Allafrica Post

Benin City- Despite moves by Edo State Government to check indiscriminate parking, picking and dropping of passengers in some designated areas especially Oba Ovoramwen square (Ring Road) in Benin city, commercial motorists have continued in their old ways in these areas. The State government had set up 'Operation Clean Up Edo', to decongest the ever busy City centre and environ, followed by Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV), an agency with the mandate to carry out the task against street trading and packing in unauthorized places within the metropolis. But the presence of PUWOV and that of its sister agency, the State's traffic control and management officials (EDSTMA) stationed at these locations have done little to stop the drivers from picking and dropping passengers while their vehicles are on motion. But the practice which no doubt endangers the lives of occupants in these vehicles is nothing to worry about according to a commuter who lamented long distance trekkin...

Lagos - Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has sent an urgent appeal to two UN special rapporteurs urging them to “prevail upon the government of President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)to reach an agreement to end the ongoing strike action by ASUU, which continues to have real and dire consequences on the right to higher education, specifically university education, as guaranteed by the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to which Nigeria is a state party.” In the urgent appeal dated 28 December 2018 and signed by SERAP senior legal adviser Bamisope Adeyanju, the organization said: “By failing to prevent and end the ongoing strike action by ASUU, the Nigerian government has defied and breached the explicit requirements of the right to equal access to higher education by Nigerian children and young people, under article 13(2)(c) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cult...

Benin city - In a bid to stamp out  unprofessionalism in the practice of  journalism in the country, Edo Civil Society Organization has called for a legislation to back the operations of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ). The group, a network of civil society groups in Edo state said the legal framework will regulate the establishment and running of media outfits as well as prosecute anyone found to have violated the laws guiding the profession as application in other relevant profession. The spokesman for the group, Leftist Osaze Edigin who made the call in an exclusive Chat midweek with The Nigerian Observer in Benin city, said journalism practice in the country has been hijacked by quacks, hence the need for urgent steps to sanitize the profession. According to him, "Journalism should truly be a practice that is regulated and filled with professionals with requisite training to practice. This regulation must be backed by an Act of parliament with severe penaltie...

(Edo NOA Director, Mrs Grace Eseka lecturing participants on how to thumbprint during voting) Benin City - As part of measures to ensure a hitch-free 2019 general elections, the Federal Government today said it will continue with the education of electorates on the various symbols of the registered 91 political parties, especially on how best to thumbprint to minimize the problem of voided votes. The Edo state director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Grace Eseka made this known in Benin city during the Agency's One-day public enlightenment campaign on voter education towards next year's general election. The event according to Mrs Eseka is one in a series of programs lined up for the engagement of stakeholders across the three senatorial districts of the State. The Edo NOA Boss who described the number of voided votes in past elections as "worrisome", called on politicians to refrain from hate speeches, fake news and vile campaign, which she said ...

Benin City - In commemoration of 2018 International Anti Corruption Day, a group, Action for Socio-Political and Economic Change (ASEC) over the weekend in Benin city held a one Day capacity building for activists and journalists on the use of Freedom Of Information Act. The workshop with the theme: "Freedom Of Information Act: Citizens Potent Tool For Public Accountability and Transparency" was used to renew citizens commitment to the fight against corruption in the country, and also to equip participants with the legal tool in making requests into government records. According to the group's Coordinator, Leftist Osazee Edigin: "The period where governance was left in the hands of a few to run in any manner that suits them is over; "we are all critical stakeholders and have roles to play in the process of financial management, general information and probity of our commonwealth." The facilitator of the workshop, Barrister President Aigbokhan explai...

