Politics
Obaseki Reflects on Edo’s Growth, Development and Legacy as His Tenure Ends
The outgoing Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has taken a moment to reflect on the significant progress made under his leadership, particularly in terms of the state’s economy.
In his final statewide address, Obaseki proudly pointed out that during his eight-year tenure, the state’s economy grew from a modest N10 billion to an impressive N25 billion plus.
Obaseki delivered the address on the eve of his departure from office on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, as he prepared to hand over the reins of leadership to Senator Monday Okpebholo of APC.
Reflecting on his achievements, the governor outlined the remarkable strides made in key sectors such as agriculture, oil and gas, and manufacturing, all of which he credited for the state’s economic transformation.
One of the key highlights of his administration, according to Obaseki, was the agricultural revolution that took place in Edo State.
Through the Edo State Oil Palm Program, the government allocated over 120,000 hectares of land for the development of oil palm estates.
So far, about 40,000 hectares have been cultivated, positioning the state to become a leading player in Nigeria’s palm oil industry.
Additionally, the governor mentioned the state’s commitment to developing cassava as a critical feedstock for the two ethanol plants in Edo, further strengthening the state’s agricultural base.
Obaseki also emphasized the strides made in the energy sector, particularly in oil and gas.
His administration successfully attracted investments, including two modular refineries: the Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company, which operates a 6,000-barrel per day refinery, and the DuPont Energy Park, with a 5,000-barrel per-day modular refinery.
These investments have not only bolstered the state’s oil and gas sector but also contributed to the broader petrochemical industry, creating new job opportunities and expanding the state’s economic footprint.
Beyond hydrocarbons, Obaseki pointed out Edo’s growing manufacturing sector, which has attracted billions of dollars in investments.
These investments span industries such as ceramics, tiles, glass, iron and steel, cement, and wood, positioning the state as an emerging hub for manufacturing in Nigeria.
The governor emphasized that these developments were the direct result of his administration’s efforts to create an environment conducive to business, making Edo State an attractive destination for both local and international investors.
In addition to the economic achievements, Obaseki also took pride in the infrastructure improvements his administration had overseen across the state.
He noted that over 850 kilometres of roads had been constructed, benefiting all local government areas.
The governor also pointed to the progress made in the energy sector, with the state now generating nearly 1,000MW of electricity daily.
Edo State’s new electricity law, he said, had paved the way for the development of an electricity market, attracting further investments in digital infrastructure.
One of the standout achievements mentioned by Obaseki was the state’s advancements in digital connectivity.
Edo State now has a network of nearly 2,500 kilometres of fibre optic cables, the largest in Nigeria.
This development, he noted, was crucial in laying the foundation for the future of technology and digital innovation in the state.
As his term came to a close, Obaseki reflected on the journey he had undertaken with the people of Edo.
He expressed pride in leaving behind a roadmap for the future—a plan that would guide the state’s continued development long after his departure.
The outgoing governor shared that, while he hadn’t inherited such a plan when he first assumed office, he was now confident that Edo was in a much stronger position for sustained growth.
Obaseki credited the collective effort of the people of Edo and other stakeholders for their role in achieving these milestones.
He hopes that the state will continue to build on the foundation laid during his tenure and that future leaders will carry forward the vision of turning Edo State into a beacon of hope and prosperity for all Nigerians.
Politics
Federal Government Reinstates Ikechebelu as UNIZIK Acting Vice-Chancellor
The Federal Government has reinstated Professor Joseph Ikechebelu as the new acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK).
In a letter dated November 18, 2024, President Tinubu nullified the controversial appointment of Professor Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh as the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor.
Odoh’s appointment was deemed illegal as it was carried out by the now-dissolved 10th Governing Council of the university.
The letter instructed Ikechebelu to immediately resume his duties as the acting Vice-Chancellor, effectively restoring him to the position he briefly held earlier this year.
Sani-Gwarzo, in his correspondence, directed Ikechebelu to oversee the administration of the university while forwarding matters requiring council approval to the Minister of Education until a new council is constituted by the President.
This move aims to restore stability to the institution, which has faced governance challenges in recent months.
Professor Joseph Ikechebelu, a renowned scholar and experienced administrator, had initially been appointed as acting Vice-Chancellor in June 2024 but was removed in July by the former Governing Council.
