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Analyzing Nehikhare’s Open Letter to Ize Iyamu: Unmasking Obaseki’s Orhionmwon Developmental Claims

Analyzing Nehikhare’s Open Letter to Ize Iyamu: Unmasking Obaseki’s Orhionmwon Developmental Claims
By: Augustine Osayande
In my professional capacity, it is imperative to express a reluctance towards narratives that tend to target personalities instead of addressing pertinent issues. Nevertheless, this engagement with an open letter directed at Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu from the Honorable Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, representing Orhionmwon Local Government Area in the Edo State Executive Council, has left me compelled to dissect the content without dismissing it outright.
Titled “OPEN LETTER TO PASTOR OSAGIE IZE IYAMU,” the letter, penned by Nehikhare, draws attention to the commendable feat of documenting all political appointees from our Local Government—a practice worthy of archival for future references.
The crux of Nehikhare’s missive revolves around the assertion that Governor Obaseki has ushered in significant development and impactful projects in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, thereby benefiting the populace and enhancing the lives of thousands of residents. While Nehikhare contends that Obaseki’s legacies in the area are beyond reproach, I cannot help but approach this claim with a degree of skepticism.
Particularly, Nehikhare’s assertion that Governor Obaseki facilitated the establishment of the Energy Park in Egbokor Community appears to be a fallacy. Contrary to the claim, the Energy Park is part of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park being developed by the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB). The overarching goal is to promote a cluster model of production, fostering collaboration among enterprises to enhance productivity, efficiency, and competition. It is crucial to emphasize that similar parks are being developed across all Niger Delta States by the NCDMB.
During the test run of the Modular Refinery in the Energy Park, Governor Obaseki pledged to provide necessary road infrastructure and address the educational and healthcare needs of the area. In light of this commitment, I challenge Nehikhare to present evidence showcasing the current state of the road, schools, and healthcare facilities in Egbokor Community.
Nehikhare highlighted the refurbishment of several classroom blocks as a noteworthy accomplishment of Governor Obaseki in Orhiomnwon Local Government. However, specific details regarding the current student and faculty statistics were not provided, despite the claim that the school has become one of the best in the country. Additionally, there was a lack of information regarding the accreditation status of the various programs offered at the college by the National Commission for College of Education. During my visit to Abudu in 2023, I observed that specific sections of the institution were overlooked, giving rise to an aesthetic reminiscent of a conventional forest. This was notably in contrast to the vibrant condition observed in the surrounding areas, exemplified by the well-maintained state of my village’s Oheze-Nake traditional cemetery.
According to Mr. Nehikhare, Governor Obaseki has successfully transformed Orhionmwon into a significant gas and petrochemical hub, with the local government now hosting more than four prominent oil and gas companies. It is a commendable accomplishment, and in the spirit of transparency in this digital era, I respectfully urge him to disclose the names and precise geographical locations of these companies. Such information would be valuable for geo-referencing purposes and could be cross-referenced with the latest available financial statements.
Regrettably, Mr. Nehikhare’s attempt to highlight Governor Obaseki’s purported accomplishments in Orhionmwon Local Government seems to have encountered a misstep. Specifically, his reference to individual oil palm farms as state government achievements raises questions. To provide a more accurate representation of the governor’s impact, I encourage Mr. Nehikhare to elaborate on the government interventions that these farmers have benefited from. Additionally, it would be insightful to know the number of farmers in Orhionmwon who have reaped the rewards of such government interventions. This level of detail would contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the true impact of Governor Obaseki’s initiatives in the local community.
Finally, Mr. Nehikhare highlighted a bill passed by the State House of Assembly in September 2022 and the Ossiomo Power Plant situated at Ologbo in the Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area as Governor Obaseki’s accomplishments in Orhionmwon Local Government. However, crucial data regarding the number of communities in the local government that benefited from the government’s outgoing electricity program was not provided.
In conclusion, while Nehikhare’s open letter provides a valuable record of political appointments, critical scrutiny is essential when evaluating claims related to the development attributed to Governor Obaseki in Orhionmwon Local Government Area. It is essential to respectfully point out to Mr. Nehikhare that his name has been included with other politicians in his Open Letter who were granted the opportunity to represent our esteemed local government but have, unfortunately, fallen short of meeting the expectations of the people.
Osayande, PhD, contributed this piece from Abuja via austinelande@yahoo.com
Analyzing Nehikhare’s Open Letter to Ize Iyamu: Unmasking Obaseki’s Orhionmwon Developmental Claims
News
Tipper truck kills several traders in Jalingo market crash

Tipper truck kills several traders in Jalingo market crash
By: Zagazola Makama
A tragic road accident occurred on Saturday at the popular Mile 6 Market in Jalingo, Taraba State, when a tipper truck loaded with shaft sand lost control and rammed into a crowd of traders and shoppers.

Zagazola learnt the incident, which happened around midday, resulted in multiple fatalities and left several others injured. The exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed as emergency responders continue rescue operations and assessment of the scene.

Sourcessaid the truck was speeding when one of its front tyres suddenly burst, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle veered into the busy market area, knocking down people and structures along its path.

“It happened so fast,” said Musa Ibrahim, a local vendor. “The truck was on speed and after the tyre burst, the driver couldn’t control it. It just rammed into the crowd.”
Security operatives and medical personnel arrived swiftly at the scene to evacuate the injured to nearby hospitals. The body of the deceased has also been recovered, while efforts are ongoing to identify victims and notify their families.

