Give Owan, Akoko-Edo Sense Of Belonging - Senator Braimoh Advocates

By The9JaTREND

Former Senator represented Edo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly between 2003 and 2007, Yisa Braimoh and the Seriki Muslumi of Afenmai Land has called for a power shift so as to give Owan and Akoko-Edo Local Government Areas a sense of belonging within the senatorial district.

According to Senator Braimoh, "such political shift will help in assuaging the dissatisfaction of majority of the people of Owan and Akoko Edo clans over perceived and real marginalization of the zone."

He appealed to His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Philip Shuaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State and the Etsako speaking people in the senatorial district to concede the Senate Seat 2023 and support the Owans or the Akoko-Edos in producing the next senator for the district.

Senator Braimoh made the appeal yesterday, the 11th of August, 2022 while addressing a World Press Conference as part of the anniversary to mark his 79 Years Birthday at his country home in Ihievbe, Owan East local government area of Edo state.

The Senator celebrated his 79th birthday in a solemn form with visits and sharing of fellowships and prayers with inmates of orphanage homes across Edo North. He is reputed for his philanthropy and several other outreach initiatives which impacted positively on the downtrodden in both his immediate constituency and beyond.

One of his notable projects is the School for Physically Challenged Persons at Auchi which he personally built and donated to the disabled, a feat yet to be rivaled by any Senator across Edo State.

He also used the occasion to appeal to the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, to establish a faculty of the Edo State University Iyamo, in Afuze, Owan East LGA, to make education accessible to the people at the grassroots. 

Senator Braimoh during the press conference reviewed the polity of Edo North and Edo State in general where he made some landmark declarations

He disclosed that the Owan/Akoko Edo clans have never had a fair share of principal political office holdings in Edo North Senatorial District.He further expressed displeasure with the reality that a good number of the people of Edo North Senatorial District feel disenchanted with how the zone has been schemed out of the political equation in the state.

The senator who holds the record of being the first person from Owan axis of the district to be the Senator to represent Edo North District at the Senate, lamented that the Estako people have by design deliberately dominated the district’s Senatorial seat for over 25 cumulative years out of the last 35 years and still counting. Starting from the late 60’s of  Senator Ekpomoriri Lamai, to the 70s/80s and beyond period of Senator John Umolu, Senator Franka Afegbua, to Albert Legbojie, Senator Victor Oyofo and presently Senator Francis Alimikhena.

"The Edo North district is made up of six local government areas with Etsakos occupying 3 of the local governments, Owan 2, with Akoko-Edo occupying 1. The Etsakos have a 44% voters population advantage to the Owans 26% and the Akoko – Edo’s 25% of voters population”, he stated.

According to Senator Braimoh, “The utter and highly dismal performance of Senator Francis Alimikhena, an Etsako chieftain and presently representing Edo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, who recently openly voted against the Electronic Transmission of Election Results in the INEC amendment bill at the floor of the Senate is part of the reasons the Etsakos should opt for a candidate from the Owan axis. “The Senator Alimikhena disgraceful act makes it more imperative for the Etsakos to concede the Senate seat to the minority people of Owan/Akoko Edo once again.”

He listed some of the positions being denied the Owan/Akoko-Edo people which is being occupied by the Estako people to include the state deputy governor, Edo North, People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader, PDP National Vice Chairman South-South, PDP BOT Member,.Others are PDP National Deputy Women Leader, PDP State Secretary, Chairmen, Local Government service commission. House of Assembly service commission.

 He however, noted that the unprecedented 12 years loyalty and support of Owan/Akoko Edo Clans to former governor, Adams Oshiomhole and the current state Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu need to be reciprocated by conceding 2023 Senate seat once again to them.“In order to sustain peace, fairness, justice and equity in the polity of Edo North, the Senate Seat should now go to Owan or Akoko Edo people”, he added.

African Countries Should Urgently Embrace Renewable Energy Sources - ERA

By The9JaTREND

The Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has expressed the need for African countries to urgently embrace renewable energy sources so as not to be left behind in the ongoing rapid global movement from dirty energy to clean energy.

ERA/FoEN stated that time was running out against African countries in catching up with the rest of the world by their slow approaches to accepting and investing in solar energy.

