News
Government Committed To Protecting The Edo Child, Says PS, Gender Issues

The Edo State Government is committed to protecting every child particularly the girl child in the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, Mrs. Barbara Osobajo, disclosed this while declaring open a workshop on alternative care guidelines for vulnerable persons’ pre-validation with orphanage operators in the state.
The pre-validation meeting was centered on the available alternative care guidelines for vulnerable children as well as a working document that forms and guides the implementation and monitoring of alternative care services in the state.
According to her, the meeting was yet another deliberate effort of the Edo State Government to implement institutional reforms, but this time to strengthen the operations of orphanages and other alternative caregivers in the state.
READ ALSO: Edo Government Releases 40 Inmates From Correctional Centre
She emphasized that the guidelines for alternative child care are intended to supplement the Edo State’s Child Rights Law and relevant provisions of other legal instruments applicable in Edo State concerning the protection and well-being of children who are at risk of being deprived of parental care.
She explained: “The crux of the pre-validation meeting is to look at the way we can strengthen how orphanages are run in Edo State, so the Ministry in collaboration with an International Non Governmental Organization (NGO), Societas Socialis (SOS) Children’s Villages came together and brought our partners, the orphanage operators on board to intimate them with what that guideline is all about so that by the time we are launching, it will not be strange to them and there wouldn’t be resistance.
“Part of the reform is to empower the orphanages and keep our Home Operators up to speed on these guidelines, in conjunction with applicable legislation and Policies. With that in view, it is therefore safe to say that we are gathered primarily in the best interest of our children in need of parental care and protection.”
In her remarks, the Director of Child Development Department, Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, Mrs. Kate Bello, stated that the alternative care guideline is a pathway for enhancing service delivery among orphanages in Edo State.
She said, “This document that we intend to launch will help to streamline other homes which are not up to standard to standardize orphanages in Edo State.
“While they are transiting from orphanages to a family-like care system which will help better the children to have a family, we hope that after the launch of the document, orphanage operators would run with it to eliminate crimes such as the sales of babies.”
On her part, Barr. Elisabeth Iyamuogie, a lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Benin, Benin City, who spoke on the regulatory role of the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues, said the Ministry has the legal mandate to supervise orphanages.
According to her, supervision can be carried out by inspecting things in the homes, whatever it is that needs to be inspected and it will be wise that these orphanages comply with these new guidelines.
READ ALSO: Edo Monarch Lauds Obaseki’s Educational Reformation, Says Public Schools Perform Better
Also, an Operator of Trinitarian Foundation for Orphans and the Helpless, Sister Mary Agatha, commended the Ministry and said that the program will give the orphans hope and they can be sure to be in places they can call their home.
The Edo State Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues is saddled with the regulatory responsibility of overseeing the activities of orphanages and it is using the event to bring orphanage operators to communicate the provisions of the alternative care guidelines expected to be launched in the coming weeks as the new guidelines are expected to spell out penalties for any home that runs fowl as it gears toward giving every Edo child a meaningful life.
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.
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.
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.”
News
Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

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.
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.”
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.
“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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