Connect with us

News

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

Published

on

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.

READ ALSO: Igue Festival: Oba Of Benin Performs Emobo Rite

Advertisement

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.

READ ALSO: Oba Of Benin To Unveil Iyoba Statue

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.

Advertisement

“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.

READ ALSO: Oba Of Benin Expresses Worry Over Brain Drain In Health Sector

“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.

Advertisement

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

Advertisement
Comments

News

Easter: FG Declares Friday, Monday Public Holidays

Published

on

By

The Federal Government has declared Friday, 29th March and Monday, 1st April 2024 as public holidays to mark the 2024 Good Friday and Easter Monday respectively.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government urged Christians and all Nigerians in general to emulate the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ in dying for the redemption of man.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Aishetu Gogo Ndayako said the Minister noted that Easter, beyond religious significance, promotes values of love, forgiveness and compassion which are essential for social cohesion and harmony.

READ ALSO: NAF Destroys Several Illegal Refining Sites, Berges In Rivers

“He calls on Christians to imbibe these virtues as they are capable of impacting positively on the socio-economic development in Nigeria by fostering unity, reducing conflicts and encouraging cooperation among Nigerians.

Advertisement

“He further urged Nigerians to show acts of charity and generosity to help alleviate the material conditions of the less privileged amongst them.

“This, he said, is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.”

While wishing Christians at home and abroad a happy and blissful Easter celebration, the Minister also called on Nigerians to join hands with President Tinubu led Administration in its determination to bring sustainable development and usher in prosperity to all”, the statement added.

Continue Reading

News

PHOTOS: Tinubu, Governors Pay Last Respects At burial Of 17 Slain Soldiers

Published

on

By

The remains of 17 military personnel, comprising four officers, 13 soldiers, slain by some irate youths in Okuama community in Delta State during a peace mission on March 14, have arrived at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, for burial.

The bodies, which arrived at about 2:30 p.m., were conveyed by the FCT Ambulance Emergency Services and other vehicles.

In attendance are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau; and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, are also present.

READ ALSO: Labour Party Reserves 2027 Presidential Ticket For Peter Obi

Advertisement

Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), and Abba Yusuf (Kano) also attended the ceremony.

President Bola Tinubu joined the solemn assembly at exactly 04:10p.m.

Family members and relatives of the deceased personnel, as well as those of other military officers, are also on ground to honour the fallen heroes.

Meanwhile, at the time of this report, the burial ceremony for the 17 military personnel was already underway.

VANGUARD

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Abure Re-elected Labour Party National Chairman; NLC Kicks

Published

on

By

The embattled national chairman of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Julius Abure has been re-elected for a second term by a unanimous affirmation of delegates despite the protests by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The Chairman of the National Convention and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Mr. Ikechukwu Emetu declared him the winner during the party’s national convention that held in Nnewi, Anambra State.

Other serving officers of the party were also returned.

READ ALSO: Why Bobrisky Was Awarded Best Dressed Female – Nigerian Actress

Recall that the NLC had called for Abure’s resignation as party chairman and the immediate constitution of a caretaker transition committee to organize a legitimate and all-inclusive national convention for the party.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, a factional chairman of the Labour Party in Anambra State, Mr Peter Okoye has boasted that the Nnewi national convention will not stand.

Describing the convention as a sham, Okoye said: “This is not a convention. We are on top of the matter. It’s purely illegal.

“There was no ward congress, no local government congress, no state congress, and now who and who are the elected the delegates that are electing the National Working Committee, NWC, members?

“The NLC was not there, TUC was not there, the owners of the party and members of the NEC and BOT members were not there too. So, who is holding the convention?”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending