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Okpebholo accuses Edo LG chairmen of remitting N12bn to PDP leaders

Published

19 hours ago

January 8, 2025

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo

Okpebholo accuses Edo LG chairmen of remitting N12bn to PDP leaders

Edo state governor, Monday Okpebholo, revealed on Tuesday that the 18 local government chairmen were suspended for failing to address findings that approximately N12 billion had been allegely transferred to certain leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over a 15-month period.

The governor made this disclosure during a courtesy visit by the acting chairmen and councillors of the 18 local government areas at the Government House.

Governor Okpebholo commended the acting chairmen and councillors for their commitment to upholding democratic values and promoting transparency.

He emphasised that public funds belong to the people and should not be misappropriated by any individual, regardless of their position.

Governor Okpebholo said: “When I came into the office, I had a meeting with the Accountant-General, and he showed me some books. Some of these spending had no explanation.

“I picked interest in some of the spending because I saw an item which was tagged “Environmental security funding. I have never heard of that before, and the amount involved was huge, N800 million every month. These Chairmen were contributing this money and gave it to leaders of a party.”

Governor Okpebholo said this revelation led to a meeting with the chairmen who were asked to explain the money allocated to Environmental Security funding, but they could not.

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“I invited the chairmen but could not meet with them, but my deputy met with them. He asked them to explain certain spending, but none could explain. He asked them to provide their books, and they agreed and said they would in 24 hours, but the Deputy said no, Iet it be in 48 hours.

“But these chairmen didn’t obey the instructions in two weeks as none of them submitted their books. Following the development, I sent a letter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to look into their records.

“As a former parliamentarian, I know there is a body that has a function over them, so I sent a letter to Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) and they were invited and they refused to come and they were suspended for two months.”

He noted that these Chairmen were engaged in wasteful spending “even when our schools did not have teachers.

“When you get to primary schools, you find two or three teachers, where you are supposed to have 10 to 12 teachers.

“I want to thank you because the narrative has been changed by you people as what you have done is not out of the law. Impeaching somebody who is corrupt, who has used the local funds for his personal gain is not wrong. I recognize you as my Chairmen.

“The only way to drive development to the grassroots is through you. The President also recognized the local government and advised Governors.

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“I am ready to work with the Chairmen of various local government Councils. I am ready to work with you to see that various Council areas progress. You have the full power as local government chairmen. The local government Commission will cooperate with you to ensure you succeed in your duties to serve the grassroots people.

“The money that belongs to the local government. It does not belong to you but the grassroots. So, go and work with the resources,” Senator Okpebholo advised.

Chairman Local Government Commission, Hon. Damian Lawani who led the acting local government Chairmen on the courtesy visit, assured the Governor that the Chairmen are ready to work closely with the administration and ensure the people at the grassroots enjoy the dividends of democracy.

Hon Lawani said: “The Chairmen working at the grassroots level are in full support of your development strive in the State and are ready to collaborate with you to ensure the people at the grassroots enjoy good governance.”

The acting Chairmen of Uhunmwonde, Hon. Iradia Benjamin Osas; Esan West Hon. Godsent Agboibo; and Owan West, Hon. Joy Ohonyon all pledged their loyalty to the administration, assuring the Governor and the people of Edo State that they will collaborate and support the Senator Okpebholo-led administration to succeed and deliver the dividends of democracy to Edo State, expecially people at the grassroots.

Okpebholo accuses Edo LG chairmen of remitting N12bn to PDP leaders

Related Topics:Edo LG chairmen Okpebholo PDP leaders

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Tinubu splits Nigerian Aviation College into six campuses

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President Bola Tinubu has announced the division of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State, into six campuses.

The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) shared this development on Wednesday through its official X account.

“President Bola Tinubu has decided to split the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria–Kaduna State, into six campuses to ensure efficiency, national coverage, and smooth operations,” the post stated.

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According to the APC Ondo State chapter, the six campuses will be distributed across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

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How Iraqi taskmaster maltreated Nigerian lady – NAPTIP DG

Published

11 hours ago

January 8, 2025

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Binta Adamu Bello

How Iraqi taskmaster maltreated Nigerian lady – NAPTIP DG

The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Adamu Bello, has shared the story of a human trafficking victim who was maltreated by her taskmaster in Baghdad, Iraq.

