Edo: Oshiomhole, PDP And The Chicago Convention

It is no longer news that the relationship between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) can best be described as that of cat and mouse where today, the ruling party has been pushed to defensive position with torrent of allegations against the Governor Adams Oshiomhole-led administration.
Interestingly, last week, the annual Edo National Convention which is usually held in the United States of America (USA) became controversial when the leadership of the opposition PDP accused Oshiomhole of allegedly wasting N428 million of state resources on foreign trips.
The 2014 convention, which was held in Chicago, among others was aimed at fostering development; provide a forum for the reunion of all sons and daughter of Edo State where critical issues affecting the state can be deliberated upon and provide a platform among the youths for positive interaction with their peers from around the world. The annual event, it was gathered is packaged by an Edo indigenous organisation known as Akuge Oretin Club of Chicago, United States of America.
However, no sooner had the entourage of the state government, that had attended the event arrived the state, that the PDP hierarchy, at a press conference lambasted the state government over the trip and demanded that the government offer an apology for embarking on what it described as “picnic to Miami, Florida” in a private jet with Edo tax payers’ money.
The state publicity secretary of the party, Hon Mathew Uroghide, said the party is in possession of approval made by the governor to his ‘protégés’ to attend the said picnic in the US, alleging that government impropriety had further improvised the people.
According to Uroghide, “The PDP, Edo State demands an apology from Governor Adams Oshiomhole to all Edo people on the reckless waste of the resources of the state to the tune of N428,000,000 (four hundred and twenty eight million naira) in two months.
“We also demand the immediate resignation of Anslem Ojezua, the APC state chairman; Mr. Louis Odion, the state commissioner of information and Mr. Godwin Eghahon, the APC publicity secretary from the offices they hold for reasons that they wilfully distorted the facts about the waste of government resources on personal and social engagements.
“The financial impropriety from the governor has impoverished the already-cash-strapped state making physical and human capital developments unachievable. Our people groan under the hash times whilst these government protégés, and several not mentioned in the present government dip into the commonwealth to undertake expensive journeys to the United States for picnics.
“The PDP is in possession of proofs of the estacodes and BTAs approved for the governor and his cronies to attend a picnic in Miami, Florida. Such monies include approval for millions of naira to the governor to procure security details in the already-secured United States.
“This development is unacceptable and as responsible opposition machinery, the PDP, Edo State shall expose these insensate lots for what they really are. That is, enemies of Edo State and its people.”
However, the Edo State government, while debunking an earlier statement credited to the state chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, that Oshiomhole’s recent visit to Miami in the United States of America was not a private one, said the governor’s trip was on the invitation of Edo community in that country as a special guest to their annual convention.
A statement issued in Benin City, the state capital by the state commissioner for information and orientation, Mr. Louis Odion, explained that the governor travelled by commercial airline and not a hired private jet that costs N18 million as alleged by Chief Orbih.
Odion said, “Edo PDP chairman, Chief Orbih, again exhibited his talents for lies and contempt for facts last weekend with a ludicrous claim that Oshiomhole chartered a private jet on a private trip to Maimi, USA last month at the cost of N18 million. Ordinarily, one would not have bothered to dignify yet another of Orbih’s outbursts with response, but for the sake of the gullible, this clarification is made contrary to his mischievous lies. The governor visited Chicago not privately, but to honour Edo community in the United States on invitation as a special guest at their annual convention.
“Governor Oshiomhole travelled by commercial airline. Anyone who bothers to double-check would find that Oshiomhole is one of the few governors today who travels with the smallest entourage, if not totally alone, with a view to saving costs.”
Similarly, piqued by the allegations, the APC, in its reaction said the Dan Orbih led-PDP in the state lacks the moral justification to question Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s expenses, saying that the memo which contained the alleged travel expenses of the governor as read by Orbih was an indication that the expenditure was authorised from the appropriation law as passed by the Edo State House of Assembly.
Recalling that the World Bank had hailed Oshiomhole’s administration as regards its transparency in award of contracts and other government expenditure, the APC through its state chairman, Barr. Anslem Ojezua, said Orbih should give credit to Oshiomhole for being transparent by “putting up a memo which he claimed he saw unlike his PDP that does not follow due process when it comes to expenditure”, adding that the party should be worried with the “scandal as regards the $9.3 million smuggled into South Africa by the PDP-led government.”
According to Ojezua, “Orbih is making mountain out of a mole hill because from the documents he exhibited, you could see that the document was a memo emanating in accordance with the public service rules, indicating compliance with the law as relates to public expenditure. It is also evident that the expenditure itself is authorised from the appropriation law from the Edo State House of Assembly.

At all times it is expected that governance will always carry cost attached to it; that is the reason why provisions are made
for various items in the budget.
“In this respect, there is no expenditure that was made under the authority of the governor that was outside the budget. Let me say also that neither Orbih nor the PDP had the legal justification to criticize the governor or anybody else for that matter neither Orbih nor PDP had the moral or legal justification with regards to financial profligacy. Because even now as we speak, the South African government is investigating an attempt by a private individual in Nigeria to smuggle in 9.3 million US Dollars from Nigeria to South Africa, and the Nigerian Government, the PDP government at the Federal Government had admitted complicity in that matter.
“And the attempt to transfer that money from Nigeria reportedly to make purchases is in violation of the public procurement Act and without the knowledge of South African government. The Aircraft that carried that currency is a private air craft even when the Presidency has several aircrafts in its hanger but that money was carried by a private aircraft owned by a Pastor in Nigeria who is not a public servant.
“So I believe that the presidency only owes up because the Pastor has been caught with the money that is why the government now owes up and all these have been done in violation of Nigerian law and all international laws relating to the carriage of currency from one
country to another.
“Secondly, a PDP chieftain in Edo State, who is more or less a kinsman of Orbih was reported to have been arrested by EFCC and 50 million US dollars was found in his account. A former governor of CBN has alleged in Nigeria that we cannot account for 20 billion US Dollars under the watch of PDP government. As we speak, the purported audit the President said he ordered up till now no report has been submitted. Finally Orbih should be reminded of the circumstances of which he was removed from NNPC reportedly over financial issues.
“In the face of all these, I submit that Orbih does not have the qualification to question the financial discipline of Oshiomhole, who has been certified by the Worlds Bank to have conducted the governance, fiscal governance in a very transparent and disciplined manner
resulting in the partnership that the Edo state government now enjoys with the World Bank.”

Lawyers mustn't aid disobedience of court orders, says Oshiomhole

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has challenged members of the Bar to speak up against disobedience of court orders, saying it portends danger for the rule of law.

Speaking at the opening of the 2014/2015 Legal Year in Benin City on Friday, Oshiomhole said “every lawyer must endeavor to uphold the law and it is dangerous for either the Bar or the Bench to encourage Trade Unions to become the enforcers of court orders.

“Those who live by the court must not be seen to aid and abet disobedience of court orders. If Senior Advocates of Nigeria advice people to disobey court orders, it is a sad thing for the rule of law and if the Bar keeps quite in the face of disobedience of court order, it is a terrible thing for the rule of law.”

