Borderline News 24

By DADA AYOKHAI The Edo State government has concluded plans to convert the state owned University, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma to a multi campus institution with campuses at Oredo in Benin and Owan in Edo North District. Governor Godwin Obaseki made the disclosure in an interview with journalists in Benin City. He said the plan to convert the Ambrose Alli University into a multi-campus institution, was part of ongoing reforms to upgrade the state-owned school into a world-class institution. According to Obaseki, “We are also converting the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, to a multi-campus institution. "The main campus would be in Ekpoma, while the two new campuses would be located in Oredo local government and Owan Federal Constituencies respectively.  The Oredo campus will focus on technology and engineering, while the sister campus in Owan would be for agriculture and natural resources.”

By DADA AYOKHAI An opinion Leader in Esan Iand   Elder, High Chief (Dr) Patrick Agbator (JP), said the proposed balkanization of Ambrose Alli university Ekpoma by the Obaseki administration is an unfair way to pay back loyalty by the people of Edo central Senatorial district known in the local parlance as Esan people, the host Community to the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma,.  Governor Godwin Obaseki had  during an  Education Policy Town Hall Meeting in benin  said the state government will convert the state owned University to a multi campus Institution with campuses in other two Senatorial district of the state. The highly reverend Esan Leader while urging the government to revisit the policy, said the Esan are against the state government decision to convert the university  to a multi campus Institution. He said the attempts  to bifurcate the  University into a multi-campus institution  is a hidden agenda as a first step ...

By DADA AYOKHAI Edo State Deputy Governor Comrade Philip Shaibu said the anomalies of having a-10-member of the Edo State House of Assembly taking refuge and conducting their legislative businesses at the government house was initiated by former governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomole. Hon Shaibu made the  declaration in Benin on Saturday at the maiden meeting of the Edo State House of Assembly Former Members Forum held at the El-Classico Hotels, Exeter, GRA According to the deputy governor, "the anomalies of 10 members operating the assembly was not initiated by Governor Obaseki, as Oshiomhole did the same thing while he held sway as the governor of the state." "The major issue here is that of godfathers. We relocated the house to the Government House when Comrade Oshiomhole was to be impeached. Nine of us did that. Some people then boycotted the house for 181 days and Oshiomhole told us that he prayed for them not to come back. So when this problem a...

By DADA AYOKHAI Edo state Governor Godwin Obaseki has   created State Ministry of Roads and Bridges, an indication that the hirtherto ministry of works has been abolished. The creation of the  new Ministry was  noticed  during  the allotment of portfolios to the commissioner designates.  The state ministry of works was hitherto saddled with the task of designs, approval and the supervision of the construction and rehabilitation of roads and bridges    Many shocked Edolites, accustomed to the norm of seeing the names of the commissioners matched against their attached portfolio, are still trying to make meanings out of the governor's move.  Even more bewildering to observers is the raison d'tre, that is, the rationale, behind the governor's strange decision.  Although the specific duties that will be assigned the newly created ministry of roads and bridges is still foggy, insider sources, however, disclosed the governor i...

By Deborah Coker  Maj.-Gen. Dickson Ehiorobo, Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, has urged commanders and officers of the corps to continue to enhance the capacity of their personnel. Gen. Ehiorobo gave the charge on Monday in Auchi, Edo, in his opening remarks at the opening of a three-day Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps Commander’s first quarter conference. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the army corps conference is holding at Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo. Ehiorobo said that the capacity building was with a view to providing quality, timely and efficient equipment support to formations and units in the Nigerian Army (NA). He noted that the equipment support provided by the Corps in 2022 in various theatres of operation was commendable. Ehiorobo disclosed that lots had been achieved in terms of r...

