News

Obaseki Inaugurates LG Autonomy Implementation C’tte, Chaired By Edo Attorney General

Published

12 months ago

August 28, 2024

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has inaugurated a committee, chaired by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Osaze Uzi, for the implementation of local government autonomy in the State.

The governor, while inaugurating the committee at the Government House, in Benin City, listed areas of priority for the local governments to include salaries of workers, payment of pensioners and gratuity, traditional council staff, and primary healthcare.

Obaseki noted that the Commissioner for Justice will be assisted by the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Monday Osaigbovo.

The governor noted, “As you are aware, the Supreme Court judgment ordering the separation and payment of funds due to local governments from the Federation Account to the local government account has implications. As a law-abiding State, we decided to implement this judgment.

“Consequence of implementing the judgement means that we have to work out the modalities on how the joint responsibilities which we used to take under JAAC will be carried out under this new dispensation. Hence, the need for the committee to work out the modality for implementation of the local government autonomy.”

Obaseki continued: “Because of the advances we have made in EdoBEST and the basic education system, how do we ensure and guarantee that the teachers do not suffer under this new arrangement of autonomy? First, teachers of basic education are continually employed, and their salaries guaranteed. The Primary Healthcare Agency Board set up by law demands that the state pays 40 percent of the salaries of healthcare workers and the local government pays 60 percent. It’s important that we agree on the modalities to enforce this.

“Also, the five percent due traditional leaders, we know the peculiarities, especially in Edo South. How will it be handled? The one percent trading fund for Local Government Service Commission we can see how that will be collected seamlessly. The traditional council staff under the pay of local government and how it will be dealt with.

“One of the areas to look at and work out a seamless arrangement is on the monthly payment of pension and also the arrears of pension obligations to retired workers from Local Governments service. We have been jointly financing the training of vigilante security personnel and also jointly financing the rollout of fiber optic connection connecting primary healthcare services to this fiber optic network. We need to look at this and how the health system will benefit.

“Time is of importance and your report should come in not later than the last day in September so that full implementation of the Committee will take place by the 1st of October 2024.”

On his part, the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Monday Osaigbovo on behalf of other members of the Committee pledged to deliver on the assigned role, noting, “Your arrangement has made it possible to pay salaries and pension and this is the modalities we want to adopt. The report of the committee will come at the stipulated time.”

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

21 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

22 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

22 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.