It would be recalled that four suspended members of the Edo state House of Assembly, Hon. Festus Ebea (Esan South-East), Hon. Friday Ogieriakhi (Orhionwon-South), Hon. Patrick Osayimwen (Oredo-East) and Hon. Jude Ise-Idehen (Ikpoba Okha)  have continued to flout the Order of a State High Court which barred them from forcibly gaining entrance into the chambers of the State House of Assembly and another Order of the Appeal Court which ordered them to obey the High Court Order before seeking further reliefs at the Appeal Court.

The Governor said: “If court bailiffs are assaulted in  public view, Senior Advocates and other learned members of the community keep quiet, it is not the best for the rule of law because those who may not be affected today may be the people to be affected tomorrow, particularly where the rule of law operates on the basis of precedent.”

He continued: “it can be concluded from the number of cases that the Edo state judiciary were able to hear and dispense justice on and also the number of cases that are pending suggests that the Edo state judiciary has so much work to do. This suggests that both the judiciary, executive and legislative must find resources to create more courts, appoint more judges so that our people can have quicker access to justice.”

Oshiomhole who lauded the Chief Judge of the state, Hon Justice Cromwell Idahosa said, “I want to congratulate you my Lord that under your administration, the Edo state judiciary has never been reported in the negative as you have provided courageous leadership and defended the rights and privileges of the judiciary in the state.

“I believe my Lord that that the challenge of defending democracy necessarily demands that we have not just an independent judiciary but a courageous judiciary with potent teeth to smile and even with potent teeth to bite regardless of those appearing before you.

“When the court is referred to as the last hope of the common man, I submit that all men and women are common before the law. The foundation of fairness demands that we reduce everybody to the same level once they appear before the court of law regardless of age, connection, their vocation and social class”, he said.

The Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice Cromwell Idahosa while giving a review of the outgoing year said, “to further strengthen the administration of justice in the lower bench, the Edo state Judicial Service Commission employed the services of more judicial officers including magistrates and area court presidents.”

He added, “a modern High Court in Irrua, fully equipped and furnished by  Esan Central Local Government council is ready for commissioning and a new Magistrate court building in Ubiaja has been completed for the administration of justice in the state.

“Also, the Governor of the state has approved the building of new courts in the part of the High court known as complex ‘B’ which on completion will accommodate 8 new court rooms for the quicker administration of justice.”

Lagos directs schools to resume Sept 22 as Kano kicks

Lagos State govern­ment yesterday said it will comply with the directive of the Federal Government on the September 22, 2014 re­sumption date for all public and private schools in the country following a nation­al consultation on efforts to contain the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria.
In a release signed by the Special Adviser to the Gover­nor on Information and Strat­egy, Mr Lateef Raji, the state government said that schools have to comply with the di­rective since there is currently no known carrier of EVD in the state.
“Although this resumption date is advisory, as education is a concurrent matter to be regulated by the respective federal and state authorities, Lagos State government con­siders it eminently justifiable, in view of the fact that there is currently no known carrier of EVD in our state at the mo­ment. Furthermore, the last individual suspected to have been exposed to the virus will be discharged from observa­tion on September 18, 2014, if he tests negative to the vi­rus.
All public and private edu­cational institutions in the state are, therefore, directed to schedule their resumption accordingly”, the statement added.
Meanwhile, Kano State government has rejected the position of the state chapter of the Association of Pro­prietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), demanding Ebola-free medical certificates from returning students and pupils in the state.
The state Commission­er for Information, Alhaji Abubakar Nuhu Danburam said the state government has no hand in the decision even as he urged the association to rescind the decision immedi­ately.

R-e-v-e-a-l-e-d: Why APC Will Win Forthcoming Elections In Edo - Prince Alao, SUBEB Boss

In a chat with the Weekend OBSERVER in his office recently, the SUBEB boss Prince Stephen Alao said the emergence of Oshiomhole as governor of Edo State marked a fresh era of progressive politics in the annals of hearthbeat state.

Prince Alao, who is endowed with sharp reflexes and highly penetrating mind, asserted that Oshiomhole’s foot prints in the areas of infrastructural and manpower development can never be erased from the sand of Edo and the pages of her history however hard revisionists might try.

“Oshiomhole is a brand. He is a phenomenon His good works have placed him on the credit side of history and he will continue to remain a reference point when the subject of discourse is good governance.”

For sometime now, there have been some defections from APC to PDP. Is Prince Alao worried. Will this trend affect the electoral fortunes of APC in 2015 and 2016?

Responding to these questions, Prince Alao smiled, gritted his teeth, and releasing a punch into the air as a gesture of confidence and optimism, he declared “PDP has no foothold in Edo State. The defections are a mere storm in a teacup. APC is still intact, unshaken and unshakeable. The party will win future elections because Oshiomhole has done much for the state and he is widely appreciated and acknowledged by the electorate – they are those that matter in electoral contest not politicians who are driven by obvious instincts of self-interest and self-gratification. Those that have defected to the PDP ought to know that good governance is defined by dividends of democracy which Oshiomhole has given the people bountifully.”

What are these dividends of democracy?

“Edo State under Oshiomhole has been turned around. From unprecedented massive road reconstruction to rehabilitation and rebuilding of decayed infrastructures in public schools the Comrade Governor has redefined development and politics as instrument of service to the people.”

In politics and social engineering what is important to the people is performance. To what extent are government policies impacting positively on the people. These are important questions. Oshiomhole’s performance is so far reaching that the people have come to accept him as the dependable hub around which their expectations revolve. Those of us who are in APC today are the authentic members of the party. Those decampees have no ideological convictions and do not have the sincerity to key into the progressive ethos of the Oshiomhole phenomenon. That is what has happened.

Generally speaking, carpet – crossing cannot be described as morally uplifting and it cuts across political parties in Nigeria. How do we stop this trend of politicians moving back and forth in pursuit of self-interest?

Well, it is true carpet-crossing cannot be described as an ennobling act but those of us that moved to Oshiomhole were attracted to his progressive tendencies nurtured over his many years in labour activism and pro-democracy struggles.

And he has not disappointed us neither has his performance fallen short of popular expectations. So, we have decided to remain with him because of what he represents in the present struggle for a better and brighter future for Edo State and its people.

Whereas we were ideologically driven in our desire to work with the Comrade Governor, what we are witnessing today is that anytime stomach politics is threatened, some politicians chicken out. There are politicians who are driven by a passion for stomach politics and self-interest and when political permutations seem to whittle their desire, they come up with all manner of excuses to defect.

Since Oshiomhole’s 2nd term will terminate in 2016, do you think there can be another highly marketable politician like him for APC to field in the guber race?

The truth is that the Oshiomhole is one in a million. Such people come once in a while. But he has trained some people. There are disciples who have learnt from him.

It is true that Oshiomhole has the capacity to do what others cannot do. And there is no doubt that there are credible people in APC whose immersion in the Comrade Governor’s progressive politics have prepared them to continue from where he would stop. And I can assure you that whoever he supports and backs in the 2016 polls will emerge victorious, Edo is endowed with credible people.

What is your advise to Edo people?

They should ‘shine their eyes” they must think and remember where they were before the comrade governor came in. They should continue to support the comrade governor and ensure that APC clears all the seats in Edo House of Assembly in 2015 elections’.

