Borderline News 24

By DADA AYOKHAI The Edo  State  University, Uzairue recently made a break through to fulfil the conditions by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, which makes it mandatory for a university to have an health center for rural training and posting. The fulfilment of the requirement was actualized with the building of an health center  in Ivioghe Community, Etsako East local government. According to the elated Vice Chancellor, Edo University, Uzairue, Engr. Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor  during the commissioning, said that the comprehensive health center  was built for the purpose of  training of the medical students and  also to serve as a rural posting as demanded by the regulatory body.     He further added that the College of Medical Sciences of the university as a social responsibility, is providing free, a week, medical outreach for minor surgeries and  ailments for the host community and surrounding villages.  The...

By DADA AYOKHAI Prince Agba, also of the royal family in Uzanu Uneme, Etsako East local government area, made all the headlines  penultimate week, as the ancient town of Auchi, the economic and Political headquarters of Edo North district,stood still in honour of one of its most illustrious sons.  He was bestowed with the traditional title of the "Oduma", Lion in local parlance, of Auchi kingdom, a veiled reference to his to his focus and approach like deeds.   Prince Agba had, in recent times, particularly endeared himself to the people as a result of the zeal displayed when as a Commissioner during the former Governor Adams Oshiomole's administration and currently  attracting federal presence to the district.  Undisputably, the chieftaincy coronation ceremony was, in itself, a sort of homecoming for Prince Agba fondly tagged "Auchi boy" by friends and acquaintances, because it is on record that he spent a significant proportion of his c...

By DADA AYOKHAI  Edo State recently  lived up to its billing as the heartbeat of the Nation  with the induction of three prominent citizens of the state as National  Commissioners of the Scouts Association of Nigeria, TSAN.   The Scouts movement, with the popular motto: "Be Prepared", is about the oldest youths based NGO known worldwide for its community based services as well as the training and unleashing of the youths potentials in critical areas of national development. The three new inductees: Justice Esther Edigin,  immediate past Chief Judge of Edo State, Assistant Chief  Commissioner in charge of South- South; Comrade Wajeed Obomeghie, renown publisher and culture ambassador, as National Commissioner in charge of Programmes and Operations; and, Dr Scot Aigbovia, Lagos based chartered accountant, as the representative of International Scouts activities. The well attended induction ceremony, which preceded the national workshop a...

By DADA AYOKHAI An expatriate with Hartland construction company who was kidnapped by Gunmen at idegun Community, Anwain, Etsako West local government area has been released by his abductors. The expatriate who was kidnapped while supervising an Edo State road construction project in Anwain clan was said to have been released to his employer at Anegbette, a village in Etsako Central LGA with boader with Esanland . A police officer attached to the expatriate was killed during the operation. It was gathered that an amount within the 50 million range was paid     as ransom to secure his release. The Anwain Community are now apprehensive if the road projects will not be abandoned due to insecurity.

By Lucky Isibor. Josemaria Escriva Foundation (JOSEF) has launched a campaign to sensitize  and educate the youths on participatory  democracy at the community levels.   The programme which is termed "Empowering the Youths to Stimulate Participatory Democracy at the Community Levels in Edo State", is being organised under the Agents for Citizen-Driven Transformation (ACT) programme . The programme is enjoying the financial support from  the European Union and also being implemented by the British Council in collaboration with the Josemaria Escriva Foundation, Ekpoma in the five local government areas of Edo Central Senatorial District.  While welcoming participants to the inaguration of the project at the Esan West Local Government Council Secretariat, the Chief Responsibility Officer of Josemaria Escriva Foundation, Dr. Jude Obasanmi said the programme is meant to empower the youths on their duties in democracy as more of them have negative imp...

