News

Obaseki Govt Left ₦200bn Contractual Debts – Edo Verification Committee

Published

8 months ago

December 19, 2024

The immediate past administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki is said to have left a contractual debt burden of about ₦200 billion accruing majorly from commitments to contractors who were only given mobilisation fees.

This disclosure was made in a press conference by the Chairman of the Assets Verification Committee, Ernest Umakhikhe recently set up by Governor Monday Okpebholo to look into some activities of the Godwin Obaseki led administration.

“There are huge outstanding commitments in respect of road infrastructure. No matter how indecent some of our findings are, the government has to explore the dry season to make an appreciable intervention in road construction,” he said.

“Most of the ongoing projects were awarded during the year 2024 and that leaves the new government with a huge burden amounting to about ₦200 billion being outstanding commitments to contractors who were only given mobilization which in some cases were paid back to government officials as disclosed by some contractors.”

Umakhihe who said this was part of the committee’s findings however disclosed that the Okpebholo administration would need to make decisions that would ensure the dry season period is utilised in working towards the provision of good road networks in the state.

“The transaction on the Radisson Hotel project leaves so much to be desired. Whilst the project was initiated by the State Government by sourcing over ₦17.5b from the Stock Market and an initial payment of ₦2 billion for acquisition of land, it is noted that just before the exit of the immediate past administration, the ownership had changed, leaving Edo State, the core investor with 20% ownership.

“The Museum of West Africa Arts–MOWAA is captured as an independent private trust sitting on government land. The Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism has minimal supervision on the project. Till date, Edo state has no equity stake in MOWAA even though the State had spent N3.8b as contribution.

“EDSG committing to paying over N5b for cyber security software license for the EdoGov platform for just three years starting from 2023 to 2025. Out of this sum, ₦1.7b has already been paid by the immediate past government. These are just some of the snippets of what we have unravelled.

“By the 6th January, 2025 when we return, we will be looking at other critical sectors of the State; the housing sector, education (SUBEB and EDOBEST), Ministry of Environment, College of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Nursing Sciences, Ministry of Health, all Agricultural projects including grants from donor agencies, Edo Oil Palm Project, EDSOGPADEC, MOWAA, Edo Electrification Agency, sale of shares in BUA Cement, the Modular Refinery among others.”

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

13 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services (DSS) has disclosed the arrest of one Mr. Eze Ezenwa Benard, who was recently apprehended for circulating fake DSS recruitment past questions and answers on Facebook.

The agency, while warning the public in a statement on Saturday, said the suspect operated through a page known as “Jobs and Education”, where he advertised the fraudulent materials and charged unsuspecting members of the public one thousand naira (N1,000) for access.

“The public is hereby cautioned to disregard any materials, as the DSS does not sell or distribute recruitment questions, answers, or examination guides through private individuals or social media pages. Recruitment into the Service, when necessary, follows specialised procedure in accordance with extant laws and due process,” the statement reads.

News

‘Na Only People You Gave Work Love You,’ Singer Speed Darlington Tells Tinubu

Published

14 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Singer Speed Darlington has told President Bola Tinubu that public admiration cannot be bought, warning that only those who received appointments or jobs from the government truly support him.

In a video posted on Saturday, August 23, the singer said, “Everything isn’t about the economy! There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you.”

Darlington, an Igbo man, urged Tinubu to focus on police reform and respect for human rights. “The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate. Please, before you leave office, please speak to your Yoruba brother IGP man,” he added.

News

Before You Leave Office, Reform The Police — Speed Darlington Urges Tinubu

Published

14 hours ago

August 24, 2025

Editor

Popular controversial singer Speed Darlington has called on President Bola Tinubu to reform the Nigerian Police Force, urging the government to prioritise citizens’ rights alongside economic growth.

In a video posted on Saturday, the entertainer criticised what he described as the police’s systemic human rights violations and oppressive practices.

“Mr President, before you leave office, whether you secure a second term or not, try your best to improve Nigeria. Everything isn’t about the economy!

“There is more to leadership than the economy. See as everybody dey call your name, dey complain. Nobody loves you. Na only the ones you gave work, na them love you. Even your own tribe dey complain about you,” he said.

The singer, who identifies as Igbo, urged Tinubu to engage with the Inspector-General of Police and implement reforms.

“As an Igbo man, the advice I can give you so people will know your name and remember you for something good is to reform the police. Reform the police.

“The Nigerian police is an oppressive agency rooted in human rights violation. As a matter of fact, if they do not violate you, it’s as if they are not even doing their job.

“The idea of arrest before investigation is a pure human rights violation. You arrest and hold a person before you dey investigate,” he added.

Darlington also recounted his personal ordeal with law enforcement, highlighting the system’s abuse of power.

“I was held for two months after the judge had ordered my release. FID held me for two months. According to my lawyer, the Nigerian law gives only 28 days for investigation.

“They held me for two months. What is the extra month for? Because they can. If you give them money, they oppress your enemy. I have experienced it,” he said.