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Herdsmen attack: Edo communities barricade Benin-Lagos highway

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Apparently piqued by incessant attacks by herdsmen, protesters from 10 communities in Ovia North -East Local Government Area of Edo State have barricaded the Lagos-Benin Highway on Wednesday to press home their frustration.
Some Civil society organisations were not left out in the protest which lasted for several hours leading to a traffic hold up on the highway.

The communities indicated that the rampaging herdsmen had always destroyed their farmlands, evict them forcefully from their ancestral homes and killed their loved ones.

The protesters came together from communities of Odiguetue, Ofintebe, Igolo, Okokuo, Abumwenre I and Abumwenre II, Obarenren, Uhiere, Uyimo I and Uyimo II to join in the barricade.
They observed that a stitch in time saves nine, hence the measure adopted so that Edo would not be the case of Benue or Plateau where the herders have taken over the houses of the natives.
A community leader Mr Osagie Obayuwana, said they were worried about a looming crisis brewing in the various communities and orchestrated by armed herdsmen.

He said urgent steps were needed to be taken to check the activities of the herders before they become full blown crisis in the state.

“We want the whole world to know the experiences our people have been made to go through for quite some time now. We are zeroing in on Ovia North- East communities; about 10 communities have been under siege for some time now.

“Farmers have been prevented from going to their farms; another planting season is running out; they have been sentenced to hunger, farmers and their families and this has an implication for the larger society.

“It is one of the reasons the price of food is rising beyond the reach of even those in the middle class. So far, we have not seen any serious efforts to address this issue.

“Our people have gone to various relevant government offices to complain, but there have not been any response.

“Right now, the matter is degenerating to an extent that people are being driven out of their villages.

“We don’t want the Benue and Plateau States experience where armed herdsmen dr,ove people away from their communities, change the names of the communities and start to occupy the houses to be replicated in Edo State. We don’t want that,’’ he said.
A representative of the Edo State Civil Society Organisations, Mr Osazee Edigin, decried the level of insecurity in Edo communities, and noted that it had gone from bad to worse.
“We are here to support these communities that have been ravaged and sacked by herdsmen.
“We have seen the high level of insecurity in the state, and we want the state government and law enforcement agencies to rescue the people.
“We are here to amplify the voices of these locals so that the state government can intervene in this. If we don’t do it, we are going to have scarcity of food and more victims.
“We urge the government to rise to the occasion and protect lives and property. The government should step in.
“When there is no peace in the land, life will not flourish and the economy will go down,’’ he said.
When contacted, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in -charge of Operations in the state, Mr James Chu, addressed the protesters and appealed for calm, assuring that efforts were being made to address the situation.

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HOSTCOM Celebrates Sir Peter Omoh Dunia, as Pillar of Hope for the Niger Delta

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Sr Peter Omoh Dunia

The Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) have extend their warmest congratulations to their National Patron, Sir Peter Omoh Dunia, popularly known as Peter Black, as he celebrates another year of life.
A statement signed by the National President of HOSTCOM, His Highness Dr Benjamin Style Tamaranebi lauded
Sir Peter who is recognized as the “Moses of our time,” for his outstanding philanthropy and selfless contributions to HOSTCOM.
“His support has been instrumental, providing the organization with an office space in Abuja, furnishing it, and covering staff salaries, establishing him as a beacon of hope in HOSTCOM and the Niger Delta.
In their message, HOSTCOM expressed immense pride in Sir Peter’s efforts, emphasizing that more individuals like him could elevate the community to even greater heights.
They prayed for God’s continued blessings upon him and his family, celebrating his unwavering dedication to the organization.
The Statement reads,
“The leadership of Host communities of Nigeria producing oil and gas (HOSTCOM) felicitate with our National PATRON , Moses of our time, a dangerous giver, philanthropic who gave HOSTCOM House, paid staff’s salaries and furnished the office.

