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Showing posts from November, 2022

1,079 victims of human trafficking, GBV seek justice through sexual referral centre--- says NCD

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Nov 30, 2022 By Editor The New Apostolic Centre for Development (NCD), a humanitarian arm of the New Apostolic Church said no fewer than 1,079 persons had reported cases of human trafficking and gender based violence to the Edo State Sexual Assault Referral Centre, otherwise known as Vivian Centre to seek for justice. Mr Victor Oriakhi, board member of the Benin City based non-governmental organisation, said the figures was occasioned by the  body's  implementation's of  the Agents for Transformation programme project funded by the European Union in the state. Oriakhi made the disclosure in Benin City while briefing the press at the end of a town hall meeting and training of participants on the awareness and danger of trafficking in persons and improved response to sexual and gender based violence in the state. He disclosed that before the implementation of the programme which commenced in June, about 600 victims of the societal menace had  approached  t

Edo NULGE to honour past, present leaders at its 2022 week

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By Editor Nov 28, 2022 Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has rolled out plans to celebrate and honour past and present leaders that served the union meritoriously  in the state. A statement by the state president and secretary of the union, Comrade Lazarus Adorolor and Olumuyiwa Cole, respectively, and made available to newsmen in Benin City said the past and present leaders of the union will be honoured in its 2022 week. The union, who noted that the leaders gave the best of their lives for the betterment and struggle of the union, said the union's week celebration will commence on November 28, 2022. He said the event which has in its theme, "Sustaining an Autonomous Local Government as a catalyst for National Development", will be delivered by the federal Commissioner, Federal Character Commission, Abuja, Prof. Osarunmwese Imuetinyan on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at Imaguero Grammer School, Benin-City by 10.00am.

Edo: Police rescue 14 kidnapped victims travelling to wedding ceremony in Ilorin

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Nov 25, 2022 Edo State Police Command  said it has rescued 14 persons who were kidnapped in Akoko-Edo local government area while travelling for a wedding ceremony to Ilorin state. The police image maker, SP Chidi Nwabuzor made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Friday. Nwabuzor said the victims were among persons kidnapped in a two luxury buses on their way from Benue state to a wedding ceremony in Ilorin. He said the persons were kidnapped on Thursday, November 24, 2022 at 4pm along Lagos–Abuja Road, by Ikeran Oke, Ibillo, in Akoko - Edo Local Government Area of Edo State. He said the police command was aware of the incident about 5:15pm on Thursday through the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Ibillo Division. The state police image maker said nine persons were rescued on Thursday while five others were also rescued on Friday (today), adding that an unspecified numbers of the victims were still missing. "The Command at about 1715hrs of

Ex-Delta community union President, pharmaceutical companies donate drugs, money to flood victims

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By Editor Nov 25, 2022 Pharmacist Paul Enebeli, the former President General of Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU), others at the presentation of multi-million naira drugs to flood victims in Delta state. Pharmacist Paul Enebeli, the former President General of Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU) and some pharmaceutical companies have donated drugs worth over N6 million to flood victims in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State. Enebeli also disclosed  that his company the New Heights Pharma Limited  donated a cash of N1million to assist the affected persons in the local government. The former president of NNU who presented the drugs recently to the beneficiaries at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at Ozoma Uku Primary School, Ashaka in Ndokwa East Local Government Area said the gesture was in collaboration between his Pharmaceutical Company, New Heights Pharma Limited and other pharmaceutical companies in the countries. Enebeli who said he was pained by the havoc of the floo

Like Seplat energy, LAPO MFB Splashes Science equipment worth million of naira on Edo schools

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A LAPO staff presenting trophy to students of University Preparatory Secondary School (UPSS),  Benin City who emerged the overall winner of the organization's 2022 quiz competition held in Benin City. By Editor Nov 20,  2022 LAPO Microfinance Bank limited like the Seplat Energy Plc has empowered three secondary schools in Edo state with Science equipment worth million of naira. BusinessDay reports that Seplat Energy Plc had October 28, 2022 splashed the sum of N18,675 million project support, scholarship on three schools in Edo, Delta during its 2022 quiz competition held in Benin City. The schools that benefited from the Seplat energy empowerment are Green Park Academy, Benin City, Deeper Life High School , Delta state and University of Benin Demonstration Secondary School (UDSS), Benin City that came overall winner, first and second runner up respectively. Green Park Academy had the overall best prize of N10million, Deeper Life High School got N5million while the Univ

3000 homes to benefit from potable water before 2023 polls in Delta

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By Editor Nov 19, 2022 The completion of the ongoing  Effurun-Warri water scheme will provide potable water to 3000 homes in Delta State, the state commissioner for Water Resources, Chief Samuel Mariere has said. Mariere said the water scheme will be completed before the end of February in the 2023 fiscal year. The commissioner disclosed this at the ministry's 2023 budget defence meeting with the State House of Assembly Committee on Water Resources in Asaba. He noted that the project which is at the verge of completion was a major target for the ministry and the state government. While disclosing that the 2022 budget performance of the ministry was 34.5 percent, he added that N1.9 billion was approved for the ministry as Capital Expenditures. The former lawmaker, who was a former Chairman of the Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Water Resources, said the sum of N2.03 billion was proposed for capital projects in the 2023 fiscal year. He, however, solicited for s

2023 Poll: Ibori will not destroy the party he laboured to build--- Okowa aide

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By Editor Nov 19, 2022 Hon David Odeli, Special Assistant to Delta State Governor on Youth and Community Development Hon David Odeli, Special Assistant to the Delta State governor on Youth  and Community development has said that the former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori will not do anything to destroy the People's Democratic Party (PDP) he laboured to build with others in the country as well as in the state. Odeli made the remarks during a chat with journalists in Benin City, Edo State on the sideline of the lingering crisis between the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and Chief Ibori on the choice of the party's gubernatorial candidate for the 2023 elections in the state. He described the two-time governor of the state  as a foremost national leader and a core party man. "Chief James Ibori, the former two-time of our state  is a foremost national leader and a core party man. There is no way he will destroy the house he and his political foot so

Security operatives arrest five land owners in Benin for protesting against demolition of houses by Edo Govt.

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Traditionalists at the protest by Oke-Oroma community against the demolition of their properties by Edo state government By Editor Nov 17, 2022 A combined team of security operatives have arrested five land owners from Oke-Oroma community, who on Thursday, joined, a protest against the recent demolition of their properties by the Edo State Government. The arrested persons were nabbed at the premises of the National Museum, in Ring road, Benin City. One of the protesters, who spoke to newsmen, said the combined team made up of operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) and the Nigeria Police. The operatives, it was gathered stormed the venue with three hilux vehicles full of personnel, two Prado Jeeps, Armoured Tank and Machine guns after the protest to carry out the arrest. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the protesters were in the museums premises to round off the protest when the security agencies stormed on them. He said the persons, who in

Wike Apologises To Oshiomhole For Supporting Obaseki’s Re-Election

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----Says we were happy when APC Sacked Oshiomhole as National Chairman.   By Editor Nov 16, 2022 Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike of River State on Wednesday apologised to former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, for supporting the re-election of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State in September 2020. Channels Television reports that Wike tendered the apology to Oshiomhole at the inauguration of the Rumuepirikom Flyover in the Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the state which the ex-APC chairman commissioned. The Rivers state governor, pointed  out that he supported the reelection of Governor Godwin Obaseki  in retaliation to what Oshiomole did to him when he was contesting for governor. Wike, who also stated that Adams Oshiomhole was a very strong man who normally said things that affected his party, added that they were happy when he lost the election to Obaseki. According to Wike, he has learnt and the past should remain in t

We've empowered SMEs with N7billion -----Obaseki

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Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki By Editor Nov 16, 2022 Edo State Government said it had given out N7 billion to Small and Medium Enterprise with the assistance of the World Bank. The State Governor, Godwin Obaseki who made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen in Benin City, did not however mention whether the money was given to the beneficiaries since 2016 when he assumed office as the governor or not. According to him, we are doing so much in terms of job creation and capacity development for our people.  "We have created about seven job centres where citizens can submit their job applications for job placement. "We have given out N7 billion naira to Small and Medium Enterprise with the assistance of the World Bank, ”he said. Obaseki also disclosed that the state government had 30 hectares of land at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital to build a medical city where various medical practitioners will come and get a space. He however, said his administration w

Delta spends N624.7bn in 7 years on 748 civil engineering projects

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By Editor Nov 15, 2022   Delta State Government said it spent N624.7billion on 748 civil engineering projects since the inception of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led government in 2015. The Commissioner for Works in-charge of Urban and Highways, Mr Noel Omodion made the disclosure on Tuesday in Asaba at the presentation of the scorecard of his ministry in the outgoing 2022 fiscal year. Omodon said the engineering projects include highways, urban and rural roads, drainage structures, bridges, rehabilitation and maintenance. He disclosed that the Ministry of Works recorded 58 percent budget performance as at last October 2022, in the 2022 fiscal year. He listed the projects executed by the state since 2015 as 1,753.87kilometres of roads and 1,045.73kilometres of drainage channels. The commissioner explained that the N107.4billion budgetary provisions of the Capital estimates in 2022 covers the Economic and Environment sectors as well as Transport, Sewerage and Drainage, and Urban a

