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Economy

EIRS introduces self-service portal for vehicle papers renewal

 

Digitalisation

By Joy Odigie

Benin, April 28, 2023 (NAN) The Edo Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) has introduced a self-service portal to enable vehicle owners self-renew expired vehicle documents from the comfort of their homes.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr John Inegbedion, Chairman Taskforce on Internally Generated Revenue, and made available to newsmen in Benin on Friday.

Inegbedion said the move was a step up efforts at digitising the service revenue process.

He said the initiative was also a step to sustain the gains in the EIRS automation process, render quality service delivery to motorists and people in the state within the motor vehicle administration space.

According to him, the introduction is part of efforts geared toward ensuring that motorists who are customers continue to enjoy quality service delivery, enhance the ease of doing business, save time and protect them from being victims of fraud.

The EIRS boss urged motorists with expired vehicle documents to take advantage of the self-portal service by visiting www.eirs.gov.ng or https://selfservice.eirs.gov.ng.

This,  he said,  would enable them to begin the self-service renewal process or visit the nearest EIRS branch office to renew their vehicle documents.

The chairman, however, noted that the Revenue Service planned  to carry out a joint motor vehicle documentation and compliance exercise to ensure motorists were compliant with extant road traffic laws.

“During the exercise, security and traffic agencies of government shall be on the road to ensure that motorists possess valid vehicle license, drivers’ license, number plate, road worthiness certificate and hackney carriage. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OOJ/NNO/CHOM

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Edited by Nick Nicholas/Chioma Ugboma

 

Health

NGO seeks review of law criminising use of drugs

NGO seeks review of law criminising the use of drugs

Drugs

By Joy Odigie

Benin, April 20, 2023 (NAN) Smiles Africa International Youth Development Initiative (SAIYDI) is advocating for the review of laws that criminalise the use of hard drugs for recreational purposes in Nigeria .

SAIYDI organises Three-day Capacity Building Workshop on Legal Education, Paralegal Services, and Human Rights Violation Documentations

 

Purpose Iserhienrhien, Executive Director, SAIYDI, advocated for this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Benin.

Iserhienrhien, who spoke to NAN on the sideline of a three-day capacity building for People Who Use Drugs (PWUD), said that the government should make recreational drugs safe for those using them.

 The exercise was tagged “Three-day Capacity Building Workshop on Legal Education, Paralegal Services, and Human Rights Violation Documentation.” 

 He explained that there was need for the law criminalising the use of certain drugs to be reviewed to them safe for recreational purposes.

“When you have the right information about a drug, you don’t misuse it. People should be allowed to take drugs for recreational purposes.

“People take recreational drugs to increase their stamina, to feel happy and to have more energy; everybody taking drug is not into crime.

“If these drugs are accessible and controlled, it will encourage safe use and this will in turn reduce drug overdose and crimes.

“We are looking at the review of the law to attack the major enemy, which are the people who sell these drugs at the black market,” he said.

He said the capacity building was to enable PWUD to render legal education to community members when they have cases of human rights violations.

The executive director said the capacity building was part of a one-year programme geared towards integrating access to legal empowerment and access to justice for PWUD.

“It is a one year programme sponsored by Initiative Sankofa d’Afrique de I’Quest) (ISDAO) and Love Alliance grant.

“The main reason for the project is to reduce the numbers of arrest of PWUD and to make the authorities see drug addicts as people with health issues and not criminal issue.’’

According to him, because of the law criminalising use of some drugs, a lot of people are now discovering other substances that have more harmful effects than the illegal drugs.

He said that the organisation had earlier trained PWUD on their safety and security so that they don’t take drug overdoses.

NAN reports that according to Wikipedia, recreational drugs use is the use of one or more psychoactive drugs to induce an altered state of consciousness, either for pleasure or for some other casual purpose or pastime. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OOJ/AMM/IA

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Idris Abdulrahman

General news

Easter: FRSC sensitizes motorists in Edo against drowsy driving, others

Easter: FRSC sensitizes motorists in Edo against drowsy driving, others

Easter

By Joy Odigie

Benin, April 6, 2023 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Edo Sector Command, has urged motorists in the state to desist from driving when they are fatigued to prevent road accidents.

Edo Sector Commander, FRSC, Mr Paul Okpe, said that driving when tired is dangerous and ranks  among major causes of road traffic crashes in the country.

Okpe, who was speaking during the inauguration of the 2023 FRSC Easter Special Patrol/Rally on Thursday in Benin, urged motorists to be safety cautious during the Easter holiday.

