₦airaland Forum

Beaf: It is not only the Yoruba, we from Edo and Delta too are citizens of the Western Niger. We want to follow our leader, the great Musiwa to Benin Republic.
He is a political megalith, a tectonic force and an intellectual mountain.

Edo Politics: Oba shuns Airhiavbere as President visits

The Oba of Benin, Om n’Oba Erediauwa, yesterday shunned the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) delegation which paid a courtesy visit to him in his palace.

The Oba who normally receives visitors to his palace personally yesterday asked the Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe to receive the delegation on his behalf while he stayed in his inner chambers.

In his prayers, the Iyase said “our son, the president came on a courtesy visit and after his visit, he should have a safe journey home.”

The President was thereafter asked to proceed alone to the inner chambers to see the Oba while others, including the PDP Candidate, Maj-Gen Charles Aihiavbere (rtd), were asked to vacate the palace hall.

It will be recalled that the Oba had at various times thrown his weight behind the candidature of Governor Adams Oshiomhole who was declared as the Benin candidate by the palace.

The Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri while speaking on behalf of the Oba during a visit of Governor Oshiomhole to the palace, with the Oba in attendance had said: “Adams Oshiomhole is the Benin candidate. He is the one who wants Benin City to join other modern cities in the country, so he is our candidate. Some people said the palace is playing politics. What is politics? The Oba himself is an embodiment of politics.

“If you have a house and you are old and your children did not come to paint the house and somebody from outside came and painted it and decorate it for you. Will you leave that person? Once again, we are voting for Adams Oshiomhole.

“As the Odionwere of Bini Kingdom, and I am speaking on behalf of the Oba, you are going to win. The Oracle has spoken. Anyone who disputes it or fights against the oracle, then let him fight on, we will wait and see the result.”

Nigerian army to unveil first locally made APCs

The Nigerian Army has concluded plans to unveil the first locally made Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), which is part of the ongoing reforms in the military and in line with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

This was disclosed by the Chief of Army Staff(COAS), Lt-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika during the press conference organised for the 2012 Nigerian Army Day Celebration(NADC L 2012).

Ihejirika who was represented by the Chief of Military-Civil Relations, Maj-Gen. Bitrus Kwaji said that the recent military innovation is the positive outcome of ongoing military reforms.

He disclosed that local production of APC and other military equipment will save about 30 per cent of import cost for the country.

He said: “The highpoint of the ceremony, which is expected to be witnessed by President Jonathan, among other dignitaries, include the unveiling of the Nigerian built APC, Combat Airborne Jump and Helicopter Rappelling, Combat March and a Pep talk on old days in the Infantry Corps by Maj-Gen. Emmanuel Abisoye (Rtd).

“The Nigerian Army has continued to make salient contributions to the development of Nigeria. The transformation agenda of the Federal Government has been the inspiration driving the vision of COAS to continue to lead the army on the part of professionalism”.

“This achievement is part of the transformation agenda of Mr. President for the Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to look inwards and the Nigerian Army decided to key-in and one of it is the building of this vehicle (APC). Through it Nigerian Army has saved the nation at least 30 per cent of importation”, he noted.

LAGOS—Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, in Lagos State, Nseobong Akpabio, has denied announcing closure of the Third Mainland Bridge for repair work.

Akpabio said FRSC rather informed the public that there would be diversions which would lead to delays during the period of repairs.

In a statement, Akpabio said: ‘’ The attention of FRSC has been drawn to alleged statements credited to it that the Third Mainland Bridge will be closed to traffic during the repair. This is not correct. To set the records straight, at no time did FRSC assert that the bridge will be closed or shut during the proposed repair work.

’’Rather, the corps only informed the public that there will be diversions and delays during the period. Therefore, they are advised to strictly adhere to road signs, traffic rules and regulations to avoid hitches.

”Also, the traffic information will be communicated from time to time via radio, television, newspapers and social media network.

’’The repair which is in phases will affect traffic into Lagos from Ogudu and Oworonsoki expressway. Also out of Lagos to same axis. However, the routes where there will be traffic restriction will be communicated to the public soon”.