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Nigerian Observer: Fallacy As An Edo State Government Policy, Says APC

Published

3 years ago

October 13, 2022

Editor

The Edo State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, has condemned the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led Edo State Government’s continuous “demolition of successful governments legacy,” making reference to the Nigerian Observer newspaper, which the party referred to as pride of Edo State.

Recall that the state government in June 2022, closed down the Nigerian Observer and promised to reopen it in a month after restructuring it.

Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, Esq, in a statement had said, “The Edo State Government, in line with the reforms of the state-owned media organisations, has directed the closure of the Nigerian Observer newspaper for a period of one month, for re-organisation and re-launch of the media outfit.”

Ogie added, “All existing staff of the Nigerian Observer are hereby redeployed to the Ministry of Communication and Orientation, with immediate effect, where they will receive further directives on their new responsibilities.

“Members of the reading public and lovers of the Nigerian Observer brand are assured that their darling newspaper titles will return to the stands shortly better and improved.”

But the APC in a statement signed by Victor Ofure Osehobo, Assistant State Publicity Secretary, a copy of which was made available to INFO DAILY on Thursday, said the Obaseki-led government was being economical with the truth when it closed down the newspaper, as he has failed to reopen the it after several months.

The statement lamented that Observer newspaper had since been turned it to an online newspaper, with an editor who, according to the party, is also a staff of the Ministry of Youth and Gender.

Oshobo in the statement added that contrary to the government’s promise of reopening the media firm one month after, it has since “demolished vital sections of the premises of the newspaper at 24 Airport Road, Benin City, installed a ‘N5-billion’ printing press, redeployed all the workers to MDAs and created a newspaper called ECHO to replace the Nigerian Observer.

“This is the situation Edo state government has found itself with a governor Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki demolishing the legacy Edo newspaper, the pride of Edo state and turning it to an online newspaper, with an editor who is also a staff of the Ministry of Youth and Gender.”

Further revealing what played out in the close down of the newspaper, Osehobo in the statement said: “The old Nigeria Observer printing press was auctioned while a fairly press proposed to print ECHO, the new mane Obaseki has given the Nigerian Observer with some of his cronies as staffers has failed to print one sheet of paper since it was imported from Germany in 2020. Twice the manufacturers have been guests of the government for millions of Naira, to repair it to no avail.”

He added: “Yet Edo state government has employed a 14-man staff for the Echo and signed an MOU with some unknown media firm for the purpose of daily printing and circulation of the medium on a PPP basis.”

The APC described the governor’s style of saying one thing and doing the opposite as one which is in tandem with his 2020 manifesto called, Make Edo Grounded Again, MEGA.

The statement added: “The goal is ensuring a defined template for underdevelopment in Edo state. It is with all the modalities for an unending underevelopment plan, designed to paralyse government tools, guidelines and milestones so that his successors find future development planning an ordeal. We condemn the plot as it is bound to fail.”

The Nigerian Observer was set up in 1968 by Late Dr Samuel Ogbemudia, as Administrator of then Midwest region and can be regarded as one of the assets, Edo inherited in 1991.

Related Topics:APC Edo Nigerian Observer Obaseki

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NYSC Pays Arrears After Two-month Break

Published

42 seconds ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The National Youth Service Corps resumed payments for arrears on Wednesday, marking the first disbursement since the last payment on June 3, following a two-month break.

This payment relates to the new N77,000 monthly allowance recently approved by the Federal Government.

Recall that on April 5th, the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, assured that corps members who recently completed their service will receive the new N77,000 monthly allowance approved by the Federal Government.

Speaking during the Batch A 2025 Pre-Mobilisation Workshop in Abuja, Nafiu said, “Once funds are released to us to offset the arrears, we will pay them. Even our corps members who passed out recently will benefit. We have their bank details.”

He emphasised the government’s commitment, adding, “Nigerians should not fret about that because the government is both responsible and responsive to their needs.”

