Social Reporters News Service, published by IOE Publishers - CAC/BN/3400383

By Isaac Eranga The Government of Edo State has revealed that it would work with major stakeholders to decongest and improve sanitary conditions around major streets and markets in Benin City. The Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie, representing the State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, disclosed this, at an interactive session with landlords, traders, property owners and community leaders located around Ring road and environ. Governor Obaseki, calling for cooperation, said that his administration had come up with the ‘Edo Clean-Up Project’ and that he would carry the people along. ‘’We have discussed with the market women in the area and we have decided to interact with you as Landlords, traders, property owners and community leaders on the state of our environment and how to improve the sanitary condition of the area,” he said. He continued that the state government would not relent in its effort to restore law and order to the affected areas in the state, which

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday said the north must stop the blame game over lack of tangible development in the region. Abubakar stated this in a paper titled; “The Challenge of Unity, Diversity and National Development: Nigeria at Crossroads.’’ He spoke at the public presentation of Daily Stream newspaper at the Banquet Hall, Nigeria Airforce Conference Centre, Kado, Abuja. He said Nigerians must continue to live together as one country amidst the seeming pervasive climate of disunity. “If people get disillusioned, and in frustration, they embrace and imbibe all sorts of views, beliefs and ideas including ones that suggest that people from the other ethnic, religious or regional group is responsible for their woes. “Today, the three northern zones are the most backward. Instead of us to blame ourselves, we are blaming the south. “The (former) Senate President was saying we fought civil war about 50 years. When you fly today from the north to the east, they have

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, said Nigeria is facing a grim situation. He lamented that widening tribal and political crevices as well as economic hardship were taking huge toll on the country. Abubakar who spoke during the public presentation of a newspaper, the Daily Stream in Abuja warned that unless the structure of Nigeria which he said is currently posing an impediment to growth was retouched, the country’s situation  may worsen. The former vice president who was a guest speaker at the lecture which theme was: “The challenge of unity, diversity and national development: Nigeria at a crossroads” said the structure of Nigeria’s federation and governance constituted an impediment to its economic development, political stability and social harmony. “Changing them would help to place our country on a path to phenomenal and unhindered development. To persist in what we are doing now is to do injustice to ourselves and jeopardise our future. We should endea

A Nigeria born Randy Onuoha who is currently playing for Neftochimic Burgas in Netherlands has declared his readiness to fight for a shirt in Nigeria super Eagles. Onuoha in his tweeter handle said it will be of great honour for him to play for his father's land having refused his mother's request to play for her country, Netherlands. Randy who has a Nigerian father,  Charles Emeka Onuoha from Itukpa, Aba state, Nigeria and to Netherlands mother, Annelies van Es,  from Rotterdam, Netherlands Randy Onuoha was born on  1 April 1994 (age 23) in Lelystad, Netherlands. He is  1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)Height Playing Left full back with Jessy Number 17. His Youth career is from  2009–2013 Almere City. While Senior career from 2013 till date With Neftochimic Burgas. Randy Onuoha said with his active performance, he is ready to win all to Nigeria. " Nigeria is my country which I look forward to playing for any moment from now. If my mum has been troubling me to play for Netherlan

Benin- MEMBERS of the defunct Congress of Progressive Change (CPC), in Edo state, has accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of marginalizing them in terms of appointment and recognition. Spokesman for the group, Comrade Momoh Dauda, former State Youth Leader of the defunct CPC in Edo state in company of the Arewa leader of the party, Alhaji Aliko Haruna, said in an interview that the governor should remembered that three political parties metamorphosed into the APC and lamented that, “today all attention and appointments are only given to the defunct ACN members”. He said, “I want Governor Obaseki to remember that three political parties merged to become the APC. But what we are seeing now in Edo state is that the defunct CPC has been sidelined in terms of appointments and recognition by APC leaders in the state. ” We have been marginalized in the current lists of appointments now before the governor as no single member of the defunct CPC is on the list and the State Caucus of APC with ov

