Spotlight

Okada returns to Onitsha, but not as you usually know them

Published

5 years ago

March 18, 2019

BY: Ikenna Oluka

Commercial motorcycle operators locally known as “Okada”, are gradually returning to Onitsha, a popular city in Anambra State, Nigeria.

The state government had in May 2018 issued a quit notice to the Okada riders in the two major cities of Onitsha and Awka and urged them to change to another trade or vacate the cities for good.

Chief Press secretary to Governor Willie Obiano, Mr. James Eze, said the directive, which was one of the resolutions from the weekly State executive council meeting, was part of the overall strategy adopted by the government to deepen its crackdown on crime and restore sanity to Onitsha and Awka.

The ban commenced on July 1, 2018.

But, speaking during the 2018 Annual Seminar of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council in Awka, the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, offered more insights on the ban, explaining that the ban would be for commercial motorcyclists in Onitsha and Awka and their neighbouring towns.

He revealed that the state government was making alternative arrangements to provide more shuttle buses to cover as many routes as possible, while calling on transporters to take advantage of the opportunity and invest in deploying shuttles and tricycles to complement government’s efforts.

“The state government has designed a hire purchase arrangement where the motorcycle operators will be provided tricycles and shuttles and they pay in installments over a period of time in consideration to the plight of Ndi Anambra who may be affected by the ban,” he said.

He reiterated that the ban is solely in the best interest of the citizens and residents of the state, and that it would also help government decisively address cases of motorbike robbery in many parts of the state which has been on the increase in recent times.

According to him, the state government, by August 1, this year, would vacate the shanties located opposite the Onitsha prison as a result of the series of crimes reportedly perpetrated there.

However, GRASSROOTS.NG gathered that Okada riders are gradually creeping back on “4wheel brand”, especially in Onitsha:

What’s your suggestion for the government and the people?

Spotlight

Young Man Named Young C, Delves Into The Challenge Of Being Buried Alive For 24 Hours

Published

1 week ago

May 9, 2024

Alice Ginika Simon

Sharing a video on his Instagram account, he said;

“I am going to be spending the next 24 hours buried in this casket. Guys, this is real, not fake. And the most amazing part is that I am going to go live by night.”

In a subsequent update, the young man simply identified as Young C revealed that he had been buried for over 8 hours and was experiencing physical discomfort, including excessive sweating;

“Guys, I have been buried alive for over 8 hours now. For those of you who saw my first video, I have been down here. As you can see, my camera is still rolling, and I have my light down there, I am sweating, guys.”

In yet another update, Young C said he has started experiencing heat and that his fear now is for his rechargeable fan not to run out of power.

He also showed a container where he has been urinating since he began the challenge.

This feat was also once attained by an American YouTuber, Jimmy Donaldson popular known as MrBeast who spent 50 hours buried underground.

Spotlight

Nigerian Woman Breaks Guinness World Record With 55-Hour Interview Marathon

Published

3 weeks ago

April 25, 2024

Alice Ginika Simon

Nigerians are actively participating in the Guinness World Records breaking feats which is quite encouraging and interesting.

You can say this has been the order of the day for over a year now as determined individuals have been coming into the spotlight to showcase their ability to break previously held records on different skills and talents.

This time around, Nigerian social media entrepreneur Clara Chizoba Kronborg has broken the world record for the longest interviewing marathon with a time of 55 hours 24 seconds.

The previous record was 37 hours 44 minutes by Rob Oliver (USA) in 2022.

Congratulations to Clara Chizoba on her Guinness World Records feat.

Spotlight

President Tinubu Congratulates Tunde Onakoya On Guinness World Chess Record

Published

4 weeks ago

April 20, 2024

Alice Ginika Simon

President Bola Tinubu congratulates Mr. Tunde Onakoya on setting a new world chess record and sounding the gong of Nigeria’s resilience, self-belief, and ingenuity at the square of global acclaim.

Mr. Onakoya broke the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon on Saturday, after playing for over 58 hours and winning every match in tow.

President Tinubu celebrates the Nigerian Chess Champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa for the rare feat, but especially for the reason driving this compelling demonstration of character, which is raising funds for African children to learn and find opportunity through chess.

The President states Mr. Onakoya has shown a streak customary among Nigeria’s youth population, the audacity to make good change happen; to baffle impossibility, and propel innovations and solutions to the nation’s challenges, even from corners of disadvantage.

The President affirms that Nigeria’s youths have demonstrated in all fields, including Afrobeats, Nollywood, the pulsating skit-making enterprise, education, science, and technology, that great exploits can truly come from small quarters.

President Tinubu commends the inclination of Nigerians – across artificial partitions – for unity, once again exemplified through their undiluted support for this epoch-making endeavour.

The President assures all citizens that his administration remains strongly committed to creating and expanding opportunities for the youth to explore and exercise their abilities and become the symbols of greatness our nation represents into the future.