He said “we have discovered through research that when you drive for several hours without rest, it could lead to tiredness and sleeping and this causes road traffic crashes.

“As you drive this period, you should be patient, observe speed limits, plan your trips, set out early so as to arrive your destination early.

The Sector Commander noted that mobile courts had also been set up across the state to penalise erring motorists.

Simillarly, Deputy State Secretary, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Edo chapter, Mr Benedict Okpokunu, said the association was fully in support of achieving safer roads.

Okpokunu said drivers must comply with road traffic rules and regulations, noting that any driver who disobeyed such rules and regulations would be taken to mobile courts.

Also, Mr Friday Ekhiator, Zonal Coordinator, FRSC Special Marshall, while speaking on causes of road traffic crashes, urged government to fix bad roads in the country.

Ekhiator also urged motorists to desist from drunk driving, driving when fatigued, use of worn out tyres, and excessive speeding, among others.

Meanwhile, Managing Director, Edo Transport Authority, Mrs Edugie Agbonlahor, noted that sensitization was key in changing mindset to adopt positive attitudes.

Agbonlahor said “as a responsible citizen you must ensure safety on the road while on the wheel. “Motorists should always take time to rest after driving for some hours.”

She also urged fleet operators to always educate their drivers on the need to ensure safety on the roads as well as avoid excessive speeding. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OOJ/VAO

Edited by Vincent Obi

Economy

Manufacturers urge FG to dialogue with NLC over plan to picket CBN offices

 

NLC

By Joy Odigie

Benin, March 24, 2023 (NAN) The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has urged the Federal Government to dialogue with the NLC on its planned picketing of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) offices nationwide.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero on Wednesday directed workers to embark on strike over the lingering cash crunch and fuel scarcity.

Ajaero also directed that affiliate unions constituting the NLC should be on standby to picket all branches of the CBN nationwide during the strike which is expected to begin from Wednesday, March 29.

Dr Okwara Udensi Edo/Delta Chairman of MAN, in an interview with NAN in Benin, said embarking on strike was not the best option as it would compound the present sufferings of Nigerians.

“For us as manufacturers, strike is not the best option, dialogue is the best thing so that we will not suffer more.

“Embarking on industrial action will ground our businesses, road transport workers might join the strike and this will cripple our activities.

“But unfortunately, it seems strike is the language the government understands.

“ I read on the news that the CBN says it will mop up the old N500 and N1,000 notes to commercial banks.

“Must people tell them they want to go on strike before they mop up cash to banks, he said.

He regretted that the manufacturing sector had continued to witness high cost of production, a situation that was not good for economic development.

“We now buy diesel for between N820 and N830 per litre, how many litres of diesel will you buy to run your generator to produce?

“Raw materials we used to pay between N350,000 and N400, 000 to convey from Jos to Benin City in 2022 is now about N800,000 as at today.

“Business is no longer lucrative, profit margin has been swallowed by the high cost of production.

“Customers are not ready to buy at higher prices, manufacturers are just selling to stay afloat,’’ he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OOJ/EEE

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

 

 

General news

Elections: Deaf association tasks INEC on e-voting

Elections: Deaf association tasks INEC on e-voting

Election

By Joy Odigie

Benin, March 22, 2023 (NAN) The Edo Association of the Deaf has tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the use of electronic voting (e-voting) technology in the conduct of future elections.

Mr Kingsley Eromosele, Chairman of the association in the state, made the call during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Wednesday via text messaging.

Eromosele, while expressing concerns about the participation of deaf people in the just concluded Feb. 25 and March 18 general elections, said that most deaf voters could not access their polling units.

He said the deployment of e-voting, apart from the benefit of reducing the cost of conducting an election, could also provide improved access for voters with disabilities.

“I earnestly long for the day INEC will make use of e-voting. Some deaf voters, who wanted to exercise their franchise couldn’t locate their polling units because of lack of assistive devices.

“E-voting is voting that uses electronic means to either aid or take care of casting and counting ballots,” he said.

Eromosele explained that the association had to liase with the INEC Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) Desk Officer in Edo to have an improved participation in the March 18 election.

“Some deaf persons reached out to the association about the difficulty in accessing their polling units during the Feb 25 election.

“So, we reached out to INEC PWD Desk Officer, and a link was sent to us where deaf voters could click to locate their polling units.

“We were able to use the link to train some of us on how to locate our voting centres  during the March 18 election,” the chairman said.

He noted, however, that members of the association were able to vote in the state Assembly election, better than the Presidential and National Assembly elections due to support from the INEC.

He further tasked the electoral body on the provision of sign language interpreters as well as EC40H forms for PWDs during future polls. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OOJ/FAA

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Edited by Folasade Adeniran

Health

UBTH mourns Ibadin, former CMD

Late Prof Michael Ibadin, former Chief Medical Director, University of Benin Teaching Hospital

 

Condolence

By Joy Odigie

Benin, March 19, 2023 (NAN)  The management of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has expressed grief over the death of Prof. Michael Ibadin, a former Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital.

In a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Sunday, the CMD, Dr Darlington Obaseki, said the deceased succumbed during a brief illness.

Obaseki described the late Ibadin as a quintessential leader and a mentor to many.

He said that his demise was a big loss not only to his family but also to the hospital community and the medical world.

“With a deep sense of loss and pain in our hearts, we submit to the will of the Almighty God on the passing into the celestial realm of our former CMD, Prof. M.O. Ibadin after a brief illness.

“Until his death, he was a Professor of Paediatrics, a Consultant Pediatric Nephrologist and an astute health administrator.

“He was also a mentor who introduced several persons into hospital administration and management, including myself.

“We commiserate with his immediate family at this time and pray that God himself will console them and grant them the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
OOJ/AO/KOK
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Edited by Angela Okisor/Kingsley Kubeyinje

 

General news

March 18: Youth Group laments low turnout of voters in Benin

March 18: Youth Group laments low turnout of voters in Benin

Election

By Joy Odigie

Benin, March 18, 2023 (NAN) The Indomitable Youth Organisation (IYO), a Non Governmental Organisation, has decried the low turnout of voters across polling units in Benin, the Edo capital.

Dr Bright Oniovokukor, Project Manager, IYO, lamented this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Saturday while commenting on the conduct of 2023 House of Assembly election in the state.

Oniovokukor said that a drive around the metropolis showed a low turnout of voters when compared with the Feb. 25 presidential and National Assembly elections in the state

He said, “I am an Election observer at Egor Local Government Area (LGA), the election is going well; the area is cool and calm, but the turnout is very low,” he said.

NAN reports that there was also voter apathy at Eyean Secondary school, Ward 6, Uhunmwonde LGA, as INEC ad hoc staff were seen waiting for voters to show up.

The situation was also the same at Western Boys High School, Ward 2, Ikpoba Okha LGA of Edo, as there was only a few voters at the polling units as at 10:50 a.m.

Mr Phillip Idemudia, a voter at the polling unit, told NAN that the voters’ apathy was worrisome and not good for democracy.

“The turnout is too poor, this has never happened before in the history of ward 2, as Western Boys High School usually records large turn out of voters.

“My wife said she’s not going to vote today, and most of my friends’ wives are also not here to vote.

“I came out to vote because I want a better Nigeria, but the apathy is terrible,” Idemudia said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OOJ/JEO/VAO

Edited by Jane-Frances Oraka/Vincent Obi

Health

World Sleep Day: If you can’t sleep, find out why – Neurologist

World Sleep Day: If you can’t sleep, find out why – Neurologist

Sleep

By Joy Odigie

Benin, March 17, 2023 (NAN) Prof Frank Imarhiagbe, a Consultant Neurologist, has advised Nigerians going through sleepless nights to seek medical care instead of resorting to sleeping pills.

Imarhiagbe, a consultant at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, gave the advice during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Benin.

The consultant, who spoke on the occasion of the 2023 World Sleep Day, said that taking drugs like Valium and Lexotan were not remedy for sleeplessness.

He said, “‘If you can’t sleep, something must be underlining. Going to take pills to sleep is not the answer to your problem.

“if you can’t sleep for a night or two, consult a doctor to help you find out the cause of the sleeplessness.

“Find the cause, don’t resort to Valium, Lexotan; you are postponing the evil day and compounding the problem”, he said.

The Neurologist said that there were different causes of lack of sleep, which include disturbed mind, drug abuse, medical condition, psychiatric illness, abusing sleeping pills and genetic condition.

According to him, sleep is the brain-controlled natural unconsciousness that is timed and fixed.

“Sleep is not optional, it is a basic requirement to maintain life. It is usually regulated to the night time according to the body’s biological clock.

“When the sun begins to set, some chemicals are released to the brain that tells the body that it is time to sleep; when you are at sleep the body rearranges itself for the next day”.

He advised people who do night shifts to always make up for the sleep loss by sleeping during the day, noting that sleep is essential for healthy living.

Imarhiagbe also recommended good sleep hygiene, including keeping television set and reading tables away from the bedroom.