By Deborah Coker The 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, has pledged its commitment to improving discipline and sustained training to meet the army’s constitutional role. Brig.-Gen Sani Abdullahi made the pledge on Thursday in Benin in his opening remarks at the 2021 Nigerian Army Social Activities (NASA) organised by the brigade. He said that NASA which, he described, as an aged long military tradition was aimed at creating a social and conducive atmosphere for officers, soldiers and families to socialise with their host communities at the end of the training year. He also disclosed that the origin of NASA could be traced to the Second World War when the Nigerian Army fought as part of the larger West Africa Frontier Force of the British Army. Abdullahi noted that in contemporary times NASA had also become an avenue where formations and units showcased their achievements. He disclosed that the year 2022 had started with enthusiasm and high hopes of further actualisation of the Chief...

By DADA AYOKHAI An Edo High Court  will on February 11 2022  determine the fate of Alhaji Ali Sulayman, the Royal father of Imiegba community in Etsako East and a Prince from Aviawu clan in Etsako Central LGA, Prince Alao and others  former officials of the Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB,  in an alleged 200 million fraud levelled against them which was committed during their tenure of office. The first hearing of the alleged fraud case which is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ,EFCC,  took place in 2017.   Mr. Stephen Alao; Adams Osabuohie, Director of Finance and Administration; Dove Momodu, member; Ali Sulayman, Acting Board Chairman; and Aisosa Amadaun, Member; were  arraigned by the Ibadan zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a 50-count charge before the court presided over by Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele. They were accused of criminal conspiracy, conferring corrupt advantag...

By DADA AYOKHAI   Saudi Arabia has announced the lifting of  suspection  placed on flights from  Nigeria to the Kingdom. The Saudi Arabian General Authority for Civil Aviation, GACA, had on December 8, 2021 announced the suspension of flights from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia for reasons not actually stated, but not unconnected to manifestation of COVID-19 omicron variant in Nigeria. NAHCON, as an organisation charged with responsibility of facilitating Hajj and Umrah journeys from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia, has since then engaged in networking with sister agencies, including visiting Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada, to convince the Saudi government to end Nigeria’s flight suspension into its territory. Its chairman Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, in statement signed by the head public affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara, commended the Ministry for its consistent push for an inroad into the matter, saying many Muslims have paid for the ongoi...

By DADA AYOKHAI   A former Clerk at the House of Representatives arm of the National Assembly, Mr Patrick Giwa  is on  the  queue of aspirants  jostling for the sole  House of  Reps seat , Owan Federal constituency at the National Assembly.  The entry of Mr Giwa into the race  will definitely add to the quality of people from Owan West local government area aspiring to represent Owan federal constituency come 2023.  Mr Giwa, a hard core technocrat, from Iluleha, Uzzeba, Owan West local government area, is said to have succumbed to pressures to contest on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP). Giwa's reported interest to represent Owan federal constituency in the House of Representatives is said to be generating a lot of  apprehension and among top politicians in the area.  The thinking in some political quarters is that the latest entrance comes with a clean baggage and loaded credentials, which m...

By DADA AYOKHAI Edo state  Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has finally yielded  to the yearnings for a fair representation of Edo North senatorial district in the state cabinet  with the approval of a Commissioner  destignate from Etsako Central LGA. A letter signed and released by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Bar Osarodion Ogie,  announced the appointment of Mr Jonathan Osiopalemhe Lawani, from Fugar, as the last nominee from Edo North district, thus bringing the total number of commissioner designates from Edo North district to seven.  A breakdown of how the slots was distributed among the six local government areas making up the senatorial district shows that  Etsako axis with three LGA's to bargain  was allotted 3 slots; Owan East and Owan West,  got one each; while Akoko Edo,  got two.  Mr Lawani's nomination came as a  shock to political observers.  Some have described him as an unknown politic...

By DADA AYOKHAI The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE) Edo State chapter has described the current media altercation  supposedly between NULGE  and Edo state government as highly unwarranted, uncalled for and the handiwork of mischief makers who intended to score undeserving and cheap mark from a non existing issue. Edo State President of NULGE, comrade Lazarus Imokhai Adorolo, who stated this in Benin at a press briefing said "my attention has been drawn to the interview I granted the News Agency of Nigeria correspondent in Benin, last week which many have laboriously tried to put under various colouration different from the original intent".  " For as much as I would say that the reporter may have a professional right for his choice of headline or chose part of the interview that suits his sensationalism, the truth of the matter is that I granted an interview where National issues were discussed with little or no reference ...

