Yakmo dairy

18/09/2026

*OMOIKE GIVES 72-HOUR DEADLINE TO FIX OTARU PALACE ROAD*.

AUCHI — The Executive Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council, Hon. Romeo Aloaye Omoike, has given a 72-hour deadline for the completion of the rehabilitation of the badly damaged Otaru Palace Road in Auchi, Edo State.

Omoike issued the directive on Thursday during an inspection tour of the ongoing rehabilitation project, as part of efforts by his administration to restore access along the strategic road and tackle the erosion that had repeatedly damaged the affected section.

Accompanied by officials of the council’s Department of Works, the Chairman inspected the extent of work already undertaken and assessed the drainage system responsible for controlling the flow of stormwater around the affected portion.

Following the inspection, the site engineer made adjustments to the proposed drainage channels to provide a more sustainable solution to the erosion problem and prevent a recurrence of the damage.

Omoike subsequently directed the construction team to intensify work and ensure that the rehabilitation is completed within 72 hours to restore unhindered movement for motorists, residents and other road users.

Construction materials required for the intervention, including granite, hardcore stones, iron rods and other essential materials, were already on site, having been provided by the council.

As of the time of filing this report, workers and construction equipment were fully deployed at the site, with work progressing to meet the Chairman’s deadline.

The Otaru Palace Road, which serves residents and other road users within the axis, had suffered significant deterioration following erosion, leaving motorists and pedestrians to contend with a difficult stretch of road.

The latest intervention by the council is therefore aimed not only at reopening the damaged portion but also at addressing the drainage and erosion challenge responsible for the recurring deterioration.

The inspection is th

17/09/2026

*OMOIKE SEEKS TRADITIONAL INSTITUTION ’s SUPPORT TO TACKLE DRUGS, CRIME IN ETSAKO WEST* .

The Executive Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council, Hon. Romeo Aloaye Omoike, has sought the support and cooperation of the traditional institution in tackling illicit drug abuse, criminality, environmental sanitation and the protection of government properties and institutions across the local government area.

Omoike made the call when he paid a courtesy visit to the Palace of the Aidonogie of South Ibie, His Royal Highness Alhaji Barr. Kelvin Danesi, as part of his administration’s policy of sustained consultation and partnership with traditional rulers.

The Chairman, who was accompanied by the Vice Chairman, Mallam Tijani Isah; Secretary to the Local Government Council, Hon. Abdulai Abubakar; and the APC Chairman in Etsako West, Alhaji Ahmed Dauda, was received by the Aidonogie-in-Council amid traditional hospitality.

Speaking during the visit, Omoike expressed appreciation to the traditional ruler and the people of South Ibie for their support and prayers before and after the recent local government election.

He said the visit was primarily to appreciate the people for their support and to seek their continued prayers and cooperation as the new administration settles down to deliver on its development agenda.

According to him, the council considers the traditional institution a critical partner in achieving sustainable development and maintaining peace and order across Etsako West.

Omoike specifically sought the cooperation of the South Ibie traditional institution in protecting government properties and public institutions, improving environmental sanitation, combating the proliferation of illicit drugs and addressing other forms of criminality within the area.

He assured the traditional ruler that the council would remain open to consultation and would regularly return to the communities to

16/09/2026

*OMOIKE’S 96-HOUR INTERVENTION BRINGS RELIEF TO AUCHI–BENIN EXPRESSWAY*

For motorists and residents who have endured the difficult stretch of the Auchi–Benin Expressway, relief may finally be in sight—and it has come remarkably quickly.

Barely 96 hours after Executive Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council, Hon. Romeo Aloaye Omoike, engaged the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) over the deplorable condition of a critical section of the highway, the company has moved to commence rehabilitation work on the affected stretch between Agbede Junction and the Omega Fire Ministry Headquarters near Jattu Junction.

