy to tell you that within nine weeks, we have registered and revalidated 111,455 party members across the 18 Local Government Areas in the state”, he said. Giving the breakdown, the chairman said that at the moment, Edo Sou...

By DADA AYOKHAI The Edo state governor Mr Godwin Obaseki today sworn in 73 New  appointees  drawn from Edo Central district of the state. The swearing in ceremony took place  in  Irrua, administrative headquarters of Esan central local government area instead of the usual Government House in Benin.   The appointees include Princess Mrs. Philomena Ihenyen who was appointed Political Adviser (Edo Central) as well as 21 Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and 51 Special Assistants (SAs). The aides were drawn from the 51 wards in the five Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Edo Central Senatorial District, following the harmonization of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by leaders in the senatorial district. Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony in Irrua, the headquarters of Esan Central LGA, Obaseki said their appointment into the various political positions was a result of their credibility and track record. According to him, “the appointment this time aroun...

By DADA AYOKHAI  About two years and six months after their election in 2019, 14 members of the Edo State House of Assembly on Wednesday stormed the Code of Conduct Bureau in Abuja demanding investigation of their exclusion by the Clerk of the Assembly, Audu Yahaya Omogbai. While demanding that they should be returned to the legislature because their constituencies have been suffering, they said the refusal of their inauguration was the height of injustice. They called on the CCB to intervene and rescue democracy, but warned that “Edo will be a dirty reference point in years to come.” The legislators who were received by the chairman of CCB, Prof. Mohammed Isah, were led by a former Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Victor Edohor and former Commissioner for Education, Washington Osifo. Edohor said, “Your reputation gave birth to your engagement in CCB. Two years and six months, we have not been integrated into the House of Assembly. We, therefore, feel this is the...

By DADA AYOKHAI The recently remodelled Edo State School of Nursing has denied admission to otherwise qualifying candidates over awaiting results. It is understood that parents whose wards sat and passed the highly coveted entrance exam of the school are gearing up for a face-off with the school authorities if the policy that deprived their wards of admission is not reversed. Some of the candidates, who scored between 76 and 80 percent in the qualifying exams, were denied admission on the basis that they applied for admission whilst awaiting their National Examination Council NECO results. The NECO results were released a day after the school’s scheduled interview session for the successful candidates. Speaking of his ordeal, Marvellous Madamedon, one of the affected candidates, said he came from Delta state to write the exam. With a score of 76 percent in the qualifying exam, Madamedon also disclosed that he is yet to recover from the shock of rejection he and others exper...

By Deborah Coker  The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Zone Rs 5, has so far recorded 19 deaths from Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) since the flag-off of the “ember months” campaign across the zone. The News Agency Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the zone comprises Edo, Delta and Anambra, with the zonal headquarters in Benin. Mr Ayodele Kumapayi, the Zonal Commanding Officer (ZCO) of the corps, disclosed this in an interview with NAN in Benin on Tuesday. Kumapayi disclosed that the deaths were recorded from the 38 RTCs that occured in the zone in October. He also said that within the period, 77 persons were reported injured in the crashes, while 10 fatal cases were reported, with 21 serious cases, and seven minor cases. The ZCO noted that 60 per cent of the crashes was due to excessive speed, and said the zone had re-commenced aggressive enforcement of the Speed Limiting Device (SPV) regulation on commercial vehicles. He said that since the flag-off of the campaign w...

By DADA AYOKHAI The Lawmaker representing Edo North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Francis Alimikhena,  has denied the rumour of  planning  defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) so as  to challenge the leadership of Comrade Adams Oshiomole in the zone.  The senator made the denial  during an interview with a national daily. In a statement, the lawmaker faulted allegations by some of the supporters of Professor Julius Ihonvbere, who accused him of planning to join the PDP, to confront Adams Oshiomhole. Alimikhena said: “This is a crucial time in our history and we don’t need wrong  leadership at this crucial time. " A leader who means well for his people should not be talking about an election by this time. I am focusing on bringing more development to my people and it’s not time to pay attention to people who have made a career of lying. “It is only a man who has no focus that gets distracted. Even Adams Osh...