Executive Director of ERA/FoEN, Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo in a keynote address on Transitional Justice and Nigeria Beyond Oil, during a 2-day conference on Climate Justice held 9th to 11th August, 2021 in Port Harcourt, stressed the need for African countries, particularly Nigeria to divest funds from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

Dr. Ojo noted that whereas on a global level, countries are making comprehensive plans to transit from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources and cleaner technologies by the year 2030 in line with the Paris Agreement of 2015, Nigeria was still neck deep in seeking investments for oil prospecting.

According to him, by 2025, some European countries have committed to end production of petrol-diesel cars and fully embrace renewable energy. Already, there are trade-in schemes to get rid of petrol- diesel cars in place of the emerging and fast spreading electric cars in developed countries.

In Africa, there is the genuine fear of energy colonialism if all the disused and obsolete energy systems and petrol engines and vehicles are shipped to Africa as Greek gifts or even for sale.

This means that the third world countries would be a dumping ground which will have serious impact on the environment, health and general well being of the people.

How will Africa react to this pending crisis waiting to happen and how will the rich countries respond to this during the COP 26 coming up in Glasgow later in the year?, Dr. Ojo rhetorically asked. “Transitional justice requires that rich countries pay ecological debts to compensate for Nigeria’s stranded assets such as oil and gas reserves, account for the historical carbon emissions released into the atmosphere and address loss and damage for fairness and equity including payment of compensation to victims of climate change”, Ojo further stated. 

 The Executive Director of ERA/FoEN, while reasoning that Nigeria beyond oil is very feasible with several benefits accruable to the country, noted that his organization and its allies including civil society groups, community-based organizations, community representatives across Nigeria have recognized the urgent need for energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

He, however, expressed displeasure over the slow migration from dependence on fossils by the federal government which is still neck deep in seeking investments for oil prospecting especially in the Gongola/ Chad Basins and has committed billions of dollars to the expansion of Nigeria’s oil and gas reserves. Is this the right move for Nigeria? This shows that Nigeria is not ready for a post petroleum economy, he added.

Dr. Ojo insisted that the disadvantages of fossil fuels are far greater than their advantages whereas solar energy has all round advantages without any dangerous impact on the users and the environment. “The divestment of public finance, loans and subsidies from fossil fuels and investing them on renewable energy development and development of cleaner technologies offers the opportunity for a post petroleum Nigeria,” Ojo concluded.

Conduct Oversight Visits to Ogoniland Clean Up Sites - ERA Urges National Assembly

By The9JaTREND

The Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), has called for the immediate removal of Prof. Philip Shekwolo as the Acting Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP).

The call for Prof. Shekwolo's removal is contained in the recommendations made in the ERA/FoEN Comprehensive Report titled, “No clean up , no justice: a decade of failure?"

ERA/FoEN claimed in the report that Prof. Shekwolo, being a senior member of Shell, should have no place in the HYPREP which is undertaking the cleanup of Ogoniland pollution earlier caused by Shell.

ERA/FoEN is describing his inclusion in HYPREP as an intolerable situation, noting “we cannot solve the devastation of the Ogoni environment utilizing the same persons who exacerbated the situation in the first place”.

ERA/FoEN disclosed that Prof. Shekwolo was the Head of the Shell team charged with the cleanup and remediation programme for over 15 years, saying “many of the sites being cleaned today had supposedly been cleaned under the supervision of Prof. Shekwolo.”

Executive Director of ERA/FoEN, Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo, says the implications of Prof. Shekwolo taking over as Acting Project Coordinator of HYPREP is an indication that Shell is in control of the Ogoni cleanup and the possibilities are there that he will run the cleanup in the same manner it has always carried out the cleanup exercise in the Niger Delta region.

Therefore, ERA/FoEN calls for the immediate sack of Prof. Shekwolo from HYPREP as well as Shell from the Governing Council, Board of Trustees and the project coordinating office.

Similarly, the environment organization frowned on the inclusion of politicians in the recently reconstituted Governing Council and the Board of Trustees of HYPREP.

According to the organization, “the recently reconstituted Governing Council and the Board of Trustees of HYPREP is peopled by politicians expressing a sense of political patronage. The cleanup process should not be used as an opportunity to provide job for the boys or party loyalists.”

“ERA/FoEN calls on the Nigerian state to keep politicians far away from the cleanup process and allow the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other capable individuals to manage the Ogoni cleanup process to ensure it does not fail.”

