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Edo deputy governor rewards loyal staff with houses

A 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom bungalow were handed over to Ayo Momodu and Jonathan Orukpe respectively on Tuesday, 12th December 2023, at Ute, Umagbae South, Uhunmwonde LGA.
Jonathan Orukpe, an indigene of Ewohimi, Esan, Edo Central has been an integral part of the Edo State Deputy Governor’s journey since 2007, fostering a professional relationship that spans over a decade. This enduring connection culminated in a remarkable display of appreciation, as the Deputy Governor today commissioned a distinguishingly furnished 4-bedroom bungalow with courtyards for Jonathan.
This generous act is not an isolated incident but rather part of a pattern showcasing the Deputy Governor’s commitment to nurturing bonds. A poignant example is the previous construction and inauguration of an equivalent bungalow for the late Monday Osaigbovho, the Deputy Governor’s erstwhile driver while he was the majority leader in Edo State House of Assembly. Monday was from Uromi, Edo Central but retired in 2015 and died some years later. Monday’s service is being remembered and honored posthumously yearly by the Deputy Governor.
The spirit of recognizing and valuing the contributions of long-serving staff members extends further. Ayo Momodu, a driver who has been part of the Deputy Governor’s team since 2007, received a parallel gesture with the construction, furnished, and commissioning of a comparable bungalow in Axis in Benin. Ayo is a native of South Ibie in Etsako West LGA of Edo North.
These actions underscore not only the Deputy Governor’s appreciation for enduring relationships but also emphasize the significance he places on the contributions of individuals at all levels of his team. It is a testament to the understanding of the importance of workers across various roles and cadres in the administration. This commitment to loyalty, even beyond active service, reflects the Deputy Governor’s ethos of keeping and valuing relationships, making it a noteworthy and commendable aspect of his leadership.
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PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
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