News

Traders Protest, Seek Oba’s Intervention As Edo Govt Plans Demolition Of Markets

Published

2 years ago

April 19, 2023

Market women drawn from Oba Market and Ekiosa Market, Benin, on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest to Oba of Benin Palace, seeking His Majesty’s intervention on the planned demolition of the markets by Edo State Government.

This comes on the heels of a 2-week ultimatum handed down to traders to take shelters in other markets for their trading activities.

The ultimatum was issued by the government, through the leader of Edo State Market Women Association, Madam Blacky Omoregie Ogiamien, pending when the markets are rebuilt.

Blessing Owie, the spokesperson of the traders appealed to the Benin Monarch to prevail on the government to halt the planned demolition of the market.

She said that the government planned to demolish the markets will send traders into indebtedness and penury having obtained loan facilities to reconstruct their shops when government intervention was not forthcoming after the fire disaster that engulfed the market on December 19, 2019.

She appealed to Oba Ewuare II to request the state government to provide a perimeter fencing, gate and standby fire service station in the market alternative to the planned demolition.

The spokesperson also appealed to the Oba to send a delegation of Chiefs to the market for an on-the-spot assessment of the markets in order not to leave anyone in doubt.

According to her, they were excluded from the State government N100 million livelihood support loan meant for traders who incurred losses in the disaster.

“We cry to the Palace for help as our last resort. When fire inferno occurred in Ekiosa in 2019, we lost our shops and goods. I lost four shops with goods. We hustle under the rain and sunshine, trading along the road and at times, the government taskforce came and drove us away. We had to borrow. We took loans to rebuild our shops.

“Each trader was made to pay N20,000 levy to market security before permission was given to rebuild the shops with blocks. We also pay security and waste levies and taxes to Oredo Local Government Council daily.

“We didn’t get support from the government; we did not benefit from the N100 million that was given to traders who lost their shops in the market fire.

“We have widows, single mothers and breadwinners amongsy us.

“Our father should help us to talk to the Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki not to demolish the market. Rather, he should fence the market and provide gates for us. Our businesses are our lives and only means of survival,” Owie pleaded.

Responding on behalf of Benin Palace, Chief Uyi Okungbowa, the Ogua of Benin, stated that their grievances have been duly acknowledged and communicated to concerned authorities.

Chief Okungbowa advised the traders to shun violence, assuring them of amicable resolution of the issues.

News

DSS Issues Warning, Arrests Man For Circulating Fake Recruitment Materials

Published

7 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

7 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

7 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.