“HOSTCOM indeed is very proud of you if we have another one or two of you we would exceeded this level.
Today we have a co- operate office here in Abuja all for your magnanimous provisions indeed you a pilla of Hope in HOSTCOM and Niger Delta at large.
“We pray that God Almighty reward you provide for you and your family as you keep celebrating the glory of Godswill in your life in Jesus name Amen.”

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Kishi in desperate need for development

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The attention of the deplorable state of the Kishi Community in Irepo Local Government in Oyo State, South West of Nigeria was made public recently when Pharm. (Chief) Rahman Bioku, the Bobajiro of Kishiland and newly elected President of Kishi Progressive Union (KPU)-a social-cultural organization visited his representative, Hon. (Dr) Prince Olaide Lateef Mohammed (POLAM) at the National Assembly on Wednesday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The visit was to acquaint the House of Representative member some of the challenges the community of his representation are facing and proffer solutions as to how to overcome them.

The KPU President who had in his entourage some members of the National Executives, the Ag. Secretary Ibraheem Bioku, the National Auditor Alhaji Rafiu Benya, the Legal Adviser Barr. Abdulwahab Jimoh, others are Engr. Tajudeen Azeez, Mr. Sanusi Hakeem Olalomi and Comrade (Mrs.) Abiodun Bonuola- Ozurumba, presented a document that captured all the issues concerning the Kishi community and its environs.

Meanwhile, the President of KPU, Rahman Bioku highlighted some of the immediate pressing issues to include job opportunities for the teeming youths, urgent purchase of tractors to assist farmers in food production since Kishi is known as the food basket of Oyo State, near zero power supply, water reservoir and its reticulation within the metropolis, and the completely dilapidated Igboho-Kishi road.

In his response, Hon. (Dr) Prince Olaide Lateef Mohammed (POLAM), representing the Irepo/Orelope/Olorunsogo Federal Constituency of Oyo State, South West, Nigeria commended the efforts of the KPU President and all members present and promised to do all within his capabilities to measure up to the confidence bestowed on him by his people.
He noted that “The interest of Kishi is 100% my interest”. “A people’s representative must know the problem of his community” he asserted.

POLAM further stated that “Politics is over, it is now time for good governance and I am ready to develop the Kishi community as well as encourage anyone that is ready to join me”.
He sighted the relationship at the House of Representatives as very cordial with no party affiliations when matters that concerns the wellbeing of the Nigeria people are discussed. He expressed the need for all elected politicians and well-meaning sons and daughters of the Kishi community to work together for the good of the community.

The Honourable who promised to look at the document, officially welcomed the KPU team to the National Assembly.

The KPU President again used the opportunity of the visit to thank him and all those working with him. Pharm. Rahman Bioku re-emphasized on the need for good work in good time and of course more regular visits to all elected/political appointees of the Kishi community to constantly remind them of their responsibilities to the people.

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Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho gives out state of the art Solar panels to Kogi East

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The senator representing Kogi East Senatorial district in the Red Chamber, Jibrin Isah (Echocho), has given out high-powered solar panel lights to some communities in his senatorial district.

The state of the art solar lights packaged with fluorescent bulbs illuminating that have long lasting life span is targeted at providing high level of visibility for security agents and local vigilantes to counter criminal activities carried out by men of the underworld especially at night.

One of the recipients of the solar lights in Abejukolo-Ife, Omala Local Government Area of Kogi state, Comrade Jerry Ochada, said the intervention by Senator Echocho is a welcome development.

Ochada further thanked the ranking Senator for his intervention while hinting that “in the coming days, the solar lights will be installed along Omala local government area (Secretariat Road) and some streets in Sabongari Area of Abejukolo”.

The Senator also gifted 36 solar powered lights each to the Okenyi community in Ankpa local government area, Dekina township; Etutuekpe community in Dekina local government and Ugwolawo township in Ofu local government area.

Senator Echocho promised to donate more lights to other Local Government Areas before the end of 2023.

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