His reinstatement is seen as a step toward addressing leadership disputes and ensuring smooth operations within the university.
In a related development, the Federal Government has also reinstated Victor Modebelu as the Acting Registrar of UNIZIK.
Modebelu previously held this position but was replaced by Rosemary Nwokike, whose appointment as substantive registrar was recently terminated by President Tinubu.
Politics
“I Stood My Ground and Didn’t Buy Votes” – Nejo on Ondo Election Loss
Myson Nejo, the governorship candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ondo State, has spoken out about the issue of vote buying that marred the state’s recent gubernatorial election.
Despite coming in third place with 4,138 votes, Nejo has maintained that his loss was due to his decision to reject the corrupt practice of vote trading.
In a statement made on Sunday, Nejo expressed disappointment over the widespread vote-buying during the election.
He pointed out that candidates who could afford to buy votes from voters were the ones who emerged victorious.
Nejo, however, chose not to engage in such practices, even when faced with pressure to do so.
“I lost the election because I refused to buy votes,” Nejo said.
“But I’m proud of my decision. I didn’t give out any money, and despite that, I still received votes from the people who believed in my vision for Ondo State.
To me, those votes are legitimate and meaningful because they weren’t influenced by money or unethical tactics.”
Nejo revealed the shocking extent of the vote-buying, noting that voters were being offered as much as N20,000 in exchange for their ballots in some areas.
In his polling unit, the going rate was between N10,000 and N15,000.
Nejo explained that, because he refused to take part in these practices, he received very few votes in his unit—just two votes—while his overall tally was a modest 40 votes.
Despite this, he expressed satisfaction with the integrity of his campaign.
“People were asking me for money in exchange for their votes, but I stuck to my principles.
I told them if they wanted to vote, they could do so freely, without expecting anything from me.
I wasn’t going to give a kobo to influence the outcome of the election,” Nejo said.
Politics
PDP Calls Ondo Election the Worst and Accuses APC of Electoral Manipulation
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticized the Ondo State governorship election held on Saturday, calling it the worst-ever election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Also, the party expressed deep dissatisfaction with the election’s outcome, stating that it fell far short of the standards expected of a free, fair, and credible poll.
In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, made it clear that the party would conduct a more thorough review of the election results and take appropriate actions to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP will be holding a comprehensive review of the election and its results, and we will take the necessary steps in defence of our democracy,” Ologunagba said.
The PDP also condemned what it described as electoral malpractice, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of manipulating the system in their favour.
According to Ologunagba, the election was marred by “electoral swindling, deceit, and manipulation,” all orchestrated by the APC to maintain its grip on power.
The party further alleged that the election was plagued by widespread vote-buying, vote-selling, and other forms of electoral manipulation aimed at suppressing the will of the people.
Ologunagba stressed that the actions of the APC were aimed at undermining the genuine aspirations of the voters, calling it a blatant attempt to derail the democratic process.
“The level of vote-buying and monetization we witnessed in this election was unprecedented,” Ologunagba stated.
“This blatant disregard for democratic principles by the APC and its government apparatus is a dangerous trend that threatens the survival of Nigeria’s democracy.”
The PDP has called on both the Nigerian public and the international community to pay attention to the irregularities in the Ondo election, emphasizing the need for serious action to prevent such practices from becoming entrenched in the nation’s electoral system.
-
News21 hours ago
Singer-Comedian Nasboi Criticizes Nigeria’s Internet Space: ‘The Devil Has Done So Much’
-
News20 hours ago
Florida Mother Arrested for Allegedly Drowning 14-Year-Old Daughter
-
News19 hours ago
Police Arrest Suspected Child Trafficker in Imo, Rescue Three Stolen Children
-
Sport20 hours ago
Rodri Calls Real Madrid the Best Club in History Despite Future Speculation
-
Entertainment20 hours ago
Wizkid’s Morayo Breaks Streaming Records and Tops Charts in Few Hours of Release
-
Sport18 hours ago
Germany Faces Italy In Quaterfinals in UEFA Nation League
-
News20 hours ago
IPOB Disowns Simon Ekpa Due to His Arrest And Calls for Focus on Biafra Struggle
-
Entertainment17 hours ago
Davido Advises Black Americans Not To Relocate To Nigeria Due To Economy