Niger Delta

Oshiomhole Re-Registers, Salutes People’s Patriotism

Published

15 years ago

January 31, 2011

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole at the weekend, re-registered at Ward 10, Unit 1, Iyamho Community Secondary School in Etsako West Local Government Area because of fault in the Direct Data Capture (DDC) machine when he first registered at the beginning of the voters’ registration exercise in the state.

Oshiomhole, who spoke to journalists shortly after his re-registration exercise explained that he has to re-register because of hitches of the first few days of the exercise.

“We can excuse INEC because there is what we call learning period. On the first day you may not be perfect but the good news is that those involved in this village were not up to ten. It was convenient for me to come back to register again and that is the little sacrifice one has to pay to get the electoral system clean,” Oshiomhole said.

According to him, INEC, at the level of design and planning has done better in 2011 than they have planned in 2007 because in 2007, in this village, “We were hearing that four, five days into the registration exercise machines has reached Auchi and some other day you hear it had reached Jattu and you are waiting for the machine to reach your own village”.

“The beauty this time around is that every polling unit has a machine, so there is no fear that someone is delaying the machine in his place so that before it gets to your place the registration is over. I think at the level of planning and quality design, INEC was comprehensive”, he said.

The governor acknowledges in some local government areas, like Owan East, Owan West, Uhunmwode and few other places where they did not have one machine, one polling unit, but they have been assured now by the REC that machines have arrived to be deployed to those areas.

He recalled that from INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega’s public statement, if for the reason of their own fault machines are not available, they will naturally have to make allowance for those communities where these machines were not available to enable everybody register re-assuring all with the comment by President Goodluck Jonathan that every Nigerian of adult age would be registered and nobody would be shut out for technical reasons.

“I believe for now from what I have seen and heard, this exercise as imperfect as it is represents a substantial improvement over what happened in 2007. I also find a citizenry that is more determined, demonstrating a level of patriotism, that we should all be proud. When I find ordinary people raising funds to buy a small N12,000 generator, where they see that there is no power and the battery has failed, it shows that Nigerians are determined and this time we would get it right,” he enthused.

Oshiomhole also observed that, there are clear signals that politicians who are not electable but are in government and even those who seek to enter government by all means are working hard to try to defeat this comprehensive arrangement that INEC has put in place.

The challenge for INEC leadership, according to the Comrade Governor is to search to ensure that ‘Judas’ within its ranks are identified and cited example of an electoral officer at Uromi who used the children of political party members to replace National Youth Corps members who were posted for the exercise.

The governor said, “She unilaterally allowed these people who are children of party members to function as registration officers and of course you know the purpose. I am satisfied that INEC has dealt with it by chasing those characters who are not employed for that purpose away”.

“This time around, if it is Oshiomhole or anybody else that is trying to cheat on the rules, they should be dealt with because the country is greater than anybody and no one is above the law. INEC should be capable of applying the red card for any of its functionaries who is incapable of reform”, Oshiomhole added.

Ben-Ose Ogbemudia, Benin

Niger Delta

Otu Launches Grassroot Security Network In C’River

Published

43 seconds ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has launched a grassroots security intelligence network, named, ”Homeland Safety and Security Agency,” to strengthen community-based surveillance and enhance safety across the state.

Otu, who inaugurated the agency’s office in the Southern Senatorial District of the state on Monday, in Calabar, said similar offices were being inaugurated in the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts.

The Governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Emmanuel Ironbar, said the officials of the agency would serve as first point of call before matters would be escalated to main security architecture in the state.

He described Homeland Security as an intelligence-driven structure focused on neighbourhood monitoring and early threat detection through coordinated local efforts.

He said the initiative constituted the directors and field operatives, tasked with gathering and forwarding intelligence to relevant security agencies for prompt action.

Otu noted that the network would serve as a first point of contact before intervention by conventional security agencies.

“It is important that we enhance monitoring of movements across our communities, border areas, and riverine zones to identify suspicious activities and enhance security response.

“The state government will provide necessary gadgets and communication tools to improve efficiency and real-time intelligence sharing,” he said.

Otu called for public cooperation, stressing that ‘’security is a collective responsibility requiring timely information from residents.’’

He said, ‘’to ensure that the security outfit works like a model unit, proper screening would be conducted on the volunteers to weed out undesirable elements from the system.’’

The Tide’s source reports that the Governor handed over 14 motor bikes to the agency’s southern Senatorial district office to enhance their efficiency.

On his part, the Director-General, South of the agency, Mr. Michael Nsan, said the volunteers had played key roles in reducing crime through coordinated patrols and intelligence sharing.

Nsan said over 1,300 volunteers currently supported the operations with additional informants providing critical information across communities.

“Crime rates dropped significantly during the last festive period due to our collaboration with law enforcement agencies in the state,” he said.

The Director-General said volunteers would undergo training and screening, with plans underway for formal recruitment through a government employment portal.

According to him, communication tools, including walkie-talkies, and patrol motorcycles had improved rapid response to security incidents.

