News
BRACED Tourism Promotion and Development Initiatives Announces Interim Executive Council Members

The Board of Trustees of BRACED Tourism Promotion and Development Initiative (BTPDI) has approved the constitution of an Interim Executive Council to run the affairs of the body for the next one year.
This was reached during a recent virtual board meeting presided over by the Chairman of the BOT, Dr Kiyaramo Piriye, who is also the immediate past Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Tourism to Bayelsa State Governor, Duoy Diri.
BRACED is a forum dedicated to the development and promotion of tourism in the South South region of Nigeria.
Its members are tourism operators and experts across board in the private and public sectors who are committed to working in partnership with the state governments and different stakeholders in the region to make the region a foremost tourist destination in the country.
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Members of the body cut across the six South South states of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, and Delta (BRACED).
It is a voluntary organsiation that is opened to people of the region who are committed to the economic prosperity of the region with a view to harnessing its tourism potentials.
In a statement by the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of BRACED Tourism Promotion and Development Initiative (BTPDI), Ambassador Usen Udoh, noted that: ‘‘in a virtual Board of Trustees meeting held on Saturday, February 17, 2024, the board made the following appointments from among those who had earlier indicated interest to serve in various executive positions as volunteers.’’
According to him, Mrs. Ifiokobong Anthony Akan of Akwa Ibom State, emerged as the pioneer Director General and Chief Executive Officer, while Leo Ruth Fabian Nkoteto of Akwa Ibom State clinched the position of Secretary General.
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Other officers include; Walter Aberepikima of Rivers State – Deputy Director General; Bridget Oroupau Sapre-Obi of Bayelsa State – Director of Corporate Services; Barrister Kesther Akanimo Inyang of Akwa Ibom State – Director of Legal Services; Dr. Akong Blessing Mbala of Cross River State – Director of Research and Planning; Sophy Zainab of Rivers State – Director of Intergovernmental Affairs; Lady Fiona Ejomofor of Rivers State – Director of Finance; Eno Itemobong of Akwa Ibom State – Director of Programmes; Dr Tarela Kia of Bayelsa State – Director of Contact and Mobilisation; Andrew Iro Okungbowa of Edo State – Director of Media and Publicity; Hon. Dr. Fidelia Salami of Delta State – Director of International Relations and Mr. Fortune Oyadongha also from Delta State – Auditor.
The inauguration of the Executive Council is slated to take place in Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State in the coming days.
It is hopeful that the emergence of the organisation and subsequent inauguration of the pioneer Executive Council will live to its vision that will catapult the South Southern Region as the new tourist destination in the Gulf of Guinea.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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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