₦airaland Forum

September 19 is a date with destiny for Edo people, as two giants will be slogging it out for the right to the seat of power for the next four years in Edo state. If you read about the trending news in Edo, especially via online media, you just might get the wrong impression of the true picture on ground. It is very important to note that both parties , ie, the PDP and APC obviously have sponsored media campaigners who flood the news media with over garnished propaganda.

For the sake of Every Nigerian who is keenly interested in the outcome of Edo election, I intend to report on the true situation on ground in Edo State, and am going to highlight a few facts that both side might not agree with me on. Firstly, Oshiomohle worked on urban renewal and visibly, he executed more projects especially on major roads than Obaseki comparatively, in four years. Obaseki on the other hand, has concentrated not on the major arteries but on smaller streets and roads no one thought the government would remember any time soon, thereby toughing many people in their localities.








Google image

Oshiomohle executed his projects with a flare of militancy which one must admit was needed at that particular time, but under Obaseki, Edo state is experiencing a departure from that style of leadership to a totally none combative form of administration and this has made Obaseki the darling of the heart of many in Edo. The political ideology of Oshiomohle is to fight the devil with the devil, fire for fire if you wish, but Obaseki is more of a refined gentleman. He likes to be less confrontational, a behind the scenes governor and in most cases, very noiseless. Let no one deceive you, he has won the heart of his people who simply loves his kind of spirit. Very important to note, if Obaseki had come into office when Oshiomohle did, it is my humble opinion that he would have failed. Edo needed a bulldozer in the form and character of Oshiomohle then to fight the same PDP Obaseki has run to now. The same PDP many Edolites swore never to bring back to power again, obviously due to a bad PDP governor the people will not be in a hurry to forget.

But times are changing fast, and every other person you talk to is bitter that APC treated their governor very badly. ' He doesn't deserve it ' many will tell you. He rolled out many people oriented programs, he stopped touts from operating, retired land speculators, he refused to empower area boys and cultists as so called vigilantes. These same people who now feel agrieved have pitched their tents with the APC candidate. Edo became synanimous with the fight against godfatherism and they seem happy to be identified with that. Ironically, the man who spearhead the fight against godfatherism is now being accused of playing god. To be honest, I think Oshiomohle is fighting another man's war so to say. The issues on ground has to do with the reluctance of Obaseki to grease the joints of party members. The man is a financial expert and as expected, he has chosen to invest in projects he knows will make returns. But was he right to deny those who brought him to power some form of ' palliatives ' ? Couldn't he have managed issues better ?

Here we are at the moment of truth. How do people feel today in Edo state, and how are they likely to vote ? Obaseki in hugely popular in Edo south, a region that has the state capital and about fifty eight percent of the electorate. Almost everyone you talk to in this zone is sympathetic to Obaseki but Ize Iyamu is a strong politician with grassroot connect. His plan will be to take a significant share of the votes in Edo south , and hope for a large turnout in Edo north, where he hopes to perform strongly. Edo central is net in political strength and they have Traditionally voted PDP. moreover, the region. feels shortchanged and they would rather vote for Obaseki to have a second term that have another from Edo south who will likely seek for eight years of power. For them, this is a matter of regional politics and an opportunity to punish Oshiomohle who was perceived to hostile to the Esan people of the region when he was governor.

Oshiomohle and the present deputy governor, Philip shaibu are from the north of Edo state and honestly, if elections are free and fair, there's no way Oshiomohle will be defeated on his tuff. He performed excellently in in north as governor and honestly, he did equality great in Edo south also However, the region posses just about twenty percent of the vote of Edo people and the deputy governor is in no way a push over at home.

conclusion

If the September 19th election is free and fair in Edo as hoped, Obaseki would clinch victory for sure. APC is hoping to use the federal might to influence the outcome of the elections, using the Kogi model , but it remains to be seen if Buhari will buy into that. The fight between Oshiomohle and Obaseki was absolutely unnecessary, and if Obaseki was flying the APC ticket, it would have been a win -win situation for Obaseki, APC and Oshiomohle. But our politicians never learn. They will rather convince themselves and attempt to convince others that blue can be black. Behind all the negetive propaganda and character assassination of Obaseki, the man remains hugely popular at home, and Stopping Obaseki is like trying to stop the sun from rising tomorrow morning.

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Hello everyone, please I need advice on the processes i will take in applying for France visa and the things I need. My fiancee is a Polish national, but permanently resides and work in France, and i will be very grateful for any information on the above, thanks in advance

