EDUOW Calls For Resignation of Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase

By The9jaTrend

Edo Dynasty United Organization Worldwide (EDUOW) has called on the deputy speaker of Nigeria House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase to resign for declaring that Nigerians in the Diaspora are stateless and irrelevant in the political affairs of the country.

President and Founder of the Organisation, Comrade Brown Ehigie Osenwengie condemned the development and call for the resignation of the deputy speaker who was presiding over the sitting while Speaker Femi Gbajiamila was away.

The deputy spesker, Ahmed Idris Wase refused to entertain hearing of petition from Nigerians in Diaspora who are equal stakeholders in the affairs of the country.

Comrade Osenwengie said, "Americans in the Diaspora are allowed  to participate in the voting process. Are Nigerians in the Diaspora less human? Perhaps, the speaker of the house should answer that question in all the National Newspapers.

     Comrade Brown Ehigie Osenwengie               Founder/President, Edo Dynasty           United Organization Worldwide (EDUOW) 

"We are going to be asking for signatories across the world to have Deputy Speaker  Ahmed Idris Wase petition. He should note that Nigerians in the Diaspora remittances to Nigeria is over USD20 billion.

"Recently, while the green chamber was in session, Hon. Mark Terseer Gbillah from Benue State who was presenting a petition at the floor of the House was disrupted by Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase in the introductory part while seeking for the House approval for further action on the presentation.

"Deputy Speaker  didn’t want to even listen at all because some group outside Nigeria are concerned over the economic state of things. We know the game plan", he emphasized.

The Deputy Speaker who severally interrupted  Hon. Gbillah did not allow for details of the petition on ground that Nigerians living abroad has no locus standi to interfere or contribute to the workings of the nation back home.

All effort by Hon. Gbillah to press on with the presentation was frustrated by the  deputy speaker who insisted that the matter cannot be entertained because it did not come from homeland.

Hon. Gbillah however pointed out that the House has a standing Committee on diaspora affairs who ought to be allowed to look into the matter at the committee stage but the deputy speaker insisted that the purpose for such committee was to oversee issues affecting Nigerians living abroad and not for them to interfere on issues happening at home. 

Sen. Braimoh Eulogises Dr. Aziegbemi's One Year In Office

By Simeon OSAJIE

Senator Yisa Braimoh, former senator of the federal republic of Nigeria who represented Edo North in the 6th National Assembly is not loquacious but whenever he chooses to talk, his words are always taken for sure because of his sagacity in the politics of Edo state. 

Senator Braimoh who is highly respected  has added his voice to the deluge of congratulatory messages heaped on Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, Edo State PDP chairman.

Dr. Tony Aziegbemi clocked one year in office today, 14th March, 2021 as the State Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).

His singular feat of leading the PDP to capture power in Edo State, against the backdrop of fierce resistance from the APC and its acclaimed federal might, thrust him into the limelight as an astute politician and a man with the "winning aura".

Talks of Dr. Aziegbemi’s one year in office are dominating the Edo political airwaves. 

PDP stalwarts across the state have hailed the one year tenure of the Russian trained Economist turned politician as "momentous and impactful", describing his politics of accommodation as the game changer in the Edo 2020 guber election.

In his message to the celebrant, Senator Braimoh, who is also the leader of the party in Owan Clan, said the broad based encomiums poured on the state party chairman show the positive impact of his leadership within a short time .

He described the state party chairman as a "jolly good fellow" who spearheaded the great turnaround in the fortunes of the PDP in Edo State with his "politics of accommodation". 

Sen. Braimoh in  particular listed three major achievements accomplished under the Aziegbemi leadership and which helped the PDP to regain its lost glory, as including the policy & politics of accommodation that welded the various tendencies in the party into a cohesive force, making the state secretariat of the party functional and reinvigorating  the party machinery to  be able to contest for and capture power. 

He said, "The party chairman has done a lot to reposition the party, integrate hierarchies of the unifying parties , sustain peaceful coexistence and therefore deserves every and all encouragement to do more in the months and years ahead. 

"Edo State PDP is in very safe hands of the state chairman.  Dr Aziegbemi is a very likeable democrat , whose winning aura is dominated by a clear vision of set goals & objectives  that will lead us to the promised  land, come 2023 when we hope to capture  all electable political offices then."

Specifically, he thanked His Excellency  Governor Obaseki for ensuring that the state delegation to the South-South Zonal Congress spoke with one voice, adding that Dr. Aziegbemi  has done so much in fusing the various tendencies in the party into a cohesive force.