Four persons were, on Wednesday, morning killed and 11 others injured in multiple suicide bomb attacks in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. This was disclosed to journalists by Mr. Ahmad Satomi, Chairman of Borno State Emergency Management Agency (BASEMA). “It was a sad morning for us. We lost four people, including Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members and 11others were wounded in multiple blasts in Maiduguri,” said Mr. Satomi. According to him, a male bomber stormed Malakalerri area of Muna Garage in Mafa Local Government Area at about 4:18 am, killing one CJTF member and injuring five women and one CJTF member. Seven minutes later, a female bomber blew herself up Dynamic near Alkomi Clinic along Gomboru-Ngala Road. The BASEMA boss added that another female bomber attacked an unofficial Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Muna Ethiopia General Area, injuring five persons, who are currently receiving treatment. Mr. Satomi added that his agency believed that the female b

by Femi Fani-Kayode I am an indigene of Osun state. I am from Ile-Ife, the ancestral home of the Yorubas. So, whatever I am about to share with you is a product of personal experience and vast knowledge of the socio-political configuration of my state. I have to share this after deep introspection, although I am still deeply mourning the death of one of Osun's finest and colourful politicians of all time. 1. Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke was a very popular grassroots politician 2. Isiaka Adeleke was a very generous and large-hearted man who could empty his vault for the people 3. Adeleke had gubernatorial ambition to succeed Rauf Aregbe, he's always had it even before he defected to the APC. 4. Sometimes in 2013, Rauf Aregbesola, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande cajoled Adeleke to abandon his old political party, the PDP for the APC just so that they could ride on his popularity to win elections in Osun state 5. The joker worked as Adeleke left the PDP for the APC o

From, Isaac Eranga, Benin   In the wake of Bendel Insurance Football Club’s draw with Warri Wolves FC, Governor Obaseki of Edo State has restated his commitment to supporting the state-owned football club, promising to provide the team with incentives and boosting its performance on the pitch.  It would be recalled that the governor had watched the Edo based team defeat Papilo FC of Owerri at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, and had, afterwards, promised the team a winning bonus of N1m.  After holding table-toppers, Bayelsa United to a draw two weeks ago, Bendel Insurance FC was also held to a draw on home turf by Warri Wolves FC.  The Edo State Governor, however, said after the match that even though the team was not on a winning streak, his government would provide incentives for them to get back to their winning ways.  “I know Bendel Insurance FC is not in its top form currently, but they can do it. In terms of technical ability and players, they can fight for the t

Edo state government has appointed the immediate past Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase chairman, task force for the implementation of the Edo state anti- Community Development Association law. Governor Godwin Obaseki made the disclosure at the signing of the community development association bill into law in government house, Benin-City. Obaseki said the task force was constituted to drive the enforcement of the law and supervise all matters related to the law. “A task force chaired by a retired Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase has been constituted to drive the enforcement of the law and supervise all matters related to the law. I urged the Chief Judge of the state and security agencies to support the implementation of the law in the state”, he said. The State House of Assembly had last month passed the anti- community development association bill prescribing a jail term of 10 years and an option of N2 million fine among other penalties against anybody that viol

By John Mayaki Shortly before noon on April 14 this year, incalculable joy erupted at the Justice Ahmed Badamasi-led Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin City. The reason was that both petitioners – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu – and all three respondents – Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Godwin Obaseki and All Progressives Congress (APC) had all been informed of their fates. Earlier on, Senators Odion Ugbesea, Yisah Braimoh and Chief Tom Ikimi had breezed out of the courtroom before 11:15am with less flourish than they entered. Being perceptive men of the House, it gives that they suspected defeat was close at hand, especially as they knew that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, immediate past Governor of the state and no stranger to victories at election tribunals, sat throughout the 2 hours and 15 minutes of the excellent judgment. Suddenly, it was Governor Godwin Obaseki and his Wife, Betsy Obaseki, Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu and

Reactions have started emanating from the judgement of the Edo Governorship tribunal which dismissed the petition filed by the PDP candidate in the September 28, governorship election, Pst Osagie Ize-Iyamu. According to a youth leader in Oredo local government area- Mr. Paul Amenaghawon, "Justice Gbadamosi just made fool of himself, he will be answered by his senior colleagues. We shall appeal the judgement". A human rights activist who pleaded anonymity said Nigeria judiciary has failed, saying it was very obvious that the election was marred with irregularities and that Mr. Obaseki was not the winner. He called for the rejection of the judgement and this according to him will happen by appealing against the judgement. The Edo governorship election tribunal has at earlier today upheld the declaration of Obaseki  by INEC as the duly elected governor in the September 28, 2016 Edo gubernatorial election. Meanwhile supporters of Gov. Obaseki after hearing about the outcome

