A group under the auspice of Concerned Edo Youths has commended the management of the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) for considering Edo state indigenes as some of its contractors.
The group made the remark during its solidarity protest to the office of the NPDC in Benin-City to condemn the recent protest by the Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM).
The coordinator and the spokesperson of the group Okungbowa Osagie who spoke to newsmen during the protest also condemn the alleged attempt by the anti-NPDC. protesters to drag the name of the Benin monarch and the Oba into occupying the premises of the oil firm.
She said the award of contracts to Edo State indigenes was in fulfillment and implementation of the federal government policy of local content in the oil and gas sector of the ecnomy.
According to her, we are here to condemn the recent protest by a group of persons described as Benin Solidarity Movement to NPDC, Sapele road and had indoor meeting with the management.
“We also condemn their attempt to drag the palace and our most respected monarch into mindless and senseless action by occupying the premises of NPDC in Benin-CIty.
“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 are out to cause disaffection among people that are known to be hospitable and peace loving”, she said.
However, the leaders of the Benin Solidarity Movement have apologized to the Benin monarch over the used of his photograph on their letter head papers to protest to the oil company.
The apologized by the group followed the arrest and remand of its leader Curtis Ugbo in prison custody by an Oredo magistrate court on the accusation that the group used the Benin monarch name and photographs on its letter head papers in its protest statement to NPDC.
The apology letter to the monarch was signed by Kola Edokpayi and Hope Enogieru, head of media and publicity and head of planning strategy respectively and made to newsmen in Benin-City.
“The entire members and leadership of Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) wishes to humbly tender an unreserved apology to His Majesty, the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare 11 for using his photograph on our letter head paper without his due permission.
“We appeal to our Royal Father to please forgive us of our ignorance and temper justice with mercy. We forever remain your subjects. Our action is based on the love we have for our people towards seeking ways to help our many unemployed youths with a view to nip crime in the bud.
“The cardinal objective of the group is to awake the conscience of the Binis’ rights for intellectual engagement to achieving same which we remain focused on. The Benin Solidarity Movement has no intention, means or cause any harm to any individuals, institutions or facilities in the state or beyond. The philosophy behind the group is civil, peaceful and diplomatic”, the group stated.
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