News

Defection: Ize-Iyamu Clears The Air, Discloses That He Is Not Desperate For Political Office

Published

7 years ago

November 29, 2019

Says He Is Passionate About Good Governance, Better Edo

Following the recent resignation of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and it attendant criticism and controversy, he has come out open to say his movement to the APC was not desperation for political office but a drive for a better Edo State.

He said his movement to the APC was not to escalate problem but to be solution, add value and for the betterment of the party and the state in general, adding that he wants to make sure the party is well connected to the grassroot.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu who disclosed this on Thursday during an interactive session with newsmen in Benin City, expressed surprise the controversy his defection has generated so far in the public partucularly on the social media.

According to him, he was one of the funding members of the party both at the state and national levels and so, his coming back should be seen as homecoming rather than the rumours and the stone being thrown at him.

He said many people join politics for different reasons but his own is based on good governance, service delivery and a better Edo, adding that he wants to belong to a party that he can connect to the grassroot.

When asked which of the factions he was going to join with the apparent division of the party in the state, Ize-Iyamu disclosed that the party division is not as complicated as being portrayed in the public domain, stressing that if there is no room to accept him at the state level, he could be accepted at the national level or even at the ward level where according to him, is the most legitimate place for such politics.

He said, “The faction is not as worst as it is being portrayed. For example, who are the two secretaries; who are the two publicity secretaries; who are the parrallel chairmen in the different local government areas; who is the national chairman of the other side. So, you find out that it is not as deep as being presented. You may find disagreement in some very few areas, but I am telling you that, when you really want to see faction, it goes down to the wards.

“When you see a ward chairman here, you see another one there, that is when you see real faction in play, but my people are highly intergrating at the local level, and you find out that there is no faction. At the local level, it is one APC. If it happens that we have crises at the state level, the national can receive me, anybody can receive me. I can also decide they receive me at the ward level. In fact, to be honest with you, where you actually join politics is at the ward level. There is a disagreement at the top but at the bottom, it is still one APC”, he disclosed.

Ize-Iyamu emphasised that his joining the APC was not borne out of desperation for political office nor to escalate the crises, rather, to strengthen it and actualise a better Edo State

“I am passionate about developing Edo, a party you and I will do very well. If I left a place and later decide to come back, what’s is surprising or new about that. I have not come to escalate the problem, rather, I want to be solution”, he noted.

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

2 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

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.

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.

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

Published

5 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

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.

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

Published

20 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

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.
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‎ 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.”
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‎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
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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.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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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