₦airaland Forum

Obaseki’s Tortuous Quest to Reinvent Edo

By Crusoe Osagie

The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki’s political journey has been arduous.

Since he took office for the first time in November 2016, his path has always seemed to be thorny. Surprisingly, he always appears to pick the hard way when he could simply choose the easy option.

One scenario that proves this assertion was in the early days of Obaseki’s first tenure. He had two options. The first was to simply feather the nest of his predecessor in office and his infantry. This path would have had him play the lapdog and ensure good access to the treasury. They sing his praises to high heavens, then somehow hoodwink the people, win their support and ultimately rally round him and get him re-elected for his second term.

Obaseki turned down that option. His reason was simple. He did not think it served the best interest of the majority of Edo people. Instead, he embarked on a fierce battle of wits and brawn which culminated in the epic political victory that returned him to power in the September 19, 2020 election.

Upon return to office for the second tenure, instead of just window dressing, constructing a few roads and doing the commissioning and ribbon cutting common among Nigerian politicians in their decades of manipulating their people, Obaseki picked the difficult option again. He embarked on the reinvention of the State.

The word ‘reinvent’ was chosen intentionally. Founding fathers of the defunct Midwestern Nigeria, which has now been reduced to Edo State, had very ambitious dreams and visions that were amputated partly by the military juntas and the inexperienced and sometimes outrightly corrupt political leaders that followed them.

Between the late 1980s and the 2000s, after receiving what was left of the very high-quality education in the former Midwestern Nigeria, youths including myself who couldn’t or didn’t want to work in the civil service moved out quickly either to Lagos, Port Harcourt or overseas in search of private sector experience.

In the wake of this mass exodus, poverty pervaded Edo State which was mostly run with Diaspora remittances. The private sector was almost non-existent. There were no major manufacturing concerns, neither were there petroleum refining companies and even the service industry was comatose with no presence of branches of what was then called the new generation banks.

From a region where we earlier had thriving companies, such as the African Timber and Plywood company, Bendel Feed and Flour mill, Bendel Breweries, Okpella Cement Company, among others, youths could barely find a decent industrial concern to work after acquiring education.

Back to Governor Obaseki’s knack for difficult tasks. The governor took on the daunting mission to rebuild the dreams of Edo’s founding fathers which his predecessors appeared to either shy away from or didn’t have the expertise to sustain.

Brimming with experience garnered from the boardroom, the governor began the tedious task of reinventing the civil and public service in Edo State quite early. His theory on the importance of this sector is that it is the hub around which a thriving private sector must revolve and so it must be functional and efficient.

The reform of the State’s public service is perhaps one of the most impactful interventions of Governor Obaseki’s transformational projects. The ultimate goal was to transit service delivery from an archaic, analogue and strenuous mode to a digitized, seamless and efficient mode.

Through the Edo State Public Service Transformation and Enhancement Project (Edo-STEP), the governor has digitized work processes in the civil and public service, ensuring that workers are exposed to top-of-the-range training at the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy. Files are processed through the service-wide e-government platform, ensuring quick turn-around time.

The nimbler reforms include the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme and the Edo State Health Insurance Commission, which ensure adequate welfare for workers.

Across various sectors of the state, the result of the hard work of Governor Obaseki has taken firm footing, which has set the State on the path of prosperity.

It is to the Governor’s credit that Edo State now has an active electricity market, set up through legislation to make provision for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in the State. The State is also empowered to regulate the sector.

The existing 95MW Ossiomo Power Plant, which runs its own grid network and powers the State’s establishments and public utilities such as streetlights, is captured in the new law. It is expected to expand its network to serve industrial clusters and private customers.

The State has also become an industrial haven with the establishment of at least two modular refineries, which as at June 2023, placed an order for 300,000 barrels of crude for refining in their facilities. The two refineries are the 6000bpd facility operated by the Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company (ERPC) in Ologbo, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area and the 2500bpd Duport Refinery run by Duport Refinery Company Limited in Egbokor, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the State.

Another industrial concern in the State is the Greenhill Ethanol Plant, which is expected to produce food grade ethanol for use in the confectionery and beverage industry. It will be fed with 800 trucks of cassava daily at its site in Ologbo, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of the state.

The State now has a fast-expanding retail sector, with the latest entrant being the Benin City mall, which will host a cinema, library, entertainment centre and other hospitality businesses. The Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub and Sound Stage is now brimming with verve, with youths engaged in various artistic productions, including films, theatrical works, music and photography.

The Benin Port project is a legacy project of Governor Obaseki. The facility is designed for a carrying capacity of 300,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs). The State Government is developing the port in partnership with the Federal Government through the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA). It will be run in collaboration with the Port of Antwerp in Belgium. It is also to be designated a sister port to the Lekki Deep Sea Port in Lagos.

With all of these, graduates from Edo don’t only stay in the State after completing their education, those from other states want to come to begin their lives and gain private sector experience in Edo. It is a new dawn because the governor has set the right foundation to engender progress.

It is clear that Obaseki’s choice to take the less travelled path has paid off, setting the State on a journey of continental competitiveness and global recognition. This much is obvious with the World Bank’s rating of the State as a global model for reforming education.

Obaseki would rightly be regarded as the man who took the hard decisions that repositioned Edo State as a competitive sub-national. The reverberating impact of these hard choices are already beginning to show and will become clearer and indelible for many years to come.

