More Facts Emerge Over Obaseki’s Interest On Edo NUJ Secretariat
…Obaseki has perfected plans to move Edo NUJ to State Secretariat – source alleges
…As APC begs Obaseki to leave Edo NUJ complex as it is
By Simeon OSAJIE
Unconfirmed information reaching the desk of The9JaTREND revealed that it is not yet uhuru for the leadership and members of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki is working towards relocating its secretariat to the newly built Block B of the State Secretariat complex, Sapele Road, Benin City.
The source also revealed that after several attempts made by the state governor to acquire Chief Igbinedion property sharing fence with NUJ secretariat failed, His Excellency is bent on using his power as the executive governor and chief security officer of the state to relocate the Edo NUJ secretariat to the newly built State secretariat Block B complex.
According to sources close to Edo government house said, “Edo NUJ should be ready to move to the newly constructed secretariat behind Palm House as Godwin Obaseki has perfected plans to relocate them”.
“Governor Obaseki wants to use Edo NUJ compound to erect his mansion since his effort to acquire Chief Igbinedion property, beside Edo NUJ sexretariat failed.
“No going back on acquiring Edo NUJ secretariat” the source quoted Governor Obaseki as saying.
Meanwhile, Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Col, David Imuse (Rtd) has called on Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State to leave Edo Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) complex as it is.
Imuse while addressing journalists at the state secretariat of the party, wonder why Obaseki’s sudden interest in preserving the Benin Moat whereas he is interested in NUJ land.
According to Imuse, “Mr. Obaseki has tacitly created an Edo State Ministry of Demolition with a very queer woman in charge who knows next to nothing about town or physical planning or urban development.
“This Ministry with Obaseki’s approval recently decided to demolish the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat on Reservation Road, Benin City and acquire the land.
“To deceive Edo Journalists, the government claimed that the proposed demolition is not true, just the same manner he denied demolition of Central Hospital.
“It is public knowledge that the building dates back to the 1960s on a plot donated by the Oba of Benin, Oba Akenzua II. He says that his interest in the building is because it borders sections of the walls and moats in Benin city, and archaeologists and specialist architects have visited areas around the moats with a view to determining how best to assist National Commission of Museums and Monuments with the preservation of the moats.
“This is the same Governor Obaseki who wanted to fraudulently acquire and preserve looted Benin artefacts dating back to 1897, being returned from overseas, by promising to build an illegal museum in Benin City whereas they belong to the palace of the Oba of Benin.
“Why this sudden fraudulent interest in preserving the Benin Moat? For a man who condemns every Federal government policy at will, it is strange that Mr. Obaseki will be interested in assisting the Federal sponsored National Commission of Museums and Monuments with preserving the moats. What a black lie?”
Edo APC further demanded that Governor Obaseki should leave Edo NUJ complex as it is.
“We call on Mr. Obaseki to leave the NUJ complex as it is. We know that he has also earmarked portions of the Edo Broadcasting Service Station for demolition. This is coming after he has demolished the Veterinary Clinic, the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Headquarters of Edo State Library, the Central Hospital and the Nigeria Observer. This is in addition to over 300 private properties including homes he ordered demolished at Irhirhi and environs, in the name of a New Town project for Benin City. Enough is enough.”
