Ize-Iyamu vs other candidates: Consensus candidacy not feasible - Onaiwu

• Ize-Iyamu Media committee Chairman allegedly dump boss

By Ehi Ekhator

One of the governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Earl Osaro Onaiwu has bestowed upon himself the only candidate worthy of anointment if need be.

Osagie Ize-Iyamu

Onaiwu claimed that he was the only person that can win the governorship election for PDP in the state because of his sound background.

He berated one of the major contenders of the party, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu for making a certain statement to run other aspirants down.

Onaiwu said Pastor Ize-Iyamu only saw something wrong with Oshiomhole now after keeping mute when the governor insulted Chief Tony Anenih and Chief Lucky Igbinedion.

The aspirant advised the Pastor to sort his personal problems with the governor, Adams Oshiomhole instead of looking for ways to drag them into the fracas.

Onaiwu said ” If there is anybody that will be anointed, it is me. If there is anybody that can win the election for PDP, I am the one because I come from a sound background. I am the DG, PDP Governors Forum and I am very optimistic that the PDP governors will back me. I have been in PDP since 1999. I have never defected. I am working hard. I am in the field because I don’t want anybody to feel that the PDP governors want to impose me, no. I am touching the grassroots, I am everywhere and I will continue to work until the day of the primary.

We need to breathe a fresh air in PDP, we don’t want a candidate in PDP that everybody in the opposition will attack. People carrying the rumour that one person has been anointed that is not true.

Bombarding Pastor Ize-Iyamu, Onaiwu said “Why did you not remain with Oshiomhole? You were there when Oshiomhole insulted Anenih, you were there when Oshiomhole insulted Lucky Igbinedion and others, and you did not say anything. Is it now that you saw something wrong in Oshiomhole? You cannot take us to fight a personal quarrel with Oshiomhole. If you have issues with him, sort it out and leave the party out of it.

Onaiwu revealed that Consensus candidacy as suggested by some leadership of the party is no longer feasible, adding that all the candidates are going to the primary in the belief that it will be transparent. He assured that other candidates will throw weight on the emerging candidate only if it was transparent.

“Consensus candidacy is no longer on the cards. A few people believed we should adopt a candidate but we said no, we are going to go for a transparent primary. If we don’t do that, PDP will have a big problem in Edo. Go and defeat me in a transparent primary, let the delegates go and speak their minds. When you do that and I am defeated, I will celebrate whoever emerges. But when you manipulate,  there will be problem”

NAIJA CENTER NEWS had reported on Saturday that there was a gang-up ongoing against the Pastor who the other aspirants claimed is big headed. It was gathered that other aspirants are secretly meeting to strategise without inviting the Pastor.

Responding to the consensus claimed by Onaiwu, a source who spoke with our correspondent said “I told you (NCN) of a possible gang up. Didn’t I? The other three will soon reach a consensus. They have gone far and I do not see them stopping except something else comes up.  It is game over for Pastor”

However, NAIJA CENTER NEWS has gathered that there may be a problem in Pastor Ize-Iyamu’s media camp as the Media committee Chairman has dumped his boss for another.

Ize-Iyamu vs other candidates: Consensus candidacy not feasible - Onaiwu

Edo 2016: Ex-PDP govt officials adopt Ize-Iyamu

BENIN—The governorship ambition of former Secretary to Edo State Government, SSG, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, weekend, received a boost following his adoption for the governorship race by past political office holders from Edo North senatorial district.

Osagie Ize-Iyamu

The decision to back Pastor Ize-Iyamu for the governorship ticket was taken at a meeting in Fugar, headquarters of Estako Central Local Government Area of the state by the former political office holders who are members of the PDP, as well as some other affiliate groups such as women and youths groups.

The ex-political office holders said that after a thorough check on all the aspirants jostling for the Edo State governorship seat in all the political parties, they had come to the conclusion that Ize-Iyamu was the best, considering his experience, clout and temerity.

A former Speaker of Akoko-Edo legislative council, Mr. Ade Ajayi, boasted that in Ize-Iyamu, the PDP’s hope of reclaiming Edo State from the All Progressives Congress, APC, was certain, adding that like minds from the APC were willing to team up with them once Ize-Iyamu emerged the PDP candidate.

He said: “We have made serious efforts to put this together. We have looked at the profiles of all the aspirants across the party and have no doubt that PDP’s chances are brightest with Ize-Iyamu. We have since discovered that he is capable of bringing together those things needed to ensure victory for the party.”

Mr.  Richard Olori from Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state moved the motion for the adoption of Ize-Iyamu, while six other persons from each of the six local government areas in the district seconded the motion.

Some of those who attended the meeting include Jaret Tenebe, Abu Dokpesi, Abu Maipata, former council chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries, supervisors and councilors in the six councils of Edo North district.

Edo 2016: Ex-PDP govt officials adopt Ize-Iyamu

How Odubu went to native doctor to hurt me - Oshiomhole

•’Why I am not backing Odubu’s gov. bid’

‘By Simon Ebegbulem,

Benin-City Many people may not have understood why Governor Adams Oshiomhole is not backing the governorship aspiration of his deputy, Dr Pius Odubu. Apart from Odubu, the APC is parading aspirants like a former Minister of Works, Engr.Chris Ogienwonyi; a  former military tactician, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (retd); a  former governor of the state, Prof. Osarhiemien Osunbor; the Chairman of the Edo State Economic Team, Mr Godwin Obaseki; Mr Kenneth Imasuagbon; Comrade Peter Esele; Prof. Frederick Ebegue Amadasun; and the only woman in the race, Mrs Tina Agbarha. The state Commissioner for Works, Osarodion Ogie, was initially in the race but  shelved the ambition after his boss informed him of his desire to support Obaseki

Meanwhile, the relationship between the governor and his deputy has broken down in the past seven months, creating factions in the Edo  APC ahead  of the governorship primary in the state. The crisis blew open  after Odubu’s coordinator, Barr.Humphrey Uanseoje, signed a letter with other governorship aspirants of the party such as Ogienwonyi, Imasuagbon and Barr. Omo Irabor, which they sent to the national leadership of the APC where they alleged plans by the state Chairman of the party, Anslem Ojezua, to doctor the delegates list for the gubernatorial primary with the backing of Oshiomhole. The publication shocked many  watchers of the politics of the state since it would be the first time the deputy governor will be openly accusing his boss of alleged plot to manipulate the forthcoming primary of the APC.

