EDSG To Set Up Office Of Public Defender

Edo State Government is to set up the office of Public Defender to be in the state Ministry of Justice.
The State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole disclosed it when he received the executive of the Conference of Non Governmental Organisation (CONGOS) in  Government House, Benin City yesterday.
Governor Oshiomhole’s  pronouncement is against the back-drop that non-state actor such as Non-governmental orgainsations (NGOs) should be able to exert pressure on government and state-actors in order to get what it wanted.
As NGOs, the Governor admitted, they need support especially as there are things that they could do better than the state -actor.
According to Governor Oshiomhole “Be assured of my support, be assured of my partnership. Whatever else we can do, we will do. NGOs need funds. That does not undermine your  independence,” adding “I believe the NGOs are playing very important roles in the state. I believe many people do not understand that by being NGOs is that you raise funds.
Our people appreciate your effort. We do need to senisitise our people to render assistance.”
The Governor said the state government would sustain its support to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state, including building a school for them in their camp just as he assured that the Board of the State Action Committee on Aids (SACA) would be re-constituted to which CONGOS would be asked to make input to its membership.
On the establishment of a Commission for Disabled persons, the Governor urged CONGOS to lobby the Edo State House of Assembly.
While assuring CONGOS of support towards its fifth anniversary on October 2, 2015 during which Late Mrs. Clara Oshiomhole would be immortalised, the Governor also announced the allocation of land for its secretariat in Benin City.
Earlier, the President of the Conference of Non Governmental Organisations, Comrade Jude Obasanmi made the request that the Governor responded to.
The state Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu, Secretary to Edo State Government, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, State Head of Service, Jerry Obazele, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Louise Odion and Commissioner for Establishment, Comrade Didi Adodo were among government functionaries that witnessed the visit.