[img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/08/a170719a4a75e1dd2e344a2a51486688_view.jpg[/img] A tanker carrying fuel exploded in Edo state and one person has been confirmed dead. The tanker reportedly exploded while plying the Upper Mission junction on the Benin-Auchi expressway, in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. The explosion occurred at about 7:00am, Wednesday, August 24. With one person dead and not less than four people sustaining injuries, the fire which erupted following the tanker’s explosion destroyed properties worth millions of naira. [img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/08/afc1de963c324acef569e1fd5d283a44_view.jpg[/img]

[img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/08/bd85f940560080cd7befbf90c4395a99_view.gif[/img] Ize-Iyamu Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/08/edo-2016-pdp-candidate-compelled-sign-pact-communities/ Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the September 10, 2016 governorship election in Edo state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has reached a pact to build roads and other amenities for communities of Iyekogba, Oredo local government area of Edo State, if he becomes governor. The pact commits Pastor Ize-Iyemu to execute the projects in the document if voted governor. The communities of about 53 villages had vowed only to support the governorship candidate who would be willing to enter into a formal agreement with them on the provision of amenities and other infrastructures. At a meeting with traditional rulers and youth groups, the candidate was presented with a list of projects contained in a document he would be required to execute on assumption of office. The list contained roads, schools and the appointment of indigenes into influential positions into his government. The governorship candidate went ahead to sign the document, saying he had no problems doing. Chairman of the traditional council of the area, Anthony Osayemwenre, said the communities had resolved that their support for any candidate would be dependent on his going into a signed agreement with them. He lamented that in spite of their size and contributions to the determination of the electoral process, Iyekogba communities had always lacked government impact by way of provision of necessary infrastructure. He said this time, their demands had been spell out clearly and would become a reference point when the candidate was elected governor. Ize-Iyamu said he was impressed by the initiative of the communities and he had no difficulty signing because all the requests were in consonance with his development drive and that of his party. He used the occasion to introduce his written manifesto titled the Simple Agenda which articulates how he intends to achieve his development goals. Ize-Iyamu, called the attention of the members of the communities to a page in the Agenda where he mentioned the construction of the roads in Iyekogba to link Ekewan Communities in Ovia North East Local Government Area. He said beyond the facilities requested, he desired to bring industrialization to Iyekogba so as to enhance the economy of the place as well as create jobs for members of the communities.

[img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/08/e453221c9af77886ba9a6a6008524fb6_view.jpg[/img] Governor Adams Oshiomhole November 2016, residents of Edo state, South South Nigeria will go to the polls to elect another governor after 8 years of Governor Adams Oshiomhole's rule in 'The Heartbeat of the Nation'. Adams Oshimhole, came into politics after his retirement as a radical labour leader. As he prepares to hand over power in the coming months, here is a look at the controversies that have engulfed his 8 years administration in Edo state. [img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/08/da4d9e43359c3f8bfa63728d1b78f56b_view.jpg[/img] 1. Fight Between Edo Government and UNIBEN: A fight between the government of Edo state and UNIBEN became a full scale war after the Ex-VC’s house was destroyed and lecturers molested by alleged government loyalists. In protest, UNIBEN students went rioting, blocking roads, burning state owned vehicles. It was gathered that a 'thug', who is an alleged loyalist to the state governor drew the ire of the students after beating up some lecturers. The lecturers were said to be returning from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre where they had gone to protest what they called molestation by the Edo State Government. The lectures’ vehicles were destroyed while their personal items were stolen. This, coupled with the demolition of Oshodin's house provoked the students who went on rampage. Several reports also allege that the trouble is connected to the court case between the Edo state government and UNIBEN over 18 properties situated at a location in the GRA area, where some of the university's staff reside. After winning the first hearing, the state government reportedly went ahead to destroy the contested buildings, despite a pending appeal by the university and a court injunction. 2. 'Go And Die' Widow Controversy: This issue got so many tongues wagging. In the video that went viral online, Oshimohole, while leading officials of the state to sanitize the city of Benin, was seen issuing an order to men of the State War Against Indiscipline to confiscate some goods of an alleged roadside hawker. The woman was accused of obstructing the Mission Road. Upon hearing her pleas for mercy on grounds that she was a widow, the Governor infamously retorted, “You are a widow, go and die.” Afterwards he stood for some seconds looking indifferently on how the officials took the women’s belongings away, and he left the scene of the drama. Because of the public outburst, few days later, Governor Adams Oshiomhole apologized to the widow and gave her N2 million, offered her employment and promised to help her second child in getting education. 3. Wedding Controversies for Marrying a 'Foreign' Wife: Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole got remarried on Friday, May 15, 2015, and the affair had so many people talked about it. The governor tied the knot with beautiful Cape Verdean, Iara Fortes 5 years after the death of first wife, Clara. Oshiomhole’s wedding trended on social media for three days amid contoversies that include: Marrying a foreign wife: Senator Dino Meleye of Kogi state took a swipe at Oshimohole for marrying a foreign wife. He added that Nigerians should not emulate the governor who chose not to patronise 'made-in-nigeria' women.Age Difference:The governor was 63 when he married Iara, who is said to be 36-years-old; Child's Absence: Oshiomhole’s daughter, Winifred, didn’t attend the wedding citing a busy schedule. 4. War with Duputy: Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, and his boss, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, came on board November 12, 2008, when the Court of Appeal nullified the election of Professor Osarhiemen Osunbor, then of the Peoples Democratic Party. Oshiomhole and Odubu had since their coming enjoyed so cordial a relationship that the governor on many occasion describe his deputy as the most loyal deputy governor in Nigeria. To demonstrate to the public that there was no rancour between them, Oshiomhole had during his re-election campaign in 2012 rejected pressure from Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who was then in Action Congress of Nigeria, to drop Odubu as running mate. The governor in conjunction with members of the Edo in Safe Hands, led by his Commissioner for Works, Osarodion Ogie, came to Odubu’s rescue and subdued Ize-Iyamu. But the relationship between Oshiomhole and Odubu recently rned sour. Although there have been no public disputes between the two men.The friction between the governor and his deputy began with the governorship ambition of Odubu, who is alleged not to have informed his principal of his ambition to run for governorship when Oshiomhole summoned his political associates, including Odubu, to support Godwin Obaseki. At the meeting, Odubu was said to have kept quiet, only to open a campaign office later. It was further learnt that because of the choice of Obaseki, Ogie, earlier believed to be the governor’s choice, had to shelve his ambition as a mark of honour to Oshiomhole. The deputy governor was expected to do the same. But he did not. Based on this, Oshiomhole was alleged to have said that since both of them joined the boat at the same time, they will disembark at the same time.