Odubu’s loyalists and those of the governor had been in the trenches following Oshiomhole’s apparent reluctance to back his deputy whom many perceived has been very loyal to his boss since they came into office. But worried by this development, Ogie, who is known as one of the generals in the Oshiomhole’s political family, took up the initiative to settle the rift between the governor and his deputy. Ogie, in collaboration with the member representing Etsako Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Philip Shuaibu, decided to make this move, given that Odubu has been part of Oshiomhole’s political machinery since 2007.

The intention was to stop the  animosity which they believed will help to keep the governor’s camp intact, ahead of the primary of the party. What Ogie did was to put  persons also close to Odubu  in the reconciliation committee so that the deputy governor will not lose confidence  in the committee. As a result, a  former Edo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Lucky James, and Chief Gabriel Oibo, who are key supporters of Odubu, were drafted into the committee. This committee held their first meeting on Sunday, April 10,  2016, where they agreed to meet with Odubu first to preach the gospel of peace  to  him.

When the committee met with Odubu, Ogie informed him of the need to restore peace between him and the governor, saying their visit was on a friendly note and had nothing to do with politics. Odubu was said to have expressed his grievances and informed them that he had nothing against the governor but that he was disappointed that some of his followers were being victimized due to their support for his governorship ambition. However, Odubu informed members of the committee that he was ready to hold the peace meeting with the governor whom he said he had enjoyed close relationship with until recently.

On Monday April 11, 2016, Oshiomhole came back to Benin from his village, Iyamho, where he met the peace committee waiting for him. Apart from the members of the committee, led by Ogie, the state Chairman of the APC, Anslem Ojezue; state Secretary, Chief Osaro Idah; Oshiomhole’s in-law, Victor Eboigbe and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Patrick Obahiagbon, were also at the meeting. Ogie, who opened the meeting, narrated how the group, including the deputy governor, had worked closely in the past ten years with Oshiomhole, saying it would be bad to allow bickering between the governor and his deputy to continue.

The Commissioner for Works offered the two leaders the opportunity to sort out their problem behind closed door while they excused them to do so. Philip, Oibo and James concurred with Ogie, stressing the need for the governor’s political family to be united in the run up to the party primary and the governorship election. Oshiomhole, Sunday Vanguard learnt, appreciated their concern but informed the meeting that he will prefer they were around so they could know the real issues and treat them. His deputy concurred and everybody stayed for the meeting.

Firing the first salvo, Odubu lamented that his office had been starved of funds, his political allies victimized, the governor refused to attend  his  wife’s birthday and, above all, the governor directed his Attorney General, Mr Henry Idahagbon, and Washington Osifo to write a petition against him to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with a view to impeaching him.

The deputy governor further lamented how the governor had allegedly relegated him to the background, expressing shock that the cordial relationship, which had existed between him and the governor, broke down. But responding, Oshiomhole, who recalled how he had backed his deputy in his political battles and his several advice to him as a brother, explained that the parlous state of finance of Edo had even affected his own office and other government offices, and not only that of the deputy.

He narrated how he had been travelling without his aides due to paucity of funds. Oshiomhole went further to berate his deputy for being part of those who signed a statement accusing him of backing the state Chairman of the APC, in the alleged plot to manipulate the delegates list ahead of the primary of the party, asserting that the deputy’s action was a clear indication of an attack against his person. But Odubu, who defended himself, denied being behind the statement, explaining that his coordinator put his signature with some other party members who needed it but never knew what they wanted to use it for. But the leaders of the party expressed their doubt in his defence, saying he should have debunked the publication if he was not behind it. Odubu, however, apologised to Oshiomhole, assuring that such mistake will not be repeated.

Tension in the room heightened when Oshiomhole started responding to the allegations against him by Odubu that he did not attend his wife’s birthday and that the governor had treated him recently like a leper.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the governor declared to the leaders that he had deliberately avoided attending events at his deputy’s house after it was revealed to him that his deputy allegedly contracted native doctors to hurt him so that Odubu will take over as governor. Oshiomhole said he was informed of the alleged plan by a leader of the party and that he had met with the native doctors whom his deputy allegedly contracted to do the damage, adding that the native doctors admitted and gave him details of how the rituals were executed.

Oshiomhole added that the party leader who leaked the information, who was out of the country, was ready to confront the deputy with the details of his alleged meeting with the witch doctors. He further stated that he could not have attended any ceremony at Odubu’s place, saying he would not want to be poisoned.

The governor’s disclosure was said to have come  as a surprise to the APC leaders but it equally elicited strong rebuttal from his deputy who attributed what he described as the spurious allegation to the handiwork of his political enemies. To buttress his innocence, Odubu volunteered to contact a strong traditional doctor in Benin, so that those who accused him will come and take an oath before the gods.

He vehemently denied the allegation and reiterated his loyalty to the governor. But some of the party leaders at the meeting were said to have countered Odubu with his suggestion, informing him that he should have suggested swearing with the Bible since he is a Catholic.

But Odubu thundered that he was shocked with the allegation and would like to clear his name with whatever that will convince everyone. Some of the party leaders at the meeting admonished Odubu to end his governorship ambition. However Ogie calmed the situation and the parley ended on a  good note after both parties expressed satisfaction.

As the governorship primary of the party, scheduled to hold sometime in June-July, draws closer  Oshiomhole’s foot soldiers, led by Ogie, are working round the clock to ensure a united house. Odubu is viewed as one of the most formidable aspirants in the APC and cannot be taken for granted. Sunday Vanguard was informed that the governor and his deputy exchanged banters after the meeting and a date for another peace meeting was fixed for this week.

How Odubu went to native doctor to hurt me - Oshiomhole

Oshiomhole, Odubu relationship degenerate further over governorship ticket

The cordial relationship between Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu, has hit the rocks. Both men are on collision course over the party’s governorship ticket in the election. While Oshiomhole has left no one in doubt that Godwin Obaseki is his preferred candidate, Odubu is insisting on gunning for the ticket.

