₦airaland Forum

..Sets Registration Target For Fulani Group

The seven-man committee set up by the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki in each of the state’s 18 Local Government Areas to check clashes between herdsmen and farmers, have commenced sitting.

Members of each committee include the council chairman, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), representative of the Directorate of State Security Service, two representatives of the Hausa/Fulani Community, and two representatives among local farmers.

The committee in Owan West Local Government Area convened a meeting at the weekend, presided over by the council chairman, Hon. Frank Ilaboya.

Held at the council secretariat in Sabongida-Ora, the meeting was hailed as a novel avenue to address clashes between the host communities and the Hausa/Fulani groups in the local council.

Some of the resolutions reached at the meeting include the setting up a mechanism to register new herdsmen into any community within the local government area, the report of which should be submitted to the committee. The report will include information on incidents of clashes between herdsmen and farmers. The report is to be transmitted to a similar committee set up by the governor at the state level.

Representatives of the Fulani community, at the meeting, agreed to commence biometric registration for their members in the local government area.

Recall that Governor Godwin Obaseki in a parley with national leaders of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and heads of security agencies in Benin City, maintained that the ban on night-grazing stands, and approved a 40-day window request by the group to allow new members in their midst register with the state government.

The governor also disclosed that the state government has put structures in place to check herdsmen/farmers clashes in the state.

According to him, the structures will ensure proper identification of herders in the state, while sensitisation programmes will be organised for them.

Source: http://thebellng.com/herdsmen-farmers-clashes-council-security-committee-meets-in-edo/

Edo is fast becoming the Dubai of Nigeria, attracting people from all parts of the world.

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… Edo can become a model for partnership between EU and Africa – Envoy

Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the state government was working to reach a common ground with the European Union (EU) on strategies to halt human trafficking, illegal migration and modern day slavery.

Obaseki disclosed this when he received a delegation from the EU Parliament at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State capital.

He explained the need for the EU to develop skills development programme for victims of human trafficking and other youths in the state, noting, “This will enable the victims and others acquire skills, which will offer them hope. What we require is support, not necessarily cash, but skills development programmes so that our youths can gain practical knowledge and skills to lead better lives.”

Obaseki said the state government has several initiatives in place to tackle human trafficking and illegal migration but requires additional support to sustain the initiatives. “Just imagine, if we need to give technical or vocational training to 3,000 to 5,000 young men and women, where are the teachers, where are the facilities? Much as we are not discouraged, we need support to provide these structures,” he averred.

According to him, “The state government is making effort to provide reliable data and projects in the areas of agriculture, logistics and vocational training to create employment for unemployed youths. The Benin Technical College is a work in progress and we anticipate that it would be near completion before the end of the year.

“The workshops and laboratories have to be furnished; we have to recruit teachers, who have to be sent abroad for training. These are some of the areas the EU could provide technical support to assist the government and provide support for skills acquisition for young people.”

He also urged the EU to develop a mechanism to gather intelligence for tracking and prosecuting traffickers in Europe.

Dr. Josef Weidenholzer, who led the delegation from the EU Parliament said, “The European Union Parliament will partner with the Edo State Government to come up with a common solution to curb illegal migration as the state and the EU share in the problem. This will strengthen the existing ties between EU and Nigeria to resolve illegal migration and human trafficking.”

Dr. Weidenholzer commended the governor for his approach and the structures put in place to curb illegal migration and human trafficking, adding, “The EU is ready to assist the state government. Edo State can become a model for a new relationship between Europe and Africa.”

PHOTO 1:
L-R: European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria, Ketil Karlsen; Member, EU Parliament, Josef Weidenholzer; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Members, EU Parliament; J. Sargentini; M. Mikolasi; and Joachim Zelder, during a courtesy visit by the delegation from the EU Parliament to the Government House in Benin City, Edo State capital.

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Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has strengthened ties with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), reiterating the state government’s commitment to curbing the menace of human trafficking and illegal migration.

The governor disclosed this when he received the new Comptroller of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Edo State Command, Mr. Kayode Eniolohunda and other senior officials of the service, at the Government House, Benin City, the Edo State Capital.