Has work slowed down on the rehabilitation of schools?

Work is ongoing. There are one hundred and twenty six (126) projects and they comprise construction, reconstruction and procurement of furniture for primary schools in the three senatorial districts.

We are poised to actualize the social economic agenda initiated by the present administration to tackle the infrastructural decay in the education sector. We will not compromise standard in the execution of projects and contractors who fail to execute jobs to specification will be blacklisted.
Let’s come back to 2015 and 2016 polls in Edo State what is your assessment of APC’s chances?

I had told you earlier that Oshiomhole’s name, the good work he has done which is highly appreciated by the people will give victory to the APC. The opposition propaganda against the governor and his government is hollow and cannot in anyway affect our performance at the polls.
APC will win because the Comrade Governor has recorded groundbreaking achievements that will sell the party. APC is people-driven. Victory at the polls is a forgone conclusion.

Reality Of Grassroots Development

SINCE I left homeland, some years ago, to explore the puzzle across the Atlantic, my routine visits back home afforded me opportunities to savour emerging realities of our common heritage.

Time was, when government efforts at development were defined and assessed by how much billions of naira was “earmarked” for particulars sectors. Equally depressing, then, was the irony that whereas “billions” would have been “earmarked”, virtually nothing was seen on the ground to justify the self- adulating hoopla of officialdom.

Not anymore. Comrade Adams Oshiomole has demonstrated that practical, evident, far-reaching development projects are realizable, measured and appreciated by local communities.

Edo State, for long, was reclined to the poverty mentality; that since it was not endowed with intimidating Oil and Gas; there were, therefore, no funds for crucial development. But what you see, now, in all parts of Edo State, attest to the dictum that where there is a will, there is a way.

Comrade Oshiomole’s courage and audacity have re-defined development as visible, positive change that we can see and feel and not merely by the “bureaucratic” billions of naira” earmarked”.

That explains why the Oshiomole phenomenon reverberates beyond Edo State. It puts the state on the spotlight as a shin light on the hill.

The news in the diaspora is no longer about Governor Fashola and Lagos State.
Comrade Oshiomole and Edo State have taken over the headlines. Many Edo indigenes abroad are eager to come home at the next opportunities to see the positive transformation for themselves.

In Benin City, modernity displays itself on the major streets and roads like Akpakpava, Mission, and Ring Road (now) Oba Ovonramwen Square, Airport Road, TV Road and 5-Junction among others. What you see are beautified pavements, modern streetlights, walkways, flowers and ornamental plants.

Coupled with these, are dual carriage ways, traffic control lights and traffic control officers in uniform. Again, the menace, once posed by okada riders, is now a thing of the past.

To alleviate the hardship of motorists, Comrade Oshiomo commissioned 300 new cars, purchased by the State Government for use by former okada riders.

At the time, Governor Oshiomole maintained that 15% subsidy on the price of each vehicle was granted to each beneficiary which the government was not expecting them to pay back.
This gesture is further evidence of Comrade Oshiomole’s sense of community service delivery to the people.

Indeed, the next step would be to ensure that these taxi cabs do not engage in arbitrary price charges.

Another grassroot milestone is the provision of free bus rides for students in uniform in both public and private schools, to and from schools, across the State. Comrade Oshiomole stressed that “this is something we are doing just to show that we care. This is one way we can deliver more subsidy in a way that cannot be a any middle man.”

Certainly, the 42-seater air conditioned buses have also substantially eased mobility of passengers and goods. Students, market women and others have found Comrade buses convenient alternative to “tuke-tuke” commercial operators. These buses provide safety, comfort and low-pricing for the masses.

There are also inter-city routes covering Benin-Ekpoma, Benin- Auchi-Okpella, Benin-Uromi-Ubiaja, Benin-Igueben-Benin-Ewohimi-Ewatto, Benin-Igarra-Ibillo, Benin-Urhonigbe and Benin-Sabo-Afuze-Otuo.

Outside Edo State, Comrade buses have served as intervention vehicles in emergency evacuations of Edo people from Bauchi and University of Maiduguri, Borno State.

Commendably, the Comrade Bus project is the first to use the E-payment system in its operations and also the first to employ female 42- seater bus drivers. This exemplifies Oshiomole’s commitment to women empowerment.

Not the least, is the massive renovation of dilapidated schools across the State. Some of them, I have visited and seen for myself.

Hundreds of secondary and primary schools, abandoned by previous administrations have been rebuilt, renovated and provided with new furniture and other modern facilities to promote conducive learning.

Red roofs and perimeter fences are the signature marks of Comrade Oshiomole’s new transformation agenda for primary schools.

By whatever political barometer, his tenure is scrutinized and measured; Comrade Oshiomole has set a clear example of grassroots development.

Also impressive is the fact that Comrade Oshiomole has not been distracted by other ambitions. He has not ventured into the murky permutations of Presidential politics. His service to Edo State deserves commendation.

25-year-old trailer driver shot dead in Edo

A 25-year-old trailer driver has been found dead at Iyaro, along the New Lagos Road in Benin, Edo State.

The driver, identified as Anthony, was said to have been found dead on Monday with bullet wounds in the chest and head around 3am.

One of the victim’s colleagues, Zakari Musa, said he was informed on the telephone that Anthony had been killed and taken to the mortuary by the police.

He said that the late driver was conveying goods from Ofusu in Edo State to Ughelli in Delta State before the incident occurred.

Zakari said, “It was last night around 3am that someone called that one of our drivers was killed, adding that the police took the corpse to a mortuary.

“He was killed around Iyaro, close to Kada Chicken Republic. His name is Anthony but his nickname is Oshiomhole. He just carried goods from Ofusu to Ughelli, but parked at Iyaro.

“We don’t know whether he was killed by armed robbers. So, we want the police to investigate the matter.”

The Edo State Police Command, however, said the man was killed by armed robbers.

The spokesperson for the command, DSP Noble Uwoh, told our correspondent on the telephone that the late driver was shot in the head.

Uwoh said, “The man was shot in the head by armed robbers. The people around called the police and when our men got there, they discovered that the man was shot in the head. So, the police had deposited the corpse in the mortuary.”

He said investigation was ongoing, adding that the fleeing robbers would face the wrath of the law.

Nigeria: Edo Assembly Factional Speaker Dumps APC for PDP

Benin — The factional Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Chief Festus Ebea, at the weekend, formally dumped his party, the APC in favour of the PDP, at a rally in Ubiaja, the headquarters of Esan South-east Local Government Area of Edo State.
This is coming 24 hours to the resumption of plenary by the factionalised state assembly,
Suspicions of his defection to the PDP was one of the reasons given when he was 'suspended' along with three other APC lawmakers, namely, Patrick Osayimwen, Friday Ogieriakhi and Jude Ise-Idehen, on June 9 this year.
He remained in the APC while the trio dumped the APC for the PDP.
After his suspension, Ebea was later 'impeached' by the APC dominated state Assembly in an action which led to the break-up of the 24-member state Assembly into two parallel factions along APC and PDP lines.
The two factions in the last four months have held parallel plenary along party lines and at two separate locations, with the nine PDP members electing him as their Speaker in July.
Speaking at the event, Ebea said his decision to pitch tent with the PDP was informed by the fact that the APC as a party has lost direction flowing from the ideals of the defunct ACN on which platform he contested and won the state Assembly seat in 2011.
"My constituency has been particularly sidelined in the scheme of things in spite of numerous promises and budgetary allocations for development projects that were never executed by the state government. And my people have wondered if this should continue," he stated.
The lawmaker said the PDP has proved at the national level with President Goodluck Jonathan at the helm that Nigeria can be transformed with credible and people-centred leadership and development programmes.
"Even at the state level the constructive leadership style of the state chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, has helped put the party into reckoning as a competent opposition which can and will take over the state house in Benin City in 2016," he stated.
Ebea who also used the occasion to formally declare his intention to seek re-election to the state Assembly as representative for Esan South-east said that he remained committed to transforming his constituency with 'trusted, tested and dependable' legislation' that would help bring about the needed development of the locality.

