News
Edo SEEFOR: Experts Identify Introduction Of SEEFOR Plus As Factor For High Performance

The introduction of SEEFOR plus by the Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, into the existing State Employment and Expendure for Result (SEEFOR) has been identified as factor in making the project to stand out amongst the three other states the project covers.
SEEFOR is a project funded by the World Bank, European Union and with a counterpart funding from the state governments of Edo, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers respectively.
Dr. Aliyu Aminu Ahmed, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) expert and consultant made this revelation during a M&E retreat and bi-annual review meeting held in Benin City recently.
READ ALSO: Edo SEEFOR Constructs 67.357km Access Roads, Empowers 8,424 Youths In North, Central
The retreat drew participants from sister agencies and concerned ministries in the state and other stakeholders with special focus on SEEFOR performance in the state in the past few years and the way forward.

A cross section of participants at the retreat.
Speaking further, Dr. Ahmed said amongst all the SEEFOR states, Edo State is the most advanced in terms of budget reforms and employment.
In technical and vocational training, the M&E expert disclosed that Edo SEEFOR rose from its previous quarter of 2,970 to 3387 beneficiaries in this current quarter.
Dr. Ahmed said number of people with access to services supported in targeted communities by Edo SEEFOR increased from 186,131 to 186,142 as reported in the previous quarter.
READ ALSO: Edo Poll: APC, PDP Bicker Over Deputy Gov’s Wife Viral Video
According to the expert, while Edo SEEFOR maintained a marginal increase project beneficiaries, it, however, surpassed the 30% target in direct project beneficiaries.

Another cross section of participants
While pointing out areas Edo SEEFOR needs improvement, Dr. Ahmed noted that with the introduction of the SEEFOR plus, the project has made huge impact in the state.
On his part, Mr. Moorieno Diftuffte, M&E Officer, and National Planning Coordinating Unit, identified counterpart funding as method of sustaining the project in the state.
He noted that, as officer in the Co-ordinating unit, there are many success stories particularly done through the SEEFOR plus which are not reflected in their quarterly report.

Dr. Aliyu Aminu Ahmed giving analysis on his evaluation on Edo SEEFOR during the retreat
” There are many success stories of which are known but you do not reflect in your quarterly report. Please do take time to record such stories and properly reflect such in your quarterly report. These are the things the World Bank and the EU want to see and read in your report,” he said.
Participants from the state Auditor-General office said SEEFOR has helped the office in procurement of audit software and also produce audit manual.
READ ALSO: Group Demands Investigation Into Accidents Involving Oshiomhole’s Convoy

Participants at the retreat
Also, participants from ICT agancies also acknowledged that SEEFOR helped provide IT equipment; assist in developing oracle software for financial management; capacity building for staff; enhancement of biometric process, among others.
Meanwhile, a representative from the Ministry of Infrastructure said as part of SEEFOR sustainability programme, Edo State government created a SEEFOR PLUS using SEEFOR template which has given birth to construction of over 153 access roads across the 18 local government areas of the state.
Stakeholders all agreed at the end of the retreat that, with the satisfactory performance so far, there would be need for second phase of SEEFOR as this first phase raps up soon.
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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