News
Drug Abuse Great Menace To Society – Bayelsa Stakeholders

Some stakeholders in the fight against drug abuse in Bayelsa State have said the state is winning in the battle against the social menace in the state.
The stakeholders, made up of the officials of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Medical Doctors, Psychologists, Civil Advocacy and Rights Activists, Pharmacists and women advocacy groups, agreed that the war against drug abuse under Governor Douye Diri has rekindled hope for the youths of the State.
The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Pabara Newton Igwele, described the revolution against drugs as one of the right steps taken by Diri’s administration and that it is anchored on his vision to give youth a new hope and set the pace for societal growth and minimize crime.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Committee on Drug Abuse Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee BADAPARC, Dr. Faith Zips-Godwin, noted that the State Committee has closed ranks with other stakeholders to change the Bayelsa Drug Abuse story for the state.
”Our approach is to use four cardinal strategies, the community, faith-based, school and media strategies to combat the scourge of drug misuse and abuse across the state”
She noted that drug abuse results in numerous life-threatening health conditions like liver damage, kidney failure, high blood pressure, and other health conditions, and called for all hands to be on deck to win the war against drug abuse and trafficking.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers’ Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, the Ibenanaowei of the Ekpetiama kingdom, said the illicit drug trafficking business in the world attracts an estimated $300 billion dollars annually, advising the state government to work closely with the security agencies to secure the marine and land borders to checkmate movement of hard drugs into the state.
READ ALSO: Gunmen Kill 2 Police Officers, 3 Civilians, Injure Scores In Bayelsa
UNODC Country Representative Dr. Oliver Stolpe described the State as a testament to working the talk against drugs noting that if nothing is done the disease will negatively affect the development of the society closely tied to crimes.
“It is visibly clear and audibly loud enough from the lips of all stakeholders that the reality to achieve a crime and drug-free society, efforts need to be intensified with relevant actors and agencies to prevent drugs supply and abuse which the Bayelsa State Government has championed by taking the bull by the horn as a shining example for other states across the country.
“As Bayelsa State joins the rest of the world to celebrate the 2022 international day against drugs on the theme “Addressing Drug Challenges in Health and Humanitarian Crises.” several activities including a road show, symposium and lecture organized to raise awareness of the people and join the train to stand against drug misuse and abuse in the oil-rich state, Bayelsa”.
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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