Oshiomhole

Before now, Odubu was described as the best deputy governor in the country, because of what many termed his unalloyed loyalty to his boss. But, that is no longer the case. He has set up his campaign office within the highbrow Government Reservation Area (GRA) in the state capital and notable members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) are flocking there to pledge their loyalty. But, Oshiomhole has made it clear that he would not support Odubu’s bid. “We came together, we leave together,” he was quoted as telling his deputy.

Odubu, a lawyer, hails from Orhionmwon Local Government Area. His supporters say he is the only experienced aspirant among those gunning for the ticket. This is attributed to his eight-year tenure as a lawmaker in the House of Representatives and his close to eight-year stint as deputy governor. They say Odubu showed his political relevance during the tussle between Samson Osagie and Patrick Obahiagbon; a contest where Obahiagbon, who is believed to be favoured by Oshiomhole, was narrowly defeated.

Apart from Odubu and Obaseki, top contenders for the APC ticket are: Blessing Agbomhere, Charles Airhiavbere, Prof. Amadasun Ebegue and Chris Ogiemwonyi.

Supporters of Odubu say the relationship between him and Oshiomhole has degenerated to a low level. Last year, the sacking of four commissioners by the governor signaled the parting of ways between them. The commissioners were reportedly sacked for holding political meetings with the deputy governor. Those affected were Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Chief Lucky James, Commissioner for Women Affairs Blessing Maigida, Commissioner for Basic Education Mr. Patrick Aguinede and Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources Chris Ebare. Oshiomhole, however, explained that the commissioners were removed for corrupt practices.

Several loyalists of Odubu have also been dropped from one political appointment or the other. For example, Osaretin Edoma, the member representing Orhionmwon in Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Commission (EDSOGPADEC), was kicked out for alleged corrupt practices. Osaretin told reporters he was being victimised for supporting the deputy governor and warned of dire consequences at the polls, if the governor succeeds in imposing a candidate on the party.

In January, the Vice Chairman of the APC and one of the key supporters of Odubu, Gentleman Amegor, was suspended from office. Amegor, who is also the Edo South Senatorial leader, was accused of providing a lacklustre leadership for the party.

Other accusations were that Amegor failed to implement objectives contained in the Article 13.9 of the party’s constitution; he failed to convene regular meetings of the district to discuss and resolve issues affecting the development of the party; and was also alleged to have been engaged in anti-party activities during the last presidential elections, which led to the loss of his unit and local government.

Attempts by Amegor to call a meeting of the APC in Edo South were resisted by some youths, who drove away those heading for the residence of the APC chieftain. The youths laid siege on Amegor’s residence till about 6pm.

Odubu, according to his loyalists, is now rarely invited to government functions or sent to represent the governor. For instance, he was absent at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Okpella Cement Company by the Dangote Group. He was also not present at the visit of the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom and Edaiken N’ Uselu, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, to the Government House and in February, when the Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali, visited the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Edo. It was the governor’s wife, Lara, that was sent to welcome him.

Nevertheless, a peace move has begun to settle the political differences between Oshiomhole and his deputy. Sources told our reporter that a meeting was held in Abuja to prevail on Odubu to step down and that the deputy governor reportedly told those at the meeting that he would consult with his supporters. Those close to the Odubu, however, insist that he may have resolved to contest the primaries, even after settling the rift between him and his boss.

A Senior Special Assistant to Oshiomhole on Media, Curtis Ugbo, who was arraigned last week for illegal possession of firearms and making inciting statements against the governor, said his travails began when he started showing support for Odubu’s governorship bid.

Ugbo had posted the following statements on his Facebook wall after the groundbreaking ceremony of the Okpella Cement Company: “What is wrong with my boss? no senior member of government, Speaker and National Assembly member was present at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Edo State-owned cement industry, in partnership with a private company. “Is Edo State now a personal estate of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole?” Government sources said Odubu has distanced himself from the rantings of Ugbo and other political appointees who want to hide under the fracas to get at the governor. Many supporters of Odubu had wanted an all-out war with the Governor, but Odubu opted to remain calm and work towards getting the party’s ticket.

It is not yet clear how many local government areas Odubu could win at the primaries, but some party leaders claim that he has a good relationship with delegates from Orhionmwon, Uhunmwode, Ovia North East and Ovia South West, Owan East, Owan West and Egor.

A top government official, who expressed worry over the cold between Oshiomhole and Odubu, said the latter deserves some respect from the governor and that he is not a push over, as he appears on the surface. He said Odubu helped to stabilise Oshiomhole’s administration by being loyal and not becoming over ambitious in the last eight years.

By Osagie Otabor

Oshiomhole, Odubu relationship degenerate further over governorship ticket

Ex-PENGASSAN president joins Edo gov race

A former National President, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Mr. Peter Esele, has said that modern governance thrives on research and ideas.

Esele, who is also a former President, Trade Union Congress, said this at a news conference in Benin, on Thursday, when he declared his intention to contest the Edo State governorship on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

Hinging his campaign on the development of education, agriculture and culture, Esele explained that government must give adequate financial attention to primary education, which he described as a component in nurturing future leaders.

He said that if elected, his administration would create opportunities for higher institutions in Edo to adopt competitive research with a grant of N100m each.

Esele said, “A good leader looks out for opportunities. Nigerians need to change the mindset that says everything about Western culture is good and everything about Nigerian culture is bad.”

Ex-PENGASSAN president joins Edo gov race

LAGOS-CALABAR RAIL PROJECT: Bury your hatchet in the overall interest of the Masses - EFP writes Buhari

Being an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR,, The Senate President, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, by the Edo Forum of Patriots 23rd April 2016.

Your Excellencies

Without much ado, the EDO FORUM OF PATRIOTS respectfully appeal to Your Excellencies – as Leaders of the Executive and Legislative arms of our Dear Government, to lay to rest the controversy that was stirred up over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Railway project worth a wooping $11.97billion; which political pundits fear that it can ignite a cold war, and degenerate into ethnic strife between ethnic nationalities that are primary host and perceived antagonists; and other goodies in the 2016 Appropriation Bill might become a Mirage, God forbid.

