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Fuel Subsidy Removal: Obaseki Flags Off Free Bus Service [PHOTOS]

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The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Monday, flagged off the free bus service for passengers on all routes operated by the state-owned Edo City Transport Limited (ECTS) as part of efforts to cushion the impact of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government on the people of the State.

The free transport scheme is expected to cover intra-city and intercity routes including Auchi – Igarra – Ibillo–Ososo; Uzebba–Ikhin – Otuo, and Abudu-Ubiaja, Abudu-Urhonigbe and Ewohirin to Ewatto.

The intra-city routes are Ramat–Kingsquare; New Benin–Kingsquare; Kingsquare – Ekenwan Road; Kingsquare–Airport Road; Kingsquare–Sapele Road and Kingsquare – Adesuwa, Kingsquare–Ogida; New Benin – Upper Mission; Kingsquare–Ugbowo; Kingsquare–Agbor Road; Kingsquare–Upper Sokponba; New Benin – Ugbowo and New Benin–Aduwawa.

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READ ALSO: Fuel Subsidy Removal: Obaseki Begins Free Transport Service Across Edo

Speaking during a formal ceremony for the commencement of the free bus service in ECTS terminal in Benin City, Governor Obaseki, who was represented by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said his government remains committed to the wellbeing and support of the people and will sustain efforts to reduce the hardship inflicted on the people by the subsidy removal.

He stated, “We call on all Edo people to use this service effectively and ensure they use it regularly as it benefits all of us. His Excellency takes the welfare of Edo people seriously and this is just one of the many support programmes that this administration has put in place to reduce the challenge, sufferings and cost of living faced by Edo people as a result of the subsidy removal.

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“This service has commenced since 6am today September 11th, 2023 but we are declaring the service open today to the glory of God and the service will last for two months in the first instance.”

Speaking on the free bus transportation scheme, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Edo State Transport Authority, Edugie Agbonlahor, said, “We are all aware that the Governor has directed Edo City Transport Service (ECTS) to offer free bus service to all commuters in Edo State travelling within Benin Metropolis and travelling from Benin City to the major cities across the three Senatorial District of the State.”

READ ALSO: 7 Million Documents Archived As Edo Transits To Paperless Govt Sept 1 – Obaseki

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She further stated, “His Excellency’s thoughtful intervention is as a result of the removal of the fuel subsidy and its negative impact on Nigerians. As at today, transportation cost is over 50 per cent of an average worker’s income and this intervention is to release funds back to the people to enable them take care of other needs like feeding housing, especially the burden of resumption for a new term for pupils across the State.

“This free transportation will return money back to parents to enable them to take care of some other family needs. ECTS before now has been offering free rides to school children and now to all Edo people. It’s our hope that we all enjoy this free ride made possible by the governor.”

A Federal Civil Servant, Mr. Ojekwua Kingsley while commending the governor for the initiative, said the free bus scheme will seriously reduce the effect of the hardship brought about by the removal of oil subsidy by the federal government.

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According to him, “We are looking forward to more palliatives from Mr. Governor and commend him for this great move to reduce the pain that citizens are facing.”

At the Ikpoba Hill Bus Terminal where passengers board ECTS bus to Edo North, Mr. Edohor David who is travelling to Auchi hailed the governor, noting, “This bus is going to Edo North, Auchi, Igarra, Ososo, Ibilo and all the passengers entered for free. We have started enjoying the palliative; all thanks to the governor.”

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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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