State Viability Index; Lagos generates more IGR than 31
states combined
ON May 29, 2017 6:12 PM / IN Business , News / BY
Adekunle / Comments
State Viability Index; 36 States Generate N801bn IGR Against
N2.6trn from FAAC
…. …
… Economic Viable States: Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Edo, Kwara
and Delta States
… Poor IGR States: Borno, Ebonyi, Kebbi, Jigawa
The Economic Confidential, the award winning Economic
Intelligence Magazine, has released its Annual States
Viability Index ( ASVI) which shows that fourteen States are
insolvent as their Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) in
2016 were far below 10% of their Federation Account
Allocations (FAA) in the same year.
Annual-State-Index
The index, carefully and painstakingly computed proved that
without the monthly disbursement from the Federation
Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), many states remain
unviable, and cannot survive without the federally collected
revenue.
The IGR are generated by states through Pay-As-You-Earn
Tax (PAYE), Direct Assessment, Road Taxes and revenues
from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA)s.
The report by this economic intelligence magazine further
indicates that the IGR of Lagos State of N302bn is higher
than that of 30 States put together excluding Lagos, Ogun,
Rivers, Edo, Kwara and Delta States whose IGRs are very
impressive at more than 30% each. The 30 other states
merely generated a total of N258bn in 2016.
Recently the magazine published the total allocation
received by each state in Nigeria from the Federation Account
Allocation (FAA) between January to December 2016. The
latest report on IGR reveals that only Lagos and Ogun States
generated more revenue than their allocations from the
Federation Account by 169% and 127% respectively and no
any other state has up to 100% of IGR to the federal largesse.
The IGR of the 36 states of the federation totalled N801.95
billion in 2016 as compared to N682.67 billion in 2015, an
increase of N119.28 billion. While the report provides
shocking discoveries to the effect that 14 states which have
less than 10% IGR may not stay afloat outside the Federation
Account Allocation due to socio-political crises including
insurgency, militancy and herdsmen attacks, others lack
foresight in revenue generation drive coupled with arm-chair
governance.
The states that may not survive without the Federation
Account due to poor internal revenue generation include
Borno which realized a meagre N2.6bn compared to a total of
N73.8bn it received from the Federation Account Allocation
(FAA) in 2016 representing about 4%. Others are: Ebonyi with
IGR of N2.3bn compared to FAA of N46.6bn representing 5%;
Kebbi N3.1bn compared to FAA of N60.88bn representing
5.14%; Jigawa with N3.5bn compared to N68.52bn of FAA
representing 5.15% and Yobe with IGR of N3.24nn compared
to N53.93bn of FAA representing 6.0% within the period
under review.
Other poor internal revenue earners are Gombe which
generated N2.94bn compared to FAA of N46bn representing
6.26%; Ekiti N2.99bn compared to FAA of N47.56bn
representing 6.28%; Katsina N5.54bn compared to FAA of
N83bn representing 6.65% and Sokoto N4.54bn compared to
FAA of N65.97bn representing 6.88%.
Meanwhile Lagos State remained steadfast in its number one
position in IGR with a total revenue generation of N302bn
compared to FAA of N178bn which translate to 169% in the
twelve months of 2016. It is followed by Ogun State which
generated IGR of N72.98bn compared to FAA of N57bn
representing 127%.
Others with impressive IGR include Rivers with N85bn
compared to FAA of N134bn representing 63%; Edo with IGR
of N23bn compared to FAA of N59bn representing 38%.
Kwara State however with low receipt from the Federation
Account has greatly improved in its IGR of N17bn compared
to FAA of N49bn representing 35% while Delta with IGR of
N44bn compared to FAA of N126bn representing 6.88%.
The Economic Confidential ASVI further showed that only
three states in the entire Northern region have IGR above
20%. They are Kwara, Kano, and Kaduna States. Meanwhile
eight states in the South recorded over 20% IGR in 2016.
They are Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Enugu,
and Oyo States State.
The states with the poorest Internally Generated Revenue of
less than 10% in the South are Imo, Bayelsa, Ekiti, and Ebonyi
States while in the North we have Niger, Nasarawa, Sokoto,
Katsina, Gombe, Yobe, Jigawa, Kebbi and Borno States.
Meanwhile the IGR of the respective states can improve
through aggressive diversification of the economy to
productive sectors rather than relying on the monthly
Federation Account revenue that largely come from the oil
sector. www.vanguardngr.com/2017/05/state-viability-index-lagos-generates-igr-31-states-combined/

Nzeokafor:
If u tried registering and it say ur email exist, go and login dont wait for confirmation email. Wen u try to login if it says u should verify ur email, please forget about dat email use another email to register (open a new email if u don't have a 2nd email)....

I am currently applying with a new email....
Pls register d new email b4 u login, dont wait for confirmation....


#modified
Am done applying

Pls am trying to fill in my Local Gov. of Origin bt there are no options, so am stuck @ page 2. pls I need help

THE National leadership of KOWA Party has sacked the party’s candidate, Mr. Thompson Osadolor for his alleged endorsement of the PDP, candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu. Osadolor had lamented that he has no funds to prosecute his campaigns due to the postponement of the governorship election till the 28 of September, and then followed up by endorsing Ize-Iyamu. But in a statement signed by the National Youth leader, Mr. Jude Feranmi, on behalf of the National Executive Council of the party (NEC), the party accused the governorship candidate of taking the decision without the approval of the party, and he was therefore removed as the party’s candidate. www.vanguardngr.com/2016/09/kowa-nec-sacks-guber-candidate-backing-ize-iyamu/

TonyeBarcanista:
Why you de lie Na?
JSS1-SS3= 6YEARS (1999-2005)

Year 1- Year 3= 3years (2005/2006-2008/2009)

And Lucky spent 1999-2007 in office. Oga you and Lai Muhammed relate?

He may nt b lying bro, I schd in Uniben & just within 2011 alone I moved frm 100 level to 300 level( april 2010-feb.2011=100L, march 2011-nov.2011=200L,dec.2011-oct.2012=300L,dec.2012-march 2014=400L). d most ironic part of it is dat I got admin. in 2009 & grad. in 2014 for just a 4yr course, dats just naija 4 u.

photos of an Edo bride & her oyinbo husband, including their families. They came all d way to Benin City 4 d traditional wedding & did it d Bini way.

photos of an Edo bride & her oyinbo husband, including their families. They came all d way to Benin City 4 d traditional wedding & did it d Bini way.

photos of an Edo bride & her oyinbo husband, including their families. They came all d way to Benin City 4 d traditional wedding & did it d Bini way.

