Urban Scoop Media

05/02/2022

* OVER 3,000 FINAL YEAR STUDENTS SIT FOR SERGIUS OSEASOCHIE OGUN FOUNDATION FREE NECO/SSCE ENROLLMENT MOCK TEST*

05-02-2022

Over three thousand final year students drawn from both public and private secondary schools in Esan North-East and Esan South-East Local Government Areas of Edo State today sat for the Sergius Oseasochie Ogun Foundation (SOOF) Free NECO/SSCE Enrollment Mock Test .

The mock test which held simultaneously at Ogbidi Learning Centre Uromi and St. Francis College Ubiaja was hitch-free and devoid of malpractice. The president of the foundation and incumbent member of the Federal House of Representatives, *Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Deacon Sergius Oseasochie Ogun and his amiable wife* were at the two test centres to encourage and motivate the young scholars to put in their best. In his remarks, the Oluese nomioguele of Agbazilo pledged to pay the NECO/SSCE enrollment fees for the three thousand candidates if they all pass the mock test.

Now in its 10th edition, thousands of indigent final year secondary school students have benefitted from the Sergius Oseasochie Ogun Foundation Free NECO/SSCE Enrollment Scheme and Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme since its inception till date. Every year, the foundation conducts free NECO/SSCE enrollment mock test for all final year secondary school students in Agbazilo. Based on the results of the mock test, the foundation provides free NECO/SSCE enrollment grants for the best Six Hundred (600) candidates while the overall best six candidates are awarded automatic scholarship to any Nigerian university of their choice. Selection of deserving candidates is strictly based on merit with zero consideration for extraneous sentiments.

*Source: Team Sergius Ogun*

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Photos: OVER 3,000 FINAL YEAR STUDENTS SIT FOR SERGIUS OSEASOCHIE OGUN FOUNDATION FREE NECO/SSCE ENROLLMENT MOCK TEST

https://urbanscoopmedia.com/photo-over-3000-final-year-students-sit-for-sergius-oseasochie-ogun-foundation-free-neco-ssce-enrollment-mock-test/

Photos:

05/02/2022

*THE ARGUMENTS FOR "THIRD TENURE" IN EDO CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT*

*....a critical analysis*

*By Amb. Tony Okonigene*

https://urbanscoopmedia.com/the-arguments-for-third-tenure-in-edo-central-senatorial-district/

As the dates for the primaries to elect candidates of both political parties for the 2023 general elections draw nearer, there have been clamours by some people pushing the need to return the current members of the National Assembly in Edo Central Senatorial District to the red and green Chambers. In the same vain, some people are voicing their opposition to these clamours declaring that "third tenure" remains and still signifies "Ebola".

Here lies the beauty of democracy. A system that allows individuals to freely choose who represents them at any level.

This write up is meant to take critical views of the reasons being adduced by those l refered to as " *Pro Third Tenure" (PTT).*
The analysis are purely the inner thoughts of the writer and do not in anyway represent the positions of any individual, group or party. The analysis are drawn out of the authors experience as a senior aide campaign manager to a two term Chairman House Committee on Power.

First of all, we must understand that the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria ( as Amended) has no time limits for Legislators unlike the Executives. In other words, a legislator is free to contest as many tenures as possible. It is left for his or her constituents to either vote him out or in. In this regard, the PTT are well within the frame of the Constitution with their clamours.

The following reasons are being branded as the pillars for the clamours by the PTT.

a). *Principal Officer of the house*

The argument here seems to be that once a member is returned for a third term, he becomes a Principal Officer or Ranking member. The PTT members are of the view that this will give the member more influence to attract constituency projects to his constituency.

Who is a Principal Officer?
In the Senate and House of Reps, the principal officers are the Executives or decision makers. The positions are shared to the majority and minority parties who then share amongst the 6 geopolitical zones.

The majority party has;

1. The Senate President/ Speaker
2. The Deputy Senate President/ Deputy Speaker.
3. Majority leader
4. Deputy Majority leader
5. Chief Whip
6. Deputy Chief Whip

The minority party has
1. Minority leader
2. Deputy Minority leader
3. Minority Whip
4. Deputy Minority Whip

Let us concentrate on the minority positions in both Chambers as the PDP currently occupied them. There are 4 minority Principal positions in each chamber to be shared amongst the 6 geopolitical zones. With the dominance of the PDP in the South -South zone, 1 position each will go to the zone to be given to only one Senator and one Rep member out of about 14 Senators and about 50 Rep members. The zone produces the highest number of PDP Senators and Reps.