[img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/08/3f2c1cc02cf35fb317448dbc2c0fd272_view.jpg[/img] Adams Oshiomhole - Governor of Edo State Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has said that the people of the state are proud of the invaluable services of the Nigerian armed forces to the peace and security of the state and the nation, especially in defeating the Boko Haram terrorists. Speaking at the 18th Combat Service Support Training Week of the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport in Benin City, Tuesday, Governor Oshiomhole said, the army has gone beyond their call of duty in protecting the territorial integrity of the nation to also ensuring internal security. He said “I cannot imagine what would have become of this State in terms of security if we have not had the support of the armed forces going beyond their conventional call of duty to support the police and the State Security Service to ensure the security of our people in this State. None of us ever thought that the issue of security is far more complicated. It goes beyond defending, as they say, the territorial integrity to now dealing with internal issues of insurgency in ways that are so complicated that just a few years back many of us would never have thought of the possibility of a full-blooded Nigerian carrying out what they would refer to as suicide bombing.” [img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/08/8a38f71fe6f3564d4979a39e5110066f_view.jpg[/img] He continued, “So, our armed forces have risen to the occasion. We in Edo State appreciate the fact that, but for the determination of our officers and men in uniform, only God knows which part of Nigeria that would have been under the control of insurgents, and which part would have been free. “We in Edo State are very proud of the accomplishment of the Nigerian armed forces in defeating Boko Haram. For me, defeat in this sense is in terms of the impunity and the arrogance and the confidence with which they moved freely, hoisting flags and claiming more territories and our people were on the run. I believe today, there is no doubt that it is they who are on the run, and the Nigerian armed forces have re-established the fact that we have the best armed forces in our continent.” He noted that the armed forces are also playing a stabilizing role for the nation’s democracy, adding “Democracy only thrives under the condition of peace. If people don’t have a sense of security, if they are unable to move freely without fear for their lives, even the minimum requirement of being able to vote or be voted for can be guaranteed.”

