INTERVIEW: Oba Ewuare 11 would do better to help match-make the tiers of government with the Traditional Council of Edo State progressively, in which he permanently presides, Arc Emuan assures Edolites.

Arc Austin Ilenre Emuan

AUSTIN ILENRE EMUAN, Chartererd Architect, Distributive Development Expert, Environmentalist and Moral Economist is full of praises for the newly coronated 40^th monarch of the Benin Kingdom, Oba Ewuare N’Ogidigan II, for his swift moves to better the lives of the Edo people. EMUANharbours such motivating and revolutionary views for the spectacular and upscale movement of the Nigerian nation from the valley, particularly Edo society, which brings him to the same school of thought with the new Oba of Benin. In this interview, as with some others he had with our reporters. ARC. EMUAN, is also a Neo-Structural Scholar, Bi-Cultural proponent and former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) political party, in the most recent election in Edo State, talks mostly about the prospects of the Edo people, amongst other issues.

Que: The coronation of the 40^th Oba of Benin was concluded about a week ago. What are your impressions about it?

Emuan: Indeed, the very colourfulcoronation of the Oba Ewuare N’ Ogidigan, the 40^th Oba of the Great Benin kingdom has come and gone, but a memorable impression has been left with peoples of the world that the Bini Empire of the old, now Edo State,remains the cradle of sustainable culture that earns its respect and originality around the globe.Behold the coronation, following its meticulous planning and pageantry, is akin to the usual ascension to the throne of Queen Elizabeth, the monarch of the Great Britain. Witnessing it is a lifelong souvenir for me, because I was very young to grasp the depth of similar experience in 1979, when the last Oba Erediauwa was installed.I dare say that with the display of such cultural supremacy, I am proud to be an Edo Man!

Que: What is your take as the Oba Ewuare the II, shortly after the coronation events, started actualizing some of the pre-coronation promises he made to his people?

Emuan: I thank His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare N’ Ogidigan II,for not only professing such remarkable and public-uplift policies, but without taking a break after the rigorous and tiresome coronation process; embarked on the delivery of his promises to the Edo people. This definitely speaks boldly that our dynamic Oba Ewuare II is ready to serve his people and bequeath to them and the Nigerian societyat large, a legacymuch better than the one he inherited. Intrestingly, he is already living up to his title of Oba Ewuare N’ Ogidigan II, continuing and upscalingthe commendable reformed works of the old Bini Empire, as once carried out by the monarch of all time;Oba Ewuare N’ Ogidigan I, who reigned from 1440 to 1473 A.D., and whose great works he seeks to take after,and even surpass. With the thorough grooming and exposure of our current Oba, Edo would witness great innovations than that of Oba Ewuare I, who till date is unarguably regarded as the greatest Oba in Edo history.

Que: Could you tell us some areas of reformation you think the new Oba has begun to make the desired impacts?

Emuan: I was very touched by his humble pleadings with government to make life bearable for Nigerians through the provision ofgood quality governance. He also passionately and courageously told the Nigerian ruling class that Nigerians are hungry and impoverished and that something urgent has to be done to remedy the ugly situation. This will enhance speed in the implementation of people orientated programs of Buhari/APC government.

 That shows that he has the true royalty and the milk of human kindness flowing in his veins. It demonstrates that he has a very soft spot for the poor and needy. His appeal to government to develop the Gelegeleaccess road and river port, in Edo, was very apt. This Project has and is still close to my heart and having strived to bring some Japanese investors to develop the river port some years back, I know the importance of the project and what government must do tobring such laudable projects into reality.

Que: What about his suspension of Community Development Associations (CDAs) in the seven local government areas of Edo South zone?

Emuan: It is the best and justified decision to take particularly when the CDAs are mainly implicated in going against some of the very principles for which they were established. To me, it is a calculated step towards achieving a sustainable peace in Edo and the people are very happy with the decision. And without prejudice to the purpose for which the CDAs were set up, the Oba in his wisdom has directed that there activities be overseen by Edionweles and Enogies so that He can adjudicate over issues more effectively. This stand, I advise should permeate the rest zonesof Edo State and a further and proper framework worked out for traditional institutions, Government and non-governmental entities to work harmoniously for the betterment of the Edo people in such areas as Security, Coordinated community development, Social and Cultural Integration etc.

Que: But often, the functions of government clash with that of traditional institutions?

Emuan: With the ascension to the throne of our erudite Oba, those grey areas are bound to be sorted out for the grassroots people to benefit. An item of my governorship agenda pursuit, under the All Progressives Congress (APC), in last primary election, is Biculturalism which is: A Strategy of theintegration of homegrown norms with that of other selected good impacting Cultures with the sole intent to deploy them for a holistic and dynamic development boost. Even then, with the memorable reign of Oba EwuareI several centuries ago, bi-cultural policy transformation had brought Bini to greater leaps and global prominence, because Oba EwuareI combined native intelligence and external policy strategies of foreign climes like Britain, Portugal, Spain, Dutch etc., which the old Bini Empire shared relationship with. Like I expressed before, our present Oba is more equipped to reinvent Edo, in the current vogue of globalization.

Que: As a man from the Esan speaking area of Edo state, how come you speak so authoritatively about Benin? Are you a historian?

Emuan: I am not a historian but only have a good sense of our history. Again, I will remind you that there is no difference between a Bini, Esan, or people from Etsako, Owan, Akoko Edo etc. Of course, all the people from here are children of the same parentage. Benin City is our common centre and capital of the state and a home to all. As it is usually said, Benin City is the sitting room of the home,where everybody sits and relates, while the different Edo towns are the bedrooms of the same home. We are all chips from the same ancestral stock. Edo Is One! Like I always and still opine in my political campaign mantra.

Que: Is that not wonderful?

