News

Poor Planning Bane Of Nigeria’s Socioeconomic Problems, Says Obaseki

Published

1 year ago

March 19, 2024

…rallies stakeholders in Afuze, Auchi on Regional Devt, Benin City Masterplans

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has attributed the many socioeconomic challenges bewildering the nation to poor planning.

Obaseki spoke during an engagement with stakeholders in Afuze, Owan West Local Governments Area and Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area, respectively on the State’s Regional Development Plan and the Benin City Master Plan.

The engagement session rallied together various stakeholders in the LGAs to deliberate, share insights, and seek their input in the development of the 30-year development plans.

Present at the stakeholders meeting were the Local Government Council Chairmen of Owan West, Akoko-Edo, Etsako Central and Etasko West, as well as members of the State’s chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), traders, women unions, civic society groups, youths, traditional and religious leaders, among others.

Obaseki said, “The problem we face as a nation is that of improper planning. We didn’t plan properly and today; we are facing various degrees of challenges hindering our progress. Even when we plan, we fail to implement our plans. We should stop complaining about our situation but plan a way out of it.”

He added, “The master plan is for all Edo people and it doesn’t have political affiliations but is aimed to chart a course for the betterment of the entire Edo people. The people must collaborate with the government as we can’t do it alone. The plan will help and enable us to create a peaceful and friendly environment for investors to come into the State to invest.”

Obaseki continued: “If Nigeria is going to survive, we must restructure the security apparatus in this Country. We have started this here in Edo. We have trained our vigilante security network to collaborate with other sister agencies to fight insecurity in the State. We must have State police and local police that are independent in fighting crime and criminality in the country.

“The time to save ourselves is now as we are already planning for community policing. It will happen. We should secure ourselves not waiting for the Federal Government to secure us.”

In his response, High Chief David George from Ora Kingdom commended the governor for his developmental strides in the State and for his vision for the 30-year development plan which he said will transform the State and set it on growth and development.

A traditional ruler from Uzairue, Momodu Abdulraman, who reiterated the need to prioritize security in the master plans, commended the governor for his visionary leadership.

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

15 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

15 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.