The argument that as a third termer you will become a Principal Officer of the house is not automatic and far fetched. Depending on the networking and background of the member, you do not have to be a third timer to become a Principal Officer. That was the scenery that threw up Godswill Akpabio and Samson Osagie as Principal Officers despite not being third termers. The argument that you need a third term to become a Principal Officer is not teneble.

b). *Cognate members*

It is the position of the PTT that as a third termer the member becomes a cognate member thereby taking precedence in choice of constituency projects.

The National Assembly allocates Constituency projects envelopes based on geopolitical zones. The need for each state/constituency to be touched with the dividends of democracy is non- negotiable. It does not take a third termer or more to attract constituency projects. We have had representatives like Hon. Patrick Ikhariale who attracted more projects to their constituencies than older members. The National Assembly operates a system of first amongst equals.

c) *Good Performances*

The PTT members have argued and rightly that the current crops of the members in the National Assembly have performed very well.
This is without any doubt the truth. However, if the trio of Senator Ugbesia, Hon.Ikhariale and Hon. Itulah had not been made to give them opportunities to serve, nobody would have known that we have such brilliant reservoirs. In the same vain, there is the believe that others when given the opportunities can do better.

If performance was a yardstick, Hon. Patrick Ikhariale would not have been removed.

d) *4 terms of 4years each in Okpebholo*

The position of the PTT here is that Esan Central occupied the position for 16 years so therefore Esan West should do same.
The 16 years were not occupied by one person. Hon Oiboh did 2 terms while Hon. Ikhariale did 2 terms. As at then, it was the turn of Esan West to produce the House of Reps member in 2007. This was sacrificed to Esan Central because Esan West opted to have the governor in the person of Prof. Osunbor. Esan West could not be chasing House of Reps and Governor at the same time. In any case, the 4 terms were shared into two terms each. This paid off as the new person performed far beyond the person he took over from.

e) *Selfish interests*
The PTT members are also pointing out that those against the third term clamours are being selfish and do not mean well for Esanland.

First of all, political interests are personal and selfish. It is therefore ridiculous if you term a selfish interest that does not tally with your selfish interest as not meaning well for the people. In 2015, the then occupants of the seats in the National Assembly, put forward all these arguments and more, yet they were rejected. Esan people seem to have actually cursed the third tenure bids. Little wonder that someone who tried to force it in the State Assembly has not been able to be sworn in after over two years. Could this be a message from above?

The author wil nextl take a critical analysis of the reasons being put forward by those against the third tenure or *"Anti Third Tenure" (ATT* )
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THE ARGUMENTS FOR "THIRD TENURE" IN EDO CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT

04/02/2022

Edo assembly aspirant Osehilase Aigbe Uduebor promises effective representation

Edo State House of Assembly aspirant for Esan West constituency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Osehilase Aigbe Uduebor, has assured his constituents of effective representation if given the mandate.

Osehilase Uduebor, a 39-year-old business tycoon, made the pledge while speaking with newsmen in Ekpoma, headquarters of Esan West local government area.

He said he is in the race for the Esan West Assembly seat to provide positive and all inclusive representation, which according to him, has been lacking in the constituency.

“I am in this contest because I want to give quality representation to my people because they deserve it and much more.

“Before now, I have been carrying out projects in Esan West that have direct bearing on the lives of my people, in my own personal capacity.

“And so getting the people’s mandate can only mean more projects and empowerment programs for the women and youths to realize their full potential.

“I will hold quarterly town hall meetings to ensure the need assessments of communities are documented thus giving the people a sense of ownership in projects executed and a follow up to ensure positive action,” he added.

He added that educational scholarships, agricultural interventions for farmers via Foreign direct investment and cottage industries, sports and health issues especially wide insurance coverage will be given priority.

The business man said he was bringing fresh energy and ideas to better the lot of his people, noting that the industry and innovativeness of the youths makes them well placed to transform society.

“If I get the seat, we will do great exploits. People will see radical changes in Esan West constituency.

“I will be bringing my youthful energy, wealth of knowledge and experience, and new ideas to turn things around for the good of everyone. It won’t be business as usual I assure you,” he stated.

In his legislative blueprint, the aspirant promised to initiate quality legislation that would improve the socio-economic well-being of his constituents and Edo people at large.

