₦airaland Forum

Councilors in Edo State’s Orhionmwon Local Government Council Legislative Arm have impeached the suspended Council Chairman and Deputy, Newman Ugiagbe and Midwest Ogbebor respectively.

The impeachment which was reportedly carried out on Thursday at the Orhionmwon local government headquarters in Abudu had in attendance Clark of the House and several Councillors.

The Leader of the legislative arm, Rt. Hon. Daniel Osarieme said Ugiagbe was impeached as chairman for high-handedness, massive corruption and other breach of relevant laws.

Until his impeachment, Ugiagbe was also the chairman, Association of Local Government Officials of Nigeria (ALGON) in Edo State.

Meanwhile, Osarieme (leader of the Orhionmwon legislative arm), representing Ward 12, has been sworn in as Acting Council chairman following Ugiagbe’s removal.

In a related development termed as a “bold move to uphold transparency, accountability, and good governance”, the Orhionmwon Legislative Arm has suspended three of its members over allegations of financial gross misconduct and incompetence.

According to the legislative arm, “this decisive action sends a strong message that unethical behavior and dereliction of duty will not be tolerated.”

The suspended members include Hon. Elizebeth Ehimwenma (Deputy Leader), Ward 07; Rt. Hon. Chuks Isan (Member), Ward 11; and Hon. Osasumwen Ekhator (Member) Ward 03.

“They were found guilty of mismanaging public funds, violating financial regulations, and demonstrating gross incompetence in the discharge of their duties,” the report noted.

The allegations against them were said to have been thoroughly investigated by the Legislative House’s Ethics Committee, which reportedly uncovered compelling evidence of wrongdoing.

“The suspension of the three members is a significant step towards restoring public trust and confidence in the Legislative House. It demonstrates the institution’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability”, the report added.

“The suspension of the three legislative members is a bold step towards promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability. It demonstrates the Legislative House’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity and ethics. As the institution continues to work towards restoring public trust and confidence, it is essential that all members adhere to the principles of good governance and accountability.”

https://metrowatchonline.com/breaking-councillors-sack-suspended-edo-local-govt-council-chairman-vice/

The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has approved the reconstitution of the Governing Council of the state-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma.

In a statement on Tuesday issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq., the governor named PDP Vice Chairman (South-South), Chief Dan Orbih as chairman of council.

Other members of the council include Martins Osakwe, Prof. Steve Amiemenkharu Iyayi, Hon. Lukman Muhammad, Prof. Idialu Jeremiah Uwaifo- Member, Prof. Eric Kelly Inanemo Omogbai and Prof. Omoruyi Ikponmwonse Osahon.

“The appointment of the aforementioned names to constitute the membership of the Governing Council, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, is with effect from December 31, 2024”, the statement noted.

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has approved the renaming of the state-owned Edo State University, Uzairue to its original name, Edo University, Iyamho.

The development was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq., and made available to journalists on Monday, in Benin City.

According to him, the development is with immediate effect.

This change comes four years after the university’s name was changed by Okpebholo’s predecessor and immediate-past governor, Godwin Obaseki, in 2020.

The change which was carried out by Obaseki during the fallout with his then godfather and predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, who founded the university in 2016, was met with criticism.

While announcing the revert of the eight-year-old university to its original name, the SSG noted: “Accordingly, all documentations in respect of the Institution henceforth shall reflect the above change.”

The Edo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo, has placed a ban on direct cash collection in respect of revenue collection in the State.

This is coming on the heels of the series of complaints that some persons masquerading as revenue officers in the guise of unionists are extorting commercial bus drivers and market women across the state.

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq., on Tuesday, government has adopted the existing template developed by the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) for revenue collection.

“Government has fully resolved that the System of revenue collection in the State shall solely be predicated on the existing template developed by the EIRS in conjunction with the Local Government Councils and the various Associations in the State,” the statement reads in part.

The statement reiterated on the earlier ban on unlicensed agents and touts from revenue collection across the State.

According to the SSG, the direction, which only recognized EIRS’ licensed Agents, was to ensure the protection of the citizenry from any form of extortion as well as safeguard State revenue collection processes from any leakage.

