The attention of the leadership and members of Edo Civil Society Organisations have been drawn to an online publication on proposed protests purportedly taking place in Igbinedion Teaching Hospital open space along Sapele road, opposite Market Square in Benin city and simultaneously at different locations in Benin City by unknown authors claiming the rigging of election results in favour of APC (Tinubu) as the basis for the protests.
We want it on record that, we have nothing whatsoever to do with the publication or the protest even though the authors used our name and identity to publish it. We hereby dissociate ourselves from the said protests taking place in those different locations in Benin City.
As a group, we are apolitical in disposition and will usually encourage any aggrieved party to seek redress through constitutional means instead of resorting to self help.
We have equally taken notes of the numerous irregularities that trailed the elections and would issue a statement soon on our findings and recommendations going forward.
Signed:
Leftist Aliyu Umweni
Interim Public Relations Officer
Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO)
MASSES HOUSE: 6B, Obakhavbaye Street Opposite Spirit And Life Bible Church Off Oba Market Road,
Benin City,
Edo State,
Nigeria.
PROTEST LOCATION DISCLAIMER:
The attention of the leadership and members of Edo Civil Society Organisations have been drawn to a publication on protests taking place in different locations in Benin City by unknown author.
We want it on record that, we dissociate ourselves from the said protests taking place in different locations in Benin City. We are not unmindful of the current volatile state of our nation and the use of discretion in venting displeasure without giving room for hoodlums to hijack a genuine process.
Our protest is restricted to the office of NUPRC which was formally DPR. The agency saddled with the responsibility of regulating activities of filling stations and related matters. The peaceful protest by the organised civil society ONLY is to express our displeasure over the indifferent attitude by the agency as Edo people are being extorted and exploited by filling station operators.
To this end, we hereby dissociate ourselves from any protest purportedly taking place in any other location(s).
Signed:
Leftist Aliyu Umweni
Interim Public Relations Officer
Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO)
Members of Edo Civil Society Organisations were ably represented today, Friday 16th September 2022 at a one-day training for CSOs and community engagement on RSPO CERTIFICATION
The program was organized by Environmental Rights Action /Friends of The Earth Nigeria.
The lecture was a huge eye opener and capacity booster to all that were present
Representing EDOCSO are
- Leftist Grace Destiny Okike
- Leftist Osagie Ogeide Ihama
- Leftist Philip Atede
- Leftist Omobude Agho and my humble self,
Leftist Aliyu Umweni
Interim Public relations officer
www.edocso.org
The case that was supposed to have come up yesterday Tuesday 13th 2022
At the Evbuoriaria magistrate court, comrades were well mobilized in their numbers in the company of Barrister Dele Igbinedion who was prepared to do justice to the matter but unfortunately the case did not hold because of the court’s administrative restructuring.
However, the court assured that the restructuring would be over before the weekend and the case would have been assigned to a court for continuation.
You will recall that
On 26th July 2022, one Bright Omobude a Tricycle rider who was riding his tricycle along Limit road, off Sapele road in Benin City was apprehended by men of the Nigeria police force for riding in an alleged restricted area, accused him of violating Governor’s order and subsequently charged him to court when he refused to settle.
Leftist Aliyu Umweni
Interim Public Relations Officer
www.edocso.org
The sensitization rally which started on Friday 2nd September 2022 from Oba Ovorawmen’s square, on Monday 5th September 2022 through Sokponba road to the Edo State House of Assembly where members met with the Speaker of the House to express their displeasure and continued on Monday 12th September 2022 from Uselu shell through the popular Lagos Benin expressway down to the university of Benin and back to the popular five junctions.
The rally led by the interim TEC chairman Leftist Austine Enabulele sensitised members of the public, reemphasised the dangers of joining secret cults and the extreme level of the killings of human beings, the chairman in his words advised citizens who are already members of these killer cults to take renounce option completely while advising those that have not to join in resisting the option and pressure.
He stressed the need for everyone to join Edo Civil Society Organisations in this campaign while encouraging those that have made the wise choice of renouncing to reach out to us through the following lines:
- 08032436596
- 08108674939
He emphasised on why we as a people must understand the gains of living as brothers, using collective energy to demand and fight for the promotion of good governance, social justice and human rights, instead of the senseless colour rivalry and killings which keep reducing our numerical number.
All well-meaning Edolites should join hands with EDOCSO to spread this message to end this evil menace.
The campaign continues on a later date that will be communicated to all and sundry
Say not to cult killings
WE ARE BROTHERS AND NOT RIVALS
Leftist Aliyu Umweni
Interim Public Relations Officer
www.edocso.org
EDOCSO SNATCHES 10 ILLEGALLY ARRESTED PERSONS FROM THE CLAWS OF DISBANDED EDO STATE WASTE MANAGEMENT BOARD:
One of the sacred oath taken by every member of Edo Civil Society Organisations is to ensure no Edo indigene and resident will be intimidated, humiliated or denigrated by powerful individuals or institutions; be it public or private.
The creed found expression today when members of EDOCSO ably led by its interim TEC chairman, Leftist Austin Enabulele acting on a tip-off stormed the premises of Urhokpota Hall in the city centre in response to 10 persons that the hitherto disbanded Edo State Waste Management Board took into custody for acclaimed various environmental offences they lacked the powers to enforce.