The DG of NAPTIP said the victim, Miss Odunayo Eniola Isaac, was assigned to work for an Iraqi family of eight, working 20 hours daily with little or no rest.

She said Miss Isaac’s ordeal started when she requested to be paid after working for four months.

According to the DG, each time Miss Isaac asked for her remuneration or spoke about it, she suffered a beating which resulted in bleeding and bodily injuries.

She added that, at one point, Miss Isaac’s employer bound her hands and feet and threw her into the dogs’ cage until 3 am before she was released to continue with her work.

Miss Isaac arrived in Nigeria from Baghdad a few days ago following a viral video and media reports that escalated her ordeal in the hands of the Iraqi taskmaster.

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Her return was facilitated by NAPTIP in collaboration with other partners, including members of civil society organizations and foreign agencies.

Following her traumatic experience, the NAPTIP boss directed officers of the Counselling and Rehabilitation Department of the Agency and Operatives of the Intelligence and International Cooperation Unit (IICU) to commence a comprehensive rehabilitation programme for Miss Isaac.

She also charged the officers to conduct counselling and interview sessions with Miss Isaac to ascertain her medical status, the nature of assistance needed, and her immediate psychosocial need.

The DG, while receiving Miss Isaac at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja, expressed sadness over the traumatic experience and the hardship she faced.

The Director General, in a statement by the Press Officer of the agency, Vincent Adekoye, said: “I just finished interaction with the victim. I must say that she had a close shave with death and we are all happy that she is alive to tell her painful story.

“On 22nd January 2023, she left Nigeria and arrived in Baghdad, Iraq the next day; 23rd January 2023 and was received at the Airport by officials of WB Warani Manpower (Company she was registered to work for). She was taken to the hospital on the 24th of January, 2023, to certify she was medically fit for the job she would be assigned to do.

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“Her Iraqi Agent, Alhaja Shakirat Yusuf, whom she knows as only ‘Mama Uganda’, came to WB Warani Manpower to sign her in officially on the 25th January 2023 and was assigned to work for an Iraqi family of eight (six children and two parents) on 29th of January 2023. Her work hours span about twenty hours a day, with little or no resting time.

“According to Miss Odunayo, after one month of work, she requested her salary, and her madam said that, because of the high commission in paying money into Nigeria accounts, she would be paid every two months, and she agreed, but after four months, and she still was not paid. Her ordeal then began when she dared to request payment.

“Her phone was confiscated to prevent communication with members of her family. Each time she asked for her remuneration or spoke about it, she suffered a beating resulting in bleeding and bodily injuries. That, at one point, her madam bound her hands and feet and threw her into the dogs’ cage until 3 am before she was released to continue with her work.

“Because of her level of exploitation and trauma, I have directed the relevant department and operatives of the Agency to commence immediate profiling, interview, and the comprehensive process of rehabilitation for her. This is to enable the Agency to assess her medical status, the nature of assistance and skills needed, and to design a part of ensuring her reunion with her family”.

The DG assured that NAPTIP would do the needful to ensure justice for her.

She urged the youths and parents to be careful before jumping at enticing job offers abroad.

“I wish to use this opportunity to thank all our partners, the Federal Ministry of Foreign, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Embassies and Nigeria Mission abroad, other partnering Ministry, Department and Agencies (MDAs), Hope Haven Foundation, the Media and other stakeholders, for a successful collaboration and support which resulted in the eventual arrival of Miss Eniola Isacc.

“It is also important to advise our youths and parents to always be careful and think twice before jumping at any juicy offer of jobs abroad. Over the past few months, we have intercepted scores of youths, mostly girls, at various points of exit across Nigeria, and their destinations have been some of the volatile countries in the Middle East.

“Certainly, a dangerous journey of this nature could have been avoided with simple caution and a check from NAPTIP”, Bello said.

Miss Isaac, said: “I thank God that I am alive. I will not wish that my enemy passes through what I experienced. I never thought I could survive the painful ordeal.”