Monday, October 21, 2013
Still on the sales of Edo house in Lagos.
The other story making the rounds that they are not telling us. Today @ the town hall meeting, a Business developer, who I suspected was sent to come and fly a kite, suggested to a few of us that with the plan sales of Edo House to build a five star hotel at the Ring Road will also go with a long term the plan to vacate the Oba Palace and turn it into a major tourist attraction. He said, the state government tourism development project is well on course. I told him that the Benins will not take kindly to that plan.
The Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom gives the go ahead to the Governor to sell Edo House in Lagos.
Royal fathers, others back Oshiomhole on Edo House sale
The Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba Erediauwa, the Crown Prince, the Royal fathers of Opoji and Okpella and many others stakeholders have thrown their weight behind the plan by the Government of Edo State to sell the Edo House in Lagos.
Speaking at a Town Hall meeting to address the twin issues of security and the proposed sale of the State’s Liaison office in Lagos, called Edo House, the Oba of Benin said the Edo House had become a liability and had lost its appeal.
Speaking through Chief Stanley Obamwonyi, the Esere of Benin Kingdom, the Oba frowned at the hullabaloo generated by the planned the sale and he told the Governor “go ahead and sell it”.
Also the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, HRH Ehenede Erediauwa said he fully supported the sale of the Edo House.
He said “my presence is to support the position of the palace, the position of the traditional rulers that the Comrade Governor who has taken the pains which he did not have to do. There have been governors who will not even talk to anyone but will do what they have to do.
“Here is a man of integrity and principle and he has the time to call this kind of meeting. I have been to Edo House in Lagos and it is nothing to write home about. It is just that we have a kind man who has the interest of the people at heart giving out all these facts which could easily have been given out by his officials.
“I am personally here to say sell it and invest the revenue in Edo State. Invest it in a five star hotel and Convention Centre which is very important because many big conferences are going elsewhere. When conference are being held Edo State is screened off. How many retreats have we witnessed in Edo State?”, he asked.
On his part the Onojie of Opoji, HRH Zaiki Ehidiamen 1 commended the governor for tabling the Edo House issue for discussion
“In the past, once the governor says the Government has sold this building that is the end of the matter, heaven will not fall. The House is no longer viable which means it must go. The Government should go ahead and sell it”, he said.
The Okwokpellagbe of Okpella, Alhaji AYE Dirisu who lamented the serious security situation in the state commended the governor for the initiative to reintroduce check points in the state.
“He said past government have sold government properties in the past and nothing was heard about it and wondered why this one is attracting so much attention. Let the government go ahead and sell the property and invest the proceeds in the state”.”
Earlier the Governor explained that the Edo House had become unviable and no longer serves the purpose to which it was meant.
He said “government has not sold the Edo House and will not be sold secretly. We decided at the level of the state government to look at the matter of Edo House and all the issues surrounding it and came to the conclusion that the Edo House be sold in a very transparent manner.
“Government properties including landed properties have been sold by previous governments without the benefit of advertising it. If we want to carry out self help we would not need to advertise it. It is consistent with our commitment to transparency and accountability”, he noted.
The Governor disclosed that government is holding discussions with the appropriate authority on the issue of re introducing check points to check insecurity in the state.
--
Peter Okhiria,
CPS to Edo State Governor
Comrade Adams Oshiomhole''''''''
The Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba Erediauwa, the Crown Prince, the Royal fathers of Opoji and Okpella and many others stakeholders have thrown their weight behind the plan by the Government of Edo State to sell the Edo House in Lagos.
Speaking at a Town Hall meeting to address the twin issues of security and the proposed sale of the State’s Liaison office in Lagos, called Edo House, the Oba of Benin said the Edo House had become a liability and had lost its appeal.
Speaking through Chief Stanley Obamwonyi, the Esere of Benin Kingdom, the Oba frowned at the hullabaloo generated by the planned the sale and he told the Governor “go ahead and sell it”.
Also the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, HRH Ehenede Erediauwa said he fully supported the sale of the Edo House.
He said “my presence is to support the position of the palace, the position of the traditional rulers that the Comrade Governor who has taken the pains which he did not have to do. There have been governors who will not even talk to anyone but will do what they have to do.
