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World Water Day: Obasanjo Raises Alarm Over Incessant Digging Of Boreholes In Abeokuta

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Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo has raised alarm over water borehole drilling in homes, declaring that the repercussions could be devastating.

He lamented that the incessant construction of boreholes particularly in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, was as a result of failure of subsequent administrations to sustain the Oyan Dam project embarked on by his military administration in 1977.

Obasanjo noted that the digging of boreholes everywhere to source for water comes with repercussions which could be devastating.

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The former president gave the warning when the management and staff of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (O-ORDA), led by the Managing Director, Adedeji Ashiru visited him on the occasion of the World Water Day at the weekend.

READ ALSO: How Obasanjo Stopped Me Distributing Electricity From Akwa Ibom After Building Power Plant – Ex-gov, Attah

Obasanjo stated that the Oyan Dam was created to generate power and water for the residents of Ogun and Lagos State but sadly, 48 years after it has not lived up to the reasons why it was constructed.

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He said: “Oyan Dam was built to supply water for Abeokuta and Lagos but it has been neglected and ignored just like the turbine for the power supply.

“The water supply is not there for Abeokuta and we have rather continued to dig holes everywhere causing the water level to go down and down, that will have repercussions in the future, how long we shall have it I dont know but the geologist can do there job and tell us how fast that repercussions will come.”

He also called for the elimination of wastages in water resources stressing that it would be impossible to achieve food sufficiency and security without effective water management.

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“We can not deemphasised the importance or usefulness of water to human life and this why we do say water has no enemy.

READ ALSO: How Ijebu Lobbied Murtala To Have Ogun State Capital In Sagamu – Obasanjo

“This was why as Military Head of State in 1977 I realised that strategic water management must be part of our food sufficiency drives and food security and we created 11 River Basin including the Lake Chad.

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“And what are we trying to achieve, if we have to only depend on rain fed agriculture, we shall definitely not get it right. Rain may come too early or too late, there may be droughts or flood all of which have telling effect on food production and security.

“So the first thing to do as part of measure designed to achieve food security is effective management of water for agriculture. All of the river basins therefore have facilities for irrigation to ensure all year round farming,” the ex-president added.

Speaking earlier, the MD of O-ORBDA, Ashiru, said that the organization’s management decided to pay the former president a visit and salute him for his foresight which made him to create the 11 river basins 48 years ago.

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He disclosed that the vision for effective water management and sustainability which Obasanjo had since 1977 was captured by the United Nations about 10 years ago in Sustainable Development Goal 6 which bothers on sanitation and clean water.

 

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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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