This development was confirmed by PUNCH, by a previously serving corps member who chose to remain anonymous, who said, “After waiting for two months, I didn’t expect to see another payment alert. But honestly, it’s not just about the money; it’s about feeling like our efforts actually count.

The payment of arrears, covering the period from July 2024 to March 2025, follows widespread frustration over delayed implementation after the Federal Government approved the allowance increase as part of its commitment to easing economic hardship for Nigerian youth.

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FCTA Withdraws Park Licences, Directs Fresh Screening Of Operators

Published

10 minutes ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has withdrawn all park licences in Abuja, directing operators to resubmit their documents for a fresh screening exercise, with a possibility of reallocation.

The Director, Department of Development Control, Murktar Galadima, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday, while explaining the reasons for the demolition of Boulevard Park, Maitama, Abuja.

The FCTA carried out the demolition of Boulevard Park in Maitama on Tuesday, over violations of park policies and distortion of the Abuja Master Plan.

Assistant Director, Department of Development Control, and Sector Head for Maitama and Wuse, Sherif Razak, explained during the exercise that the park, originally designated for recreational purposes, had been overbuilt and misused.

He said the park had been converted to worship centres, revival grounds, and restaurants, operating under unhygienic conditions.

Galadima explained that the decision to withdraw park licenses followed a memo jointly submitted by the Directors of Parks and Recreation and Lands to the Minister of the FCT, highlighting several inadequacies and violations associated with parks management in the FCT.

He said the new directive offers park operators the opportunity to resubmit their documents to the Department of Parks and Recreation for review.

“If they meet the terms and conditions, they can be reallocated. Owners of parks should respond to the call, submit their documents, and if they meet the requirements, they will return to their parks,” he said.

The Director stressed that the decision was not taken to deliberately witch-hunt park operators, but is part of efforts to restore order and compliance with existing policies.

“There’s nothing like witch-hunting. All park allocations have been withdrawn following a series of violations, and the Minister is at liberty to do whatever he wants to do with land in the FCT, parks inclusive,” he stated.

On the recent demolition of Boulevard Park, Galadima clarified that operators were duly notified before enforcement, pointing out that the park had long violated its terms of allocation, operating in direct contravention of recreational policy.

“Boulevard Park was allocated for recreational purposes, but the activities taking place there are a total violation of the park policy in terms of operation. Boulevard has violated all the terms and conditions,” he said.

He noted that monitoring park operations was the primary responsibility of the Department of Parks and Recreation, adding that parks were expected to submit concept designs for approval before operations commenced. However, lapses in monitoring had led to widespread abuse.

“The FCT is a creation of law, and lawlessness will not be tolerated. The development of the city is guided by law, and every operator must comply with the terms and conditions of their allocation,” Galadima said.

He stated that a ministerial committee had been set up to review all allocations and uses of parks, to ensure they were serving their original recreational purpose.

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Tinubu Names New VCs For Education Varsities In Zaria, Kano

Published

21 minutes ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday named Prof. Yahaya Bunkure as the new Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Education, Zaria, Kaduna State.

The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement he signed on Wednesday titled ‘President Tinubu appoints Nakore, Kodage into governing council of Federal University of Education Kano, Bunkure, names VC Federal University of Education Zaria.’

Bunkure is a renowned academic specialising in science education.

He is currently the Vice Chancellor of Saadatu Rimi University of Education in Kano.

Tinubu also appointed Abdurrazaq Nakore, an engineer, as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano.

He named Prof. Abdullahi Kodage as Vice Chancellor of the university.

Nakore, a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, was Executive Secretary of the Rural Electricity Board in Jigawa State.

The Federal University of Education, Zaria, and the Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano, were among the four Colleges of Education upgraded into full-fledged universities between 2022 and 2023.

“In accordance with the institution’s governing laws, the pro-chancellor will serve a term of four years, while the Vice-Chancellors will serve for five years,” the statement added.