Emuan:‘Edo Is One’, happens to have been the slogan of my governorship campaign outfit. By the way, it would interest you that I was born and given early upbringing in Auchi, Edo North, whereas Egoro Kingdom, in Edo Centraldistrict of Esan LGAis my origin. Benin City is a place where I had a very great orientation, under the mentorship of the Late Rev. (Fr.) Theophilus Uwaifo. And my setting up and sponsorship of the Oba Erediauwa Green Award is in honour of our last Obas, who had joined our ancestors. We as Edo people must NOT see Edo as  different tribes and divisions.

Que: Really?

Emuan: Edo is homogenous. Unfortunately, it is people with selfish tendencies that try to create big gaps between the co-joined units that make Edo because they want to unduly benefit from a divisiveness that is virtual. That is why we should all work together to make Biniwith extracts from other dialects in Edo, a common language spoken throughout the state. Here, I task our Linguists to blend that and develop a lingua-franca for Edopeople.The promise of the choice of Bini language to be taught in elementary and secondary schools in the state, alongside other dialects, is a good step to promoting unity amongst the Edos. The clamor to re-introduce indigenous history in our school curriculum by our new Oba would also give a sense of knowledge of indigenous history, patriotism and nationalism to our younger generations, who do not know much about their culture and history.

Que: But, can Bini history spur the love for the Edo society and Nigeria?

Emuan: Indeed, Bini history is very rich and as a matter of fact, Edo pre-colonial and pre-independence history is known to be richer than that of the whole Nigeria put together. Edo, before the colonial era was the greatestempire in Africa and also well known as the cradle and Centre of black civilization. Our generations of young and adult Edos and Nigerians would find as mentoring examples in great kings like Oba Ewuare I (who was actually very great) and others whose manlike exploits like the Octopus, stretched the influence and sovereignty of the old BiniEmpire within and beyond the Nigeria country of today. Everyone  marvels how with bare hands and manual labour ancestral Binis were able to excavate the deep and gigantic Bini moat work that is over 6,000 kilometers distance, which is regarded as the largest manual earthworks, on earth with the famous Chinese walls next to it? The knowledge of indigenous history could motivate our today’s people to excel the feat of the Bini moat, which is still very difficult to achieve today, even with the deployment modern bulldozers and other earth moving equipment.

Que: Perhaps, this is what some group of thought means by the choice of Oba Ewuare II by the new Oba, as having been inspired by the great feats of the Oba Ewuare N’ Ogidigan I?

Emuan: Absolutely so!

Que: With all these already said, what other areas of reformation would you recommend for the new Oba, so that his era would be first in Benin history?

Emuan: That his reign should strive to unite all Edo people at home and in the Diaspora, with him as a father to all. He would do better to help match-make the tiers of government with the Traditional Council of Edo State, in which he permanently presides, in order to attune the Edo public to his truly reformed agenda to help the people.

Also desired is a move to influence Edo traditional rulers and traditional institutions to abstain from partisan politics, as it stalls even development and cause division amongst the people. I also advocate for the development of the entire Edo rural area, particularly in Edo south senatorial district, where villages are abandoned for urban centres, for non-Edo indigenes to take over. In future,if not now, original ownersof the lands usually find it difficult to retrieve their lands from the settlers. This if not taken serious is a potential source of conflict waiting to happen. My policy trust on this was an approach I christened EDO ECONOMIC VILLAGE RENEWAL aka ‘YOURS EVER’. This was a strategy to ensure that our communities become the core and driving arm of distributive development from where authentic development radiates and permeates to other parts of the State.

Que: Prying into the future, how would you describe this new era of our Oba?

Emuan: First of all I think the choice of the title, Oba Ewuare N’ Ogidigan II, is indicative of the factthat he will be up in tandem with the great exploits of his progenitor Oba Ewuare I. Secondly, the new Oba has set an unusual precedent by proving historians wrong that he is not the 39^th but 40^th Oba on the list. There is an Oronmiyan, the first Oba who we may interpret to mean that a Greater Bini era has just begun, since it is universally believed that “Life actually begins at 40”. To me “Oba Ewuaren’Ogidigan II is the veritable symbol of a greater and modern Edo.”I congratulate the whole Edo people on been blessed with our OBA in THRONE! OBA TOKPEEA!!, ISE!!!

Edo 2016: Remember Urohi Community in Esan West Local government after election, Monarch tells politicians.

Onojie of Urohi Kingdom

Mike Iziegbe reports.

UROHI— His Royal Majesty and paramount ruler of Urohi community, ward 8, Esan west local government of Edo state, HRM Eidenojie 1, has urged politicians to desist from acts capable of undermining the growth and development of the country. He further stressed the necessity to always remember communities that stand on the rain or Sun during voting periods to cast their votes.

His Majesty, Eidenojie 1, gave the advice during a courtesy visit to his royal palace by the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Mr Godwin Obaseki and his campaign team. The Royal Majesty said that politicians should not see their offices as avenue for self-enrichment but should rather engage in the development of their communities.

HRM Eidenojie 1 urged politicians to remember the promises made during their electioneering, adding that the electorate would hold them accountable if they failed to deliver.

“If the politicians fail to fulfil the promises they made to the electorates during their campaign but rather engage in corrupt acts, we shall meet again after four years. We would play our parts so far you politicians remember our community“, the monarch declared.

The king however, urged politicians to put the fear of God in everything they do, stressing that the country could only develop when politicians use the available resources at their disposal judiciously.

HRM Eidenojie 1 also pray to God to actualize the heart desires of the APC's candidate and urge many people present to vote wisely and remember that God sees their votes even if the candidate is not in the same voting booth with them at that particular time.