“Security Agents have been put on alert and any person or group who decides to flout this directive would be held accountable,” added SSG Ikhilor.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has signed the 2025 Appropriation bill of N675 billion, tagged 'Budget of Renewed Hope for A Rising Edo' into law after the bill was passed by the Edo State House of Assembly.

Assenting to the bill at the Government House, Benin City, Governor Okphebholo said the budget would revive the economy of Edo State and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the State.

Governor Okpebholo said: “I have just signed into law, a budget of 675,220,058,858.52 tagged a renewed Hope budget for a rising Edo. It is hoped that the 2025 approved budget will revive the economy of Edo State and deliver the dividend of democracy to the good people of the state."

He also mentioned that, in preparing the budget, special care was taken to ensure that a larger percentage was appropriated for capital expenditure, stressing the administration’s commitment to embarking on massive capital project in the new fiscal year

The Governor further commended the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Agbebaku and other members of the Assembly for the speedy consideration of the budget.

Speaking earlier while presenting the bill to the governor, Rt Hon. Agbebaku said the budget was significantly increased from the initial sum of 605billion to ensure more funds is allotted to the agricultural sector.

The member representing Esan South-East Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, Ojezele Osezua Sunday, on Monday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) saying his return to the party is homecoming.

Sunday, who is a former member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), officially joined the APC at the party’s State Secretariat in Benin City, Edo State.

He said he was a one-time member of the APC who defected to the PDP in 2019 alongside the former governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

The lawmaker cited irreconcilable differences in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a major reason he defected to the ruling party.

“I am indebted to the APC, and that is what I am here today to pay my debt by returning to the APC.

“In the year 2019, I was in the APC, but joined the PDP when I had to due to irreconcilable differences.

“But today, with the issues rocking the PDP, I am back to the APC to pay my debt I owe the party since it was the APC’s platform that I got my mandate as a lawmaker in the House of Assembly,” Sunday said.

Receiving the defector, acting chairman of the APC in Edo State, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, welcomed the lawmaker to the APC, describing himself as an asset to the party.

Tenebe said the lawmaker’s defection to the APC was long overdue following the defeat the PDP suffered in the September 21st Edo Governorship election.

With this development, the 24-member Edo Assembly now has 13 PDP lawmakers, 10 APC lawmakers and 1 Labour Party lawmaker. With the return of the state to APC, more PDP legislators are expected to decamp to the APC in the coming days.

The Edo State House of Assembly on Monday passed the state 2025 budget of N675 billion for assent by the Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

The passage followed the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Budget and Project Monitoring at plenary in Benin City.

Presenting the report, chairman of the committee, Sunday Fada, (PDP, Esan Central) said the budget was made up of N225 billion recurrent expenditure and N451 billion capital expenditure.

Fada noted that the committee came up with the increase in the budgetary allocation to enable the governor carry out his five points agenda in the state.

The House at the committee of Supply, considered the budget clause by clause and subsequently, approved the increase from N605.7 billion to N675 billion.

The Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku, thereafter directed Mr Yahaya Omogbai, the clerk of the house to forward clean copies of the budget to the governor for his assent.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State Council, has dismissed claims by its national secretariat that the Edo State Government forcefully broke into and ransacked the Edo State Labour House.

In a statement jointly signed by the Acting State Chairman, Comrade Bernard Jorman Egwekhide, and the Acting State Secretary, Comrade Kingsley Ireotoi, the state council described the allegations as false, misleading, and baseless.

The council clarified that at no point were police officers used to force entry into the Labour House. Instead, the police officers seen in a video shared by former chairman, Comrade Odion Olaye, were stationed at the premises upon the request of the Congress leadership to safeguard the building and its properties.

The statement emphasized the longstanding cordial relationship between the Edo State Government and the various labour unions, including the NLC.

It highlighted recent engagements, such as a meeting between the state government and labour representatives aimed at addressing irregularities in the minimum wage (administrative wage) implemented by the previous administration.

“Furthermore, the Edo State Government has never engaged in any acts of vandalism or intimidation against labour unions or their properties. We believe such allegations are intended to tarnish the image of the state government and sow unnecessary discord between the government and the labour unions,” the statement read.

The Edo NLC urged the national secretariat to mandate Odion Olaye to provide evidence to substantiate its claims, stressing the need to avoid unfounded accusations that could strain the positive relationship between the state government and the labour community.