“Here is a man of integrity and principle and he has the time to call this kind of meeting. I have been to Edo House in Lagos and it is nothing to write home about. It is just that we have a kind man who has the interest of the people at heart giving out all these facts which could easily have been given out by his officials.
“I am personally here to say sell it and invest the revenue in Edo State. Invest it in a five star hotel and Convention Centre which is very important because many big conferences are going elsewhere. When conference are being held Edo State is screened off. How many retreats have we witnessed in Edo State?”, he asked.
On his part the Onojie of Opoji, HRH Zaiki Ehidiamen 1 commended the governor for tabling the Edo House issue for discussion
“In the past, once the governor says the Government has sold this building that is the end of the matter, heaven will not fall. The House is no longer viable which means it must go. The Government should go ahead and sell it”, he said.
The Okwokpellagbe of Okpella, Alhaji AYE Dirisu who lamented the serious security situation in the state commended the governor for the initiative to reintroduce check points in the state.
“He said past government have sold government properties in the past and nothing was heard about it and wondered why this one is attracting so much attention. Let the government go ahead and sell the property and invest the proceeds in the state”.”
Earlier the Governor explained that the Edo House had become unviable and no longer serves the purpose to which it was meant.
He said “government has not sold the Edo House and will not be sold secretly. We decided at the level of the state government to look at the matter of Edo House and all the issues surrounding it and came to the conclusion that the Edo House be sold in a very transparent manner.
“Government properties including landed properties have been sold by previous governments without the benefit of advertising it. If we want to carry out self help we would not need to advertise it. It is consistent with our commitment to transparency and accountability”, he noted.
The Governor disclosed that government is holding discussions with the appropriate authority on the issue of re introducing check points to check insecurity in the state.
--
Peter Okhiria,
CPS to Edo State Governor
Comrade Adams Oshiomhole''''''''
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Orhionmwon people's meeting at Abudu.
A meeting was held to the 20th October, 2013 by indigene of Orhionmwion Local Government Area. The meeeting was attended by eminient personaliites from the area include the President of Penticostal Fellowship of Nigeria Rev. Felix Omobude. All Progressive Party stawart, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Chief Solomon Edebiri. According to one Okunbor Jonathan Osas the Elite Group today's meeting Resolution
After much analysis of the d Orhionmwon people's summit held yesterday at Abudu. The house reviewed comments made by our reps.
1. That hon. P. Aisowieren have not done any project in Abudu since his election.
2. That the hon chairman have not completed the d transformer installation and have not asphalted any road in Abudu, that he should explain who he paid #2million naira to, etc.
Our Resolution.
1. That a letter should be written to the local government chairman to fix the transformer before one week,
2. show us the asphalted road in abudu, explain why #2 million Naira was paid to past council officers or face at least a 100 man protest after one week from dis notice.
3. Write a letter to NNPC for them to tell us their contribution to Abudu as a host community.
After much analysis of the d Orhionmwon people's summit held yesterday at Abudu. The house reviewed comments made by our reps.
1. That hon. P. Aisowieren have not done any project in Abudu since his election.
2. That the hon chairman have not completed the d transformer installation and have not asphalted any road in Abudu, that he should explain who he paid #2million naira to, etc.
Our Resolution.
1. That a letter should be written to the local government chairman to fix the transformer before one week,
2. show us the asphalted road in abudu, explain why #2 million Naira was paid to past council officers or face at least a 100 man protest after one week from dis notice.
3. Write a letter to NNPC for them to tell us their contribution to Abudu as a host community.
Police operations and a harvest of kidnap
kingpins’ arrests in Edo
By Simon Ebegbulem, Benin-City
The Edo State Police Commissioner, Mr Folunso Adebanjo, has been a busy man, no doubt, since he assumed office due to the relentless activities of kidnappers in the state. He has lost many men during operations against kidnappers in Edo and neighboring states. Only last Tuesday, Balogun paraded 55 suspected kidnappers and armed robbers among them two alleged kidnap kingpins, Emmanuel Otono and David Osamu, who have been on police wanted list for some time. After the parade, Adebanjo jokingly told Sunday Vanguard in pidgin English, “As dem (kidnappers) no want make I rest, dem no go rest too”. He also paraded one Oyigbe whose house in Sabongida Ora was allegedly used by kidnappers to keep victims until they regain their freedom. Among the 55 were also alleged child defilers, cultists and car snatchers. A cache of ammunition was also recovered from them.