Edo Forum of Patriots

We strongly and vehemently berates the architects of this controversy that has aggravated the country’s worsening economic woes. Whether the project was not originally included or later ‘smuggled’ into the ‘amended budget’, what is paramount to we (the masses) is the economic imperatives the Lagos-Calabar Rail project will impact on our lives as Edo people, as Niger Deltans, and Nigerians at large; in terms of the unprecedented Commerce for our economy; therefore, the controversy arising from the squabble is petty, irrelevant a radical departure from the totality of our faith in your avowed pledge to serve public interest.

It is sacrosanct that the Executive is Constitutionally mandated to prepare and lay before the National Assembly a proposed budget detailing projects to be executed, the responsibilty and power of appropriation lie with the legislature. If the Executive expects the Legislature to rubber stamp the budget proposals without alterations, then the Executive may have misconstrued the notion of separation of powers/checks and balances. We do not believe that was the bidding of the Presidency, however, we want the blame game consigned to the dustbin of history, and a proactive willpower engendered.

The Lagos-Calabar Rail project is not only germane to us in the South-South, but the country in general. Every additional day Mr.President witholds his assent from the bill, the hardship in the land , which is already despicable for Nigerians gets even more complicated. Without mincing words, the Honourable Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi should refrain from ‘controversies’, as it portrays the Federal Executive Council in ‘ambiguous lights’. He should have amicably ironed the issue out with Senator Danjuma Goje-led Senate Committee on Appropriations before the senate passed the budget, instead of raising unnecessary alarm.

From the revelations in public domain, it is obvious that the disputed versions of the budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari was massively and morally flawed in a manner that radiates gross incompetence. We humbly implore the Presidency to come out clean with Nigerians and honestly admit it, we desire Leaders that takes responsibility for actions and inactions.

Certainly, as a vanguard and primary representatives of our people, we at the EDO FORUM OF PATRIOTS shall not vacate our role and watch our people groan and mourn as a result of negligent on the part of Government.The Presidency and the Natioanl Assembly must close ranks and bury the hatchet so that the Lagos-Calabar rail project can be reinstated and ”implemented” as conceived. Nigeria Must Not Fail or Falter!

Aiyamenkhue Edokpolo (Convener)

Engr. Patrick Biose (Ag. Secretary).

LAGOS-CALABAR RAIL PROJECT: Bury your hatchet in the overall interest of the Masses - EFP writes Buhari

Edo government bows to pressure, reduces Iyamoh tuition fee

Barely 48 hours the management of the newly established University in Iyamoh, and the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole went under attack over the outrageous tuition fee, a new fee has been fixed on Monday.

Iyamoh University

NAIJA CENTER NEWS had published that Iyamoh University was the most expensive University in Nigeria haven’t compared its tuition fee with other expensive private schools in Nigeria.

The students also complained to NAIJA CENTER NEWS that they were never told about the tuition fee before gaining admission since they were the first would-be students.

Few others accused the management of knowingly extorting N10,000 admission fee from them knowing fully well that they couldn’t pay the amount.

Iyamoh had released a noticed to its students requesting them to pay N710,000 with deadline on the 20th of this month.

The school began its first academic session on April 11, 2016. Students who wrote the last Post UTME of the school and were offered admission were astounded when the school fees were released.

According to the new notice which was posted on the school website “The Management of Edo University, Iyamho has fixed the School fees for the new students admitted to the 2015/2016 academic session asN400,000. These fees are inclusive of tuition, accommodation, payment for ICT, Library etc.”

Many students who spoke with NAIJA CENTER NEWS said they are happy but wished that the fee can be further reduced as they believe it will be increased again after their first year.

Edo government bows to pressure, reduces Iyamoh tuition fee

Oshiomhole, Messiah of Edo — Edo Crown Prince

THE Edaiken N’Uselu, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, yesterday, described Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State as the Messiah that God gave the people of the state, saying that those angry that the governor enjoys close relationship with the Benin royal family should have a rethink.

Governor Oshiomhole

The Ediaken, who said that the Benin traditional institution “shall not fall, cannot fall, we can only go further,” told the governor when he paid him a thank you visit at Government House, Benin City, that his close affinity and respect for Benin traditional institution led to the unity and progress being witnessed in the state and prayed that the ancestors will continue to protect him as he looks towards his exit from office.

The Crown Prince also expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for receiving him recently when he went to inform the president of his movement to Uselu as Ediaken, just as he thanked Oshiomhole for facilitating the visit which he described as very successful.

Addressing members of the State Executive Council and top palace chiefs in the kingdom, the Crown Prince said, “Oshiomhole started very well and my prayer is that God and our ancestors will bring his tenure to an unblemished end in Edo State. He is the messiah of everything in Edo State. I have not seen anything to change my mind up till now. I asked anybody with a contrary opinion to contradict what I said but I have not seen anybody to contradict me up till now.

“I just want to say that this visit here today is basically a thank you visit for many reasons. I want to thank our governor for the many things he has done in the state. He has laid a very strong foundation for democratic process, democratic development, he brought the one-man one-vote to the fore.”

Oshiomhole, Messiah of Edo — Edo Crown Prince

Gov. Oshiomhole Panics, Builds Police Post, Barrack Around His Home In The Twinligt Light Of His Government

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State will be commissioning a police barrack at the back of his ranch and a police post beside the mother’s house this afternoon, respectively. The governor’s mother’s house is adjacent to the governor’s ranch. The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase will be on hand for the commissioning.

Inside sources who didn’t want their names in print revealed that governor Oshiomhole built fortresses around himself because of his numerous unkept promises to the people to develop every part of Edo the state.

“Oshiomhole should have led by example, like his acclaimed role model, Pa Michael Imoudu who neither mass up policemen around himself but had the people as his foot soldiers”, one of them said.

They lamented that the governor only developed a part of the senatorial district, Edo North: that is, Etsakor, East, Central and West local governments areas and left out Owan West, East and Akoko-Edo out of his development templates.

They chided the governor for not making any attempt to fixing any reasonable road in Edo Central which suffers the most in the entire stretch of nearly eight years of his administration.