Osagie is the Special Adviser, Media Projects to the Edo State Governor

Afegbua dares the sacred in shameless dance for Tinubu’s appointment

By Crusoe Osagie

With President Bola Tinubu’s administration effectively underway, the likes of Kassim Afegbua, with pen for hire, are falling over themselves in anticipation of appointments and other crumbs that are likely to fall from the President’s exalted table.

While other expectants of appointments are busy lobbying and using other ways to get the attention of the National Government, Afegbua’s strategy is to hold up an innocent governor trying to do his best for his people and haul invectives at him, hoping to get thumbs up from the powers that be.

Unfortunately, this time, Afegbua has ventured into a sacred area, speaking on matters that are too exalted for him.

For Afegbua’s information, it is an outright and direct insult to all Benins and indeed Edo people, for him to even suggest that Obaseki, a Benin man, from one of the most prominent families in the Kingdom, is in contention with the Royal Palace of the revered Benin Monarch, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin.

Although Afegbua hails from the distant suburbs of Okpella in Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State, it is shocking that he has not yet come to terms with the glory and magnificence of the revered Omo N’Oba N’Edo to suggest that the government led by a Benin man, whose pride derives largely from splendour of the palace, will turn around and engage in a face-off with it.

Obaseki has stated in several fora, both private and public, that the Museum for West African Arts project has nothing to do with the return of the artefacts. Rather, the government is only expressing its right to develop the art and culture sector of the state and position Edo as a leader in art renaissance in the West Africa sub-region.

The Governor has also reiterated his support for the Benin Royal Museum, which is being promoted by the Oba of Benin and has committed to ensuring that it comes to fruition once work on the project commences.

It is worth stressing that Edo is the melting pot of arts and culture in Sub-saharan Africa and no amount of museums would be too much to capture the wealth of Edo’s cultural sophistication and supremacy.

The Government welcomes the idea that the artefacts are returned to its rightful home, even as it pursues its plan of raising awareness on the cultural heritage of Edo and building consciousness about the State’s rich tradition.

MOWAA is already living up to its expectation as a centre for research and training, as it has partnered with notable international non-profits in organising open days and immersive interactive sessions with schools and other culture stakeholders in Benin City.

The governor and the Oba of Benin have maintained cordial relationship, which is reinforced by Obaseki’s stance for harmonious administration of the traditional system within the state, whether in Edo South, North or Central.

On the reports that the Governor is supposedly at loggerheads with the Oba of Benin to balkanise the old Benin kingdom, it is quite ludicrous that Afegbua is the one to make such allegations, as an interloper. The Governor has continued to push for harmonious administration of the traditional system in the State.

As for Afegbua’s response to my article regarding the purpose of his continued attacks on the Governor, my position is that he had pestered Obaseki for patronage. I stand by my comments and it is irrefutable: It is Obaseki’s refusal of his entreaties that has served as fuel for his constant attacks.

It is rather shameless of Afegbua to descend to attacking the Governor all in a bid to have the slimmest chance of being called to the President’s table. If he was indeed worth his onions, he would be considered on his merit and not have to engage in such tirade in the public glare to get noticed.

On this note, I would like to drop a word of advice for Afegbua. There are established ways to scout for appointments if you believe you merit it. He should explore such and leave the Governor who is working assiduously to change the fortunes of his people alone. He should be guided.

Osagie is the Special Adviser, Media Projects to the Edo State Governor

Etsako commissioners: Shaibu’s boycott of meetings responsible for delay in appointments

… Egor leaders fail to agree on commissioner-nominee

As the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, inaugurated commissioners and members of the state’s Executive Council on Tuesday, June 13, fresh details have emerged as to why there are no commissioners from three Etsako Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the cabinet yet.

The three local councils include Etsako Central, Etsako East and Etsako West.

Impeccable sources with knowledge of the political happenings in the State have revealed that the commissioner slots for the three local councils were not filled because the Deputy Governor of the State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, did not attend meetings called to reach a consensus on the list of commissioners from the affected area.

A source, who pleaded anonymity, said: “Meetings were called and the Deputy Governor, Shaibu, did not attend. It is not known what the reasons are but his absence was what resulted in the area not having commissioners.

“We expect that the meetings will be held and commissioners would eventually be appointed into the cabinet from the three Etsako LGAs.”

It was also learnt that a commissioner has not been appointed in Egor Local Government Area because the leaders from the local council have been unable to reach a consensus on a candidate.

According to the source: “For Egor, the leaders are yet to harmonise and agree on a nominee. We expect that a commissioner will be appointed as soon as things are ironed out among the leaders.”

Fuel Subsidy removal: Edo launches 24-hour unlimited free internet service in MDAs, other public places for workers

…School of Nursing, Pensions Bureau, Victor Uwaifo Centre, others covered in free Wi-Fi service

The Edo State Government is providing 24-hour free Wi-Fi service in various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other public places in the State to ensure unlimited internet access to workers in the wake of the three-day weekly work schedule for civil and public servants as part of efforts to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

In a statement, the Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa Esq., said the government is committed to ensuring optimal productivity and efficiency amid the new work schedule, noting that the free Wi-Fi service will guarantee free internet access to workers and others who need internet connectivity to perform their duties and reside in proximity to the designated locations covered by the Wi-Fi service.

