By Ikhili Monday EBALU, Benin City
A group, Concern Edo Youth has called on Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki, to as a matter of deliberate policy put in place measures against menace capable of disturbing and scaring intending investors in the state.
Speaking in Benin City, Coordinator Concern Edo Youth, Okungbowa Osagie, while reacting against the recent protest to the Benin City office of the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) by some Edo youths under the aegis of Benin Solidarity Movement, condemned in strong terms the action of the group which disrupted business and official activities at the company and left commuters stranded for hours at the ever busy Benin- Warri-Sapele Express road following the protest by the group.
He said Concern Youth Forum is made up of progressive minded persons who have been working towards the social political development of Edo state and frown at the attempt by some alleged sponsored Edo persons to drag a notable leader of Benin extraction into issues of disrepute.
“We are aware that the leader of the group, Mr. Curtis Ugbo who claims to be fighting on behalf of Edo Youth said he was informed that Capt. Hosa Okunbo is one of the major contractors with NPDC and he is from Edo state.” Osagie said.
Osagie noted that there is no law in the country that prohibits a Benin or any Edo man for that matter to bid for jobs or contract with NPDC or any multinational company within or outside Edo state.
According to him, “we therefore condemn the action of this group and their cohorts as we call on Edo people not to be dispelled by the ignorable action of the so called Benin Solidarity Movement, who is out to cause disaffection among Edo people that are known to be hospitable and peace loving.
“We also condemn their attempt to drag the palace and our most respected monarch into the mindless and senseless action by occupying the premises of NPDC in Benin City”, he added.
It would be recalled that some youths under the aegis of Benin Solidarity Movement had on Monday protested to the office of the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) in Benin city over issues of alleged marginalization of persons from Edo state and demanding for immediate employment for 1000 Edo youths.
