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Infrastructural Deficit: Oshiomhole Tasks Edo Indigenes On Active Participation In Politics

Published

3 years ago

September 24, 2023

As community pleads for FG’s attention

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has charged Edo State indigenes to be active in politics in order to attract development to the state.

The former Governor made the call at the weekend when a group under the umbrella of Weppa Wanno Pyramid Club of Nigeria, had the club’s 8th biennial retreat in Lagos as the community pleaded with the Federal Government, FG to pay attention to a city, Agenebode in Etako East.

Speaking on the theme: ‘Poltics as a veritable tool for community development,’ Oshiomhole who was represented by Prof. Marcel Okhakhu from the department of Mass Communication, University of Benin said: “You must be active in politics. Politics is not for card carrying members alone, everybody is a politician. And those that you have sent by a way of mandate must not be left alone even after you have voted for them.

“You must call them to account, give them a shopping list of what is possible, you may not know what they know, that’s why you must have a town hall meetings so as to brainstorm, share ideas and prioritize the things that need to be done, no man is an island, nobody knows it all. They need ideas, support, information and they too should be willing to carry your message further so that the world can know that the world doesn’t stop in Lagos or Abuja.”

Also, the club regretted that the area lacks the basic infrastructures such as a linking bridge to Ida, Kogi state, tertiary institutions and good road networks all that have hindered development in that part of the state.

Okhakhu explained that the state government has not given attention to that part of the state.

He said: “Agenebode is almost like a back town because it’s the last of the towns in Edo State particularly in Etako East. The next community to us is Ida which is in Kogi state and it’s the body of water, the river Niger that separates us from Kogi and that on its own has a specific disadvantage for the people.

“If we had a bridge across the water, from Agenebode to Kogi, we will see more development.

“Another thing is that there is no tertiary schools in the place, the schools we have are the secondary schools established in 1967 and pockets of private schools. Even the few schools that exist have no teachers, we do community service to pay PTA teachers.

“The General Hospital in the area was built by people, clubs like this, donate items from time,” Okhakhu said.

Earlier in his speech, President of the club, Dr. Austine Aipoh said that the theme of the retreat was relevant at no better time than now in the “life of our nation, taking into consideration that a new administration came into being about four months ago.”

He added: “Politics affects all facets of our lives, and all sectors of the economy are subjected political power play and control, community development being no exception.”

Also, one of the past Presidents of the club, Mr Kenndy Izuagbe said: “We lack basic infrastructure. We believe that the federal government of Nigeria should take our cry for bridge linking us with Ida in Kogi as a matter of priority. It will open up Edo state and Kogi as commerce will improve.

“About 10 years ago, Edo state government established the school of agriculture and we started engaging the government to upgrade the institution to University but, sadly the institution had been closed down for the past four years,” Izuagbe added.

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Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

5 hours 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

7 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

23 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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