News

Edo Govt, APC, Trade Words Over Alleged Land-grabbing, Demolition Of Houses

Published

3 years ago

October 3, 2022

By Joseph Kanjo

The Edo State Government and the main opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state have continued to trade words over the manner at which the state government demolished several buildings along Irhirihi-Arougba-Obazagbon-Ogheghe axis of the state capital.

Recall that the Godwin Obaseki-led government had September 29,2022, rolled out Caterpillars to take over a portion of land measuring1229 hectares along the Irhirhi-Obazagbon-Ogheghe Road in Oredo Local Government Area of the state for the development of a new town.

The government claimed that the land was acquired in 2017 for a new town project but had been encroached upon by land speculators, adding that the area repossessed used to be a forest reserve at the time of the acquisition.

Reacting to the action by the state government, state Chairman of the APC, Col. David Imuse (Rtd), critised the state government, just as he further accused Obaseki of hiding under the guise of building a new town to take over the area.

The APC Chairman 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.

According to him, 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.”

Imuse continued: “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.”

But in an apparent response to the APC’s stance on the demolition by the state government, Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, lambasted the state’s chapter of the APC for faulting the government’s action.

Crusoe, in a statement issued on Monday and titled ‘Edo APC leaders are the land-grabbers in Edo’, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, noted that the party and its leaders are afraid because they are the main culprits in the illegal enterprise and are scared that they will be caught in the web as the exercise progresses.

Osagie, in the statement said the party has no moral authority to speak on the matter as they are the land-grabbers.

He said, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State are jittery over the determination of Governor Godwin Obaseki to end land-grabbing in Edo State because they are the land-grabbers.

“The party and its leaders are throwing tantrums today over the repossession exercise in Irhirhi-Obazagbon-Ogheghe Road because while they held office, the APC and its chieftains promoted the appropriation of community land with the use of non-state actors and overlords, who in the run-up to the 2020 Edo State Governorship election were popularly known as lions and tigers.

“This was one of the major reasons why Governor Obaseki parted ways with the APC, chiefly due to such ideological differences.

“These non-state actors, under the APC, superintended over the reign of terror in Edo State, deploying violence to dispossess people of their landed properties and hard-earned money.

“The overlords, mostly leaders of youth groups and members of the disbanded Community Development Associations (CDAs) in the state, reigned supreme and unleashed terror in communities with the active support of the APC.”

News

Edo Dep. Gov. Idahosa Inducted, Bestowed With Rotary Premium Award

Published

16 minutes ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

The Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, has been bestowed with the Rotary Premium Award by the Benin Metropolitan Rotary Club, District 9141 in recognition of his humanitarian disposition.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, the deputy governor was accorded this recognition when the humanitarian organization visited his office to induct him into the club

Idahosa expressed appreciation for the recognition and promised to continue to contribute his best for the betterment of the society and humanity.

“When I was growing up, my prayer to God, was Bless me so that I will be a blessing to the world,” he stated.

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He noted that the recognition was in no doubt, a call for higher responsibilities.

Rotary President, Hon. Elizabeth Ativie who gave reasons for the award and investiture, maintained that the induction was based on Idahosa’s humanitarian disposition which is in line with Rotary Club’s doctrine of service above self, humanitarian and community.

“This is a reflection of where your heart is,” she told Idahosa.

The Assistant District Governor of the Club, (AG) Samson Olayiwola of Zone 20, D 9141, later decorated Idahosa with the “Rotarian pin,” the recognized logo of the Rotary Club worldwide.

This was in addition to the presentation of a certificate of membership and embroidered with a sash that uniquely identifies Idahosa as a member of the “RC Benin Metropolitan District.”

News

Doctors’ Strike Continues As NARD Demands Fair Deal, Better Pay

Published

2 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called on the Federal Government to immediately conclude a long-delayed Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), as their indefinite strike entered its 15th day on Saturday.

It also demanded a review of the outdated Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS).

In a statement posted on X on Saturday, the union said: “Dear Nigerians, Doctors Deserve a Fair Deal! For long we’ve waited for a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), a simple, written promise that ensures fairness, clear work terms, and proper pay. But the government keeps delaying, while doctors face rising costs and crumbling morale.

“We demand the immediate conclusion of the CBA and review of the outdated CONMESS salary structure.”

The strike, which began earlier this month, has affected 91 hospitals nationwide, including federal teaching hospitals, specialist institutions, and federal medical centres, disrupting medical services across the country.

NARD said the union’s 19-point demand list is reasonable and necessary for the welfare of doctors and patients.

The list includes the payment of arrears under the CONMESS salary structure, disbursement of the 2025 Medical Residency Training Fund, prompt payment of specialist allowances, recognition of postgraduate qualifications, and improved working conditions.

The union stressed that these measures are essential to sustain doctors and maintain a functional healthcare system.

President Bola Tinubu has also directed the Ministry of Health to immediately resolve the strike, noting that the government is addressing the doctors’ demands.

Despite the directive, NARD said delays in finalising the CBA and reviewing salaries have continued to demoralise doctors, many of whom face rising living costs while providing critical medical services.

News

VIDEO: Fayose Speaks About Own Death, Burial

Published

2 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has said his body should be buried within four weeks of his death. Fayose also laid out detailed instructions for his burial, including that nobody should visit after he is buried.

He said his body and the burial arrangement should be handled by the Ekiti State Government.

In a six-minute video shared on YouTube by City Edge TV on Saturday, Fayose, who turns 65 today, said: “Remember me for anything. And when I die, let me say this. Death is inevitable. My body belongs to the Ekiti state government… I’m delivering a letter to the governor.”

Fayose added that regardless of when his death occurs, the state government should take charge of his remains.

REAS ALSO:JUST IN: PDP Axes Wike, Fayose, Anyanwu, Others For Anti-party Activities

“Let us say in another 20, 30 years, 15 years, whatever time, for the glory of God. The Ekiti state government takes over my body, and I must be buried within four weeks. Because the state might not be ready within two, three days, we allow them four weeks.”

Fayose added that his children should wear their own clothes and follow the directives of the government at the time of his death.

About his final resting place, he said: “My grandmother’s home, the mother of my father, I’ve made the garden there. I should be laid to rest there. After my departure, nobody must come there again. Allow me to go. If you want to show me love, if you want to take care of me, do so now.”

The channel also shared a 20-minute video showing popular juju musician King Sunny Ade serenading the former governor on stage while he danced at his birthday thanksgiving reception.

Celebrated by several political figures. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike described Fayose as “a valuable friend and brother, who will never pretend about where he stands on issues,” adding: “Ayodele, my younger brother, may you reach the age of your elder brother in good health, and may God continue to make your days on earth fruitful, with immeasurable blessings.”

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, also congratulated Fayose in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, praising his “remarkable contributions” to the state and describing him as: “A leader who loves and connects well with the people, a respected grassroots politician and mobiliser, and a statesman who will never shy away from bearing his mind in his determination to see a more prosperous state and country.”

Watch the video here