By DADA AYOKHAI  The race as to who represents Etsako, Owan and Akoko Edo federal constituencies  at National Assembly come 2023 is getting clearer  with the loyalist of Edo state deputy governor, known as "Shaibu boys" dictating the pace. The   Shaibu  boys are on the increase on daily basis and appear set to dominate the Edo North political landscape.  The news of their intention has already sent shock waves down the spined of the other aspirants  of the old PDP structure, who believe, whether right or wrong, that the "Shaibu boys" can easily deploy the influence and clout of their principal to hijack the party structure and coast home to an easy victory in the primaries For instance, in Etsako, the largest and biggest in terms of size and the number of registered voters, the trio of Hon Sedenu Ayuba, Andrew Momodu and Azeez Abeni all known core loyalists of the deputy governor, with each from Anwain, South Ibie and Jattu in Etsako W...

By DADA AYOKHAI   After 28 years of unbroken monopoly during which Edo North senatorial district enjoyed absolute headship of the Auchi  Polytechnic, Auchi, the glorious era finally ended with the announcement of a non Edo North indigene as Rector. Auchi  Polytechnic, Auchi, is the foremost federal government owned  tertiary institution in Edo North district.  Established in 1963 by the defunct Midwest region as a technical school for the training of middle level manpower, the federal government formally  took it over in January of 1994 The change of ownership gave Edo North district the leeway to produce the substantive Rector of the school, on the emotional basis of being the host community.  The federal government on Friday, February 17, announced the appointment of Dr Shehu Salisu Umar as the substantive Rector of the 59 year old institution.  Dr Umar, who hails from Zamfara  State, is the first non Edo North indigene in ...

By DADA AYOKHAI  Edo state governor Mr Godwin Obaseki has assigned portfolio to the eight  newly sworn in Commissioners in the state.  Senator Yisa Braimoh's daughter,, Afishetu Braimoh,who is representing Owan East LGA on the state executive council  is now the  state  Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Cooperatives. The eight  newly  commissioners  assigned with portfolios were sworn in on February 10 by the governor.   Other Commissioners along with their portfolios are ; Joseph Eboigbe –Commissioner for Finance Prof. Obehi Akoria –Commissioner for Health Mrs. Otse Momoh-Omorogbe – Commissioner for Budget and Planning  Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe – Commissioner for Education Isoken Omo – Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development. Moses Agbukor – Commissioner for Water Resources Ethan Uzamere – Commissioner for Mining, Gas and Oil Marie Edeko – Commissioner for Social Development and Gender Issues Monday Osaig...

 By DADA AYOKHAI The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has been named as  Governor of the Year 2021. The award  was confered on the Governor by  one of the country's leading newspaper,    Vanguard Newspaper. The management of vanguard newspaper made the disclosure during a visit where the governor  was formally presented with a notification letter. Speaking on behalf of the vanguard newspaper , the deputy editor of the newspaper Mr Adekoya  Adekunle said the visit was to present a letter notifying the governor of his award as the Governor of the Year 2021. He said, "We are here on behalf of the Management of Vanguard Newspapers to present you a letter notifying you of your award as Governor of the Year 2021 after a selection process embarked on by the board of editors of Vanguard Newspapers. We looked at the Make Edo Great Again (MEGA) Agenda and have been on the ground to take a tour of developmental projects in the State.” Rece...

By DADA AYOKHAI Edo State government has proved   critics wrong with the  announcement declaring May 28,2022 for the  eighth edition of the Okpekpe Race. Edo state deputy governor, Rt hon comrade Philip Shaibu made the disclosed the date of the race during  a Press briefing   at the Government House, Benin . The recent participation of the State deputy governor, Hon Phillip Shaibu, in the just concluded Lagos Marathon race has sparked mixed reactions across the state . His participation drew the ire of critics who queried it against the backdrop of the uncertainty trailing the Okpekpe road race. Many concluded that the shaibu's participation in the race signal the end of okpekpe race. According to Shaibu, Plans were on to institutionalize the 10 klm Silver label race.    He further said a board of trustees is being put in place to ensure  race  out live this government and indeed, the organisers, Padmozu Sports....