By DADA AYOKHAI  Unknown  Gunmen have  invaded the idegun Community, Anwain clan, Etsako West local government and abducted a white expatriate attached to Hartland construction company killing the police ordeal attached to him in the process. The  ugly episode occured Monday evening   at the  idegun secondary school at idegun community. According to eyewitness, the the expatriate was  supervising the state government awarded contract for the construction of Anwain- idegun road when he was kidnapped . The  Armed men who were said to be more than 5 in a group appeared from the bush shooting sporodically, killing the  police ordely, picked their victim and fled into the  bush that led to Esan    The police personal were said to arrived later to evacuate the remains of the body. Meanwhile, the local vigilantes are said to be presently combing the bushes in  the Area in search of the expatriate. The Edo  p...

By DADA AYOKHAI A silent war which, if not nipped on time, may likely erupt into a major confrontation, is brewing between the  interim  council chairmen appointed to superintend  the councils pending the conduct of proper council elections, on the one hand, and the state chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, on the other hand. The struggle for the soul of the local governments in the state has pitched the NULGE against the political authorities, with each group on the opposing divide holding fastidiously to its own ideas about how best to run the councils. .  The simmering conflict, however, came to the fore recently following sharp reactions from the appointed caretaker council chairmen, who roundly condemned the   comments credited to the Edo State chapter chairman of the NULGE.   The NULGE, through its state chairman, Comrade Lazarus Adolor, frowned at the alleged hijacking of the functions of the loca...

By DADA AYOKHAI Property worth millions of naira including fuel pumps and other facilities, were reported to have been destroyed after a tanker exploded at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Auchi mega station, Edo State. As gathered, the tanker filled with Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) exploded while waiting to offload its content into the underground tank at the station in Auchi-Uzairue axis of Etsako West Local Government Area. It was learnt that the tanker exploded on Monday at about 5am within the mega station premises along the Benin-Okene Expressway and spread to a section of the facility before it was put out by the fire service officials in the state. A resident, Efeoyoste Isah-Okhuwe, that witnessed the incident narrated that the explosion came as a surprise to the community since the facility had not been functioning for several months. Isah-Okhuwe noted that after efforts by the residents to put out the fire that emanated following the explosio...

By Sheikh (Prince) Suleman Momoh  Mosques can be found everywhere in Islamic countries. In terms of their architecture and history; mosques make very appealing tourist attractions. Here’s what you need to know if visiting a mosque for the purpose of tourism. Inform yourself about the meaning of mosques Muslims believe that every mosque is a house of God. In these houses they pray, read the Holy Qur’an, take lessons about Islam, tell morals from the stories of the prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and ask about each others’ wellbeing. Muslims work together to keep the mosque clean, ensure that it has a good scent, and that it is regularly repaired. So, visitors must understand the importance of mosques and the sincere meaning they occupy in the hearts of Muslims, and respect that. Take off your shoes before you enter Muslims take off their shoes every time they enter a mosque. They expect visitors to follow their lead and show the same respect when they enter a mosque...

By DADA AYOKHAI The Elders of Iyuku Community, Uzairue clan, Etsako West local government area have taken the initiative to protect what belongs to the community irrespective of whose ox is gored . Recently, the Iyuku Elders across the 4 quarters  that make up the Community wrote a petition to the state government over the appropriation of the land belonging to Community Secondary School, Uku Secondary School by the Community  village Head, chief Zekeri Abubakar.  The petition titled  The fraudulent encroachment, appropriation and take over of  the land belonging to Uku Secondary Commercial School, Iyuku, Uzairue, Etsako West LGA Edo state by  Chief Zekeri Abubakar: The petition  was signed by Mr. Chandos James Oyaluna,                          Mr. John Afekhena(Ugbenor Quarters)    (Olele Quarters)-Mr. Momoh Atemoagbor(Iyakhala Quarters) According to the petitioners...