By John Mayaki The thorough bashing suffered by the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, fondly called POI, with his party in tow at the Edo state Election Petition Tribunal is not the end of the world. Life, after all, can be full of undulating vicissitudes; I can confidently console the cleric and his party. Even the Holy Book, which he, no doubt, must be familiar with, tells us that there are times for everything and the clergyman, having enjoyed some of the high sides and better fortunes of life, must now be grateful to God. And so, my duty here is to console and assure the good Pastor that his season will come – if not now, later – at the appointed time. When you find yourself trudging uphill, or if you find yourself alone at the bottom of the stairs, looking on at the objective world as they conduct their affairs at the top of the stairs, you must not be faint of spirit, good sir. It is naught but a wearying challenge, and I hear the bot

Isaac Eranga, Benin An election petitions tribunal sitting in Benin, Edo State, has affirmed the victory of Godwin Obaseki as the winner of the gubernatorial elections held on September 28, 2016, SOCIAL REPORTERS has learnt. The Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate in the election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, had challenged Mr. Obaseki’s election, alleging widespread irregularities. Mr. Obaseki, who ran on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, was declared the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The head of the tribunal, Ahmed Badamosi, dismissed Mr. Ize-Iyamu’s petition. wild celebrations broke out amongst supporters of Mr. Obaseki and the APC shortly after the pronouncement. More details soon…

Isaac Eranga Premised on the high rate of maternal mortality in Nigeria, the Development Communication Network (DevCom), has challenged bloggers on the need for a rigorous campaigns for Family Planning in Nigeria. Omobonike Adebayo,the Programme Officer of DevCom made the call in Kaduna, at a two-day training programme for ‘Social Media Bloggers on Effective Family Planning Projection’. According to her, the Nation will achieve it’s economic security if child birth rate is properly regulated. According to Omobonike, over 700,000 unattended pregnancies would be averted if Nigerians understand family planning, its benefits and the intention of the campaigns, adding that the lives of over 4,000 mothers and children would also be saved. She therefore, charged social media bloggers to become champions and advocate in the campaigns for family planning and ensures that their messages are well tainted in order to help the society understand the benefits of family planning. She reiterate

Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Friday, inaugurated 1000 hectares of cleared field in Sobe farm Settlement of Owan West Local Government Area in the state for maize production. Speaking during the inauguration, the governor said the maize cultivation, which could directly empower 200 agripreneurs to become millionaires, was part of his administration’s Accelerated Agriculture initiative to create jobs in the state. Explaining the execution plan for the initiative, he said that the phase would target job creation for 1, 000 agripreneurs through the cultivation of 5,000 hectares of maize farms across the LGAs in the state. He said: “Today is the first step towards actualising the 200,000 jobs promised by my administration. If we invest in Agriculture, we can do more than 200,000 jobs in Edo and Nigeria as a whole. We had an agricbusiness workshop to brainstorm on the challenges in our agriculture sector and we discovered that land preparation was a major challenge in the sta

PRESS RELEASE 7th April, 2017 Four mosques were last week marked for demolition by the Ayodele Fayose administration in Ekiti State. The state government claimed that worshippers could contact cancer from the radioactive emission from the petrol stations where the mosques are located. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) condemns the attempt to demolish the mosques. It is an act of aggression against the peace-loving and law-abiding Muslims of the state. It is primitive, provocative and sadistic. It is an undisguised invitation to anarchy. The state government’s excuse of exposure to cancer is lame, infantile, laughable and untenable. What of hundreds of petrol attendants who have been serving in petrol stations in Ekiti State since its inception on 1st October 1996? How many of them have had cases of cancer? How many petrol attendants in the whole of Nigeria have been exposed to radioactive emissions? Can the claim be certified by the World Health Organisation? Fayose’s public health

The Chairman of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Edo State chapter has called on the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to establish Neighbourhood Security Agency (N. S. A) and to summon stakeholders meeting to tackle the security situations in Edo State. This was contained in a letter jointly signed by the Chairman, Prince Roy Oribhabor and the Secretary, Engr. Marvelous Imasuen. The letter reads thus: "We write to bring to your notice the level of security in Edo State.  The security situation in our dear state is gradually unfriendly and worrisome. The continuous Molestation, Harassment, Kidnappings and intimidations of our law abiding citizens is unacceptable because Edo people can no longer sleep with their eyes closed. "Mr Governor, you will recall that on March 16, 2017. The immediate past Chairman of Etsako-East L G A was gruesomely murdered along BENIN -AUCHI ROAD and the Chairman's car was stolen on Feb. 2017. On March 31.2017 The be