other state governors shud take a cue frm dis expecially aregbeshola

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has
approved a 5% increase in the Consolidated
Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS) of medical
doctors in the state.
The Governor made the announcement
Thursday when he received the National
Secretary General of the Nigerian Medical
Association (NMA) and Executives of the State
Chapter of the union in Government House,
Benin City.
Making the pronouncement, Governor
Oshiomhole said, “I believe wages and payment
of wages is a right and not a privilege you
dispense when you are comfortable and I want
us to retain the best brains in our hospitals.
I have argued in previous fora that our doctors
are not inferior to any other doctor including
those working for the Federal Government and
therefore, there is ordinarily no reason why our
doctors should earn N1 less than any other
doctor of the same qualification in any other
part of the country.
“Having done my home work today, it doesn’t
matter what the implications are, we will
increase the wages of Medical Doctors by 5%
so it will go from 90% to 95%. My intention was
that we will flatten it out, but I’m not sure of the
numbers because the health sector accounts
for a chunk of our wage bill as their pay is
much more attractive than regular civil
servants.
So, right away, notwithstanding the challenges
we face, we will grant 5% increase and I believe
in the future, whatever is left will be leveled
out.”
Oshiomhole continued, “Many of my colleagues,
when they read that Comrade has further
increased Edo Doctors pay by 5%, will think I
am crazy. But I realize that I cannot eat my
cake and have it.
I want the best doctors, I want experienced
Doctors, and I cannot keep them if there is so
much disparity between their pay and the pay
of other doctors in the country.
“When I look at the numbers and I find that I
can pay even better, then I will, because what
will be will be. I believe that wages must be
competitive, even if we have a zero wage bill, it
cannot deliver us from our present crisis. So I
believe we should do what we have to do.
We will try and effect that and see if it can be
reflected in the salary of March.”
The Governor however took a swipe at doctors
on their attitude to work, saying, “it is true we
could do with more doctors, but it is even more
embarrassing that the few we have are not
giving us all the time for which they are paid.
We still have doctors who are supposed to be
at work in government hospitals who are found
in their private clinics during the same period
which means they are defrauding the
government by collecting salaries for jobs they
are not doing.
“These practices are on. Even today, if I were to
go with you to pay a random visit to some of
our hospitals across the state, you will be
embarrassed to see that the doctors who are
supposed to be on duty now would most likely
be in their private clinics. So, if you are having
situations like that, given present physical
realities, the first challenges would be to get
doctors to work for their money before we
employ more hands. The doctors should put in
as much work as they are paid.
Doctors who are supposed to be on call duties
never respond to those call and at the end of
the month, they receive call duty allowance.
These are serious ethical issues that NMA have
to address. It is happening in Edo, I believe it is
happening in other parts of the country and
those practices have to be addressed.
Speaking earlier, the National Secretary of the
Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Adewunmi
Alayaki said, “Let me congratulate you on the
gigantic strides of your dynamic missionary
and result oriented administration of Edo State.
we must acknowledge that you have touched
the lives of the good people of Edo State and
we are sure that posterity will be kind to you.
“We appreciate your effort to fully equip the
Stella Obasanjo Hospital with modern facilities
and the Ultra Modern 5-Star Central Hospital
just constructed. We believe that when these
projects are fully functional, Edo State will
greatly benefit from medical tourism as there
will be no need for people to travel abroad for
medical care.
“We are desirous to assist you with a highly
motivated, highly skilled man power to achieve
your noble objectives”. www.vanguardngr.com/2016/03/oshiomhole-raises-edo-doctors-pay-by-5/

my eldest sis & youngest aunt living wit us dressed & UnCloth n front of me,& it didn't mean anytin to me.bt wen dey left my other sis startd closing doors,chazing m out or shouting wen I didn't nock wen dey want to dress. Dat's wen I start seeing smtin or meaning n female unclothedness & since den av bn on anoder level

"nobody Xcept d #OBAOFBENIN is xzemptd"- Oshio. I ConCor, #100insupport

For those who have brain&are intelligent should
judge btw d submission of Oshiomole&dat of
Igbinedion. As for me,Oshio shd carry on
collecting d state facilities meant 4 d ordinary
man dat some1 converted 2 a private use.

