Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Thursday, described the death of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Public Infrastructure and Transportation, Architect Adebowale Kizito Balogun, as painful and a sad loss to the state.
The governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, condoled with the family of the late permanent secretary, civil servants in the Ministry, and the entire workforce in the state, describing him as a man who dedicated his life and times to the development of the state.
According to Makinde, losing Architect Balogun to the cold hands of death few days after after the loss of the Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Engr. Simiyu James Adepoju, has left a huge vacuum in the state’s infrastructure reformation drive.
“The news of the death of our hardworking Permanent Secretary in charge of the Ministry of Works, Arch. Balogun, has dampened our morale. It is one death too many.
“Arch. Balogun’s exit at this time is painful and shocking, because he left the stage at a period that his wealth of experience is mostly needed.
“Only a few days ago, we lost the Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Engr. Adepoju to the cold hands of death and we thought that the experience and expertise of individuals like Arch. Balogun would continue to be available in the ongoing massive efforts to reduce the infrastructure deficit of the state.
“But we cannot query the Almighty who allowed his departure at this time.
“Architect Balogun is a hardworking Permanent Secretary, who is ever ready to contribute his quota to the development of the state and the success of the administration in the Public Works and Infrastructure sector.
“We can only condole with his family, friends and colleagues in the Oyo State Civil Service, and pray to God to grant us all the fortitude to bear this loss.
“We equally pray for an end to sudden deaths in the state.
“May God grant Arch. Balogun Aljanah Firdaus.”

Signed
Taiwo Adisa
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde
January 21, 2021

…gives go-ahead for commencement of market’s second phase

Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Thursday, inspected two on-going infrastructure projects in Oyo town – the Akesan Market and the Gedu-Oroki-Sabo-Asipa Road, where he expressed satisfaction with the quality of the works being done by the contractors.

The governor and his team took time to inspect the completed phase one of the Akesan Market, while he also led some government officials to inspect the on-going rehabilitation of the 5.25 kilometres Gedu-Oroki-Sabo-Asipa Road.
While speaking shortly after inspecting the two projects, the governor told newsmen that the quality of the works done showed that there is a new approach to execution of public projects in the state, adding that residents of the town were, indeed, excited.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the first phase of the market which consists of two buildings with 556 lock-up shops, an Administrative Block, a security office, a clinic, 12 units of toilets, has been completed.
It also stated that the perimeter fencing and a good road network have been completed.
The statement further quoted Governor Makinde as saying that he was happy that his government could add to the joy of the people through the projects.
He equally gave the go-ahead for the commencement of the second phase of the Akesan Market project, noting that the second phase would be commissioned by the second year of the administration.
He said: “Today, I am giving the go-ahead for Phase 2 [of the Akesan Market Project] to start in earnest. The developer mentioned that we can attain completion for both phases within another three or three and a half months.
“So, we have given them the go-ahead and we are confident that, by our second year in office, this place will be fully commissioned, with market men and women carrying out their activities.”
Governor Makinde, who commended the contractor of the two projects for the quality of the work done on the road and the market, said: “The quality is good. It is validating that there is indeed a new approach to public project in Oyo State because you can see the quality. And our people are quite excited and I am also happy that we have the opportunity to, at least, add to the joy of the people.”
Speaking on the road project in particular, Makinde said that more engineering works will need to be done on some of the collapsing bridges, stating that the design that was seen has to be modified.
Earlier, the caretaker chairman, Oyo East Local Government, Hon. Saheed Arowosaye, appreciated Governor Makinde for inspecting the road and the phase one of the Akesan Market.
Arowosaye said: “We welcome you for the inspection of the phase one of the ultra-modern Akesan Market. We are glad to receive you here today and we are happy that you have done something like this for us.
“Five months ago, you gave us the authority to embark on this project and we are happy that the first phase is completed. The two buildings have 556 lock-up shops.
“For the security of the lives of our mothers and their general well-being while in the market, we have an Administrative Block, a clinic, and 12 units of toilets here. We also have perimeter fencing and a good road network.”
The inspection had in attendance the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun; the Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka, former Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; Head of Service, Mrs. Ololade Agboola and the chairman, Oyo State Advisory Committee, Senator Hosea Agboola.
Others were the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun; Commissioner for Energy and Minerals Resources, Barr. ‘Seun Ashamu and the Special Adviser to the governor on Strategy and Political Matters, Hon. Babatunde Oduyoye, among others.

