On Monday, The Lagos State Rapid Response Squad announced the arrests of two factional leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Abdulazeez Lawal, aka Kunle Poly, and Adekunle Mustapha, aka Sego, over a clash in the Idumota area of the state.
The arrest was confirmed on the Facebook page of The RRS in a post posted on Monday.
The post read, “The Lagos Rapid Response Squad, led by its Commander, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, this evening (Monday), arrested the two principal suspects in the constant clashes in Idumota and its environs, which has intermittently crippled commercial activities in the area.
“The arrest was effected today at a meeting where the two NURTW members, along with some other stakeholders, converged.
“The latest clash, which occurred last Thursday, reportedly led to the death of a victim, while commercial activities were paralysed in the area for some time until a joint team of police officers were deployed in the area to restore peace.
“Kunle Poly and Sego are presently being transferred to Zone II, Onikan, Lagos State.”
According to Punch correspondent, two persons lost their lives during the clash, which involved factional members of the transport union in Idumota.
1. The dedicated website for Ibadan Cultural Festival was launched on Tuesday, at a well attended ceremony.
2. The launching ceremony which was conducted after the PG CCII Press release at the Asiwaju Bode Amao Hall, Ibadan House has Professor Allan Femi Lana as Chairman of the occassion, Professor Remi Raji Oyelade, Engineers Sunday Gbenjo and Kunle Akinpelu as Chief Launchers. Alhaja Simiat Adeleke Durojaye Larodo and Architect Kola Olawale were the Guests of Honour.
3. The Chairman Ibadan Cultural Festival 2022, Balogun Gaphar Ojetola donated the website to showcase Ibadan Cultural Festival 2022 to the global community and called on the international community to support and adopt the annual Ibadan Cultural Festival as an international cultural event.
4. Balogun Gaphar Ojetola praised all the members of his committee, CCII Constituent clubs and the CCII Executives for their support and enthusiasm at ensuring a successful celebration.
5. This year event is a 10 days activities packed Cultural Festival starting on 3rd March to 12 March 2022.
All other information is available on www.ibadanculturalfestival.com
Arguably, information is much more important than money. It could be likened to electricity blackout where movements and other human activities are impeded. Light illuminates; the way information puts one abreast of the happenings around the world. A man who is not aware of the unfolding events in his vicinity is as good as dead and a man who values information and knows how to make a judicious us of it can; within a twinkle of an eye, relieve himself from bondage.
The role of media organization is all- encompassing. In the past, it was restricted to information disemination but the modern-day role of the media has transcended mere passing of information. Aside the primitive function, media has been viewed as agent of socialization, apostle social justice, pressure group and a host of others that are crucial to daily activities of man.
The press derives its’ power from Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right as stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Media freedom and access to information feed into the wider development objective of empowering people. Empowerment is a multi-dimensional social and political process that helps people gain control over their own lives. This can only be achieved through access to accurate, fair and unbiased information, representing a plurality of opinions, and the means to actively communicate vertically and horizontally, thereby participating in the active life of the community.
Nigerian media gained further advantage at the signing on 28th of May, 2021, of the Freedom Of Information, FOI bill. This was indeed in appreciative of the role of the press as the fourth realm of government.
Without any iota of contradiction, freedom of speech is not intended to infringe upon the rights of the citizenry. Fundamental human right has a limit. Press is under obligation to operate within the ambience and ambit of law.
To every media organization, objectivity and balance report are essential. It is expected that the press must be factual in its dealings and avoid sensational and prejudicial reportage. Suffice to say that any media organization desirous of wide acceptance and patronage need to shun jungle journalism and parochial sentiment. These are virtues that make Oduduwa News stands tall amongst her contemporaries.
Like a colossus, Oduduwa News betrode the media world with a character. Since its’ conception, it has become a reference point for other online media for his factual and unbiased report. This is coupled with prompt and timely report which has conferred the title of pathfinder on the organization.
The advent of online news in 1995 has drastically reduced the crave for print media. This may not be unconnected with the rapid flow of information in this age of technology, courtesy of internet facility. Obviously, technological advancement has brought the globe to the tips of the fingers. The unhindered access to filtering news at any time and anywhere has given everyone the opportunity of first hand information.