Obaseki noted that his administration is determined to curb human trafficking and illegal migration and will be counting on the support of the service, particularly in the areas of investigation and prosecution. He said, “With the feelers we have received so far, we are confident that human trafficking will be reduced by at least 50 percent before the end of this year.”

“We are encouraged by the support received from the European Union and have agreed to have a conference in the state before June this year, where we will reveal all the steps taken to deal with human trafficking and illegal migration.”

He said he has directed the local governments to secure office spaces for officers of the service to enable them integrate properly into the state’s security architecture.

The governor added that he will continue to work with the Service to secure Visas and other necessary documents for foreign investors coming into the state for business.

Earlier, Edo State Comptroller of the Nigerian Immigration, Mr Kayode Eniolohunda expressed the command’s support for the governor’s policies, far-reaching reforms as well as the fight against illegal migration.

He said the Service has also picked Edo state as a pilot city to launch its enlightenment handbook called “Passport to Safe Migration.”

"We hope to launch this programme in collaboration with other stakeholders, particularly the Edo State Taskforce on Human Trafficking, which has done wonderfully well within the short period of its establishment.”

PHOTO 1:
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Comptroller, Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Edo State Command, Eniolorunda R.K.; Deputy Comptroller Immigration (DCI), Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC), NIS, Edo State Command, Agwai T.; and Assistant Comptroller Immigration (ACI), Investigation and Compliance, (NIS), Edo State Command, Momoh A., during the visit of the NIS officials to the governor at the Government House, Benin City.

Ehisbaba78:
Quite philosophical.

My advice to the remnants of Edo PDP is to stop looking for fault lines where there is none. They should also stop manufacturing lies in the name of politics. Come up with constructive ideas that will take this state even higher, and I am sure that our practical governor, with his listening ear, will listen and carry along any good idea you may bring to the table.

Wise talk Ehis, but I think they are bereft of good ideas.

Suniyamu:
Edo PDP is simply drowning, and you know what happens to a drowning man? He tends to grope around, grabbing just anything, even thing air.

You have said it all my brother.

…redeploys Perm Sec, Min. of Environment

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has sacked the Commissioner of Environment and Sustainability, Mr. Reginald Okun.

The General Manager, Edo State Waste Management Board, Mr. Aiyamenkue Akonofua, has also been retired.

The governor also directed that the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Mrs. Obahiagbon R.E., be redeployed.

In a statement signed by Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., the state government directed the officials to “handover their assignments to the most senior government official in their offices with immediate effect. They are also to handover all government property in their possession to the appropriate authorities.”

In the statement, the government thanked the disengaged officials for their service to the state and wished them well in their future endeavours.

http://thebellng.com/breaking-obaseki-fires-environment-commissioner-waste-management-board-gm/

..commiserates with family

..orders arrest, prosecution of killers

The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has expressed shock at the news of the brutal killing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leader in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state, Mr. Samson Sedi, who was allegedly shot by armed robbers on Wednesday night in Jattu.

“I was shocked on receiving the news of Mr. Samson Sedi’s death. My heart goes out to his family. I have ordered the relevant security agencies to arrest the killers and prosecute them without delay,” Obaseki said.

He described the late Sedi as “a grassroots mobiliser, a philanthropist who cared for orphans and a great lover of people, whose death is a huge loss to Edo people and the APC.”

Mr. Sedi was allegedly killed by armed robbers while attempting to rescue a female petrol station attendant in Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area, who was being robbed on Wednesday in Jattu.

“I learnt he was driving into a road around a petrol station in Jattu and heard a female petrol station attendant shouting for help. The late Sedi, drove into the petrol station to ascertain what was happening, only to be shot by the armed robbers who were operating at the petrol station. Sedi has been with us in our party for a long time and I sympathise with his family,” the governor said.

Sedi who was fondly called ‘Power Remain’ by his friends and supporters, was a rallying point for APC youths in his ward and constituency.