Furthermore, they indicted the governor as an ethnic bigot who paid political appointees from his part of the state different salaries to the ones who are not from his Etsakor conclave. One of them said: “Once you find your name on the Iyamho salary list you thank your God, if you are not, God help you”.

The list of names of political appointees printed out from government bureaucracy showed that more than 75 percent of political appointees under governor Oshiomhole administration are all from the three local governments of Etsakor East, Central, and West.

In the last seven-plus years, the governor has made more enemies than friends or turned his enemies to friends or vice versa. This is manifest from the way Edo people have rejected his anointed candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki in the forth coming September 10th governorship election.

Gov. Oshiomhole Panics, Builds Police Post, Barrack Around His Home In The Twinligt Light Of His Government

Why Oshiomhole SSA, Curtis Eghosa Ugbo was arrested by the police

Many Edo youths have continued to express shock over the arrest of SSA  on Social Media to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Curtis Eghosa Ugbo by the anti-cultism unit of the Edo State Police command on Wednesday.

oshiomhole

The reason for the arrest was not clear initially but  a copy of the statement made available to NAIJA CENTER NEWS at the police station, indicated that Curtis was arrested over a post made against the governor on the popular social media, Facebook.

Curtis on his post had expressed concern over the Edo State-owned Cement Industry which was launched on Wednesday by the business tycoon, Alhaji Alico Dangote in Okpella.

The SSA wondered why there were no state house members or speaker and members of the national assembly present at the venue.

He also wondered if the business was personal.Curtis said: ” The ground breaking of Edo State-owned Cement Industry in partnership with a private company under government Public Private Partnership (PPP) and no state stakeholders, no state house members or speaker and national assembly members presence noticed?

“Is Edo State now personal business of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (my boss) ??

“Is this not bad for democracy???

“Edo State people are wiser now and we can not continue to allow this to happen right in our eyes!!

“Edo State is not for SALE!!!!”

Rumour also has it that Curtis is a strong supporter of  the deputy governor, Pius Odubu who has been fighting to click the 2016 governorship ticket against Oshiomhole’s decision to feature Godwin Obaseki.

According to police report titled “Commissioner of Police vs Curtis Eghosa Ugbo, it reads:

“That you Curtis Eghosa Ugbo on the 12 April, 2015 at No. 2b Ugbor Road, Benin City in ORedo Magisterial district did make a publication on internet, with the caption “what is wrong with my boss, the ground breaking of Edo State own cement industry in partnership with a private company under government public-private partnership (PPP) and Stakeholders, no state house members or speaker and national assembly member presence noticed.”

“That you Curtis Eghosa Ugbo on th same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did make or publish an article on the internet against the Governor of Edo State Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 249(d) of the Criminal Code, Cap, 48, Vol 11, Laws of the Defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976, as application in Edo State.

“That you Curtis Eghosa Ugbo on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district unlawfully had in your possession a double barrel gun without a duly acquired valid licence and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 430(2) of the Criminal Code, Cap 48, Vol 11, Laws of the Defunct Bendel State of Nigeria 1976, as application in Edo State.”

Many youths had over the months accused Oshiomhole of operating an autocratic government by going after anyone who is not on his side.

Many loyalists to Pius Odubu have either been sacked, suspended or arrested.

 

Why Oshiomhole SSA, Curtis Eghosa Ugbo was arrested by the police

Dangote is my friend, who is your friend? - Oshiomhole asks Ize-Iyamu

I’m proud of my friends, Oshiomhole replies PDP

Governor Adams Oshiomhole has told a gubernatorial aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu that he is proud to call Alhaji Aliko Dangote his friend while Ize-Iyamu can’t boast of his friends and associates as some of them have been convicted of looting the state’s treasury.

Oshiomhole

Pastor Ize-Iyamu who was Secretary to State Government during the administration of Mr. Lucky Igbinedion as Governor of Edo State had in a press statement published in some newspapers said “with the touted relationship with Dangote, it is just a few months to the end of his tenure that he could attract him to lay foundation stone for cement factory in Edo State”, however in a response by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Peter Okhiria, the Governor said “I’m proud to associate myself with Dangote, and I’m proud to say my friendship with Dangote has yielded a $1 billion investment in the state in the form of a brand new Okpella Cement factory which will offer close to 50,000 direct and indirect jobs to people of the state.

“My friendship with Dr. David Ladipo yielded another $1 billion Azura Power Plant. My friendship with Captain Hosa Okunbo has yielded a $750 million Wells and Carlos Farms which is set to employ over 85,000 people.

“I’m proud to say that under my stewardship as Governor, investors now find Edo State very attractive and they are coming down here in droves. Already a Chinese Steel Company, Yongxing, is in full production and is already seeking ways to expand its operations; another Chinese Company, Time Ceramics Limited is also into full production and already into the second phase of expanding its operations.

Also, more Chinese companies are planning to set up their factories in different parts of the state, these are my friends, those are my records which I am proud of.

Now, there is a popular saying “show me your friend and I will tell you whom you are”. Who are Pastor Ize-Iyamu’s friends? It is on record that some of his best friends have been convicted of looting the state’s treasury.

What are Ize-Iyamu’s records as SSG in Edo State? How many of his friends was he able to attract to invest in the state? None. Rather than bring in investors to the state, they siphoned the state money and established phoney companies: Ehor Juice factory, Cassavita Company, AVA Cement factory all of which were designed to fail from the beginning and which they eventually sold to their cronies at give-away prices.

Ize-Iyamu said a PDP Government will commission the Okpella Cement factory. Is the PDP still functional in Edo State? Is it not instructive that nobody finds the PDP attractive to jostle for that party’s gubernatorial ticket. As at the last count, the APC had over 13 aspirants, while the PDP had just four. That is reflective of the apathy, dissatisfaction, and resentment the people have towards that drowning party.

The PDP will never again reverse the development train of the APC government in Edo State and come 2018, another APC government will continue from where we stop on November 12, 2016, and will commission the $1 billion Okpella Cement factory and many other industries which my friends have signified interest to establish in Edo State.

Yes, Aliko Dangote is my friend. Ize-Iyamu, who is your friend?

