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 ...