Source: http://thebellng.com/obaseki-expresses-shock-at-killing-of-apc-youth-leader-sedi/

Sequel to the intervention of Governor Godwin Obaseki in the case of defilement of a 9-year-old minor in Oliha area of Benin city, her 70-year-old grandfather, Francis Ezomo and his two sons, who allegedly defiled her, have been arraigned by the police at Evbuoriaria Magistrate Court.

The trio are facing two count charges of conspiracy and defilement.

Upon arrival in court, the minor, who is now under the custody of Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, broke into tears on sighting her guardian and others docked.

Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Julie Olatunji, told the court that the minor had informed her headmistress how the accused persons defiled her severally after she was quizzed about her unusual gait.

Olatunji said the case was thereafter reported by the Acting Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, at the state Executive Council meeting, where Governor Godwin Obaseki ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter, which led to the arraignment of the suspects.

The permanent secretary told the court that upon medical examination, the girl’s hymen was discovered to have been broken and infected and that she was currently undergoing treatment.

The defendants pleaded not guilty in the charges against them. But counsel to the 1st accused person, Mr Ozomo, Barrister Simeon Atalor, however, applied for bail for the defendant, whom he said was ill and visually-impaired.

The court subsequently granted Mr Ozomo N100,000 bail with a surety in the like sum.

But two of his sons, Nosa and Festus were denied bail.

The case has been adjourned till April 19.

For the breaking story and photos, also visit http://thebellng.com/edo-govt-hands-over-father-two-sons-to-police-for-defiling-9-yr-old-child/

solutionmi:
The International Day also aims to raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice today.
In order to be more permanently honour our land that flows with Milk and Honey must reflects on the life of common man on the street.

Very good input. Weldon!

Another plus for Governor Obaseki

Nice move!

...salutes Benin Monarch’s stance on human trafficking, assures Edo’s new law will check menace

The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has urged world leaders to strengthen existing laws and policies against all forms of slavery, to uphold the dignity of the human being.

Obaseki made the call in commemoration of the United Nations International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, marked on March 25 each year.

He decried the reappearance of slavery in Libya and other parts of the world, several decades after it was abolished, and hailed the efforts of the Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, at bringing an end to human trafficking in the state.

“Since the intervention by Oba Ewuare II, we have received positive feedbacks from the camps of the human traffickers in Europe and other parts of the world. They have been rattled and many of them have given up the inhuman trade for decent lifestyles, knowing the weight of the royal pronouncements.”

The governor assured that “with the extensive and speedy work that have been done by the Edo State House of Assembly on the ‘Bill to Prohibit Trafficking in Persons and Establish the Edo State Taskforce Against Trafficking in Persons’, the stage is set for an all out war against human traffickers and their collaborators.”

He said the Bill, when signed into law, will strengthen existing Federal Government laws and agencies in tackling human trafficking.

Obaseki noted that the United Nations International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, should remind everyone of the millions of lives that were lost; namely women, children and young men.

“We must never go that route again. In Edo State, we have lost thousands of our young men and women to illegal migration and human trafficking and this is unacceptable.

“My administration is committed to a new order that will engage our productive youths in dignifying and rewarding economic ventures that earn them decent wages,” he added.

According to the United Nations, “for over 400 years, more than 15 million men, women and children were the victims of the tragic transatlantic slave trade, one of the darkest chapters in human history.

“Every year on March 25, the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade offers the opportunity to honour and remember those who suffered and died at the hands of the brutal slavery system. The International Day also aims to raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice today.”

In order to more permanently honour the victims, a memorial has been erected at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

An exhibition titled “Remember Slavery: Say It Loud” has been on display since March 5, in the Visitors Lobby at United Nations Headquarters New York.

The exhibit is organised as part of the commemoration of the 2018 International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, under the theme “Remember Slavery: Triumphs and Struggles for Freedom and Equality”.

“The theme celebrates the gains of people of African descent from slavery to present. It also acknowledges the challenges that have been overcome in the movement towards freedom and equality in all professions” the UN said.

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Other Photos From The Condolence Visit..