Oghara-Delta state - Following the recent killings by suspected ritualists at Oghara in Ethiope west Local Government Area of Delta state, the inhabitants have charged security agencies to rise up to their responsibility as they now live in fear in the community. Oghara which is host to Delta State University Teaching Hospital, one of the three state-owned polytechnics and a private university as well as the country home of Ex governor, James Ibori had within a short period witnessed back to back killings. Those living in the community no longer leave their homes when it is already dark or before breaking of the day as that is the time when the killers usually target their victims, harvest their vital organs, leaving their lifeless body in the pool of blood. According to a source, a 66-years Old woman, Mrs Vero Ofotokun was killed recently by suspected ritualists who were said to have struck at about 4.30am when she was outside her home processing cassava flakes known as 'gar...

Benin City - Following the decision by Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki to walk the Managing Director of the Benin electricity distribution company (BEDC), Funke Osibodu out of his office for failing to deliver on her obligations, electricity consumers in the state have applauded the Governor for standing on the side of the people. The consumers who narrated how epileptic power supply by BEDC is negatively affecting their businesses, expressed joy over the decision of Governor Obaseki to join them in passing a vote of no confidence on the electricity Disco. Speaking with The Nigeria OBSERVER in the Edo state capital, an Hair dresser, Blessing Aghayere said the coming of BEDC brought hope of improved power supply to business owners that depends on electricity to run their businesses. Aghayere added: "Without electricity I cannot do my business, I now depend on generator because I have lost hope in BEDC who only give us light 3 hours a day in my area, that is if they give us...

Benin City - A group, under the aegis of BEDC Franchise States People’s Alliance has challenged the management of Benin Electricity Distribution company (BEDC) to give details of power infrastructures procured, installed or changed "with exact locations" since they took over for verification. The group, in press briefing today in Benin city stated that since BEDC took over the assets of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), they have not added any “discernable “ equipment to what they inherited. Leader of the group, Leftist Omobude Agho said the management of BEDC has a business model that recognises profit alone against the tenets of delivering public utility as crucial as electricity to all citizens irrespective of Political, Social or economic status. "The micro economic bloc (SMEs) which is the bedrock of every economy is being frustrated out of business due to the BEDC greedy and wicked business thrusts”, Leftist Agho told journalists. ...

Abuja - Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says it will compel the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to comply with it directive to reconnect some communities in parts of Ondo South back to the national grid. Vice chairman, Sanusi Garba disclosed this while addressing protesters drawn from civil society groups in Delta, Edo, Ekiti and Ondo States at the commission's headquarters on Thursday in Abuja. Garba who was in company of top management staffs noted BEDC flouted the directive issued to the company to "immediately" restore power back to consumers in Odigbo, Okitipupa, Irele, Ilaje and Ese Odo local government areas of Ondo state, after 10-years without electricity. "The issue of Ondo south has to do with enforcement. BEDC has not obeyed the order of the commission. "I want to assure you on behalf of the commission that we will immediately dust up all the papers, and make sure the right thing is done", the Vice chairman...

Abuja - The Edo Civil Society Organization (EDOCSO) alongside activists from Delta, Ekiti and Ondo States yesterday rounded off a 2-Day protests in the Federal Capital Territory where they stormed the Headquarters of Nigeria Electricity Regulations Commission (NERC) to demand the sack of the management team of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC). The activists who reaffirmed their stance on BEDC to NERC said the Funke Osibodu-led management has "no business with electricity distribution" due to "highhandedness" as well as failure to provide electricity for consumers after paying bills. The Coordinator General of Edo CSOs, Leftist Omobude Agho said poor service delivery by the electricity distribution company "is killing SMEs" in the franchise states, hence many have resorted to criminality and other vices which he noted fuels insecurity in the area. Leftist Agho who led the groups, emphatically told the NERC team that if "BEDC cannot g...

Abuja - Less than 3-Weeks after the Edo Civil Society Organization (EDOCSO) led other activists on a 4-Day protest in Benin city against alleged planned renewal of the operational license of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) by Federal Government, the EDO CSO on Wednesday in Abuja commenced another round of protest. EDOCSO, a network of civil society groups in Edo state led activists from Delta, Ekiti and Ondo on a protests to the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) and Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, and ) in Abuja where they reaffirmed their stance on BEDC to the Minister, Babatunde Fashola. The activists carrying banners with their message of 'No to the renewal or extension' of BEDC licence informed the Minister of how the company is crippling business activities in it franchise States of Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti with what they described as ‘special lines’ connected to individuals and institutions that pay huge amount monthly as Bills. The group ...