Dangote is my friend, who is your friend? - Oshiomhole asks Ize-Iyamu

Married female gospel singer found dead in hotel in Edo State

A female gospel singer identified as Yvonne Omoarebokhae has been found dead in a hotel owned by a former lawmaker in the Edo State House of Assembly.

Police Inspector General, Solomon Arase

She was said to have lodged in the hotel with a Lagos-based Pastor whose name was given as Apostle Psalm Okpe of the Fresh Oil Ministry.

Husband of the deceased, Odion, said his wife met Apostle Sam on Facebook and after several months of chatting, his late wife was invited last week Thursday by the Pastor to perform in Warri, Delta State.

Odion said Apostle Sam claimed to have a programme in Warri, Asaba and Benin City where his wife was to perform.

He said his wife called him at about 10am last Friday that she would be home soon.

The physically peeved husband said, “At about 9:30pm, the police used my wife phone to call and invited me to report at the Airport Road police station.”

“I waited for more than two hours at the police station until the police asked me to go home but I insisted on knowing the whereabouts of my wife.”

“The DPO later told me that my wife was picked at a hotel in the GRA and rushed to the Benin Central hospital where she was confirmed dead.”

“I am yet to see the corpse of my wife to know what happen and who is responsible for her death. We have a three-year-old baby at home.”

It was however learnt that the pastor has been arrested and helping police with the investigation.

State Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, confirmed the death of the woman and said the matter was under investigation.

Ezike said a post mortem examination will confirm the cause of death.

His words, “It is under investigation. The man is married and the woman is married. Not until a post mortem is conducted, we cannot conclude what happened. I have asked the matter to be transferred to the State CID.”

Married female gospel singer found dead in hotel in Edo State

Fulani Herdsmen more dangerous than Boko Haram - Akpatason

ABUJA – THE member representing Akoko Edo Federal Constituency of Edo State in the House of Representatives, Rep Peter Akpatason has described the upsurge of attacks by Fulani Herdsmen as a gradual evolution that was planned by some highly placed personalities in the country.

Fulani Herdsmen

The lawmaker also said that if nothing was urgently not done to arrest the situation, it was capable of throwing the country into serious crisis, adding that the herdsmen were more dangerous than the Boko Haram terrorists.

Speaking exclusively to Vanguard in Abuja, Rep Akpatason who was a one time President of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Union, NUPENG, noted that the herdsmen which he described as poor poor always carry AK47, and wondered where they got the money to acquire such weapon.

Fielding question on the incessant attacks by the herdsmen in different parts of the country and the way out, he said, “I look at it beyond the action of herdsmen, these herdsmen are poor people, they don’t have the money to by AK47.

“The people who are carrying out this carnage they are armed with very sophisticated and modern fire arms. They have boasted in so many places when they kidnapped people they told then that they are not kidding, that they are in for real business.

“I want to tell you that there is a gradual evolution that has been properly planned somewhere, call it a jihad or a sort of revolution that some people are carrying out which if not properly and quickly addressed, it is going to engulf the entire country very soon and I think it is going to be more dangerous than anything that we have seen before, being it the Niger Delta thing or the North Eastern crisis.”

Continuing, he said, “I think what is going to happen and what is about happening now will be worse than that because they are at the backyard of everybody. In the south they are there, in the west they are there, in the north they are there, in the east they are everywhere.

“They have been armed, people are financing them and nobody is talking about that now. Agatu is a tip of the ice berg, they are going to do it to so many other places, we are no longer sleeping with our eyes closed in the villages, we are all afraid, they kill people in their farms, they kill people in their market, they go everywhere.

“In fact, they even attack some people that speak the same dialects with them. So, it has become something that is so serious as far as I am concerned. I think that government has been handling it with the kid gloves and it is a time bomb that is waiting to explode.

“If this issue is not addressed very quickly, Nigeria is going to find itself in a very more terrible situation than the Niger Delta crisis ditto Nigeria as well as the Boko Haram crisis in the north because these are regional things but this one is going to engulf the entire nation and that is why we have to be extremely careful and very calculative about it.

“If somebody thinks that today it is happening in Middle Belt, it is happening in the South-South, so that is not a problem so we can allow it to continue, very soon it will cover everywhere and we will all be in trouble.”

On what the government should do to tackle the menace, he said, “What government should do is to charge the security agents to go after these people, they have formed cells round various villages, don’t wait till they strike and kill people before you go after them.

“They should go into the forest wherever they are located, they should get intelligence from the local communities, people how they operate, they should interview people they have kidnapped so that they can take the war to them in the forest instead of waiting for them to destroy lives and property before they begin to run around, that is the first thing to do.

“But the long term one is for Nigeria to first declare the situation as it were as a national crisis and then set up a security team that will gather intelligence and go after the funders of this menace, identify and capture some of them instead of shooting them, capture some of them interview them.

“When they kidnap people, I think we shouldn’t rush to pay ransom to them, government should set up crack teams that can go and liberate people and capture those criminals and interview them, check what is behind the whole of it so that it can be holistically addressed.

“If you continue to fight it in peace meal as it happened in Agatu you go and fight and it happened in Edo you go and fight, it will not solve the problem. How did they get these arms, they don’t use old arms, they laugh at our security people because they are carrying old guns and when they come up with their sophisticated weapons, the security people will run away.

“And you can’t tell me that those people have money to buy such equipment, so let us get to the root of the issue, let us have a holistic master plan to attack these issues frontally, while pursuing the people who are already in the field, we must pursue their sponsors.”

He recalled that government could not fight Boko Haram for many years, but when election was postponed for six weeks, government became determined with the issue and within the six weeks, government was able to deal deadly blow on Boko Haram.

“Another government has come into power, right now as we speak, Boko Haram has been badly decimated. So it takes government serious commitments, to address issue like this.

“We are talking about bad economy now, the economy will soon become worse because somebody can no longer go to farms, people can’t go anywhere because they are (herdsmen) everywhere. So we need to fight it. In the north east, we have learnt some lessons, so let us improve on that.

“The civilian JTF, have they not been working, have they not been doing something? Have civilian JTF in all the communities, empower them, call them vigilante if you like, empower them and let the security agencies to work with them.

“They have the local knowledge, they understand the terrain, they know who is a stranger and they know how to go after them. This is a trend that is more dangerous than anything we have seen before,” he stated.