...says Edo people are proud of his Epic qualities

Governor Godwin Obaseki has celebrated the life and times of the Patriarch of the Abebe Family, late Dr. Christopher Abebe (OFR), describing him as one who embodied traits that stood him out as not just a true son of Edo State, but one with an Epic Edo character.

Obaseki who was in Iruekpen, on Sunday, to commiserate with the Abebe family on the passing of their patriarch in the company of some members of his cabinet, said Dr. Abebe impacted many lives in Nigeria and played a critical role in the development of the nation.

He said late Dr. Abebe was a true Christian during his lifetime, noting that his life was a model for many people.

The governor noted that despite the challenges he faced in life, late Abebe was able to overcome them all and make something out of nothing in life. “Papa Abebe, with just standard six education, worked hard to gain the trust of his employers and was able to get to the apex in life," Obaseki said.

He said late Dr. Abebe was disciplined, honest, dedicated and committed to what he did, adding, "We will continue to remember him with pride and admiration."

Obaseki assured the family that his administration will continue to support them in their trying time.

Eldest son of the deceased, Dr. John Abebe, thanked the governor and his entourage for finding time to grieve with the family. He said his late father lived a life of charity, as he continued to donate to individuals and organisations.

"I thought I was good at charity, but my discovery of Papa’s charity work shows I am nowhere near him. Papa, who retired in the 1980s, gave to charity from his little pension, " Dr. John Abebe said.

The late Abebe was the first Nigerian Chairman/ Managing Director of United African Company Nigeria Limited and the first Nigerian chairman of Nigerian Breweries.

The father of the late former First Lady, Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, was at various times the Pro-chancellor of the University of Benin, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the University of Calabar.

PHOTO 1:
L-R: Ejomo of Ekpoma, Chief Ezekiel Ainabe, Wife of the deceased, Mrs. Theresa Abebe, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (standing), son of the deceased, Dr. John Abebe, during the condolence visit to Abebe's family at Iruekpen, Esan West Local Government Area, Edo State, by Governor Obaseki, on Sunday, March 25, 2018.

Suniyamu:
Edo like London! Kudos to Obaseki

Yes O

PHOTO3:
The police chief at the government house

PHOTO2:
Acting Chairman, Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Basic Education, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, addressing journalists after the handing over of three persons suspected to have defiled a minor, to the Police in Benin City.

he Edo State government has handed over 70 years old Francis Ezomo, and his two sons; Nosa Ezomo, 26 years old and Festus Ezomo, 29 years old, to the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Johnson Kokumo, for allegedly defiling a nine-year-old girl, who is a relative of Mr Francis Ezomo’s wife.


The Acting Chairman of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Basic Education, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, told journalists after the suspects were handed over to the Police at Government House, Benin City, that the case was reported to her office by the headmistress of the minor.


“The issue came to the limelight when the headmistress of the minor's school noticed a change of behaviour in the minor and decided to ask her what the problem was. The nine years old girl narrated her ordeal to the headmistress who then informed the Education Secretary of the local government council where the alleged crime took place. We then swung into action and got the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development involved,” Dr. Oviawe said.


The SUBEB boss added that when “we could not get the necessary action required from the Police, the state government swung into action and these three men were apprehended almost immediately.”


She explained that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has taken custody of the child who is now in a safe place and assured that SUBEB would ensure that her education is not truncated.


"What the men have done is bad and their actions have attempted to destroy the life and future of the minor. The three men took advantage of the child and exposed her to trauma. We have waded into the case to ensure justice prevails,” Oviawe said.


The commissioner of police assured that his men would investigate the allegation and charge the case to court.

“Scientific investigation for the minor was sent to the hospital and a doctor report has shown that her hymen has been broken. The scientific report has established that the minor was sexually abused. We will investigate the case and charge them to court,” Kokumo said, and urged parents not to leave the duty of nurturing their children to teachers in schools.


“Nurturing a child is not just the responsibility of the school, both parents and guardians have a lot of roles to play in the proper training up of our children,” the police boss said.