In this interview, the police boss vows to ensure that kidnapping is less lucrative in Edo just as he declares that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, will apprehend more kidnap kingpins. Excerpts:
We observe that you have a harvest of kidnappers. How were you able to apprehend them?
Well, it is our job to Nigerians and we will continue to do it. We have arrested some of the kidnap kingpins. These ones here are the people involved in the kidnapping of some persons in Benin City. I can tell you that the war against kidnappers is on-going. We are doing everything to make sure that the state is safe, we have a lot of them that have been arrested, some are being investigated.
If you recall, I told you that these evil people like Kelvin (suspected kidnap kingpin arrested in Delta State) who have terrorized our people for so long will only run but they can never hide. Look at some of them today and I can tell you that more will be arrested. The police, the SSS and the army all working together to ensure that our state is safe. We are not relenting, the job of protecting our people is a tough one, but we are doing our best to ensure we work day and night.
It has been very challenging but I give God the glory for the enablement to cope. There’s no doubt, there was an upsurge for about a month but it has started to come down because of so many measures that were taken. I just finish organising a town hall meeting with the stakeholders in Edo State. This is just an interactive session for us to know how we’re faring and what other measures we can take to improve on our crime prevention strategies. The people are our paymasters, so we must hear from them to know how we’re doing in the battle against crime and criminality.
When you came to Edo, did you anticipate the challenges you face on kidnappers and even cultists?
Edo State, like most other states in the South-south, has its own security challenges.
I always remember what the Inspector General of Police told me when my posting came out. He said, ‘Ade go and fight crime and criminality in Edo State’ I had served as a Deputy Commissioner of Police at the Zonal Headquarters before I was posted to Edo. So I was aware of the challenges and I was prepared for them.
Apart from kidnapping, other forms of crime are said to have reduced in the state. What was the magic?
Let me first thank the Almighty God for crowning our efforts, for, without God, all we do is in vain. It involves a lot of hard work and dedication of officers and men under my leadership. We will continue to give our best to the good people of Edo State. Officers and men are working very hard to achieve a reduction in crime including kidnapping. Again, as you know, I am not an officer that sit in the office after giving orders. I move around to ensure that orders are implemented, I make sure that I take the lead because if, as CP, I am awake 24 hours, I don’t expect my DPOs to be sleeping. That is the secret.
You lost four officers who went to rescue Chief Mike Ozekhome when he was kidnapped. How do you feel each time you lose men in such operations?
As police officers, we are covered by insurance which takes care of the risks associated with policing. There are also entitlements for officers and men who die in the course of duty. But, to tell you the truth, I don’t eat each time I receive such news. It can be disgusting and devastating to lose a colleague because I go back to think that it could have been me.
That is why I feel sad each time people criticize the police ignorantly. We are doing our best for Nigerians and we will continue to do that to protect our people. But I can tell you I don’t like losing any of my officers on duty. That is a very terrible experience and feeling that you cannot imagine. Devastation should be the right description of how I feel. Unfortunately, that is the price we pay to keep Nigerians safe. One cannot get used to such untimely deaths.
How do you compare Edo and other states in terms of crime?
Like I said earlier, each state or the geographical area may share the same type of criminal tendencies. However, criminal tendencies may be different from one state to the other depending on so many variables. But you should also know that Edo is the gateway to the North, South and East; so criminals traverse here to commit crime.
*Arms recovered from suspects
That is why there is this meeting the Assistant Inspector General of Police usually calls to deliberate and share ideas and to exchange information. It may also interest you to note that I and my colleagues, especially CP Delta, share information and hold meetings on the kidnapping issue. They are just normal interaction between law enforcement/police agencies. Most criminals do operate from one state to the other, while some are transnational covering countries.
Have you ever regretted being a cop
I have no regrets being a cop. It is a very tasking profession. In fact, it is the most tasking profession in Nigeria. I had always wanted to be a cop as a young adult. I thought I could save the world from injustice. I was very idealistic then. It is a good job because one can actually make a difference by enforcing the law rightly. An average policeman works almost round the clock, not to talk of a commissioner of police.
What else would you have loved to be if you had not been a cop?
