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Edo@33: Obaseki Launches Benin City, Edo Regional Devt Masterplans

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stakeholders chart paths for State’s sustained growth, prosperity

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday, launched the 30-year Benin City and Edo Regional Development Masterplans.

The event is part of activities lined up to celebrate the State’s 33rd year anniversary with the theme, “The Glory of the new Edo Nation.”

Obaseki was joined by two former governors of the State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion and Prof Osarienmen Osunbor, among others.

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Other guests at the event include the Edo State First Lady, Betsy Obaseki; Deputy Governor of Edo State, Marvellous Godwins Omobayo and his wife, Sandra; former Deputy Governors of the State, Peter Obadan and Mike Ogiadome; Edo State Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa; the PDP governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo and his wife, Ifeyinwa; his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, serving Commissioners, captains of industries, traditional and religious leaders, among others.

READ ALSO: Obaseki Hosts Victorious Edo Queens, Champions Of WAFU Zone B

The governor said: “I welcome all of you today, as we launch Edo State Regional Development and the Benin City Master Plans. These are two critical documents that would help us tidy up our administration and summarise what we have been trying to do in the last 8 years. It will also guide and establish a trajectory for where our State is heading in the next 30 years.

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“These plans have been carefully put together and we have consulted widely across the State to ensure participation of our citizens. Our people have been involved in this process and will continue to be involved because it’s a living document, and not static.

“They are subject to review every 5 years and there will be 6 reviews in the life span of these documents. Today, we are glad that we have been able to make a significant departure from what we met.

“When we did our first flyover across the State in 2017, it became clear to us that beyond issuing titled documents, we needed to plan for the State following what we saw. We saw a disordered mode of development, particularly in Benin City.

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READ ALSO: Edo Guber: APC Afraid Of Defeat, Cooks Up Lies, Obaseki’s Aide Fires Back On Rigging Allegation

“We were also concerned about the growing trend where almost 50 per cent of the population was migrating to Benin City and the lopsided development needed to be addressed and dealt with.”

Obaseki, however, noted that it will be difficult to stop the migration into Benin City if the government fails to provide good amenities and improve the lives of the people in the rural communities.

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According to him, “The document that is being launched today took a lot of issues into consideration. We didn’t wait till today to start implementing the plan as we have already started this process. We have made huge progress in the last 8 years.

“We have built a medical hub, technology hubs, among others which are all plans for the future. We have started the plan and done short term quick wins. We are developing the State.”

READ ALSO: 10 Things To Know About New Eagles Coach Bruno Labbadia

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Noting that lack of planning was one of the problems hindering the country’s development, Obaseki stated, “As a people, we have always planned and taken our future and destiny in our hands in Edo.

“We would not be different today as we would continue to plan for our future. Thanks to all those that have worked over the last two years, putting the plan together and today we are launching it. I believe we are set for the future and set to restore the new Edo nation.

“By the grace of God when we leave office on November 12th, the administration that will take over from us will have inherited what we never had the privilege to inherit, a master plan that will guide them into the future.”

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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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.

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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.”

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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

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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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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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.

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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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Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

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Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.

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READ ALSO:ADC Penetrates Okpebholo’s District As Defections Strengthen Party in Edo Central

According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.

“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”

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Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Felicitates Muslims On Eid-el-Fitr Celebration

He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.

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I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.

The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.

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