Fulani Herdsmen more dangerous than Boko Haram - Akpatason

Four injured as youths invade community with weapons in Edo State

No fewer than four persons have been reportedly injured after some armed youths allegedly invaded Iguogboe community in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

communal clashes

It was learnt that the youths, said to have been armed with guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, also destroyed valuables in the community.‎

It was gathered that ongoing building projects at two sites in the community were forced to a halt following the destruction of blocks and other building materials.

It was learnt that it took the intervention of a team of policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer of Ogida Police Division, Mr. Ajidahun Lawrence, to restore calm in the area.

Although, the exact cause of the attack could not be ascertained, it was gathered that there were several land disputes between Igbuogboe and‎ Obagie communities awaiting court judgement.

The Odionwere of Iguogboe community Mr. J. E. Aghedo explained that he was in his garden when some persons suspected to be hoodlums stormed the area at about 3pm on Friday.

He said on sighting them with dangerous weapons, he ran to Ogida police station where he made a report on the incident.‎

Aghedo also alleged that there had been several attempts to annex his community.

But the Odionwere of Obagie community, Mr. Paul Otawowie, said that he was informed on the telephone that some youths from Iguogboe had attacked the youth secretariat in his community over a disputed piece of land in the area.

Otawowie, however, noted that the matter had been reported at a nearby police station.‎‎

‎Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations, Mr. Abiodun Osifo, were not successful.

But the DPO called on members of the warring communities to embrace peace, as the police would not condone acts capable of endangering lives and property.

He also urge the village heads to call their youths to order through meaningful dialogue.

Four injured as youths invade community with weapons in Edo State

Edo Women Present Female Governorship Aspirant

It was a carnival like at the Edo state All Progressives Congress Secretariat yesterday when women across party line presented Mrs. Tina Agbarha to the leadership of the party as the only female governorship aspirant in the state forthcoming September 10th election.

APC data Centre

Presenting Agbarha before Barrister Anselm Ojezua led Edo state APC executives, Dr. A. Amadesun, APC woman leader said the female forks cannot continuously be playing second fiddle in Nigeria politic hence they decided to feed an aspirant.

Amadesun said that Edo state women are united in their quest to produce the first Governor in Nigeria after the party failed in Court in Taraba state.

“My party leaders, as you can see here today, the Edo women are here in thousands  in solidarity to our course of producing the first female Governor.

” The people you see here today are not just APC women, we have women across political line, including form PDP because their party too couldn’t feed any female aspirant. The market women, even the men are also behind us in this struggle. She said.

Addressing the mammoth crowd in front of the party Secretariat, Mrs. Tina Agbarha said Edo women has decided to speak with one voice, hence she is ready to take battle of leadership in the state.

She said change begin with women and she fully ready to build on the achievements recorded by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Agbarha said she is also ready to March her men colleagues in the race words for words and money for money in ensuring she secure the party ticket.

Edo Women Present Female Governorship Aspirant

Man, 20, jailed three years for stealing N300,000 in Edo State

An Evbouriaria Magistrates’ Court in Benin, Edo State, has sentenced one Joseph Nanchang, to three years imprisonment for stealing the sum of N300,000.

The presiding magistrate Mrs. C. E. Oghuma, sentenced the convict to a three -year jail terms on Friday with no option of fine.

Nanchang had been arraigned on two counts on conspiracy and stealing, to which he had pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Olatoye Oluwaseun, had told the court that the 20-year-old convict, along with others now at large, committed the crime on February 23, 2016.

Oluwaseun had explained that the convict stole the said amount from one Mrs. Victoria Owie at 18, Muritala Mohammed Way in Benin.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened Section 516 and 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Cap. 48, Vol. II, Laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria,1976, as applicable in Edo.

Man, 20, jailed three years for stealing N300,000 in Edo State

Police arrest three for kidnapping cleric in Edo

The police in Edo State have arrested three persons, including a businesswoman, for allegedly kidnapping a pastor of a Pentecostal church, Gilbert Akioyamen, in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of the state.

‎It was gathered that Akioyamen was abducted at about 6pm on March 24, along Ukun road while on his way to the Deeper Life camp in the area.

‎It was learnt that the suspects were arrested after the Ekpoma divisional police headquarters received a distress call and combed several buildings in the area.

According to the police, the victim was later rescued while two of the “hoodlums‎ on guard” were arrested.

The police identified the suspects arrested in connection with the abduction as Charles Arasomwan, 22; Jezreel Ekanem, 21; and Mbindi Nneka, 26.

According to the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ezike, while Arasomwan and Ekanem were nabbed in the building where the victim was kept, Nneka was arrested in the apartment of one of the suspects, said to be her relative.

“Two locally made cut-to-size single barrel guns, mask, ATM cards, one long rope and one mat were recovered from the suspects,” Ezike added.

PUNCH gathered that the pastor escaped from the kidnappers’ den when the suspects were asleep.

‎One of the suspects, Ekanem, told our correspondent when he was paraded along with 74 others on Thursday, that the pastor had been kept in their custody by some other fleeing suspects, who promised to reward them.

He explained that they later fell asleep, after the cleric refused to speak with them, and woke up to discover that the victim had escaped.

“They said they were going to the bank and that we should keep an eye on the man‎. They said that they would give us something to buy some beer.

“The man did not talk to us, so we slept off. When we woke up, we realised he had escaped,” he said.

But the female suspect, Nneka, denied any knowledge of the abduction, adding that she was only in the apartment to remove her property‎.

She also blamed her landlord for her arrest.

The woman said, “I don’t know how the matter started. I was the one living in the apartment before I put my brother there when I got married. It was the landlord that instructed me to remove the property from the apartment .

“I wish I knew that it would have resulted into this; it was the landlord that put me in this problem.‎ I only went there to move the property to my house.”

Meanwhile, the police commissioner said that a total of 25 armed robbery and kidnapping suspects ‎were arrested in different locations between February 1 to April 7, 2016.

Police arrest three for kidnapping cleric in Edo

I can make Edo an APC state - Don Pedro Obaseki

Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant Dr. Pedro Obaseki has warned Governor Adams Oshiomhole against any imposition of candidate, saying that it may backfire.