According to the Head of Service, the locations with installed free Wi-Fi include the School of Nursing, Limit Road/Sapele Road; Pensions Bureau, Ring Road Roundabout; Victor Uwaifo Centre, Airport Road; Civil Service Commission, Sapele Road, and the John Odigie Oyegun Publilc Service Academy (JOOPSA), Central area Road/Igbinedion Road.

Okungbowa further stated that each of the sites offers approximately 180 degrees coverage from the point of presence, which are the above listed public places.

“The Edo State Government is launching 24-hour free Wi-Fi service in various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) as well as other public places across the State to provide unlimited internet connectivity to our workers in light of the recent three-day weekly work schedule being implemented by the state government as part of the measures to mitigate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

“In our commitment to the welfare of our workers and ensuring optimal productivity and efficiency amid the new work schedule, we recognize the importance of internet access in enabling our workers to carry out their duties effectively as all our services have been digitalised in the State through the e-gov platform.

“Therefore, we have taken the step to provide free WiFi service, which guarantees internet connectivity to workers and others who rely on the internet to perform their tasks and reside in proximity to the designated locations covered under this service.

“The service is currently available in different locations within the state, including the School of Nursing along Limit Road/Sapele Road, the Pensions Bureau at Ring Road Roundabout, the Victor Uwaifo Centre on Airport Road, the Civil Service Commission on Sapele Road, and JOOPSA situated in the Central Area Road/Igbinedion Road vicinity. Each of these sites offers approximately 180 degrees coverage from the point of presence.”

“While we encourage all workers and individuals residing near the designated locations to take full advantage of this free internet access service, we reaffirm the Edo State Government's commitment to creating an enabling environment for our workers, and assure that the government will continue to explore innovative solutions to support workers' productivity and welfare.”

The Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki has approved the payment of 13th month salary to the state’s civil and public servants effective December 2023.

Read more: https://nigerianobservernews.com/2023/05/breaking-obaseki-approves-13th-month-salary-for-edo-civil-public-servants/

Minister of State for Budget, Clem Agba, makes excuses over FG's failure to fix federal roads in Edo

Clem Agba has less than two months to leave office and is deflecting issues. No contractor is on sight but he sounds like the road has been fixed.

Since the minister claimed that the Ministry of Works' budget can't suffice for the projects in a budget year, where do we expect Edo State Government to get the huge funding to fix the road?

Edo: Building an Airport vs Railway vs Fixing Federal Roads

By Greg Ewah

1. The agitations for the Edo State Governor to construct Federal Roads as against establishing an Airport in Edo North seem rational on the face surface but on a closer look you will see that the economics would not add up especially when you consider the cost implications.

2. To re-construct any of the Federal Roads, be it Benin-Sapele Road or Benin-Auchi Road would gulp a minimum of N50bn of state funds, which is almost half of the state’s capital expenditure for a year. That would be a hard sell, giving that there are competing priorities.

3. However, the Airport Project in Edo North would run on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model would cost about N10bn.

4. The Airport Project will open up even more investment opportunity in Edo North further expanding the number of private investors to exploit the solid mineral deposits in that axis of the state and ultimately boost the state’s tax receipts.

5. On Federal Roads being constructed in the state, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) failed to construct the Benin-Abraka Expressway and the Obaseki-led administration has taken over the construction. The construction is ongoing and will be completed in due course.

6. For comparison, the Lagos-Ibadan rail project cost about $1.6bn for a 157km rail. The distance between Benin and Auchi is 100km. To attempt anything of that nature would cost nothing less than N500bn. So, we see how capital-intensive such projects can be.

7. Therefore, for a government, the focus should be on how to judiciously utilize public resources to ensure that the people derive the greatest benefit from public spending and Cmrd Harvey Avanrenren should take note.

Greg Ewah Esq., a lawyer, writes from Benin

How Oshiomhole removes roof of Edo Assembly

Incase you forgot so soon:

During the brutal and draconian regime of former Governor Adams Aliu Oshiomole, only 9 House of Assembly (HoA) members of Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) were sitting and sitting was relocated to Govt House in Osadebe Avenue thereby denying other members of the house of representing the common interests of their own people who voted them in.

Honourable members were beaten ( one, into coma and rushed to the hospital) to stupor in their official quaters by sponsored thugs of the APC led Government as at then in Edo State.

Dear Edolites APC is never an option they are the true enemies of Nigerians

Think before you VOTE
Don't VOTE with sentiment

God bless Edo State, God bless Nigeria

President of Africa Development Bank (AfDB) Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, says it is time to create youth-based wealth that will support a more inclusive Nigerian economy.

Adesina said this at the Presidential Inauguration of the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (I-DICE) programme in Abuja on Tuesday. Read more!!! https://nigerianobservernews.com/2023/03/it-is-time-to-create-youth-based-wealth-for-nigeria-adesina/

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says Nigeria’s technology ecosystem accounts for almost 30 percent of Africa’s funded ventures with no fewer than 180 startups.

Osinbajo said this at the official inauguration of the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) Programme and Unveiling of iDICE logo on Tuesday at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.Read more!!! https://nigerianobservernews.com/2023/03/nigerias-tech-ecosystem-accounts-for-30-of-africas-funded-ventures-osinbajo/

….. Inter Milan reached the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in more than a decade as it managed a 0-0 draw at Porto on Tuesday to progress 1-0 on aggregate.