Chris Oyakhilome sacks pastor for raising prayer points against divorce, sets new rules

The most trending news in Nigeria at present, apart from Ebola and terrorist attacks, is that of the impending divorce of charismatic Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of the Believers’ LoveWorld, also known as Christ Embassy.

New reports claim Chris Oyakhilome has sacked one of his top pastors, Reverend Grace for allegedly setting up a prayer session concerning the messy divorce.
She was allegedly sacked by Pastor Chris for raising a prayer team to pray for the restoration of peace in the church’s first family when Rev Anita, who headed the London church, stopped attending services.
One of the ministers, who spoke to SUN said “We suspected this issue is going to go public some day since the day Pastor Chris sacked Rev Grace for meddling in his family affairs by openly calling for prayers among some members in London when Rev Anita stopped coming to the church she was shepherding while all efforts to get her failed.
“Some of us believe our colleague in London did the right thing by seeking spiritual help for the family, but I think Pastor Chris misread her intention and had to travel to London”.
Apart from the sack of the London pastor, another issue connected to the divorce, which has also been generating tension in the church, is the cry of female ministers who are accusing Pastor Chris of introducing “controversial rules that are now threatening the foundation of many marriages in the church”.
A female church member of one of the Christ Embassy branches in Abuja told the newspaper that “the revolt of Rev Anita will be a child’s play to the one that people will soon see when we open up on how a secret policy introduced sometime early this year has been tearing many families and homes apart in our parishes across the country.
“This is a strange directive that husbands and their wives must not worship or attend the same parish.
“Now, if a couple is a member of a parish, one of them has to be posted to another parish and this is fueling adultery in the church in no small measure. Some of us who are female ministers that have been separated from our husbands, we are already talking. Some have started revolting against the order in their parishes, while some have refused to obey such transfer orders”.
Another top female official of the church in one of the parishes located in Ikeja said: “The policy is real but it is creating tension in the church already”.
The female minister, whose husband has been transferred out of the parish they have been attending together for years to give effect to the policy further, stated: “It’s a heartbreaking development because now we know that that directive was introduced to justify why Pastor Chris has to be in Lagos and his wife in London but beyond that, it is encouraging immorality while the church believes that we have an unusual grace that covers our human failings, including adultery”.
Coming down to her personal experience, the female minister disclosed that soon after her husband was transferred to a parish far away from their initial one, “one of the male ministers where I am to stay back started winking at me.
“The first Sunday I felt he did that unknowingly or without any ulterior motive but the following Sunday he came to shake hands with me after service and what he did was to use one of his fingers to scratch my palm during the handshake.I was miffed but I couldn’t do anything because he will deny and I will look stupid but since then he got my message because I stopped greeting him”.

Nigeria records another Ebola Case in Lagos

The Federal government has confirmed that Nigeria has recorded one more case of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Lagos state.

The Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu says a fiancé of a primary contact is the latest victim of the killer virus disease.
According to the Minister, th​e latest case brings the total number of Ebola cases in Nigeria to 19 with seven people dead from the disease while 10 others have recovered,
He also noted that the sister of the Port Harcourt doctor, Ikechukwu Enemuo, who treated one of Mr. Sawyer’s primary contact in a hotel secretly, has fully recovered and been discharged.

Edo State House of Assembly: Hostilities Resume Monday As Factions Refuse To Reconcile