»
Oshiomhole, Igbinedion in verbal war
November 14, 2015 at 9:11 am in News,
Politics
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•He allocated Edo land to his father, alleges
Oshiomhole,
•You’re a sinking man – Igbinedion
By Simon Ebegbulem, Benin-City
THE current war between Governor Adams
Oshiomhole of Edo State and former governor
Lucky Igbinedion has taken fresh dimensions
with the two leaders trading allegations. The
development has tended to heighten tension in
the area two groups of residents took to the
streets last Monday and Wednesday protesting
government’s recent introduction of the land
charge policy.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Chief Lucky
Igbinedion
The anti-land charge protestors who marched
through major streets in Benin-City were
allegedly sponsored by the People’s Democratic
Party (PDP) in the state.
But in a counter protest, a multitude of youths
said to comprise students and civil society
organizations backed the land use charge
policy and commended government over what
they described as its efforts to collect such
taxes from the rich to assist the poor.
The group of solidarity protesters marched to
the House of Assembly complex and
Government House where Oshiomhole
addressed them and described Igbinedion’s
alleged unlawful withdrawal of $31 million from
the government coffers as clear abuse of
power.
Oshiomhole also said that the Igbinedion family
had thrown caution to the winds, using every
available means to wage war against him
because he recovered over 200,000 hectares of
land illegally by Chief Gabriel Igbinedion during
the tenure of his son as governor.
According to the Governor, “let me thank all of
you for coming out in huge numbers to express
your solidarity, your support and your
endorsement of my stewardship here at
Osadebey Avenue.
Let me assure you, I will continue without fear
of man, but with the fear of God to provide
leadership that will deliver prosperity to the
great people of this great state. To be able to
do that, everybody, everybody born of a woman
who lives in this state must be subjected to the
rule of law.
“In the interest of Edo people, even the ones yet
unborn, I want to be remembered after my
stewardship not only for roads, hospitals, for
schools and much more importantly, I want to
be remembered as the man who brought an end
to exemption.
There is no more exemption in Edo State. I
want to be remembered as the man who took
from those who have bastardized, raped and
privatized the resources of Edo State, used our
money to build their private universities and
they walk around our streets when they are
supposed to be in prison.”
Alleged land deals
According to Oshiomhole, “let me share with
you some of the things that are going on and
why they are angry. I did not promise to make
everybody happy, what I promised was to make
the majority happy. I will publish records in
black and white and Edo people will be shocked
how they have been raped.
You are here looking for a small parcel of land
and Lucky Igbinedion, former Governor here
gave out to his own father, Gabriel Igbinedion
over 200,000 acres of government land. They
took that land on the ground that they will use
it for mechanized farming.
That is what is in the books but what is on
ground is that, Igbinedion takes this land and
gives this land to cocoa farmers, some of them
from Edo, some from Yoruba land. These cocoa
farmers will farm and sweat to grow their cocoa
on government land, Igbinedion will sit in his
house on which he is not paying ground rent
and is collecting royalties.
Is Igbinedion the Oba of Benin? The great Oba
of the great Benin Kingdom never subjected his
people to that level of exploitation. Can you
accept that one chief collects royalties as if he
is a traditional ruler.
Based on the powers vested in me, as the
elected Governor of Edo State, I used those
privileges to revoke the over 200,000 hectares
of land that the Igbinedion, the son gave to
Igbinedion the father. I revoked it and I returned
it to government.
“You need to hear as students of AAU how
Igbinedion raided Edo State resources. You
know that in AAU, we have College of Medicine
where we are training doctors. In 2000, when
Lucky was in government, AAU was producing
Medical students.
These medical students are supposed to be
attached to a hospital for their clinical. The
Igbinedion family decided that AAU will not use
the state-owned hospital. They decided on
record that our Central Hospital will be reserved
for Igbinedion University.
Some of you will remember that AAU medical
students had to go to University of Jos
Teaching Hospital for their clinical at their own
expense. When UniJos could no longer take
them, they made arrangement to take them to
Uniben.
When the authorities found out the capacity of
Uniben could not accommodate them, AAU
students were stranded. In the end, they ended
up with Irrua Specialist Hospital. Now, what did
they do with the Edo state-owned Central
Hospital?
Igbinedion the son, entered into agreement with
Igbinedion the father that the Central Hospital
shall be reserved for medical students of
Igbinedion University, Okada. So, whereas Edo
State Government owns a university, their own
students were denied the use of Edo State-
owned hospital. Edo State hospital was obliged
to teach students of Igbinedion University,
Okada.
They agreed that Igbinedion University will pay
some fees to the Central Hospital. The amount
to be paid was not stated. Every year, the taxes
that you pay were being used to provide
facilities for the Central Hospital to teach the
students of Igbinedion University and they paid
zero cost. Edo State Government paid the
lecturers, the doctors and provides all the
consumables in the hospital.
“So I revoked it and directed the Commissioner
to write to terminate the MoU and to demand
that Igbinedion pays about N30 million per
year for those periods and I directed he should
be charged to court. That is the fight.
“I fight with clean conscience to secure the
collective future of our people. My motives are
not personal. My mission in government is not
to bring hardship to anyone. I just want to
correct what is wrong and get going. I am not
here to look at yesterday but if you over do it
and you continue, we need to put an end to it.”
Oshiomhole’s allegations baseless
But former Governor Igbinedion in an
advertorial carpeted Oshiomhole describing him
as a sinking man Igbinedion said that
allegation of illegal deduction of money had no
basis even as he accused Oshiomhole of a
deliberate policy of grounding the industries he
established when he was governor.
However, Oshiomhole in his 7th anniversary as
governor on Thursday responded to the
allegation that he failed to build industries
arguing that the industries the Igbinedion
administration built were never meant to
function, rather to siphon money.
“The previous government is quick to tell us
that they built a factory in Ehor, Casavita at
Uromi, Fertilizer at Auchi and Ikpesi Fruit Juice
Factory. The intention of that government was
simply to use these outfits to siphon public
funds to private pockets. They were never
intended to function and they never functioned
one day even under their government,”
Oshiomhole said.

Nigerian churches, others causing increased
witchcraft persecution in UK – Group
October 12, 2015 Ben Ezeamalu
Bishop David Oyedepo
The significant rise in cases of witchcraft
allegations and persecution in the UK has been
attributed to the activities of African –
especially Nigerian – churches in the country.
Gary Foxcroft, Executive Director of the
Witchcraft and Human Rights Information
Network, said in a statement Monday that the
churches are growing at a phenomenal rate
across the UK.
“Most of them are branches of large mega
churches from Africa,” said Mr. Foxcroft.
“Some of these churches are known to promote
the idea that children can be witches. Indeed
the head of one of the biggest churches in
Africa was captured on YouTube slapping a
young woman and calling her a witch.
“There is currently no regulation in place to
stop such people from entering the UK and
establishing churches. This is clearly
something that the government needs to
address.”
Cases of witchcraft allegations and persecution
have risen in the UK over the last two years,
according to a BBC investigation.
The Metropolitan Police said there had been 60
crimes linked to belief in witchcraft and spirit
possession in London so far this year, with
reports doubling from 23 in 2013 to 46 in
2014.
More widely, in local councils across the UK,
recorded cases rose from 10 in 2012, to 21 in
2013, and 31 in 2014, the police stated.
Experts, however, believe that the statistics
represent the tip of the iceberg of a widespread
phenomenon, with human rights campaigners
calling for the UK government to do more to
regulate faith groups, many of whom are
believed to be behind such practices.
Mr. Foxcroft linked cases of witchcraft
allegations and persecution to Christian and
Muslim faith group where children, women, and
the disabled are often labelled as witches or
possessed by evil spirits, and then forced to
undergo ‘deliverance’ or ‘exorcism’ ceremonies,
often for a fee.
“There are a number of challenges to overcome
to put a stop to this practice,” Mr. Foxcroft
said.
“The first is at a national policy level. There is
a complete lack of regulation of the people and
practices that are behind these cases.
“The fact is that most cases primarily arise due
to the practices of faith leaders, often in
Pentecostal churches.”
Mr. Foxcroft said whilst the Home Office had
been focusing strongly on preventing Islamic or
far-right extremists from entering the UK to
spread their hate speech, more needs to be
done to stop pastors who commit acts of terror
on children.
“Preventing such people from entering the UK
therefore needs to be prioritized,” he said.
“Additionally, any places of worship found to be
promoting such beliefs and practices in the UK
should be shut down and have their assets
seized.
“The Charity Commission in particular needs to
show stronger leadership here. Finally, at the
local level awareness and understanding is
lacking amongst frontline staff.
“Most practitioners that we have trained
express how they find the beliefs in witchcraft
and subsequent methods used to deal with
them, such as deliverances or exorcisms,
deeply challenging issues to work on.”
Other human rights campaigners have also
focused on the importance of challenging the
beliefs that lead to children and other
vulnerable groups being labelled as witches.
Leo Igwe, a human rights activist, said that any
initiative to tackle the problem must include a
program that educates and enlightens people to
understand that children cannot be witches.
“The belief that they cause misfortune through
witchcraft or magic is mistaken and must be
abandoned,” said Mr. Igwe, who has worked to
raise awareness of the issues facing vulnerable
people accused of witchcraft in Africa and
Europe.
“Religion or multiculturalism is not, and should
not be, an excuse to condone harmful practices
in Africa or in migrant communities in the UK.” http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/191396-nigerian-churches-others-causing-increased-witchcraft-persecution-in-uk-group.html