Hitherto, people relied and waited for the print media to make news available through dispatch and distribution. But nowadays, everyone has become a pressman and agents by sending classified and hot news to media houses. With the advent of technology, there has been an increase in the number of freelancers and bloggers. With the advent of digital journalism, Nigerians have developed more intricate ways to express themselves from the cave to painting to a written word and illuminated manuscripts to twitter, Facebook and watzap. This is a real revolutionary transformation of journalism.
Without mincing words, credits should go to Oduduwa News management. The crew has never disappointed the nation with the needed news upon which social, economic, educational and others rely on. The organization is unequivocally reliable and dependable. The adherence of the organization to the tenets, ethics, norms and ethos of journalism has always reflected in its daily operation. Oduduwa News has practically become the cynosure of all eyes and a template upon which journalism as a profession is gauged.
Oduduwa News is a stand-alone publication which is not affiliated to any newspaper online version. It is an organization that has been able to strike balance between timely and in-depth reporting. Established on the June 26th, 2020, Oduduwa News has become a household name in the entire nation and a dependable organization for people in diaspora.
It is my fervent prayer that the organization shall continue to exist and attain an enviable heights in the world of journalism across the globe.
Comrade Lekan Badmus is a columnist with Oduduwa News and a public opinion analyst who is based in both Lagos and Ibadan.
The National leadership of Grow Nigeria Youth Movement, a mobilisation unit of energetic and committed youths seeking for the election of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki organized a town-hall meeting at the NUJ Correspondent Chapel, Osogbo, the capital city of Osun State.
According to Kazeem Olalekan Israel, the Director of Publicity, Grow Nigeria Youth Movement, South West Region said that the town-hallmeeting was meant to constitute the Zonal leadership of the movement and to also preach the gospel of the movement to the good people of Osun State and South West region as a warm-up activity to intimate the people of the need to elect a visionary and productive person like Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki as the President of the country come 2023.
“The meeting had in attendance 151 persons carefully selected from across the South West region and the State excos of the movement in the six South West States of Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos”
The Honourable representing Ede North Local Government Area, Hon. Niran Atidade in his address, charges the you to to their strength to mobilise heavily for the emergence of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki as the President of the country. According to him, “Dr. Bukola Saraki is the fittest person for the job because he has shown capacity over the years.” He called on the youths to eschew politics of bitterness and to ensure they do not vote for ‘old cargoes”
Also, Honourable representing Obokun Local Government Area at the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewumi Adeyemi says “there is an urgent to vote in youths for leadership post most especially that of Presidency because it requires someone that has the energy to perform.” In his remark, he says that a septuagenarian and above cannot deliver what is expected of him as the President of the country considering the task before him. He however called on everyone present to continue propagating the agenda of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki to become the next President of the country.
The talented Yoruba actor, script writer and enterprenuer, Muyideen Oladapo professionally known as Lala took to his Instagram page to celebrate his latest achievement as he bags Master’s Degree in Theater Arts.
“I am sincerely grateful to the Almighty for this rare privilege. I have always had a burning passion for attaining a greater height in education from my tender age and I thank God I achieved the dream despite fame and other engagements”
“This is a stepping stone for me to greater achievements because I am not relenting because I want to attain the highest level of education. I am grateful to God for the success of my second-degree education. It took me concerted effort in achieving this because there were lots of distractions, but I bless Allah that it eventually became a success.
The National Leader & Presidential Aspirant of the All Progressive Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has apologised for a misleading claim he made concerning the Permanent Voter Cards.
Tinubu made the statement while addressing some of his supporters in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said, “In case they do not announce to you on time, the PVC you have has expired. Take one family member, two family members, knock on all doors and make sure that the new registration… Because they may not announce to you on time. The PVCs you have has expired. Yes!
“You need to spread it to various local government and wards at each levels. No matter how difficult it is. To me, I look at it closely and you look at other elections being held, you will see that it’s diminishing because those cards expired. It’s mandatory that you go and register to vote and achieve your aspirations. May God bless you and bless Nigeria.”
After the Statement by Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed, the Independent National Electoral Commission said the information was wrong. According to INEC, PVCs don’t come with expiry date.
In response to the public comments that followed the misleading information, Tinubu’s media team issued a press statement saying the APC chieftain mistakenly used the word ‘expire’ instead of stating that PVCs may have to be updated.
The statement read, “On Tuesday night in Abuja, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu granted audience to a delegation of women from Lagos and across the country attending the All Progressives Congress Women Conference. While charging the women to check the status of their voting cards and mobilise supporters to vote, he mistakenly used the word ‘expire’ instead of stating that the cards may have to be updated.