IF those concerned refuse to sheath their swords tomorrow, hostilities are likely to resume in Edo State House of Assembly, as members resume sitting after one month recess. Though observers thought the recess would be used to resolve the crisis that had split members into two camps of 15 members of All Progressives Congress (APC), led by the Speaker, Uyi Igbe and nine members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by former deputy Speaker, Festus Ebea, who now presides over his faction, claiming to be the Speaker.
    The crisis led to the 15 APC lawmakers relocating to the House of Assembly annex in Government House, as a result of renovation work going on in the Assembly Complex in Ring Road, while the PDP lawmakers insisted that the Anthony Enahoro complex remains their meeting point, alleging that the renovation work was not part of the 2014 budget of the House.
   Ebea told The Guardian Friday that they would resume their sittings. “Edo State should expect normal legislative activities from us as we resume plenary on Monday. The Governor and APC have refused to allow for any settlement, they insist we must all go and this is not possible.”
   Ebea said he remained the Speaker of the House of Assembly and that they had already gone to the Supreme Court to challenge the restraining order slammed on them by a state High Court, which they said they would not obey as according to him, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has a penchant for disobeying court orders.
  “The court matters are still on or are you telling me that you are not aware that they went to get a vacation judge to restrain us from sitting? But our lawyer quickly went to stop it. When they say we are not obeying court orders, it is like the kettle calling the pot black. Go and do your investigation and not just report. How many court judgments has the Governor ever obeyed? Former Speaker, Zakawanu Garuba and others were removed in the past and that was what they wanted to do to us. The Court reinstated Garuba and the others; did the Governor obey, where their entitlements paid? he asked”
  However, Senior Special Assistant to the Edo state governor on Legislative Matters, Ben Olajina has said that Adams Oshiomhole is looking forward to a united state Assembly in the days ahead.
   He said the governor has great respect for the legislature and all the lawmakers, irrespective of their political platforms, because he believes in the separation of powers and that the interest of Edo people should be paramount to all those elected to serve the people.
   Olajina, a member of the House from 1999 to 2003 under the defunct All Peoples Party (APP) said that Assembly has always overcome its crises in the past.
  “This is not the first time this kind of development is taking place and it is the duty of the Governor to reconcile the parties. He wants them to sheath their swords in the interest of Edo people who elected them for the dividends of democracy to continue to flow, he said.”
   However, before the recess, both camps had independently passed resolutions, which suffered different fates.
   The PDP lawmakers first called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to freeze the account of the Assembly, they asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Attorney General of the Federal, the Accountant General of the Federation and the Director General of the Revenue Allocation, Mobilization and fiscal Commission to withhold revenue allocation to the 18 local government areas of the state. 
  On the other hand, the APC lawmakers summoned council chairmen to submit their briefs, which they quickly complied. They also declared vacant the seat of the member representing Etsako Constituency 1, Abdulrasaq Momoh, just as they impeached the deputy Speaker, Festus Ebea and replaced him with Victor Edorhor.
   The APC in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Godwin Erahon alleged that the PDP lawmakers planned to escape the country for fear of impending bench warrant for their arrest and prosecution for contempt.
   He said “Reliable sources said the three suspended legislators have decided to escape arrest after an elderly Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, told them that they were prison-bound following the call-off of strike action by Judiciary workers. The strike has been delaying court decision on APC application for warrant of arrest against them.”
   A university don, Professor Tony Afejuku, however laid the blame on political leaders from both the APC and PDP, whom he said are fighting war of survival.
   In an interview with The Guardian the public commentator and the former Head of Department of Faculty of Arts, University of Benin, spoke on several local and national issues, Afejuku said:  “It is so painful and laughable scenarios we are witnessing. Not long ago, what didn’t they say against Tony Anenih, all the abuses in the world and before we knew it the same Anenih they were giving all kinds of label they now returned to. So the Comrade Governor, the messiah is now a devil. So I don’t get involved in a quarrel or fight of two lords of deception and oppression of the people. And I knew right from time, ab initio, that Oshiomhole will remain Oshiomhole. It is what has been cleared out. From what I read, they have even accused the other party of getting money from the PDP and another one has come out to say, ‘let us go and take an oath’. They deny getting anything from anybody. The Governor has not responded to that challenge. So, whoever is saying what he is saying, as far as I am concerned doesn’t mean anything. 
  “They are protecting the territory that enables them to oppress the people further. I know all of them in different ways; Now, the question of going to court, they are not respecting the court order, but do you blame them, do we have courts in Nigeria? I said it before and I am saying it again that the Judiciary we have is a Judiciary less Judiciary. They know what the Judges do in other to pass verdict. They are protecting the territory that enables them to oppress the people further. I know all of them in different ways.
They know what they must have done in the past or what they are doing to call the bluff of the Judiciary. And as the other part of the PDP people recently argued, wherein, they catalogued the misdemeanor of the Governor, cases, examples, illustration of the Governor’s own flagrant disobedience of court orders and heaven didn’t fall. He set the examples and they are following. But we say in my place, follow good example, they should not follow bad example and they said they have appealed. What we are having now shouldn’t have happened at all.”
   The crisis in the House started shortly after the APC membership registration exercise and then ward and local government congresses.  It was about who controls the party ahead of 2015 general election and then the big one, 2016 governorship election.
   The party became divided on who controls the structure between the Oshiomhole, who using his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu, Political Adviser, Charles Idahosa, his former Chief of Staff, Osarodion Ogie, took control of the party in Edo South Senatorial District, which controls more than 50 per cent of the voting population of the state. Former national vice chairman South-South of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who has not hidden his interest to succeed Oshiomhole, was disenchanted with the outcome of the congress and took a walk.
  He left the APC with other supporters across the three senatorial districts, including four lawmakers - Patrick Osayimen, Jude Ise-Idehen and Abdurasaq Momoh back to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
   There is also the strong speculation that the Federal Government is also very keen in seeing the end of APC in Edo State. The defection of the lawmakers to the PDP swelled the membership of the PDP in the 24- member House to eight from four.
  As at today, Ebea is yet to formally resign from the APC, but through his actions he is already one with the party.
  The allegation that they were promised and received N50 million surfaced with the threat that they were to lure more lawmakers into the PDP in order to have the absolute majority needed to changed the leadership of the House, with the possibility of ousting the Governor and his Deputy. That, it is alleged is to pave way for the PDP to win back the state in the next election.
   But sensing that the APC controlled leadership of the House was bent on punishing their act of defection, using the rules of the House, the four lawmakers approached the Federal High Court, where they demanded that the House should be restrained from declaring their seats vacant and also suspending them, and the Judge, Justice A. M. Liman granted their prayer, that their seats should not be declared vacant, but said the issue of suspension was an internal working arrangement of the House.
  The House then suspended the members “for an indefinite period for misconduct as provided for under Order 38 of the Rules of the Procedure of the House of Assembly.”
   But the four suspended members faulted the procedure for the suspension, saying it was faulty and therefore would not be obeyed.
   Supported by the existing four PDP lawmakers, the four suspended lawmakers and the deputy Speaker, Festus Ebea held their session, though without the Mace, Clerk of the House, Sergeant-at-Arms, which are the symbols of authority for the House’ sitting and pronounced their counter suspension of the Speaker, Majority Leader, Philip Shaibu and appointed Ebea as the new Speaker of the House.
   But for not complying with the suspension, the leadership of the House approached the Court and got an order restraining the four suspended lawmakers and the Police from forcibly gaining entry into the Assembly Complex and the legislative quarters. 
   And for days they could not resolve their differences even after series of verbal altercations and fights. That ding-dong continued until they separately left for vacation. Tomorrow, they are likely to pick up from where they stopped.

Idahosa joins Senate race Edo PDP

AHEAD the 2015 general election, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has disclosed that it would field in its best team, just as it assured that there would be no imposition of candidates.
State chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, gave the assurance at the weekend, in Benin, while receiving Honourable Ehiogie West Idahosa, who was at the party secretariat to formally inform the Edo State Working Committee of his intention to contest for the Edo South Senatorial seat under the PDP platform.
“We will throw the contest open to ensure that only the very best emerges. The issue of who represents the state at the National Assembly is not for ‘alleluias’ boys; people must give us reasons they want to represent us,” Orbih said.
Earlier, Honourable Idahosa told the party leadership that he was vying for the Edo South senatorial seat to enable him offer qualitative representation to the zone and Edo State, just as he expressed gratitude to the PDP for the opportunity offered him in the past.
Idahosa, who represented Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2011, appealed to the party to consider him for the race, saying he hailed from was the least represented constituency in the Edo South senatorial zone.
He listed among his achievements as a member of the House of Representatives, the employment of over 820 Edo citizens in the paramilitary forces and in the oil and gas sector, the promulgation into law of the NDDC Bill, the establishment of the Niger Delta Ministry, recovery of oil wells to Edo State from Delta State, motion for the recovery of Benin artifacts in Europe and America.
He listed the establishment of a seaport at Gelegele in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state, among others, as what he hope to achieve if elected senator.

Boko Haram - Lagos NYSC Increases Surveillance At Orientation Camp

Lagos — The management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Lagos has put inplace security measures to prevent possible attacks by the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

Checks by Sunday Independent at the weekend showed that the NYSC orientation camp, located along Ipaja Road, in Agege area of Lagos, has been under close watch by security agents.

Operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), police officers from Elere police station in Agege, Lagos, and members of War Against Indiscipline in the state, our correspondent observed, now keep permanent security checks at the camp both day and night.

Not wanting to be caught off guards, the NYSC management in state recently pasted a notice at the main gate of the camp, ordering petty traders to stay away.

An official at the camp, who spoke off records with Sunday Independent on Saturday, said though it is pretty difficult for Boko Haram to hit Lagos, the notice is to guard against the invasion of some members of the Islamic sect, who may disguise as petty traders, to hit the camp.

A police officer, sighted at the main gate of the camp, said that in addition to officers deployed to the place from Elere police station, officers from the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, are always there to provide back-up in case of any eventualities.