In the same campaign activities, a son of the soil and an APC vibrant leader and a business man from the community, Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu urges his people to vote for Mr Godwin Obaseki and Hon. Philip Shaibu in the September 10th governorship poll, remembering his people the neglects suffered in the hands of PDP during the Lucky Igbinedion's government under which the PDP's candidate this day was an active actor.

"We suffered before and we shall suffer no more if Godwin Obaseki becomes the next Governor of Edo State. It is on record that my community had never produced any state or federal level political office holder since the creation of Edo state, this and many other reasons we must consider before we vote and that votes must go for Godwin Obaseki, the APC's candidate" He advised.

Rt. Hon. Thomas Okosun, Mr Omonfuman, Arc. Austin Emuan, GT's CEO, Hon. Emmanuel Aigbokhaevbolo, Hon. Borony and hosts of other known politicians accompanied the APC campaign train to Urohi community in Esan west local government of Edo state.

Profile of Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu

Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu

Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu is a trained  Investigative Journalist from the AIU (USA), an alumni of CEDAG and a prolific writer, a blogger and special correspondent to news media internationally and a politician. He resides in Europe.

 Born to the family of Chief A. A. Udebhulu of Ohon-Urohi, Esan West L.G of Edo State, Nigeria.

Married with children, Christian, socio/cultural crusader, as a politician, he was the social media director to Chief (Dr) Francis Inegbeniki, APC`s  Edo Central Senatorial candidate in the 2015 Nigeria general election.  Presently, Director, media & publicity; APC Spain Chapter.  All Progressives Congress (APC)  Leader, ward 8, Esan West L.G.

 *Chairman/President, Vicuma Nigeria Limited, a construction & investment services firm.
*Founder and foundational President, Esan National Congress, Spain Chapter.
*Europe Coordinator, Global Network for Change in Nigeria (GNCN).
*Secretary General, Seven (7) man Committee on All Matters, Esan Akugbe Worldwide with headquarter in Frankfurt, Germany.

Bloggers Union Gives September 1st deadline for full Compliance on Plagiarism.

Members of  Guild of pro-bloggers of  Nigeria

LAGOS-The Guild of Professional Bloggers of Nigeria has given September 1st 2016 as the deadline for all bloggers in Nigeria to stop the practise of plagiarism .

This is contained in a statement pushed out by the union after its general meeting held in Lagos.The meeting presided over by its Acting National President, Mr. Chris Kehinde Nwandu advocates that bloggers should be seen to live above board in their practices.

To ensure full compliance with this directive,the union raised an 8 man ethics committee to among other things,monitor the ethical behaviour among its members and to recommend adequate sanctions where necessary.

All members are expected by this directive,to adhere to the conventional practise of acknowledging and crediting sources of their materials . The union also enjoined other mass medium across the globe to adequately credit all sources of news materials lifted from pages of its members as well. According to it, the association is now out to bring some level of credibility and sanity to the practise of blogging in Nigeria and to give its practitioners their rightful place in the scheme of things . It has also mapped out refresher programmes and continuous training to adequately equip its members with effective tools to discharge its duties as managers of information in a digital age.

FACEBOOK: Why Facebook founder, Zuckerberg arrived Nigeria unannounced.

Mark Zuckerberg

LAGOS—Facebook Founder, Mark Zuckerberg, yesterday, arrived Nigeria unannounced. The 32-year-old tech enterpreneur surprisingly made a sudden visit and inspection of activities at the Co-Creation Hub, Yaba Lagos. Facebook Founder, Mark Zuckerberg with Nigerian tech entrepreneurs.

 His arrival to Nigeria is not unconnected to the ‘Facebook for developers’ workshop’ for Nigerian engineers, product managers and partners holding today in Lagos. The event is expected to help the engineers build better applications and monetise them more effectively.

Before his arrival, it was earlier announced that the company’s Director of Global product Partnerships, Nigeria’s Ime Archibong was to lead speakers to the event where Facebook would unveil a ten-year roadmap that can help improve Nigeria’s economy.

 Facebook is an online social networking service based in Menlo Park, California, United States, which Zuckerberg and his fellow Harvard College students and roommates, Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes formed on February 4, 2004. After its initial public offering, IPO in February 2012, Facebook began selling stock to the public three months later, reaching an original peak market capitalization of $104 billion.

 On July 13, 2015, it became the fastest company in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index to reach a market cap of $250 billion. As of March this year, Facebook had hit over 1.65 billion monthly active users out of which 7.1 million people are daily users from Nigeria. This makes the country Africa’s biggest user of the social media platform.

 However, our reporters gathered that it was for security reasons that Zuckerberg’s plan to visit Nigeria and his eventual arrival was kept top secret. A close source who spoke to our reporter said:

“It was a top secret and nobody was meant to know before his arrival. It was actually for security reasons but now that he is here, he would be able to interact with tech professionals and other Nigerians today in a press conference at Eko Hotel and Suites tomorrow (today).”

Being his first trip to Africa, Zuckerberg on arrival met with developers and partners, and also explored Nollywood. One of his first stops on the trip was to visit a ‘Summer of Code Camp’ at the Co-Creation Hub (CcHub) in Yaba, known as the Silicon Valley of Nigeria where young developers learn how to code and develop their solutions while looking for mentors and angel investors.

 At CcHub, Zuckerberg met with developers like Temi Giwa, who runs a platform called Life Bank that makes blood available when and where it is needed in Nigeria. Life Bank saves lives by mobilizing blood donations, taking inventory of all blood available in the country, and delivering blood in the right condition to where it is needed.

Thrilled by level of technology development at the CcHub, Mark Zuckerberg, said, “This is my first trip to sub-Saharan Africa. I’ll be meeting with developers and entrepreneurs, and learning about the startup ecosystem in Nigeria. The energy here is amazing and I’m excited to learn as much as I can.