It should be recalled that both the high court and the appeal court had banned the activities of the board and expressly stated that the business of waste management is constitutionally under the purview of local government councils. In spite of the landmark judgement by the high court and the appellate court, Edo state government through its agents still goes about arresting the people and using the mobile courts to extort them.
Edo State Government have appealed the matter to the supreme court yet couldn’t wait for the final decision of the apex court but would rather resort to illegality for the singular aim of revenue generation using pseudo jungle justice means of mobile courts.
We have proven once again that power belongs to the people. EDOCSO don’t just bark, it bites deeply too.
Much appreciation to the interim leadership of Edo Civil Society Organisations and ever reliable and gallant comrades who evaporated from different corners and condensed at Urhokpota Hall to demand for the rights of the oppressed by Edo state government and its suppressive agents.
Leftist Aliyu Umweni
Interim Public Relations Officer,
Edo Civil Society Organisations
www.edocso.org
EDHA SPEAKER CLARIFIES LAND SECESSION QUESTION TO EDOCSO
The speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun had explained the actual position of the law prohibiting open grazing of cattle and other livestock vis-a-vis secession of 20% community or local government council lands to Herdsmen.
The speaker made the clarification today when members of Edo Civil Society Organisations led by its Interim TEC Chairman, Bishop Osadolor Ochei JP in a peaceful protest to the Chief Anthony Enahoro complex in Benin City, the state capital.
Bishop Osadolor Ochei speaking on behalf of the coalition pointed out the fear of loosing our lands to foreign herders who will end up laying claim to such lands in future. He further went on to remind the speaker that, ranching is a private business and should be left at that without government doing any form of land acquisition for the purpose of ranching.
Onobun appreciated the peaceful way the civil society group have conducted itself in most civil manner. He explained that, what was deliberated in plenary was to empower the committee that will be regulating the setup of ranches in ensuring that communities will not allocate lands beyond a certain size of land to ranch owners. He assured the group that there is no way they will pass a law not in the interest of the people as representatives of the people.
Comrade Osazee Edigin, a former Public Relations Officer, told the speaker that Edo state government have not be doing well in the dissemination of information to the public which overtime has given room to speculations. He enjoined the speaker to ensure consultation with all critical stakeholders to be able to come out with a robust law that would address all pending issues on open grazing.
Members of Edo Civil Society Organisations took their protest to the Secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists where they were received by the council chairman, Comrade Festus Alenkhe JP. Alenkhe promised to ensure his members report the positions of the civil society as well as reaching out to the government for reaction in putting together balance reportage.
Members of EDOCSO have vowed to follow the process of the bill through not to leave any stone unturned.
Leftist Aliyu Umweni
Interim Public Relations Officer,
Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO)
www.edocso.org
EDOCSO CALLS FOR PEACEFUL RALLY ON OPEN GRAZING BAN BILL:
This is to invite Edo people to a peaceful rally to the Edo State House of Assembly in respect of the anti open grazing bill that is currently being considered to be passed into law.
The peaceful rally is to interface with the leadership of EDHA and to officially drop the peoples’ position paper on subject matter.
Issues of concerns are:
1. The proposed 20% land for ranching in our communities/LGAs.
2. Government interest in private ventures.
3. The need for a public hearing comprising all critical stakeholders for inputs.
We are expected to converge as follows:
Date: Monday 21st March, 2022
Take-off Point: Museum Ground, Benin City.
Time: 7:30am
The time for our voices to be heard is now.
*NOTE:* Maximum security has been put in place.
Signed:
Leftist Aliyu Umweni
Interim Public Relations Officer
Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO)
www.edocso.org
The general assembly of Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) a coalition of civil society groups and community based study centres across the state held its monthly General Assembly yesterday the 12th of March, 2022.
The meeting which started with solidarity songs then followed with the national anthems put comrades in the mood of expectations and prepared them for another time in engaging in discourse that will engender growth and progress of man and the society.
The Interim TEC Chairman, Bishop (Dr) Osadolor Anthont Ochei, JP who presided over the meeting, welcomed everyone present and appreciated them for their support and collaboration thus far. He went further to admonish comrades to get themselves acquainted with requisite knowledge and information to enable them push for good governance, social justice and human rights as enshrined in our collective creed.
Touching on current issues of Edo state, he delved into the reckless sales of Edo state properties without consultation with the people. He sighted that of central hospital which has been demolished making the only available supposedly government built Specialist Hospital out of reach to the poor.
A decision was taken on the next line of action to be taken on the demolished Central Hospital and all other government properties that illegally sold or demonolished.
The Edo state library and other government owned properties have been demolished for reasons only known to the government, he posited.
The issue of double taxation, extortion and harassment by local government revenue collectors principally in the three metropolitan councils in Edo state, Oredo, Egor and Ikpoba Okha was also deliberated on and the appropriate steps to be taken were agreed upon.
The ever increasing reports of land grabbing formed a major deliberation which resulted to a plan in constituting an adhoc committee that will be responding to land grabbing issues and to liase with the state government committee on Protection of Private Properties in ensuring that perpetuators are apprehended and prosecuted.
Other state and national issues were discussed and far reaching resolutions arrived at for the betterment of the society.
New members were received into the coalition and meeting adjourned till next month.
Leftist Aliyu Umweni
Interim Public Relations Officer
Edo Civil Society Organisations
(EDOCSO)
www.edocso.org