Metro

‘We’re In Benin To Fill The Gap In Transportation’ – Online Cab Provider

Published

5 years ago

February 17, 2021

The Management of UNIVASA Nigeria Limited has said that the rising needs and communication gaps between drivers and riders in the transportation sector in Benin prompted the launching of its online cab services in the city.

Dr. Ben Adeniyi, the Chief Executive Officer of UNIVASA Nigeria Limited who disclosed this on Wednesday in Benin at the launching of the online cab services App, noted that the purpose was to close the gaps in the city’s transportation system by letting riders book cab online at the comfort of their home without stress.

He added that the company is offering a free tracking device on the online App for drivers to make their services more easier, stressing that the tracker belongs to the company and not the drivers.

He said, unlike their competitors, UNIVASA is going to partner with all stakeholders whereby both drivers and riders are given priority, and not just riders alone as some of their competitors do.

Boluwatife (left) and John Oyakhilome addressing cab drivers at the launching of online cab in Benin

While wondering how an online taxi provider can increase its fair without proper communication with both drivers and riders, Dr. Adeniyi noted that UNIVASA has a communication unit that runs 24 hours services on the App, adding that no action would be taken on their services without proper communication and feedback.

“After interacting with several drivers and with our earlier research, we discovered a communication gap, there’s been a poor communication with drivers and riders. We, at UNIVASA want to keep a regular communication with our drivers and our riders.

“We heard of the recent sudden hike of transportation fare, without a proper communication to all concerned. These are the lapses we have uncovered and we have come to correct here in Benin. So, we are partnering with all stakeholders to make sure we have a smooth operation and ride in Benin,” he said.

He disclosed that before the end of the year 2021, UNIVASA is planning to launch the online cab in the 36 states of the federation including the FCT, adding that it has already garnered 175 drivers under its service in Benin.

Also speaking, Mr John Oyakhilome, General Manager of the company said UNIVASA offers 90% earnings to all drivers while the company collects 10% of the total earnings.

A cross section of cab drivers at the launching.

He added that the online cab service provider offers bonus for drivers ranging from weekend bonus, appliances bonus, celebration bonus, smart phone bonus, insurance bonus, etc, adding that the company partners with telecommunication company in offering free data service via its Application as well.

“The healthcare insurance is not a monthly insurance but a yearly insurance. Our annual health insurance is going to be for a period. So, that means if you want to do a health insurance for your family, we will let you know the number of ride that is going to cover that amount for you in the year.

“We also offers free internet on UNIVASA. If you are on the App and you have Glo SIM, you don’t need to have data before you use the App. We are also looking foward to partnering with MTN and Airtel and other telecommunication providers to have a free internet App with their services.

“One beautiful thing about UNIVASA is that, when a rider book you, you don’t need to use your call card to call the rider, you can use the App to call the rider, you can likewise use the App to message the rider. All are for free on the App,” he added.

Related Topics:#Online cab #online taxi in Benin #UNIVASA

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Metro

Two Children Die In Separate Well Tragedies In Kano

Published

6 hours ago

November 5, 2025

Editor

Tragedy struck in two communities in Kano when two children lost their lives in separate well incidents.

The Kano State Fire Service confirmed the incidents in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi. A copy of the statement was made available to the press on Wednesday in Kano.

According to the statement, both incidents occurred in the Dawakin Tofa and Dala local government areas of the state.

According to the statement, “The first incident took place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at about 8:53 a.m. in Kashirmo Village, Sarkakiya, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area. An eight-year-old girl identified as Zara’u Muhammad reportedly fell into a well while playing”.

However, residents of the area made desperate efforts to rescue the child before the arrival of firefighters, but were unsuccessful due to the depth of the well and the high level of water inside.

Metro

ICPC Arraigns Woman For Forging Marriage Certificate, Visa Fraud

Published

6 hours ago

November 5, 2025

Editor

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned one Ms. Elle Isaac Blessing Ojo before Justice Akobi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Kubwa, for allegedly forging a marriage certificate and United Arab Emirates (UAE) passport stamps to fraudulently obtain a United Kingdom (UK) visa.

The arraignment, which took place on Tuesday, followed a four-count charge filed by the Commission under Charge No. CR/577/25 Federal Republic of Nigeria vs. Elle Isaac Blessing Ojo (F).

According to the charge sheet, the offences were committed around 2019 within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The ICPC prosecution team alleged that the defendant forged a marriage certificate with registration number 024119/2017, purportedly issued by a Nigerian marriage registry, and used it to support her UK visa application.

The Commission also accused Ms. Ojo of forging entry and exit stamps of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on her international passport, presenting them as genuine to strengthen her visa application.

These actions, according to the charge sheet, contravene Sections 363 and 366 and are punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Laws of the Federation, which deal with forgery and the fraudulent use of forged documents.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Elle Isaac Blessing Ojo, in 2019 or thereabouts, at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did fraudulently present as genuine a forged marriage certificate purportedly emanating from Ikoyi Marriage Registry, Ikoyi-Lagos, when you had reason to believe it to be a forged document, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Laws of the Federation.”

When the charges were read, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all four counts. She was represented by her counsel, C.A. Owo Ekele.

Lead prosecution counsel, Barrister Fatima Abdullahi of ICPC, informed the court that the Commission was ready to proceed to trial and requested a date for hearing, while the defence counsel applied for bail on liberal terms.

After listening to both sides, Justice Akobi granted bail to the defendant in the sum of ₦2 million with two sureties in like sum. One surety must be a public servant not below Grade Level 15, while the second must be a resident of Abuja with a family and possess landed property with a valid Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) within the FCT.

The second surety is also required to attach copies of his or her passport and C of O to the bail documents for verification.

Justice Akobi further ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions.

In a statement on Wednesday, ICPC’s spokesperson and Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, Demola Bakare, said the Commission will continue to collaborate with relevant embassies and international partners to curb visa-related fraud and bring offenders to justice.

Metro

Abductors Kill Seminary, Free One In Edo

Published

8 hours ago

November 5, 2025

Editor

Kidnappers have killed Emmanuel Alabi a seminary of Immaculate Conception Minor, Ivianokpodi, Estako East Local Government Area, 95 days after he was abducted.

Late Alabi and two other seminaries, Japhet Jesse and Joshua Aleobua, were abducted on July 10, 2025.

In June this year, Peter Andrew, from the same Ivianokpodi seminary was abducted and killed.

Jesse escaped and regained freedom but others remained with the kidnappers.

Their plea for freedom and rescue did not yield any results even as the kidnappers placed them among their previous dead victims.

Aleobua regained freedom on November 4th but Alabi was shot dead while attempting to escape.

A statement by the Catholic Diocese of Auchi and signed by the Assistant Director of Communications, Fr. Linus Imoedemhe, was silent on how Alabi died.

The statement said Bishop of the Diocese of Auchi, Most Rev. Gabriel Dunia, expressed deep pain and sorrow over the loss of the young seminarian.

It said Bishop Dunia called on security agencies to intensify efforts toward protecting the lives and property of all citizens and cautioned political leaders against turning a blind eye on the worsening insecurity situation in the nation.

Bishop Dunia urged them to prioritize the safety and well-being of the people over political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to the statement, “The Catholic Diocese of Auchi invites all the faithful and people of goodwill to join us in praying for the repose of the soul of Emmanuel Alabi, and for the peace, healing, and security of our people and land.

“The Diocese of Auchi remains committed to the values of faith, peace, and justice, trusting in God’s infinite mercy to bring comfort to the bereaved family, the seminary community, and all those affected by this tragedy.

“May the soul of Emmanuel Alabi, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”