The driver of the truck has been apprehended and is currently in custody as investigations continue into the cause of the crash.
End
Crime
Former Footballer, 4 Others Arrested, Over 22.6kg Cocaine, Meth Seized at Lagos, Enugu Airports

Former Footballer, 4 Others Arrested, Over 22.6kg Cocaine, Meth Seized at Lagos, Enugu Airports
…72-year-old Grandma, Beninese, Ithers Nabbed in NDLEA Raids in Delta, Kwara, Lagos
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a former football player Segun George Hunkarin along with his businessman partner Ntoruka Chinedu over attempt to smuggle a consignment of cocaine into Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
According to a statement on Sunday by the spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, Chinedu who is a frequent flyer known for conveying clothes from Turkey to Nigeria and foodstuffs from Nigeria to Turkey, was the first to be arrested upon his arrival at the Lagos airport last Tuesday, when his carry-on bag was searched, 37 wraps of cocaine weighing 800 grammes were seen to be concealed therein.

Babafemi said investigation showed that the suspect was coming from Turkey on Ethiopian Airlines flight but transited through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he collected the luggage from another person before heading to Nigeria.
He said further checks revealed that an accomplice who turned out to be the former professional footballer, Segun Hunkarin, was waiting for Chinedu at the airport carpark to collect the consignment from him. Hunkarin who had stayed years in Brazil playing for football clubs was promptly tracked and arrested at the carpark.

In his statement, Hunkarin was said to have claimed that while playing professional football in the South American country, he had only trafficked drugs twice from Brazil to Ethiopia but has never brought any to Nigeria.
Another Europe based businessman Amen Okoro was last Friday arrested by NDLEA operatives at the Lagos airport while attempting to traffic 5,000 pills of tramadol 225mg packaged as known malaria drugs such as Lonart, Amatem and Aluktem to Spain.
He was intercepted at the departure hall of terminal 2 of the airport during the outward clearance of passengers on Royal Air Maroc flight to Spain through Casablanca.

Babafemi said Okoro, who is into freight and logistics business between Europe and Nigeria, claimed that on his arrival in Spain, he would have taken a train to France where he resides and from there send the tramadol consignment to Italy for retailing.
At the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) Enugu, Babafemi said NDLEA operatives last Friday intercepted a Maputo, Mozambique based bar attendant Ezenwaka Chibuzor. A search of his luggage led to the discovery of 17 cardboard size parcels of methamphetamine weighing 17.500 kilogrammes and three parcels of cocaine weighing 3.05 kilogrammes.
He revealed that the 38-year-old suspect was coming from Johannesburg, South Africa via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Ethiopian Airlines flight when he was interdicted and subjected to a search during which the illicit drugs concealed in bedsheets packed in his bags were discovered.
He noted that another passenger on board the same Ethiopian Airlines flight, 54-year-old Azu Kpodar was also intercepted at the Enugu airport by NDLEA operatives. When Azu, who arrived from Sao Paulo, Brazil, was searched, a liquid soap plastic container marked YPE, was discovered in his luggage. The substance was promptly taken for analysis at the NDLEA forensic and chemical laboratory, Enugu where the substance tested positive to cocaine.

The substance which turned out to be liquid cocaine weighed 1.250 kilogrammes, the
suspect who is a toy seller in Brinquedo, Sao Paulo, Brazil, claimed he purchased while shopping for his wedding ceremony in Nigeria.
NDLEA operatives at the Seme border area of Badagry in Lagos last Tuesday intercepted a 26-year-old Beninese Vode Jean-Luck while trying to smuggle 69 balls of skunk, a strain of cannabis with a gross weight of 29.5 kilogrammes from Benin Republic into Nigeria.
In Kwara state, a notorious drug dealer Mary Oladele (a.k.a Iya Nafi) was arrested last Wednesday when NDLEA operatives raided her base in Omu-Aran in Irepodun local government area of the state where various quantities of skunk, tramadol and flunitrazepam were recovered from her.
Babafemi said a 72-year-old grandma Mrs. Christy Ejaro was last Tuesday arrested by NDLEA operatives at Niger CAT area of Warri, Delta state, with several sachets of skunk packaged in retail size recovered from her.
The spokesman said the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, social advocacy activities by NDLEA commands equally continued across the country in the past week.
Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), while commending the officers and men of MMIA, AIIA, Delta, Kwara, and Seme commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, equally praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for ensuring a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
Former Footballer, 4 Others Arrested, Over 22.6kg Cocaine, Meth Seized at Lagos, Enugu Airports
News
Armed bandits abduct resident in Bature Daji, in Niger narrowly miss vigilante target

Armed bandits abduct resident in Bature Daji, in Niger narrowly miss vigilante target
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits in large numbers stormed Bature Daji community in Niger in the early hours of Saturday, abducting a resident while narrowly missing their original target, a local vigilante member.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the incident occurred around 5:30 a.m. when the attackers invaded the residence of one Dani, a known vigilante operative in the area. He was reportedly the primary target of the assault but managed to escape.
However, the gunmen kidnapped one Attahiru Ibrahim, popularly known as Sarki Daji, from the same neighborhood and whisked him away to an unknown destination.
Local sources revealed that the assailants later moved toward Gorogawu Village, a border community near the Republic of Benin, raising concerns of cross-border movement and security challenges.
A joint team of security forces, including military and other operatives, has launched a pursuit operation to rescue the victim and apprehend the attackers.
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