Judolisco:
na d previous administration

Judolisco:
Dem ban touts, you brought them back..... Sha na everywhere.... Even for Abuja.... U see able bodied men that should be farming or doing something productive with their lives, doing agbero....even inside airport, you can't carry your relatives in peace, dis idiots will start questioning you

RoxyBrownAutos:
What do the governor expect to see. The governor unbanned the activities of touts popularly known as agboro which was ban by previous administration. So get ready for chaos in the coming days.

The Edo State Government, under Governor Monday Okpebholo, has said it has not given authorization to any union to collect revenue from commercial drivers in the State.

This is as a result of some persons masquerading as revenue officers under the newly inaugurated leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

There are series of complaints that some persons in the guise of unionists across the State have refused to heed to the directive given by the Edo State Government on the ban on revenue collection.

Some drivers had embarked on a peaceful protest on Friday to register their displeasure over the collection of revenue wherein bus drivers were forced to pay N1,000 while taxi drivers pay N500 – a situation which led to an increase in transport fare.

Governor Okpebholo who received the complaints immediately set up a committee to wade into the matter ensuring that it did not escalate into crisis as the state at this time needs peace and stability to enable the current administration fulfill its campaign promises to Edo people.

The committee set up by the governor is headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor.

Other members of the Committee set up to look into the issues of revenue collection include the Chief Security Officer to the Governor (CSO), President of NURTW, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Drivers on Wheels and others.

The State Coordinator, Edo State Public Response Safety Team (PRST) Kelly Okungbowa who is a member of the committee led other members on a sensitization tour to various motor parks in the Benin metropolis to relay government’s position on the development to stakeholders.

Okungbowa said the governor is not happy with the issue and had therefore directed that it must stop forthwith until government gives further directives on the matter.

“Some groups came out yesterday under the aegis of NURTW saying you people should pay revenue, collecting N1,000 from bus drivers and N500 from taxi drivers as revenue. This led to protests by drivers calling on the State governor to step in and rescue them from various unions.The governor immediately called for a meeting to look into the matter.

“The governor immediately set up a committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief Security Officer to the Governor (CSO), President of NURTW, RTEAN, Drivers on Wheels and others. We all resolved that nobody should collect money from drivers as the directive is for us all to hold on on revenue collection”, he said.

Okungbowa added that Governor Okpebholo is a listening governor who does not like oppression, and said the governor has not given any group or union authority to collect revenues from drivers.

“The governor will announce the way forward as his administration is looking at the template of revenue collection and studying the way forward on the issue. Don’t be intimidated by anybody until the government makes a pronouncement on the new issue”, he stated.

A driver at the Sakponba axis of the State, Mr. Nnamdi Chidi commended the governor for stepping in and not allowing the matter degenerate into crisis before responding. He noted that his actions show that he loves Edo people particularly the drivers who are being intimidated, harassed and molested on a daily basis by union leaders.

Another driver, Uche Umeh thanked the governor for sending a clear message and clarifying the issues.

“We are happy that at least for now, we know we are not to pay anybody revenue until the government says so”.

Recall that the governor on assumption of office placed a ban on revenue collection to enable the state government put in place a more enduring template.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has extended his warmest congratulations to the newly-crowned 45th Miss Nigeria, Doris Esiokhayamhe Ogah on her outstanding achievement.

According to the governor, “As a proud representative of the South South Geopolitical Zone and Edo State, Miss Ogah has brought honour and prestige to our great state.”

Governor Okpebhbolo conveyed his congratulatory message through a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Fred Itua, on Friday, in Benin City.

He said Miss Ogah’s triumph is not only a testament to her beauty, intelligence, and charm but also a reflection of her exceptional talents and passions.

“As a lawyer and gender advocate, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to promoting the rights and empowerment of women and girls”, he said. “Her participation in the Miss Nigeria pageant was more than just a beauty contest; it was an opportunity for her to showcase her skills, values, and dedication to making a positive impact in society.

“During the pageantry process, Miss Ogah’s exceptional business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit shone brightly as she won the business pitch event with an innovative product designed to support women and girls, which is a testament to her creativity, resourcefulness, and passion for driving positive change.