The Edo Civil Society Organization (EDOCSO), a network of civil society groups in Edo state yesterday continued with it protests against alleged plans by the federal government to renew the operational license of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) which expired 31st of October 2018. The Edo CSOs had earlier declared a 3-Day protest March which commenced on the 29th of October 2018 against the alleged plan renewal by Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). The activists said they decided to continue with the protests after the third day "to give morale support" to National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) who are staffs of BEDC protesting against what they described as poor conditions of service. The NUEE members had on Wednesday commenced a protests with the picketing of the offices and headquarters of the electricity distribution companies nationwide "We are here to picket Benin electricity distrib...

As the operational license of Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC)  expires at the end of October 2018, the Edo Civil Society Organization (EDO CSOs) today rounded off a 3-Day protests against alleged plans by the federal government to extend it. The organization which is a network of civil society groups in the state had staged similar protests in the past against the company's failure to deliver on the agreement it entered into with the federal government in 2013. The activists who displayed various placards with inscriptions chanting solidarity songs, called for "an end" to Funke Osibudu's led management team over what they described as disregard for the rule of law. The protest which took place from Monday 29th October till Wednesday 31st October was to draw the attention of the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on the need "not to contemplate" the renewal of BEDC License, Spokesperson ...

Irked by the continuous reference of Black Axe confraternity with it, The Neo Black Movement of Africa (NBM) has reiterated its non connection with the group. This is coming on the heels of recent cult war between the group and Eiye Confraternity in Benin city were security authorities repeatedly inform the media that Black Axe confraternity are alias of NBM of Africa. In an advertorial published in The Nigeria Observer of 18th October 2018, the Organization said NBM of Africa is not synonymous with Black Axe confraternity or other groups perpetuating violent ideologies. According to an excerpt of the publication signed by Solicitors to NBM of Africa, Benin Zone Idahosa Moses O. Esq reads, "Our attention has been drawn to a highly misleading and mendacious reports now being currently speculated without limitations. "From our brief, our client says the campaigns of calumny against it is to the effect that NBM of Africa Benin Zone has links or affiliations with a body k...

The lack of capacity and necessary strategy to critically engage political office holders has been identified as a major problem to citizens. A group, Social Development Integrated Centre a.k.a Social Action, said only citizens empowered with the right knowledge can demand transparency and accountability from those they have elected to represent their interest. The programme manager of Social Action, Botti Isaac during a recent workshop with critical stakeholders including media and civil societies in Benin asserted that corruption has become a way of life among public officers, hence the need to train citizens to know the practical ways to engage them. "If corruption as a culture is eradicated from the system, everything will fall in place, hospitals, schools and other infrastructure will be built", Isaac explained. He added the group have started mobilizing citizens and groups with the necessary skills with which to engage candidates and commit them to include anti ...

As part of global action against the use of fossil fuels, a group, Action for Socio-Political And Economic Change (ASEC) today held a rally in Benin city to advocate for clean and renewable energy sources. ASEC, an affiliate of Edo Civil Society Organization (EDO CSOs) was the only group in Nigeria that join other activists from across the world to take action against oil and gas exploration that has devastating impact on the environment. The group which brandished placards with inscriptions such as "Leave The Crude On The Ground", "Government Should Consider other sources of Energy", "Citizens have not benefited from crude oil exploration", and "Save our Environment From degradation", also used the rally to draw global attention to fossil fuels usage. The negative impacts of these non-renewable energy sources have had serious adverse effects on the health of human beings, President of ASEC, Leftist Osazee Edigin said during the rally. El...