By Isaac Eranga, Benin Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has called on the citizens of the state to respect the religious diversities of the state. He made this call when he received members of the Edo State Chapter of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs led by its Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Bako at the Edo State Government House in Benin City. Governor Obaseki highlighted the importance of religious bodies, urging them to meet regularly to help tackle security challenges in the state. The governor frowned at the prevalent use of derogatory languages on students of Islamic faith at some public schools saying his administration would prohibit that conduct. On the area of job creation, Governor Obaseki called on the Islamic group to help the government sensitise the unemployed on the need to register for the Edo job employment opportunity. “We have launched what we call Edo Jobs, we need to know the number of people who are jobless to enable us plan for them. People are n

By Yunisa Raji A group under the name, Nigeria Integrity coalition Forum has frowned at the recent publication by Rueben Abati, who was spokesperson to former President Goodluck Jonathan, a man who was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly receiving 50 million Naira from the former national security adviser , Sambo Dasuki. This was contained in a press statement signed by the leader of the group, Barrister Tokunbo David's.The statement which described Abati as the PRO of the "Barawo boys club" of the PDP. The group stated that Reuben Abati who is only enjoying bail from a corruption charges with the EEFCC has the effrontery to insult and assassinate the character of the corruption free Dino Melaye. "We want to advise the embattled Dasukigate journalist to desist from his unguided utterances as it will only further expose his criminal activities while in office as the spokesperson to the former president and his deals during

A former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, on Wednesday, paid a condolence visit to the family of his long-time friend and political ally, the late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, a former governor of Bayelsa State, in Amassoma, Bayelsa State. Ibori was still serving his jail term in United Kingdom for fraud when Alamieyeseigha died on October 10, 2015, of a high-blood-pressure-related ailment at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State. The ex-Delta governor was accompanied on the visit by political leaders and stakeholders from Delta State, including the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Monday Igbuya. Ibori described Alamieyeseigha as a patriotic leader who was very courageous and outspoken and stood on the side of his people at all times. He said he was devastated when the news of the death of the Bayelsa ex-governor got to him in the United Kingdom as they both shared a common ideology and relationship, which he noted was very de

Afeez Hanafi The Fleet Commander, Western Naval Command, Apapa, Lagos State, Rear Admiral Daniel Ikoli, has allegedly shot himself dead in his residence in the Apapa area. It was learnt that a service pistol, expended and live ammunition, were recovered at the scene by police detectives who visited the residence. It was gathered that he lived with his house boy. His wife stays in Abuja, while his children are schooling abroad. PUNCH Metro gathered that the commander, a member of the presidential committee investigating the $15bn arms deal, left his office on Tuesday around 1pm, on the grounds that he was ill. Around 5am on Wednesday, the house boy reportedly heard a gunshot from his room. On getting to the spot, he found him dead and raised the alarm. A source close to Okoli disclosed to our correspondent that he had been managing depression and an ailment for some time, adding that it was not impossible that he committed suicide. The source, however, did not disclose the nature

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State will, this Friday, flag-off the Accelerated Agricultural Development Programme (AADP) in Sobe, Owan West Local Government Area of the state. This was as the government also called on residents to avail themselves of the programme, which is capable of raising over 2000 agricpreneurs and millionaires. A statement from the Office of the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Obaseki revealed that poverty would suffer a debilitating blow in Edo State and that people would have no excuse to be poor with the anticipated flag-off of the Avant-garde agricultural initiative holding in Sobe on April 7, this year. The statement further revealed that about 1000 hectares of land have been set aside in Sobe for the pilot scheme and the government would train interested people in the provision of agricultural services and machineries. The media aide said, “Governor Obaseki is very passionate about agriculture in the state. Where else in the country will you find th

Notwithstanding the prevalent challenging operating circumstances in the industry, the United Bank for Africa, UBA, has announced the promotion of 3,000 staff members across its global network in a bid to reinforce its commitment to human capital investment and career progression. The Group CEO, Kennedy Uzoka, said in a letter written on Monday to staffers that, “Since my recent appointment as GMD/CEO, one of my priorities has been to address the needs of our people. I strongly believe that if we take care of our people, our people will take care of our customers – our ultimate employers. “Investment in our human capital is critical to our success. It is a product of our ability to invest for the long term and create an institution that is built to last. It is the bedrock of our determination to be Africa’s leading customer focused bank”. In addition to the group-wide promotion, the CEO unveiled a new Workforce Model and an extension of the existing Group car loan benefit, to 1000 p

