Oshiomhole apologises to widow, gives her job, N2m

by SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN on Dec 3, 2013 | No comments
Posted under: Highlights, News

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Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, reportedly incurred the wrath of his children over the manner he addressed a widow, Mrs. Joy Ifije that was caught selling her wares on the road last week.
National Mirror reliably gathered yesterday from close family members of the embattled governor, who was visibly angry with the trader’s open, daily display of impunity during an inspection around the state capital that the governor’s children made their father apologise for his behaviour.
The children were said to have been touched by the widow’s plight and subsequently spoke to their father about her.
Governor Oshiomhole, who had last weekend apologised for his harsh words on Mrs. Ifije, yesterday invited her to Government House, Benin City, where he announced a cash assistance of N2 million along with an instant employment in the state government’s agency tackling street trading.
It will be recalled that Oshiomhole upbraided Mrs. Ifije for joining other traders to block Mission Road penultimate week before men of the Edo State War Against Indiscipline (WAI) seized her goods.
But, speaking to the widow at a breakfast table yesterday, the governor gave the mother an offer of job in addition to the N2 million given to her to get a shop and be meaningfully engaged.
The governor used the occasion to clarify that her job would be to join Edo State’s WAI to further the agency’s campaign against street trading and also keep the state clean.
Governor Oshiomhole said: “When you put your things on the road, a vehicle can run into you and they have killed many like that in the past. That was why I said if you are a widow do you want more people to be widowed?
But when I said ‘go and die,’ that one was said in a fit of anger. And I am really sorry.” “I want you to join us. We would employ you and pay you salary. You would help us to campaign to other women not to trade on road sides. “We should not use poverty as a yardstick.
We would also talk to taxi and bus drivers not to block roads when carrying passengers. You will assist me to talk to women and traders not to litter the roads and sidewalks so that people walking and driving can have free roads.” Responding, Mrs. Ifijeh thanked the governor for the gesture and apologizsed for blocking the road with her wares even as she admitted that she recognised that what she did was wrong.
In a related development, the Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) in Edo State has cautioned the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to stop playing to the gallery.
In a statement titled; “Stop Playing to the Gallery,” signed by its Chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor and Secretary, Hon. Joseph Omorogbe, the CRPP said PDP should not politicise the widow’s illegal action that clearly contravened the state government law on street trading.