It was a disappointing night for the home fans at a sold-out Dragao stadium as the Portuguese champions tried in vain to wipe out the narrow deficit from the first leg in Italy.Read more!!!
https://nigerianobservernews.com/2023/03/champions-league-inter-milan-reach-quarter-finals-for-first-time-in-more-than-a-decade/

Rumour of screening exercise for pensioners false, says Edo govt

The Edo State Government has dismissed rumours that the government is conducting a screening exercise for pensioners in the state.

In a statement, the Functioning Permanent Secretary/Chairman, Edo State Pension Bureau, Abbe Osaro Washington, said the news is false and should be disregarded.

He said, “The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to rumours making the rounds that the government is embarking on a screening exercise for pensioners in the state. The news is false and should be disregarded.

“The state government recently carried out a screening exercise for pensioners in the state which is still very much up to date, hence there is no need for a fresh screening now.”

Washington added, “Pensioners and members of the general public are urged to disregard the false story and go about their normal businesses.”

https://nigerianobservernews.com/2023/03/edo-govt-debunks-illegal-disengagement-of-staff-of-college-of-education-igueben/

Edo govt debunks illegal disengagement of staff of College of Education, Igueben

The Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie has described as fake, letters of termination of the appointment handed to some employees of the College of Education in Igueben.

In a statement, Osagie urged the general public to disregard the notice, as it is null and void.

He said, “The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to the illegal termination of the appointment of employees of the College of Education in Igueben.

“The general public and anyone who may have received such letters should kindly disregard it. The Edo State Government is completely unaware and distances itself from such notice.”

Osagie further charged, “All staff of the institution are by this notice advised to carry on with their lawful duties as this is the handiwork of mischief makers who are trying to stir crisis in the state ahead of the Saturday, March 11 House of Assembly elections.”

Oshiomhole and Dan Orbih cannot dictate for the Benins
By Dennis Osaretin

The Benin Kingdom is known for its proud history and culture. It is also famed for the tenacity and bravery of its people. In spite of the numerous contentions to seize the land and subjugate its people, Benin city remained standing and its people unbowed.

Time and again, the people of Benin have been called upon to defend their honour and integrity, and at every time, they have answered the call.

In recent history, when dark elements both within and without tried to shake the foundation of the ancient landmark, the people of Benin rose up to the occasion and tamed the lions and Tigers as well as their Lords from Iyamho and Bourdillon, who saw the resolve of the people and took to their heels.

However, as we approach a major election again in our history, the Iyamho Lord in collaboration with the Bourdillon Lord have once again crawled out of their holes, this time, according to them, to take their revenge on the Benins who they believed hindered their takeover of the state during the last guber election. they have now also conscripted Dan Orbih in this their unholy ambition.

Some have also alluded that Governor Godwin Obaseki cannot win without the support of Adams Oshiomhole and Dan Orbih who had both supported him in time past. They have forgotten that Lucky Igbinedion won his election when the duo of Oshiomhole and Orbih were unknown in the political space.

Equally of note is the fact that Oshiomhole lost majority of the local governments in Edo North during his first tenure. The 166,577 votes he later garnered after the appeal court judgement that restored his mandate came largely from Edo South and Central.

How can someone who couldn’t deliver his senatorial district during his first tenure be the deciding factor in winning an election in Benin?

Dan Orbih on the other hand, couldn’t produce a councillor, a local government chairperson, neither could he produce a national or House of Assembly member from his senatorial district during his long reign as the PDP state chairman.

Why the Benins have always welcomed collaboration, from other senatorial districts, we equally do not entertain those that wish to Lord it over us. The people of Benin will continue to resist Oshiomhole and his party, APC in Benin who have vowed to truncate Obaseki’s regime by impeaching him if APC gets the majority in the March, 11 House of Assembly election in Edo state.

I am confident and certain that Benin people will not let that happen on Saturday. They will once again reject APC and show to the invaders how election is won like they did in 2020 when they retired Oshiomhole to Iyamho. Howbeit, this time, it will be a permanent retirement.

Osaretin is a lawyer based in Benin City, the Edo State capital

APC moving old naira notes around Edo wards for vote buying

An Edo-based sociopolitical group, Save Edo, has raised the alarm over plans by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to buy votes during the March 11 House of Assembly elections in the state with the old naira notes.

The group’s Secretary, Deacon Ehi Enojie, in a statement, said the Edo APC leadership, yesterday, began moving the old naira notes around the 192 wards of the state for vote buying.

Recall that the old naira notes were ferried into the state in large trucks before the February 25 presidential election; unfortunately, they couldn’t buy votes with them because of the naira cash swap policy by President Muhammadu Buhari.

However, the reversal of the cash swap by the Supreme Court has further emboldened the APC leaders who have now moved the old naira notes to their various wards for vote buying.

Enpojie said, “We are using this opportunity to call on the security agencies to track down these monies wherever they may be hiding them. We also call on the Edo electorate to stand resolute and reject APC old naira notes and stay the course by voting for their preferred candidates in the forthcoming House of Assembly election.

He added, “We also want to call on APC to turn a new leaf and desist from their usual habit of vote buying and allow the electorates to determine their future without any form of harassment and monetary inducement.”

Edo people will rise in Obaseki’s defense, foil Oshiomhole’s plan for impeachment

The Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, has said the recent statement by the former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole on the fate of Governor Godwin Obaseki in the Edo State House of Assembly polls exposes Oshiomhole’s insidious plan to oust Governor Obaseki through impeachment.