Alleged Attack on Women during Festival Causes Tension in Edo

 Gov Adams Oshomhole

There is growing tension in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Council of Edo State following the alleged beating of some women from Weppa, one of the clans that make up Weppa-Wanno. The women were said to have gone to the Agenbode market to perform certain annual rituals.

Against this premise, the people of the area have declared that they are not part of the larger community, as according to them, those suspected to have beaten, harassed and manhandled the women were sent from the palace.

They therefore want the state government to give them an autonomous identity because of the alleged undue interference in the performance of their customary festival by the Okumagbe of Weppa Wanno kingdom, Dr. George Egabor. 

THISDAY investigation revealed that the fragile peace in the community occasioned by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Weppa clan who are customarily the chief priests of the kingdom and the palace was said to have been broken last Thursday when the incident happened.

Efforts to contact the spokesperson of the palace, High Chief Pius Ozekhome, were unsuccessful as his line could not be reached but the traditional ruler denied the allegation saying: “All that is balderdash, nobody was attacked. I am not a violent person, I am a man of peace; whoever is doing that is playing to the gallery.”   

But narrating the incident, the chief priest of the kingdom, Chief Akhamiokhor Egiebade, said the chief priest normally emerges from the three ruling houses – Agiere, Iviamadi and Otaokwi – and is saddled with the responsibility of fixing a date for the annual festival (Ukpe), according to the customs and traditions of Weppa Wanno.

“August every year is our festival month since we migrated from Benin and after the festival, the women needed to have their own title and after they have taken their titles, there is a final celebration which entails their going to the market.

“They came to Wepppa here to celebrate their title the next date which is Thursday. Then they went to Agenebode market to perform the same ceremony but we heard rumours that the Okumagbe had said that he would send people to attack the women and that they should not come to the market and would not allow them to carry our their ceremony.

“But I told the women to go and do their ceremony and when they got there, they were attacked with heavy weapons; guns were shot and they collected their materials for the ceremony and forcibly removed their beads which they wore. Four of the women were wounded,” he said.

Continuing, he said the “women came back to Weppa with tears. They were alarmed and said what happened that day had never happened before in the community.

“No Okumagbe in the throne has taken such an action. There was crisis before which the Edo State Government through the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lucky James, came to settle.

"There was an MoU after the settlement and there is a paragraph there that states they should allow me as the chief priest to continue to do my yearly rituals.

“Okumagbe is for administration while the chief priest is the spiritual head of the community just as Ishekure is in Benin Kingdom but he did not abide by the MoU so since then, he has been finding fault in what I do”.

He said the issue had been reported at the Agenebode police station but the people had resolved to become autonomous. “We have made a report to the police. We took a decision yesterday and Weppa has stopped coming to the palace.

“As from yesterday (Saturday), no Weppa man should go to the palace-- both chiefs and ordinary people. We want the government to intervene because they did not follow the previous arrangement we reached.

“We had applied for our clan before, we want to be independent and don’t want to be part of the Weppa Wanno kingdom anymore. He has driven us out and he doesn’t want us,” the chief priest maintained.

Nigeria: Curbing International Prostitution in Edo

The menace of girl-child trafficking for the purpose of prostitution overseas has drawn and received the attention of three prominent Edo women, writes Adibe Emenyonu Abieyuwa (not real name) was 20 years old when she was trafficked to Italy in 1996. Before her departure, she was promised a good paid factory work as soon as she arrived there. Coming from a poor home and the first among eight children, she jumped at the offer, not knowing it was all false.

Osatohanmwen, a native of Ugbogui, Ovia South Southwest local government area of Edo State had a similar experience when she was approached by a relation who promised to take her to one of the European countries so that her parent's ordeal of taking care of 10 children can be reduced. She was told that on getting there, a good paying job awaits her; that in no distant time, her family will leap out of their poor condition.

Edo State is not alone in the prostitution business. Other ethnic groups also have their fair share of compromising part of their value system and enlisted themselves in the scandalous commercialisation of their bodies. Although Abieyuwa, Osatohanmwen and many others succeeded in getting to their dream destination, they ended up not at the promised factory work or any other good paid job, but as women of easy virtues, hawking their bodies for the highest bidder.

And because they are operating in a foreign land, they are subjected to all manner of ill-treatment since they do not possess entry documents as required by the law of the countries where they operate. The most agonising is that a good number of them either contact deadly diseases like HIV/AIDS and other STDs, some even die only for their dead bodies to be repatriated to their parents for burial. For instance, in a recent study, a Paris-based photographer, Elena Perlino, highlights the situation being faced by the trafficked girls. Perlino, originally from Italy, said she began to notice the presence of young African women working on the streets during her commutes from Turin to Milan in Italy.

She said: "I decided to start from this surreal vision to tell a story. I have been working on the topic for several years, focusing mainly on the Italian connection."

Perlino reveals that many Nigerian women come to Italy hoping to make enough money from honest work as nannies or factory workers to support their families back home, but are tricked by traffickers into working in the sex trade.

"I noticed a Nigerian woman commuting between Turin and Milan on the 4am train. Traffickers demand on average more than 50,000 euros ($60,000) for travel expenses and accommodation, with the women having to work as prostitutes until their debts are paid off. According to her, 80 per cent of women trafficked to Italy come from Benin City, Edo State, in south Nigeria".

The photographer explained further saying: "My work attempts to show a complex phenomenon that crosses Italy from North to South. This involves many cities including Turin, Milan, Genoa, Rome, Naples and Palermo and thousands of Nigerian and Italian people".

Apparently as result of this revelation the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) declared Nigeria among the top eight countries with the highest human trafficking rates in the world.

And because eighty per cent of Nigerian women trafficked to Italy come from Benin City, Edo State, in south Nigeria, organisations like Idia Renaissance, an NGO founded by Eki Igbinedion, wife of former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, began advocating against human trafficking and prostitution whether at home or in the Diaspora.