03/02/2022

Photos Speak: RT HON. SERGIUS OGUN DISTRIBUTES RELIEF ITEMS TO FLOOD VICTIMS IN ESAN SOUTH-EAST

The honourable member representing Esan North-East/Esan South-East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. ( Barr. ) Deacon Sergius Oseasochie Ogun in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) today, Thursday, 3rd February 2022 distributed relief items to flood victims in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The beneficiaries who were drawn from Illushi, Amalu, Ifeku Island, Odoegwume, Atowor Igbamaka and other flood ravaged communities in the area received the following relief items:

* 400 bags of 12.5kg Rice
* 400 bags of 12.5kg Beans
* 400 bags of 12.5kg Garri
* 100 kegs of vegetable oil (20ltrs)
* 150 cartons of Tin Tomatoes
* 150 Cartons of Seasoning Cubes
* 50 bags of 20kg iodized salt
* 500 pieces of Foam Mattresses
* 500 Pieces of Treated Mosquito Nets
* 500 Pieces of Blankets

Addressing pressmen shortly after the distribution excercise which held at his constituency office Ubiaja, Rt Hon. Ogun admonished the flood victims to make judicious use of the relief items. “ We are always there for them. This is just one…we still have one or two packages for them. The process might be slow but they should have faith in government “ he said.

While explaining his role in finding a permanent solution to the perennial problem of flooding in the area , the Uncommon Federal Lawmaker appealed to the federal government to build shore protection in the affected communities. “ For the past six and a half years, I have been writing letters to the ecological fund office on the need to provide shore protection at Illushi for example. There was a video on national television on the same subject matter. Also, I have written series of letters to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. They told me to do preliminary studies which I have done. Even three months ago, we did a reminder” Rt Hon. Ogun explained.

The Oluese Nomioguesele of Agbazilo truly cares. No wonder more and more people are joining the chorus of voices calling for continuity.

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photos speak: RT HON. SERGIUS OGUN DISTRIBUTES RELIEF ITEMS TO FLOOD VICTIMS IN ESAN SOUTH-EAST

https://urbanscoopmedia.com/photos-speak-rt-hon-sergius-ogun-distributes-relief-items-to-flood-victims-in-esan-south-east/

photos speak: RT HON. SERGIUS OGUN DISTRIBUTES RELIEF ITEMS TO FLOOD VICTIMS IN ESAN SOUTH-EAST

02/02/2022

WHO IS ROTN. OSEHILASE AIGBE UDUEBOR.

Rotn. Osehilase Aigbe Uduebor hails from Idumebo Ekpoma in Esan West LGA of Edo state.

Osehi acquired his first school leaving certificate from Army day command Primary school, Benin city. He proceeded to University of Benin Demonstration Secondary School (UDSS). Thereafter he obtained a diploma in microbiology from University of Benin.

Averse to repose, Rotarian Osehilase Aigbe Uduebor attended Igbinedion University Okada briefly before bagging a Bachelor’s Degree in microbiology from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo state in 2008.

Rotn. Osehi holds a post Graduate Degree (PGD) in HIV / AIDS Education and Management from National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja. He also holds a post graduate diploma certificate from the University of Liverpool. *He is currently studying for Master’s Degree in Public Health ( Specializing in international Public Health ) at the Liverpool John Moores University.*

Rotn Osehi also holds several professional certifications including: policy & Legal Advocate Center (PLAC) & DFID capacity Building on Legislative Advocacy for Grassroot NGO’s / CSO’s working in Local communities (18th July 2012), certificate in Mother To Child Transmission HIV Global Health e-Learning Center and USAID (1st April, 2012), Certificate In Terrorism, Preparedness & Public Health, University of Albany School of Public (19th March, 2012), Certificate with Distinction in Socail Entrepreneurship Copenhagen Business School (24th December, 2014), etc.

He was part of the constitution amendment committee at the National Assembly and his contributions were well documented. He also was one of the pioneer contribuors to the CSO regulatory bill at the National Assembly in 2011

CAREER LIFE AND FAMILY :

Rotn. Osehi started his career in the banking sector upon completing the year long mandatory Nigeria Youth Service Corp. He was head marketer at Union Bank of Nigeria, karu Branch-Abuja for three years. His passion for serving humanity eventually led him to leave the bank sector behind and start up the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) under the name : Every Child Deserves to Learn (ECDL) initiative on Children’s Day, 27th May, 2012.

