InfoGist Corner

14/12/2021

On the online rantings of Liborous Oshoma.

'If those of us in Government were to respond to everyone making politically-induced false statements about our activities, we will not have had the time to have achieved the much they now use in criticizing us. It was Bob Marley who said that "it is a foolish dog that barks at a flying bird". The Oshoma fellow only reminds us of the proverbial foolish dog in the words of Marley and as such, we cannot afford to dignify his paid "barking" with any official response.

Mr. Oshoma must either be suffering from selective amnesia or ethnic bigotry. If not, he may have been in Siberia when Oshiomhole was Edo State Governor for eight years. The very recent BBC story on government sponsored cultism during that administration of Edo State speaks to the foregoing. Oshoma's ethnic antenna could not have captured this all-important report by the BBC.

The achievements of the Obaseki-led administration are not hidden and l hereby challenge Mr. Oshoma to a public debate that will be televised on national tv, just to put a lie to his evil rantings about the present Edo State Government.'

Andrew Emwanta Esq

Commissioner for Communication & Orientation, Edo State

14/11/2018

We’ll probe Oshiomhole, ICPC tells anti-APC chairman protesters

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other-Related Offences Commission on Wednesday said it would probe the allegation of corruption leveled against the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, during the recently concluded party primaries.

The ICPC’s decision to investigate Oshiomhole came barely one week after he was quizzed by the Department of State Services over alleged anomalies in the APC primaries.

The spokesperson of the ICPC, Rasheedat Okoduwa, said this during a protest by some members of the APC under the aegis of Coalition 4 New Nigeria.

The anti-Oshiomhole protesters, led by a legal practitioner and civil rights activist, Stanley Onukwufor, carried placards with various inscriptions such as ‘With Oshiomhole APC is nowhere;’ ‘ICPC, probe Oshiomhole now;’ ‘Buhari, remove Oshiomhole;’ ‘Oshiomhole is corrupt;’ and ‘Oshiomhole must go.”

Okoduwa said, “First of all, we will verify whether, indeed, he has a petition against him, and from there, we will look at what they are complaining about.

“Then, the next step is to investigate the petition and see whether there is anything worthy of investigating in the matter.

“It goes through our normal processes. But let me just sound a note of caution. We receive petitions virtually every hour. So, the petitions is like queuing up and had to be addressed in the sequences they come.

“So, if a petition comes right now, you don’t expect it to be investigated before all others before it.

“We thank you for bringing us the petition and you have done the right thing by going through the process of submitting your petition. I think you have already done what you needed to do.”

Onukwufor alleged that the APC has failed with Oshiomhole as chairman, adding, “We don’t want him there again.”

13/11/2018

100 APC Aspirants Drag Oshiomhole, Others To Court Over Primaries

By Philips Sunday
November 6, 2018

100 APC Aspirants Drag Oshiomhole, Others To Court Over Primaries
APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole. Image: Guardian Nigeria
No fewer than one hundred aggrieved aspirants of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have dragged the national chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, to the federal high court, Akure over the primary elections in Ondo state.

Kenneth Olawale, a former speaker of the Ondo state house of assembly, led the house of representatives and state assembly aspirants.

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Other defendants in the suit are the APC, Babatunde Ogala, the party’s national legal adviser, Ade Adetimehin, Ondo APC chairman, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The aggrieved aspirants through their counsel, Wale Omotoso, asked the court to declare that the ruling APC does not have candidates for the national and state assembly elections in the state.

They said the APC violated the 2010 Electoral Act and the constitution of the country by presenting candidates for the forthcoming elections without the conduct of party primaries.

The aggrieved aspirants asked for a “declaration that the subversion of the electoral guidelines of the APC as stipulated in its constitution by the party machinery in Ondo State in respect of the House of Representatives and House of Assembly primaries purportedly conducted on the 5th of October, 2018 in their failure to give the claimants opportunity of being voted for by the members of the party as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended is illegal, invalid, unconstitutional, null and void.

“A declaration that the hand picking of preferred candidates without conducting any primary election in any of the ward and constituency in Ondo State with non-presence of any officials of INEC and members of the National Electoral Committee of the party amounting to pre-arranged choice of candidates is illegal, contrary to the electoral guidelines of the APC and the express provisions of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended in 2015.

