News
Edo To Establish Forestry Protection To Fight Banditry

The Edo State government has disclosed plans to establish forestry protection force to fight banditry across the State forest reserves, which have illegally converted as bases for kidnappings and other nefarious activities.
Governor Godwin Obaseki revealed this while flagging-off 10 million tree planting programme at Upper Sokponba forest reserve in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the State.
He said the initiative would help to keep the forest and our land safe by ensuring that bandits cannot use the forest as bases to foster criminality with the support of forest guards, security agencies, Edo State Vigilante Network.
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According to him, “Along with our forest regeneration drive, we also want to keep our forest and our land safe. With your support and all other security agencies in the State, we will be reestablishing a forestry protection force to ensure that bandits cannot use our forest as bases to foster criminality.
“As a government, which is committed to the security of lives and property of its citizens, we are determined to keep the feat which we have already recorded in terms of security in the State and ensure that kidnappings, armed robbery, land grabbing and other criminal activities are reduced to the barest minimum.
“Our security strategy is hinged on the collaboration between the national security and the Edo Sate Vigilante Network so that Community participation is a key driver of our security plan.
Speaking on the essence of the tree planting programme, Governor Obaseki, said due to environmental degradation arising from adverse weather conditions and threat to livelihoods, his government is collaborating with private sector and all Communities to regenerate degraded and depleted forest reserves in the State for environmental sustainability.
The Governor said discussions are ongoing to establish Bendel Commission, which will help to foster mutual cooperation collaboration on economic, security, cultural and environmental matters between Edo and Delta States.
He recalled the history of the creation of Edo State and highlighted his economic intervention plan towards repositioning the State Civil and Public Services on the path of greatness including EDOBEST programme and Edo Jobs.
“We must balance environmental sustainability with livelihood and quickly reclaim our expansive forest land for the present and future generation.
“We are therefore commencing discussion to establish Bendel Commission. This Commission will foster mutual cooperation collaboration on economic, security, cultural and environmental matters between Edo and Delta States”, he said.
Obaseki who described Coronavirus pandemic otherwise known as one of the greatest threats in nation’s history due to global death toll, appealed to residents of the State inoculate themselves against Covid-19 vaccine in order to attain head immunity against the deadly virus.
“We have have continued to invest in our youths through various programme spearheaded by the Edo skills and Development Agency and Edo Jobs, which have given birth to numerous enterprises in the Edo production hub to the Edo tech hub and Edo creative hub.
“In the next few decades, Edo State will become a tech hub in Nigeria as we create more partnership to tonnes of young people as competent software developers and tech solution providers.
“Although some of the challenges that beset us today may be different from the ones that beset our forebears, however, concerted and sustained efforts to overcome adversity is very much assured.
“In the face of difficulty, we remain bold, decisive and united as these values have always guaranteed our survival, advancement and triumph”, according to him.
READ ALSO: Edo @30: Imansuangbon Salutes Obaseki, Benin Monarch, Others, Sues For Unity
Earlier in a remark, the Chairperson, Edo at 30 programme, Mrs. Julie Odigie-Oyegun, described the tree planting as a mark of a glorious future and significant.
She commended Governor Obaseki for prioritising the welfare of the people and for helping to preserve nature.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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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