The State Government in a reaction contained in a statement
signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Julius Ihonvbere,
and made available to LEADERSHIP yesterday in Benin expressed dismay over
what it described as “ laughable that Edo State is on the list.”
According to Ihonvbere “ Our attention has been drawn to a
travel advisory issued by the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the United States
Department of State which listed Edo State as unsafe for visitors during this
holiday season. We find it laughable that Edo State is on the list, and this
might suggest that the US Department of State is not in tune with events in
Nigeria.
“While we are unclear on the parameters used by the Department
of State, we however make bold to state, and this can be confirmed from the
security agencies in the country, that Edo State is the safest in the
South-South region of Nigeria and one of the safest in the country.
“It beats the imagination of discerning minds that while some
states which record violent crimes on a daily basis in the country are excluded
from the list, Edo State which has been commended by all, including the World
Bank which, through its Country Director, Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly said:
‘Edo State’s social indicators are above the national average’ and which had
earlier through her predecessor, Mr. Onno Ruhl said: ‘Edo State is one of
the states in Nigeria where the willingness to change is the fastest in
Nigeria’, is included in the offensive US list.
Source: Leadership
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