“A declaration that the harassment, molestation, and intimidation of the claimants in their various wards leading to their being forcibly chased sway and embarrassed from all venues designed for the purpose of the primary elections with machetes and Dane guns by the hired thugs and hoodlums of the preferred candidates thereby ensuring that no primary election was held, amount to gross flagrant breach of electoral guideline of the APC and the express provisions of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended in 2015.”

They prayed for an order voiding the attempt by the electoral committee to send names to INEC.

The presiding judge, FA Olubanjo, ordered that all the defendants must be served before the hearing could begin, adjourning the case to November 12.

13/11/2018

*Alaghodaro Summit: Obaseki showcases reforms-driven growth, people-oriented governance*

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Monday at the 2018 Alaghodaro Summit taking place in the state capital, Benin City, said the steady progress which his administration has recorded in all sectors of the state in the last two years was spurred by time-tested reforms and people-centred governance.

Obaseki made the submission before an array of personalities in government, private sector players, foreign investors, traditional rulers, thought and community leaders, owners of micro, small and medium businesses as well as other stakeholders.

According to the governor, the state has witnessed tremendous progress in the last two years of his administration, in the areas of infrastructure, quality education and job creation, with a policy strategy linking job seekers to trainings and employment opportunities, which have culminated in the creation of 77,200 jobs.

The governor said: "Alaghodaro summit was designed to lay a solid foundation for the future of the state. Through the strategic summit, we have been able to lay out our plans for the Edo people and strategically showcase our potential to the world as guide to governance in the state. We understand that for there to be prosperity, peace and inclusive growth; reforms are imperative."

Obaseki said his government’s focus on the wellbeing of the Edo people and residents informed the choice of this year’s summit theme: ‘Edo of our dream: Investing in our people’.

He explained that the investment in the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programme has produced over 7, 000 digital teachers with impressive learning outcomes in public primary schools across the state.

"Primary school pupils can now read in our public schools. I got this result first hand after an interaction with a parent. A mother came to me, thanking me for what we have done in the schools. She said her six-year-old child can not only read, but also always eager to go to school and have his name on the character board,” he said.

Chairman of the 2018 Alaghodaro Summit, Asue Ighodalo, in his remark, said the summit would generate ideas for the Obaseki-led administration to deepen the gains it has recorded in critical sectors such as health, education and job creation as well as in allied areas.

*PHOTO CAPTIONS:*
*S1-001:*
L-R: Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; his wife, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; Chairman, 2018 Alaghodaro Summit, Asue Ighodalo; and representative of the Oba of Benin, the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, during the Edo Summit, held at Edo Hotel, Benin City, Edo State, on Monday, November 12, 2018.

*S1-002:*
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (3rd right); his wife, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki (2nd right); Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon Philip Shaibu (2nd left); his wife, Mrs. Maryann Shaibu (left); Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole (right); and representative of Minister of Education and Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi (3rd left), at the 2018 Edo Summit, part of activities to celebrate Governor Obaseki’s second-year anniversary, at Edo Hotel, Benin City, Edo State, on Monday, November 12, 2018.

13/11/2018

*Leave Governor Obaseki out of your attention-seeking schemes - Crusoe Osagie*

Our attention has been drawn to a catalogue of falsehoods attributed to the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, being circulated on various social media platforms.

The faceless promoters of the comment mentioned that the governor, among other things said: “The huge debt I met on ground was so alarming and I think is best for us to see how we can reduce it. This we eventually did.”

We are aware that we are in the season of politics, in which desperate politicians resort to unconventional and desperate measures to raise their ratings and pay cheques through the concoction and fabrication of falsehood, moonlighting, image bashing and the likes.

We advise the masked promoters of the comment to check elsewhere for their target(s), as Governor Godwin Obaseki is not one to be swayed or distracted by such attention-seeking schemes.

As we move closer to the 2019 general elections, we wish to guide administrators of various groups on social media platforms to insist on the basic parameters for gauging the credibility of sources, to retain the confidence of their teeming members.

*_Osagie is Special Adviser to Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy_*

06/11/2018

Tinubu told to review stance on Oshiomhole to avert APC collapse


Former All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential aspirant, Alhaji Mumakai Unagha, has implored the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to reappraise his support for the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to save the party from crumbling.