He commended the governor’s commitment, noting that the initiative would further strengthen security architecture and community safety across the state.

The source reports that some of the dignitaries who graced the occasion were traditional rulers and government officials.

Niger Delta

Edo Defends 18-month Record, Cites Gains In Other Sectors

Published

1 minute ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Edo State Government has defended its performance in office so far, saying ongoing projects in infrastructure, healthcare, education and security showed clear progress despite criticism from the opposition.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy in the State, Prince Kasim Afegbua, stated this at a news conference held in Benin on Wednesday.

Afegbua said the Statement Governor, Monday Okpebholo, had been focused on addressing inherited challenges rather than engaging in propaganda.

He described the recent protests against the government as driven by “faceless actors,” questioning the credibility of those behind the protests.

The Commissioner also dismissed claims that the state was stagnating.

“The current Edo narrative is cheering news to the average Edo mind. We are not into propaganda. What we are doing, you can see for yourselves”, he said.

Afegbua anchored the government’s defence on infrastructure, pointing at the ongoing and completed road projects across the state.

He also listed the near-completion of the Ramat Park flyover and a second flyover at Aduwawa Junction as some of the new infrastructural developments being carried out by the Okpebholo administration.

He also cited rehabilitation works on Sapele Road, previously abandoned, as well as multiple urban and rural road projects, spanning Edo South, Central and North Senatorial Districts.

“In 18 months, we can beat our chest that the Governor has done so much to advance critical infrastructure”, he said, noting that road construction was being accelerated despite early rains affecting timelines.

Afegbua also highlighted interventions in the education sector, stating that about 6,500 teachers had been recruited, alongside rehabilitation of dilapidated schools previously lacking basic facilities, such as desks, roofs and toilets.

“Today, you can go around and see the difference,” he said.

The Commissioner added that completed school projects had risen from 68 at the administration’s one-year mark to nearly 80.

In healthcare, he said the state government had expanded primary healthcare access by already constructing 75 centres, with a target of 160 within four years.

He said many of the facilities had been equipped to deliver immediate services at the grassroots, while work had resumed on Stella Obasanjo Hospital which, he said, was inherited at 55 per cent completion.

“We are strengthening primary healthcare because it is the first point of contact for our people,” he said.

On higher education, Afegbua disclosed that the state recently committed N2 billion to infrastructure development at Edo State University, Iyamho, while also increasing its monthly subvention from N100 million to N250 million.

Government, he said, had also provided buses to support students’ mobility.

Beyond infrastructure and social services, he pointed at the economic support initiatives, including a N1 billion interest-free loan scheme for market women and another N1 billion set aside for students’ bursaries.

All these, he noted, were aimed at easing economic pressure and expanding access to education.

While acknowledging that security incidents had shifted from urban centres to the hinterlands, Afegbua, however, maintained that overall security had improved significantly in the state.

“The way kidnapping was rife when we took over, I think it has dropped maximally,” he said, citing bush-combing operations, arrests and destruction of criminal hideouts.

He also stated that government had procured over 100 Hilux vans and 300 motorcycles for security agencies.

Similarly, he said government had supported the local vigilante operations and established a rapid response mechanism for road maintenance and emergency interventions.

Afegbua further said that local governments had been empowered with heavy-duty equipment to open rural roads and improve mobility, describing the decentralised approach as critical to grassroots development.

“We need the cooperation of everyone. Security is not just about government; it is about collective responsibility,” he added.

Responding to concerns about transparency, particularly around contract costs, the commissioner insisted that all projects followed due procurement processes and were approved by the State Executive Council.

“If you check with the Ministry of Works, you can always get the cost of those contracts,” he said, stressing that the administration was prudent in resource management.

Niger Delta

Okpebholo Urges Edo Youths To Join Nigerian Army Recruitment

Published

2 minutes ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has urged eligible youths in the state to take advantage of the ongoing Nigerian Army 91 Regular Recruit Intake by enlisting in the Army.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Patrick Ebojele, in Benin.

According to the statement, the call followed the scheduled visit of the Nigerian Army sensitisation team to the state from April 8 to April 14.

It noted that the visit is aimed at engaging, guiding and supporting prospective applicants through the recruitment process.

The Governor, however, urged qualified young men and women in the state to participate in the exercise.

“The opportunity offers a pathway to meaningful employment, national service and personal development through the Nigerian Army recruitment process.

“I urge Edo youths to come forward in large numbers to improve the state’s participation and meet its national quota in the Army recruitment exercise.

“It is a chance for young Edo people to build disciplined and purposeful careers,” he said.

Okpebholo also urged parents, guardians, traditional rulers, community leaders, religious institutions and youth organisations to mobilise and encourage eligible candidates within their communities to take part in the exercise.

He added that interested applicants should visit the official Nigerian Army recruitment portal for full details on eligibility, requirements and application procedures.

The Governor further advised candidates to ensure that all necessary documents are complete before presenting themselves at designated sensitisation centres during the stated period.

“The Edo State Government remains committed to creating opportunities for youths and calls for collective support to ensure the success of this exercise,” he said.