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CSOs Want Budget Portal Periodical Review

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A coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Edo State on Friday, tasked the Consultative Forum on Transparency Initiative of National Budget Portal on periodic review of its portal if finally created to enable citizens know how the nation’s budget is spent.

They gave the task at a one day stakeholders interactive session with the Consultative Forum on Transparency Initiative of National Budget Portal held with the Civil Society Organizations in Benin City.

The event was themed: ‘Coordination and Implementation of Open Budget and Fiscal Transparency Commitment: Citizens Engagement Forum in Budget Implementation.’

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The interactive session was aimed at giving citizens of the state the opportunity to make their own contributions as regards to what they should expect in the proposed portal.

READ ALSO: Whistleblowing: Make Public What Recovered Looted Funds Are Used For, CSOs Tell FG

Speaking at the interactive session, Comrade Itietie Omojevwe of the Edo Civil Society Organizations (EDOCSO), said with the constant review of their portal, it will enable citizens of the state to know and monitor progress of an awarded project, how much was budgeted, released to contractors, who bided for the contract and to what extent has the contract being executed.

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He said the consequences of not reviewing the portal are grievous because citizens cannot monitor progress and thereby erroneously accusing a contractor of abandoning his job whereas the said contractor has long completed his job.

Itietie said with constant update of the portal, it would save citizens those shortfalls.

The Interim Chairman of EDOCSO, Bishop Osadolor Ochei, said the importance of creating a portal by the government cannot be overemphasized because it serves as a warehouse of information and that the citizens of the state can easily log into it and source for what ever information they seek about the government.

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He said with the Freedom of Information bill that has since been signed into law, had availed citizens the right to ask questions and source for what ever government information they want.

While commending the organizers for the initiative, he said learning is a continuous thing just as he urged the civil rights groups in the state to key into the project with the view of being able to hold their government accountable and ask questions about how their yearly budget is being spent by the government they voted into power.

Earlier, the coordinator, Consultative Forum on Transparency Initiative of National Budget Portal, Mr. Bassey Emmanuel, said the portal is going to be a website where citizens can have easy assess to all government’s budgets and allocations

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He also said the portal is not in existence yet, but it is still in the offing adding that, ARZIKI BRAND NIG.LTD, a consortium of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning is the one driving the process on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning.

READ ALSO: Commuters Stranded As 15 Edo Communities, CSOs, Barricade Benin-Lagos Road Over Herdsmen Attacks

Bassey said the consultative forum is to harness expected features and expectations for the proposed National Budget Portal (NBP).

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He added that the interactive session has become so imperative as it will give the citizens and the right groups the opportunity to state what they would want to see in the portal as regards the monitoring and implementation of the nation’s yearly budget.

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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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Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.

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READ ALSO:ADC Penetrates Okpebholo’s District As Defections Strengthen Party in Edo Central

According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.

“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”

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Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Felicitates Muslims On Eid-el-Fitr Celebration

He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.

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I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.

The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.

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