Unagha, in a statement warned that the party would be hit with fresh exodus of high-profile members, including governors, Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly members if Oshiomhole was not removed as national chairman of the party.

“What is of a great concern is the position taken by the National leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. We urge him to have a rethink on Oshiomhole to allow him go before it is too late for the party.”

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/11/tinubu-told-to-review-stance-on-oshiomhole-to-avert-apc-collapse/

Former All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential aspirant, Alhaji Mumakai Unagha, has implored the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to reappraise his support for the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to save the party from crumbling.

01/11/2018

Edo Politics: Thank You Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

By Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu.

We entered into Mr. Godwin Obaseki's led administration with the understanding that we were already in for another political intimidations when Esan political marginalisation was rebranded as the fundamental power sharing formular in the state was altered but by Esan people on the platform of the All Progressives Congresss (APC) who hitherto couldn't have anything to practically hold for campaign; Godwin Obaseki won and His Excellency, the Governor in the state, Mr Godwin Obaseki, exceedingly performing well, loving Esan the more than expected, many permutations on Edo central's continued marginalisation swim in the shallow stream and no longer in the deep sea of uncertainty. The hope rises.

The "Thank You" message arose from the recent goodwill actions of the governor besides continuing developmental strides which shall soon be much visible in Esanland.

Esan people have a hero that was yet to be given National Honour but here came the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki on his 29th Memorial Day Celebrations held in Late Prof. Alli’s honour at the St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Emaudo, Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State that his administration was championing a plea for presidential Pardon for the first Executive Governor of old Bendel State, late Prof. Ambrose Folorunsho Alli and officially declared that Alli’s achievements easily be referred to as the golden years of the state. Obaseki also assured Esan people that he is working with his Delta State counterpart, to set up modalities to ensure that pension due to late Alli would be paid to his widow and family. He turned the Memorial Day Celebration a state function. Thank You Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

Again, Governor Godwin Obaseki has declared a three-day mourning period in honour of late Elder Statesman, Chief Tony Anenih and that the mourning period was a mark of honour for Anenih. He further expressed the state government’s resolve to give the late Chief Anenih, a state burial, during which flags would be flown at half-mast in the state. Honour strictly meant for Presidents and Governors but decided to endow it upon Late Chief Tony Anenih. Thank You Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

The best appreciation to fulfilling the wish is the solicited unwavering support to the Governor of Edo state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki who is the vision holder that he will have the enabling environment to be able to deliver unto Esan people according to his convictions. Let us know this day that dancing along the mainstream of politics of the day is more profitable than swimming in political isolation. I pray we understand to exit the popular slogan as the opposition stronghold in the state and that Mr. Goodwin Obaseki receives this "thank you message" in good health and stable mind as he remembers his own strong message to Edo people;

"Our focus is on Edo people, developing the state and making life better for the overall well-being of Edo people."- Godwin Obaseki.

Read more: http://www.esan.tv/edo-politics-thank-you-mr-godwin-obaseki-by-prince-kelly-o-udebhulu/

Edo Politics: Thank You Mr. Godwin Obaseki. By Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu. We entered into Mr. Godwin Obaseki's led administration with the understanding that we

30/10/2018

*Edo Govt ready to pay agreed minimum wage, Obaseki Assures*

*…Says State already paying N25,000, ready for N30,000’*

*…clears 50% inherited LGAs' salary arrears, as councils receive N2.8bn October allocation*

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has assured workers in the State that his administration will be the first to implement the resolution reached at the emergency meeting between the Federal Government and state governors over the new minimum wage for workers in the country.

Obaseki gave the assurance while addressing members of the organised labour who were on a protest march to the Government House, in Benin City on Tuesday, to sensitise the people on the planned labour strike over the Federal Government's alleged refusal to agree on N30,000 minimum wage for workers across the country.

The assurance is coming after Chairman of Edo State Chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Comrade Jenkins Osunde, said on Monday, that the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration has cleared 50 per cent of inherited salary arrears owed local government workers in the state.

The governor, in his address to the members of the labour unions, said his administration is already paying N25,000 while other states are paying N18,000, noting, "We believe in labour and our government is labour-friendly that is why we have maintained a harmonious relationship with labour in the state and have not had a single strike in two years".

He informed the protesters that he will be in Abuja to attend a meeting where governors are to deliberate on the minimum wage. "I want to assure you that whatever we agree in Abuja today (Tuesday), Edo State Government will be the first to implement it," he assured.

