News

Edo APC Knocks Obaseki Over Demolition Of Houses

Published

2 years ago

October 3, 2022

Editor

The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized the state governor, Godwin Obaseki on the demolition of buildings along the Irhirihi-Arougba-Obazagbon-Ogheghe axis of the state capital.

The party, while accusing the governor of hiding under the guise of building a new town to take over the area, faulted the state government’s claim that the area had over the years been acquired by the government and known as Ogba Forest Reserve but still went ahead to issue Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to genuine buyers.

The state chairman of the party, Col David Imuse (rtd) in a statement on Sunday, said the demolition was a resumption of Obaseki’s policy “of demolishing public and private properties of innocent citizens, his perceived enemies and members of the opposition party in the State.

“As a party, we condemn in strong terms these illegal demolitions by the jittery and rudderless PDP-led administration in the state; we see this policy of regularly demolishing public and private properties by the Obaseki-led Edo state government as irrational, evil and undemocratic.

“Yet before this land was forcefully acquired by the same government in 2017, it was the world renowned Ogba River Forest Reserve, which successive governments before Obaseki used for reforestation purposes.

“It was also a natural park, one with a lot of tourism prospects, which a responsible government would have considered developing.

“It is very ironic that the same government which destroyed the private estates within the Ogba River Forest Reserve by removing the buildings even when many of them were occupied by families with children and the elderly, is the same that gave Certificates of Occupancy to many of the developers in the communities. The worst of all is that the government chose to carry out this very anti-people action while many cases on the matter were pending in the law courts.”

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare had said that the area was acquired by the state government to develop a new City and that all the developers on the area were on illegal missions as the state government has since 2017 acquired the area which has been put in the gazette.

News

We’ve Earmarked N1bn Naira Monthly To Feed Edo People – Obaseki

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Editor

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, says his administration has earmarked nothing less than N1bn Naira monthly to feed vulnerable Christians in the state in the next three months.

This is as he said a similar programme has been mapped out for people in the Muslim faith in the state.

Obaseki disclosed this during the official flag-off of phase one of Edo State Food Support Programme also known as Christian Feeding Programme in Benin City.

The Governor, who said he was worried by the rising number of people who cannot afford a square meal in a day in the state, said he had to call Christian leaders in the state on how best to address the alarming situation.

Obaseki said in order not to make it look political, he decided not to involve political office holders, but Christian leaders in reaching out to vulnerable Christians in the state.

The Governor who added that the state government already had data of the vulnerable in the state database, said the means of reaching out to them maximally was the issue, hence using churches to reach out to them.

He said: “I was worried by the rising number of people who cannot afford a square meal in a day. So, I thought to myself how do we solve this problem. This is not politics I told myself.

“I then called the chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and some of the blockheads to a meeting and explained to them what I intended to do. So, that’s how we put our heads together to come up with this programme.”

Obaseki added: “I told them this is the amount of money I will be giving you every month. I’ll give you a billionaire monthly for three months first. At least, Let us try this for the first three months.”

The governor said the programme was not just to feed the vulnerable, but also together more data about people in the state on how the government can create employment for them and how the government can render help where necessary.

Earlier, in his remarks, Chairman of the Organising Committee who also doubles as the Chairman, CAN,
Apostle Irekpono Omoike, while thanking the governor for the initiative, said 10kg of 60,000 bags of rice have been purchased for onward distribution to the three senatorial districts in the state.

According to him, 27,000 bags of the 10kg would be distributed to the seven local government areas in Edo South, 15 bags to Edo Central and 18 bags to Edo North.

Further giving the breakdown, Omoike said 3, 000 bags would be distributed to each local government across the 18 local government areas, summing upto 54,000 bags, while the remaining 6,000 bags would be distributed to churches not captured under CAN.

News

Ex-Delta Gov, Ibori Mourns Passing Of Former Minister, Gbagi

Published

2 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Editor

Former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori has mourned the passing of former Minister of State for Education Chief Kenneth Gbagi.

Ibori, in his Facebook timeline wrote: “Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi. Abovwolovwolo. Atighoyowa. So long, May your soul rest in peace.”

Gbagi was the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the last election in Delta State.

The renowned criminologist, industrialist and senior lawyer died Saturday, May 4th, 2024 at the age of 62.

News

BREAKING: Former Minister Gbagi Is Dead

Published

3 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Editor

The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the last election in Delta State, Olorogun Barr Kenneth Omemavwa Gbagi, is dead.

Gbagi, a former minister of Education and an industrialist died at the age of 62.

The Renowned Criminologist and senior lawyer died on Saturday, May 4th 2024.

A statement signed by his eldest son, Chief Emuoboh Gbagi on behalf of the Gbagi family, said: “It is with profound sadness but gratitude to God, that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, husband, and brother, Olorogun (Barr.) Kenneth Omemavwa Gbagi, FNIM, OON; Former Minister of Education, who departed this life on the 4th of May 2024 at the age of 62.

“We take comfort in the fond memories of his life, his achievements, and the impact he made on the lives of countless individuals and communities.

“We kindly request your thoughts and prayers for our family during this challenging time of loss.

“May his soul rest in perfect peace”, the statement added.
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