ERA/FoEN further questioned the delay over the release of at least US$200 million yearly for initial five years period which should have amounted to US$1 billion by 2021. Has the money been fully paid, and what was the funds used for, ERA queried. 

ERA/FoEN further stated in its six-point recommendations in the policy brief report that the cleanup of Ogoniland is a multi-disciplinary scientific process geared towards restoring the devastated Ogoni environment and setting the template for the cleanup of the entire Niger Delta region after over six decades of commercial oil production and making of hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue.

“This cleanup, if well managed, could rightly be described as a turning point in the history of the people of Ogoni and the entire Niger Delta region. It could also provide the yardstick to determine whether the over 31 million people who call this region home will live or die.”

Recall that UNEP 10 years ago published a report which is the first comprehensive and publicly available study on the impact of oil pollution in the Niger Delta. The report scientifically validated the age long claim by Ogoni people and civil society organizations that Shell and the Nigerian State were waging a genocidal environmental war against its lands, rivers, streams, culture and people.

MULTIPLE TAXATION: Thanks To Gov. Obaseki For Listening To Us - Orukpe

By The9JaTREND

Traders Welfare Union of Nigeria, (TWUN) Edo State branch, Benin City, have applaud the Edo State government, for listening to their cry for abolition of multiple taxation being melted out on them by  Revenue Collectors in the state.

The Union in a Solidarity protest in Benin City, thanked the governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the Secretary to State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq.,  for carrying out their promise to look into the multiple taxation being carried out by some  State Revenue Collectors  on Goat Meat Butchers Association in the State.

Recall that, Goat Meat Butchers Association in Edo state had last week in a peaceful protest around Benin City,  send Save our Soul (SOS) to the governor to  come to their rescue as the multiple taxation was causing untold hardship to their businesses.

The President, Traders Welfare Union of Nigeria, Edo State, Comrade Lucky Orukpe, who led the protesters, said, "we have cause to come out today and thank the governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the Secretary to State Government, Barr. Osarodion Ogie for listening to our cry.

 "We have been in pain over multiple taxation being melted out on us by the revenue collectors."

"When we protested last week, the SSG. promised  to look into the issue we raised. I tell you today, the government have sliced the taxation  to a minimum of N150 instead of N700.

"We deemed it right to thank the government for listening to our request."

According to Comrade Orukpe, "Initially, the goat meat Butchers Association pay N50 for Ladder and the revenue collectors increased  it to N100, the Local Government Council Revenue Collectors collect N100, while the Veterinary Doctor collect N500 on each goat. Altogether, in every single goat purchased and killed, the Goat Meat sellers pay the total sum of N700.

"Now the government has instructed that for every goat, it has to be N100 for ladder and N50 for veterinary doctor, totally N150 instead of the former N700."

   

Comrade Orukpe use the  opportunity to appeal to Edo State government to introduce Point of Sale (POS) so that the tax they collect can henceforth go straight to the account of Edo State Government," 

This according to him, we enable each trader have his or her own receipt for every transition carried out in the abboitor.

"We also need abboitor for Goat Butchers in every local government Area of the state," he appealed.

LAND GRABBING: Residents Run For Safety As Edo Majority Leader Invades Contested Property With Armed Thugs, Shoots Sporadically

By The9JaTREND

               Hon. Henry Okharuobo

               EDHA Majority Leader

In an attempt to subvert justice, the Edo State House of Assembly Majority Leader, Hon. Henry Okharuobo has invaded a contested landed property with armed thugs, shooting sporadically while residents ran for their lives as the thugs raised down crops worth millions of naira at the Aduwawa axis of Ikpoba Okha local government area of Edo State.

A Benin High Court has earlier restraint Hon. Okharuobo from entering the said landed property belonging to Osaigbovo Uwangue and Barrister Smart Agbonlahor.

Trouble seems to have started when the Edo lawmaker approached the owners of the property (Osaigbovo Uwangue and Barrister Smart Agbonlahor)  to sell a portion of the landed property to him to enable him build a hotel since it was in a choice area of Aduwawa and they declined because they couldn't reach an agreement.

In angered by the breakdown of transaction, Hon. Okharuobo however threatened to use his government power to falsefully grab the land and unleash terror on the owners.