In a bid to ensure Nigerians are captured in the National Identity Management System, the Federal Government has charged citizens to go and enrol for their National Identification Number (NIN). The federal government said without the National Identification Number it will soon be impossible to transact any business in the country. Speaking recently in Benin city, Edo State Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Grace Eseka described the registration as "very important" to Nigerians. She added it would help put together data that are useful for national planning. "It would help the government know the population of those living here in Nigeria, and as well plan properly for the future of the country. From January 2019 it will be mandatory for any transaction within the country", Mrs Eseka said. Also, the State Coordinator, National Identification Management Commission (NIMC), Mr Kingsley Onaghise reemphasized the need for NIN registration, asserti...

The Olu of Igbokoda, His Royal Majesty Odidiomo Afolabi Oladimeji, Akokoniko, Larada I, yesterday declared support for Comrade Emmanuel Lebile aspiration to represent Ilaje Constituency II in Ondo State House of Assembly on the platform of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). HRM Oladimeji made the declaration during a courtesy call on his palace at Igbokoda, administrative headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of the state by Comrade Lebile and his team. The Monarch charged the Ondo state House of Assembly aspirant to be proactive, believe in himself and be ready to contribute to legislation that will better the life of his constituents when he is elected. The Olu of Igbokoda who called on youths to stand up for what is right and shun social vices, lamented the state of underdevelopment in the area asserted, "we have been suffering, and we are still suffering". Earlier, Comrade Lebile said he decided to run for the position to bring the needed development which he said h...

Work resumed today Nationwide after Organised labour on Sunday announced the suspension of the warning strike over the indefinite suspension of negotiations for a new national minimum wage by the Federal Government. The suspension could not however took effect On Monday October 1 due to the public holiday declared by the federal government to commemorate Nigeria’s 58th Independence Anniversary. Some of the Government ministries, Departments, Agencies, private institutions and schools visited by Our Correspondent across the state capital were all open for service as an attendance register in one of the ministries showed workers reported to their duty posts as early as 7.05am. A civil servant, Barr Melody Omosah said the strike by workers over non increase of their minimum wage is constitutional, hence the demand for increment is long over due. "Government should follow through with their promise to negotiate with labour and arrived at a wage that can take workers home. T...

As part of global effort to promote the use of renewable energy, a group, Action For Social-Political And Economic Change (ASEC) has reiterated calls for an end to the use of fossil fuels in Nigeria. ASEC, an affiliate of Edo Civil Society Organization (EDOCSO), has now joined other stakeholders to advocate for a world powered by renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Speaking during a meeting of the group over the weekend in Benin city, President of ASEC, Leftist Osazee Edigin said the time to "end gas use is now" to check its negative impact in the environment. Leftist Edigin noted that the release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere and other gaseous emissions when fossil fuels are burnt were responsible for global warming. The ASEC President also spoke on the devastating effect of global warming with regards to the perennial flooding of communities along the banks of River Niger. Edigin warned that if the condition continued, the world faces dire conseque...

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room said the lapses in the Osun state re-run elections has put a serious question mark on the electoral process, raising concerns about the forthcoming 2019 general elections. The group in a statement issued regarding the rerun conducted by The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the election was heavily policed in a manner that created heavy tension and apprehension among voters. The Situation Room noted that despite reports of early arrival of materials and INEC officials in most Polling Units (PUs) where the rerun elections were conducted, it was difficult to confirm how the voting process started, as media and election observers were denied access during the early part of the day, especially in Orolu local government area. The Situation Room which monitored the rerun election conducted by INEC in seven polling units of Osun State, stated that reports from Orolu indicated incidents of intimidation, harassment of media pers...

Workers in Edo state observed full compliance to the warning strike declared by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to demand implementation of a new minimum wage for workers in the country. Federal and State government department, parastatals as well as agencies were all under lock and keys with Union officials standing by to ensure nobody entered as observed Observed at The Nigerian Observer and Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) in the state capital. Some private establishment were opened for their day to day business, excluding financial institutions which were noticed opened their Automated Teller Machines (ATM) for customers, but not their main banking Halls. Speaking on condition of anonymity, an official in one of the state government agency advised the federal government and organised labour to "come to agreement" on a new wage for workers to avoid further strike. However, Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo state chapter, Mr Emmanuel Ademokun express...

