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PROTEST: Be Patient With Tinubu; Revamp, Reformation In Economy On Course – Otuaro

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Senate President, Godswill Akpabio (2nd right); House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu (1st right); Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro (middle); Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku (2nd left); and the Chairman, Governing Board of NDDC, Mr Chiedu Ebie, at the NDDC Executive Management Engagement with Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders and Selected Stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday 30th July, 2024.

The administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has pleaded to Nigerians to be patient with the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

Otuaro added that Tinubu has already initiated reforms under his Renewed Hope Agenda to revamp Nigeria’s economy and also fast-track development in the Niger Delta.

The PAP boss stated these in his remarks at the NDDC Executive Management Engagement with Ethnic Nationalities, Youth Leaders and Selected Stakeholders themed, “Let Us Build Together”, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday.

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A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator, Mr Igoniko Oduma, quoted the PAP boss as urging the people of Niger Delta to own the administration of Tinubu because of his youth-friendliness and love for the region.

READ ALSO: PROTEST: FG Finally Suspend Import Duty On Essential Food Items

Otuaro, who described President Tinubu as a youth-friendly president, urging youths to shun the proposed national protests on August 1.

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The boss, while reiterating his call for the sustenance of peace and security in the Niger Delta, noted that the president’s favourable disposition was the reason he appointed him as administrator of PAP, and Samuel Ogbuku as the Managing Director of the NDDC, among others.

He further urged them not to allow any group of persons to force them to go back to the old ways.

Otuaro noted that the President was supporting the Programme tremendously to achieve its mandate for the region.

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READ ALSO: BREAKING: Court Restricts Protests In Lagos

He said in line with this, the PAP had designed a scheme to empower more than 1,000 youths that had been engaged this year.

He stated that under the education policy of the programme, the office would increase the number of scholarship beneficiaries to accommodate 500 Niger Delta students to study in universities.

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Otuaro also disclosed that the PAP prioritizes women in its stakeholders policy, adding that the office would in the nearest future hold a women’s summit to interface with the region’s female folk.

He commended the NDDC for organising the sensitization meeting, and pledged PAP’s readiness to partner with the interventionist agency.

READ ALSO: PAP: Again, Otuaro Meets Stakeholders, Re-emphasises Importance Of Collaboration

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He said, “The government of President Bola Tinubu is a youth-friendly government, and he really loves the Niger Delta. I was at the NDDC before he appointed me to head the Presidential Amnesty Programme Office and Samuel Ogbuku as the Managing Director of the NDDC.

“Therefore, it is time for us to own the administration of Tinubu. Let us not join the protests. We need to be patient with him for his reforms to materialize. Nobody should make us go back to the old ways.

“This year in the PAP, we have a programme to empower over 1000 of our youths. In education, we are going to expand scholarship to 500 beneficiaries of the PAP scholarship scheme.

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“For our women, they are our priority. We have had stakeholders meeting with ex-agitators, we are also going to hold another meeting involving women only. In that meeting, our women will articulate their issues. I will not impose anything on our women. The meeting will cut across the Niger Delta. We will partner with the NDDC, we already have the manpower.”

Among dignitaries present at the event were Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; Chairman of Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong; national chairman of PANDEF, Emmanuel Ibok Essien; President of Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba; President of Ijaw Youth Council, Jonathan Lokpobiri; Niger Delta female activist, AnnKio Briggs; Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo; the Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, Ayiri Emami, among others.

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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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