By DADA AYOKHAI   Notwithstanding the huge political advantage it enjoys as the ruling party in the state, Edo North chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is presently  suffering from  dearth of Senatorial aspirants  with the requisite popularity and clout to secure the much anticipated victory for the party at the National Assembly elections expected to hold in the first quarter of next year. The party leaders are having nightmares over the situation and even though they have ruled out the possibility of sourcing a sellable candidate externally, there is, however, a consensus that the party needs to redouble efforts at getting the right person for the job within the earliest possible time.   Consequently, some concerned PDP party leaders, bent on displacing the APC which have been in firm control of the district for 12 unbroken years, has forced them to openly expresse their reservations on the dearth of a sellable candidate to match wh...

By DADA AYOKHAI There is presently a rumbling in the famous  Kess Momoh's family of Auchi Kingdom, Etsako West LGA over the sales of the family's house located in Egeleso quarters of the town. A section of the family led by Ikelebe Ernest Kess momoh had  on behalf of the family, published a  Buyer's Beware  public notice in a State owned newspaper where he  accused a senior member of the  family residing in Benin ,armed with forged papers and conniving with   an Estate agent whom he described with unprintable words with the sole purpose to sell parts of the family house at Kess Momoh's street at  Igelesor axis of the community. According to Ikelebe Ernest Kess Momoh through the public notice, advised the public to ignore any purported sale of the said property claiming that the building is an ancestral home of the Kess Momoh's family of Auchi. Again, it also claimed that the property in question  is presently a subject of lit...

By DADA AYOKHAI An Agbede born , Etsako West local government area in Edo north district of the state, Yusuff Alli has been appointed as chairman of  Edo state Sports Commission. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Edo state House of Assembly.  Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki  approved the composition of the Board of the  Sports Commission in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie,. According to the statement  said the nominees for the board’s chairman and members had been forwarded to the Edo State House of Assembly for confirmation. The names of the member-nominees are Frank Ilaboya, Mrs. Anehita Emeya, Osayaba Osareren, Dr. Emmanuel Igbinosa, Asue Ighodalo and Uyi Akpata. ‘Skippo’ as he is fondly referred to is arguably the greatest long jumper Nigeria has ever produced.   He is a  three-time Olympian and  best known for his gold medal at the 1990 Commonwealth Games.

By DADA AYOKHAI   Despite the uncertainty and mystery surrounding the All Progressives Congress's (APC) zoning arrangements ahead its scheduled National convention slated February 26, more and more aspirants continued to throw in their hat into the ring, hoping to grab some of the national positions opened for contest .  The latest entrant for the position of National Youth Leader of the party is Mr  Blessing Agbomere.,  Agbomere, who is said to be in his forties, hails from Fugar, Etsako Central council area of Edo North District.   He is generally reputed for his ability to bulldoze his ways no matter the obstacles, unveiled his interest to contest for the National Youth Leader of the party, during a chat  in Benin City, the Edo State capital.  A notable and experienced  politician who has at various times, contested for both the governorship and the House of Representatives tickets on the party's platform but he is quite hopefu...

By DADA AYOKHAI Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP , has sworn in a  new Publicity Secretary, Dr Patrick Ojebuoboh to take over the dissemination of information of the party's activities in the state. This development became obvious due to the appointment  and swearing in of erstwhile  Publicity Secretary, Mr Chris Nekhihare as a Commissioner by the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration.  Dr Patrick Ojebuoboh, who hails from Owan East LGA of Edo North, who was the party's deputy state Publicity Secretary has been sworn in as the new  acting Publicity Secretary . The replacement of Nekhihare by Ojeohomoh according to the Press statement signed by the party's secretary, Mr Hilary Otsu was one of the resolutions adopted by the State Working Committee of the party in a meeting held yesterday. The statement further said the party's decision is based on section 45 of its constitution which gives room for replacement of a Principal Offi...