In a statement, Osagie expressed confidence that Edo people, as they did in 2020, will again rise in defense of the governor at the polls on Saturday, March 11, and vote massively for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), electing a House controlled by the PDP.

The governor’s aide said, “The recent statement by the former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole on the fate of Governor Godwin Obaseki in the Edo State House of Assembly polls exposes his insidious plan to oust the current governor through impeachment.

“We are, however, confident that, like it happened in 2020 when Edo people stood with the governor despite the bullying and intimidation by Oshiomhole and his paymasters, Edo people will again rise in defense of the governor at the polls on Saturday, March 11; vote massively for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and elect a House controlled by the PDP.

“Obaseki has never placed his confidence in any man or godfather. He has placed his confidence in God and the people.”

He further noted, “It is also curious that it is Oshiomhole who has come forward with the agenda of the APC and not any of the candidates. One wonders if Oshiomhole will be a member of the Edo State House of Assembly after the polls. This, obviously, points to who and where the instructions will be issued if the party’s candidates are mistakenly elected into the House.

“Edo people can see the handwriting on the wall and we are certain that they will troop out en masse to vote for the candidates of the PDP in the election to sustain the developmental strides of the Governor Obaseki-led government.”



Edo people will rise in Obaseki’s defense, foil Oshiomhole’s plan for impeachment

The recent statement by the former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole on the fate of Governor Godwin Obaseki in the Edo State House of Assembly polls exposes his insidious plan to oust the current governor through impeachment.

We are, however, confident that, like it happened in 2020, when Edo people stood with the governor despite the bullying and intimidation by Oshiomhole and his paymasters, Edo people will again rise in defense of the governor at the polls on Saturday, March 11; vote massively for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and elect a House controlled by the PDP.

Obaseki has never placed his confidence in any man or godfather. He has placed his confidence in God and the people.

It is also curious that it is Oshiomhole who has come forward with the agenda of the APC and not any of the candidates. One wonders if Oshiomhole will be a member of Edo State House of Assembly after the polls. This, obviously, points to who and where the instructions will be issued if the party’s candidates are mistakenly elected into the House.

Edo people can see the handwriting on the wall and we are certain that they will troop out en mass to vote candidates on the PDP in the election to sustain the developmental strides of the Governor Obaseki-led government.

Crusoe Osagie
Special Adviser, Media Projects

Obaseki does not vote in Idia College where election was disrupted- Governor's aide

‘Obaseki votes at Emokpae Model Primary School, not Idia College’

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, does not vote in Idia College, where the voting process was disrupted.

The report alleging that the Governor Obaseki was at Idia College where voting was disrupted is false and malicious as he does not vote there.

The governor cast his vote in Emokpae Model Primary School at 11.14am, along Mission Road at which point voting had only just started and returned to his home afterwards. Idia College is along Iyaro, in Benin City, a totally different location.

The report alleging the contrary is malicious and should be disregarded by the public.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2VIDsgHrvs

At least three people are feared dead in the protests that rocked Benin City, Edo State capital, on Wednesday.

The protests erupted as the cash crunch occasioned by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s new naira policy worsened with citizens unable to spend the old notes in their possession.

Read more and Watch Video: https://nigerianobservernews.com/2023/02/3-feared-dead-in-benin-protests-over-cash-shortages/

wow benin boys are always too active and aware of social misconduct orchestrated by the government

No Victor, No vanquished, let's unite to rescue Nigeria

The ruling of the Supreme Court today, finally put to rest the long-drawn legal tussle over the candidates that will fly the flag of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Edo State in the general election on the 25th of February and 11th of March 2023

As the leader of the party in the State, I implore all members to consider this development as the end of all strife within the Edo PDP and to note that this is a victory for all members. Our resolve now is to win the forthcoming general elections as this experience has made us stronger and better prepared to clinch victory.

This disagreement which has now been amicably resolved attests to the maturity of actors who as law-abiding party members have subjected themselves to and accepted the verdict of the courts.

As there are no victors or vanquished in this issue, I want to call on all members of our party to come together to speak with one voice against the real opponents since our party is big enough to accommodate our variegated interests.

The ongoing crisis in our Nation which has been choreographed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) is subjecting Nigerians to perhaps the most tortuous living conditions in our history since the Civil War between 1967 and 1970. Our efforts must now be directed to removing the APC from power and restoring our blessed Country.

I, therefore, call on all our members in Edo State to stand up and be counted among the brave party men and women who stood to be counted in the execution of this all-important task to rescue Nigeria and pull it back from the precipice.

His Excellency
Godwin Obaseki
Governor Edo State

Obaseki’s projections and Mayaki’s arithmophobia in full glare

By Crusoe Osagie

Look what the cats dragged out!

Pen for hire, John Mayaki, has crawled out of the mouldy crevices into which he skittled after he failed spectacularly along with his paymasters in their attempt to malign the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

In the run-up to the September 19, 2020 governorship election where Obaseki recorded a resounding victory, whose echoes shall be sustained across Nigeria for decades to come, Mayaki broke all journalism ethics in his effort to malign the governor of Edo State, towards the end of getting him out of office with the aid of lies and barefaced blackmail.

He failed woefully that time. Edo people saw through him and saw him for what he truly is – a mere assailant who hides behind the falsehood he scripts on the pages of newspapers and on social media.