By DADA AYOKHAI The Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Lilian Salami, has said no fewer than 500 students who have overstayed in the university have been granted amnesty by the school’s senate to enable them graduate from the institution. The Vice-Chancellor said this at a briefing in Benin on Monday as part of activities to mark the 46th and 47th convocation of the university. The event, according to the vice-chancellor will also be used to mark the university’s 51st Founders’ Day and golden jubilee ceremonies. She said: “The cases of more than 500 students who have overstayed in the university were looked into by the Senate and granted ‘amnesty’ to graduate from the system. “The figure available put our teaching staff at 1,779, while the number of non-teaching staff was approximately 6,063. With the continuing embargo on employment, we then began the process of sourcing, from among non-teaching staff, qualified members of staff who were subsequently redeployed to...

By DADA AYOKHAI A delegation of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) National Vice chairman, South- South zone, Chief Dan Orbih has paid a solidarity visit to the PDP Vice chairman ward 8 in Akoko Edo local government,.  Pa DaniaSamuel who was recently molested by some hoodlums over party related matters. The team had the Edo North Senatorial Chairman,  Hon Segun Saiki, Akoko Edo PDP  Chairman, Hon Kayode Ogunubi, Mr Dele Elempe, Women leaders and others.  The delegation  conveyed the message of chief Dan Orbih   who is presently out of the state for other engagement which includes a financial support  to take care of the medical bills of the vice chairman and others who were brutally molested.   In an emotional voice, Pa  Dania  narrated his ordeal on that faithful day while also expressed his  appreciation and gratitude to the National Vice Chairman, Chief Dan Osi Orbih.  He further said he is resolved to rema...

By DADA AYOKHAI The Edo State chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, has  condemned in  strong terms an  assault on the party Vice chairman of ward 8, Akoko-Edo local government as relayed in a  video which has gone viral. The viral video shows some youths armed with weapons molesting an old man, who has been indentified to be the PDP Vice chairman ward 8, Akoko-Edo local government and other youths in Ikpeshi, Akoko Edo local government. It was gathered that the party officials were molested by a gang  sponsored by a PDP leader said to be loyal to the Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki.    The PDP  statement was  singned by the state chairman of the party, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi in Benin City. It reads  "It  was particularly more painful to watch as the Vice Chairman of ward 8, Akoko-Edo local government, Pa Samuel Dania, an elder was a victim of this callous act of brigandry.   "This assault was unwarr...

By DADA AYOKHAI The PDP National Vice Chairman, South South, Chief Dan Orbih has expressed his displeasure  over a trending video where it was alleged that a faction of the party loyal to the state governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki  in  Ikpeshi, Akoko Edo local government, unleashed terror on those said to be his (Dan Orbih)  faction. In the viral video, an old man and some youths were made to sit on the floor and  manhandled by youths alleged to be  Governor  Obaseki's loyalists The chief Orbih statement read “Painfully, my attention has been drawn to a social media video of a wicked and shameful attack by some politically patronised youths who unleashed unwarranted terror on unsuspecting Party leaders and members in Ikpeshi, Akoko-Edo LGA, brandishing machetes and other dangerous weapons. I condemn this barbaric savagery in very strong terms, and I urge the security agents to thoroughly investigate the criminal act, fish out the perpetrators as...

By DADA AYOKHAI Godwin Obaseki, the Edo state governor, says he has no plan to join another political party. Speaking in Benin on Saturday during a banquet to mark the Alaghodaro Summit, the governor said his party affiliation will not alter development plans for the state Obaseki said his government is committed to ensuring a progressive and prosperous Edo state. He said: “No matter the persuasion to join any political party, I will not. I will continue to provide leadership for all Edo people. We don’t need to join another political party to develop Edo state to become a home for all. “Our goal is to position Edo where it should be, as our state has been created to provide leadership for this country; that is how it has been and will always be.” The governor said the Alaghodaro Summit is a platform through which his administration will prepare Edo youths for leadership positions. “Our politics is being driven by data. We will continue to do our best as a government to mak...

By DADA AYOKHAI  Edo State Government has reacted to a viral video in which some  young men wielding machetes and cudgels were recorded assaulting an elderly man and some young people within the state. The state government reaction was contained in a statement signed by the  chief of staff to the Governor,Hon. Osaigbovo Iyoha. The statement said, "The state government strongly condemns the reprehensible act and vows to bring the perpetrators to justice. Preliminary investigations reveal that the incident appeared to have occurred in Edo State, as the persons in the video spoke in a language indigenous to the state. With its uncompromising commitment to maintaining law and order, the government frowns at all forms of violence and is particularly appalled with the contents of the video. Government has ordered security agencies in the state to thoroughly investigate the incident to ensure that anyone found culpable is made to face the full weight of extant laws i...