“The bedroom should be made comfortable for sleeping; avoid too bright lights, put cell phones off the bed and have a good sleeping position”.

NAN reports that World Sleep Day is an annual event that is held the Friday before Spring Vernal Equinox (The Spring Vernal Equinox occurs on March 20th or 21st of every year) with the 2023 celebration falling on March 17.

The theme for the 2023 World Sleep Day is “Sleep is Essential for health”.

The day aims to reduce the burden of sleep disorders on society by promoting better prevention and management. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OOJ/BKD/SOA

Edited by Auwalu Birnin Kudu/Oluwole Sogunle

Economy

Presco bags company of the year award

Left—Right: Senior Manager, Securities And Exchange Commission, Egbuniwe Obinna; Media Consultant, Presco Plc, Moses Ebosele, Vice Chairman, Proactive Shareholders Association Of Nigeria, Oladejo Owolabi; Prof. Benjamin Ehigie, Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan at the 2023 investors’ Summit In Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday.

 

Presco bags company of the year award

Company

By Joy Odigie

Benin, March 16, 2023 (NAN) Presco Plc has emerged winner of the 2022 Company of the Year award in recognition of its contribtions to the nation’s agricultural sector.

This is contained in a statement by the Managing Director of the company, Mr Felix Nwabuko.

Nwabuko said the award was presented at an investors’ summit held on Thursday in Ibadan with the theme: “The Valuable Shareholder.”

The award was organised by the Proactive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PROSAN).

Addressing participants, the Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr Lamido Yuguda, advised shareholders to maintain transparency in their investment activities.

Yuguda, who was represented by Senior Manager, Egbuniwe Obinna and Manager, Obaji Uroro, noted that an ideal shareholder must maintain a positive and constructive relationship with other capital market stakeholders.

The guest speaker, Prof. Benjamin Ehigie, Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan, urged participants to abide by the rules in their day-to-day activities.

Ehigie urged participants, especially shareholders to see themselves as part of the company for positive growth and development.

Earlier, the National Coordinator, PROSAN, Mr Taiwo Oderinde, said that the event was designed to serve as an opportunity for shareholders to evaluate their contributions to the development of the Nigerian capital market.

He also commended the company for its consistent dividend policy in spite of the various challenges.

Other awardees at the event were Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Investor of the year, Tony Elumelu, Alhaji Kabiru Ishiaku Rabiu, NEM Insurance Plc, Nigeria Union of Teachers and Rose-Hill Group Ltd., among others.

Honoured in the shareholders activist category were Mr Gbenga Idowu, Barr. (Mrs) Oludewa Thorpe, Mr Dipo Olasope, SAN, Sir Sunny Nwosu, Mrs Visit Bakare and Mr Ariyo Olugbosun.

Others were Dr Umar Farouk, Mr Nonah Awoh, Chief Matthew Akinlade, Alhaji Ahmad Rabiu, late Asiwaju Akintunde Asalu and Late Chief Aderemi Oyepeju. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
OOJ/KOO/JNC
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

General news

March 18: Edo NUJ seeks violence-free elections

March 18: Edo NUJ seeks violence-free election

Peace

By Joy Odigie

Benin, March 14, 2023 (NAN) The Edo Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is advocating for violence-free Governoship and House of Assembly elections in the state on Saturday.

The NUJ state Chairman, Mr Festus Alenkhe, made the call while addressing a group of different Civil Society Organisations, who staged a peaceful rally to the NUJ centre on Wednesday in Benin.

Alenkhe, who lamented that some persons were killed at the polling units during the Feb. 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections, when they went to exercise their franchise, said: “I am appealing to our youths that election is not a do or die affair.

“If you don’t win today, you will win tomorrow.

“Desist from acts that will cause violence or lead to the loss of life of any voter or member of staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission”, he said.

He also called on the security agencies to beef up security in the state, especially at flash points ahead of the election.

“There should be adequate stop and check operation of vehicles to prevent circulation of arms by hoodlums ahead of the election.”

Earlier, convener of the rally, Mr Peter Aguebor, Executive Director, MiND Initiative, urged the electorate in the state to vote en-masse for credible candidates during the elections.

Aguebor said that the turnout of voters in the state during the 2019 House of Assembly election was low when compared to the numbers of registered voters.

He said that the House of Assembly was the closest form of legislative government to the people and needed fair representation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rally was organised by MiND Initiative, in collaboration with the Edo chapters of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities and National Orientation Agency. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

OOJ/KOO/IA

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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Idris Abdulrahman