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Encomiums As Afejuku Bows Out Of UNIBEN

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Adibe Emeyinu of Thisday, Suyi Ayodele (Nigerian Tribune), Professor Tony Afejuku, his wife, Mrs Augusta Alero Afejuku, Michael Egbejuke (Guardian) and Tony Osauzo (Sun) joined Afejuku to cut his retirement commemorative cake at the retirement reception organised for him by the Friends of Afejuku (FAJ) at the Banquet Hall, University of Benin, on Sunday.

It was an evening of praises for Prof. Tony Afejuku who pulled out of the services of University of Benin (UNIBEN), after attaining the age of 70 years.

Afejuku, a Professor of English and Literature, who hails from the Itsekiri ethnic nationality of Delta State, taught in the university for 43 years.

A retirement reception put together by the Friends of Afejuku (FAJ) to celebrate the literary icon, who for over two decades tended literary minds in the university.

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Speaking at the ceremony that held at the University of Benin Banquet Hall, Benin City, the Chairman of the occasion, Professor Mon Nwadiani, described Afejuku as someone who left a legacy of truth and boldness.

READ ALSO: Diri Mourns Deaths Of 10 Ijaw Indigenes In Auto Crash

Nwadiani noted that it was the first time such ceremony was being held for a retired teacher in the department and faculty, a testimony, he acknowledged, stood the celebrant out amongst others who retired before him.

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Nwadiani therefore, advised those still in service to emulate the qualities of Professor Afejuku “who is seen as a friend to all and enemy to none”.

He also poured encomiums on the wife of the retired don, Mrs. Augusta Alero Afejuku for being able to be there for her husband all the time, especially at the home front, and prayed that God would grant Afejuku, good health in his post retirement age.

READ ÆLSO: Diri Mourns Deaths Of 10 Ijaw Indigenes In Auto Crash

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Former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Edo State, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, also described Afejuku as “one of those who point the way to progressive change, and match his words with action”; while Professor Felix Ogonna, described him as “a detribalized Nigerian who does not care where you come from but your ability to do what is right”.

Narrating how Professor Afejuku helped him gain employment into the University of Benin, Ogonna noted: “I have been in the faculty for about 25 years and I have never seen the kind of person like him. He is one who acknowledges excellence but also want you to do same. He has a philosophy, ‘No paddy for jungle’, because even as he came be your friend, he will at the same time want you to do what is right at all time without taking sides.”

READ ALSO: Expert Speaks On Shonubi As Acting CBN Gov

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Others who spoke in glowing terms of the celebrant are Suyi Ayodele of the Nigerian Tribune, Dr. Abigail Eruaga of the Department of English and Literature of University of Benin, and Professor Kola Eke, who described Afejuku in a poem read by Dr Edafe Mukoro, as an intellectual ‘iroko’, a man of many parts, “a radar detector of linguistic infelicities, and a chopper that goes round rudiments of language”.

In his response, the retired professor thanked God for his life from the very beginning to the present. He also gave kudos to his parents of blessed memory, his wife and children for being there for him especially at critical moments.

He also thanked his friends especially those he influenced who decided to converge and honour him, adding “when people say I am detribalized, it is because I have travelled and many of those who helped me in life incidentally are not from my Itsekiri ethnic nationality.”

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Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

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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.

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“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.

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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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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.

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He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

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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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