Again, Senator Braimoh  also delivered a solidarity message on behalf of his immediate constituency "On behalf  of all the good people of PDP in Owan Clan of Edo State,  I  heartily congratulate our most amiable and God-ordained PDP State Chairman, Dr. Tony Aizegbemi on the successful completion of his one year in office whilst wishing him more remarkable achievements in the coming years .

The members and leaders of PDP in Owan East  and West LGAs identify with, and are strongly behind your leadership styles and accomplishments."

ONE YEAR OF DR. AIZIEGBEMI AS EDO STATE PDP CHAIRMAN.

By Simeon OSAJIE

                   Dr. Tony Aziegbemi

               Edo State PDP Chairman

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State and their counterparts across the entire South-South geo-political zone will  probably converge in Benin, the capital city of Edo State on Sunday, March 14, 2021, to clink glasses, make merriments and celebrate the sweet aroma of their recent political conquests under the charismatic and able leadership of the State Party Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi. 

On the 14th of March, 2021, it will be exactly one year when Dr. Tony Aziegbemi mounted the saddle as the State Party Chairman.

At onset, he was the dark horse, luckily, his tenacity and zeal propelled him to go into the trenches to galvanise the required critical support base and when the party's congress eventually held, he emerged victorious. 

There is, indeed, every reason to celebrate. Here was a party living in the shadows of its past glory and suddenly, it transformed into the ruling party, with all of its attachments. 

Those gathering in Benin may even decide to turn the event into a carnival of sort and they would not have offended the political gods of the land.

 

In comparison,  there is clearing difference of the PDP of yesterday and the PDP of today. The difference, as they say, is as crystal clear as that of between day and night.

The September 19 victory is what later spurred the PDP into life. This Esan born politician, with a Ph.D in Economics from a Russian University, is not push over as far as Edo politics is concerned. Having had his political baptism as a member of the House of Representatives in the 7th and 8th National Assembly, he had had enough tutelage in the game to know how to outsmart opponents and the rest.

As party chairman, the place of Dr. Aziegbemi in the chequered history of the party in Edo State is already secured. From near obscurity to fame. From divisive and acrimonious infighting among various factions to solidity and cohesiveness. From opposition to being the ruling party. 

Looking back, it's obvious that the winning aura and charisma, coupled with hard work as well as broad based support, catapulted the PDP to the top in Edo State and broke a 12 year streak of election losses at the gubernatorial level.

The September 19 Edo 2020 victory of Mr. Godwin Obaseki and Comrade Philip Shuaibu was simply an icing on the cake. Three factors have been identified as having aided the PDP victory: one, solid foundation laid by Chief Dan Osi Orbih, former State Chairman of the party; two, the PDP candidates in the election, that is, the duo of Obaseki and Shaibu and; three, the winning aura of Dr. Tony Aziegbemi. 

At the completion of his primary education in Warri, Delta State, he switched base and moved to Eghosa Anglican Grammar School, Benin City; from there to Edo College, Benin for his A/Levels. As a result of his brilliance, he got a federal government scholarship to study abroad. He chose the old Soviet Union and did not return home until he plucked the highest educational attainment anybody can dream of - a Ph.D in Economics.  

In Edo political circles, some observers have described the PDP State Chairman as the "David who killed Goliath".

If we go by that logic, it, therefore, means that the coming of Dr. Tony  Aziegbemi as the State Chairman of the PDP in 2020 had the hands of God in the project.

He has his eyes set for 2023 which  Edo State will have a role to play.  

Group Warns Akpabio Over Exclusion Of Edo State From NDDC Entitlements

...Issues 72 Hours Ultimatum, Shuts Edo NDDC Office in Benin

By Simeon OSAJIE

The Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) office in Benin City, Edo State capital was temporary closed down on Friday, 12th March, 2021 to operations, as a group known as Edo Restoration Movement  issued a 72 hours ultimatum to the Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio to resign over what it tagged 'Exclusion of Edo State from the NDDC Board.'

The group protesting at the NDDC Office along Murtala Muhammad Way in Benin City carried placards with different inscriptions: "IMC IS ILLEGAL IN NDDC ACT". "WE ARE GIVING AKPABIO 72 HOURS TO RESIGN", LET AKPABIO HAND OFF THE MANAGEMENT OF NDDC", NDDC STOP MARGINALIZING EDO STATE, "CONSTITUTE NDDC BOARD NOW, amongst others.

Speaking, Secretary-General of Edo Restoration Movement (ERM),  Comrade Ben Bowei, aka Lord Mayor of Niger-Delta said the youths are there to take over the NDDC office in Benin City because of marginalization of Edo State by NDDC.  He said the marginalization must stop, emphasising that the Interim NDDC Board should be dissolved and a legally constituted board should take over the management of the commission.

