Killing An Ant With A Sledgehammer

 …Again, Edo State Govt. disclaims Ogbeide’s N75m lies, accusation

For the umpteenth time, a former Commissioner in Edo State under ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration, one Ogbeide Ifaluyi Isibor has been chastised and lampooned to stop peddling false information – a purveyor of fake news. Last week, it was the Edo State Internal Revenue Service and today, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

Like a man armed with a sledgehammer to kill a mere ant, the entire management staff of the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development came out heavily and in full force – refuting and discrediting the accusation recently made by Ogbeide.

The ministry insisted that it never received nor spent the sum of ₦75 million, as falsely claimed by Ogbeide, the fake news peddler.

A lineup of officials who signed the disclaimer against Ogbeide and firmly rejecting his spurious allegations are the Commissioner, Chief Marie Olabisi Idaomi, and the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. J. I. Ihensekhien.

Others are the Head of Department (Finance and Accounts), Head of Department (Administration), Head of Department (Gender Affairs), Head of Department (Planning, Research, and Statistics), Head of Department (Social Welfare), and Head of Department (Child Development).

The statement, titled: “Debunking Allegations Regarding International Women’s Day 2025 Expenditure Issued by the Ministry reads: “It has come to the attention of the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development that a false and misleading allegation has been circulated by one Ifaluyi Isibor Ogbeide, claiming that the Ministry expended the sum of Seventy-Five Million Naira (₦75,000,000) for the celebration of International Women’s Day 2025.

“The Ministry unequivocally and categorically refutes this baseless and malicious allegation. The approved and released budget for the event was ₦15 million, which was meticulously accounted for in executing all planned programs. Comprehensive financial records are available for verification.

“The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development is committed to transparency and accountability in all its financial dealings. We strongly condemn the dissemination of false information, aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the Ministry and undermining its efforts in promoting the welfare and advancement of women.

“We encourage all stakeholders and the public to seek accurate information through appropriate channels and refrain from spreading unfounded allegations that could undermine the Ministry’s work.”