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Group Hits Obaseki Hard, Describes Edo Assembly Rubber Stamp, Opposition Parties Comatose

Published

2 years ago

July 20, 2022

Editor

An Edo State-based pressure group, Coalition of Benin Socio Cultural Organisations, Wednesday, carpeted the Edo State Government, accusing it of not fulfilling numerous campaign promises.

The Edo group also described the state House of Assembly as rubber stamp

Addressing a press conference in Benin City, Coordinator-General of the group, Osaze Amas Edobor, who was flanked by other leaders of the group, accused the government of ceding community lands to his cronies for private uses, just he queried what has become of the Benin River Port, Industrial Park and others.

He also accused the governor of not adequately deploying his monthly security votes to check the spate of insecurity in the state.

He said: “Why haven’t you been able to conduct local government elections in the state, and why are allocations meant for local governments diverted?

“What was your intention of privatizing Edo Specialist Hospital which was built to deliver affordable healthcare services to the downtrodden and general good of Edo people?

“Why are you not willing to sign the Anti-Open Grazing Bill into Law inspite of the persistent menace/killings by herdsmen?

“What was the N16 billion given to you by the Federal Government for the construction of Federal roads executed by your Predecessor used for by your administration?

“Why haven’t you implement the EndSars Panel Report even after you publicly promised that you will implement it to the fullest?

“Before the construction of Azura Power Plant , we were told 14 -15 per cent shares were for Edo State but after the completion of the Power Plant, the entire shares were sold. Therefore, we want to know why you sold our shares, who you sold it to and where are the proceeds?”

The group also berated the opposition parties in the state, saying they were not living up to expectations as checks on the government.

“Why are opposition parties in the state not playing their roles as alternative force by keeping the Governor on his toes with constructive criticism and providing succour to Edo people?,” he questioned.

But in a swift reaction, the Special Adviser, Media Projects to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Crusoe Osagie, described the group as an unknown association sponsored by politicians that he said his boss has sent out of job since the 2020 governorship election with his new brand of politics.

He said: “As reputable organisations, the media should know the difference between empty allegations from a group of politicians displaced by the new brand of politics promoted by His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki and real criticism meant to promote good governance.

“The only thing new about these lies and those who promote them is that they have incorporated a few more recently displaced individuals who for their personal, pecuniary interests recently tried to destabilise the harmony within the PDP in Edo State but failed miserably.

“As for each and every point made in their copious allegations, they are all complete lies, which are not even intelligently told. We call on all Edo people and Nigerians to completely ignore them.”

Headline

JUST IN: One Dead, Many Injured As Deadly Turbulence Hit Singapore-bound Plane

Published

3 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Editor

One person died and multiple people were injured on a Singapore Airlines flight that experienced “severe turbulence” while heading from London to Singapore before it was diverted to Bangkok on Tuesday, the company said.

“We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER. There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board,” the airline said on Facebook.

The PUNCH reports that the airline also on its X account, #SingaporeAir, confirmed the incident.

It posted, “Singapore Airlines flight #SQ321, operating from London (Heathrow) to Singapore on 20 May 2024, encountered severe turbulence en-route.

“The aircraft diverted to Bangkok and landed at 1545hrs local time on 21 May 2024. We can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER. Singapore Airlines offers its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased.

“Our priority is to provide all possible assistance to all passengers and crew on board the aircraft. More details at https://bit.ly/4bLqfCF. Regular updates will be provided on our Facebook and X accounts.”

The airline added that it was working with Thai authorities to provide medical assistance to passengers, and was sending a team to Bangkok to provide any additional assistance needed.

Turbulence during a flight refers to the irregular or unpredictable movement of air that causes the aircraft to experience sudden, erratic motions.

It is a common occurrence and can range from mild bumps to severe jolts.

Details later

Headline

Iran President Had ‘Lot Of Blood On His Hands’ – White House

Published

18 hours ago

May 20, 2024

Editor

Iran President Ebrahim Raisi had a “lot of blood on his hands”, the White House said on Monday despite Washington offering condolences after his death in a helicopter crash.

“This was a man who had a lot of blood on his hands,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters, saying Raisi was responsible for “atrocious” rights abuses in Iran and had supported regional proxies including Hamas.

Kirby said, however, that “as in any other case, we certainly regret in general the loss of life and offered official condolences as appropriate.”

Earlier, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, announced on Monday five days of mourning for President Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash.

“I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran,” said Khamenei in an official statement a day after the death of Raisi and other officials in the crash in East Azerbaijan province.

Headline

Iran Gets Interim President After Raisi’s Death

Published

1 day ago

May 20, 2024

Editor

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei assigned vice president Mohammad Mokhber to assume interim duties after the death of president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash a day earlier.

“In accordance with Article 131 of the constitution, Mokhber is in charge of leading the executive branch,” said Khamenei in a statement, adding that Mokhber will be required to work with the heads of legislative and judicial branches to prepare for presidential elections “within a maximum period of 50 days”.

Recall that President Raisi was confirmed dead on Monday after his helicopter crashed in a mountainous region of the country.

Raisi was travelling with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian who also died in the accident.

Rescue teams had been scouring the area since Sunday afternoon after a helicopter carrying Raisi, the foreign minister and other officials had gone missing.

Early Monday, relief workers located the missing helicopter, with state TV saying the president had died.

“The servant of Iranian nation, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi has achieved the highest level of martyrdom whilst serving the people,” state television said Monday, with Mehr news agency also saying he was dead.

State television broadcast photos of Raisi, with the voice of a man reciting the Koran playing in the background.

Iran’s vice president for executive affairs Mohsen Mansouri posted on X a Koranic verse used to express condolences.

Meanwhile, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has announced a five days of mourning for President Raisi.

“I announce five days of public mourning and offer my condolences to the dear people of Iran,” said Khamenei in an official statement a day after the death of Raisi and other officials in the crash in East Azerbaijan province.