With the support of ECDL’s illustrious Board of Directors, indigenous Business and well-meaning Nigerians, Rotn Osehi awarded scholarship to over 40 students within the rural areas of Nigeria and empowered over 30 widows through skill acquisition programs.

A farmer at heart, Rotn. Osehi also set up Cravin Farms in 2013 to promote food security and nutrition for vulnerable school aged children within rural communities in the Edo State and other States in Nigeria. Rotn Osehilase has aided in setting up over 10 commercially viable farms within Nigeria and has trained senior management and middle management civil servants in various opportunities that lie in the Agribusiness.

He formed part of the research team that was engaged by USAID and USMarket alongside notable researchers like Prof C. Okojie to address challenges in food security accross the Western African region and was one of the guest speakers at the program.

Currently Rotn. Osehi is an internally Generating Revenue (IGR) consultant working with Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Gwagwalada and Bwari Area Councils, as well as some state and Government Agencies.

We hereby wish to formally announce to the members of the public and our teeming supporter's most of whom are the youths who are the bedrock of every society that Rotn Osehi Aigbe Uduebor has what it takes to be lead and to be a leader.

We all know that a call to lead is a call to serve those who have appointed you to lead.

01/02/2022

Video/ Pictures: Gbajabiamila felicitates with Hon. Sir Joe Edionwele on 62nd birthday

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, has felicitated with the member representing Esan Central, Esan West and Igueben Federal Constituency in National Assembly, Hon. Sir Joe Edionwele, on his 62nd birthday, today 1 February, 2022.

Gbajabiamila, in a congratulatory message, he personally signed, described Hon. Sir Edionwele as a worthy partner and dependable ally in the task of nation-building.

The congratulatory message reads;
Dear Hon,
We identify with you in this very important occasion of your birthday celebration.

You are a visionary leader and a true inspiration to your people.

Your determination and commitment to improve the lives of your constituents and humanity in general is indeed remarkable.

May God Almighty guide and protect you, keep you safe in good health, as you continue your good work to the people.

Congratulations and Happy Birthday.

From: Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila
Speaker
House of Reps.

30/01/2022

Soldier killed, two injured as gunmen ambush troops in Rivers

One soldier has been reportedly killed while two others were wounded in an attack by gunmen in Rivers State.

It was learnt that the attack happened in the early hours of Sunday at the boundary between Asari-Toru and the Emohua Local Government Areas of the state.

Chairman of Akuku-Toru, one of the three local government areas in the Kalabari region, Rowland Sekibo, said the soldiers were ambushed.

According to him, the two injured soldiers are in a critical state.

Details later…

30/01/2022

NDLEA Nabs 3 Trans-Border Traffickers With 48,000 Tabs Of Tramadol.

•Intercepts 1,229kg imported Loud in Lagos

•Seizes 22 UK, France, Portugal passports at Lagos Airport

Three trans-border drug traffickers have been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), while trying to smuggle 48,000 tablets of 225mg Tramadol through Mubi, Adamawa State to Cameroon Republic, just as over 1,500 kilograms of imported Loud and other illicit substances have been intercepted in raids across Lagos and Edo States.

The suspects, Mohammed Hussaini, Adamu Bella, and Mohammed Umar were arrested at Tsamiya Junction, Madanya Road, Mubi, in Adamawa State on Friday with the exhibits concealed in the packets of another drug.

When interviewed, a statement by the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi said, the suspects claimed the drugs were being taken to Bagira town along the Nigeria-Cameroon border to be delivered to some Cameroonians for onward delivery to Maroa in Cameroon.

In a similar operation at Alaba Rago area of Lagos, operatives of the state command of the Agency intercepted 1,200 parcels of imported Loud, a strong variant of cannabis suspected to have been smuggled into the state from a neighbouring country with a total weight of 1,229 kilograms.

In another raid on Wednesday at Suru Alaba, Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA, Lagos, operatives arrested one Ibrahim Musa with 18,530 tablets of Tramadol, Rohynol, Diazepam, Exol-5, and 138 bottles of Codeine while at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos, operatives at the SAHCO export shed of the airport intercepted a consignment of 22 international passports of six different countries concealed in a bag of Gari among other food items.

Nine of the passports were three each of UK, France and Portugal, while the rest were: Nigeria -8; Ghana -4 and Cameroon -1. Also at the airport, operatives equally recovered 12 parcels of cannabis weighing 4.95kg concealed in a carton of Golden Morn packaged for export through the SAHCO export shed.

