INFO DAILY Recounts Demolition, Take-over Spree By Obaseki’s Govt.

There is tension in Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union Of Journalists (NUJ) as the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has concluded plans to
demolish and take over the NUJ secretariat.

The Press Centre built in the early 70s by the late Military Governor of the defunct Mid-West/Bendel State, Brig.-Gen. Samuel Ogbemudia, is on an expanse of land is at 1, Gabriel Igbinedion Road, and was donated to NUJ, Edo state council by the then Oba Akenzua of Benin.

NUJ press Centre in Benin is strategic, as it is the venue for daily distribution of local, regional, national newspapers and magazines to vendors and distributors.

The press centre of Edo NUJ also houses the befitting offices of correspondents’ chapel among others.

It was gathered on Friday in Benin that Obaseki wanted to use Edo NUJ’s land to build Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA), to house the stolen artifacts being returned to Benin from Europe, to rival the Edo Royal Museum, being built by Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, to house the same artifacts.

The Edo royal museum is located opposite the palace of the first-class monarch (Oba of Benin), with major stakeholders in the state and beyond supporting the initiative, which is backed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

READ ALSO: Edo Govt, APC, Trade Words Over Alleged Land-grabbing, Demolition Of Houses

It was also learnt that expatriates that would handle the EMOWAA project at NUJ’s press centre were on Thursday at the site for inspection, and they were accompanied by fully-armed policemen, with the demolition likely to commence this weekend.

The Functioning Director of Lands, Edo State Geographic Information Service (EDOGIS), Mrs. Lydia Igbinigie, earlier wrote to Edo Chairman of NUJ, Festus Alenkhe, on the land matter, while the Managing Director of EDOGIS, Mrs. Osaro Aihie, who was appointed by Obaseki about three months ago, later called Alenkhe on the same matter.

The Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, a lawyer, met in his office on Friday morning with some stakeholders on the NUJ’s land matter, with a member of the executive of the state’s NUJ (name withheld) quoting the SSG as stating that he was not aware of the land tussle and demolition bid, but promised to get the details.

Efforts were later made to speak with Edo SSG, but his MTN line was not available, at press time.

Edo Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, through the telephone, stated that Obaseki’s government was working on moat’s right of way in Benin and its environs, while he declined further comment on the NUJ’s land matter and planned demolition of the befitting secretariat.

Edo chairman of NUJ, who lost his mother some days ago, when contacted through the phone, declined to comment on the matter.

The President of NUJ, Chris Isiguzo, when contacted for his reaction, through the phone from Owerri, Imo State, at 4:53 p.m. on Friday, said: “Please, ask Edo State Chairman of NUJ. I earlier told Festus Alenkhe what to do.”

Alenkhe, at 5:03 p.m., through the phone, said: “Mr. President (of NUJ) directed Edo State Council’s leadership of NUJ to resist the forcible take over of the land.”

READ ALSO: Edo APC, Govt Trade Words Over Land Grabbing, Others

Edo chairman of NUJ also added that the directive of Isiguzo would be strictly adhered to.

INFO DAILY recalls that Obaseki demolished the over 100 years Edo State Government-owned Cenetral Hospital on Sapele Road, near the NUJ Press Centre, several months ago with the rumour making the rounds that he was to build the same EMOWAA on the land, but till as at when filing this report, nothing has been built on the land.

INFO DAILY also recall that Obaseki brought down the state-owned Library edifice on the same Sapele Road and sold it out to owners of Shoprite Mall, and presently, the mall is still under construction while till date an alternative Library has not been built.

It would be also recall that on September 29, 2022, the Obaseki-led Edo government imposed 24 curfew on Irhirhi-Obazagbon-Ogheghe axis, on alleged communal clash and next day went their with bulldozer wherein over 200 houses were demolished, thereafter took over the land measuring 1229 hectares.

The government claimed the houses were illegally built on land belonging to the state government.