Nigerian churches, others causing increased
witchcraft persecution in UK – Group
October 12, 2015 Ben Ezeamalu
Bishop David Oyedepo
The significant rise in cases of witchcraft
allegations and persecution in the UK has been
attributed to the activities of African –
especially Nigerian – churches in the country.
Gary Foxcroft, Executive Director of the
Witchcraft and Human Rights Information
Network, said in a statement Monday that the
churches are growing at a phenomenal rate
across the UK.
“Most of them are branches of large mega
churches from Africa,” said Mr. Foxcroft.
“Some of these churches are known to promote
the idea that children can be witches. Indeed
the head of one of the biggest churches in
Africa was captured on YouTube slapping a
young woman and calling her a witch.
“There is currently no regulation in place to
stop such people from entering the UK and
establishing churches. This is clearly
something that the government needs to
address.”
Cases of witchcraft allegations and persecution
have risen in the UK over the last two years,
according to a BBC investigation.
The Metropolitan Police said there had been 60
crimes linked to belief in witchcraft and spirit
possession in London so far this year, with
reports doubling from 23 in 2013 to 46 in
2014.
More widely, in local councils across the UK,
recorded cases rose from 10 in 2012, to 21 in
2013, and 31 in 2014, the police stated.
Experts, however, believe that the statistics
represent the tip of the iceberg of a widespread
phenomenon, with human rights campaigners
calling for the UK government to do more to
regulate faith groups, many of whom are
believed to be behind such practices.
Mr. Foxcroft linked cases of witchcraft
allegations and persecution to Christian and
Muslim faith group where children, women, and
the disabled are often labelled as witches or
possessed by evil spirits, and then forced to
undergo ‘deliverance’ or ‘exorcism’ ceremonies,
often for a fee.
“There are a number of challenges to overcome
to put a stop to this practice,” Mr. Foxcroft
said.
“The first is at a national policy level. There is
a complete lack of regulation of the people and
practices that are behind these cases.
“The fact is that most cases primarily arise due
to the practices of faith leaders, often in
Pentecostal churches.”
Mr. Foxcroft said whilst the Home Office had
been focusing strongly on preventing Islamic or
far-right extremists from entering the UK to
spread their hate speech, more needs to be
done to stop pastors who commit acts of terror
on children.
“Preventing such people from entering the UK
therefore needs to be prioritized,” he said.
“Additionally, any places of worship found to be
promoting such beliefs and practices in the UK
should be shut down and have their assets
seized.
“The Charity Commission in particular needs to
show stronger leadership here. Finally, at the
local level awareness and understanding is
lacking amongst frontline staff.
“Most practitioners that we have trained
express how they find the beliefs in witchcraft
and subsequent methods used to deal with
them, such as deliverances or exorcisms,
deeply challenging issues to work on.”
Other human rights campaigners have also
focused on the importance of challenging the
beliefs that lead to children and other
vulnerable groups being labelled as witches.
Leo Igwe, a human rights activist, said that any
initiative to tackle the problem must include a
program that educates and enlightens people to
understand that children cannot be witches.
“The belief that they cause misfortune through
witchcraft or magic is mistaken and must be
abandoned,” said Mr. Igwe, who has worked to
raise awareness of the issues facing vulnerable
people accused of witchcraft in Africa and
Europe.
“Religion or multiculturalism is not, and should
not be, an excuse to condone harmful practices
in Africa or in migrant communities in the UK.” http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/191396-nigerian-churches-others-causing-increased-witchcraft-persecution-in-uk-group.html

