News

Obaseki Swears In Over 200 SAs, SSAs, Charges Them To Be Accessible

Published

6 years ago

November 28, 2019

Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Thursday, sworn over 200 (Two hundred) Senior Assistants (SA) and Senior Special Assistants (SSA), charging them to be accessible to the general public in their respective wards, local governments and to also be his representative.

In his speech, Obaseki threatened to, without hesitation, sack anyone found incompetent, corrupt or sabotaging his government, stressing that his government has zero tolerance for corruption and incompetence.

He disclosed that his government is people-focused and all the programmes and policies of the government are geared toward serving the people, hence they must follow suit.

Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki delivering his speech at the swearing in

“We are a people-focused government and your actions must portray this. All our programmes and policies are geared towards serving our people. The style through which we are governing Edo is a departure from the past and many people are struggling to understand where we are today.

“You’ve been called to serve and not to enrich yourselves. This our government has zero tolerance for corruption and incompetence. If you are found culpable of corruption, abandonment of your duties, incompetence and sabotaging our government, we will not hesitate in relieving the person of his position”, he noted.

The governor said he did not influence any of the appointment, saying party executives in various wards, local governments made them hence they must be answerable and responsible to them.

Accroding to him, his government is opening Edo to the whole world where the god-given resources would be fully utilised and where dividence of democracy would be taken to the uttermost grassroot.

A cross section of some of the newly swear in SSAs

He noted, “We must open Edo State; Edo cannot be restricted to few persons. The purpose of our government is to open Edo so that we can utilise all our god-given resources to their fullness. So, I encourage all of you that after today, as you go back to your various wards and local governments, you must build the pot of our people .

“Our aim is to go to the grassroot and deliver the dividence of good governance to them. I want to hear from you report about your various wards and local governments; I want to know the challenges our people are facing”, he concluded.

Responding on behalf of other newly appointed SAs and SSAs, Mr. Ogie Ogedegbe, assured the governor of their full support, saying “we will not let you down.”

He noted that all the appointees are politicians of great experience and would all work in their respective wards and local government to make sure the governor win the party ticket and the forthcoming gobernosrhip election in the state.

News

BREAKING: Tinubu Nominates New Defence Minister

Published

40 minutes ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa, rtd, as the new Minister of Defence.

In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu disclosed Musa’s nomination as the successor to Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, who resigned on Monday.

Musa served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.

Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa received his primary and secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria.

He graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991.

News

Edo Govt Bars Journalists From Covering Event In State House

Published

55 minutes ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Journalists invited by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to cover the declaration of Edo as the official hosts of the 2026 NDDC Sports Festival were on Tuesday barred from covering the event inside the Government House in Benin City.

The journalists had sat at the venue of the event named Presidential Villa inside the Government House at around 11:00 a.m. for the official kick off of the event.

After waiting for over one hour in the Presidential Villa, information came that the venue for the event had been changed to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) office, prompting both the journalists, NDDC officials and other dignitaries to move from the Presidential Villa to the SSG office.

Not too long had both the journalists and other dignitaries seated at the conference hall of the SSG that one of the protocols of the governor popularly known as Pikolo arrived at the hall and announced that the government was informed that only 27 persons were invited for the programme, hence anyone whose name was not in the government list would not be allowed into to the programme when it commences.

A few minutes after Pikolo made the announcement, Chairman of the Edo State chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Kehinde Osaigede stood up to announce that he had been sent a message that the venue had been changed to the initial venue (Presidential Villa).

Moving out of the SSG section of the Government House to the Presidential Villa, journalists came across the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua, and when he saw them (journalists) he asked after exchanging pleasantries, “were you invited by the organisers? No, I will not allow you in, this is strictly for State House reporters. The governor is personally attending the programme, so it is strictly for the State House. Presidential Villa? No!”

Shortly after uttering the above words near the Deputy Governor’s section inside the Government House, Itua moved hurriedly to the Presidential Villa section and the gate was shot for screening of persons.

When journalists and others invited got to the gate of the Presidential Villa they were subjected to screening. While some dignitaries were screened in, some journalists and some staff members of the NDDC were shut out of the venue.

News

Otuaro Felicitates Tompolo On Honorary Doctorate Award

Published

16 hours ago

December 2, 2025

Editor

Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro has congratulated High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, on the conferment of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) by the E.K. Clark University.

Otuaro described the recognition as well-deserved and befitting, noting that Tompolo has, over the years, demonstrated uncommon commitment to the peace, progress, and stability of the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.

According to him, Tompolo’s role in sustaining peace in the region, particularly through his steadfast support for dialogue, community engagement, and nonviolent approaches to conflict resolution, has made a significant contribution to national security and economic stability.

He further noted that, beyond his contributions to peacebuilding, Tompolo has demonstrated extraordinary compassion, philanthropy, and devotion to humanitarian causes.

He added that his investments in youth empowerment stand as clear evidence of a man whose heart is truly with his people.

“Tompolo’s good heart, generosity, and love for humanity distinguish him as a leader of rare character,” Otuaro said.

The PAP Administrator commended E.K. Clark University for identifying and honouring a personality whose impact continues to resonate across the Niger Delta and beyond.

He urged other institutions to emulate such gestures that celebrate individuals advancing society through selfless service.

Dr Otuaro prayed for God’s continued guidance, long life, and strength for High Chief Ekpemupolo as he continues to serve the Niger Delta and Nigeria with dignity, wisdom, and compassion.