By Mike ALADENIKA.
Ogbe - Exoti Community in Oredo local government Area of Edo state, have appealed to Edo State governor , Godwin Obaseki to spare their houses marked for demolition.
The Community in a protest to the Nigeria Union of Journalists' NUJ Press Centre, Benin City, said "we have been forced to come out on the street , to appeal to the governor to spare our houses which is said to have marked for demolition and purported to be used for a public interest.
Spokesman for the community, Douglas Osaze said, "We are using this medium to call on all Binis to prevail on the state government as well as help to defend our ancestral, Monumental homes and heritage".
“We want to bring to the notice of all Edoiites, home and in the diaspora, of the intentions of Edo state government to forcefully and compulsory acquire our age -
long ancestral and Monumental homes/heritage".
He said, "the said area is bordering between Ezoti Street and the moat by zenith bank along Airport road.
In their letter through EDOGIs, sent to nobody in particular, it was stated “for overriding public interest”.
"his Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki is telling us to pack and relocate to anywhere of our interest as that is not his concern. This said community is home to over 1000 people, their ancestors, generations, that have lived for over 300 years and a business hub center to several businesses, which good and responsible citizens earn their daily sources of livelihood, to take care of their homes and families. From these various businesses taxes required by government are paid".
According to them, "the community in Question is of close proximity to the Oba’s Palace and it used to serve as a waiting abode for chiefs who are seeking audience with His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin in the past.
There is also a Traditional Monumental ground that also serve as a tourist attraction, which is of much significance to the Benin Tradition, it holds a history with all the Obas before now.
"We are not willing and WILL NEVER sell our ancestral homes and we won't leave the Oba‘s palace defenseless has it has come to our understanding that they are willing to raise structures that are against the tradition and palace and indireetly take over the palace. If this is allowed and they succeed, they are going to forcefully take over all the homes around the palace and make it an easy target for attack (our ancestors forbid)".
"We are of Benin Royal Blood and will NEVER abandon our ancestral homes and heritage, or His Royal Majesty Palace, the Oba of Benin Kingdom. We are using this medium to call on all Binis to prevail and defend our: lands, tradition, customs and beliefs.
"We need to preserve our history and heritage; this is a source of income and tourist attraction in the outside world."
"Governor Godwin Obaseki, we don’t want to become a lost tribe, clan, community or generation. Let our aged parents be called beyond peacefully and not by your cruel intentions that we know will never serve the benefit of the Binis nor the common Edo citizen. He concluded.
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