Delta accesses N30bn from N150bn bridging finance

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Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State By Editor Nov 14, 2022 Delta State Governor and Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), senator Ifeanyi Okowa on Tuesday, said his administration has accessed N30 billion out of the N150 billion that it applied for from a financial institution under the 'Bridging Finance' facility.  Okowa disclosed this while answering questions from journalists shortly after inspecting the Koka flyover and Interchange, Stephen Keshi Stadium, the Leisure Park and Film Village as well as the Dennis Osadebey University, all in Asaba.  The governor said N25 billion out of the N30 billion 'Bridging Finance' loan already accessed by the state government had been deployed into some ongoing projects while the remaining N5 billion was channelled into the payment of pensioners in the Bureau for State Pensions and the Local Government Pensions Bureau.  The governor, who noted that local government pensioners were not und

Award on Benin Monarch: Edo born Journalist hails president Buhari

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By Editor Nov 15, 2022 An award winning journalist, Sebastine Usifo Ebhuomhan, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the conferment of the Most Outstanding Traditional Ruler Award on His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare Il. Sebastine, described the award on the royal monarch as "deserving, befitting and rewarding" to the traditional ruler for his foremost quintessential leadership and human right activism. Recall that the Federal Government had last month announced a special recognition of Most Outstanding Traditional Ruler Award to the revered Benin monarch. While commending, Buhari for the award, the renowned journalist noted that the traditional ruler had been at the international forefront of calls and actions, aimed at returning all stolen and looted Benin artefacts from foreign countries. "I, Usifo Ebhuomhan, rejoice with my Father, the Ogidigan, the Umogun, Omo N'Oba N'Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare ll and the entire Benin K

Bob Izua assures NUJ Chairman of befitting burial for late mother

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Bob Izua during a condolence visit to Edo State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Comrade Festus  Alenkhe on the death of his mother By Editor Nov 14, 2022 The Chairman,Bob Izua conglomerate, Chief John Osamede Adun on Monday gave assurance of supporting the Edo State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of journalists (NUJ), Comrade Festus Alenkhe towards giving his late mother a befitting burial. Recall that the state NUJ chairman's mother Madam Rose Akuogbe Alenkhe passed on November 7, 2022 after a brief illness. Chief John Osamede Adun, popularly known as "Bob Izua", gave the assurance during a condolence visit to Edo State chairman of the Nigeria (NUJ) at his family house in Benin City. The Benin based business mogul who said the NUJ Chairman stood solidly behind him when he lost his mother and throughout the  burial ceremony noted that  he will not abandon him now that his assistance is needed. According to him, life is about good turn deserve anoth

NUJ Set to Trains over 2000 journalists for 2023 general elections

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By Editor Nov 12, 2022 Comrade Chris Isiguzo (m ), National President Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), some national leaders of the union and the Edo State Chairman, Comrade Festus Alenkhe at the press briefing after NEC meeting in Benin City. The National Leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) says it will build human capacity of over  2000 journalists on elections reporting across the country for the 2023 general elections. The union said is partnering with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDC) and other international agencies for the programme. Chris Isiguzo, the national President of the union made the disclosure, weekend while briefing the press on the resolutions of the union's National Executive Council (NEC) meeting/Tax Conference held in Benin City, Edo state. The meeting had as its theme,"Tax : Towards an Inclusive Collection and Administration. "As,we speak on our part, we a

APC, Edo Govt bicker over economic benefits of Alaghodaro Summit

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By Editor  Nov 11, 2022 Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the state government have expressed divergent views over the economic benefits of  the annual Alaghodaro Summit celebration by the former. Dailymonitorngr reports that the state government today, Friday,  November 11, 2022 mark the 6th annual Alaghodaro Summit to showcase the achievements of the government since its inception in 2016. While the state government said it had in the last six years made remarkable progress in the enthronement of good governance for Edo people, the state leadership of the main opposition party, APC, however, described Alaghodaro Summit as a hollow ritual and a celebration of incompetence. A statement by Hon Chris Nehikhare, Commissioner for communication and orientation, and made available to newsmen in Benin said the summit would enable government review progress made in the last six years as well as appreciate Edo people for their love and support for the Obas

Mastercard Foundation set to train 400 African scholars at the University of Oxford

