News
Blackout: Fix Epileptic Electricity Or Face Mass Unrest — Residents Issue BEDC Ultimatum

Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has been issued a 14-day ultimatum to improve its electricity supply to consumers and halt over billing or face mass unrest.
Benin residents under the auspices of Edo People Against
The Oppressive Tendencies of BEDC, gave the ultimatum while addressing journalists in Benin.
Speaking,
Coordinator of the group, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbidi, lamented that several communities have been thrown into darkness between one to six months, and in some cases years because BEDC failed to take responsibility as a distribution company to fix their electricity challenges.
He alleged that some other communities in the state are compelled to buy transformers, poles, and cables to fix their power issues.
READ ALSO:IBEDC Throws Ogun Industrial Estate, Others Into Darkness Over Debts
Ogbidi further alleged that despite compelling Edo residents to buy transformers, poles, and cables, BEDC forced them to write undertaken to donate the equipment to the distribution company, and also pay N10-N15 millions for the installations.
He lamented that for years now, consumers in the state have been responsible for the fixing and maintaining of their faulty transformers and equipment for BEDC.
According to him, they even task themselves per house in affected areas, while BEDC still comes up to collect bills at the end of the month.
The coordinator maintained that BEDC has continued to enjoy the estimated billings they churn out for innocent consumers in the tune of thousands even when there is no light thereby extorting the people consistently adding that, they pay for light, and they give them darkness in return.
READ ALSO:17 Days After, IBEDC Restores Power Supply To UCH
He, therefore, demanded BEDC to “stop oppressing Edo people and wake up to its primary responsibility of effectively distribution of power to Edo people, That BEDC should as a matter of urgency restore communities in darkness back to national grid.”
He also demanded “BEDC must stop compelling communities to buy equipment and donate the same to them before they are connected or issues fixed. BEDC must meter Edo people free of charge and publish beneficiaries of the meters for the purpose of accountability.”
“NERC must wake up to its responsibilities and call BEDC to order and punish the same in so many areas they have contravened the law.
“Edo people be reversed to the normal billing structure irrespective of the bands BEDC are claiming.
READ ALSO:Estimated Bills: NERC Fines BEDC, Others, Deducts N10.5bn From Discos Revenue
He, therefore, called on the Edo state government, house of assembly, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to prevail on BEDC on the subject matters.
Responding, the Head, Branding and Corporate Communications of BEDC, Mrs. Evelyn Gbiwen said it is the energy that they get and distribute, adding that the fact that the head office of the company is in Edo, residents of the state are considered more than every other franchise states.
She said it would not be fair enough if they are accusing the company of oppressing the customers in the state.
She noted that the company is in for business and not a charitable organization, adding that some of the communities in the state are owing the company up to N7 billion.
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.”
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