By DADA AYOKHAI The Edo  State government said it has commenced the process of recruiting teaching fellows into the Edo Supporting Teachers to Achieve Results (EdoSTAR) Teaching Fellows Programme, for schools across the state’s 18 local government areas. In a statement, the state Commissioner for Education, Dr John Oviawe, called for suitably qualified individuals in the following subjects: English Language, Mathematics, Geography, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Agricultural Science, Literature in English, Economics, C.R.S, History, Government, Civic Education, and Edo Language. She noted that the criteria for the application include “Bachelor’s degree in Education on any of the above subject areas and that preference will be given to candidates who apply and are willing to stay and teach in their communities of origin “Living and teaching in rural, remote, and riverine areas is an added advantage in this scheme.” The commissioner said application was fr...

By DADA AYOKHAI  The incumbent  Deputy Senate President  of the ninth Senate, Senator Omo Agege, from Delta State, and also of South - South geo-  political extraction, is not the first senator to hold such a high profile political position amongst South South States.    The first senator to emerged and  sit on the sensitive chair of DSP of the Senate, is the late Senator Albert Legogie from Edo state. Senator Legogie, from Ekperi in Etsako Central LGA, represented Edo North senatorial district in the short-lived Third Republic, on the platform of the Social Democratic party,SDP.  Unfortunately, the scourge of frequent military intervention in the Nigerian body polity terminated the Third Republic, making it difficult for Sen Legogie to exercise the power and influence of his office as DSP.  Both the SDP and the NRC, the two dominant political parties at the time, were deregistered.  Undaunted, however, by the military shenan...

By Deborah Coker  The Edo Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) on Wednesday continued its clampdown on illegal miners in the state with the arrest of four suspected gold miners. Mr Aniekan Udoeyop, Commandant of the corps in the state, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen in his office in Benin. He said the latest arrest brings to 14, the number of suspects arrested for illegal mining in the state in less than two weeks. Udoeyop disclosed that three of the suspects were arrested on Monday and one on Tuesday at Ojirame in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state. He stressed that the ban on mining earlier imposed by the state government was still in force, and warned against any violation of the ban. The commandant recalled that the ban was imposed by the government to avoid security challenges following the influx of strangers to the locality. Udoeyop said that those arrested would be charged to court to serve as deterrent to others...

By Nosa Ekhator.  The president of African Development Bank, Dr Akinwumi ADESINA has been called up to consider contesting the presidency of Nigeria in 2023 as a rescue mission to bring the Nation back to relevance, stability and productive economic growth.  A group of women activists, under the aegis of  WOMEN FOR A SECURED NATION in a statement issued in Benin City, Edo state capital, said "at this point we don't just need a politician as president, we need an expert, a technocrat with multinational connection and proven integrity". The statement signed by the Media and Publicity Director, WOMEN FOR A SECURED NATION, Judith Onyekwere said "the experience and track record of achievements of Dr Akinwumi ADESINA in Nigeria and beyond are undisputable assets which any nation, that is desirous of growth, can not compromise".  According to Judith Onyekwere, WOMEN FOR A SECURED NATION, is non - political, non - partisan, and non - religious but a conglome...

By DADA AYOKHAI Lawyers across Edo North district of Edo state under the aupieces of Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Auchi branch recently converged at Auchi, the district headquarters  to elects officers who will managed her  affairs in the next two years. The election which was conducted by a 5 man team delegates from the National body of the association saw the emergence of Barr Ibrahim Mohammed Esq as the Chairman of the branch. The peaceful and adjudged credible election  by the participants took place at the premises of the High Court, Auchi. Chief Debo, the National officer of the body who led the umpire team  said the election is a good omen for a united and Progressive body in the zone.  He urged the new executives to seek the cooperation of stakeholders as a strengthen the Association in his mission to forged ahead.   Addressing the journalists  after the formal  inauguration, the newly elected Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Mohammed Esq...