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By Editor Nov 10, 2022 A total of 400 young African scholars stand the opportunity to pursue taught master’s degrees at the University of Oxford in programmes linked to pandemic preparedness and recovery.  This is courtesy of a partnership between the University of Oxford and the Mastercard Foundation.   Nairametrics gathered that the scholarship is part of the Foundation’s AfOx Graduate Scholars Programme, which aims to assist African students in gaining access to opportunities at Oxford and thriving both during and after their time there.  The four AfOx themes —Healthy People, Integrated Societies, Green Futures, and Innovation for Prosperity— all pertinent to Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, will be the programme’s focal points.  Scholarship Details:  The Scholarship funds a rigorous one-year taught Master’s degree at Oxford, and each Scholar will receive top-tier training in areas such as food systems, health sciences, sustainable water and energy systems

Debtors may soon be unable to get FG contracts without AMCON clearance

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By Editor Nov 10, 2022 The Federal Government may soon move to ensure that recalcitrant debtors are barred from participating in government projects and contracts without prior clearance by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). This was disclosed in a press statement signed by Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media & Publicity. The statement explained that the policy move was recommended by an inter-agency committee established by the government to recover debts owed to AMCON. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who received the committee’s interim report on behalf of the government, assured that the recommendation would be acted upon accordingly. He also agreed that AMCON debtors engaging in business with government agencies is a due diligence lapse that needs to be checkmated. The Committee’s proposal:  Prof. Bolaji Owasonoye, who presented the report to the Vice President, proposed debtors be barred completely from

Oil-producing states owe over N2.15 trillion in domestic debt as of June 2022

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By Editor Nov 10, 2022 Oil producing states in Nigeria owe a cumulative sum of N2.15 trillion in domestic debt as of June 2022. This is according to the Nigerian foreign and domestic debt data published by the National Bureau of Statistics.  Oil-producing states in Nigeria are Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Ondo, Imo, Abia, Lagos, and Anambra.  None of the oil producing states under review recorded external debt stock. Nairametrics reported that these states earn a special 13% derivation from proceeds of oil revenues from the federation account suggesting they earn more than most other states. Debt summary:  A cursory review of the data shows that Lagos State held the highest amount of domestic debt stock among all oil-producing states in the country at N780.4 billion or 36% in the period under review.  Apart from Lagos State, Abia had a domestic debt stock of N91.4 billion, Akwa Ibom’s domestic debt stock was N203,112,373,546.77billion, Bayelsa State’s domestic de

Dangote, BUA Cement spent N263 billion on fuel, power in nine months as inflation soars

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By Editor Nov 10, 2022 Dangote Cement Plc and BUA Cement Plc spent a whopping sum of N263.157 billion on fuel and power during the nine months that ended September 30, 2022. Nairametrics reported that the expenditures represents a 44.31% increment from N182.355 billion recorded during the comparable period of 2021.  The figure also represents 42% of the total cost of sales of N626.660 billion recorded by the cement companies during the period under review.  Some of these cost pressures were due to the depreciation of the naira and macroeconomic inflationary pressure, especially in the domestic market where average inflation heightened.   Regardless of the high cost of sales which swallowed much of the companies’ earnings and stood at N626.660 billion, they both managed to generate a combined profit after tax of N287.115 billion, according to data tracked by Nairametrics. Nigerian manufacturers are yet to witness appreciable improvement in electricity supply years after Nige

Okowa inherited N60bn unpaid pensions from predecessor--- CPS

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photograph of protesting Delta retirees ---spends N1.5bn monthly on pensions payment By Editor Nov 10, 2022 Delta State Government on Thursday said it inherited over N50billion unpaid pension from his predecessor. Olisa Ifeajika, the chief press secretary to the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa made the disclosure while answering questions on a radio programme in Asaba. Ifeajika, who said the state government spend about N1.5billion on pension payment monthly, added that it was not true that the state government was not paying pensions regularly.  He also debunked the rumours making round that the government had abandoned pensioners in the state to their own fate.  According to him, the Okowa-led  administration inherited over N60 billion unpaid pension and been defraying it in addition to paying persons who  retired since he assumed office and had pushed up the liabilities.  "Every month, the Okowa-administration releases at least N1.5 billion for the payment of

2023 Poll: Group plans mobilization of 5 million votes for Atiku

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Dr Folu Ejele, National Coordinator, Nigeria Professionals For Atiku By Editor Nov 10, 2022 A group under the aegis of Nigeria Professionals For Atiku, (NPFA), has promised to deliver five million votes to the Presidential candidate of the  People's Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the forthcoming 2023 general elections. Dr Folus Ejele, the National Coordinator of the group made the promise on Thursday in Benin City during a chat with newsmen.  Ejele, who is also a member of the Presidential Campaign Council said the group's membership cut across the 36 States of the country including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja,  774 local  government areas, 8,813 wards in  the federation as well as  36 countries of the world. He also said members of the group are in different fields of human endeavour known to modern mankind. He opined that the decision to mobilize five million votes for the party's presidential candidate was occasioned by the st