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#EndBadGovernance: IYC Distances Self From Planned Protest, Gives Reason

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The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Western Zone, has distanced itself from the planned protest themed #EndBadGovernance, which is slated to hold from August 1st to 10th, 2024 in Nigeria.

The apex body of Ijaw youths worldwide said it was “not duly consulted by the proposed protest organisers in the design of their demands.”

In a statement jointly issued by Comrade Nicholas Igarama,
Chairman, IYC Western Zone; Ebi Joshua Olowolayemo, Esq, Secretary, and Comrade Tare Magbei, Information Officer, the Western Zone IYC, while admitting that “Nigeria is currently faced with diverse and severe economic hardship,” however said the planned protest “has so much unexplainable undertones and symptoms of a revolution, and bears so much risk.”

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READ ALSO: PROTEST: Be Patient With Tinubu; Revamp, Reformation In Economy On Course – Otuaro

The IYC, Western Zone said the proposed protest lacks a unified and strategic leadership structure, adding “this ambiguity can lead to mismanagement of the protests, reducing their effectiveness and increasing the risk of unintended consequences.”

The IYC statement reads in part: “That demands that bothers on the development of the Niger Delta like the East-West Road, environmental remediation of the Niger Delta are not captured in the proposed protest.

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“There is a need for all IOCs to relocate their headquarters to the Niger Delta region to boost the economic fortune of the Niger Delta region, this was not captured in the demands for the nationwide protest.

“That the intentional exclusion of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) of the Niger Delta People from their onshore divestment initiative that is a major concern for the Niger Delta people is not also captured in the demands of nationwide protest.

READ ALSO: PROTEST: FG Finally Suspend Import Duty On Essential Food Items

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“As a community, we treat with respect the counsel of the National Executive Council and prominent leaders of the Ijaw nation, and their calls for us to shun the protest is based on a deep understanding of the potential risks involved.

“While we recognize the importance of addressing bad governance at the national level, it is crucial that we also focus on local issues that directly impact the Ijaw nation. Our energies should be directed towards tackling challenges within our immediate environment,” the statement added.

The leadership of the IYC in western zone, called on the Federal Government “to discontinue the divestment of the onshore assets of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) until Ijaw sons and daughters are captured in the bidding and sales process.”

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“The deliberate denial mete out on our people in the sale of assets domiciled in Ijaw will not be tolerated, and as promised, we will shutdown oil and gas exploration activities of the SPDC if our sons and daughters are not given room to be part of the divestment process,” the IYC said.

The IYC, Western Zone, therefore”advised all Ijaw youths to abstain from the proposed #EndBadGovernance protest owing to the aforementioned standpoints of Council.”

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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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