Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced automatic employment for the daughter of the late Comrade Anthony Kaduna Ebiogbodin, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State Chapter, who passed away recently.
Ebiogbodin reportedly collapsed and died during an altercation with policemen in Benin City.
The governor made this announcement on Saturday during a condolence visit to the widow and family of the deceased. He expressed deep displeasure over the circumstances surrounding Ebiogbodin’s death. Governor Okpebholo was accompanied by the Acting NLC Chairman in Edo State, Comrade Bernard Joman Egwakhide, along with other leaders of organised labour and civil society organisations in the state.
The governor further assured that his administration would engage with the State Police Commissioner, Umoru Ozigi, to ensure that police conduct does not pose a threat to residents of Edo State.
Commenting on the incident, Governor Okpebholo remarked that the death was entirely avoidable, had the policemen at the checkpoint acted appropriately during the altercation.
“It is painful that we have lost a soul in this manner, but I will talk to the police about their conduct so that they will behave well and conduct themselves well in the state,” Okpebholo was quoted as saying in a statement by his spokesman, Fred Itua.
“He is gone. It is painful, but that is life, as we all will die one day. I feel sad over the circumstances surrounding his death, but he is gone. No man knows who is next,” the governor added.
The Acting NLC Chairman, Comrade Egwakhide, alongside other leaders of Civil Society Organisations, including Rev. David Ugolor and Barr. Abraham Oviawe, called for a thorough investigation to uncover the events leading to Comrade Ebiogbodin’s demise.
Governor Okpebholo concluded his visit by signing the condolence register in honour of the late Comrade Ebiogbodin, who passed away at the age of 64.