“Edo State Governor is proud to have Miss Ogah as an Ambassador of our State, and he celebrates her achievement as victory for all Edo people. Her success is a reminder that our State is home to talented, intelligent, and driven individuals who are making a difference in various fields,” the governor noted.

The statement added: “As Miss Nigeria, Ogah will have a platform to amplify her voice and advocate for the causes she cares about, and I have no doubt that she will use her position to inspire and empower young women and girls, promoting education, entrepreneurship, and social justice.

“Once again, I congratulate Miss Doris Esiokhayamhe Ogah on her well-deserved victory and wish her all the best as she embarks on this exciting journey as Miss Nigeria.”

https://metrowatchxtra.com/2024/12/20/gov-okpebholo-congratulates-edo-born-new-miss-nigeria-doris-ogah/

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has lifted the ban on activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the State.

Accordingly, the Union has elected a new set of executive members who will pilot its affairs for the next four years.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, on Friday in Benin City.

He said the new executive led by Comrade Saturday Oamen which was inaugurated at the Government House in Benin City, was charged to bring peace, progress, orderliness and protection of the rights of the common man.

The charge was made by Governor Okpebholo, National President of NURTW, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as Mc Oluomo and other national officers of the union.

The swearing-in of the newly elected chairman and other executive members of the Edo NURTW followed the lifting of ban on union activities by Governor Okpebholo.

The inauguration of the new executive was performed on behalf of the National Headquarters by the National Secretary of the Union, Comrade Kayode Agbeyana with the Oath of Office administered on the newly elected State Council officials for a four year tenure.

Governor Okpebholo represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Umar Musa Ikhilor, expressed the appreciation of the Governor for the support given to him during the September 21 gubernatorial election hence the lifting of the ban to enable the union contribute to the development of the State.

The Governor said the NURTW as an arm of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) represents the interests of Edo people and promised that his administration has resolved to bring peace, progress and orderliness to the union.

He noted that with hundreds of thousands of members of the union across the country the State Government is comfortable with its national leadership under Alh. Musiliu Akinsanya describing him as a man who will bring peace to the State branch of the union.

He added that with the support of President Bola Tinubu and the first Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Edo will witness lots of dividends of democracy denied the people by the immediate past administration.

Okpebholo tasked the newly inaugurated Executive to bring the desired change to the road transport sector in the State.

“I express my profound appreciation for the support given to me during my campaigns for the governorship election. That was why I decided to lift the ban, open the doors to welcome you.

“This is a government for the people, we recognize NURTW as an arm of NLC and a very vital organ representing the ordinary people and the workers. In this light, my administration will support and work closely with the union to bring peace, orderliness and progress to Edo State.

“We take this union very seriously because it caters for the common man who the government represents. We are very happy and comfortable with the leadership of the union. We are confident that they will bring the needed peace and orderliness in the State.

“Edo State under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda will witness a lot of progress, development and growth like never before. We hope that this union will bring the desired change in the road transport sector in the State.

“Our charge to this union is that there should be peace, orderliness, prosperity and let no man be oppressed under the leadership of the union,” he said.

On his part, National President of NURTW Alh. Musiliu Akinsanya urged the new Edo State NURTW Chairman Comrade Saturday Oamen to carry every member along and ensure peace across all branches across the eighteen local government areas of the State Chapter.

He emphasized that keeping in touch with members will guarantee his success in the next four years.

National General Secretary, Comrade Kayode Agbeyana noted that despite the disarray which previously affected the Union’s activities the State Governor lifted the ban on activities of the union to enable their swearing-in to bring peace and progress to the State’s Transport sector.

Edo State Ag. Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Bernard Joman said the inauguration attests to the rescue of the NURTW after over twenty years of hijack by previous leaderships of the union.

“For over 20 years now, one person has been the Chairman of this union but the performing governor of Edo State came and rescued the union and the people of Edo State.

“On behalf of NLC we thank the governor for his move to restore the union back to its former glory by ensuring the right thing is done.”

The immediate-past administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki ‘which hurriedly commissioned uncompleted projects in its twilight’, has left the new administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo with a huge debt burden amounting to about N200 billion, being outstanding commitments to contractors who were only given mobilization fees.

Chairman of the Assets Verification Committee constituted to investigate some activities of the previous administration, Dr. Ernest Afolabi-Umakhihe made this known during a press conference in Benin City, Edo State.