By DADA AYOKHAI Further cross examination in the Auchi, Edo State Chieftaincy dispute has been adjourned to February 9 by Justice Daniel Okungbowa of Benin High Court for the continuation of cross examination of the defendant witnesses. During the last sitting, the duo of Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs   had closed their case, insisting that the Otaruship is by selection and not rotation. Toeing the same line, one of the witnesses, Prince Suleiman Momoh  maintained that the choice of Otaru of Auchi was by selection from any of the ruling houses and rotation as being canvassed by the appellants. In spite of the vehement objection by counsels to the defendants: Mrs. BU Adeleye, Salman Dako and Daud Momodu, Justice Okungbowa had on November 2 last year dismissed the objection by the Edo State Government and the Momoh Ruling House and admitted the Ojiugo Report. In suit No: B...

By DADA AYOKHAI  The number of Women Commissioners in the  Obaseki's administration  got increased by two with the recent nomination of  Omololu Ojeohomon and Mrs Afishetu Braimoh from Owan West and East Local Government Areas. The first batch of Commissioners' list released  by the state government saw Mrs Otse Momoh-Omorogbe picked the sole slot meant for Etsako West. The trend of women dominance continued unabated.  Of the six names of Commissioners  so far announced for Edo North District, three are women, while that of a local government is still pending.  As strange as it may seem none of those questioning the skewed distribution has disputed the suitability or otherwise of the nominated women.  Taking the case of Hon. Ojeohomon as a case study. She is not just eminently qualified but also laboured hard to be part of those who delivered Owan West to the PDP. She was at a time the Edo State PDP assistant Publicity Secretary. ...

By DADA AYOKHAI  Ososo community has  made history by  having two  commissioner designates slots meant for  Akoko Edo local government area. Gov Godwin Obaseki finally made good his promise to constitute the Edo State Executive cabinet, with the recent release of the list of seven commissioner designates, which is to be screened and ratified by the state assembly. The two lucky politicians who made the final list are Bar Donald Okogbe and Bamidele Obaitan, both  from Ososo community, a rarity.. The last Ososo person to be so appointed a commissioner was Mrs Omotola Jemitola. This happened under the tenure of Comrade Adams Oshiomole.  Hon Obaitan, a core Obaseki loyalist, from the famous Ososo royal family, gained political fame by  coordinating the Obaseki Support Group from his base in the United Kingdom.  Further checks on the political antecedents of the Ososo prince revealed that he proved his mettle as a political asset by ma...

By DADA AYOKHAI With the recent release of seven commissioner designates to add to the earlier 11 released late last year, making a total of 18 so far, Gov Godwin Obaseki has kept the people of Etsako Central in quandary as to when hey would also get their own fair share of the largesse. The delay in announcing nominees for the post of commissioner of Etsako Central origin is causing huge political ripples among critical stakeholders in the locality  Recall the local government boasts of high profile political heavyweights, many of whom dictate the political direction of affairs in the area.   Among them is Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, a former two term deputy governor of Edo State, former Chief of Staff, CoS, to former president Goodluck Jonathan and current chairman of the Edo State PDP Elders Forum.  Next is Hon Paschal Ugbomeh, a former Etsako Central council chairman and lawmaker as well as Co-ordinator of the Obaseki/Shaibu Support Group for Edo North dur...

By DADA AYOKHAI  Ososo community have  made history by  grabbing the two  commissioner designates slots meant for  Akoko Edo local government area. Gov Godwin Obaseki finally made good his promise to constitute the Edo State Executive cabinet, with the recent release of the list of seven commissioner designates, which is to be screened and ratified later by the state assembly. The lucky two Akoko Edo politicians who made the final cut are Bar Donald Okogbe and Bamidele Obaitan, both of them from Ososo community, a rarity.. The last Ososo person to be so appointed a commissioner was Mrs Omotola Jemitola. This happened under the tenure of Comrade Adams Oshiomole.  Hon Obaitan, a core Obaseki loyalist, from the famous Ososo royal family, gained political fame by  coordinating the Obaseki Support Group from his base in the United Kingdom.  Further checks on the political antecedents of the Ososo prince revealed that he proved his mettle as...