Nigerian churches, others causing increased
witchcraft persecution in UK – Group
October 12, 2015 Ben Ezeamalu
Bishop David Oyedepo
The significant rise in cases of witchcraft
allegations and persecution in the UK has been
attributed to the activities of African –
especially Nigerian – churches in the country.
Gary Foxcroft, Executive Director of the
Witchcraft and Human Rights Information
Network, said in a statement Monday that the
churches are growing at a phenomenal rate
across the UK.
“Most of them are branches of large mega
churches from Africa,” said Mr. Foxcroft.
“Some of these churches are known to promote
the idea that children can be witches. Indeed
the head of one of the biggest churches in
Africa was captured on YouTube slapping a
young woman and calling her a witch.
“There is currently no regulation in place to
stop such people from entering the UK and
establishing churches. This is clearly
something that the government needs to
address.”
Cases of witchcraft allegations and persecution
have risen in the UK over the last two years,
according to a BBC investigation.
The Metropolitan Police said there had been 60
crimes linked to belief in witchcraft and spirit
possession in London so far this year, with
reports doubling from 23 in 2013 to 46 in
2014.
More widely, in local councils across the UK,
recorded cases rose from 10 in 2012, to 21 in
2013, and 31 in 2014, the police stated.
Experts, however, believe that the statistics
represent the tip of the iceberg of a widespread
phenomenon, with human rights campaigners
calling for the UK government to do more to
regulate faith groups, many of whom are
believed to be behind such practices.
Mr. Foxcroft linked cases of witchcraft
allegations and persecution to Christian and
Muslim faith group where children, women, and
the disabled are often labelled as witches or
possessed by evil spirits, and then forced to
undergo ‘deliverance’ or ‘exorcism’ ceremonies,
often for a fee.
“There are a number of challenges to overcome
to put a stop to this practice,” Mr. Foxcroft
said.
“The first is at a national policy level. There is
a complete lack of regulation of the people and
practices that are behind these cases.
“The fact is that most cases primarily arise due
to the practices of faith leaders, often in
Pentecostal churches.”
Mr. Foxcroft said whilst the Home Office had
been focusing strongly on preventing Islamic or
far-right extremists from entering the UK to
spread their hate speech, more needs to be
done to stop pastors who commit acts of terror
on children.
“Preventing such people from entering the UK
therefore needs to be prioritized,” he said.
“Additionally, any places of worship found to be
promoting such beliefs and practices in the UK
should be shut down and have their assets
seized.
“The Charity Commission in particular needs to
show stronger leadership here. Finally, at the
local level awareness and understanding is
lacking amongst frontline staff.
“Most practitioners that we have trained
express how they find the beliefs in witchcraft
and subsequent methods used to deal with
them, such as deliverances or exorcisms,
deeply challenging issues to work on.”
Other human rights campaigners have also
focused on the importance of challenging the
beliefs that lead to children and other
vulnerable groups being labelled as witches.
Leo Igwe, a human rights activist, said that any
initiative to tackle the problem must include a
program that educates and enlightens people to
understand that children cannot be witches.
“The belief that they cause misfortune through
witchcraft or magic is mistaken and must be
abandoned,” said Mr. Igwe, who has worked to
raise awareness of the issues facing vulnerable
people accused of witchcraft in Africa and
Europe.
“Religion or multiculturalism is not, and should
not be, an excuse to condone harmful practices
in Africa or in migrant communities in the UK.” http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/191396-nigerian-churches-others-causing-increased-witchcraft-persecution-in-uk-group.html

Oshiomhole Suspends Four Local Government
Chairmen
Channels Television.
Updated October 6, 2015
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has
suspended four local government chairmen for
non-payment of staff salaries, diversion of
funds among others.
The four chairmen are Emmanuel Momoh,
Etsako Central Local Government Area; Victor
Enobakhare, Egor Local Government Area;
Osaro Obazee, Oredo Local Government Area
and Roland Ibierutomwen, Orhionmwon Local
Government Area.
A letter to the Speaker of the Edo State House
of Assembly, signed by the Secretary to the
State Government, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, said
that their suspension, which is for two months,
is to pave the way for unhindered investigation
into several allegations against the chairmen.
The allegations include non-payment of staff
salaries without satisfactory explanations,
inability to account for Internally Generated
Revenue, diversion of funds, failure to follow
due process in the award of contracts as well
as illegal employment of senior officers without
going through Local Government Service
Commission, which is a violation of laid-down
provisions.
The statement said that during the period of
suspension, relevant panels would be
constituted to investigate the allegations
against the affected chairmen. www.channelstv.com/2015/10/06/oshiomhole-suspends-four-local-government-chairmen/

