News

Obaseki Swears In Two Permanent Secretaries, Charges On Quality Service

Published

2 years ago

August 28, 2024

Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has sworn in two new Permanent Secretaries, charging them to diligently discharge their duties, ensuring quality and efficient service delivery to the people of the State.

Swearing in the Permanent Secretaries at the Government House, in Benin City, Governor Obaseki noted that expectations from them are high, urging them to be professional in their conduct and stick to the rules and core values of the service.

The newly sworn-in Permanent Secretaries are Queeneth Orobedo and Ojo Akin-Longe.

Others at the event include the Edo State Deputy Governor, Engr. Marvellous Omobayo Godwins; Secretary to the State Government, Joseph Eboigbe, and Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, among others.

While charging on transparency, integrity, and accountability, Obaseki said their appointment was based on merit and capacity to deliver.

He stated, “I congratulate you on your well-deserved appointment in Edo State. I said it’s well-deserved because the process of appointing you was diligent and rigorous. Before we appoint Permanent Secretaries to the Edo State Civil and Public Service, they are expected to go through a very competitive evaluation and review of the processes which will entail both oral and written interviews with me.

“The process that left only the two of you had many who started. What I want to emphasize is that the tradition we have established is that people who are appointed as PS are purely based on merit rather than political influence. That is a thing of the past.

“The expectations from you are quite high. You are attaining the position of PS at a time when the civil and public service is going through a major foundational shift with the application of technology into the system and processes of the service.

“The old ways of doing things have to give way. The pace of delivery has to be more efficient and faster. As you know, we have a 48-hour rule which says that no document should be left with you unattended, which means that no document should stay with you beyond 48 hours or else there will be consequences.”

Obaseki continued: “The level of transparency has been improved by technology. You must ensure that you don’t cheat the system but follow the laid down rules. You are supposed to serve the people of the State, not any person or political office holder.

“Your loyalty has to be to the system because you are serving the people of Edo State. We are entering a new era, and we are bringing a lot more younger people into the system as they will be looking up to you for leadership.

“As the culture of doing things has changed, it has to be owned and driven by you and your colleagues. We just started the process of putting up our master plan which means we would have a legislative planning process as people come to serve with a sense of agreed purpose for what we want to achieve as a government. The civil service will make this happen.”

In her response, Orobedo thanked the governor for the confidence reposed on them, pledging that they will diligently and effectively deliver on their duties.

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

2 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

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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