The Technocrat Governor of the Heartbeat of the Nation Fulfils yet another Campaign Promise Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki on Saturday April 1st, 2017 commissioned a dialysis centre in Benin City the Edo State Capital, to provide affordable treatment for citizens in the state, especially those suffering from kidney related ailments. The health centre, which has been called St Vincent De Paul Mercy Medical Centre, has 14 rooms and is an initiative of the St Vincent De Paul society of St. Paul Parish in Benin City. Godwin Obaseki, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, expressed satisfaction for the completion of the project, noting that it would not only benefit the poor or citizens of the state but of the world at large. He commended the vision of the society for the success of the project, adding that he was ready to continue to support the centre. I met the group when I was campaigning to be the governor of Edo state. Discussing with the group, I realised this was

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of tertiary institutions in Kogi state says the extension of the date for the release of screening appeal report by government is a setback to the earlier collective bargains with government. In a communique jointly signed by its Chairman and Secretary; Comrade Moses Balogun and Comrade Awodi Joel respectively, the body said there is need for JAC and government to meet possibly on Tuesday, 4th April 2017 in view of other pressing issues. They berated the state Commissioner for Education, Dr Sunday Tolorunleke for omitting several issues deliberated upon noting that the governing councils may not attend to issues outside the agreed negotiations. According to the communique; “JAC has observed with total dismay that, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in his letter to the various Governing Councils has omitted several issues agreed upon during our recent negotiation, that are peculiar to Tertiary Institutions. The implication is that

The Ekiti state Police command said that it would soon come up with the report of its investigation into the alleged assault on a woman by policemen at a checkpoint in Ado Ekiti. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Abdullahi Chafe disclosed this while presenting some suspects to newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Sunday. Abdullahi Chafe He dismissed insinuations in some quarters that plans were in the offing to shield the officers involved from being prosecuted if found wanting. Chafe said the ongoing investigation would address the claim by the woman that the policemen on duty at the said checkpoint impounded 750 Dollars found on her during the encounter. He said the command was determined to expose anyone found to be directly or indirectly involved in the act. “We will soon address the press on the outcome of our investigation on the incident, even as we are trying our best possible to ensure that justice is done to both sides. “No one will be spared or covered, we have not bee

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has launched the State Integrated Information Management System (SIFIMS) to enhance and actualise his administration’s vision of a repositioned electronically driven Civil Service in the state. Governor Obaseki, who flagged off the system at the Edo State Government House in Benin City, said the system was significant because it marked a new era, which was made possible by the courage of former governor Adams Oshiomhole, who paved its way. He continued that SIFIMS is a revolution and that it was a bold step for Edo State to launch a system of this nature, stressing the need to reposition the Civil Service because it was important to any nation that wanted to grow. “Nigeria worked because the Civil Service worked. The Civil Service worked because there were processes and systems that made it work. This provided the platform for the successes recorded by the government, which were deliberately implemented and enforced,” he said. He called on the

Former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Samson Osagie on Sunday reacted to his purported suspension along with 30 others including L local government area executives and other notable leaders for alleged anti-party activities saying it lacks merit Osagie said Nothing can be more ludicrous and false, than for him to be accused of anti party activities. " Let me state clearly that as against my accusers particularly Charles Idahosa, I followed the governor and the entire State campaign team to campaign throughout Edo South Senatorial district and eventually worked hard to ensure that the APC won overwhelmingly in my Unit 4 at Egba and the entire Ward 6( Umagbae South) in Uhunmwode Local Government Area. Hon. Charles Idahosa the mastermind of this suspension did not win his own unit in his Community Ehor town. The results are there for everyone to see.  According to the former term member of the Edo state House of Assembly, " The State Secretary, Chief Osar

A recent court case in Nigeria has highlighted concerns that locally made soft drinks may be considered unsafe for human consumption elsewhere, as Ijeoma Ndukwe explains. There has been uproar in Nigeria after it emerged that the company that manufactures Fanta and Sprite, the Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC), has been ordered by a court to place warning labels on its products, stating that they are unsafe when consumed alongside vitamin C. The drinks are said by critics to contain high levels of the preservative benzoic acid and the colouring sunset yellow. NBC is challenging the ruling... Security guard John Uloko didn't see the reports about the soft drinks in the newspapers but heard about it via WhatsApp and hasn't drunk any since... The ruling was the result of a nine-year-long court battle initiated by Nigerian businessman Fijabi Adebo. A scientist based in Nigeria, who has dealings with Nafdac and asked to remain anonymous, says some human toxicity studies have show