By DADA AYOKHAI The acrimony between the Edo PDP former chairman, Chief Dan Orbih and the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, is beginning not only to create factions  in the party but also breeding violence among party members. In a viral video in circulation, an old man who is said to be in his 80s was beaten to stupor in Ikpeshi, in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo State for attending a factional meeting said to be of those loyal to Chief Orbih. In the video, it shows youths holding various shapes of wood, escort the old man and others  out of the meeting venue, slamming them with the woods and ordering them to sit on the floor. A PDP leader in Akoko Edo confirmed the authencity of the video and also claimed the thugs were taking orders from the former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon Kabiru Adjoto who also hails from Akoko Edo and a loyalist of the state governor. It will be recalled that supporters of Obaseki and that of his predecessor...

By DADA AYOKHAI   Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Friday in Benin inaugurated a 30-year development plan as part of activities to mark his fifth year in office. Delivering a speech at the fifth edition of the Alaghodaro Summit, Obaseki said that the plan is broken into six tranches of five years each. The summit has “Edo of our dreams: Building a sustainable future’’ as its theme. “Planning is not a document, it has to be a process; we have to live it and that is what the Edo 30 years developmental plan is all about. “It’s broken into five-year periods and we have six of these periods. “One of the greatest concerns that people have is whether our reforms and innovations will continue after leaving office. “I can’t guarantee that my successor is going to do better than myself. “However, what we can guarantee is that once we have a system that is working, that calls the leadership to account. “It is a better guarantee to ensure that the system will continue to work the...

By Deborah Coker Mr Peter Esele, former energy group leader, has said that the country should strive to discover itself in the global emerging talk about energy transition. Esele, former president of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), gave the advice on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin. He gave the advice on the backdrop of the African Energy week, currently going on in Cape Town, South Africa. He stressed that Nigerians and indeed Africans must look at things from their strategic national interest. He noted that the country and other African countries would have been way ahead of where they are presently in the renewable energy drive, but for paucity of funds. “Africa is broke. So when you talk about investment it’s going to come from outside.” He lamented that Nigeria did not take advantage of the natural resources in the country to invest in them. “Now, we had coal all these years, dirty e...

By DADA AYOKHAI Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has rewarded Edo Central Senatorial District of the state with 72 political appointments following the ability to produced a harmonization list  as requested by the state government.    The appointments which was announced yesterday through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG)constist of Special Adviser , Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants. Harmonization list in PDP lexicon is the reshufflement  of the  PDP ward  executives  to accommodate the All Progressives Congress (APC) defectors.   The harmonization list  fused into Edo political  lexicon following the defection of governor Obaseki and his loyalists into the PDP. Governor Obaseki has in many fora instisted that no appointments will go to the old PDP members until they agreed to have an harmonization list. The latest appointment brought the number of Special Advisers appointed by Obas...

By DADA AYOKHAI Some  staff of the Edo State House of Assembly, EDHA, have cashed in on the political feud between members of the state assembly and the executive branch to move into the quarters officially allocated to the lawmakers.  The sprawling housing estate, known as the "Legislators Quarters" and located in the GRA  zone in Benin, the Edo State capital, was procured mainly to serve as official residence for the lawmakers. However, the unending political feud between the two branches of government created a vacuum which others are now cashing in on.   The tastefully furnished houses have remained largely unoccupied as a result of  swearing in of 8 out of the 24 members house.    Leading the pack of EDHA staff who live in the quarters is the Clerk of the house.  Insiders who spoke under the cloak of anonymity said the Clerk relocated to the Legislators Quarters last year, following his alleged  prime role in the midnigh...

By DADA AYOKHAI  The tussle to select the next substantive Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, may have entered a higher gear, as feelers show that the battle ground may have shifted to the presidency in Abuja.  The Auchi Polytechnic Auchi Governing Council based on the report of the screening committee set up by the council for the screening exercise, shortlisted three candidates from the pool of applicants. In line with procedure, the three names shortlisted for the plum post by the screening committee was forwarded to the presidency through the Federal Ministry of Education The presidency is vested with the powers to announce who becomes the substantive Rector of the foremost tertiary institution in Edo North District of the state. The Governing Council Chairman, Prof Stephen Ocheni was said to have commended the screening committee for adopting a meticulous and scientific approach in the selection process, . The former acting Rector of the inst...