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International Anti-corruption Day: CSO Demands Accountability, Transparency From Government

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As the world marks the 2020 International Anti-Corruption Day, a civil society group, Action for Socio-political and Economic Change (ASEC), Wednesday tasked government at all levels to be open in their day-to-day running of government affairs with a view to letting the people follow through.

The call was made by the Coordinator of the group, Leftist Osazee Edigin, while speaking with newsman in commemoration of the 2020 International Anti-Corruption Day in Benin City.

This year’s International Anti-Corruption Day with the theme ‘Recover with Integrity’ was to examine the effect of COVID-19 pandemic and the fight against corruption; the need for state actors to be transparent and accountable in their dealings in the face of the novel pandemic that threw the world into a state of uncertainty.

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Edigin said irrespective of the negative effect of the pandemic on revenue drive, government in its bid in cushioning its socio-economic effect on the people by way of providing palliatives has not been transparent in providing data of relief materials received from donors and inventory of distribution to the people.

Edigin, while noting that the EndSARS protests led to the discovery of palliatives stored by government across the country, berrated politicians hoarding palliatives meant for the public in the face of hunger that was ravaging the country.

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Leftist Osazee Edigin, Coordinator, ASEC, addressing newsmen.

The ASEC Coordinator expressed disappointment on how budget documents, financial statements and auditor’s reports have become sacred documents that the citizens cannot have access to, just as he said the fight against corruption and corrupt practices should start from making such documents accessible for citizens scrutiny.

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“It’s worthy of note that, the purpose for a government to be instituted is because there are citizens and tax payers’ monies to be deployed, that whatever the government is receiving or spending is being done in trust for the people”, he posited.

Leftist Edigin who decried the muzzling of local government constitutional revenue rights by the state government, noted that almost all the statutory powers including collection of certain levies and rates has been taking over by the state government. He said this act contravene provision in the 4th schedule in the 1999 Constitution of the federation as amended.

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He said the collection of Land Use Charge by state government which incorporates tenement rates constitutionally to local government councils and the taking over of outdoor advertisement and Signage rates are steps toward the total crippling of local government councils in the state.

He tasked the state and local governments the need to be transparent and open in public business as it builds confidence, trust and patriotism on the part of citizens,

Edigin stated further that budget documents, financial statements and auditor’s reports should always be made public for citizens to know how their commonwealth is being managed by those who hold power in trust for them.

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READ ALSO: Gunmen Shot POS Operator Dead In Edo

Action for Socio-political and Economic Change (ASEC) is an affiliate organisation of Edo Civil Society Organisations.

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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.

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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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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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