 “The first place I got to visit was the Co-creation Hub Nigeria (CcHUB) in Yaba. I got to talk to kids at a summer coding camp and entrepreneurs who come to CcHub to build and launch their apps. I’m looking forward to meeting more people in Nigeria.”

Edo 2016: Why PDP chieftains in Edo state labelled me disloyal for refusing to share state money is what they want to use Ize-Iyamu achieve –Prof. Osunbor

EKPOMA-Former governor of Edo, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, said he was declared disloyal by Peoples Democratic Party over his refusing to share the state’s resources to party leaders.

Osunbor, who defected to the All Progressives Congress at the 2015 general elections, disclosed this at APC’s campaign rally in Iruekpen, Esan West Local Government Area, for the September 10 governorship election in the state.

He described the PDP as an “evil party”, whose interest was not for the development of the state, but to share the resources among party leaders.

He said that such mentality of the party was reason for the defection of prominent sons and daughters of the state to the APC, adding that PDP was a “sinking ship”.

“Evil people have hijacked the PDP; the party is a sinking ship, which is why I have told my people to act like the former president, Obasanjo, by tearing their PDP membership cards.

“I have told them to join the party that is interested in their welfare and the overall development of the state.

“PDP has no interest in what becomes of the state and the people, but their pockets.

“This was why they said I was not loyal because I refused to share the money meant to develop the state while I was the governor. That was why they started fighting me.

“The PDP, whether at the local, state or federal level can’t do anything for us, it is only the APC that can make us a proud people through development,” Osunbor stated.

Addressing the rally, the APC governorship candidate, Mr Godwin Obaseki, said that Edo people, having produced great sons and daughters in various sectors of the polity, deserved the best.

He said that he was in the best position to govern and offer the people the best, being part of Oshiomhole’s success story.

Obaseki promised to continue with the laudable projects of the Adams Oshiomhole government and also take it to another level through job creation and human empowerment.

Over 170 members of the PDP defected to the APC at the rally.

Edo 2016: APC Flags-Off Edo Guber Campaign, Drums Support For Obaseki,Shaibu.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday in Benin City flagged-off its Edo State governorship campaign with several calls on the people to vote for the party’s candidate, Mr Godwin Obaseki and his running-mate, Hon Philip Shaibu in the September 10, 2016 gubernatorial election in the state.

At the campaign rally, which attracted a mammoth crowd, the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Oyegun, who commended Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for revamping Edo State with the building of infrastructure across the state, described Mr. Godwin Obaseki as the brain behind the developmental achievements of the governor, adding he is the soft-ware and Governor Oshiomhole is the hard-ware of the success.

The Chairman of the All Progressives Governors Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha noted again that Governor Oshiomhole built schools, roads, fought flood and erosion and hospital among others pointing out that Godwin Obaseki would do much more.

The Governors Nasir El Rufai (Kaduna) and Simon Lalong (Plateau) were among the governors that canvassed support for the APC governorship candidate as somebody that succeed Governor Oshiomhole for he had worked so well to develop the state, stressing that Edo State people voted for somebody that had worked and Edo people would still do it again for Obaseki.

In his remarks, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who disclosed that this was the beginning of a new chapter to present a personality that would continue from where he would stop.

In the history from Midwwest through Bendel to Edo State, Governor Oshiomhole said no government had executed developmental projects across all the local governments in the state, pointing out that what the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said was not possible, APC says it isd possible.

Noting Godwin Obaseki’s contribution to laudable developmental strides in the state, Governor Oshiomhole admitted that he is the hardware and Mr. Obaseki is the software with he made the developmental accomplishments, adding that he is resourceful and intellectual.

He observed that a governor needs a loyal deputy governor hence the choice of Hon. Philip Shaibu as the running-mate to Godwin Obaseki.

While urging Edo state people to repose confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari particularly in his fight against corruption, the Governor also thank them for supporting the APC candidate President Buhari.

Chief John Oyegun later presented the APC flag to Mr. Godwin Obaseki and received thousands of defectors from the PDP to APC.


Responding, the APC standard bearer, Mr Godwin Obaseki disclosed that he would attract industries as well as focus on agriculture through which over 200,000 jobs would be created, emphasising that Governor Oshiomhole had already laid the solid foundation for him to build on.

Mr. Obaseki, who was by his running-mate Hon. Philip Shaibu and their spouses, said he is motivated to give back to Edo State including empowering women and giving them specific training.

While assuring that he would not disappoint the people of Edo State, he also said the collective aspiration of the people would be fulfilled.

The APC leadership and the governors had earlier visited the Edaiken N ‘Uselu, Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa to present APC candidate and the running-mate to him during which he described Governor Oshiomhole as the messiah of Edo state whose achievement is unparalleled.

The National Leadership of the Party had earlier inaugurated the National Campaign Council on Friday night.

BREAKING NEWS!!! Edo 2016: Notable PDP leaders will be defecting to the APC today as Obaseki flags off guber campaign-Anslem Ojezua.

 

oshiomhole & osinbajo

BENIN CITY- The state chairman of the APC, Anslem Ojezua who briefed newsmen, said

 “As I am speaking with you now, we already have more  than five APC governors in the state and more are being expected soon. Our Vice President will be arriving shortly.

“This is for all Edo people and you will see them at the stadium today. ” Asserting that the flag off  will signal the final death of the PDP in the state, We are not PDP that went to hire crowd to pretend that they have people when they have no body.

We are also going to see tsunami because notable PDP leaders will be defecting to the APC today. We are not talking about just PDP members but those who are the foundation members of the PDP in Edo state.

 “They are tired of the tattered umbrella so they want to move to a progressive party. They have seen the difference between the PDP and the APC, while the APC government has worked for them very sincerely in the past seven and half years, the PDP was here for ten years and nothing was achieved. These people are elders who want something good for their people and they are going to help achieve victory for APC in the coming election.

