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PAP Budget To Be Reviewed Upward, Otuaro Assures As He Meets With Ex-agitators

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Dr. Dennis Otuaro, administrator, the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has assured that President Bola Tinubu has approved an upward review of budgetary allocation to the PAP office in the 2025 budget.

Otuaro gave the assurance in Warri on Friday when he met with ex-Niger Delta agitators spreading across phase 1, 2 and 3 of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

INFO DAILY reports since Otuaro assumed office earlier this year, this is the second time the PAP boss would be meeting with the ex-agitators.

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“I want to reassure you that Mr. President is interested in our budget review. In the 2025 budget, our budget would be reviewed upward to accommodate more persons particularly more women,” Otuaro declared.

READ ALSO: Why I Convened N’Delta Women Stakeholders Meeting – PAP Boss, Otuaro

On challenges faced by some persons in terms of receiving their monthly stipend, the PAP Administrator noted: “Many challenges such as the BVN issue faced by some persons have been resolved. And every other issue would be resolved under my leadership. Inasmuch the challenge is genuine and under the PAP coverage area, I will do everything within my power to resolve it.”

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On scholarship, the PAP boss said the portal for registration was opened early this year till last month, stressing that no fewer than twenty-five thousand applications were received.

Otuaro, who said the education desk is working hard in the selection process, added that before anyone would be shortlisted for the scholarship a thorough background check would be carried out.

“As you all know, our scholarship portal opened early this year till last month. Over twenty-five thousand applied, this is a large number. But the education desk would soon commence the selection process. But before anyone would be selected, a thorough background check of the community the applicant claimed would be carried out. I am going to call the community chairman, the camp leader, and any other person that I can call for verification.

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READ ALSO: Otuaro: Working To Actualise On Aims And Objectives Of PAP

“But of course you know that we cannot leave out some persons. For instance, if an applicant scored 350 in his or her JAMB, we may not go through all these processes. Such applicants would be considered without much background check. Our people will be given the opportunity to acquire education,” he added.

On vocational training and empowerment, the PAP boss said: “We are going to review the vocational training upward. We are going to review our empowerment programme. But we are not going to give anyone a starter-pack just like that. When we identify your area of interest, we attach you to an organisation doing what you are interested in doing, and after spending like one year, we can now empower you to start your own business too.”

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On the proposed October 1 nationwide protest, Otuaro urged the ex-agitators to speak to their people not to join the protest, assuring that President Tinubu is doing everything possible to address challenges in the region.

Making reference, the PAP boss disclosed that the Federal Government has awarded the East-West Road to a Chinese company, assuring that work would commence in a short while.

In response, those who spoke on behalf of the ex-agitators assured the PAP Administrator that no one from the region would join the protest because the few months spent by Tinubu is not enough to judge him in terms of performance.

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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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Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

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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.

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READ ALSO:ADC Penetrates Okpebholo’s District As Defections Strengthen Party in Edo Central

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.”

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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.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Felicitates Muslims On Eid-el-Fitr Celebration

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.

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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.

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