He said the governor is not bigger than the party, recalling that last year, the governor’s candidate failed during the senatorial polls.

Obaseki urged the people, including Edo in the Diaspora, to make a good choice, adding that the choice they make will determine the progress of the state in the future.

Don Pedro Obaseki

The 49-year old politician stressed: “Edo is on the throes of motor park democracy. Change is good, but we must change properly.  I don’t have a godfather. God is my father. I will take my message to the Edo people, even in the Diaspora, to make a good choice.”

Oshiomhole has anointed Obaseki’s cousin, Godwin Obaseki, as his preferred candidate. The governor, who described the Chairman of the Edo State Economic Team as a competent technocrat and administrator, justified his decision, saying that he has the constitutional right to make a choice.

 No fewer than eight aspirants are struggling for the ticket. Other contenders are Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, former Governor Osherhimen Osunbor, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, a former minister, Chris Ogiemwonyi, Osarodion Ogie, and Kenneth Imasuagbon. Some of the APC contenders came from the PDP. Also, majority of the PDP aspirants defected from the APC.Obaseki, a broadcaster and film maker, cautioned the APC against over-confidence, stressing that the PDP is roaring like a wounded lion, seeking to devour the ruling party.

He said: “Edo is not an APC state. I can make it an APC state, leveraging on the achievements of Oshiomhole.”

The aspirant said the onus is on Oshipmhole, who rode to power on the back of his ‘one man, one vote’ campaign and serious resistance to godfatherism, to learn from the past. he said any manipulation of the selection process in favour of any aspirant will be to the detriment of the party.

Obaseki also condemned what he described as the evil of money politics, adding that stomach infrastructure will not play any role during the election. He said: “Only God anoints. I am not rich in terms of the interpretation of stolen wealth.”

Reflecting on the zoning debate, the former university teacher said: “I will not sacrifice competence on the altar of zoning. Edo people are one.”

He also warned against violence during the primary, saying the perpetrators of violence will be taken to task.

Unfolding his programmes, Obaseki said: “Edo is my political message, ideology and focus.” He said he will focus on agriculture, health care system, education, employment generation, culture and tourism.

He lamented that “Edo is where it is because of leadership laziness,” stressing that its natural endowment can take it far, if properly harnessed.

Obaseki, who shed light on his health manifesto, lamented the lack of ambulance serve in the health sector. He promise to introduce the ‘Edo health Initiative,’ which he described as a coordinated health policy to redeem the health sector. He said he will also create a data base in the health sector detailing the health history of the people.

On agriculture, he said: “We have the land. Nigeria imports 63 percent of its palm oil, which Edo can produce.”

I can make Edo an APC state - Don Pedro Obaseki

Oshiomhole: Azura has made Edo a power generation hub

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said the Azura Power Plant in Benin, the state capital, has the capacity to produce almost 50 per cent of Nigeria’s 4,000 megawatts (MW).

Oshiomhole

The governor said the power plant made Edo State a hub of power generation in Nigeria.

Oshiomhole spoke on Tuesday while inspecting the Azura Power Plant at Ahor in Benin.

He said: “Let me appreciate your vision, your courage and your determination to navigate through all the technical political and social, economic, logistics issues that you have to go through to get to this level. It requires a level of confidence in our country, in our people, and confidence about our future to step out to initiate a gigantic project such as this.

“Even while you are at the state of construction, all of us  are beneficiaries of that vision.

“As we have always said, and there is nobody to say it better than you, that what Nigeria needs, Edo possesses: suitable land and nature, good people that are friendly to investors. Our people are educated enough to know that this project, the Azura Power Project, has become an indigene of this community and Edo State. And like every indigene, it attracts the support it needs, whereas in some parts of the country, you have people who want to make quick money by blackmailing contractors.”

Oshiomhole added: “I am happy with what I have seen. Your choice of Julius Berger to handle the civil engineering work gives absolute confidence. I have just listened to some of the technical details. It is clear that we are in good hands. Whatever we can still do, you can take it for granted, because for us in Edo, the primary purpose of government is creating the enabling environment that gives the real private sector investors the confidence they need to locate in this state and bring fresh dollars, which you call foreign direct investment, into our country.”

At a guided tour of the project site with Governor Oshiomhole, Managing Director of the power plant, Dr. David Oladipo, noted that the project employed 400 workers, including 150 from the host community.

Oladipo said: “We have local contractors who meet the highest standard set by Julius Berger. They bring in materials and they have to be upgraded and tested. One of the commitments we have is to ensure we have real impact from the local community in terms of employment and business opportunities…”

Oshiomhole: Azura has made Edo a power generation hub

Edo pupils get training on drug abuse

Pupils of Fortune High School in Benin-City, the Edo State capital, were, last Wednesday sensitised on the effects of drug abuse and how to overcome drug addiction.

The event was organised by members of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students (PANS), with the objective to sensitise 10,000 secondary school pupils in the state on the negative effects of drug abuse.

It was organised by Anti-Drug Misuse and Abuse Programme (ADMAP) in partnership with PANS and Kalligraphy, a non-governmental organisation(NGO).

ADMAP Chairman Isaac Ehimen said the campaign was to reduce the rate of drug addiction among the youth. He said it would be fulfilling to advise the pupils against the vice before being influenced into the use of narcotics.

Isaac told the pupils: “Once addiction sets in, the victim is helpless. He will start to behave uncontrollably and his Brain Reward Center will create the urge to repeat the experience.”

On how to overcome addiction, a representative of Kalligraphy, Ezekiel Efeobhokhan, gave two tips. He said: “First, you must open up on it. You need to speak to someone of authority about it. It could be your teacher, parents or religious leader. The tendency to keep addiction secret may further endanger the lives of addicts.

“The other step is to avoid loneliness and idleness. An idle mind is the devil’s workshop. When you are busy, the devil will not be able to use you.”

The sensitisation also featured a question and answer session. Souvenirs that would educate the pupils on the consequences of drug abuse were distributed freely.

A teacher, Francis Uhunmwangho, praised the students for the campaign, saying it would help the pupils to drop bad habits.

Edo pupils get training on drug abuse