“This is the time to show appreciation for what the APC government has done by voting in another APC governor. Oshiomhole has done well and that is why you see a lot of people dumping the PDP for the APC across the state. But today’s rally will be the final burial of PDP in the state” he stated.

Meanwhile, more than ten governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the Progressives Governors’ Forum are expected to join the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo in flagging off the governorship campaign of the candidate of the party in the September 10 governorship election in the state, Mr Godwin Obaseki, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City today.

Also, over one thousand police officers and the anti-bomb unit of the state Police Command took over the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium Benin City Friday with a view to ensuring a hitch free exercise. Disclosing the presence of the APC governors for the event, Oshiomhole said,”while the PDP couldn’t get any national person of note to present a tattered flag, our own national chairman will be around, as a former governor, former federal Permanent-Secretary and National Chairman of the governing party to present the flag to our candidate. And my brother governors will be coming from Friday, all the Progressives Governors will be here to show solidarity. We are not going to be represented by one governor. 

Edo Decides: Esan In Twilght of Political Direction.

 

Gov.Oshiomhole

By Prince Kelly O. Udebhulu.

Political diminishing returns in full circle in Esanland. Esan ethnic block has been degraded and is now in its twilight of political endgame of irrelevance as a result of the married of political convinience between Edo South and Edo North.

Edo Central hitherto the horseman of Edo politics is now sleepy hollow completely taken apart by this new found political love between Edo South and Edo North.

To some political pundits, this scenarios has been quietly brewing, but there was absent of charismatic person to put a seal on it either from Edo South and Edo North until the advent of Comrade Oshiomhole on the one, and on the other, as a result of some sagacious political characters before now from Edo Central.

However, to some pundits, Comrade Oshiomhole is only an opportunist; they opined that the political unwiseness of Edo Central people to invest into individuals as a shrine, rather than ideology, which before put them at the forefront of progressive politics is responsible for their fall from Olympian height of politics in the state.

According to them, the fall of Edo Central from political relevance is self inflicted, as the district was not been proactive in its political networking.

This school recalled since the present political dispensation in 1999, Edo Central has pit their tent with the conservative party, PDP, even when it was clear the party is not only ideologically absent, or its 16 years of governance was less than impressive. They recalled the hold on the political pipe was its ability before to play on the divide between Edo South and North.

Secondly, while the two other districts were more ideological driven, Edo Central was more or less behavouring or playing the politics of a caliphate, driven more on individual loyalty and allocation of resources.  In other words, while the other two districts were dynamic on their politics of collective success, Edo Central was blindly following individuals.

Esan is second monolith tribe in Edo State, after the Binis. Despite its population estimated at about 25-30 percent of Edo's and the recent dominance of the political space in Edo, the current political field has left Esan orphaned as a direct result of the above stated reasons, to the extent that today, the entire race is now jotting to even be appointed as the Secretary to the state Government or jubilating that at the other side of the river bank, deputy governorship slot was given to them which is windy as per actualization based on the new political wind.

The pertinent question now is what would they do to get back to political reckoning?

Personal and tribal action over who gets what in the next dispensation has become intense in Edo state. The echoes are loud enough to deafening ears.

One thing is clear as the next governorship election date draws near; the three ethnic nationalities in Edo State are scheming for one position or the other. So, it is now a game of interest. No longer collective interests!

Prior to this time, electorate is expected to vote on the basis of party ideology and suitability of the candidate for the position of the number one seat; most ethnic groups in the state are preparing to vote based on what they get in the next dispensation. A 180 degree turning indeed!

Political geography divides Edo State into three senatorial districts, namely: the Edo North, Central and South Senatorial districts respectively.

To every political analyst, the major political parties in the race are APC and PDP. The ruling All progressives Congress (APC) gave its ticket to the Edo south after Mr. Godwin Obaseki emerged winner of a keenly contested primaries. The Central senatorial district, going by the original calculations, lost the bid both to produce the next governor and deputy. A topic for another day!

The People Democratic Party (PDP) gave its ticket to Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu (though under a factional outlook for now), who is from the Edo South district also. The governorship candidate of PDP picked its deputy from Edo central to balance the political equation and their chances of winning in the main election but Mr. Godwin Obaseki of APC took his deputy from the Edo Northern senatorial district.

As it is now, and with the emergence of Hon. Shuaibu, as deputy governorship candidate, the Edo Central Senatorial District will have no outstanding electable position from 2016 should the APC sweep the polls?

Sensing that the Esan people would be further endangered in the next dispensation if they continued to fold their arms and watch the Esan political class dictate the pace of the polity, the leadership of the young Esan elites and some other prominent leaders in the ethnic nationality began a rescue mission. Observers of political events say the young esan elites believe that the ‘Esan political class’ were their problem and they were no longer prepared to further mortgage the future of the land on the altar of self-imposing politics being played by the political class under greed and selfish interests.

To me as an esan man, I hereby task the Esan people to vote wisely and for a candidate that can truly win according to the direction of the political wind. Esan people must vote creditably and wisely. One thing that my Esan people must avoid, a vote that will place or tag us as opposition stronghold in the state.

...to be continued!

BREAKING NEWS! EDO 2016: ARC. EMUAN BECOMES A CHOICE OF UNITY BEFORE APC LEADERSHIP.

Osayamen Ogbeide reports.

BENIN CITY-As the purported governor's endorsed Governorship Aspirant under the Platform of the APC Mr. Godwin Obaseki tactically suspends his official governorship flag off scheduled for today, 29th April. 2016. Arc. Ilenre Austin becomes the only aspirant in the race that would bring unity among aspirants.

The latest happenings within the political rooms of the ruling APC in Edo State has resulted in an unavoidable split into factions as the aspirants have passed a vote of no confidence on the Party Chairman Hon Aslem Ojezua because of his double stands. A build up of this tension has left to the rumored or unconfirmed withdrawal of Godwin Obaseki from the Governorship race.