By DADA AYOKHAI Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki , said appointed  commissioners were nominated based on their  contribution to the development of the state without any pressure from any godfathers. Governor Obaseki made the statement during the swearing in of  eight new Commissioners and a Special Adviser  at the Government House, Benin City. He said ; No godfather pushed us to appoint you; you owe nobody this appointment but God,”  The Commissioners, who were sworn in include, Chris Nehikhare, Omololu Ojehomon, Afishetu Braimoh, and Stephen Idehenre. Others are Osasere Evbuomwan, Donald Ojemeh, Okojie Newton, Jonathan Lawani, with James Babatunde Agbogun Esq as Special Adviser. According to the governor, “You have now taken the oath and allegiance of office; your allegiance is to the people of Edo State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not to any other individual. Yes, our party nominated us, but we are responsible to every citizen in Edo ...

...   REVEALS DEEP SECRET ABOUT  HIS MUM By DADA AYOKHAI  A Benin based comedian, Osarenkhoe Lawrence better  known as MC Casino has made a startling revelations about his  mother. This is the first time the comedian will be speaking about his mother who is not known by many of  his fans . Recently, in one of his crowd pulling  shows, the popular comedian appeared on stage along  with her mother who was the cynosure of all  eyes.   The comedian whose popularity spread across  the South South, South East and South West of the country , cut his comic teeth around 2008 while as a student at University of Benin, UNIBEN. Lawrence fondly called MC Casino read Agriculture and majored in Fisheries at UNIBEN where he graduated in 2010.   His rib cracking jokes have endeered him to millions of Nigerians cutting across all stratas of life. Recently, he brought her mum to an event that hosted thousands of peopl...

By DADA AYOKHAI Edo State government has directed three warring communities in Edo North District of the state, Auchi, Ivbiaro, Warrake to within 60 days resolve the land disputes between them as an alternative to government decision. The ultimatum was given by the state deputy governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, during a meeting with the representatives of the three Communities. The deputy governor doubles as the chairman of the boundary disputes. Again, he also ordered that, pending the outcome of a final resolution on the boundary disputes, none of the warring communities should carry out any activities on the disputed land.  According to him, violators  will be made to face the wrath of the law. The Edo State Government intervention is sequel to a petition written by the Ivbiaro and Warrake Communities dated  27th of January 2022 to the state government on a boundary disputes between them and Auchi.  In their separate responses on behalf of their various...

By DADA AYOKHAI Justice Daniel Okungbowa of Benin, Edo State High Court yesterday expressed surprised that nobody from Ikharo sub ruling house has emerged victorious as the Otaru of Auchi, Edo State, 103 years after the death of the patriarch. At the resumed cross examination in the Auchi, Edo State Chieftaincy dispute, counsel to Ikharo Family, Mr. Dan Ose Okoh, (SAN) had asked Prince Suleiman Momoh, a defendant witnesses why nobody from Ikharo Family had emerged victorious in the contest for the Otaruship even though, some of the contestants like Prince Braimah Ikharo, a Masters of Arts graduate and Prince Mahmud Ikharo, a first class graduate of Mathematics and quantity surveyor contested at different times. Prince Momoh who was silent had maintained that the choice of the community's traditional ruler was by selection and not rotation, insisting that members of the Ikharo Family had contested every election since the passing away of His Royal Majesty, Alhaji Momoh I...

By DADA AYOKHAI Edo state governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, who also doubles as the sole Administrator of the university as conferred on him by the Special Intervention Law 2021 has removed Prof B.O. Osadolor as the university Vice Chancellor. The Vice Chancellor was sacked the same way he was appointed through a Special Government Announcement in a release  signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Bar Osarodion Ogie. The government special announcement said : "The Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Mr Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, in the exercise of his powers under the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma Law and the Special Intervention Law, 2021, has relieved Professor B.O Osadolor of his appointment as Acting Vice- Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma with effect from Tuesday, 8th February, 2022" The governor, in his capacity as Visitor to the University, has further approved the immediate appointment of the following: 1. Professor Sunny Adagbonyi as ...

