News

Breaking: Protesting Sports Festival Contingents Block Major Road, Say ‘We Have No Food, No Allowance’

Published

5 years ago

March 19, 2020

Protesting contingents of the aborted 2020 National Sports Festival otherwise known as Edo 2020, Thursday, March 19, blocked the popular Ekewan road, Benin City.

Ekewan road is the major road that links Ekewan barracks, Ekewan, Evboutubu, Ugbiyouko, Asoro, Agho and other areas of Benin metropolis.

The protest, though peaceful, led to the blocking of Joromi to Agho junctions portion of the road, as vehicular movement were restricted, exposing commuters who are going back to their homes after the day’s job to untold hardship.

The ever busy Ekewan road deserted by motorists as a result of the protest

Speaking to Info Daily in an exclusive chat, one of the contingents who does not want his name mentioned, said they decided to show their grievances over negligence on the side of the authorities concerned.

The contingent who claimed majority of the persons who were peaceful protesting are staff of the Edo State Sports Council, revealed that they ( the contingents) have been camped for the past two weeks without allowance, good care.

“You see, majority of the persons you’re seeing here are members of the Edo State Sports Council. The National Sports Festival has been postponed, good and fine but what about our allowances. We have been camped for the past two weeks in preparation for the sports festival but let me tell you that we have not been paid a single day allowance; we are not taken good care of.

“Take for insurance, since morning, we have not been given food; no money. Since they camped us here, they don’t care if we exist”, he said.

He therefore called on the authorities concern to pay their allowances and other fringes they are entitled to.

The ever busy Ekewan road which under construction (dualization) by the Obaseki govt turned ghost of itself because of the protest.

“We cannot be here for the past two weeks without anything. Is it because the sports festival has been suspended we will not be paid for the weeks we have been here? They should pay us our two weeks allowance. Most of us have family, so we can’t leave our homes for good two weeks without anything.

Speaking to Info Daily on phone on the protest, Edo State
commissioner for Sports and Youth, Damian Lawani, said he is not aware of such protest, adding that he needed to contact the state Deputy Governor whom according to him is in charge of the sports festival.

“Well, I am not aware of such protest to the extent of blocking major road. I will actually need to contact the Deputy Governor to know the real story. He is in charge so I need to hear from him to confirm”, he said.

Up Next

COVID-19: Lagos Teachers To Teach On Radio, TV, Online

Don't Miss

Bauchi Govt To Establish Three Isolation Centres On Lasser Fever

Comments

News

Idahosa Hosts NBA, Assures Of Government’s Collaboration

Published

4 hours ago

June 17, 2025

Editor

Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, has assured of the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration’s desire to reduce crime and criminality in the state while also upholding the rule of law.

According to a press statement by Friday Aghedo, the Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Idahosa gave the assurance when he played host to members of the Benin branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Benin on Tuesday.

During the interface with the body of lawyers, also referred to as “Lion Bar,” the deputy governor solicited their collaboration to help rid the state of violent crimes.

“Indeed, the state we met was plagued with security challenges such as kidnapping, cultism and its related issues, and other vices for which the governor needed to take decisive action to address these menaces which plagued society.

“To the glory of God and with your support, we have done reasonably well at reducing crime in Edo State,” he stated.

He informed the lawyers that their collaboration with the administration would assist at stamping out crimes and criminality and boost investors confidence in the state.

Idahosa also promised the government support to the lawyers in whatever capacity to assist in carrying out their functions efficiently.

Speaking earlier, the Benin NBA branch, Idemudia Osifo, congratulated and commended Governor Okpebholo, his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, on their inauguration and efforts at eradicating security challenges in the state.

He said the NBA maintained cordiality with the seat of power in order to form a solid partnership geared towards the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

He further commended the Okpebholo-led administration for appointing members of the Bar to key positions of his government.

Speaking on the rule of law, Osifo said that the Bar believed that the administration would deliver, especially against the background of swearing in the three judges denied the same action by the immediate past administration

“That singular action showed the willingness of this administration to reposition Edo State in terms of Justice delivery and the rule of law,” he stated.

He expressed the willingness of the Benin Branch of the NBA to support the government to fight crime and criminality

News

Police Quiz Pastor Paul Adefarasin Over ‘Gun-like Object’ Video

Published

4 hours ago

June 17, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that Pastor Paul Adefarasin, founder of the House on the Rock Church, has turned himself in for questioning over a viral video that appeared to show him holding a gun-like object during a roadside encounter.

The Command, in a post shared via its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Tuesday, stated, “No one is above the law!

“Pastor Paul Adefarasin has turned himself in at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja and is currently being interrogated by detectives who have commenced investigation on the case since a video surfaced online showing the pastor holding a gun-like object against another road user, while driving in an unregistered vehicle.

“The outcome of the investigation will be made public.”

The video, which surfaced earlier, shows Adefarasin holding a metallic object while speaking to a passerby who appeared to be recording him.

The clip has since gone viral, with several social media users alleging that the object was a firearm.

Responding to the allegations, Adefarasin in a message to his congregation posted on his verified social media pages, he denied brandishing a weapon.

He described the incident as a misunderstanding.

According to the cleric, the object in question was not a firearm, and at no point was it pointed at anyone.

News

How Trailer Sent To Kill Me Fell Flat, Dented — Iwo Monarch

Published

8 hours ago

June 17, 2025

Editor

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi, said the trailer that was sent to kill him upon hitting him fell flat and got extremely dented.

The Osun monarch made the revelation while testifying to the power of God in a now-trending video on Tuesday.

While Oba Akanbi didn’t give details or the location of the incident, he noted that after the trailer hit him, he saw some angels of God dragging it.

“A trailer that was sent to kill us, hit us and fell flat and extremely dented. It was dragged away by angels of God. Except you do not choose God. Don’t have doubts while trusting God.”