By Deborah Coker The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in Edo Command said on Friday that it recorded no fewer than 149 deaths in road traffic accidents across the state in 2021. Mr Henry Benamaisia, Sector Commander of the Corps in the state said this in in Benin during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Benamaisia said the figure was 15.3 per cent decrease from 2020 when the Command recorded 176 deaths in road traffic accidents. He also said that within the period under review 1,434 persons were involved in road traffic accidents across the state. According to him this is as against the 1,618 persons recorded in 2020, adding that compared to the previous year, the figure represents 11.4 per cent decrease. “In 2021 we recorded 235 Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs), against 251 recorded in the preceding year of 2020, and this represents a 6.4 per cent decrease. “Within the same period under review 527 persons were injured as against 612 recorded in 2020. This ind...

By DADA AYOKHAI Edo state governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki  has released the names of  another batch of  Commissioners designate with the daughter of Senator Yisa Braimoh, Afishetu  Braimoh making the list.  It will be recalled that the Governor had earlier appointed 11 Commissioners few months back.  A release issued and signed by the Secretary to Edo State Government, SSG, Mr Osarodion Ogie Esq, contained seven names of commissioner nominees.  The statement further stated that the list of the commissioner nominees would be forwarded for screening and ratification by the state assembly, which is statutorily empowered to do so before the commissioners are sworn in. Afie Braimoh who hails from Ihievbe in Owan East local government area ,  comes with a lot of multi sectoral cognate experience in strategic programme management and development, most of which span across technology , finance, marketing, hospitality, agro allied, ICT,  and o...

By Deborah Coker   Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Lawan Jimeta on Thursday in Benin, assumed duty as the ne AIG, Zone 5, comprising Edo and Delta states The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jimeta took over from AIG Ahmad Abdurrahman, who has been redeployed to the Police Academy (POLAD), Wudi, Kano state. Speaking with NAN, shortly after taking over, Jimeta said he would be merciless with any officer in the zone seen to be corrupt. “I abhor corruption and so will deal decisively with any officer who is corrupt or seen to be corrupt. “So officers in the zone are expected to wake-up to their duties, be diligent and also serve the public humanely. “They should shun corruption in whatever form it comes and ensure they respect human rights, while also been professional in their conduct,” he said. The AIG said that Edo and Delta states were familiar terrain to him, having served in Edo as a Commissioner of Police before. He added that ...

By DADA AYOKHAI This year's Auchi Day celebration may have come and gone but the memory lingers in the minds of Auchi indigenes across the globe who partook in the event.  Besides rekindling nostalgic feelings, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie among participants and  showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the ancient city, the 25th Auchi edition will probably go down in history as the most spectacular.  In the spirit of brotherhood, the event served as a melting pot for new friendships and the building of bridges and alliances.  Without talking anything away from the Auchi Day programme, a major highpoint of the event was the grand opening ceremony of the magnificent Arafat Mosque, held on the eve of the event.  To demonstrate the importance attached to the mosque, the Otaru of Auchi, HRH H. A. Momoh, Ikelebe 111), devoted an entire six pages of his address speaking about the significance and  genesis of the Arafat Mosque in the spiritual...

By Deborah Coker  The Commissioner of Police in Edo, CP Phillip Ogbadu, has donated relief materials to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp at Uhorgua in Edo on Tuesday in fulfilment of his promise to the inmate. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ogbadu had on last Dec. 31, when he led management of the command to donate food items to the camp promised to frequently visit  the camp  with more items. He  said during the visit “See our coming here today also as part of needs assessment from us, because we didn’t understand the need and enormous responsibility of this place until we got here. “The number here can make for an army of personnel. In view of this I will come here again and again to help and reach out to you in whatever ways I can.” Presenting the relief materials which include clothes, and food items, Ogbadu, represented by CSP Joseph Imafidon, Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ogida Division, said he felt there was no better...