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Politics

Edo 2020: EU tasks politicians on restraint in quests for power

Politicians
By Deborah Coker
Benin, Feb. 20, 2020 (NAN) Mr Ketil Karlsen, European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, has urged politicians to show restraints in their quest for power.

Karlsen gave the advice on Thursday in Benin during a visit to Chief Dan Orbih, state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and leaders of the party.

He also appealed for peace and non-violence in the forthcoming Edo governorship election, adding that the EU was also meeting with other political parties on the same message.

He advocated collaborative effort in order to amend the electoral law and pledged EU’s willingness to support the process.

He explained that the EU has over 3,000 projects across the Niger Delta and was partnering with Edo Government on many projects.

Karlsen also noted the role of the EU in the repatriation of youths trapped along illegal migrants routes and rehabilitating them to cut the illegal trade.

The ambassador emphasised the importance of the opposition in democratic consolidation.

He disclosed that since the restoration of democracy in 1999, the EU had spent more than 100 million Euros to support various democratic institutions.

Karlsen listed such institutions as INEC, political parties, Civil Society and Media, including deploying hundreds of long and short term observers and giving recommendations on the electoral processes.

He noted that the EU would remain impartial in its operations and urged parties and politicians to allow for transparent primaries, more participation by women and the youth, as well as to desist from hate speech.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that discussion also centered on politics, judiciary, illegal migration and women trafficking as well as the role EU in the political and economic development of Nigeria. (NAN)
DCO/KOO/ISMA
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Ismail Abdulaziz

Environment

Climate change: Expert urges stakeholders in NigerDelta to remain committed to mitigate effects

Climate change: Expert urges stakeholders in NigerDelta to remain committed to mitigate effects

Climate
By Deborah Coker
Benin, Feb. 18, 2020 (NAN) An environmentalist, Prof. Andrew Onokerhorays has urged key stakeholders in the Niger Delta to remain focused and committed to mitigating the effect of climate change in the region.

Onokerhoraye, the Executive Director, Center for Population and Environmental Development (CPED), gave the charge at a meeting on climate change project on Tuesday in Benin.

The professor emeritus stressed the need for such commitment and focus on the menace, saying that climate change had become a major challenge worldwide.

The theme of the meeting was: “Empowering Women as Key Leaders in Promoting Community Based Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risks Reduction Initiatives in Niger Delta Region”.

Onoherhoraye said that the project was designed to help states implement policies on climate change seamlessly.

He said that of the 36 states of the federation, Delta was the first to articulate a policy on climate change.

Prof. May Nwoye, the Executive Director, Intervention Council of Women in Africa (ICWA) said that women were most vulnerable to the impact of climate change.

She stressed that their participation was necessary to finding lasting solution to the effects of climate change on livelihood and the environment.

Many key stakeholders were represented at the project briefing meeting including Prof. Gideon Omuta of CPED, Dr Melanie Robertson of the International Development and Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, among others. (NAN)
DCO/EMO/GY
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Edited by Ejike Obeta/Grace Yussuf

 

 

 

 

 

Defence/Security

84 die in Edo, Delta, Anambra road crashes in 3 months

84 die in Edo, Delta, Anambra road crashes in 3 months

By Deborah Coker

Benin, Feb. 18, 2020 (NAN) Eighty four people died in road traffic crashes in Edo, Delta and Anambra from October to December last year.

Mr Kehinde Adeleye, Zonal Commanding Officer of Zone Rs 5 of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Tuesday.

Zone Rs 5 of the FRSC comprises Edo, Delta and Anambra.

Adeleye said that within the period, 150 road traffic crashes were recorded in the zone with 303 people sustaining various degrees of injuries.

Giving a breakdown, he said that 24 people died in 38 road crashes recorded in October, while 47 people were injured.

“In November, the zone recorded 18 people dead in 41 crashes with 75 people injured, while in December, 42 people were killed in 71 crashes with 181 injured.

“Specifically in Edo, we recorded 37 people dead in 59 crashes with 143 people injured between October and December.”

The commander said the trend showed that the `ember’ months recorded higher road traffic crashes with fatalities.

He noted, however, that “Operation Zero Tolerance” embarked upon by the commission had helped greatly in reducing crashes during the `ember’ period.

Adeleye disclosed that the major challenge faced by the FRSC in the zone was a lack of tow trucks, saying that there were only four tow trucks in the zone.

“We have only four tow trucks – one big tow truck donated by the Delta State Government and three other small ones.

“The Anambra State Government has promised to buy us one and we appeal to the Edo State Government to do same because it’s a major challenge to us.

“With the availability of heavy-duty tow trucks, broken down vehicles on the roads would be evacuated speedily without them causing obstruction to vehicular movements and accidents.”

The zonal commanding officer warned travellers against embarking on night journeys, describing such trips as risky in every sense.

He noted that vehicles could break down at dangerous places without help and that crashes could occur without anyone to call for assistance.

Adeleye said that motorists often drove at higher speed at night, explaining that these were some of the reasons why people were advised against night trips.

He said that FRSC commands in the zone had been mandated to ensure that broken down vehicles on highways were removed within the shortest possible time.

Adeleye warned parents against allowing their under-aged children to drive, saying that such parents would be prosecuted. (NAN)

DCO/EMO/SN
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Edited by Ejike Obeta/Silas Nwoha

 

Politics

APC: Time for Oshiomhole to go, says party stalwart

APC: Time for Oshiomhole to go, says party stalwart

Oshiomhole
By Deborah Coker

Benin, Feb. 16, 2020 (NAN) A stalwart of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Edo, Mr Peter Esele, has said that recent happenings in the party indicates that it is time for the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, to go.