"We are here to take over the NDDC office, because Edo State has been marginalized by NDDC and this must not be allowed to continue. We are here to put a stop  to this injustice, We are part of the Niger-Delta. Edo State is the 5th oil producing state and the 3rd largest producer of gas in Nigeria.

"What about the board? Till now, Edo State has not produced the Chairman nor Managing Director of the Board. Edo should be considered for the position of the Managing Director of the Board.

"Recently, the Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio went round the Niger-Delta states, but excluded Edo State. We are giving Godswill Akpabio 72 hours to visit Edo and talk to us or resign, if he fails to listen to our demand, he should resign, if not, we will shut the East-West Road," he warned.

Also, speaking, the Publicity Officer of the group,  Arch. Thaddeus Irabor said, the group was there to  send a signal to the authority on what they will do if their plights ate not addressed.

"We are here to send a signal, we are giving Akpabio 72 hours ultimatum to resign, so that a legal constituted board can take over the management of the NDDC, the peace loving people of Edo State has been taken for granted, we  want him to resign, not because we have anything personal against him, but because Edo state has been marginalized. We want to say that we can bite and even crack the bone, we will not only shut the East-West Road, we will shut all oil installations in Edo State.

"We are calling on Akpabio to stop using the NDDC fund for his personal use," he emphasized.

On his part, another member of the group. Hon. Efosa Eghianruwa said the illegally constituted board of the Commission should henceforth desist from marginalizing Edo State or face the youths of Edo State.

"This is a warning especially to the illegally constituted board by Akpabio, he is doing this because of his personal ambition, we are giving Akpabio 72 hours for a rightful board to be constituted, and after the 72 hours nothing is done, he will surely  hear from us," he concluded.

ABUJA PEACE ACCORD: Obazuwa Community Misleading Public On Outcome - Ikoro Community

By The9jaTrend

Ikoro Community in Ovia North-East local government area of Edo State has described the publication on Opera News sponsored by Obazuwa Community alleging that its members were arrested by police to Force Headquarters, Abuja as a calculated attempt to distort facts and pain Ikoro Community in bad light as the context of the said publication is mischievous and encapsulated of facts.

In a press release issued and signed by the Legal Adviser Ikoro Community, Barr. Patrick Isiekwene on behalf of the community said the publication entitled Ijaw Arrest: Binis Return Home in Wild Publication from Abuja is misleading as there was never any attempt by Ikoro Community to arrest Obazuwa people to Abuja adding that the meeting in Abuja was on the invitation from the Police Force Headquarters to both Ikoro Community, Obazuwa Community and some officers of AIG Zone 5 for a peace talk where Ikoro Community even assisted Obazuwa Community with a bus for the Abuja trip.

Barr. Isiekwene also disclosed that at the IGP Community Relations Unit, Force Headquarters Abuja, an undertaken to maintain peace was freely made between Obazuwa and Ikoro Community duly signed and witnessed by the elders of both community in the presence of officers of IGPCRU and the three lawyers of each community.

While expressing disappointment at the misrepresentation of facts from the Abuja peace accord by the said publication, the statement enjoined members of Obazuwa Community to abide by the peace accord to maintain peace and tranquility in both community on or before the visit to the scene of crime by men of the Inspector General of Police Community Relations Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Students, Teacher Kidnapped at National Institute of Construction Technology Uromi

By The9jaTrend

Some suspected hardened gunmen has kidnapped three persons at the National Institute of Construction Technology in Uromi, Esan North-East local government area of Edo State.

Among those kidnapped are two students of the institution and staff identified as Miss Uzor of the Environmental Studies Department.

The heavy gunmen who came from behind - the bush part of the Institution waited for any vehicle coming out of the  school and Miss Uzor happen to fall victim.

In a telephone interview with one of the lecturers, Engr.  Andrew Aigbosuoria, "The students had finished writing exam when two of our students approached Miss Uzor to join her for a free ride and they entered the back sit of the vehicle.

"You know, the school gate is always mounted by Civil Defense, the kidnappers came from the back, l mean the bush part of the Institution because there is no way they can gain entrance through the main gate.

"As Miss Uzor was heading towards the gate, the kidnappers, dressed on black emerged from the bush and blocked Miss Uzor's vehicle. While one of them was dragging the sterile with her others were stooting sporadically she lost concentration and the vehicle fell into a hole and stopped, everybody have to run for safety in the process two students who asked for free ride and were seated at the back of the vehicle including Miss Uzor were abducted by the kidnappers.