By DADA AYOKHAI The Edo state Police command has confirmed the death of a back up  driver attached to  Mr Abdul-Hamid Egele,aka Baba Petrol  who earlier sustained injuries during  the abduction of the petrol marketer at his jattu residence.   The confirmation was done by the Edo Police Command spokesman, SP Kontongs Bello, as reported by  the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). The deceased was said to be  driving one of the BaBa petrol's  backup car when they were attacked by gunmen on Monday evening. Recall, BaBa petrol was abducted near his Jattu home after the assailants blocked his motorcade and killed his driver. They also opened fire on the second driver and a security operative. The police said the surviving driver eventually succumbed to bullet injuries he suffered. “I got the news that the driver of the second vehicle, who was severely injured in the attack, is dead. The chairman’s family has yet to be contacted. “We hope that the ...

By DADA AYOKHAI    The abductors  of  Abudu Egele aka Baba Petrol  are yet to make contact with the family after his  abduction by unknown gunmen at his private residence in Jattu, Etsako West local government. The disclosure was made by the In- law,  an  Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Abdul Mahmud, during an interview with a national daily -The PUNCH newspaper. He said, “Last night at about 6.45 pm, my brother in law, Abdulhamid Baba-Saliu, Chairman, IPMAN Benin Depot Edo State and Chairman, Jattu Union, was accosted by armed men at the gate of his country home in Jattu, Etsako West LGA, Edo State. “He lives between Benin, Abuja and Jattu where runs his chain of petrol stations, Baba Petroleum. He was at home over the week for the third-day prayer for his uncle who died last week. “One of his drivers was killed; and the other driver, including his personal security details, were injured in the attack. My brother-in-law was taken awa...

By DADA AYOKHAI  Chief Dele Momodu, the publisher of ovation magazine  and accomplished international journalist recently adopted a unique style to herald his presidential bid in an  unusual way.  The  internationally acclaimed journalist, along with his entourage, stormed lhievbe,  Owan East LGA in most unique manner to formally declare his presidential bid on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.  While others chose to issue press releases or post on their verifiable Twitter handles, Chief Momodu, after 49 years of absence from his  source, ihievbe,  did the most unthinkable by going back home to conduct the formal declaration, albeit with a grassroot appeal. Thus, by this singular act,    executed in a most brazen and unique way,  Chief Momodu has significantly elevated the political status of ihievbe and the Owan clan  in the politics of Nigeria as a country.  And, on hand to accord him th...

By DADA AYOKHAI A popular socialite and an independent oil marketer based in jattu, Etsako West local government area ,Mr Abudu Agele, popularly known as BaBa petrol has been kidnapped. According to sources, armed gun men were said to have invaded his jattu residence shooting sporodically,  successful kidnapped him and killing his driver in the process.  Details later.

By DADA AYOKHAI The Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, His Grace, Most Rev Dr AJV Obinna has Admonishes members of the Knights of St John International (KSJI) and the Ladies Auxiliary, to continue to live out their calling on Spirituality. His Grace Obinna made this call while delivering a homily during the Thanksgiving Mass for KSJI Supreme Subordinate Commandery and Ladies Auxiliary,  Nigeria, at Maria Assumpta Cathedral, at the weekend.   The Thanksgiving Mass was attended by the leadership of Order in Nigeria, led by the Supreme Subordinate President, Major General (Prof.) Remy Uche, the Supreme Subordinate Auxiliary President, Noble Sister Chinwe Mgbajiaka, and the entire Joint Board of Trustees. This followed the successful election that brought them into office.   Speaking further,  the Archbishop urged parishioners to always see elective office as a duty and call to service and not for self aggrandisement. According to him, "man will on the day of jud...