Senate Deputy Whip and member representing Edo North Senatorial district (APC) Senator Francis Alimikhena has vowed to retire Engineer Abubakar Momoh of the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) from active politics in the 2019 Edo North Senatorial election. The Deputy Whip of the Senate who was recently accused of non performance by Hon Momoh, a PDP Senatorial aspirant, made the vow in a statement signed by His Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, Benjamin Atu. In the statement dated September 27 2018 and made available to journalists, the federal lawmaker expressed confidence that an end has come to Momoh's Political career. "We made Momoh whatever he is today and we are ready to unmarked him and retire him from active politics in the fourth coming Edo North election. "We cannot continue to give political consideration to people who cannot make gains with the trust of the people. "Since the inception of Democracy in 1999 till date Hon. Abubak...

The Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Mr Francis Alimikhena has threatened to sue a Non-governmental organization, Tracka for "accusation" over non implemention of constituency projects. The federal lawmaker made the threat known in a telephone chat recently with The Nigerian Observer in reaction to Tracka's findings in communities Mr Alimikhena said the projects will be implemented. The Senator who spoke through his Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, Benjamin Atu said the lawmaker only implemented projects requested and that would be of "immense" benefit to his constituents. According to him, "They can be arrested and charge to court for wrongly accusing Nigerian Senators because those they are accusing have their manifestos and promises they made to their people, they know the peculiar problem of their people and base on those problems they made promises and delivered. "It is wrong of any age...

The people of Edo North Senatorial District has accused the Senator representing the area, Francis Alimikhena of exclusion from the planning of budget as well as implementation for the area since elected in 2015. The Constituents who revealed this in their separate reactions on the Senator's performance, further accused Alimikhena of lack of transparency and accountability since assuming office in the Red chamber. The Senate Deputy Chief Whip had embarked on different projects in locations across some local government areas in the constituency, including the empowerment of youth through the provision of tricycles, motorcycles, generators, sewing machines. An indigene of Ayogwiri in Etsako-West local government area of Edo state, Mrs Asana Bello said people in her community have not felt the impact of a representative at the Senate. "You will not even see him call for a town hall meeting for the people to speak their mind on what they need before bringing what they do n...

Following the recent cult related killings at Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Network of Civil Society groups in Edo state (EDOCSO) has charged security agencies to ensure perpetrators of the heinous crime are brought to book. The Group which made this known on Monday in Benin city, also called on the State Government to take necessary steps to prevent a re-occurrence of the killings. The Group's spokesperson, Leftist Osazee Edigin in a report asserted that with the ability to detect crime, security agencies should step up their operations as their sole responsibility is to protect the lives and properties of citizens. "The security agencies saddled with the responsibility of securing lives and property, which also involves the ability to detect crime, should step up their operations in ensuring that the perpetrators are made to face the wrath of the law. Government at all levels should see the protection of citizens’ lives and property as a major component of the...

Madam Nafisatu Arelu had bought a brown new 25KVA electricity generating set while she waits under the scotching sun at a roadside motor park at Irele. She bought the generator after the 15KVA engine she was using could no longer power her newly acquired refrigerator. Before the elderly Madam Arelu finally got a taxi heading towards are direction in Oke-Odo, she was reluctant to speak on the blackouts as she said she had given up hope of electricity restoration to the area after years of darkness. "How long do we continue to protest to government that we do not have light for years now? Will they say they do not see us on television, listen on radio or read about our darkness in newspapers? My son I am tired, the generator is even better than wait for BEDC", the soft spoken grandmother said. There are millions of 'Madam Arelu' in Irele, Oke-odo, Ilaje and Okiti-pupa Local Government Areas of Ondo State who had resorted to the use of generator as alternative ...