I would have been a businessman and I know that I would have been rich enough to set up an NGO. I still have a dream of setting up a place where I can feed hundreds of people every day and also set up a shelter for homeless people. My own essence of living is service to humanity.
Challenges
The challenge as it concerns the security of the state is usually logistics. Security costs a lot of money, including buying of sophisticated gadgets. The Federal Government, the Inspector General of Police and the state government are doing a lot to improve on logistics. We will soon see the effect of such intervention. If we can achieve this much with the resources now, then giving us more logistics will make us perform better.
We are aware that sometimes you lead your men to operations, don’t you get scared of being killed?
If one is committed, you really don’t think too much about your own safety. Of course, I do take precaution. This is what some of us have learnt from the Inspector General of Police MD Abubakar. It is leadership by example. I don’t get scared because we’re doing God’s work, which says, “Thou shall not kill”; ours is to secure lives and property, of all Nigerians and residents alike.
We are approaching the Yuletide season. How prepared are the police to fight crime?
Everything is being done to reduce the incidents of crime and criminality. Ember months are known for increase in the rate of crime because people want to reap where they did not sow. We have drawn up a plan to checkmate them. Like we are winning the war on kidnappers, we will win other wars too. We are ready, any one found wanting will be dealt with. It is either you repent as a criminal or kidnapper or you don’t come to Edo State because if you do, you will face the music.
JTF troops rescue two kidnap victims
Posted by: Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt and Osagie Otabor, Benin City in the Nations Newspaper. 20/10/2013
•Arrest member of Kelvin’s gang
The Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta ‘Operation Pulo Shield,’ yesterday reported the rescue of two kidnap victims in Delta State.
The wife of Dr. Ona Ekhomu, a chartered security professional and President of Trans-World Security Company, who was kidnapped around Auchi, Edo State on Friday evening, was rescued in Sapele.
Also, the younger brother of Chief Great Ogboru, governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP), was freed at Effurun, last Friday after he was abducted in nearby Osubi, Okpe LGA.
One of the kidnappers of Ekhomu’s wife, suspected to be a member of the gang led by the notorious Kelvin Oniarah, was arrested in Sapele after a gun battle with troops of the 19 Battalion of the JTF.
Two vehicles, a Toyota Prado Sports-Utility vehicle and a BMW salon car were recovered.
Mrs. Ekhomu, her husband and others were on their way to Irrua, Edo State for a social engagement when the gunmen struck around a notorious spot on the Auchi-Benin road where several persons including famous lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhoma, have been abducted lately.
Although Mr. Ekhomu escaped with gunshot wounds, his wife was taken away in his vehicle.
However, luck ran out for the criminals when they were accosted by men of the 19 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Sapele local government area of Delta state.
The criminals were overpowered by the troops, forcing them to abandon a Toyota Prado Sports-Utility Vehicle and the victims.
The arrest was made around the popular Eku Junction near Amukpe, raising speculation that the criminals were heading towards Kokori when the troops struck.
After rescuing the victims, the soldiers launched a manhunt at about 3am, culminating in the arrest of one suspect and seizure of an AK-47 rifle.
The BMW car was recovered when members of the gang reportedly made a spirited effort to pick-up their members who ran into the bush.
Confirming the report, the Commanding Officer, 9 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Koko, Lt. Col FS Etim, said the gang member was arrested when his men engaged the kidnap suspect in a shootout.
He said the criminals abandoned the suspect and the vehicle when his men closed in on them.
A security source close to the investigation that there was “strong evidence that the criminals are members of the Oniarah gang.
“From the preliminary investigation, we are convinced that they are members of the same Kelvin gang and we are sure they were heading to Kokori area, which has become a notorious den of kidnappers when our men struck,” the source added.
In a related development, troops of the 3 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Effurun foiled an attempt to kidnap the brother of Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) leader in the state.
Ogboru was kidnapped by armed men in Osubi, Okpe local government area of the state and was about being whisked out of the state when troops of the JTF were alerted.
The suspects had already sneaked the victim through a back road from Osubi to the Warri/Benin highway when the troops, acting on a tip-off, swooped on them and freed him on Friday night.
The driver of the getaway cab used in the operation and another accomplice were arrested.
There are being detained at the Effurun Barracks at the time of this report.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
The lordship/tyranny of the minority in Edo State.
