News

Obaseki Swears In Two Permanent Secretaries, Charges On Quality Service

Published

12 months ago

August 28, 2024

Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has sworn in two new Permanent Secretaries, charging them to diligently discharge their duties, ensuring quality and efficient service delivery to the people of the State.

Swearing in the Permanent Secretaries at the Government House, in Benin City, Governor Obaseki noted that expectations from them are high, urging them to be professional in their conduct and stick to the rules and core values of the service.

The newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries are Queeneth Orobedo and Ojo Akin-Longe.

Others at the event include the Edo State Deputy Governor, Engr. Marvellous Omobayo Godwins; Secretary to the State Government, Joseph Eboigbe, and Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, among others.

While charging on transparency, integrity, and accountability, Obaseki said their appointment was based on merit and capacity to deliver.

He stated, “I congratulate you on your well-deserved appointment in Edo State. I said it’s well-deserved because the process of appointing you was diligent and rigorous. Before we appoint Permanent Secretaries to the Edo State Civil and Public Service, they are expected to go through a very competitive evaluation and review of the processes which will entail both oral and written interviews with me.

“The process that left only the two of you had many who started. What I want to emphasize is that the tradition we have established is that people who are appointed as PS are purely based on merit rather than political influence. That is a thing of the past.

“The expectations from you are quite high. You are attaining the position of PS at a time when the civil and public service is going through a major foundational shift with the application of technology into the system and processes of the service.

“The old ways of doing things have to give way. The pace of delivery has to be more efficient and faster. As you know, we have a 48-hour rule which says that no document should be left with you unattended, which means that no document should stay with you beyond 48 hours or else there will be consequences.”

Obaseki continued: “The level of transparency has been improved by technology. You must ensure that you don’t cheat the system but follow the laid down rules. You are supposed to serve the people of the State, not any person or political office holder.

“Your loyalty has to be to the system because you are serving the people of Edo State. We are entering a new era, and we are bringing a lot more younger people into the system as they will be looking up to you for leadership.

“As the culture of doing things has changed, it has to be owned and driven by you and your colleagues. We just started the process of putting up our master plan which means we would have a legislative planning process as people come to serve with a sense of agreed purpose for what we want to achieve as a government. The civil service will make this happen.”

In her response, Orobedo thanked the governor for the confidence reposed on them, pledging that they will diligently and effectively deliver on their duties.

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

16 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

16 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

16 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.