News

Hardship: Rights Group Canvasses For Subsidized Mass Transport Scheme In Delta

Published

2 years ago

October 8, 2024

A human rights group, the Organisations for Human and Peoples Rights Protection and Humanitarian (OHPRPH), has called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori-led administration in Delta State to provide a subsidized mass transport scheme for the people of the state to cushion the economic hardship.

This was contained in a statement signed by the national president of the organisation, Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala, an investigative journalist and publisher of FocalPoint Reports.

In the statement made available to newsmen in Warri on Tuesday, the organization appealed to Governor Obovrevwori to “initiate a 50% fare subsidy to enable Deltans to move around at ease despite the current economic hardship being experienced in the country”.

The organization suggested that “if possible, the state government should acquire buses for mass transit and also establish partnerships with private transporters as done in the era of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in Delta, who acquired over 130 Mass-Transit Buses, thus ensuring that Deltans moved around in comfortable vehicles at affordable cost.”

The organization also advised the State Governor to establish a committee to explore the possibilities of acquiring electric vehicles for mass transit since fuel subsidy removal had grossly escalated fuel costs, thus leading to increased transportation expenses for workers.

The statement partly reads, “Currently, Deltans are experiencing high cost of transportation, though the primary cause was the fuel subsidy removal and the noninvestment of the state government into the transport sector to ease commuting and small-scale business.

“The other factor is that the state government has no regulatory measures in place to check excessive increment of transportation costs and activities of ‘agberos’ who encourage transporters to increase transport fares at impulse.

“Governor Sheriff Obovrevwori should know better that Deltans are experiencing multi-dimensional hardship, the worst of its kind. Delta State would not have felt it this hard if the state government had initiated micro projects geared towards addressing basic needs of Deltans.

“There is no doubt that the state governor had good intentions for, prioritizing mega projects such as bridges and road construction, building universities in the state.

“Governor Sheriff Obovrevwori should, as a matter of urgency, direct the Ministry of Housing, Economic Planning, Transport, and Agriculture to embark on micro community-based projects to regulate and provide affordable housing schemes that will decongest the cities and ensure that residents have some space for farming.

“Economic planners should get out of their offices and get usable data that will enable the state government to plan economically viable micro-scale projects.

“Ministry of Transport should provide and regulate affordable, decent transport means and flush out the garage touts who unleash terror on private transports over refusal to dance to their tune.

“The Ministry of Agriculture has no business enjoying air conditioned offices; they should get into the field and even ensure that every civil servant is encouraged to have his or her farm. They should deploy agricultural extension workers to tour farms and provide instant support to boost cropping and life-stocking activities.

“As we speak, most cities in Delta State are battling with this high cost of living, mostly transportation and high cost of housing. Ughelli Agbor, Abraka, Asaba, Ogwashi-Uku Ozoro, Warri, Sapele, and a whole lot of other developing towns are suffering from this menace.

“Delta State government will be indecently encouraging street boys economy by indiscriminately empowering them with appointments as SSA and SA’s and thereby allowing civil servants and petty traders to wallow in penury and agony of excruciating hardship.

“The state government will be performing poorly by doing nothing about the high costs of house rent with its extortionist charges notably caution fees, Agent fees, landlord drink, etc.

“There is absolutely nothing productive about the cities that made it so expensive. The few small scale factories are barely surviving while the noticeable most vibrant business currently done by young people is 70% Yahoo/ hookup just at a time that the rate of kidnapping and armed rubbery are also advancing from bad to worst.

“All the above highlighted challenges are pointers to Government to intervene strongly, without any further delay, for posterity as a stitch in time saves nine”.

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

1 hour ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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

News

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

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

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.

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

Published

20 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

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.
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‎ 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.”
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‎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
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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.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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.”
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