News
Alagbabunafa 5th Anniversary: INC President Talks Tough, Says Edo Ijaw Not Alone

The President, Ijaw National Congress, INC, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, has sent a strong warning to those marginalising the Ijaw speaking people in Edo State to desist, warning that they (Ijaw in Edo) are not alone.
The INC president gave the warning in Ikoro, traditional headquarters of Olodiama kingdom in Edo State at the 5th coronation anniversary of the Pere of the kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Godwin Ogunoyibo, Alagbabunafa III.
Prof.Okaba who stated that the Ijaw nation is aware of efforts made to change names of Ijaw communities in Edo State and also stop development to Ijaw communities, warned that the Ijaw nation is keenly watching events as they unfold.
READ ALSO: Scores Of Bandits Killed As Airforce Bombs Some Camps In Kaduna
While noting that the Olodiama Ijaw and the entire Ijaw in Edo State are not alone, the INC President said: “Today, we want to make it clear that our people in Edo State are not alone. An injury to one Olodiama man, is an injury to over 15 million Ijaw people.
“The Ijaw people are the Aboriginal owners of this place, Ijaw man is not a stranger in Olodiama; the Ijaw man is not a tenant in Olodiama, this is our home – original home, and no body, I repeat, no body can change that fact.
“We are not oblivious to various efforts made by government and other kings not to recognise our kings, we don’t want their recognition. Kings are made by the people, not the government, government alone make the formality. So, when the people make their kings, the Ijaw nation will give the backing.
“We are aware of the various efforts made to change the names of our communities. We are also aware of the various efforts made to stop development to this place, we are watching,” he added.
The INC President who doubles as Chairman of the coronation anniversary, while expressing his joy for the anniversary and the unity exhibited among Ijaw people, said Olodiama kingdom is an ancient kingdom that was gazetted in the early 70s hence no one can change it.
He added: “Today is a day of joy because our king is five years old in the throne, and from the record, this particular throne was officially recognised in 1973, several years ago. It was gazetted, and recognised, so the recognition is from the beginning.
“So, it is not a kingdom of yesterday. It is a kingdom that has the recognition of government from Midwest, to Bendel then to Edo. So, the present Edo State Government does not have the capacity to do otherwise. This throne must be recognised.”
Present at the 5th coronation anniversary were Ijaw kings from Bayelsa, Delta, Edo and Ondo states, namely: the Pere of Gbaramatu kingdom, Aketekpe, Oboro Gbaraun II; His Royal Majesty, Roman Bohan, Atunkpokubu XIII, the Pere of Furupagha kingdom; His Royal Majesty, Joel Ekeni Ibani, the Ogiobo IX, the Pere of Iduwini kingdom.
READ ALSO: Tinubu: Mixed Reactions As NBC Fines Arise TV
Others include: His Royal Majesty, Egbesuwei Gbaraun X, the Pere of Gbaraun kingdom, Bayelsa State; His Royal Majesty, Gbebokedi Ajiri-Oba, the Pere of Tubutoru and their chiefs.
The Agadagba of Arogbo-Ijaw in Ondo state and other kings who were not present sent their high chiefs and highneses.
Ijaw musicians – Barrister Smooth and Abobra were also present at the anniversary to thrill dignitaries with melodious Ijaw music.
News
Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.
Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.
Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.
“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.
READ ALSO:How Wike Rescued Me From Political Oblivion — Oshiomhole
He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.
According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.
Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.
READ ALSO: He Can’t Fix His Party Let Alone Nigeria – Oshiomhole Blasts Atiku
He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.
One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.
He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.
News
Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.
Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.
He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.
READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack
Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.
“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”
He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.
He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.
Watch the video here
News
Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.
The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.
READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.
READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached
Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.
He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.
Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.
“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.
“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
Headline4 days agoWoman Passes Out After Receiving 100 Strokes Of Cane
News3 days agoMore Pain For Nigerians As Cooking Gas Price Increases Nationwide
Headline4 days agoJUST IN: White House Locked Down Briefly As Gunman Opens Fire At Security Checkpoint
Politics3 days agoTwo Masked Men Gun Down Politician In His Rivers State Hotel
Metro4 days agoPolice Reject N500m Bribe, Recover N7.8bn Illicit Drugs In Lagos
News3 days agoFG Declares Two Days Public Holiday For Eid-el Kabir Celebration
Politics3 days ago‘Tinubu’s Borrowing In 24 Months Surpasses 55 Years’ Debt Record’
Politics2 days agoCourt Clears Goodluck Jonathan To Contest 2027 Presidential Election
News3 days agoOPINION: Boko Haram Comes South
News2 days agoOPINION: Like Oyedokun, We Are All Decapitated
