THE Itsekiri nation, yesterday, announced the
passage of Ogiame Atuwatse II, the Olu of
Warri, and immediately designated his younger
brother, Prince Ikenwole Godfrey Abiloye Emiko,
as successor.
Both announcements were the key issues of a
national congress the Itsekiri nation held at the
Olu palace, Ode-Itsekiri, ancentral home of the
Itsekiri nation also known as Big Warri.
Tradition fulfilled
Palace chiefs, the dressed in white robes with a
mix of red apron signifying their royalty and
black for mourning, gathered before 10am at
the palace hall together with other men,
women, and youths of the Itsekiri nation to hear
what was at stake.
Chief Yaya Pessu, Ojomo of Warri, representing
the Ologbotsere (Chief Priest) of the kingdom,
fulfilled tradition when he smashed a big ball of
native chalk on the floor of the venue with the
exclamation, “The calabash is broken”,
signifying the announcement of the passage of
Ogiame Atuwatse II, the 19th Olu, who joined
his ancestors after 28 years on the throne.
The act by Pessu, which came at 11.50am, was
followed by about 19 cannon shots. These
happened as the large crowd present remained
anxious about the revelation of who succeeds
the departed Atuwatse II.
New Olu emerges
The Olu of Warri designate
The anxiety lasted till 12.16pm when Pessu
again took the responsibility of announcing
crown prince Ikenwole Godfrey Abitoye Emiko
as the Olu designate, setting off thundering
jubilation across the palace hall and the
overflow crowd outside.
Emiko, said to be about 60, and younger
brother to the Atuwatse II, is a graduate of
business administration from the University of
Benin.
The Olu designate was summoned and led by
his peers to the palace hall for all to see before
he was announced by Pessu.
Why brother succeeds brother
Earlier at the gathering, several eyes had been
on Prince Tsola Emiko, first son of the departed
Atuwatse II, who came with Toju and Nere, his
siblings to the gathering.
By the hereditary appeal of the throne, the
uninformed persons present at the gathering
had expected Tsola as the automatic
successor.
However, Pessu who announced the Olu
designate clarified that Tsola was not qualified
to succeed the father in line with other
expectations a son must meet to succeed his
father as Olu.
The Ojomo of Warri said, “By the tradition, a
son who must succeed his father must be born
of a mother who must not be outside of Itsekiri
or Benin by birth, origin. This is a standing
tradition and the son does not fulfill this
requirement.
Prof. Jim Omatseye added: “In the event that a
son is not qualified to succeed the father, the
princes of the kingdom from the three ruling
houses, Ginuwa, Erejuwa and Ogiame, will
choose among themselves who should take the
throne. The lot fell on Prince Ikenwole Emiko
and he is generally accepted by the Itsekiri
nation.
Mr. Edward Ekpoko, Chairman, Warri Study
Group and Secretary, Itsekiri Leaders of
Thought, said, “Today’s event is significant
because it is the first time in 200 years that a
brother would succeed a brother on this
supposedly hereditary throne.”
Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, Akatigbi-Ayeola of
Warri, a palace chief, said, “The wide jubilation
and the joy in the faces of all present erase all
doubts that the Itsekiri nation was having a
hard time choosing an Olu designate.
Dos, don’ts
Within the next 90 days, Itsekiri will go through
mourning on the passage of Atuwatse II. All
natives, particularly male and female adults, are
expected to wear their traditional wrappers
upside down.
Pessu, spelling out the dos and don’ts within
the period, on behalf of the Ologbotsere, said:
“Itsekiri the world over are to also refrain from
merriment, no drumming or burials as all
should be in mourning for the period. There
should be no form of fanfare.
He added that coronation of the successor Olu
will commence only after the passage rites of
Atuwatse II had been concluded.
Chiefs, opinion leaders speak
Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, Igba of Warri, in her
post event comments, said, “It is just cheering
for the entire Itsekiri nation that a generally
accepted Olu designate has been chosen”.
A former health commissioner in Delta State,
Dr. Joseph Otumara, noted, “What we just
witnessed is the end of an era and the
beginning of another”.
The member representing Warri Federal
Constituency in the House of Representatives,
Mr. Daniel Reyenieju, described the late Ogaime
Atuwatse 11 as an epitome of a monarch,
whose reign would remain indelible in the
sands of history.
The lawmaker spoke of the late Olu “as an
ontological father that encapsulates the
beingness of the Itsekiri ethnic nation as a
social organism”, saying Ogiame Atuwatse 11
was focused in his quest for the development of
his kingdom.
The member representing Warri Federal
Constituency in the House of Representatives,
Mr. Daniel Reyenieju, described the late Ogaime
Atuwatse 11 as an epitome of a monarch,
whose reign would remain indelible in the
sands of history.
The lawmaker spoke of the late Olu “as an
ontological father that encapsulates the
beingness of the Itsekiri ethnic nation as a
social organism”, saying Ogiame Atuwatse 11
was focused in his quest for the development of
his kingdom.
The lawmaker also congratulated the Olu-elect.
In the same vein, Reyenieju thanked members
of the Warri Traditional Council and the entire
itsekiri nation for the peaceful conduct of all the
processes for succession to the throne of the
Warri Kingdom, such that the rancour
associated with succession in some parts of
Nigeria remains alien to the Itsekiri nation.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/olu-of-warri-itsekiri-nation-mourns-designates-brother-abiloye-emiko-as-successor/

blizard44:
These indeed calls for a reflection.

If the couple of roads and structures he touts as his for the eight-years he spent in power were majorly funded by the Central government, where then were the IGR and allocations used?

The existing structures and awarded contracts before he came on were all jettisoned... A raise greeted school's fees. Health care deteriorated...ECTS went into extinction. The state owned Brewery was murdered. Taps last opened a decade ago. Our erstwhile gainfully employed turned Ring Road touts. Our parents are, for the longest time you can imagine, owed the pay for which they work daily.

Upon all these, the midget is still pilling debts upon debts in wait for the unfortunate man that will take over the riens of power in the state.{God Help Him}

And you compare him with Nosa? Fear God abeg.

I laughed wen I read @OP cmparing d dead dys of Igbins to d lively & conscious time of Oshio. if u hav brain remember wen Igbins dys: unpaid pensions & pensioneers protest & deaths at ringr/d; unpaid workers(espcly) teachers & regular protest by teachers & students; 3,600 Naira devpmt fee 4 all sec. sch.(pub. & priv.), & I had to drop out from sch after SS1 if nt 4 God I wnt b a Uniben grad. tdy; after owing workers countless millions of salaries, Lucky sold BILLIONS of Naira worth. Bendel Brewery to his cronies 4 ten million Naira only; he built fake boreholes n Esan land & put water in d tnks 4 nspection purpose ,same tin wit d cassava plant,etc dat never functiond 4 one dy; d only tin close to r/d construction ws d lucky stone he piled on our r/ds; the term "wetin concern agbero wit over load "ws coind during his era; Anthony aneni decides,approve & distribute our budgets from his hometown ;he clear all his father dept & built signature house 4 him n Abuja wit our money ;d list goes on. dis s just a case of @OP(Isrealites) complaining of Oshio (moses) after leaving Igbins (igypt), pls let's wait 4 joshua(nxt govnor) dat will lead us to d promise land.

typing

I dey feel u,bt I think I luv him more. he just rightly xplaind corruption d exact,same way i've don 4 many yrs nw.