In Plateau state, a team of NDLEA officers on Friday also arrested two suspects; Emeka Ezenwa, and Julius Akingbe, for being in possession of 126.5grams of methamphetamine concealed inside a DVD player coming from Lagos, while a raid in Kampani Zera- Wase LGA of the state on the same day, led to the arrest of Fatima Sadiq, who was caught with 21.3kg cannabis.

A similar raid on Friday of a notorious drug joint, Bakin Kogi Ringim, Jigawa state led to the recovery of different quantities of Cannabis, Diazepam, Exol-5 and some new psychoactive substances with a total weight of 8.680kg as well as weapons such as knives, cutlasses, Gora sticks, catapults and charms.

In Edo State, operatives recovered 19 bags of cannabis weighing 144.10kg stored in the bush along Uromi Road, Esan North East LGA ready to be transported to other parts of the country, while eight bags of the same substance weighing 111kg were recovered from a bush at Iruekpen, Esan West LGA.

29/01/2022

4 Teenagers Slaughter Friend’s Lover For ‘Money Ritual’ In Ogun

It was a story of grief and anger in Ogun State on Saturday as four teenagers gruesomely murdered a female friend of one of them for a money-making ritual purpose in Adatan area of Abeokuta metropolis, the state capital.

The teenagers, identified as 17-year-old Wariz Oladehinde; 19-year-old Abdulgafar Lukman, and Mustakeem Balogun, 20, strangled the girl, simply identified as Rofiat, to death, severed off her head and ge***al before packing her remains in a sack, which they dumped at an abandoned building in the area.

After succeeding at severing her head and ge***als, the four friends: Wariz, Lukman, Mustakeem and the victim’s lover, identified as Soliu, thereafter put the human parts into a local pot and started burning it.

Secret of their heinous crime got leaked when a leader of the community’s security guards informed the police at Adatan Divisional headquarters that the suspects were burning objects suspected to be human head in a local pot.

The Ogun State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed the incident to journalists in Abeokuta on Saturday, said the suspects were arrested following the report lodged with the police at Adatan Divisional headquarters.

“On interrogation, the arrested suspects confessed that what they were burning in the local pot is the head of the girlfriend of their escaped accomplice.

“They confessed further that the girl who was simply identified as Rofiat was lured by her boyfriend simply identified as Soliu to where she was murdered by four of them, after which they severed off her head and packed the remains in a sack which they dumped in an old building,” the PPRO said.

Also in the confessional video recording made by the police, which was obtained by our Source, one of the suspects subsequently led police operatives to the building, where Rofiat’s dismembered body was recovered along with the short cutlass and a knife used in cutting off her head.

Oyeyemi, however, explained that the State’s Commissioner of Police, ‘Lanre Bankole, has ordered that the suspects be immediately transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for discreet investigation “with the view to arraign them in court as soon as possible.”

“Following the matching order given to the DPO Adatan by the Commissioner of Police to ensure the arrest of the deceased’s boyfriend, the DPO and his men had eventually arrested the fleeing suspect Soliu Majekodumi in his hideout. He is 18 years old”

29/01/2022

Edo deputy gov, Shaibu receives Osinbajo in Benin

The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, on Saturday, received the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who is on a one-day official visit to the state.

The Vice President, conveyed by presidential aircraft with registration number 5N-FGV, landed in Benin, the Edo State capital at exactly 11:07a.m.

Osinbajo was welcomed by Shaibu and other top government officials, as well as thousands of supporters amid cheers.

The colourfully dressed state cultural troupe was also at the airport to welcome the vice president to the ancient city.

The Vice President is expected to join other top politicians at the palace of the Otaru of Auchi, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aliru Momoh, Ikelebe III, where a chieftaincy title, the ‘Oduma of Auchi Sacred Kingdom’ will be conferred on the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba.

29/01/2022

Groups give 48 hours ultimatum to EFCC to unmasked and parade the erring Officer.

Benin National Congress, Edo Forum of Patriots and Talakawa's Parliament have condemned in the strongest terms the barbaric and inhuman treatment meted on Uyi Daniels, an Edo Son and legitimate Cab Driver who was abducted, tortured and detained unjustly by an Officer attached to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Benin Zonal Office over a minor car accident that happened at GRA even when the officer was wrong.