He noted that the Okpebholo administration cannot deny Edo people the opportunity of good road networks especially during this dry season, hence the need for government to quickly act in good time to approve some of the ongoing road projects.

“There are huge outstanding commitments in respect of road infrastructure. No matter how indecent some of our findings are, the government has to explore the dry season to make an appreciable intervention in road construction.

“Most of the ongoing projects were awarded during the year 2024 and that leaves the new government with a huge burden amounting to about N200 billion being outstanding commitments to contractors who were only given mobilization which in some cases were paid back to government officials as disclosed by some contractors”, he said.

The Chairman said there was also non-adherence to the Edo State Public Procurement Law in the award of major contracts, which led to several dubious variations of contract sums. He added that in some cases, the variations were higher than the initial contract sum.

“The transaction on the Radisson Hotel project leaves so much to be desired. Whilst the project was initiated by the State Government by sourcing over N17.5b from the Stock Market and an initial payment of N2 billion for acquisition of land, it is noted that just before the exit of the immediate past administration, the ownership had changed, leaving Edo State, the core investor with 20% ownership.

“The Museum of West Africa Arts–MOWAA is captured as an independent private trust sitting on government land. The Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism has minimal supervision on the project. Till date, Edo state has no equity stake in MOWAA even though the State had spent N3.8b as contribution.

“EDSG commiting to paying over N5b for cyber security software license for the EdoGov platform for just three years starting from 2023 to 2025. Out of this sum, N1.7b has already been paid by the immediate past government.
These are just some of the snippets of what we have unraveled.

“By the 6th January, 2025 when we return, we will be looking at other critical sectors of the State; the housing sector, education (SUBEB and EDOBEST), Ministry of Environment, College of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Nursing Sciences, Ministry of Health, all Agricultural projects including grants from donor agencies, Edo Oil Palm Project, EDSOGPADEC, MOWAA, Edo Electrification Agency, sale of shares in BUA Cement, the Modular Refinery among others”, he disclosed.

Noblechykk:
The news is confusing me. Did Obaseki dash Ighodalo cars belonging to Edo state government? In what capacity did Ighodalo serve under Obaseki. Please can someone help deconfuse me because it is still confusing me

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the last gubernatorial election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, as well as his running mate and former Secretary to Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie, and former Executive Chairman, Edo State Public Procurement Agency, Henry Idogun, and others holding on to government vehicles, have gone into hiding.

It was observed that the trio were also absent from the Governorship Election Tribunal sitting on Wednesday in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

Their absence from the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin City may not be unconnected with the 72-hour deadline given to former government officials of the previous administration to return vehicles under their custody.

The Edo State Government had given all former government officials under the immediate-past administration a 72-hour deadline within which to return all official vehicles in their possessions or risk arrest, prosecution and possible jail terms for stealing.

Chairman of the Committee set up to recover vehicles belonging to Edo state Government, Kelly Okungbowa, said the State Government will not relent until it recovers all vehicles stolen by officials, friends, family members and political associates of the Godwin Obaseki-led administration.

Ighodalo who was in court at the inaugural sitting of the Tribunal was said to have over 21 vehicles in his custody which he has refused to return to the State Government despite all efforts made by the committee to recover the vehicles.

The former Executive Chairman, Edo State Public Procurement Agency, Henry Idogun, has also refused to return 11 vehicles in his custody and has put off his phones to avoid calls from the committee.

Others who failed to appear at the election petition tribunal for fear of being arrested by security agencies include former Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie who has refused to return four cars belonging to the Edo State Government.

“Former Commissioner for education Joan Osa-Oviawe has three government vehicles with her; former Commissioner for Physical Planning, Housing, Urban and Regional Development Isoke Omo, five vehicles; Gabriel Obaseki two vehicles; John Inegbedion five vehicles; former Chief of Staff Osaigbovo Iyoha has five cars among others,” said Okungbowa.

Ighodalo who claimed that his mandate was stolen has avoided the court premises where he intends to seek for justice for his mandate.

Edo State Government has advised him and others still holding to government vehicles to return them because there will be consequences for refusal to comply with government directives.

ToIu:
The statement is not complete comrade.

It's round 2 of round 4