Metro

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

Published

4 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

NDLEA Arrests Warri Chief, Ayirimi Emami’s Brother For Alleged Drug Smuggling

Published

4 hours ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

… Group lauds agency

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Emami Ajetsibogho, younger brother to Warri Chief, Ayirimi Emami, for allegedly smuggling drugs worth billions of naira into the country.

It was gathered that the suspect was arrested by the agency’s strike force at Apapa in Lagos State Command following a tip-of.

Reacting to the arrest in a statement, rights activist and president, Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI, Comrade Austin Ozobo, commended the agency and in particular Commandant-General of the NDLEA, Maj. Gen. Buba Marwa for fighting against drug illicit drugs

Ozobo said, “The arrest of Chief Emami’s brother is a milestone, laudable achievement in the fight against drug trafficking in this country.

“I want to commend NDLEA who were able to get the lead information to apprehend this criminal suspect.”

He added: “As Ijaw people, we are happy that God is vindicating us. The Itsekiris are hell bent to kill the Ijaw people to grab their lands.”

He recalled how a British Soldier from the Itsekiri extraction was recently arrested for smuggling guns into Warri to kill innocent people, especially Ijaw and to cause a crisis in Warri, adding, “God exposed him and DSS arrested the British Soldier and thwarted his evil intentions.”

He noted that another Itsekiri person has been caught allegedly trafficking drugs into the Country. “Who knows whether it was to drug miscreants to kill Ijaw people and burn villages? Ozobo asked.

“Ayiri particularly who has been making all kinds of unprintable statements against Ijaw people, we are surprised that his younger brother is a drug baron. Ayiri should be ashamed of himself.

“This shows that Ayiri Emami’s family is not a reputable family, by wanting to bribe NDLEA with a whopping sum of Two hundred million (N200m) to get his brother released. We thought Ayiri had a reputation, but it is shameful.”

Comrade Ozobo, therefore, urged the NDLEA to investigate the matter thoroughly and prosecute the suspect in line with stipulated laws to serve as a deterrent to others.

“I am calling on the NDLEA to investigate properly and bring to book anyone connected to this crime. If Ayiri is connected, he should be brought to book. Anyone connected connected should be brought to book,” he said.

Metro

Ekiti Court Remands Man Over Alleged Threat To Life

Published

6 hours ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District, has ordered the remand of a 31-year-old man, Caleb Ajobor, at the correctional custody in Ado Ekiti over alleged assault and threat to life.

The defendant was accused of conducting himself in a way that constituted a threat to the life of a woman, one Omotayo Olowolagba, at the Ekute area of Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court on Wednesday that “the defendant on June 29, 2025, at about 10am at Ekute Quarters, Ado Ekiti, did assault and threaten the life of Olowolagba Omotayo.

“The defendant did hit the chest of the female victim and conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace in society.

“The offence committed is punishable under sections 185, 46, 181(d) laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria 2021,” the prosecutor stated.

Oriyomi pleaded with the court to order the remand of the defendant in the correctional centre.

Counsel to the defendant, Adunni Olanipekun, however, urged the court to grant his client bail, assuring that he would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Abayomi Adeosun, refused the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the correctional centre.

Adeosun adjourned the matter till July 11 for hearing.

Metro

Customs Intercept 111 Live Parrots, Illicit Drugs In Adamawa, Taraba

Published

6 hours ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

The Adamawa and Taraba Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted 111 live African grey parrots, illicit drugs, and other contraband items worth over N67 million.

The Area Comptroller, Garba Bashir, made this known at a news conference on Wednesday in Yola.
Bashir said that within three weeks, officers recorded 19 seizures valued at N67,785,358 in different locations.

According to him, the locations are Mubi-Sahua, Goshindan-Farang, Belel, Girei-Woro Bokki, Gella, Fufore-Gurin, Damare Waterside, Apawa-Numan road, and the Savannah-Numan axis.

The seized items include; 13,200 litres of Premium Motor Spirit and 1,925 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, packed in 528 and 77 jerry cans respectively.

“11 sacks of second-hand clothing, Tramadol capsules; 5,710 (100mg), 990 (50mg); and 185 packets of Benzhexol tablets, 111 live African grey parrots and nine dead ones,” he said.

The comptroller said that the illicit drugs were intercepted from a suspect along the Apawa-Numan road on June 19.

He noted that the substances were concealed in charcoal sacks and recovered following credible intelligence.

“These drugs, when abused by youths will induce them to perpetrate their nefarious activities.

“Such drugs can be inimical to the health of the citizens and undermining security of the nation,” he said.

On the wildlife seizure, Bashir said a suspected trafficker was caught on June 27 while attempting to smuggle the parrots from Cameroon through the Gurin border.

Bashir said the parrots were stuffed in six wooden boxes, leading to the death of nine resulting from poor handling.

“The interception aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

“Poaching methods are often brutal and a high percentage of captured birds die even before reaching export sites.

“The species are highly trafficked due to its high demand as intelligent and mimicking pet,” he said.

The comptroller said that the seized drugs and suspects would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, while the parrots would be transferred to the World Parrot Trust for rehabilitation.

He said that 101 raw donkey skins, earlier seized in May, would be destroyed under NCS regulations.

He said the seized petroleum products would also be auctioned immediately to avoid fire hazards, with proceeds paid into the Federation Account.

The customs boss commended the leadership of the Comptroller General, Bashir Adeniyi, for providing an enabling environment and support from sister security agencies.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to curbing smuggling, protecting Nigeria’s borders, and safeguarding public health and the economy.

(PUNCH)