Nigeria: Ebola Nurse Flees Lagos for Enugu

By Sola Ogundipe, Ben Agande, Kinsgley Omonobi,Tony Edike, Chioma Obinna and Gabriel Olawale
One of the primary contacts of the late American-Liberian, Patrick Sawyer, who escaped quarantine on suspicion of having the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, in Lagos, has been tracked to Enugu.
The suspect, identified as a nurse, said to have travelled to her home town to visit her family, is now under surveillance with 20 others she came into contact with in the city.
With the development, the total number of Nigerians under monitoring for the dreaded virus is now 198.
Revealing these facts yesterday after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, Information Minister, Labaran Maku, explained that Nigeria currently has 10 confirmed cases of Ebola, all stemming from the visit of the late Sawyer.
Maku explained that of the 198 persons under surveillance, 177 of them are in Lagos while 21 are in Enugu.
He said: "All those who had primary contact have been quarantined. Secondary contacts have also been traced. So far, the number of people that have been traced is 198.
"Of this number, 177 are in Lagos and are being traced. Some are in quarantine, some are being monitored by health specialists."
Meanwhile, the death toll world wide from the outbreak stands at 1,069 and total number of infections 1,975, according to the World Health Organisation.
Liberia was hit extremely hard this week, with 71 cases and 32 deaths from Sunday to Monday. Fifty-six deaths and 128 new cases were reported in that same period across all four West African countries affected by the virus.
21 Ebola suspects in Enugu under watch
Giving details on the escapee, Maku revealed that she travelled to Enugu from Lagos against instruction not to leave Lagos State.
He said: "The 21 persons in Enugu under watch now is as a result of their involvement with the nurse who disobeyed medical instructions and somehow travelled to Enugu. All those who she was in contact with, including her husband, are under quarantine. The medical team has been able to trace all those who made contact with her."
While warning that government would prosecute anybody found spreading false rumours or unverified reports over the Ebola epidemic, Maku said government was expanding presence of health officers to strategic entry points in the country.
"Health workers are now in all our border units. At all the entry points into this country and exit points, we have port health workers that are working in our airports and seaports.
"We are calling on citizens, specifically, to co-operate. If health workers say you have had contact with A, B, C, don't move to anywhere, respect that judgment. It is very important. In one or two cases where we have had disobedience, we lost one of them and this one now moved with it to another place (Enugu).
"So we are urging Nigerians, please to help us in making sure that all these messages and appeals we are making, we implement them."
He noted that the Ministry of Health had set up a special committee specifically to take claims from Nigerians who believe they could help and so far "we have had a lot of reports from Nigerians at home and abroad who come forward to say they have possibility of developing therapies that could help in fighting the virus.
"There is no cure so far, anywhere in the world. Even the trial drug in the US is still a trial drug; it has not been established.
"One of the doctors and research experts that came forward was Dr. Simon Agwale, who has been one of the frontline global researchers on developing vaccines for HIV and other viral diseases.
"He also came forward and said he could help, both in terms of working to develop a vaccine, which he said he has started work on between himself and his fellow experts in the US and he said this is ongoing."
Maku stated that the Minister of Health had given support and directed him to the committee. He also discussed the possibility of certain therapy which could be applied and again that is being discussed. Once it is approved, it could be used."
Escapee nurse, husband arrested, returned to Lagos
There was anxiety among residents of Enugu, yesterday following reports that 21 persons have been quarantined in the city for having direct contact with a suspected Ebola patient who escaped from Lagos.
Officials of Enugu State Government claimed ignorance of the development but there were fears that the government might be keeping the information secret to prevent panic among residents.
The telephone line of the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. George Eze, remained switched off yesterday while another commissioner who was contacted said he was not aware of anybody being quarantined in Enugu.
But a medical consultant with the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Enugu, told Vanguard that some officials of the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, in Lagos were in Enugu last week to pick the suspected female Ebola victim who escaped from a quarantine centre in Lagos.

Lagos Moves To Amend Okada Law

Governor Babatunde Fashola reverted the fees paid by Lagos State University (LASU) students to its original N25,000, after a long protracted battle with the students, members of  the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, moved to amend the state Traffic Law, accusing the enforcement agencies, particularly the police, of poor implementation.


The assembly made this observation while debating a motion sponsored by 10 lawmakers, including Honourable Sanai Agunbiade.


While moving for a public hearing on the review exercise, the assembly urged Governor Fashola to urgently call on the state Commissioner of Police, Umaru Manko, to ensure his officers and men desist from indiscriminate arrest of okada riders, particularly outside the restricted areas.


According to members, who maintained that the Traffic Law remained the best in terms of bringing sanity on the roads, curbing crime rate and reducing rate of accidents on Lagos roads, the police, they said, from personal observation and experience, had cultivated the habit of exploiting the okada riders through indiscriminate arrests.


Members of the assembly noted that the response to the law had been negative, due to poor enforcement.


Meanwhile, Governor Fashola has requested for the re-ordering of the 2014 Budget of the state to meet with demands for more public services.


The governor’s request was contained in a letter, entitled: “Y2014 Budget Re-Ordering of Priorities,” addressed to the speaker, Honourable Adeyemi Ikuforiji.


According to Fashola, the re-ordering was to take care of emerging issues like the reversal of LASU school fees policy, Ebola virus epidemic, among others.

Lagos state launches ebola response website

Nigeria’s Lagos state government has launched a response website in furtherance of the fight against ebola, providing information on the disease via the www.lagosebolaresponse.org website.

The website was launched by the state’s Ministry of Health and provides information such as what to do faced with a suspected ebola case, as well as a fact sheet on the viral disease.
Information from the website can be downloaded in PDF format.
The ebola response website features a blog page attempting to debunk rumours about the disease including the one that was widely circulated on social media that drinking and bathing with salt and water could prevent the disease.
The Lagos Ministry of Health has also launched a toll-free ebola helpline which can be reached by dialling 0800 EBOLA HELP (0800 326524357).
The state’s response centre can be accessed via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube; with the Twitter account already counting 400 followers while the Facebook page has over 700 likes.

Politicians Urged To Desist From Using-Youths As Mercenaries

BENIN CITY- Youths in Edo State, yesterday joined their counterparts across the globe to mark the world Youth Day celebration with a call on politicians to ‘desist’ from using youths as political mercenaries to actualize the selfish agenda.

They also called on government at all levels to look inward with a view to mapping out plans/strategies that would help revolutionalize the country through agriculture, which according to them would help curb unemployment and youth restiveness in the country.

Addressing newsmen during the celebration which was organized, by the Edo Youths for Good Governance (EYFGG), in collaboration with Initiative for Youths Awareness on Migration, Immigration, Development / Reintegration (IYAMIDR) EYFGG President, Comrade Osaru Culture, said the celebration became necessary because of the need to X-ray the impact of youths on nation building.

He called on the Federal government to as a matter of urgency review the subsidy Re-investment Programme (SURE-P) towards ensuring an all-inclusive and participatory programme.

The youth who vowed to resist any political aspirant who fails to present youth-presented manifestoes, in the forthcoming general elections called on the Edo State House of Assembly Factional leaders, to shift grounds for reconciliation in the interest of the progress of the state.
According to him, the youths would soon remind the lawmakers on why any of them will not be voted for during subsequent elections.

The EYFGG President appealed to the state government to facilitate the immediate release of appointment letters to deserving youths who applied for job under the state Neighbourhood Watch Scheme as well as consider the appointment of youths into the State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC).

While commending the Federal government on the appointment of Peter Osaretin as the NDDC Commissioner, the youths called on government at all levels to take proactive measures toward the fight against the spread of Ebola Virus in the country.

He however admonished his members (Youths) to jettison any act capable of foiling social ills in the society.

Kunle Afolayan And Brother Isolated In Seychelles Over Ebola

As panic over the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus continue to rise, most countries have started taking precautionary measures, thoroughly screening incoming passengers especially those from Western countries where cases of the virus has been reported.

Top Nollywood filmmaker and actor, Kunle Afolayan and his younger brother, Gabriel Afolayan who is also an actor were isolated on their arrival at Seychelles airport because of the Ebola fear.
This was disclosed by Kunle via his Facebook page. He added that Gabriel had to do a test as he didn’t have his yellow fever card.