Obaseki urged the protesters to trust in the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari because of its commitment to reduce the suffering of workers in the country, "The President Muhammadu Buhari I know will never support that Nigerian workers should suffer because he is committed to the welfare of the common man".

Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Edo State Chapter, Comrade Emmanuel Ademokun, commended the Governor for creating a friendly atmosphere that has ensured a harmonious relationship between the government and organised labour in the State.

Earlier, at the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting presided over by the governor at the Government House, Benin City on Monday, Osunde said N2,826,548,288.8 was declared by the committee as gross allocation received from the Federation Account for the month of October 2018.

He added that arrears inherited by the Obaseki-led administration is gradually being cleared as the sum has reduced by 50 per cent.

Osunde, who is also the Chairman of Oredo Local Government Area, said that primary school teachers' salaries for the month was N1,057,495,670.09, adding that "teachers and non-teachers' salaries gulped N1,113,114,841. The total deduction for the month was N1,706,248,913,34."

According to him, the net allocation shared by the 18 local government areas of the state from the Federation Account was N1,120,299,375.47, while Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the 18 local government areas for the month of October 2018 was N1,298,091,758.68.

He noted that the state government has continued to meet its salary obligation to workers including salary arrears owed local government workers, which have been paid as and when due since March 2018.

"It is important to note that this month's JAAC meeting has in attendance Chairmen of the Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), as observers."

Follow Governor Obaseki on Social Media

Website: www.godwinobaseki.com
Facebook: fb.com/godwinobasekiofficial
Twitter:
Instagram:

*PHOTO CAPTION:*
*S4-001:*
Chairman, Edo State Chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Comrade Jenkins Osunde (middle) addressing journalists after the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting at Government House, Benin City. With him are: Chairman, Esan South East, Hon. Victor Emuakhagbon (right); and Chairman, Etsako Central Local Government Area, Hon. Akhigbe Osi John.

*S4-002:*
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki (left) addressing members of the organised labour who were on a protest march to the Government House, in Benin City, on Tuesday, October 30, 2018.

30/10/2018

Planned EDOSCO protest: BEDC denounces claims of licence renewal

The attention of the Management of BEDC Electricity PLC (BEDC) has been drawn to a misleading information emanating from the Edo State Civil Society Organizations (EDOSCO) to the effect that they will be staging protest from Monday, 29th October till Wednesday 31st October in Benin, Edo state to dissuade Federal Government from the renewal of BEDC license after five years of operation and also protest against the extension of its executive management employment contract.

We wish to categorically state that there is nothing like an ongoing contract renewal for investors in the 11 Distribution Companies (Discos) based on the privatization exercise conducted by the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) as the agent of the Federal Government in 2013.

Indeed, the sale of BEDC by BPE to core investors is a once for all transaction resulting in 60% acquisition of the company with a long-term licensing not a 5year license. The power sector as we know all over the world is a long-term investment for operators. We are surprised at the display of ignorance by EDOSCO who are misinforming the public about the privatization exercise by purportedly lashing in on their misconceived impression that there will be contract renewal as an excuse to disturb public peace.

We are not surprised at the resolve of EDOSCO to disturb public peace by using the excuse of protesting against BEDC services. Since we started operations, they have constituted themselves into public nuisance by attempts to create hostility to our operations at intervals, especially in relations to our continued process of ensuring that as customers they comply with the BEDC business process. We are thus presently in court with them and some of their members on three cases.

Two cases involving public prosecution charges, I.G.P Vs. Airofolo Daniel & 4Ors and I.G.P Vs. BROADRICK OKHIRIE & 2ORS., are currently pending at The Federal High Court holding in Benin where BEDC took some suspects including EDOSCO members to court in March 2017 for allegedly tampering with electrical fittings, this being a crime punishable under sections 1 (9) &(10) and 3 (6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act cap M.17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.

The suspects are being tried on charges relating to removal, damage, tampering and interference with electric fitting, meters and other appliances designed to be used for transforming or converting electricity, property of BEDC. The action was taken against the backdrop of overwhelming cases of energy theft through meter bypass and tampering by some members of EDOSCO who use it as a cover up to avoid payment of electricity bills.