By DADA AYOKHAI  Prince Agba, of the royal family in Uzanu Uneme, Etsako East LGA and, currently, the honourable minister of state for Budget and National Planning, was recently bestowed with one of the  revered traditional titles in  Auchi kingdom by the Otaru of Auchi, HRH H A Momoh, Ikelebe 111 on the 29th of January 2022. As the title implies, the "Oduma", in the local parlance, means lion, the king of the jungle and a ferocious predator known for devouring its victims.  Going by records,  the former Edo state PDP chairman, Chief Dan orbih,  also holds the title of Oduma of Uzairue kingdom, which was bestowed on him by  the Ogieneni of Uzairue kingdom, HRH Alhaji kadiri omogbai,IV in 2006. By implication, therefore, two illustrious sons of Etsako clan; Chief Orbih and Prince Agba, both with contrasting political personalities, hold the revered "Oduma" traditional title.  Uzairue is the immediate  neighbour to Auchi and both co...

By DADA AYOKHAI The former senator representing Edo North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Domingo Obende will be vying for the position of the National Secretary of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the party's National Convention slated for February 26 in Abuja without the support from  his state chapter of his party. The former senator who is from the Akoko Edo axis in Edo North of the state, represented Edo North District at the Senate between 2015-2019. It was gathered that the APC National body  has unofficially zone the party's secretaryship slot to the southern part of the country hence the decision of the former Senator  to formally indicate interest. According to the Assistant Publicity Secretary of the party in Edo State, Mr Ofure Osehobo, who said he is not speaking for the party, said he is not aware that the former senator is seeking for any   elective position at the National Convention. The relatio...

By DADA AYOKHAI  Inhabitants of Auchi and Jattu in Etsako West council area have frown against the use of language deployed  by the Edo State government that it has" lights up", to described the recent street lights in the area.  .  The state government had set tongues wagging when, in a press statement issued in Benin, the Edo State capital,  said it has light up the Auchi- Jattu road saying the popular road now wears a new look. Reacting to the development, some of the  ihabitants of Auchi and Uzairue axis , while expressing gratitude for the government efforts in lighting up the areas, noted that  street light project is not a new project in the area, rather, has being a part of the area since the inception of the  former Comrade governor Adam' Oshiomole's administration. According to the respondents, the  streetlights on the Auchi-Jattu road was functional, stating that  its major drawback was that it relied heavily on th...

By DADA AYOKHAI The Nigerian Bar Association, Warri and Benin branches have raised alarm over the abduction of  three of their members, alongside a driver, on their way to the court in saboginga -ora, Owan West LGA  According to the statement the  trio of Fred Aburu, Esq., Isreal Unurierume, Esq., Eda Gbejule, Esq., and Kome Esike, the driver of their vehicle, all from Warri, were kidnapped on Wednesday, along Benin -Auchi road, in Edo State. The Chairman, NBA Warri Branch, Chief Emmanuel Uti, in a statement made available to journalists lamented that the development “is disturbing”. “The incident awakens the sad reality of what has bedeviled our society, which the Government has found difficult to contain, in order to reassure its citizens of their safety,” the NBA chairman said. He added that this act of kidnapping has called “for a revisit of the Branch resolution that, our Branch members should not appear for any accused charged with kidnapping”. Also, the...

By DADA AYOKHAI A bill to harmonize the level of retirement at the local government with that of the ministry and also place a retired Head of Service on Consolidated Salary Scale has been passed by the Edo State House of Assembly.    The passage of the bill was sequel to the presentation and consideration of the report of the House Committee on Local Government during plenary. The chairman of the committee, Hon. Ephraim Aluebhosele, representing (PDP Igueben) while presenting the report, told the house that findings revealed that there is disparity in grade levels of directors in local government and their counterparts in the state civil service. He added that while a director working at the local government council retires at grade16, others at the state civil service retire at grade level 17. The committee therefore recommended the harmonisation of the grade levels of directors at both local government and state services The lawmakers unanimously adopted the rec...