Although Mayaki tendered an unreserved apology to the governor for acting irresponsibly in the line of duty as a reporter after Obaseki had vanquished all Mayaki’s paymaster, somehow, we knew that once he exhausted the blackmail money he received from his sponsors, he was most likely to resume his mischievous trade as hunger begins to bite.

Because we know him all too well, the passionate appeal in his apology was rightly discountenanced as it was as worthless as the sheet of paper it was written on.

Curiosity led me to look through the recent piece he circulated on WhatsApp with the hope that perhaps some miraculous reformation must have taken place in his life in the last two and a half years. Alas, he did not fail to disappoint: He remains as daft and unrefined as he has always been.

In the piece, he went on and on about the governor mentioning that Governor Obaseki was particular about delivering 1.5m votes to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, who hails from Delta State. For him, this was impossible because the figures do not match.

Let’s look at the fine details. In the 2015 presidential election, PDP polled a total of 1.2m votes while the APC scored just a little over 48,000 votes. In the same election, in Edo State, the PDP polled 286,869 votes while the APC scored 208,469 votes. In 2019, while the votes dipped in Delta as the two major parties polled 815,354, it rose marginally in Edo with the two parties polling 543,533 votes.

Then, when you add other variables, such as population growth, new voter registrations and more young people getting to the voting age, it is obvious that the projection by Governor Obaseki that the PDP would secure 1.5m votes between Delta and Edo States is not farfetched.

One is then forced to ask what Mayaki was smoking when he was writing the hogwash and if he even has the faintest grasp of population trends or the patterns that influence the rise in voters. He obviously has a phobia for numbers. He displayed as much in the diatribe, where he could not imagine how possible the numbers reeled by the governor could come to be. It should agitate the mind that Mayaki fails at every point to appreciate the current realities and is still trapped in the expired politics of his paymasters.

His attempt to rubbish other achievements of the governor fall flat, are lame and speak to his small-mindedness. It would take one who cannot appreciate the trappings of an advanced society to talk down on the lofty achievements of Governor Obaseki in human capital development, civil service transformation, power sector reforms, agricultural development, and infrastructure upgrade, among others.

So, it is the right time to ask Mayaki to focus on reviving his dead career instead of venturing into matters that are far above his pay grade. A sore loser, he has and will continue to languish with the angst of a failed journalist, who could have attained greatness, but is unable to because he couldn’t summon the mettle to say no when they send him on infantile errands to tar the just and fair with his fouled pen.

Crusoe Osagie is the Special Adviser on Media Projects to the Edo State Governor

It was tortuous to watch the shameful outing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Rally in Edo State as they hosted the party’s flagbearer in the 2023 presidential election at the University of Benin Sports Complex, Ugbowo Benin City, with the party’s ousted National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomhole attempting to sell lies in a last ditch effort to revive his dead political career.

While Edo people’s rejection of the APC and their candidate was obvious by the poor turnout at the rally and the soulless atmosphere that enveloped the complex, it is quite telling what fate awaits the APC in the general elections in Edo State next month.

It is pertinent to stress that the outdated politics of trying to replace facts and truth with lies and falsehoods – as was done by Oshiomhole in his lame speech and the contemptible reference to fixing erosion in the state – has been vanquished in Edo State and across Nigeria.

The people are no longer swayed by empty rhetoric and concocted lies, which has overtime been the bane of the poisonous politics that deprive the people of good governance while the political class fed fat from our collective patrimony.

Oshiomhole’s political career has ended and no matter how high he jumps on a stage or how low he goes to impassion the scanty crowd, the people see through his facade and recognize his ill-intentioned antics and lies. The former governor’s political career was effectively truncated at the polls in the 2020 governorship election in Edo State, which was a referendum on his style of politics.

The last ditch effort to distort facts, sell lies and paint himself a savior and liberator to hoodwink the people will never work. Edo people know better and will continue to reject the APC at the polls, a feat that is sure to happen during the elections next month when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will emerge victorious.

Crusoe Osagie
Special Adviser, Media Projects
January 5, 2023

In his six years in office, the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has fought many battles, believed to have strengthened his current position, not just as governor, but as a party man from the South-south region of the country. With the 2023 elections in view, Obaseki is technically a factor to reckon with, given the subsisting political equation. In this interview with THISDAY, he is confident that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) would take over power and that its candidate, Atiku Abubakar, would turn the tide as President of Nigeria. The Edo governor also spoke about his relationships with his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike, and his predecessor in Edo, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, which he was very blunt about. He spoke about his scorecard too, among other issues. Excerpts:

It’s been over six years since you assumed office as the Governor of Edo State, the heartbeat of Nigeria; tell us, what has the journey been like?

It has been very interesting, because the last six years have been one in which we have tried to transform the structure of the state from one tagged as a ‘civil service state’ to one that is a productive state, where the larger part of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is represented by the private sector. We met a state categorised by the horror of human trafficking and irregular migration. We met a state, where the political actors relied on their political infantry – a group of non-state actors – to help them manipulate or fix elections and in return, a tangible amount of resources or pay was conceded to them.

From that position, we had to take some very drastic actions to resolve the situation. The first thing we did was to focus on the people. All our actions and programmes are geared towards trying to get people to believe in themselves and not have to wait on revenues from Abuja before things will happen. We confronted those non-state actors to ensure that taxes and dues come into state revenues. We had to dismantle most of the arrangements we met in place. This led to political tension and unhappiness in some areas.