We see this unprofessional and primitive act as a clear case of injustice, oppression and man inhumanity to man which is at variance with Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended which states that " Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person and accordingly
(A) no person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment.

The EFCC personnel became a judge in his own case which negates the principle of natural justice (Nemo judex in causa sua) assuming the role of the Police, Prosecution and Judge.

This must be pooh-poohed and never be encouraged in a democratic society.

It is extremely sardonic that Edo Youths are victims of oppression and brutality in the hands of the overzealous and non-native Uniform Men based on their assumption that we are docile and hospitable to the non natives working in Edo State.

As responsible Human Rights cm Socio Cultural Organizations of international repute, we are by this release giving the Economic and Financial Crime Commission 48 hours ultimatum to unmasked and parade the erring Officer before the media, the way they do to suspects in their custody, failure to heed to our demand, we shall mobilize our members vertically and horizontally for a peaceful protest to occupy their office to express our resentment in no uncertain terms that we cannot be treated as slaves in our land.
we can no longer fold our arms akimbo to watch Officers from other States oppressing, intimidating and infringing on the Human Rights of Edo People.

A stitch in time, saves nine.

Aluta continua, Victoria Ascerta.

28/01/2022

Obaseki urges harmony, unity among Edo PDP members, leaders

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has reiterated the need for the leaders and members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to remain united so as to win future elections.

Obaseki, during an enlarged meeting of party members and executives at the Oredo Party Secretariat in Benin City, said unity is key if the party must remain in power in the state.

The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Osaigbovo Iyoha said the Obaseki-led administration remains committed to ensuring peace, unity and harmony in the party and state.

According to him, "You will realise that those that want the growth and development of this party in the state are all here and those that don't want unity in the party are not here.

"The reason why you join a political party is to have access to government and power. When you are in a political party without having access to power or government, it is like joining a pressure group or union.”

He continued: “We have the Governor, what else are we looking for? The whole government’s structure in Oredo is here. The governor is from PDP; we have senators from PDP; Chief of Staff to the Governor is from PDP; Solicitor General from PDP and Commissioners from PDP.

“Anybody that is not here is not ready to win, because we must continue to win. I appeal to you to go back and get more people because election is about numbers and we need the numbers to win.

“Election is coming soon, including Local Government, House of Assembly, Senate and Presidential elections and together, we must win the elections,” he charged.

Oredo PDP Chairman, Hon. Usiobaifo Henschel, in his welcome address, said PDP in Oredo is most harmonised in the state, adding, “PDP is one; we are a big family as the umbrella is wide enough to accommodate as many as possible.”

28/01/2022

Edo PUWOV apprehends suspected leader of cable theft syndicate in Benin

The Edo State Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) has apprehended the leader of a suspected armoured cable theft syndicate that has been operating for months within the Benin metropolis.

The PUWOV State Commander, Mukhtar Yusuf-Osagie, who disclosed this to journalists in Benin City, stated that the syndicate specialises in vandalizing and stealing government and private company’s electricity cable in different parts of the metropolis.

He said the suspected syndicate leader was apprehended by the PUWOV team at Ezoti Street, along Airport Road, Benin City, following intelligence reports from a resident.

Yusuf-Osagie, who charged residents to desist from all forms of criminal activities, reassured that PUWOV will sustain partnership with the government and other security agencies to ensure that Edo is safe and crime-free.

According to him, “Our team was recently alerted to the rising incidence of armoured cable theft by a group of suspected criminals, who have been terrorizing the Benin metropolis for several months now.

“In our efforts to ensure a crime-free state, in partnership with the government and other security agencies, we immediately deployed men and resources to high-incident areas in the metropolis to curtail the menace.

“At about 8:55pm on January 26, 2022, an anonymous caller tipped off a PUWOV team about the activities of some criminal elements in the act of electricity cable theft and vandalism. The team immediately invaded the area and apprehended the leader of the theft syndicate while he was busy cutting the armoured cable at Ezoti Street, along Airport Road, Benin City.”

The PUWOV coordinator added, “On interrogation, the suspect who was caught with a handsaw, cutting and removing the cable wire, confessed to have been hired by one Oga Love and Barrister, located at 2nd Zabayo, off Plymouth Road, also in Benin City.”

Yusuf-Osagie however disclosed that the suspect has been handed over to Aideyan Police Division for further investigation and prosecution.

He further admonished members of the public to call: 09150322999 and 08132030846, to report any suspected act of vandalism on government property in their neighbourhood.