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has said that his government was
forced to take a $75 million development loan from the World Bank,
because the Federal Government led by the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) in 16 years had looted the nation’s treasury and pauperized the
states.
He said it was a good thing that President Muhammadu Buhari came at the
right time to stop the liquidation of the country.
The World Bank had approved a $225 million loan for Edo State
Government in 2012, to be implemented in three tranches of $75 million
per annum.
The first tranche of the loan was approved by the National Assembly in the
2012-2014 Federal Government External Rolling Borrowing Plan, while the
second tranche was approved by the National Assembly, last week.
Addressing reporters at the Government House on Sunday, Mr. Oshiomhole
said “If the PDP did not steal the money, we would not need to borrow.
What we lost from the NLNG under the PDP Federal Government was about
$11.6 billion. Edo State’s share of that money was more than N30 billion.
If you realise that from every one billion dollars, we get more than N2.7
billion. So if PDP did not steal and bleed the economy dry, our legitimate
revenue stolen by the past PDP government and its men is more than that.
“PDP is simply not in a position to blame the victims of their own looting
which is unprecedented in the history of the country. My hope is that they
would be brought to justice.
“You heard President Buhari saying last week that after they finished
looting the treasury, they even borrowed to loot. You heard the president
say that they took a loan from China and they already had taken $600
million from the loan. By now if they were still there, there would have
finished the rest.
“In the South-South zone, look at the debt profile, Edo is the least
borrowed. The only major loan we have taken since I assumed office was a
N25 billion bond out of which we have paid over N20 billion because we
are paying N530 million every month.
“As we speak, we have only about N5 billion left of that loan which will be
liquidated before the end of this tenure. You heard of bailout, find out what
PDP states are borrowing under the bailout plan, not for development but
to pay salaries. But Edo State Government is up-to-date with salaries
without bail out. You need to interrogate facts and not report these people
as if they are responsible people because when you do that, people don’t
know the difference between mischief makers and responsible people.
“PDP should simply shut up because they destroyed everything. Carry out
your own investigations. You read in the papers how much our
neighboring states are borrowing? You heard of N20billion, N30 billion
under two months. To do what, to settle the invisibles. You hear them
talking about N14.5 billion. We are not borrowing to pay salaries, we are
able to do that in spite of the massive looting by the PDP. I appeal to the
media because you are victims and you must interrogate these thieves
when they break the highway rules and want to divert you. When you ask
questions, they say you want to witch-hunt. Why won’t you witch-hunt
when the witches are killing people in the village.
“For me, the only regret I have is that somehow, these rogues can
seemingly eat their cake and yours and go out to complain that the cake is
missing when it is in their stomach. I also need you to consult the World
Bank to look at the statement they issued that Edo is the second state,
Lagos being the first; that these two states have shown sufficient reforms,
transparency, accountability in Internally Generated Revenue and reforming
the public policy to ensure value for money.
“They are providing these facilities as a measure for encouraging other
states to take a cue from what Lagos and Edo are doing. If this is the basis
of support and you are listening to a bunch of armed robbers of what they
think about decent society, they would rather borrow at 20% and they are
envious that we are attracting a facility more or less at zero cost of 1%
spread out over 20 years. If you read the report of the Senate, it says about
17 states and these are PDP states have applied for this facility but
because of their public image, the World Bank is not willing to loan to
them.
“I read in one of the papers that about $2.2 million donated by an NGO to
support the election was stolen and they were compelled to return it but
the former Minister Finance said it was witchhunting because they have
refunded the money but it was misapplied.
“You hear PDP say nothing has happened in Edo State. Even the Hospital
we are building, the Benin City Water Storm project, just one project is
more than the entire loan we have taken. So as we speak, Edo is the least
borrowed. Every state now is borrowing money for salaries. You are not
just to parrot the views of armed robbers. When you report, you say
however, it will be recalled that, that way, the reader understands who is
saying the truth,” Mr. Oshiomhole said.
www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/188522-i-borrowed-75m-because-pdp-looted-the-treasury-oshiomhole.html

d cabal will nt like dis, dey've bn showing deir anger n d form of unannounced visitation to d villa, nw dey will draw d battle line

Dat's my govnor. offering to gradually reintegrate nto d society, as dey were scared of going back to d north.

Former governor of Cross River state Donald Duke has revealed that neither
late President, Alhaji Musa Yar’Adua nor the immediate past President,
Goodluck Jonathan, wanted to be President of the Federation. Duke said
Jonathan told him and former president Obasanjo he never wanted to be
the Vice president of Nigeria when he was selected to be the running mate
to late President Umaru Yar’Adua at the general election back in 2007.
Speaking during an interview with news magazine, The Interviewer, Donald
Duke: “You don’t give authority to an unwilling person, particularly in a
country like Nigeria. Umaru never wanted to be president. He was dealing
with his health issues and wanted to retire and go lecture in a university.
He was really offered an appointment at the Ahmadu Bello University in
Zaria. Jonathan, on the other hand, had just been re-elected to be governor
of Bayelsa and when he was picked, he was not so pleased. He said to
Obasanjo and me, ‘I don’t want this job.”
Donald Duke
Check PRICES of Phones, Electronics & Fashion on PricePadi.com
He further said: “If these two men never aspired to the office but were
recruited to take on a responsibility as daunting as the management of
Nigeria without mentally preparing for the office and having a grand vision
of where they wanted to take Nigeria to, then there is a problem.”
Explaining the extent of psycological effect that would have been drenched
of the former Heads of States, Duke said: “The mental preparation is
absolutely important. The vision can be scripted for you, but if you are not
prepared and you have no capable team to help you follow through, it is
grossly unfair. It is like converting a passenger on an aircraft to a pilot,”
the former Governor added.
www.nigerianmonitor.com/2015/08/11/jonathan-told-i-and-obasanjo-he-never-wanted-to-be-vice-president-donald-duke/

Dat's okay!!!!!