[img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/08/e47a0c9752c416ab3c74b93f709eee22_view.jpg[/img] LAGOS, Aug 25 (Reuters) - Nigeria's naira was quoted at an all-time low of 409 to the dollar on the black market on Thursday, compared with 402 the previous day, after the suspension of some banks from forex trading made dollars even harder to obtain. [img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/08/f335c5ef553174a889b3307807151a8f_view.jpg[/img] The central bank suspended nine commercial banks from forex transactions on Tuesday for failing to pay money owed to the government - although one was readmitted after making a payment. Shares in some of the banks hit dropped by up to 7.8 percent. Traders said the local currency fell due to the impact of the suspensions, compounding the dollar shortages Nigeria has been suffering due to the slump in the price of its oil exports. [img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/08/c6e3a04222732c125a6989caee611f28_view.jpg[/img] "The suspension of some banks from transaction in the forex market has really increased pressure on the market," said Aminu Gwadabe, president of the bureaux de change association. Bank executives have been meeting central bank officials to resolve the forex issue as investors continued to dump their shares second day. Skye Bank fell the most of those suspended from foreign exchange transactions, shedding 7.81 percent, followed by Fidelity Bank down 3.0 percent. FBN Holdings shed 1.9 percent while Diamond Bank and FCMB were down 0.8 percent. The falls pulled the main index down 1.8 percent. On the interbank market, the currency gained 0.2 percent to close at 305 naira to the greenback with traders attributing the rise to central bank dollar sale to prop up the unit. The bank has been selling dollars almost daily to boost liquidity. [img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/08/fe6ee0360148c3160f34fbd085039a11_view.jpg[/img] However, currency forwards put the naira at 344.50 to the dollar in one months' time. On Thursday, the central bank settled $152.48 million of naira futures contracts it sold in June at an exchange rate of 279 naira per dollar, further draining its reserves, which is at its lowest in more than 11-years. [img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/08/1487df770b604009abbef58fd2dc77e0_view.jpg[/img] In June, the central bank abandoned its currency peg to the dollar, allowing the naira to weaken by 40 percent in a bid to attract more foreign investment. But so far trading in the official foreign exchange market has been limited as those with dollars prefer to sell them for a higher rate on the black market. (Reporting by Oludare Mayowa; Additional reporting by Chijioke Ohuocha; Editing by Alison Williams) [img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/08/9a95a38b3c26d1b139ce69993faaa089_view.jpg[/img]

[img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/08/c3748a088f6ce2fe26f11a58cae0f343_view.jpg[/img] Reactions have continued to trail the proposed probe of the two billion naira appropriated for constituency project in the 2014/2015 budget by the federal government. For more info see the youtube - ITV news video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jq5IvJFB3o

[img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/08/98933c6047ca8c9dd71e2b6f7b869d3f_view.jpg[/img] Adams Oshiomole - Governor of Edo State, Nigeria. – PDP have alleged that the Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomole has mismanaged N1.4 trillion of the state resources. – PDP said the N1.4 trillion above does not include the N3.167bn bailout recently collected by the State govt or any debts taken in 2016 The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is alleging that the Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomole has mismanaged N1.4 trillion of the state resources. In a press statement signed by Deji Adeyanju, the party’s new media director, he said the N1.4 trillion above does not include the N3.167bn bailout recently collected by the State govt or any debts taken in 2016. “It is important to assess the management of Edo State’s resources ahead of the September 10, 2016 guber elections.The Edo State govt has received more than N1.4tr as allocations from the Federation Accounts Allocations Committee (FAAC) in the 93 month tenure of Governor Adams Oshiomole so far,” he said. “In addition to this, the Edo State government has increased its debt profile from N4.4bn at the inception of his tenure to N46, 289, 079, 475.93 (local) & $168,186,197.48 (external) as at 31/12/2016. The figure above does not include the N3.167bn bailout recently collected by the State govt or any debts taken in 2016. “It is saddening that there is nothing on ground in Edo to show the collection and application of such huge funds. It is worse that these funds have had no impact of the lives of its citizens. Benin City still floods every time it rains despite the collection & supposed application of N30bn for the stormwater project. This is the stormwater project for which Adams Oshiomole supposedly paid N400m to a South African Company to design. “The APC led government of Edo State has supervised the massive misapplication of Edo State funds leaving it indebted, poor & beaten into the dirt. It is the knowledge of this fact that drives the APC candidate, Godwin Obaseki, in his determination to avoid a debate with our candidate, @PastorIzeIyamu. APC is aware that a debate between the candidates will reveal the inept, chaotic approach to governance that the Oshiomole admin has brought to Edo State. “As head of Adams Oshiomole’s economic team, Godwin Obaseki cannot be separated from the failures of the last 8 years. A vote for him would be a continuation of the very sort of failure that we must depart from. These are some the things over which we must hold the APC in Edo State to account.” The party also took the opportunity to ask all Edo sons & daughters to vote for Pastor Ize Iyamu at the gubernatorial election in the state.