The development follows a working visit by Chairman Omoike to CCECC in Benin City last weekend, where he drew attention to the condition of the road and appealed for urgent intervention to ease the difficulties faced by motorists, commuters and residents travelling through Etsako West.

The response from the construction company has now translated the chairman’s appeal into visible action on the ground.

The affected section of the Auchi–Benin Expressway is particularly significant to Etsako West, serving as a major transportation corridor for residents, commercial operators and travellers moving between communities and connecting with other parts of Edo State and beyond.

The commencement of the rehabilitation has therefore generated relief among road users who have long contended with the deteriorating condition of the route.

For the new administration, the development also highlights an emerging approach centred on identifying pressing problems, engaging relevant stakeholders and pursuing immediate solutions.

Since assuming office, Omoike has embarked on a series of interventions across education, sanitation, security, roads and community engagement, signalling an administration seeking to address issues directly rather than allowing them to linger.

The CCECC intervention adds another dimension to those early efforts.

While

15/09/2026

*OMOIKE FLAGS OFF DISTRIBUTION OF LEARNING MATERIALS TO SCHOOLS IN ETSAKO WEST*

The Executive Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council, Hon. Romeo Aloaye Omoike, has flagged off the distribution of learning materials to pupils and students in primary and junior secondary schools across the local government area as schools resumed for the new academic session.

The initiative, carried out in collaboration with the Edo State Government under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo, the Edo State Universal Basic Education Commission (SUBEC) and the Etsako West Local Government Council, is aimed at supporting pupils and easing the financial burden on parents following the long vacation.

The materials distributed included school bags, sandals, books and other writing materials. The intervention brought considerable relief to families, with pupils receiving the materials with excitement and displaying them joyfully to the admiration of teachers, parents and members of the visiting team.

Among the schools visited by the team were Oyagha Primary School, Jattu Uzairue; Our Lady of Fatima College, Auchi; and Akpekpe Primary School, Auchi.

Speaking during the flag-off exercise, Omoike expressed appreciation to Governor Okpebholo for the support provided by the state government towards the initiative. He also commended SUBEC and the Etsako West Local Government Education authorities for their collaboration.

The chairman said investing in the education of children remained a priority of his administration, stressing that the future of Etsako West depended significantly on the younger generation.

He assured schools across the local government of continued support, promising to work with relevant authorities to improve learning conditions and enhance educational outcomes.

Omoike also announced a scholarship programme for the three best-performing pupils in the next First School Leaving Certificate examination in Etsako West.

Also speaking, the Acting Secretary

14/09/2026

13/09/2026

*OMOIKE BAGS M.Sc. IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AT BIU 22ND CONVOCATION CEREMONY*

By our Political Correspondent.

*BENIN CITY*— The new Executive Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council, Hon. Romeo Aloaye Omoike, has bagged a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Public Administration from Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Benin City.

Omoike was among 1,324 graduands who received their degrees at the university’s 22nd Convocation Ceremony held on Saturday.

The graduating cohort comprised 1,059 undergraduates and 265 postgraduate students, with 144 graduates recording First Class honours, 490 obtaining Second Class Upper, 377 Second Class Lower and 48 graduating with Third Class degrees.

Omoike’s postgraduate qualification in Public Administration comes barely a week after he was sworn in as Executive Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council, giving added significance to an academic achievement directly connected to the demands of public-sector leadership.

The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. John Aroye Okhuoya, who announced the figures ahead of the convocation, described the 22nd edition as a significant milestone in the institution’s history.

According to Okhuoya, the convocation was not only an occasion to celebrate graduating students but also an opportunity to highlight the university’s progress in academics, professional education, intellectual engagement, student development and sports.

He, however, used the occasion to renew the university’s call for the Federal Government to review the policy excluding private universities from accessing the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund.

For Omoike, the convocation represents a significant addition to his credentials as he settles into the responsibilities of administering Etsako West.

His M.Sc. in Public Administration is particularly relevant to his new assignment, where his administration has pledged to focus on effective governance, accountability, education, sanitation, securi