Esele said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Sunday.

He said, “In life, there comes a time when you must make a clear distinction between individual and institutional interests.”
He argued that Oshiomhole’s utterances about national issues had become a huge embarrassment to the party and the country at large.
Esele said that as the ruling party, APC must do all it could to defend the institutions of the state no matter the pain or interest.
“Failure to do so is a recipe for anarchy,” he said.
According to him, Oshiomhole cannot claim ignorance of the fact that the Deputy Governorship Candidate of the party in Bayelsa was ineligible to contest the election, which led to the Supreme Court’s verdict.
He alleged that “the incompetence and corrupt practices at the national secretariat” of APC had resulted in the weakening of various important internal processes for the selection of party candidates.
Esele said that the losses suffered from the flagrant abuse of the party’s internal workings had led to various court judgements against the party.
“States like Bayelsa and Zamfara now have to contend with governors the people never voted for,” he said.

He further said that APC had also been factionalised in Edo, with the alleged support of the national chairman.

“Neither faction will be able to fulfil the required provision of our party’s processes and protocol.
“APC has outgrown the kind of theatrics displayed by Oshiomole who, ironically, was also a product of court processes.
“The time is now to thank him for his services to the party and move on.
“Or, are we going to wail again, when the courts intervene to sack our candidate in Edo?
“There comes a time when you must choose sides.
“This is one of such critical moments, and I dare say that Oshiomhole has tried and it is time for him to go,” Esele, who was APC governorship aspirant in 2016, said. (NAN)
DCO/USO

(Edited by Sam Oditah)

Defence/Security

EFCC Benin Zonal Command joins Youths Walk Against Corruption campaign

Mr Muktar Bello,  Benin Zonal Head of Operations, Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC),  leading the  Nigerian Youths Walk against Corruption   Walk in Benin on Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 (NAN).

Corruption
By Deborah Coker
Benin, Feb. 14, 2020 (NAN) The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on Friday joined the National Headquarters of the commission on the Nigerian Youths Walk Against Corruption campaign.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the campaign was led by the Zonal Head of Operations of the zone, Mr Muktar Bello in partnership with Mr Dojo Adebayo, Edo Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Bello explained that sensitising youths against corruption was vital because they constitutes about 90 per cent of the country’s population.

According to him, it is in view of this that the Acting Chairman of the commission, Mr Ibrahim Magu initiated the programme aimed at awakening and mobilising youths in the country to expose, confront and tackle the scourge of corruption.

“Nigerian youths are crucial to the success of the anti-corruption crusade and commitment of the present administration in the country.

“What we are doing today is unique in the sense that the presidency has recognised the fact that 90 per cent of the population of the country is dominated by the youths.

“It is also for the fact that for us to succeed in the fight against corruption, there is need to involve the youths.

“The objectives of the walk are multifarious. The most significant of them are to sensitise and mobilise youths across the country to reject the evil of corrupt practices,’’ he said.

Similarly, Adebayo said that the partnership with the commission was apt in view of the get rich quick syndrome being inculcated into the youths by some fraudulent persons.

He added that the government, in order to stem the youths’ involvement in corruption practices, had put programmes in place for corps members to engage in during their orientation programmes in camp to enable them acquire skills.

He also said that the government had also put a collateral free loan scheme in place for the corps members interested to access and be self-employed.

NAN reports that the walk involved a road walk round some major roads and streets in Benin. (NAN)
DCO/VIV/ISMA
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Editing by Vivian Ihechu/Ismail Abdulaziz

Defence/Security

Human Trafficking: Oba of Benin drums support for NAPTIP

Human Trafficking: Oba of Benin drums support for NAPTIP

By Deborah Coker

Partnership

Benin, Feb. 14, 2020 (NAN) The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare11, has promised to partner with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) through advocacy and empowerment in the fight against human trafficking.

The Oba made the promise on Friday in his palace, when the new Zonal Commander of Benin zone, Mrs Ijeoma Uduak, paid him a courtesy visit.

The first class traditional ruler said that the fight against human trafficking was a fight in progress which required aggressive advocacy and empowerment to dissuade both rescued survivors and others from indulging the act.

He therefore pledged that the palace and his foundation, the Oba Ewuare11 Foundation, would partner with the agency in the state in that regard.

Harping on empowerment, he said that it was not enough to rescue and rehabilitate survivors, but that they also have to be empowered so as to engage them.

Earlier Uduak, had said that she was in the palace to seek royal prayers and blessings towards a successful tenure as the new zonal commander.

She solicited for the monarch’s assistance in the areas of empowerment for survivors and land to enable the agency build a befitting office.

She noted that NAPTIP had recorded much success on the state in the fight against human trafficking since its inception in the state. (NAN)
DCO/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Politics

Edo PDP hails S/Court judgement on Bayelsa governorship

Judgement
By Deborah Coker
Benin, Feb. 13, 2020 (NAN) The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday in Benin hailed the supreme court judgement on the Bayelsa governorship election.

In an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Chief Dan Orbih, Chairman of the party in the state hailed the judgement which sacked Bayelsa Governor elect, David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Orbih said that the judgement was a welcome development for Nigeria’s democracy.

He therefore wished the good people of Bayelsa, the government and the PDP family a successful inauguration as they form the state government to take the Oil rich state to higher height.

The Supreme Court had on Thursday nullified the election of Bayelsa State governor-elect David Lyon and his deputy-elect Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo.

Lyon was expected to be inaugurated as the Bayelsa Governorship this Friday.

The supreme court however sacked him for contesting the election on a joint ticket with Degi-Eremienyo, whom it accused of certificate forgery. (NAN)
DCO/ISMA
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Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz