The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), on Friday, in Benin, Edo State, presented awards of recognition to deserving Nigerians of different endeavors for their contributions to the development of women and youths.
The awardees are: Rev. Stanley Asabor, Chief Stanley Ndubuisi, Mr. Lucky Osita, Deacon Friday Ekhorutomwen (JP), Bishop Dr. Bright Olumense (JP), Amb. Ikponwosa Clement and Comrade Hon. Roy Ononodena Oribabhor.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of CRPP, Dr. Samson Isibor, disclosed that the awardees have employed many women and youths, thereby helping to put food on the tables of several families.
“The CRPP Award recognizes and honours outstanding contributions of our leaders across both the public and private sectors, including politicians and security personnel who have excelled in their various endeavours in political, social, economics, industrial and small scale enterprises. This award also recognizes excellence, achievements, performance, humanitarian activities and philanthropic gestures.
“There is something that is common among our awardees, that is, their efforts to employ numerous women and youths into their various enterprises, thereby putting food on the tables of many families. We appreciate them a lot,” Isibor said.
Speaking on the worsening state of security and growing unemployment in Edo, the CRPP chairman urged Governor Monday Okpebholo not to shun sycophants who use flattery and praise-singing to distract him from the pressing challenges facing the state.
“We know that some sycophants are calling you different nicknames, such as Akpako rescue, Akpako Messiah which you are not.
“After one year in office, nothing has changed in our lives, we are still as poor as never before, high cost of food, there is no job, thousands of our gradate children are still roaming about the streets looking for jobs that is nowhere to be found.
“The insecurity situation in Edo State is quite alarming and overwhelming, Edo people cannot sleep with their two eyos closed again, the Bandits, Fulani Herdsmen and terrorists have taken over our bushes, highways and farms, they have choked us to the extent of chasing us into our homes to pick us like fowls.
“That’s why we are shouting that Governor Okpebholo should come to our rescue to fulfil his electioneering promises to deliver us from the hands of bandits/herdsmen, because the bandits have impoverished us through unbearable levy ranging from ₦20 million, ₦100 million and above.
“Edo State is one of the poorest states in the federation, with our lamentation of no work, no food, some bandits will still capture us like prisoners of war, demanding unbearable ransom from the impoverished masses of Edo State. Governor Okpebholo should rise up to the occasion and free us from this situation we found ourselves.”
Speaking further on the hunger and unemployment in the state, Isibor urged Okpebholo to follow the Ekiti State template to generate thousands of employments through Agricultural programme which he said has created over 10,000 jobs for graduates, artisans and others.
“In Ekiti State, they are all proud modern day farmers, they are all smiling to the banks with the sales of their farm proceeds and the cost of food in Ekiti State has come down drastically to the affordability of the citizens.
“We were happy when we saw Governor Okpebholo going to Ekiti with majority of his cabinet members to see the wonders Governor Oyebanji of Ekiti State is performing. We pray he will put into practice what he has learnt from his visit to the communal farms over there,” he added.
