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I Was Imprisoned, Demoted From Grade Level 12 to 4 for Opposing Privatisation of Public Establishments – 80-year-old Labour Activist

Published

4 years ago

July 26, 2022

80-year-old labour activist, Comrade Jonathan Ihonde, has disclosed that he was arrested, detained and demoted from Grade Level 12 to Grade Level 4 as a civil servant in the then old Mid-West Region and later to Bendel State because he opposed privatization of government-owned establishments.

Narrating his experience to the younger ones who were seated to learn from him at the third edition of Health of the Mother Health (HOMEF’s) ‘Learning from the Wise series’ the playwright, unionist, progressive political organizer and teacher, said he was arrested and detained because he stood against the privatization of government’s establishments under which over 17,000 workers were earning their daily bread in the then Mild-West Region and later Bendel State under the Military government.

The unionist narrated: “The man I helped to become the governor of Bendel State then arrested and detained me because I was fighting for social justice. I was not fighting for my family; I was not fighting for my children but for the common interest of the public. In fact, the arrests got to a level that my innocent wife had to go and tell her father that she never knew she was married to an armed robber. According to her, only armed robbers are arrested that way.

“The enemy of progress went to tell the authorities that Ihonde had started a ‘red revolution,’ so I was arrested at Dawson Road, Benin because I told the authorities that they cannot privatize a public organization that is very viable and profitable. It was during the military regime.

“When I was in detention at Oko Prison, the media world over, including Voice America, aired my arrest. The man who arrested me went to Urhonigbe Rubber Estate and said, ‘your stupid leader has been arrested; now resume your work. But they told him the man that called for the strike was yet to come and until he comes, they will not resume.”

He continues: “Why was I arrested you? We had in the then Mid-West Region and later Bendel State, one segment of our organization called MNDC now dissolved. The organization had Urhonigbe Rubber Estate; Ughelli Glass Factory; Ewohimi Oil Palm Plantation and Tenboga, Benin with more than 17,000 workers. Foreigners came from abroad to buy from these companies with hard currencies. With all these benefits, somebody just rose up and said he was going to sell these companies to private individuals. I then told my friend that that was not possible, so I resisted it.”

He warned the younger generation that the government’s claim that privatizing public establishments would make such establishments do better was a lie, just as he urged the public to resist such a move.

He warned: “Please be very careful. They will say the public (government) cannot manage its corporation well please, resist it, it is a big lie. Please resist it.”

He urged the younger generation not to be deterred by his ordeal but always be upright and fight for the interest of the public.

He added: “As younger people, don’t be deterred but don’t do any negative things. But be careful. You cannot be fighting for social justice and you are morally corrupt. If you want to fight against corruption, if you are fighting against oppression, you must not be guilty of all these.”

The octogenarian however said despite his fight for the interest of the common people, he was not appreciated by many including his immediate family until recently, adding that their point was that he did not use all the opportunities and the links he had to acquire material wealth.

The producer of the soap opera Hotel De Jordan on NTA in the then Mid-West and later Bendel State said: “People including my children believe that I wasted my time fighting for social justice. They believe that I did not use the opportunities I had to accumulate wealth. It is only recently that my children and some people started appreciating me and my works.”

The 80-year-old who was trained in the Soviet Union and a frontline leader in the Radio Television Theatre and Art Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), while commenting on the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), urged Nigerians to support ASUU in their request for a better education system.

He added: “They are on strike; they are not fighting for themselves, they are not fighting for their pockets but for all of us; for a better educational system in our country; for a better education for our children.”

Earlier, initiator of the programme and Executive Director, HOMEF, Nnimmo Bassey, told those who were seated at the feet of the 80-year-old Playwright and author of Hotel De Jordan series on NTA years back, to learn from his wealth of experience, noted that the programme was a deliberate platform for forging a just and sustainable future through intergenerational dialogue with elders and knowledge holders.

Bassey, however, added that the third series with Comrade was not just the usual series as he said it was meant to celebrate and honour Comrade Ehonde on his 80th birthday and learn from his revolutionary wisdom.

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

Published

3 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

18 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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Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

Published

19 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

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.

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.

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.