Highlighting the lordship or the tyranny of the minority in Edo State. Hon Mathew Iduoriyekemwen has this to say; Political Leaders in Edo Central and Edo North can boastfully say that Hon Isiah Osifo and Hon Mathew Iduoriyekemwen are my Political followers, but there are no Politician in Edo Central and Edo North that are followers of any Edo South Politician? He said this @ the Benin Development Union Cultural Reception/Dinner in Honour of Prof Osayuki Godwin Oshodin, Vice Chancellor University of Benin, held today 19th October 2013 @ Duoban Hotel, Giwa Amu Road, GRA Benin City.
Edo State Governor gives help to Mr. Thompson Oliha's family.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole presents N1 million cheque each to Jesus Aisose Oliha and Paris Eniyen Oliha, children of the late ace footballer, Mr Thompson Oliha when they were led to visit the Governor by widows of the footballer, Mrs Ajarat and Iris Oliha, at Govt House Benin City, today 18th october 2013.
Oshiomhole signs death penalty law for kidnapping
Daily News & Analysis of Nigeria
Oshiomhole signs death penalty law for kidnapping
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State signing the kidnapping prohibition bill into law at the Government House, Benin on Friday. The law prescribes death penalty for kidnappers.GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, on Friday, signed the state’s “Kidnapping Prohibition Law 2009” as amended by the Edo State House of Assembly into law.
The law prescribes death penalty on kidnappers in the state.
Appending his signature to the bill on Friday, the governor said, “as reluctant as one would want to be in matters of life and death, I am convinced that the overriding public interest now dictates that we invoke the maximum penalty available in our law to all those involved in the act of kidnapping.
Anyone sentenced and convicted, I will sign the death warrant.
“But criminals have a choice to abstain from criminality, kidnapping and killing so that they in turn can live and enjoy the good things of life,” he added.
Governor Oshiomhole pointed out that those who argued that the problem of kidnapping stems from unemployment should not simplify a very complex issue, saying that kidnappers do not respect state, national or international boundaries.
He assured the people of Edo State that everything was being done to ensure that security agencies put in place comprehensive network that would ensure effective policing of the security flash points across the state.
“I am convinced that all of us in the three arms of government have a responsibility to make laws and enforce those laws in a way that will send signals to those involved in various acts of criminality, be they kidnappers, murderers, rapists and whoever they may be, that security agencies are now more than ever before, ready to ensure that Edo is too hot for criminals to operate.
“I am aware from reports of those who have been arrested that the overwhelming majority of these criminals are migrant criminals who come from neighbouring states and sometimes from far away states to perpetrate various crimes in Edo state and escaped back to their states across the country,” he said.
Oshiomhole signs death penalty law for kidnapping
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State signing the kidnapping prohibition bill into law at the Government House, Benin on Friday. The law prescribes death penalty for kidnappers.GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, on Friday, signed the state’s “Kidnapping Prohibition Law 2009” as amended by the Edo State House of Assembly into law.
The law prescribes death penalty on kidnappers in the state.
Appending his signature to the bill on Friday, the governor said, “as reluctant as one would want to be in matters of life and death, I am convinced that the overriding public interest now dictates that we invoke the maximum penalty available in our law to all those involved in the act of kidnapping.
Anyone sentenced and convicted, I will sign the death warrant.
“But criminals have a choice to abstain from criminality, kidnapping and killing so that they in turn can live and enjoy the good things of life,” he added.
Governor Oshiomhole pointed out that those who argued that the problem of kidnapping stems from unemployment should not simplify a very complex issue, saying that kidnappers do not respect state, national or international boundaries.
He assured the people of Edo State that everything was being done to ensure that security agencies put in place comprehensive network that would ensure effective policing of the security flash points across the state.
“I am convinced that all of us in the three arms of government have a responsibility to make laws and enforce those laws in a way that will send signals to those involved in various acts of criminality, be they kidnappers, murderers, rapists and whoever they may be, that security agencies are now more than ever before, ready to ensure that Edo is too hot for criminals to operate.
“I am aware from reports of those who have been arrested that the overwhelming majority of these criminals are migrant criminals who come from neighbouring states and sometimes from far away states to perpetrate various crimes in Edo state and escaped back to their states across the country,” he said.
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