The situation forced the staff, students and workers  of the institution run for safety.

Engr. Aigbosuoria added, "The local vigilante were immediately contacted and they swing into action, in the process, one of kidnappers was arrested while trying to buy food for their victims."

In a telephone interview,  Edo State Police Public Relations Officer SP Kontongs said the police would wade into the incident.

Edo NLC Protests Against Transfer Of National Minimum Wage

The9jaTrend

The organised labour in Edo State, joined their counterparts in other states in protest against the  proposal by the National Assembly to transfer the  national minimum wage from the Exclusive Legislative list to the Concurrent Legislative list. 

The Edo State chapter of the labour union which include the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) among others made their position known in a peaceful protest to Edo State House of Assembly in Benin City. 

Addressing the  protesters at the State House of Assembly premises, state chairman of the NLC, Sunny Osayande, said they decided to join their colleagues nationwide to protest against the bill seeking to transfer the National Minimum Wage from the Exclusive Legislative list to the Concurrent Legislative list.

Osayande said the implications of the bill include, "license for state governors to drag the country back to the era of ridiculous slave wages which in the past had precipitated multifarious industrial crises in different parts of the country.

"The exponential creation and expansion of a community of the working poor with all the attendant consequences for socio-economic cohesion, stability and progress could lead to the exclusion of the private sector (both organised and unorganised) from the concept, rationale and logic of a national minimum wage, yet, it is in this informal sector that horrendously unfair labour practices take place. 

"We write to inform the honourable speaker that a private member bill moved by Hon. Garba Datti Mohammed representing Sabon Gari Federal Constituency of Kaduna State and sponsored by a few governors was on February 23, 2021, rushed through first and second readings.

"The bill seeking the transfer of the National Minimum Wage from the Exclusive Legislative list to the Concurrent legislative list. Currently, the bill has been referred to the Ad-hoc committee on Constitution Review. 

"When presented to your State House of Assembly, we appeal to Mr. speaker to intervene to guide the members of the House and refuse assent."

While receiving the protesters at the State House of Assembly on behalf of the speaker, the Clerk of the House, Audu Omogbai said he would convey their message to the speaker.

"I am sure Me. Speaker will key into this your aspiration, he has travelled to Port Harcourt for official assignment and he asked me to receive this letter", he added.

Stop The Spread Of False Information - Edebiri Admonishes Worshippers

By The9jaTrend

The new presiding priest of Holly Aruosa Cathedral, Ohen-Osa Igbinoghodua Edebiri has admonished  worshipers to tread with causioned in spreading false information capable of causing division amongst worshipers  or tarnishing the reputation of an   individual or an organisation.

Ohen-Osa Edebiri, who is assuming duty  as the new senior priest of the Benin foremost church,  explained that exercising causion or restraint in spreading false information about people or group could lead to everlasting damnation, warning that God and ancestors will reward everyone according to his dead at the end of this life .

The presiding priest of the Edo national church,   Ohen-Osa Igbinoghodua Edebiri gave the admonition in a service at the Holly Aruosa Cathedral,  Benin City.

Ohen-Osa Edebiri also advised worshipers to aways be sincere in their sense of judgement when dealing with others.

Top palace chiefs and other dignitaries were amongst those present at the service.

Edo Dynasty Urges Obaseki To Investigate LGA Chairmen

By the9jaTrend

A group, Edo Dynasty United Organization Worldwide. (EDUOW) has called on the Edo State government to investigate all contract awarded by the outgoing local government chairmen in the state.

President of the group, Comrade Brown Ehigie Osenwengie made the call while reacting to the letter from Edo State Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, signed by Princess M. E. Jos-Bazuaye, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry directing the chairmen to hand over the affairs of their local government to Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA) in their various local government.

According to Comrade Ehigie Osenwengie, "Edo Dynasty United Organization Worldwide. (EDUOW) is a global organization that are watching from the Diaspora the activities of Edo State government. We all fought for free, fair and credible election for better society which led to the emergence of Godwin Obaseki as governor of Edo state.

"Governor Obaseki should make sure any outgoing chairman who awarded contract, full payment was paid to such contractors and did not execute the contract or did not complete the contract are brought to book and such people should not be find in the government.

"We call on the governor to dig deep and find out those contractors that were pay half payment should be examine on what they did with the half payment they received, if the work done with the half payment did not reflect the payment received, the contractors should be brought to book and they must not be in the government of Obaseki.