[img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/08/c639905b8e57049f554e639bbcd0ca44_view.png[/img] APC candidate in upcoming Edo election, Godwin Obaseki – Voters in Ovia South West local government area of Edo state who have intentions of voting against APC candidate in the governorship elections slated for September 10 have been warned to drop the idea – The traditional ruler in the area, HRH Patrick Igbinidu has threatened that anybody who votes against the candidate, Godwin Obaseki will be visited with an ancestral curse – Obaseki has said he would reward the loyalty of electorates in the area if they indeed vote massively for him A traditional ruler in the state, the Iyase of Udo Kingdom, HRH, Patrick Igbinidu, has warned all his subjects not to vote against the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 10 Edo election. The monarch threatened on Tuesday, August 30, when the APC ward campaign train made a stop at Udo, Ovia South West local government area of the state, that voting against Obaseki would promptly incur the wrath of the ancestors of the land on such a person. While stating that the plan to develop the state must be realised, the monarch said, “We have sent him on an errand and we are praying to God to grant him success as the governor and we know whatever he has promised to do, he will do. “I’m very happy that he is ready to take over governance from Oshiomhole, we know that whatever Oshiomhole has started Obaseki will finish and also improve on them.” HRH Igbinidu then declared that, “All the nooks and crannies of Udo should be told that it is Obaseki that we will vote for as the next governor after Oshiomhole. “You all have seen it, this is who the Udo people should support, who said he won’t vote for him, he should wait for the ancestors. The entire Udo kingdom should vote for him and anyone who gives his votes to another person is on his own.” In his speech, the APC candidate, Godwin Obaseki, thanked the monarch for his immense support for the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole and said attention would be given to the community to improve the standard of living in the area. He said he would utilize the resources of the community to the benefit of the people who he noted will be empowered and strengthened to be self dependent.‎ Meanwhile, The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Edo Region 13 headquarters (Trinity Sanctuary) in Benin City has been converted to the PDP campaign office of Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the September 10 Edo election. Banners of the PDP and its candidate adorn all the walls of the church, only the altar is spared the adornments. Regional Pastor of the Church in Edo State, Pastor James Dagunduro and other ministers in the RCCG, who should preach Christ and convert sinners now preach Ize-Iyamu on the altar.

[img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/09/8a5b0b7810813fb2daeb6cc0d430f395_view.jpg[/img] Edo guber election:: Security agencies in "Operation Show of Force" in Benin City BENIN CITY-Security agencies in Edo State have physically expressed their readiness for the September 10 governorship election in the State. The agencies comprising the Police, Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Immigration, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence (NSDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) paraded major roads in Benin City, yesterday, in an exercise codenamed, “Operation Show of Force”. The exercise, organized by the state police command, lasted several hours as the security men finally returned to the command headquarters, where they earlier took off. [img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/09/ace57c285b312b596955a2b4facb6516_view.jpg[/img] Speaking shortly after the event, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations in Edo, DCP Olatunji Ayodele warned trouble makers to steer clear of the election. “With this “Operation Show of Force” we just carried out today, it is a lesson to anybody who want to perpetrate evil, violate the electoral act that there is no place for them in Edo election. “The combined operation today is to show the synergy between all the security agencies for the Edo election”. DCP Olatunji maintained. [img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/09/461d73529b3034cc534e76e9dfd257df_view.jpg[/img] Amongst the roads are Ring Road, Akpakpava, Ikpoba-hill, five junction, and Siluko Road. Residents were curiously amazed at the large number of patrol vehicles manned by heavily armed and gallant-looking operatives. It was however observed that the exercise further reassured residents of security of lives and property in the state.

[img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/09/e4d80d2c948e95ed67766cd36224e8f6_view.jpg[/img] The president and his VP, along with All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, will lead a rally supporting the APC at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, according to Edo State APC Chairman Anselm Ojezua [img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/09/190ba197d2de1481f896adcc283af33c_view.jpg[/img] President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo arrived in Edo State on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election. The president and his VP, along with All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, will lead a rally supporting the APC at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, according to Edo State APC Chairman Anselm Ojezua. [img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/09/7cba60abc593dc8dbd83f12bb33a8c6e_view.jpg[/img] Mr. Ojezua added that the National Campaign Council for the election headed by Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode was also present for the rally. The chairman explained that the event was carefully coordinated and that he expected it to go as planned. “All logistics to ensure free movement of the visitors and party supporters across the State have also been perfected. Anytime the APC is holding a rally, there is always mass mobilization,” Mr. Ojezua said. “Once the people know that the president is coming this time around, our people would be so excited to receive him,” he added, calling on the people of Edo State to come out to welcome Mr. Buhari. [img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/09/33b9fd3e264f5ead11b3fa446a076975_view.jpeg[/img] Voters will flock to the polls on Saturday, September 10, to choose the next Edo State governor. Godwin Obaseki will represent the APC while Osagie Ize-Iyamu will run on the Peoples Democratic Party ticket. [img]http://edostate.com/PF.Base/file/attachment/2016/09/4596a2206c34b5f071d066d058189ced_view.jpeg[/img]