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Bayelsa Monarch, Ijaw Leader Kick Against Scrapping PAP

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Chairman of Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Bubaraye Dakolo-Agada IV and the 2nd Vice President of Ijaw National Congress, INC, Chief Nengi Eriworio, have kicked against the reported plan by the Federal Government to scrap the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP.

King Dakolo-Agada IV and Eriworio stated this in separate interviews in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

They both agreed that PAP has contributed to the unity of Nigeria, sustained the peace in Niger Delta with increased volumes of oil and gas production, and assisted the Federal Government in generating excess revenues of over $300 billion from the sale of oil and gas products in the last 12 years.

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While King Dakolo commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment of the new Interim Administrator, Major-General Barry Ndiomu (retd), he noted that PAP should be sustained so that the youths of the region would have more opportunities to be trained and empowered to become useful citizens from the region.

Eriworio, who is also the Bayelsa State Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, argued: “Despite the challenges of control and misapplication of priorities in terms of training and funding, the PAP should be sustained because it assists thousands of families and youths across Niger Delta, which produces majority of the natural resources that have continually sustained the country, and the region remains the major source for Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.

“The PAP has also assisted in areas of manpower development, entrepreneurial skills among Niger Delta youths, and in sustaining the peace for oil and gas expatriates to operate freely across the region.”

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King Dakolo-Agada IV, said: “While thanking President Buhari for the appointment of our capable son into the programme at this point in history, we want to call that PAP be sustained so that the teeming youths in the region, who are still suffering from one form of displacement or unemployment are properly trained and empowered for the future of the region.

“These youths will have a reason and an opportunity to be properly trained to become more useful citizens of Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.”

Also speaking, Eriworio called on President Buhari to shun the calls for the scrapping of PAP, saying instead, the president should increase funding for the training and empowerment of the youths of the region.

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READ ALSO: Bayelsa: Monarch Writes Police Over Activities Of Oil Thieves, Alleged Threat To Life

Eriworio, who expressed concern over the excessive external influence in the PAP, said: “There is the need to sustain the amnesty programme and allow for proper training and engagement of the youths of the region, there are many youths that are still waiting to be trained. Some are even in court seeking to be included in the programme, while millions of youths across the region are eagerly expressing their desires to be included in the programme.

“Therefore, it is in the interest of the Federal Government to sustain this affordable peace, instead of scrapping this cost effective peace for an unknown alternative that might cost ten to twenty times more.”
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Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

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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.

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“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.

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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.

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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.

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He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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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.

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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.”

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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

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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