Owing to his threat and subsequent force mood to take over the property as an Edo lawmakers, the owners of the property approached the High Court which restrain Hon. Okharuobo from trespassing pending determination of the case.

However, in a twist of event and in connivance with, the Area Commander In Charge of Ikpoba Hill Police Command, ACP Lawal Wale said a petition came up from the said lawmaker alleging that the owners of the landed property forged papers to take over his land.

All attempts to persuade the Area Commander that the allegation was false and  that the issue was already pending before a competent Court of Jurisdiction failed, he hurriedly charged the said owners of the landed property to Ogbeson Magistrate Court apparently to fulfill his side of the allege financial bargain by the Edo lawmaker who is known all over Edo land for his dubious land grabbing antics.

With both cases still pending in the different courts, the Edo lawmaker  brought boys at night suspected to be thugs shot sporadically in the area  to scare away neighbours, destroy the fence and  set the place on fire, burning  the entire crops and threatening them of physical assault next time they come.

Reacting to the incident, the Edo State House if Assembly  Majority Leader, Hon. Henry Okharuobo debunked  the allegation, saying his name was being dragged in the mud in an attempt to tarnish his image.

Urhoghide @66: You Facilated My Joining PDP, Says Gov. Obaseki

By The9JaTREND

Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, today, eulogized Senator Matthew Urhoghide, senator representing Edo South Senatorial District at the Upper Chamber saying, the roles played in ensuring his smooth entrance into the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) cannot be quantified.

He disclosed this at the reception ceremony of the serving senator in Benin City.

According to Obaseki 'Urhoghide abandoned his ambition to contest for the Edo State governorship election in the September 19, 2020 and worked assiduously for my emergence as governor of the state.

"I am in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today, is based on Senator Matthew Urhoghide's efforts.

"One night, he (Urhoghide) came to me and said because of you, I will not contest for the position of the governor of this state, though people have been asking me to contest but I will not but rather work for you as governor.

"Senator Matthew Urhoghide led my political campaign in Edo South", he emphasized

On his part, Senator Urhoghide thanked the governor for making time out of his busy scheduled to honour his invitation, noting that his presence has given the party a new form as one whose umbrella is large enough to accommodate everyone.

He urged governor Obaseki to let bye gone be bye gone stressing that the ugly incidence that happened between the governor and himself would never happened again.

Alenkhe Felicitates With Prof. Salami On Her Birthday Celebration

By The9JaTREND

A Broadcast Journalist with the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS),  Festus Alenkhe JP., has felicitated with the  Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof Lillian Imuetinyan Salami as she celebrates her birthday.

In a good will message, Alenkhe described Prof. Lillian Imuetinyan Salami as an astute Vice Chancellor who has contributed immensely towards to the development of the University of Benin, Uniben.

According to Alenkhe message, "I wish to extend a birthday felicitation to the Vice Chancellor of the Great University of Benin, Prof Lillian Imuetinyan Salami. 

"Vice Chancellor Ma, as God has added another year to your life today, it is my firm and continuous prayers that the same God will grant you more fruitful years to stay in good health and pilot the affairs of the University of Benin to a Glorious and enviable height.

"The positive leadership qualities that you have exhibited in the University  so far, call for emulation. 

"Please keep the flag of the institution flying.

"As a product of the University of Benin, a lot of differences in both physical and academic development have been spotted. 

"Once again, Happy birthday to an astute ,articulate and virtuous Vice Chancellor. Congratulations!" he opined.

Many Rendered Homeless As Ijaws Invades Obazuwa Community

...Houses burnt, 2nd In Command Killed,  Odionwere In Critical Condition. 

...BSM Condemns Attack

By The9JaTREND

Report reaching The9JaTREND is that, the land dispute between Obazuwa and Ikoro Communities has turned bloody as the Ijaw youths of Ikoro Community has unleashed terror on the Obazuwa Community this evening (6th August, 2021) at about 6.00pm thereby rendered many inhabitants homeless.

According to the source, the Ijaws in Ikoro community invaded Obazuwa community, burning their houses, killed the 2nd in command of the Elders and the Odionwere hospitalized, and in a critical condition. 

In a telephone chat, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Kontongs Bello said, "I have not be  briefed, as soon as I  receive report from Evbuotubu Divisional Police Headquarters, l will get back to you, the press. 