By DADA AYOKHAI Security Security operatives comprising of police, army and vigilentee men on Wednesday shot three kidnappers dead along the Benin/Ekpoma road, in Edo State.  The incident occurred at Okwo, in Ehor, Uhunmwode local government area of the State.  The rampaging kidnappers had reportedly taken over the ever busy highway on  tuesday morning, but were driven into the forest by security operatives who engaged them in a gun battle.   Travellers plying the road were held hostage for several hours while the security operatives engaged the hoodlums.  It was gathered that an unidentified young man who was driving a Lexus SUV was hit by stray bullet on his shoulder.  The undeterred gunmen however appeared on the highway on Wednesday morning, laying ambush for travellers plying the road.  A combined security operatives again came to the rescue of the motorists, as they engaged the hoodlums.  The hoodlums however succumbed to th...

By DADA AYOKHAI  A reknown  Legal luminary and a Senior Advocate, Chief Mike Ozekhome, has been appointed as a visiting professor of constitutional law at the American Heritage University, School Of Law. Ozekhome’s appointment is contained in a letter sent to him by the school dated October 18, 2021 where he was said to have been selected for his “contributions toward teaching and research in the legal profession.” According to the letter, emeriti receive the following benefits: assigned office space for research when available; access to the university benefits; listing with the faculty in the AHUSOL catalog and other appropriate publications; invitation to participate in public ceremonies, commencement, processions and convocation; participate in appropriate campus seminars, colloquia, lectures and other scholarly activities; and lastly, library privileges “Visiting Scholars are members of the academic staff who are appointed for a limited period of time when the...

By DADA AYOKHAI  The Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, (AAU), Edo State branch of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) has demanded the removal of a member of the school’s Special Intervention Team (SIT), Mr Austin Osakue, from the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee (SSDC). A letter after a congress of the local chapter of ASUU and made available to journalists in Benin resolved that Osakue should be excluded from membership of SSDC against the backdrop of his educational qualification (National Certificate of Education) and his alleged controversial and biased roles in the biometrics verification exercise for staff recently. Besides, the statement which was signed by Dr Cyril Oziegbe Onogbosele, the chairman and Dr William Odion, the assistant secretary noted that Osakue’s utterances (during the exercise) are suggestive of indictments, already, of staff and inclination to vendetta. “Congress further reasoned that since many staff have been issued queries over ...

DADA AYOKHAI One  of the PDP young  turks in  Owan West Local Government Area, Barr. Frank Obomeighe Dix Unuigboje, said he has succumbed to pressure from his kinsmen and Owan West people/leadership to represent their interest at the Edo  State House Assembly  come 2023. According to Barr. F.O.D. Unuigboje, he has within the last few months transversed the length and breath of the Local Government consulting with both the political and opinion leaders of the Local Government Area who have encouraged him to run for the seat. The outcome of the  consultation in his words, remains the fact that he remains the best material to represent the interest of the good people of Owan West.  One of  Owan political leaders who spoke in annoymity  stated that  frank  has demonstrated maturity, experience, trust and loyalty to the party despite all intrigues meted out to him in the past in his bid to represent  the constituency at ...

By DADA AYOKHAI I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Chief Evelyn Igbafe, a chieftain of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State and former Executive Director, Poverty Alleviation and Women Mobilisation. A dedicated and loyal party leader, late Igbafe was a great supporter of our government’s policies and programmes.  She worked assiduously for a better society, contributing her quota to the development of her community and the state. Chief Igbafe was a rare breed of politician. She was a great grassroots mobiliser, who advocated passionately for women’s participation in governance and politics. She will be sorely missed. I commiserate with her entire family, our great party, the PDP and pray that God grants all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.