“Immediately upon being apprised of this, Asiwaju apologised for the incorrect statement and felt sorry for any confusion it may have caused. Asiwaju Tinubu also stressed that he appreciates the patriotic and necessary work of INEC and its personnel in assuring a free and fair electoral process for all Nigerians in all political parties.
“At the meeting convened at the behest of the women, Asiwaju emphasised the need for people to fully participate in elections so we strengthen our democracy. He urged them to continue to mobilise voters to update their PVCs and help thwart the prevailing voter-apathy. Women must mobilise heavily to reverse the trend, he said.
“The gap between those who registered for elections and those who usually turned up to pick their PVCs was wide, adding that such constitutes a serious challenge, which may impede the growth of our democracy.
“Asiwaju Tinubu would like to reiterate this call to women to mobilise at the grassroots levels so that elections reflect the sovereign will of all the people for a true democracy to be established. He enjoins them to review their voting details with INEC so that these details will be updated before the coming elections.”
The Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojudu, says he will not support the Presidential ambition of All Progressives Congress leader, Bola Tinubu.
Ojudu further stated that contrary to reports, Tinubu did not make him successful as he was already an accomplished publisher before meeting the former Lagos State governor.
The former lawmaker said this in a statement titled, ‘Principled Political Choices are not Betrayal’
Ojudu, who is leading the campaign for Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to be the next President, said he would continue to follow his conscience.
He said, “The idea that everyone who has related with Tinubu and disagrees with him on this Presidential bid is a traitor and a betrayer is puerile. Many of us, his associates, were not made by him as you also want the world to believe.
We were already made before meeting him and in the course of relating, we gave one another a helping hand. As far back as 1992 when I came to know him I was already one of the editors of a popular news magazine with a good standing too in the civil society.”
Ojudu, who represented Ekiti Central senatorial district between 2011 and 2015, said he could not in good conscience support Tinubu for the Presidency.
He stated that he would not be intimidated by those describing him as a traitor.
“On this matter of 2023 I wish him well but I cannot in good conscience give him my support or cast my vote for him in the coming primary. It is my right. I am above 60 years of age for God sake. I almost died seeking these inalienable democratic rights, held up in detention and severally tortured. Your god is not my god. “Let no one think he can browbeat or blackmail me to do what does not go with my conscience or my ideals. Enough of your phone threats and embarrassment of my family members!” said Ojudu.
The Presidential aide recalled how he resigned after disobeying an order by his then-employer, Chief MKO Abiola, to apologise to then Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, for writing a story critical of his regime.
Ojudu revealed how human rights lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), also forced him to refund the money he invested in his newspaper after Ojudu decided to join Tinubu’s clique.
He said he also defied his father’s wishes by joining Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s Unity Party of Nigeria when his father was a member of the National Party of Nigeria in the Second Republic.
The veteran journalist said the story of his life has been about conviction and he would continue to follow his conscience as regards political decisions.
The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes under the leadership of Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga on Tuesday organized Press Conference in respect to the upcoming Ibadan Cultural Festival Week 2022.
The Press Conference held at the Bode Amao Hall, Ibadan House Oke-Aremo, which also featured the launching of the first ever website of Ibadan Cultural Festival.
Speaking at the event, the President General, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga observed a minute silence in respect to the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji Ajeogunguniso and he also reiterates that those causing problem through their comments as regards the succession to the stool of Olubadan should desist until those concerned finally resolved it.
“Let me also reiterate CCII’s earlier statement on the succession issue that all men of goodwill, especially, Ibadan Indigenes, to desist from making comments on the issue till the matter is resolved. By God’s grace, the resolution of the matter will be in a matter of days”
“I want to state that this year’s cultural Festival calendar was already concluded before the departure of Kabiyesi but we’re sure that the successor would be have been announced and thus, it would be ripe to celebrate Ibadanland by March 2022”
According to Balogun Gaphar Ojetola, Chairman of 2022 Ibadan Cultural Festival Week, the website of the is www.ibadanculturalfestival.com and it’s the first of its kind in the history of Ibadan.
“The website is part of my own token to the Ibadan land, and as commence the week on March 3rd, relevant information pertaining to the Festival and Ibadan will be posted on the website, also, we seek the corporation and support of everyone of us to make this year celebration a success”
The Chairman also recognized and appreciates the efforts of all Committee members so far.