An insider revealed that a new and fresh aspirant, Arc. Ilenre Austin Emuan, an architect by profession, has been penciled down to settle all factions as any aspirant picked from any of the factions would amount to post primaries crisis which is avoidable by the emergence of a neutral person of Arc. Ilenre Austin Emuan.

More details soon.

Breaking News!! Edo 2016: Arc. Emuan's father, High Chief Stephen Omoarebu Emuan, a former PDP chieftain, vows to mobilize more votes for his son as APC candidate.

Eugene Usifoh reports.

EKPOMA- As the consultations continue at different communities throughout the three senatorial districts of edo state by a father and a son for one singular objective; Arc. Austin Ilenre Emuan that has been campaigning on the pages of newspaper, televisions, social media and his numerous billboards all over the places, today hint hard on numerous communities when his parents, High Chief Stephen Omoarebu Emuan and Madam Rose Emuan, who were strong members of the PDP both at the state and federal levels, decamped to the APC recently because of their son's ambition. 

It is on record that High Chief Stephen Omoarebu Emuan decamped from PDP to APC with his supporters numbering up to 1200 decampees including some chiefs, PDP leaders and businessmen across the three senatorial districts of Edo state. "I have political structures in edo state which cut across PDP and APC alone that would secure more delegates for my son. I presented my son before God right from the first minute on this planet earth that nothing he would touch that will not be successful. As he made up his mind and agreed to run as governorship aspirant under APC that was hitherto my opposing party, I have no other option than to support him. Am bringing in my best and by the grace of God, once my son becomes the APC candidate, I assure APC national leadership that many PDP members will vote for my son, Arc. Emaun, " he assured. Reacting to his father's speech, Arc. Emuan, an architect, promisd to build on the progressive legacies of Governor Oshiomhole. He said the industrialisation of the state and welfare programmes would be the priority of his administration. He said: “The shape of life on earth and things to come also depend on technology. This is why we will quickly make Edo the technological heartbeat of Nigeria.
“To make Edo the technological and socio-economic heartbeat, we will promote intense inter-state trade and increase interaction between local researchers, innovators, designers, fabricators, assemblers and research and development professionals in all spheres.
“We will introduce neo-structural wlfarism, which is a new way of thinking. The old structure is like the old economy. But, this is a new way of doing things. it entails tapping into the knowledge of the new economy. The political economy of the world today is distraught in economic disparity, resulting into economic mal-adjustment, giving room for poverty, insecurity and terrorism. This is the old order.” Arc Emuan thanked edo state people for their supports and promised to remember them during and after elections.

EDO 2016: I Would take Edo state to the promised land-Arc Emuan

Arc. Emuan

Arc. Ilenre Austin Emuan is a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State. He speaks on his governorship ambition, challenges facing the State and other issues.

 What propels you into the Edo governorship race?

 I want to take Edo people to the Promised Land through industrialization. I have freely offered myself for selfless service to my people. My ambition is borne out of my sheer conviction and optimism that someday, the ugly situation of our people should be addressed from where they are now to where they desired to be. I will take due advantage of my pedigree and personal experiences to realize this target objectives. In my career and humanitarian efforts to give ‘a cold cup of water to assuage thirst’, I had always come across abject poverty and the poor living conditions of majority of my people. This I am determined to employ all available comparative advantages at my disposal to deal with. Acute poverty is not only unsafe for the poor, but to all the citizenry and drives home the saying that: “When the poor are awake as a result of hunger, the rich wouldn’t sleep, because the poor are hungry and awake.”

 How do you intend to tackle poverty in the State?

 I am most worried about the wellbeing of Edo people. On the other hand, majority of our people are also to be blamed for allowing their individuality and their collectivity to be so misled, yet they do very little or nothing to stop the bondage. There is something good to cheer about now. I must say that for the past eight years or so, Edo people have gone a long way striving to reverse the ugly situation. Yes, the people made a great leap to shake off this yoke.

 How do you intend to bring change to the State if elected governor?

 Certainly, all that the Edo people should now do is to shake off a pastime of resistance and migrate to a higher level of productive and development realism. The best and unique way to achieve it is through distributive development that must be organic in nature. To this end, economic activities will be created around natural endowments as peculiar to communities and or senatorial districts. This is only possible by bringing on board a truly development-oriented governor in 2016 to lead us to a political and socio-economic virility, where the common people will turn their creativity and energy into a profiting collaboration with government.

 Turning the State around to a productive state and a shining example to the other 36 States of the country, and the world at large, is not rocket-science. It is do-able, with our collective God’s gifts and resolve provided it is supported by the people. The timeless history of the Edo people, in the ever-changing worldwide view, is replete with many ‘feats and firsts’. Before the past colonial eras, the old Edo nation had been widely and aptly called ‘Centre of Black Civilization’ and other titles, because of its unmatched creative arts and culture, ingenuity and willpower. While the Edo nation was warlike and had conquered and annexed territories in and beyond modern-day Nigeria, its fame soared and soared around the world. It is rather so till date.

The issue of unemployment in the State is worrisome. What are your plans towards it?

When I am elected as the governor, I will usher in an all-inclusive and people-oriented era where the people and government take the front-seat in the decision making and implementation process. Because I am a student of politics and not power, I will lead and be led. Edo is also uniquely located; her geographical indices and indicators earn her many comparative advantages.  It is the link-in-chain between South-western Nigeria to the east, South-south and South-east to the key North central and the far Northern states. The state is endowed with significant agricultural, mineral, marine and forest resources. The state is very rich in natural endowments including: multiple vegetation zones, plentiful rain, surface water and underground water resources and moderate climate. These allow for production of diverse food and cash crops. Meanwhile, one can hardly achieve meaningful growth where unemployment, youth restiveness, tribal differences, unhealthy democratic practices and other social vices are on the rise. With the necessary mechanism in place to transform our prejudices into values and our values and aspirations into socio-economic solutions, there is no doubt that the people will get a new leisure of life where wealth will not only be created but peace, unity and progress will become synonymous with ‘Edo and we will remain one.’ With my experience in agriculture and development, I believe the youths have lots to be engaged on.

