News

Osinbajo’s Invitation: Otuaro Didn’t Sideline PANDEF, Says Group

Published

6 years ago

August 15, 2020

…Blasts IPDI Leader For Comments, ‘Insulting’ Clark, Others.

Deputy Governor of Delta State, Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro rose up in defence of oil communities in Delta State rather than sideline their leaders in proposed dialogue with the Federal Government over demands including Marginal Oil Fields.

Chairman of Bomadi Political Renaissance, BPR, Mr. Bibobra Custom, in a statement on Friday in Asaba said the “sideline” position expressed by one Comrade Austin Ozobo, President of Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative (IPDI) was “hasty, uninformed and mischievous”.

Ozobo, leader of the IPDI, had Thursday in a press briefing in Warri described meeting held amongst Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Slyva, Delta State Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro and Nigerian Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo as secretive, gathering of political friends, and that it does not represent the interest of the Niger Delta People and that the region is yet to delegate anybody or group to deputized on her behalf.

Further reacting to Ozobo’s comment, the BPR chairman said it was wrong to have misunderstood purpose of the meeting by thinking that oil bearing stakeholders/leaders had been or would be sidelined in the dialogue table.

Custom said “it was wrong for Ozobo or anybody to have misunderstood the “what is happening in Delta State” meeting between governments, Federal (Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Timipre Sylva) and Delta State (represented by Otuaro), to mean that oil bearing stakeholders/leaders had been or would be sidelined in the dialogue table to which Otuaro reportedly before and immediately after said they would be invited.

“IPDI’s Ozobo was a poor student of history in this matter by failing to be guided by fact that Osinbajo in 2017 first met oil communities/areas before meeting with leaders of Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF, that was in place before his visits.

“There was nothing in the media space or anywhere, from start of protests to Otuaro’s return from meeting Osinbajo, suggesting that Otuaro wished to displace or replace the oil communities and their leaders in the envisaged dialogue”.

According to Custom, “If Ozobo had followed developments, he would have known that the Delta State government via Otuaro merely took responsible action towards the security and welfare of people of Delta State.

“The issues began with protests from his own Ijaw of Gbaramatu Kingdom and Itsekiri and up till Otuaro’s invitation by Vice President, the protests and issues/Marginal Fields requests were from Delta State even though they bear semblance with the wider Niger Delta issues earlier canvassed.

“In the wake of the Ijaw/Itsekiri threats to shutdown oil operations, leading to more ethnic groups joining the protests/threats, Otuaro displayed foresight in earlier appealing to Ijaw/Itsekiri oil communities to consider win-win option of dialogue which he later extended to the other protesting ethnic groups still within Delta State.

“The media reports are there. The dialogue option averted possible military collision with the oil communities that would have hurt the state/national economy, caused destruction of communities and several deaths of defenceless citizens and huge humanitarian crises amongst others, as happened before in Otuaro’s native Gbaramatu Kingdom”, Custom said.

Custom was further incensed with Ozobo who reportedly said “any government representative cannot truly speak for the people of the Niger Delta because they are part of the multiple problems in the Niger Delta”.

“The impression created by IPDI’s Ozobo that veterans in the Ijaw/Niger Delta struggle, like Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, cannot truly speak or advance the interests of the people when in government is an insult to likes of Nelson Mandela, Governor Douye Diri, Chief Edwin Clark and other leaders, as it means that all of these and others who promoted the people’s interests could never advance same when in government.

“Indeed, Ozobo, a failed aspirant to the Delta State House of Assembly, even shot himself in the foot by his reckless statement. Is Ozobo, who claims to be a rights activist, saying it is not possible for him to speak for and advance the people’s interests when elected?”, Custom asked.

He continues, “It should be noted that long before the creation of PANDEF in October 7, 2016, Otuaro as Deputy Governor and chair of Delta State Advocacy Committee Against Vandalism of Oil and Gas Facilities, toured the state’s creeks in several Ijaw kingdoms and Itsekiri land in May 2016 to talk to oil communities to guard oil facilities which militants had bombarded–reducing the oil economy of the nation to recession.

“We task the Okowa/Otuaro-led Delta State government to continue to support the growth of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, sustain its ongoing roads/bridge infrastructure drive in Warri South-West, Warri North, Burutu, Bomadi and other LGAs and indeed continue liaising with the FG to ensure completion of the Escravos Power project as template for lighting up Niger Delta communities, and not allow any person throw spanner in the works”, Custom pleaded.

Appealing to Otuaro to continue being Niger Delta Peace Ambassador, the BPR Boss tasked Ozobo “to reach out and accord respect to those in the struggle before him so as to remain focused”.

News

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

Published

15 minutes 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

16 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.
‎
‎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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News

Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

Published

17 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.