Activities of the Week Includes Scarifice to Oke ‘Badan, Jumat Prayer, Oreke & Talent Hunt, Amala Day, Church Service, Sports Competition, Essay Competition & Quiz, Conference & Grand Finale which is to take place at Adamasigba Stadium.
At the mention of the name – Oriyomi Hamzat, what readily comes to mind is Agidigbo. Agidigbo is a well-crafted name given by and to the radio station of the doyen of modern-day investigative journalism. Agidigbo in Yoruba parlance is a traditional talking drum that has a unique sound; so much audible to the most deafening ears.
The agidigbo or molo is a large traditional plucked lamellophone thumb piano used by the Yoruba people of Nigeria to play apala music. It is a box, big enough to sit on the musician’s lap, with 4 to 5 strips of metal set up side by side on top like keys on a piano keyboard.
The tongues are designed to vibrate and produces sonorous tones. Because of the Yoruba language’s nature as a tonal language, the agidibo can act as a musical speech surrogate, conveying language through its tones. Thus the altruism; ” bi owe, bi owe, la n lu’lu Agidigbo” Therefore, the choice of Agidigbo was not accidental. A philosophical name that depicts the objective and defines the modus operandi of the media station.
Impliedly, the drum echoes a meaning and an operation that makes some unscrupulous elements in the society pant and shiver. Far from unnecessary diplomacy, the name frowns at any attempt to be economical with the truth. Few stations in the global world have the tenacity to uphold such virtues like honesty and un-prejudicial report like Agidigbo FM. To the enigmatic owner the station, truth fears no man. This is a philosophy that has endeared him into the hearts of millions of people across the world who listen with rapt attention to his presentation usually characterised by comic reliefs. All these wax together led to his numerous titles like: The Conscience of the nation, Advocate of the masses, voice of the voiceless, defender of human rights, promoter of good governance, one-man pressure group and the people’s police.
Every media practitioner is a journalist and journalism is a profession. Conventionally, press has been seen as the fourth arm of government. Though an un-official nomenclature, it is a profession which has over the years serves as checks and balances to the official three arms of government of executive, legislative and judiciary.
Journalism is the activity of gathering, assessing, creating, and presenting news and information. Journalism can be distinguished from other activities and products by certain identifiable characteristics and practices.These elements not only separate journalism from other forms of communication, they are what make it indispensable to democratic societies.
Journalism is of various branches. Of all the branches, investigative journalism is the most hazardous. It is all about exhuming facts in this hostile society, finding, reporting and presenting news which other people try to hide. It is very similar to standard news reporting except that the people at the centre of the story will usually not help and may even try to stop the job. The duty of a journalist is to keep people abreast of happenings in the society. It is however a wonder that Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat chose to tilt towards investigative journalism in view of its hazardous nature. That he has flare for this particular aspect of journalism tells much about his pedigree. Lord Northcliffe once said: “News is what somebody, somewhere wants to suppress.”
Oblivious of occupational hazards, Dr. Oriyomi Hamzat has deliberately chosen to thread the path which so many despise. People have a right to know about the society in which they live.They have a right to know about decisions which may affect them even if people in power want to keep them secret. But the courage to inquest is uncommon as found in the erudite media ace.
A significant number of journalists get a lot of requests from people to investigate some alleged wrongdoing. In many cases these are silly matters, lies or hoaxes. Alhaji Oriyomi is not one that could be easily induced with money to air unsubstantiated story. All he does is to spend some time on each tip-off to decide whether or not it will make a story devoid of maligning reputation or castigating aspersion of anybody in what is known as jungle journalism. However, he has penchant for not allowing possible story clues escape. He is a master listener to careless words that give the first clues to something wrong but will never write a story based on rumour. He certainly goes for accurate, factual news and evidences.
Investigative journalism is not as easy as we may think. One needs to fit the facts together as he gathers the stories to make sure that they make sense. It is like doing a jigsaw. At the beginning, you have a jumble of pieces. Only slowly will they emerge as a picture. Unlike a jigsaw puzzle, one may not have all the pieces at the beginning but has to recognise which pieces are missing.
His ability to maintain confidentiality about his sources of information, courage to withstand threats from people he is investigating and his attitudes towards working within the ambit of law are other qualities embedded in Oriyomi. These perhaps could be attributed to the fact that he has never been challenged on anything he exposes.
