News
Edo Lists 282 Athletes For Niger Delta Games
Ahead of the Niger Delta Games, Edo State Government has listed 282 athletes to compete in 16 sporting events at the forthcoming second of the game schedule to commence on February 20, in Benin.
Executive Chairman of the state sports commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, disclosed this in Benin while fielding questions from sports journalists shortly after officially declaring open the Team Edo camp for the Games.
The Niger Delta Games, which is hosted by Edo, is sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and organised by Dunamis-Icon Limited.
The Niger Delta Games are expected to feature athletes from the nine states of the region and are aimed at promoting sports development, unity and youth engagement across the Niger Delta.
Speaking to the Edo athletes, Enabulele charged the Edo athletes to remain disciplined, dedicated and focused throughout the camping period, reminding them that they are ambassadors of the state and must uphold its values both on and off the field.
READ ALSO:Suspected Edo Doctor’s Kidnappers Identified, Arrested
Enabulele, who disclosed that Edo recently concluded its trials and has since moved its athletes into full residential camp, described the devas a clear demonstration of Edo State’s seriousness and commitment to sports development.
“Edo State will be participating in 16 events with 282 athletes already in camp. As at today, I can assure you that Edo State, among the nine participating states, is the only state that has gone into full camping with its athletes,” Enabulele said.
He attributed the early camping arrangement and the welfare of the athletes to the support of the state government, describing Governor Monday Okpebholo as a sports-loving leader who has prioritised the wellbeing of athletes.
“This clearly shows that the state government is genuinely interested in the Games and in the development of our athletes,” he added.
Commending the organisers of the Games, the Sports Commission chairman expressed satisfaction with the level of preparation and facilities on ground, noting that promises made were being fulfilled.
READ ALSO:Edo Police Arrest Two Suspects, Foil Kidnap Attempt
“We are satisfied with what the organisers of the Games have done and what we are seeing on ground,” he said.
He disclosed that he had embarked on an inspection tour of designated facilities across Benin to ascertain the level of preparation, which he noted was nearing completion.
“We declared Team Edo camp open just this morning. We have concluded the state trials and from what we saw, we know that we are fully ready and prepared for the second edition of the Niger Delta Games.
“Our athletes are now in camp and will undergo double training sessions to prepare very well for the Games.
“We have gone round to inspect the facilities and they are over 98 per cent ready to host the Niger Delta Games,” he maintained.
READ ALSO:Okpebholo’s CPS Restates Gov’s Commitment To A New Edo
Reaffirming Edo State’s dominance in grassroots sports development, Enabulele said the state remains the breeding ground for top talents across the Niger Delta.
“When it comes to grassroots sports development, no state in the country can compete with Edo State. Many of the athletes being celebrated today actually emerged from Edo State,” he said, attributing the success to quality coaching and structured developmental programmes.
Facilities inspected by the Sports Commission chairman included the Olympic-sized swimming pool, main bowl and tennis courts at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, the basketball and volleyball courts along Wire Road, as well as the Team Edo camp site, all in Benin.
The Niger Delta Games are expected to feature athletes from the nine states of the region and are aimed at promoting sports development, unity and youth engagement across the Niger Delta.
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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