The second issue was human trafficking. At some point, in 2016, and 2017, we had more than 30,000 young Edo boys and girls who had got themselves to Libya to cross over to Europe. That was a human horror – a big tragedy for most of them, who will go anywhere else but home. It tells you how depressing and hopeless the situation was. I thank God that we are working with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). We had to set up the Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking (ETAHT) to fight the scourge. We had to admit that we had a problem with human trafficking. We started working with international agencies to help us deal with the situation.

We started gathering data and obtained information on why a lot of these young people were leaving, trying to understand the underlying issues driving human trafficking and irregular migration. One thing came out clearly: First, the current circumstances these people had to confront were such that they were not prepared for it; they had not been properly educated, because our education system at the time had crumbled and the attempt to fix education by our predecessors mostly focused on education infrastructure. That made us focus extensively on the root causes and foundations of educational decay, which included upskilling the teachers and equipping them with technology. For those who had fallen out of the education system and had not been properly educated, the approach was to capture them and reskill them for work. Those were some of the challenges we had to confront when we came into power.


As for the issue of non-state actors collecting revenue, it took a while and we saw how that played out even in my reelection and what has happened is that we have been able to move Edo State from one that mostly relied on revenue from Abuja to one that is attractive for businesses. I am sure coming into Benin today, your flight was full; your hotel was full. Now, why are these people coming? What are they coming to do? So, what we have done is to restructure the system of state, to restructure government to now begin to be more focused on supporting businesses.

Would you say you have eliminated the challenges you confronted at the kick-off of your administration?

I think we should look at the evidence and look at what is on ground in terms of the economy. This year, 2022, we have moved our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to about N41bn for the year. Next year, we expect it to hit N60 billion. We have been able to, on a monthly basis, earn close to N3.5bn. Add that to what we receive from Abuja as well as efforts to eliminate all the wastage and reduce corruption in the system, we have made more resources available for the government to undertake more infrastructural work. We hope to do more roads, more schools and improve on the school structure. We pay our teachers and public servants on the 25th of every month. Their salaries are guaranteed and pension is paid at the same time. This has helped to boost morale. Beyond that, we have gone further to retrain the public servants on how to provide services. We hire on merit unlike what used to happen in the past.

In terms of the economy, you can see that the government is able to offer more services to the people, we are able to give people what they need. Yes, we have not been able to complete all the roads but at least, we have been able to do more roads and connect more communities, make routes to make business easier for people.


We have been able to invest in other infrastructure particularly, fibre technology. Benin City is one of the most connected cities in Nigeria with over 400km of fibre lining around Benin City alone. Edo State has over 1200km of fibre connecting all the local governments with this infrastructure. We have been able to digitalise governance and improve the quality of services in government. The reform is ongoing. It is still work in progress but at the end of the day, we have been able to build a very smart state, where citizens from their phones can apply for land and services that government agencies deliver.

We are simplifying governance. We are bringing the government closer to the people. We are making it more open, more transparent and more accountable to the people.

Read more on:
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/12/28/godwin-obaseki-the-laws-have-changed-atiku-is-winning-2023-presidential-poll/

EFCC seals 50 houses, other properties owned by Yahaya Bello over N10bn fraud as Kogi workers celebrate bleak Christmas

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sealed off over 50 houses and other properties in different choice locations across the country belonging to the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, over his involvement in an alleged money laundering case to the tune of N10.2bn.

The governor is being investigated for allegedly siphoning over N10.2 billion from the state government account, through his nephew, Aliyu Bello and one Abdulsalami Hudu, a Cashier of Kogi State House Administration (now at large).

Aliyu alongside Abdulsalami Hudu were arrested and arraigned before Justice James Kolawole Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday on 10 counts bordering on misappropriation and money laundering to the tune of N10.2 billion.

This is as the hope of many workers and pensioners in the state to mark this year's Christmas still hangs in the balance, as the civil servants and retirees lament non-payment of their salaries and pensions by the government.

A source within the anti-graft agency who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity revealed that some of the properties, including a five-bedroom fully detached duplex and 150-room five star luxury hotel in Kogi and Abuja respectively were allegedly acquired with proceeds of N10bn money laundering fraud.

He said, "Yes, I can authoritatively confirm that properties of the governor, including 50 houses, hotels and others in different locations in the country have been sealed by detectives of the EFCC attached to the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering.

"Some of the properties so far sealed were said to have been allegedly acquired from proceeds of the money siphoned by the governor through his nephew. The EFCC is committed to pursuing the case despite the distractions from the governor and his sympathiser and the governor may finally forfeit the property among other consequences if finally proven guilty."

Meanwhile, workers in Kogi State who shared their pains and agonies with our correspondents expressed disappointment over the government's inability to pay them their salaries and pensions, leaving them unable to meet their daily needs.

Noting that the development has ruined their plans to celebrate the season with their loved ones, the workers lamented that they have for months being receiving salary payments piecemeal with some getting as little as 20 percent.

According to Yakubu Oseni, a civil servant in the employ of Kogi State said, "It is quite shameful that we will not be celebrating the yuletide season with our colleagues from other states across the country because we have a selfish, non performing, wicked and corrupt government led by Yahaya Bello who has continued to deny us our salaries and pensions.