Reacting to the development, Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) worldwide, a Socio-Cultural Group has condemned this gruesome attack on our Benin brothers and sisters in Obazuwa Community and therefore  call on the Edo State Government led by Governor Godwin Obaseki and all Security Agencies to immediately get those identified to be involved in this crime to justice!.

In a press statement issued and signed by the Movement President, Elder Curtis Eghosa Ugbo said, "We will no longer continue to fold our hands and watch unscrupulous elements kill our Benin brothers and sisters in cold blood; We may result to self help if nothing is done to correct these animals in our Kingdom.

 "Our hospitality should not be taken as weakness, for nobody have monopoly of attack and killing.

"A word is enough for the wise!!!", he opined.

Golden Grassroot Club Appoints Ogbomo As Patron

By The9JaTREND

The Golden Grassroot Club of Nigeria has appointed the Vice Chairman, Elderly Persons Association of Nigeria (EPAN), Edo State chapter, Chief Eddy Ogbomo as its patron.

The conferment ceremony which took place at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, No. 1 Reservation Road, GRA, Benin City, was performed by the President, Mr. John Usiobahon, assisted by the Secretary, Mrs. Roseline Aremu.

Mrs. Aremu described Ogbomo as a goal getter who has shown much commitment to the welfare of the elderly people in the society.

She eulogised Chief Ogbomo and prayed God Almighty to grant him the wisdom to lead the Club on the path of growth and progress.

While responding to the honour done him, Chief Ogbomo, promised the club to always identify with them and assured that he will always available whenever his assistance is required by the club.

He advised them to present themselves as men and women of virtue, while working towards attainment of the vision of the club.

Chief Ogbomo also urged them to jettison tribal and religious sentiment if the club must attain higher heights.

Hon. Fellow Lawmakers Frustrated Foreign Medical Treatment Prohibition Bill - Hon. Ogun

...vows to press on until the bill is reconsidered and passed by the house. 

By Simeon Osajie

Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Deacon Sergius Oseasochie Ogun, member representing Esan North-East/Esan South-East Federal Constituency of Edo State, has revealed how fellow lawmakers frustrated the National Health Act Amendment Bill to regulate international trips for medical treatment by public officials.  

According to him, "In a country where the ordinary man lives on less than One US dollar per day, Nigeria can no longer afford the luxury of footing the bills of her public officials who embark on expensive medical vacation abroad at the slightest opportunity at the detriment of the nation's ailing and  decaying health system which is begging for urgent attention."

Hon. Ogun who made these revelations in one of the Nigeria television live program, appealed to the media, civil society organisations, human rights activists, legal gurus and others to prevail on the leadership of the House of Representatives to reconsider and  pass the bill in the greater interest of all Nigerians. 

To underscore his rock steady determination and iron cast resolve to push the bill through, Rt Hon. Ogun resubmitted the bill to the 9th Session of the House of Representatives for reconsideration.  Again, those who seem not to be comfortable with the contents of the National Health Act amendment bill have taken up arms to kill the bill for the second time by deploying delay tactics which include but not limited to the deliberate and devious omission of the bill from the weekly order paper inspite of the several attempts made by the sponsor to have it retaken.  

Ironically, the bill which earned the Uncommon Lawmaker loads of encomiums and commendations from all parts of the country did not see the light of the day as it was killed by some influential members of the 8th session of the lower chamber of the national assembly who cited bogus and nebulous reasons to justify their anti-people action. 

He further revealed that there was already an Act which restrains public officials from spending public funds on medical voyage abroad, thus the proposed amendment bill merely seeks to strengthen and give veneer to the existing act. To lend credence to his claim, he quoted section 46 of the National Health Act which provides that: 

"Without prejudice to the right of any Nigerian to seek medical check-up, investigation or treatment anywhere within and outside Nigeria, no public officer of the government of the Federation or any part thereof shall be sponsored for medical check-up, investigation or treatment abroad at public expense except in exceptional cases on the recommendation and referral by the medical board and which recommendation and referral shall be duly approved by the Minister or the Commissioner of health of the state as the case may be."

Hon. Ogun called on civil society organisations,  organized labour, media, students, social media influencers etc to make a strong demand for the quick reconsideration and passage of the National Health Act amendment bill.

He further vowed to press on and never to back down until the bill is reconsidered and passed by the house.