Dr Hamzat Oriyomi is a replical of frith and he demonstrates this through his innovation of conflict resolution programmes on air which has really being helpful in bringing peace and preventing animosity amongst the populace. Kokoro Alate and Kato domo eye loro are two programmes that have become daily routine of all and sundry. He is a promoter and defender of cultural values. He is always ready to dive deep into the nuances of the topic he is focussing on; unveiling concealed matters without trepidation and crucially contributing to freedom of expression which are at the heart of UNESCO mandate. Oriyomi does not believe in pervasive clientelism. He does not allow any mutual relationship between the media and public office-holders where journalists often serve political interests rather than the common good.
With his two aforementioned programmes on 88.7 FM, Dr. Oriyomi has been able to illuminate the darkest corners of not only the world but individuals heart. This is achievable through intense focus which more often than not has to do with risking his life for the emancipation of truth. This is a great sacrifice which helps him thrive where police fails.
Born into a family of on- air presenter in Ibadan around the 1970s, Oriyomi took after his Father who worked with NTA Ibadan. It could be inferred that his choice of journalism is not a mistake; it is somewhat hereditary.
Alhaji Dr. Oriyomi Omo Amusa deserves the United Nations prestigious award of Nobel laureate on social justice and humanity. His philanthropy gesture is irrespecta of race, clans of religion. Only God knows the number of people he has saved from catastrophe, oppression and those missing fellows he has linked to their relations through his radio programmes.
Permit me to conclude by presenting the lyrics of the sonorous song that conveys the operational objectives of one of his widely accepted progrmmes. The song was composed by Fuji wizard, Saheed Osupa.
” Kokoro Alate … T’ohun tate ni… Owu alate… T’ohun tate ni… Tete opopo….. Abonde lorun… Onikaluku…… Lo sa ti ni ti e lara.”
Comrade Lekan Badmus is a columnist with Oduduwa Online news. He is also a public opinion analyst.
The Executive Chairman of Egbeda Local Government Hon. Sanda Sikiru Oyedele on Saturday, 15th January, 2022 Commissioned some projects donated by his administration to the people of Egba Community & Its Environs Landlord/landlady Association, Bank Olodo, Olorunda Aba in Ibadan.
The Chairman while commissioning the projects said that the projects are as a result of the vision of His Excellency, Engr Oluseyi Makinde in making life comfortable for the people of the State from provision of social amenities and that’s what he has embarked upon since he resumes Office. He further assured them that this project won’t be the last, as more developmental projects will be facilitate to the Community.
The Projects which Includes two Transformers were donated by both Egbeda & Lagelu Local Government Chairmen, representing Lagelu Chairman at the event was His Chief of Staff, Mr Olubiyi Rasheed.
Another project commissioned by the Chairman was a walk bridge constructed by the community association, in which the Chairman commended them for such initiative.
The Projects are expected to make life more enjoyable and comfortable for the residences.
Speaking on behalf of the residences of the Community, the Chairman Planning Committee of Egba 2022 Celebration, Mr Oyetola Olusegun appreciates His Excellency, Engr Oluseyi Makinde and the Executive Chairmen, Hon.Sanda Sikiru Oyedele and Hon Gbadamosi Kazeem for their efforts in making their community a place to live in and also an Award of Excellence was given to both Chairmen by the community.
The Chairman, Hon. Sikiru Sanda further admonished the residences to continue to support the administration of Engr. Seyi Makinde, as to whom much is given, much is expected.
In the entourage of the Chairman were; Hon Ibrahim Oladepo Simple Leader of the House, Hon Tope Awolere; Secretary Egbeda LG, Hon Adisa Siyanbola Ladi KB; Chief of Staff to the Chairman, Hon Rasheed Afeez Orelope Councilor Representing ward 5, Egbeda LG; others includes Hon Ibrahim Idris Abayomi / Hon Salami Jelili Supervisory Councillors Egbeda LG, Comrade Ahmed Dohra Adeniji Gsmists Coordinator Egbeda LG, Hon Alawe Olawale Ebenezer PDP CHAIRMAN ward 6, Hon Mania P.A to the Chairman,Pastor Mayowa Ayoade and host of others.
Signed: Kunle Molomo Media Aide to the Executive Chairman, Egbeda Local Government.