On Wednesday, August 6, 2014, I hear there was an unusual meeting in the Edo State Government House in Benin City. The unusual was the visit of the Benin High Chief and business mogul, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion to the Comrade Governor, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole. It was indeed an august visitor in August! Media reports said the Esama came in a maroon red Rolls Royce Phantom car and as usual, he was accompanied by a returnee of close associates and aides who were kept out of the secret meeting. The surprise visit was said to have lasted for about 35 minutes. Those who are in the know say it was about the first by the Esama of Benin Kingdom to the government house in the last five years. However, that is not to say that the two prominent sons of Edo have not been having chance meetings at social functions in and out of the state. The formal meeting in the government house, though said to be unscheduled, is the unusual, hence, the news. The print and electronic media promptly latched on it, making a mincemeat.

Given the relationship between the government and the patriarch of the House of Igbinedion, the secret meeting kept tongues wagging in the ancient city as to the real motive. Could it have been the lingering crises rocking the state house of assembly which has torn it into two parts with lawmakers holding parallel plenary along party lines?

Was it a plea to cooperate towards the forthcoming general elections? Or to solicit support for and formerly invites the governor to the Esama’s 80th birthday in September? Questions and questions begging for possible answer(s).

But blame not these wagging tongues, insinuating all sorts of things, because anything is possible in party politics, especially in this season of political anomie characterised by defections and impeachments. Some went to the extent of saying the Esama was planning to dump the PDP, adding that he had gone to discuss his defection with his entire household to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC. Yet, some say at 80, the Esama is moving round to reconcile with all those he had issues with at one time or the other. But wait a minute, since the meeting was held behind close doors, I believe all these could be better described as garbage from the political rumour mill.

Without giving in to these “idle talk”, I would however want to believe that the Esama may have quietly met with the comrade governor to appreciate him for the Yeoman’s job he is doing in Edo State, especially in the area of infrastructure, human capital development, youth employment and healthcare delivery. This is more like it given the enormity of transformation the governor has brought to bear on Edo in the last six years. As a chieftain of the PDP, the Esama had to do “secretly” acknowledge the comrade’s modest efforts to avoid sanction from the hawks.

That is the colour of the unfortunate politics in this clime where the opposition is blind to anything good done by the party in government. As an old politician cum astute businessman, the Esama understands this too well and discretion, they say, is the better part of valour.

Well, to me, whatever may have prompted Mohammed going to the Mountain at this “auspicious” time, is good for the polity, especially that of our dear state of Edo. It is high time the political class put aside politics of hate and work in the interest of the people and the state, notwithstanding party affiliation. I was impressed with the Esama when he was quoted in the media as say that “he is the governor of Edo State and I have come to see my governor”. This statement and indeed, the visit itself is in the true spirit of reconciliation on the part of the Esama and I believe the governor will reciprocate accordingly. Yet, the Esama is not celebrating his birthday for the first time with activities running for months and dignitaries thronging his palatial apartment in Benin city from across Nigeria and beyond. But he has never visited the governor in his capacity as the first citizen and chief security officer of the state to formally invite him. This new turn of event or is it change of attitude, may have heighted the suspicion of the people that kept tongues wagging. Like the New PDP in Edo State, perharps, this is a new and born again Esama!

For those who do not know, the Esama is the biological father of the immediate past governor of Edo State, Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion. Yes, I said the immediate past because in the eye of the law, Prof Oserhiemen Osunbor was never governor of Edo State. However, that is a story for another day. At this juncture, let me comment properly on the relationship between the Oshiomhole government and the House of Igbinedion which has been frosty for close to five years. The not too cordial relationship is said to be as a result of government’s determination and courage to say no to business as usual in the state, especially as regards the age-long culture of evading tax with impunity and in the enforcement of the Land Use Act. The government believes no nobody is above the law when it comes to tax matters in Edo state and it has shown that it’s more than ready to enforce it in line with the spirit and letter of the law. If need be, it’s also ready to step on powerful toes and chop off stubborn ones in the interest of Edo. Apparently, this is where the government came in conflict with the Esama who has vast business interests across the state with landed property dotting virtually the entire landscapers of Benin, the state capital.
Again, the octogenarian wittingly or unwittingly believed the state property law which came into effect in year 2013 and the enforcement of the Land Use Act were primarily targeted at him and his business interests. For this, he has been waging a cold war against the state government, using all the arsenal at his disposal, including his TV/radio station and sponsoring protest marches to the state house of assembly against some executive bills.

However, regardless of whatever anybody would have said, thought or believed, that meeting is for our collective good as Edolites because a lot of tension would have been doused and a lot of misgivings would have been laid to rest in the state.

Edo to provide interest free credit to Micro businesses

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday said the state government would continue to provide the needed incentives to attract and support both local and foreign investments into state. Oshiomhole made this known at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Edo Trade Fair in Benin.
He said though land was a basic challenge facing potential investors, his administration had reformed the process of land acquisition and documentation for economic purposes, thus, attracting investors interested in exploring the state’s resources.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, used the event to announce that the processing and issuance of the certificate of occupancy in the state had been made possible within 30 days.
On the promotion of small and medium enterprises, Oshiomhole said the state government had partnered with the Bank of Industry to create N500m soft facility which would provide accessible funds to the SMEs and cooperative societies.
The governor revealed that his administration had provided financial assistance to youths in the state, through the Graduate Entrepreneur Scheme.
He also disclosed that the government had finalised plans to grant interest-free credit facilities to market women and micro business operators in the state, through micro finance banks, as well as the construction of an industrial park, furniture park and specialised market for industrial goods.
He said, “As part of our deliberate policy to engage the organised private sector, Edo State Government will continue to support private initiatives and provide more enabling environment for investment to flourish.
“Our infrastructure base is growing and the required policy frame work that will make Edo a safe haven for investment in the country will periodically be adjusted to meet global standards.
“The task ahead of us is to improve the standard of living of the people; on my part, I have vowed not to renege on my promise of making Edo State the leading investment destination in Nigeria.”
Earlier, the President of the Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Mr. Andy Edobor, said the timing of the event was strategic in providing a proper avenue to re-launch the Edo Trade Fair, after five years, and provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to exchange ideas and break new grounds that would translate into commercial and industrial growth of the state and the nation.
Edobor, however, decried the lack of basic infrastructure at the permanent trade fair site, which was responsible for the setbacks suffered by previous editions of the fair in the state and urged the state government to provide the needed infrastructure for the state trade fair complex, as obtained in other states.
The trade fair, with the theme, ‘Great people, Bountiful resources, Boundless opportunities’, will end on August 17.

Test results negative on two possible Ebola cases in Benin

Cotonou (AFP) - Tests on two patients in the west African country of Benin have proved negative for Ebola, the country's health minister said on Monday.

"The samples that were sent to a specialist hospital in Lagos came back negative," Dorothee Akoko Kinde-Gazard told reporters.

Tiny Benin shares a common border with Nigeria, where 10 people have contracted Ebola. Of those, two have died.

One of the two patients in Benin who presented with Ebola-like symptoms was identified as a Nigerian man. He was treated at a hospital in the capital Porto-Novo.

The other was at a facility in the economic capital, Cotonou, which is just a few hours' drive from Lagos, where all the Nigerian Ebola cases have been identified.

There is significant traffic between the two cities each day, especially among traders.

Both were kept in isolation and under observation pending the test results, Kinde-Gazard's department said last week.

Nigeria is one of four west African countries hit by the Ebola outbreak, which has claimed nearly 1,000 lives since the start of the year.