.     Comrade Brown Ehigie Osenwengie               Founder/President, Edo Dynasty   United Organization Worldwide (EDUOW) 

"We want Governor Obaseki to deal with credible people, people that will have the interest of the masses at heart and ready to stand tall, not those that want to come into the government to enrich themselves at the detriment of the common people in the society".

While eulogising the achievements recorded so far by Governor Godwin administration,  the group, however said they are keeping eye on what the governor is doing and will continue to speak to the governor in a very polite way.

"We are not in the business to speak in a rude manner, we just want to be able to make our point(s) very clear in a very formidable way.

"We don't believe in dramatizing, the way it is that is how we will present it, we don't have the intention to add or minus because credibility to us is sacrosanct," he emphasized.

OGEDEGBE: THE TIGER OF IGUEBEN

Hon. Josie Ogedegbe the outgoing executive chairman of Igueben Local Government Council of Edo State for short deserves all the kind wards, encomiums and accolades often heaped on him. This well educated and unassuming natural project manager and public administrator while in office embarked on social and infrastructural transformation activities in furtherance of the goals of an educated and civilized society. 

He rose through the dint of hard work, perseverance and purposeful engagement with educated public and accomplished public officer that have served his fatherland in varied capacities to be an outstanding chairman. What he has done for the people of Igueben Local Government is believed to be what no other chairman has done before him.

Born to the family of Ogedegbe in Ebelle, Igueben Local Government Area   of Edo State. He attended St. Anthony’s Primary School, Uromi, Eghosa Grammar School, Benin and Edo College, Benin City for HSC and thereafter proceeded to the prestigious University of Benin where he bagged a Bachelor Degree in Engineering and  Building. He is a registered member, Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), Corporate Member, Nigerian Institute of Building (MNIOB), Associate Member, Nigeria Society of Engineers (AMNSE) and member, Nigeria Institute of Management.  

Hon. Ogedegbe has an enviable practice of his profession in many establishments and corporate organizations. He was Site Engineer at Landsesca Construction Company Lagos, part time Consultant on PTF Water Projects (Kaduna State), Technical Director, Lansdele Nigeria Limited, General Manager/CEO, BetonBau Nigeria Limited and Contemporary Group respectively. 

In 2018, he answered the call of his people and contested the local government chairmanship position under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) and won and was sworn in as Executive Chairman of Igueben L.G.A. on 5th April 2018. When he assumed office, the local government took a new look in the areas of Water, Health, Education, Roads and many more. 

His philanthropist gesture has been exemplinary. He took care of peoples welfare, became a man who sees other’s problems as his own, awarded scholarship to indigent students of Igueben Local Government who are in higher institutions within and outside the state and pay medical bills etc.

In the first year of his administration, he succeeded in raising the development profile of the local government area by working hard to ensure people’s oriented projects are executed throughout the 10 wards in the local government. 

Some of these are social amenities, provision of 160 Man Security Outfit, bought Security Patrol Vans for Police, the Shopping for School Children/Elderly, building of 180 Open Market Stalls and 10 Lock Up Stalls at Ebelle Market and model Abattoir in ldumogo, Igueben and Ebelle and others, grading of earth roads across the wards, creation of Fishing Village with the construction of 20 Fish Ponds still in progress, Renovation of Schools, support to the widows in the 10 wards of the local government which he said he has been looking for the opportunity to do in his life, Renovation of 1 Council Civic Centre and the Corper's Lodge, which the Council brought over.

In recognition of his selfless service to humanity, he has been variously honoured by various organizations, individuals and corporate bodies across the country which has earned him the sobriquet the TIGER OF IGUEBEN. 

Hon. Josie Ogedegbe is a member of many service organizations such as the Rotary Club of Oregun, District 9110 Nigeria; Honorary Member, Police College Officers Mess, Ikeja; Knights of St. John International (Catholic); Development Partner, Home Grown Feeding Programme Review Meeting (Presidency) to mention but a few. 

He is happily married to Pharm. (Dr.) Mrs. Judith Ogedegbe and they are blessed with five children. 

Now that the three years tenure of the local government council has come to an end, political agitation has risen to a high pitch with different types of politicians lobbying to be council chairmen. This crescendo has gone to a very high pitch especially among the outgoing chairmen whose tenure could to be best described as a tenure of a last three years.

So in the wake political actors are seeking their replacement except for those like Ogedegbe of Igueben who came saw and performed.

Apart from being a solid example to a democratic process, most of them could not initiate a programme or policy that truly addressed and resolved any social human crises at the grassroots. And none of them except for the likes of Ogedegbe could build a name that could outlive them.