By Lucky Isibor
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has offered an automatic employment to the daughter of a former Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State Chapter, Comrade Anthony Kaduna Ebiogbodin, who died while allegedly accosted by the Police at a police checkpoint in the Upper Sokponba axis of Benin City on Tuesday, 3 December.
In a statement signed by Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor stated that the Governor made the declaration during a condolence visit to the family of the deceased unionist, promising that his administration will interface with the State’s Police Commissioner, Umoru Ozigi, to ensure that the conduct of officers does not pose any threats to Edo State residents.
The Governor who arrived in company of the Acting Chairman of NLC, Edo State, Comrade Bernard Joman Egwakhide, other leaders of organized labour and civil society organisations in the state to condole with the widow and family members of the deceased, expressed displeasure over his death.
The Governor noted that the death was avoidable if only the policemen had conducted themselves well at the checkpoint, where he collapsed, following a heated argument.
“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.
“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 noted.
Acting Chairman NLC, Comrade Egwakhide and some leaders of the Civil Society Organizations, including Rev. David Ugolor and Abraham Oviawe, called for a holistic investigation to unravel the circumstances behind the death of Comrade Eboigbodin.