How would you involve the Local Councils of the State in your developmental plans?

We have 18 Local Council in Edo State. Each local government consists of communities that are culturally and ethnically bound and are a reservoir of natural resources that can be jointly exploited. Also, our people are known for their individual self-confident traits and this attitude is what makes them excel. The Local Council will be the arm driving our Edo Village Economic Renewal policy aka… Yours ever’’ and will be backed up with ambassadorial training and programs. An inside-outside approach ensuring that development radiates from the core to other parts of the state like a ripple effect. Unfortunately, we are still not sufficiently mobilized to harness the individual industriousness into a collective success. This is why I am making myself available for the position of a governor; I am in the best position to shepherd our dear Edo state to the Promised Land.

Edo 2016: Arc Emuan plans to reposition all the 18 LGs for effective performance.

Arc Emuan 

LAGOS-Reacting to the news of council chairmen's removal in Edo state as their official three years tenure expires,  Arc Ilenre Austin Emuan,  an APC governorship aspirant expresses his plans to revive the state local government area councils if elected as Governor.

"Constitutionally,  their tenure expired after three years in office. My concern always is the local government responsibilities and accountabilities, " he said.

Arc. Emuan frowned at the shrinkage of official responsibilities and lack of service-delivery culture, unlike the independence era in Nigeria. Their viability, sustainability and survival are also in doubt if not corrected. Arc Emuan observed that most local governments would collapse, if they do not receive regular allocations from the federal government in one year because they lack the spirit and mechanisms to generate funds professionally.

He further revealed that apart from under-funding, other challenges include identity and role crisis, constitutional crisis, poor administration, lack of economic viability, and inept council bureaucracy. But, assured the people of edo state that if he is elected as the next governor,  he will  position them for effective performance so that they can satisfy local yearnings at all times.

EDO 2016- Let no one deceive you with money or any other form of inducement, Arc. Emuan tells Delegates.

Arc Emuan

Efosa Ogie reports.

BENIN CITY-The governorship aspirant who has continued to receive declaration of supports and endorsements from the delegates across the 18 local councils in the state on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the June 2, 2016 governorship election`s primaries in Edo state, Arc. Ilenre Austin Emuan, has called on the party delegates to reject the request by some aspirants in the race to buy their votes. It is upon selfish interests on the part of any aspirant to place delegates on temporal monthly salary that would naturally stop after party primaries and wickedness to offer jobs opportunities that have not been offered to the same delegates ever before the forthcoming governorship election in the state if really such job opportunities were there.

Arc. Emuan made the call in one of his various consultation meetings with delegates and leaders of the party in the three senatorial districts of the state. He advised the delegates to do a proper assessment and evaluation of all the aspirants and nominate the best according to their conscience without allowing anybody to deceive or influence them with money or temporal job opportunities which will inevitably end after election period.

“I am Arc. Ilenre Austin Emuan, a development expert and architect by profession. I come to you to ask for your supports as a governorship aspirant on the platform of our party, APC. I am here because you have something very important that I need you to assist me with at this period for the interest of our state and to give me a chance on June 2nd to be the APC flag bearer and the privilege to become the Governor of Edo State, so that together we can build a new Edo state. Let no one deceive you with money or any other form of inducement. Don’t sell your votes to anybody. Your vote is your weapon. You have to use it wisely” Arc. Emuan advised.

He further said:  “I have come here to meet and interact with you personally because I know your value. Those aspirants who before this election period, sit in the comfort of their homes and summon you unduly even for your supports and at times locked their gates against you; do not have regards for you. They don’t place any value on you. They will repeat it after they become your governor. And that is because they believe they can buy you with money anytime.  So, you must make a wise decision of choosing the right person. I am not here to deceive you my people.  I know I have the experience, strong will, capacity, network and unlimited energy to take on this great task as a state governor and make our state a place of pride for all.”

Outcome of APC diaspora Chairmen conference.

The Diaspora Chairmen of the All progressives Congress (APC) recently held an e-conference to review the state of the party and the nation on the anniversary of the pivotal election that brought the party to power exactly one year ago.

The conference was conveyed to coincide with and commemorate the one year anniversary of the pivotal and historic election (March 28, 2015), that brought change to the political landscape to Nigeria.

According to the conference, after so many years of pro-democracy struggles, with many lives lost, Nigerians thought they were being ushered into a new lease of life of functional and responsible democracy, but woke up to a new nightmare of unrestrained official pilferage of the commonwealth to such an extent that our country tetered on the brink of economic collapse and faced security challenges unheard of in our national history.

The Party thanked Nigerians for voting the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari at the 2015 general election. The conference also thanked Nigerians for the continued support being accorded the APC-led Federal government of President Buhari, and calls for the commitment, support and determination of all to see through the successful prosecution of the war on corruption so that our country truly changes for the better in all ramifications.

The chairmen therefore called on Nigerians to step up and help ensure that all agencies of government begin to work for and in the interest of the Nigerian people and state at all times. Saving Nigeria from the scourge of corruption – economic and political, in all ramifications is task for all.

“Affirms the loyalty of the Diaspora chapters to the national leadership of the party and the government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, the conference calls for coherent linkage of government with our chapters and Nigerians abroad.