The other case which is still pending at the High Court in Benin is Benin Electricity Distribution Plc. Vs. Omobude, some other members, and EDOSCO & Ors , wherein BEDC is seeking for an injunction restraining EDOSCO members from occupying, blocking and restraining both staff and customers from their right of ingress and egress from BEDC business premises at the Head office, business units or service units in Edo state and disrupting business operations or vandalizing equipment or facilities under the guise of protest. We do believe in the right of people to protest but such is expected be done within reasonable confines of the law and not as an excuse for violence or brigandage of any sort.

As BEDC under the new management, since the commencement of operation five years ago, management has put in place various measures that have improved power availability to major parts of Edo State.

The details are periodically published in key national newspapers inclusive of the numerous positive feedback received as testimonials from various categories of customers, i.e. industrial, commercial, residential and communities in our franchise states, most especially in Edo State.

It will be recalled that recently, EDOSCO in their mischief had also circulated a false information to the public that BEDC was circulating a survey form to customers with the intention of getting favorable rating, preparatory to license renewal or change of executive management, an information that is totally untrue.

We affirm once again that there is no BEDC survey form out there coming from Management for the purpose of any license renewal. Any purported copy of such must be one from unscrupulous elements. However, as an organization, we regularly engage with customers to filling forms for enumeration, load assessments, enrollments, complaints and feedback on services rendered.

Management wishes to state further that contrary to the insinuations by the Edo civil society that the company has not given out a single transformer to communities, BEDC has as a matter of fact installed transformers in communities ranging from 50KVA to 2.5MVA since inception across the franchise states.

As a service provider, we do not encourage self-help in arranging for transformers. We advise that customers should only pay their bills and it is BEDC’s responsibility to make power available.

Any party purporting to be acting for BEDC to extort money from the public should be reported to our whistle blowing numbers 09038857888, 09038857889.
BEDC therefore advises esteemed customers and good people of Edo state to disregard the false information being peddled by EDOSCO as a justification for the proposed three-day protest which at best is an attempt to disturb public peace and cause chaos.

We are committed to serving you better.

Signed
MANAGEMENT

29/10/2018

MEET THE AWARD WINNING CORPER!

This is MISS PROMISE OBERIKO. With her meagre earnings as an NYSC member she dominated the environment and made her presence felt during her one-year service in Ogoja area, ganering every available local Award, at the end of her Service year.

Her most impressive act of humanity was shuttling between Ogoja and Calabar, last month, to bring the plight of the "roaming lunatic family of 5" to the attention of the appropriate authority.

Interestingly, the mentally deranged Mr Ben, his wife and three kids are now receiving expert care and undergoing holistic rehabilitation at the Federal Psychattic Hospital Calabar.

So, this is looking forward to a NATIONAL AWARD FOR MISS PROGRESS OBERIKO, even as Cross River State Government failed to do the needful by giving automatic employment to this Florence Nightingale of our time!

29/10/2018

THE GOVERNOR IS THE APC LEADER IN EDO STATE.

In as much as we respect the office of the national chairman of our great party the APC, we must also learn to speak the truth at all time regardless of who we are loyal to.

I was slow to release a statement on the activities that is playing in Edo State politics and the administrative framework of Edo APC for reasons best known to me.

If we are not economical with the truth, we will all agree to the fact that while Oshiomhole was the governor of Edo State, he was the leader of the ruling party. But today, the same Oshiomhole who was the leader of the party during his administration, want to remain the leader of the party in another man's administration.

Playing a role to see to the emergence of the Obaseki administration, does not amount to a free ticket to subjugate the executive Governor into an object of oppression. U have taken virtually every thing from the Governor, and because of loyalty, he has remain calm and u still want to relegate the regime into the trashcan of history, no way.

In as much as we respect our right as a people, we should all know that the recent regime in Edo State represent the over interest of Edo people and the people of Edo South, we will not tolerate any person or group of persons who wants to test our resolve as a people.

We call on the national chairman of our great party to respect the right of all party faithful, as we have always respected his right to run the activities of the party in Abuja without interference.

The Oshiomhole that we all know will never allow any Godfatherism over his office and we don't expect him to create one for other people, let us all respect each other as we continue to recognize Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki as the executive Governor of Edo State and the Edo State number one leader of Edo APC as it was obtainable in the Oshiomhole administration.

God Bless Edo State.