"It is a few hours until Christmas and while other state governments have paid their worker's December salaries and even a 13th month salary, we are yet to see November salary. Is this not wickedness? A government of favouritism, cronyism and nepotism.

"Imagine not being able to pay workers their due salaries and wages but siphoned over N10bn of public funds through his nephew and he is busy buying houses and other properties in different choice locations across the country. This is apart from the huge public funds he expended pursuing his joke of a presidential ambition. Who did this to us as a people? How did we get here? This man is the worst thing that has happened to Kogi State. EFCC must further investigate him and help Kogi people recover all our monies looted by this man through his families and cronies."

Govt's workers in Kogi lament, as Yahaya Bello’s nephew docked for N10.2bn money laundering

A nephew to Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, Aliyu Bello, and one Dauda Sulaiman have been arraigned in a Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged money laundering to the tune of N10.2 billion.

Also joined in the suit is Abdulsalami Hudu, a cashier of Kogi State House Administration, who is currently at large.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed the suit of 10-count charge of misappropriation and money laundering against the defendants before the High Court presided over by James Kolawole Omotosho.

This is coming at a time Kogi State workers and pensioners have reportedly been receiving salary payments piecemeal with some getting as little as 20 percent.

According to the EFCC, Bello and Sulaiman are accused of fraudulently withdrawing a sum of N10,270,556,800 from the Kogi State treasury, which they delivered to a Bureau de Change operator, Rabiu Tafada, in Abuja to purchase foreign currencies for personal gains.

According to the anti-graft agency, Bello, Suleiman and Hudu committed the crime between January and December 2021 in Abuja.

EFCC told the court that the accused procured Rabiu Usman Tafada to take possession of N5,865,756,800, which forms part of the proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: “criminal misappropriation from the treasury of Kogi State and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 18 (c), 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act”.

Another count charge reads: “That you, Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalami Hudu (now at large) between January and December 2021, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court aided Rabiu Usman Tafada to retain the total sum of N2,509,650,000.”

According to the charge, the defendants committed the offence contrary to sections 18 (a) 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011, as amended, and punishable under section 15 (3) of the same Act.

Both Bello and Sulaiman denied committing the offence before the court.

Justice Omotosho therein granted the accused bail in the sum of N1 billion with two sureties who must provide a bond of N2 billion each and have a landed property valued at N500 million. The title of the properties must be registered with the chief registrar of the Court, Justice Omotosho held while admitting them to bail.

Each of the sureties and the defendants shall submit their bank statements and international passports to the chief registrar of the Court.

The sureties must also produce an affidavit of means and evidence of tax clearance for at least three years.

Counsel to the second and third defendants, Abdulwahab Mohammed, told the court of his application for the bail of the defendants.

Justice Omotosho then ordered the two accused to be remanded in prison custody pending when they are able to meet the bail terms.

With that, counsel to EFCC asked the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial. The matter has been adjourned till February 6, 2023 for hearing.

Meanwhile, civil servants in the employ of Kogi State under Bassa Local Government Area have lamented the non-payment of their November salaries by the state government even as the month of December is already ending.

Bassa LGA has been enmeshed in communal crisis since 2016 over right to fish in a boundary fish pond. Although Governor Bello set up a reconciliation committee, peace is still far from coming to the area, especially between Bassa Komu and the Egbira Mozum communities. Several people have been reportedly killed, houses destroyed and many residents displaced.

However, the affected workers see the action of the state government as wicked and unacceptable. They say the government does not need to withhold their monthly salaries due to existential issue of communal crisis that should be resolved through political intervention.

Their biggest concern nor is how to get money for Christmas spendings.

The government was yet to comment on the complaint as at the time of filing this report.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64yr3hXGV6A

Ulegun illegal demolition: Court orders remand of Secretary of Benin Traditional Council, Irabor, others in prison

An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has remanded the Secretary of Benin Traditional Council, Mr. Frank Irabor and other chiefs in prison custody.

The defendants are facing prosecution for their involvement in the illegal demolition of over 80 houses in Ulegun Community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

They were arrested on Wednesday by the Edo State Police Command and charged to court today, Thursday, September 1, 2022.

Hon. Justice Mary Itsueli of the Edo State High Court ordered that the defendants be remanded in the Oko maximum prison pending receipt of legal advice by the director of public prosecution.

Their arrest and subsequent prosecution by the police followed several protests and pleas by the community for justice for the illegal destruction of their property worth millions of naira, as well as alleged intimidation, harassment and disregard for the rule of law.

The community had, Monday, protested the alleged demolition of several houses in their community, as well as arrest and maiming of their Village Head (Enogie), Sunday Eghosasere Omoregie, and the community’s Chief Priest (Ohen), Philip Uwuoroya, by a group of chiefs, led by Frank Irabor.

The protesters made up of land developers, women, leaders and youths in the community, among others, took their protest to the Government House, where they called on the state government to intervene and rescue them from the hands of those they described as “tormentors.”

The community lamented that the dastardly act prosecuted by Frank Irabor and his co-travelers has left many residents homeless, inflicting pains and sufferings on the people, expressing worry that the state may soon plunge into crisis if nothing is done to curtail these excesses and penchant for illegality.

PHOTO CAPTION

Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council, Mr. Frank Irabor (in sky blue native) being led by security operatives to Oko Maximum Prison, after he was remanded along with other defendants by an Edo State High Court, Benin City on Thursday, September 1, 2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZ_YOLFHh6Y