“In this regard, conference congratulates Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa for her appointment as the Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to the President on Diaspora and foreign Affairs. This is a well-rounded appointment judging from the experience and dynamism of Mrs Dabiri-Erewa. Like all other Nigerians in the Diaspora, our party diaspora Chapters look forward to working closely with her.

“Congratulates the party for the successful outcome of both recently held National caucus and National executive committee meetings. The news report from these meetings have been very positive especially the statement regarding the adoption of President Buhari to be the candidate of the party in 2019, thus effectively stomping the divisive possibilities and instabilities that angling for the office could create in the party.

“The conference is pleased with the effort of President Buhari to kill and make corruption history in Nigeria through the various methods being presently employed in the war against this disease that has clearly destroyed the institutional and moral fibres of the Nigerian state and society.

“The conference advises, however, that all efforts of the present government will soon be reversed in the near future, if there is no robust, fully comprehensive National data management system with the capabilities for multilevel and multidimensional crosstalk. This is the only way to safeguard the institutions of state, the private sector and indeed Nigerians against fraud, and also provide robust data for functional National planning.

“Notes that the government has recently inaugurated a platform to address the issue of a unified national e-data. The conference therefore emphasizes that in this specific area of the national data management system, the Diaspora members of the APC, having a first-hand experience of the benefit of sound National data management, are well placed to help the government achieve a fully operational National Data management programme in Nigeria within the life span of the current government. We therefore call for urgent action to draw Diaspora expertise, contacts and commitment, and leverage same into realising this long overdue National project.

“The conference congratulates the government in convening a National Economic Council retreat and publishing the outcome of the retreat. We are pleased by this development and feel again that this is one area where the party, government and the country could benefit substantially from the leveraging capabilities of the Diaspora members of the party in driving National development,” the conference said.

The conference thus concluded that party leaders should begin the active process of ideological branding and marketing of the party, as one rooted in progressivism and social democracy through people centered policies and interaction with the Nigerian people.

“This ideological plank of the party should be closely interlocked with government policies at all levels, such that the party’s manifesto becomes the mirror through which all APC governments’ policies are viewed,” the chairmen summed

Signed.

Philip Idaewor, Chairman, APC UK
Stephen Adeayo Tella, Chairman, APC SPAIN.
Ayoola R. Lawal, Chairman, APC Scandinavia
Chief Olanrewaju Balogun Chairman APC France
Lawrence Adesola Adelekan, Chairman, APC Philippines
Mr Tony Isama, Chairman, APC USA
Mr Olalekan Ogunwede, Chairman, APC Germany
Prince Hammed Adefioye, Chairman, APC Republic of Ireland
Mr festus Ogbeide, Chairman, APC South Africa
Chief Victor Bruno Omoregbe, Chairman, APC Republic of Benin
Charlies O. Micheletti, Chairman, APC Ghana

Edo Decides 2016: I Dream of Edo state where our Tomorrow will always be Better than Yesterday-Arc Emuan

Arc. Emuan

Acume Ben reports.

AUCHI-As the wind of governorship election in Edo state turns political storm-like waves and all aspirants continue their campaigns to win delegates to their camps, unarguably, one of the leading and most dependable aspirants among the All Progressive Congress governorship aspirants, Arc. Ilenre Austin Emuan yesterday at Auchi expressed more details of his love for the state and why he made up his mind to contest for the number one seat in his response to the question why he is contesting for governorship in Edo State by our correspondent?

Despite the mammoth crowd of his supporters around him yesterday, he humbly without pride, displayed to all that he will be accessible to the people. He has shown too yesterday that his government will be government of the people, for the people and by the people. He was fluent and straight to the point in his responses that by November this year, Governor Adams Oshiomhole shall handover the baton of leadership of our state as constitution demands. And that he wants to be the recipient of that baton. He further revealed that it was a decision he took seriously, one that he arrived at after a careful and persistent consideration and that he consulted widely with his family, friends and close political associates in Edo state and nationwide.

“The Austin Ilenre Emuan that wants to become Edo state governor is a man of his words. I am running for governor because I believe I can add value to the governance of a state I love so much. My love for my state and my people knows no limit. I love the multiplicity, the can-do spirit, the mutual life of neighbor-helping-neighbor of my people; and I believe in what Edo state can be now and in the future. My zeal to serve compels me once again to stand for what is right for my people, to make Edo state what it can be. I offer myself as an Edolite who is concerned about the well-known unemployment that is destroying the very fabric of our state.” He declared.

Arc.  Emuan cute look and brilliant display of readiness to take Edo state to the next developmental level anchored on his love and vision for Edo state. 

“Today, I am from the same local government with our hero, Late Prof. Ambrose Alli of blessed memory, he loved the then Bendel state and his legacies are there for all to see today. He had a dream and he delivered it within a short period. So am today; I dream of Edo state where those who want to work will find appropriate jobs and those who want to set up businesses can do so without bothering about the infrastructure that will enable them to succeed. I dream of my state where our youths can look at us with hope and we see them as worthy future leaders. I dream of our dear state where our tomorrow will always be better than yesterday. I dream of Edo state where the interest of all is paramount and not those of the few. I dream of my state where you do not have to know a big man before you get what you deserve. I dream of Edo state of equal opportunity and no discrimination”. He assured.

Speaking at the venue to our correspondent was Elder Jato Osimen who expressed satisfaction and passed a vote of confident on Arc. Emuan.

“Many of these aspirants came here daily and talked against other aspirants but here come this gentle man, not pretending, very simple, accessible and decent in outlook. I am a party delegate, I will nominate him, and I will tell my partners in my ward to nominate him. Even if other aspirants come here, we will take their money because is our money that they stole in government but this man is from a private sector of his own, I have hope in this man. I have collected his campaign team contact number to work for him. To crown it all, he was born here in Auchi, is our son though he is from Esan, look faces around and see joy, signs of acceptance genuinely” he concluded.