₦airaland Forum

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has disclosed that the state is losing over $1 billion worth of potential investments annually due to the negative impact of cultism and cult-related violence in the state.

Okpebholo, who disclosed this in Benin, yesterday said, said cultism has not only led to tragic loss of lives and properties but also discouraged investments and tourism, slowing down economic growth in the state.

He noted that the spate of cult-related violence in the last five years has caused substantial disruptions to economic activities, as investors and business owners increasingly grew wary of the security situation.

According to statistics by the Diaspora Commission, “Edo State tops the list of states with the highest remittance from the diaspora.

“However, 95 per cent of the repatriated funds ended up in different states due to cultism and other violent crimes, as our people in the diaspora are scared of coming home to invest,” he said.

The situation has led to a loss in disposable income, closure of businesses, and decline in tourism, which has severely impacted the state’s business climate.

Okpebholo’s in a statement by his spokesman, Fred Itua, noted that the state’s critical infrastructure and commercial centres were also affected, with some businesses forced to shut down temporarily or permanently, owing to security concerns.

He said his administration’s declaration of total war on cult-related activities, is already yielding results, with more stakeholders joining the support groups against cultism.

“Edo State has immense economic potential, we will not allow violence and cultism to define our future” he said, adding that the “government is restoring peace, attracting investments and repositioning our economy for sustainable growth.”

He, however, urged Edo sons and daughters both in Nigeria and in the diaspora to help in the economic development of the state by bringing home their investments.

Source: https://dailytrust.com/edo-loses-1bn-to-cult-related-violence-annually-okpebholo/

Edo state "cult economy" is worth $1 billion? I don't believe

Nawao

What a sad story. Cultist (black ax) can not stand up to herdsmen nor Bandits but they can kill innocent defenceless people


God will continue to punish all cultist. All those cult boys and girls in ekpoma they will meet their end.

Lmao

They must say something but on the other hand
Say no to cultism

No be Una dey use cult boys for election?

More than that. Lives lost can’t be replaced

Ruke1991:
Edo state "cult economy" is worth $1 billion? I don't believe

It should be more than that... That is for the media sake..

If they spend so much on cult violent alone how much they spend on other crimes?

Adonbilivit😂😂😂

$1bn

Money na water true true😂😂😂

Mr. Okpebholo (Gomino), how did you arrive at that figure?

If the only thing Governor Okpebholo can achieve in Edo State is get rid of cultism or reduce it to the barest minimum. I will rate him highly still.


I hate cultism to the marrows of my bone. Useless misguided elements who know nothing but count scores with human lives and see it as an achievement.

Does he know what 1 billion dollars is? A governor that couldn't pronounce the figures in his budget presentation should not be mentioning huge amounts of money he doesn't understand. Edo doesn't in any way come close to generating that amount of money.

Hmmm

Hmmm. Nonsense talk.

He should give details on the billion dollar investments lost. So what is he doing about the cults? He said nothing...so I guess nothing. Next year he will claim 2 billion dollar lost. Some people need to be stoned.

I nor like this Okpobolo.
But if he can properly address this issue of cultism then he gat my vote in his second term

When we have Naira, why is Nigeria still using dollars for emphasis?

Just mop them all.

Every household in Edo land has one or more registered and active cultist.

The kingdom of darkness has had Benin under lockdown for so long. They need to be delivered.

Edo and Ogun need a spiritual cleansing and rebirth.

hmm

Really? I would've thought it would have something to do with the fact that there are no roads here. You are much more likely to drive or walk into a ditch filled with muddy water in the middle of the road in broad daylight than to run into cultists fighting or whatever they do

Nor be only $1 billion, na $100 billion.

See e mouth like $1 billion

It's high time we wake up and fight these politicians. Just look at the nonsense they're telling us

TallNigerian:
If the only thing Governor Okpebholo can achieve in Edo State is get rid of cultism or reduce it to the barest minimum. I will rate him highly still.


I hate cultism to the marrows of my bone. Useless misguided elements who know nothing but count scores with human lives and see it as an achievement.

Please Please
Have you been to Benin since APC took over?
This is a cult govt surrounded by Cult leaders in Shaibu, Kabaka, Ebo Stone, NML, and even the deputy governor. All Okpe is doing is shalaye for media consumption.

Benin is an eyesore right now, far worse than Igbenedion's tenure.

lol hahaha