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“Help All Widows In Edo State” – Group Appeals To Governor Oshiomhole
Dec 9, 2013 – “Help All Widows In Edo State” – Group Appeals To Governor Oshiomhole
A popular human rights group, Spaces for Change has called on the governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole to change his approach to poverty alleviation in the state .
This is coming weeks after the governor was video tapped telling a widow, Mrs Joy Ifijeh, a street trader to go and die.
In a statement, the group said the incident showed a big disconnection between the governor and Edo state citizens.
The Executive Director of Spaces for Change, Mrs. Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, said though commendable, Oshiomhole’s gesture of offering the widow, employment and N2m after the incident was “clearly an afterthought, mainly designed to contain the mounting public censure.”
“This Greek gift does not in any way address the bigger issues of widespread poverty and street trading in Benin City nor does it serve as an effective deterrent to future offenders. He should instead, seize the opportunity to rethink and redesign the state’s poverty alleviation approaches, ensuring that programmes and services that directly benefit poor citizens are put in place. The state should build on the momentum to develop social security and support-based programmes for enhancing access of low-income groups or individuals to credit or other economic opportunities,” she stated.
She further said:
“From Lagos to Port Harcourt, to Benin to the Federal Capital Territory, the development trends are similar. Elitist policies and programmes that make life unbearable for the poor are churned out every day, with emphasis skewed towards urban beautification even if it is at the price of massive social dislocation and suffering. The governors seem to derive pleasure from addressing symptoms of urban decay, but don’t give a damn about the causative factors.”
Manuel
December 9, 2013 at 3:05 AM
hahahahaha so all widows want to get arrested by the governor what a smart approach but most of you will stay long in jail if you attempt what joy did.
Omoregbe B
December 9, 2013 at 3:31 AM
Yes I think Oshiomhole should help all Benin widow not only mrs joy
red
December 9, 2013 at 5:16 AM
Oh my God,The cartoon part is just rib cracking funny,I waited to hear someone was caught doing same like Joy,it never cross my mind they may set up a board to represent the rest of Edo state widows.I hope they consider doing something about it to those that need it through out Nigeria because Nigeria is very very rich and can afford it.
iykruby
December 9, 2013 at 9:48 AM
God help him and everybody patronizing this site.
Hillary Amaechi
December 9, 2013 at 10:55 AM
We shall know the difference between a leader and a ruler.
iron bar
December 9, 2013 at 1:57 PM
the governor should stop all the propaganda and release loan to the less priviledged trying to make ends meet.lifting a lady of out thousands will never solve the issue..let him reach out to the unseen and the unheard.
D Hunter
December 9, 2013 at 2:05 PM
I believe in Destiny. Also, i believe evrybdy‘s destiny differ 4rm d oda. Wat may work 4 Peter may nt work 4 Paul.
D fact dat d story of mrs Joy Ifijeh ended joyfully just lk d meaning of her name doesn‘t mean it wld b same wt evry oda widow in d state if they toe d same path. It may b counter-productive.
Dis is hw Fate has designed it 2 b 4 mrs Joy n am very happy 4 her. As 4 d rest widows, pls keep prayn 2 God almighty, who has made all tins beautiful 4 mrs Joy. This goes out 2 all d widows around d World. I believe ur miracle is on d way.
God bless u all.
iheoma
December 9, 2013 at 5:07 PM
Compliment to the person that did the drawings,its so touching and so illustrated, nice job, well done