Source: http://thebellng.com/edo-govt-hands-over-father-two-sons-to-police-for-defiling-9-yr-old-child/

PHOTO1:
The suspects, 70 years old Friday Ezomo and his two sons, Nosa and Festus being paraded at the Government House, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

@0225front, you don't really need to bother yourself over sightless cum watch-less bigots.

At least you know the truth, which of course has set every discerning man like you and me very free. And Free indeed we are!

There is no plan to sell the state-owned radio and television station, Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) and the Nigerian Observer Newspaper to an individual.

The falsehood being peddled by the Edo State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a figment of their imagination.

Understandably, the depleted Edo PDP is idle and has all the time in the world to imagine the unimaginable. There is no plan, whether now or in the future to sell government enterprises to any individual.

Recall that Governor Obaseki paid unscheduled visits to the two media houses last year and was appalled by what he saw at the media houses; outdated equipment and a disenchanted workforce.

The stories of the visits were widely reported in the media and the governor has vowed to reposition the media houses for optimal performance and to play a major role in the educational sector.

For emphasis, the Edo State government led by Godwin Obaseki, is too sophisticated to indulge in acts that the Edo PDP members either went to jail for or are still visiting the offices of the anti-economic and financial crimes agencies, for!

He will not sell assets owned by the good and loving people of Edo State to any individual.


Crusoe Osagie

Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy to Edo State Governor

Source: http://edoinfocus.com/no-plan-to-sell-edo-broadcasting-service-observer-to-individual-obasekis-aide/

All that money could have touched many lives positively if Edo PDP had people's interest at heart.

I hope they all read this

Edo Herdsmen killing: You sent a mere letter to us,not a bill stopping open grazing - Edo Speaker tells PDP

THE Edo State House of Assembly yesterday described as untrue and surprising the claim by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state that it sent a bill to the House stopping open grazing in the state.

Reacting yesterday to the claim by the chairman of the state PDP, Chief Dan Orbih that the bill is before the state House of Assembly, Speaker of the House, Alhaji Kabiru Adjoto, explained that what was recieved by the House was ¨a mere letter which we recieved from the post office talking about open grazing and not a bill before us¨.

According to him, ¨There is a procedure for everything. The PDP knows the address of the Edo state House of Assembly, they know how to present a private member bill or sponsor a bill. But they cannot go to a post office and post a letter saying it is a bill, we don´t even know the person that sent it.

¨They used PDP letter head but no body signed it, who are the sponsors of the bill if it were a bill they sent to us.
Those who are sponsoring it should put their name. PDP is a political party is not the name of a person. If actually they intended to send a bill it means they have not followed the procedures, they simply went to the post office and sent the letter to all members using the address of the state House of Assembly.

¨We have PDP lawmakers in the House and if actually they are confused as to how to send a bill they should have used those ones as sponsors. There is supposed to be the names of the sponsors if it is a bill they actually sent and send to the House of Assembly not the post office.

¨What they sent was a mere letter, we need to know who is sponsoring the bill. They should follow the proper channel in sending it to the House and as the representatives of the people once the proper channel is followed we will treat the bill but as it is now, in the eyes of the law they have not done anything.

¨A bill is not something you send through the post office, the process of lawmaking is not mama akara business. They have PDP lawmakers in the House so if they are sincere about what they claimed they did they should have consulted those ones and even pass the bill through any of them¨ he stated.

On the menace of herdsmen in the state, Speaker Adjoto asserted that ¨ we have advised our constituents to be vigilante but not to take the laws into their hands. The real fulani herdsmen does not carry AK47 but we have criminal elements now carrying AK45 and we have told our people if we see such people get them arrested before they kill¨.

Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/edo-herdsmen-killing-sent-mere-letter-usnot-bill-stopping-open-grazing-edo-speaker-tells-pdp/

Photo:
Edo State House of Assembly Complex, Benin City

Edo is on the move to greatness. Thanks to our active governor.

[s]

EnEnPeecee:
He is such a useless man. Initialy he was in support of colony

[/s]

Try and put your use of words in check. Never rain insults on people, especially good people like Governor Obaseki.

Meanwhile, to put the records straight, there was never a time our respected and humble governor went for colonies, or we would have seen one by now.

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