As much as I have tried to refrain from tribal politics, because, I believe that such is not healthy for a volatile society like ours, the recent statement issued by the Presidency against the Governor of Ondo State has forced me out of my hole, and, this time, it is important for me to extend solidarity to the Government and good people of Ondo State, not because I am of Yoruba descent, but, because, the Buhari-led government has shown many a time that their loyalty is tilted not to the good people of Nigeria but to the Fulanis who have turned themselves to blood-sucking vampires being aided by the Vagabond-In-Power and his acolytes sitting at the rocky heights.

It is no gainsaying that ever since the inauguration of Maj. Gen. Buhari (rtd.) as the President of the country, he has not been pretentious of his loyalty to his Fulani people which is against the Oath of Office he willingly swore to and he has been aiding the heinous crimes of these people against the good people of Nigeria despite the fact that they are not even original owners of any part of the country.

The recent statement issued by the Presidency against the Governor of Ondo State is most divisive and a deliberate attempt to plunge the country into a carnage, savage and barbaric unnecessary civil war which may possibly end the forced-Nigerian union. In utmost sincerity, the statement undermine and ridicule the essence of the Constitution which grants each State government the power to enforce policies towards promoting the well-being of the people and, it is also a recipe for war.

The directive which was given to Fulani herdsmen by the State government through the executive order proclaimed by the Governor is not out of place and, it is basically an attempt aimed at ensuring that the destruction of government properties most especially forest reserve is not encouraged all in the name of grazing. It is also an attempt to guarantee the safety of the people of the State most especially road users as major highways in the South-West States are being turned to grazing areas by Fulani herdsmen.

One would have expected the Federal Government to support the call which was made by the Governor of Ondo State, but, to my greatest disappointment, the Presidency issued a text to support the invasion of government land by Fulani herdsmen all in the name of grazing to the extent that the intention of the text was totally misconstrued by the Presidency. This, is most unfortunate and a testament to the fact that the country is at the edge of disaster.

With the press text which was issued by the Federal Government, it is not out of place to conclude that the Buhari-led government is making change from the old ways look difficult while making new ways rest on hypothesis of the unknown. And, if care is not taken, Nigeria may soon fall into the abyss of history.

By the letters of the Law, it is the State Governors that owns all the land in his territory (State) not to talk of the forest reserve of the State, and, one would have expected a reasonable government to come up with a policy to discourage the invasion of the reserve for any reason whatsoever. Also, the Governor is duty-bound by Law to protect lives and properties of the citizens and he can go to any length permissible by law to ensure that the security of the people is guaranteed which the Governor of Ondo State has done with the executive order that Fulani herdsmen should vacate the government reserve as against the narrative being shared by the Presidency that the Governor has ordered that Fulanis should vacate Ondo State. The misinterpretation of the proclamation of the Governor shows how low and mischievous this government has gone.

It was Chief Obafemi Awolowo who declared at the convocation ceremony of the then University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University in 1971 that “except the country urgently go back to agriculture, our country may soon be importing food to feed the population.” Today, Fulani herdsmen have discouraged many people from engaging in agriculture with invasion and destruction of farmlands with their cows which has in many cases resulted to blood-lost. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has maintained a deafening silence as regards this which shows the level at which the lives of the citizens matters to this ‘change’ government.

For the record, the recent order which was issued by the State Governor is not out of place and the Presidency lacks the power to pocknose into how the affairs of a State is being governed. If the Fulani herdsmen feel cheated or uncomfortable with the recent proclamation of the Governor, it will be wise of them or their sympathetic Federal Government to approach the Law Court and challenge the legality of such.

On a final note, I want to appeal to the Ondo State Government to ensure that the proclamation is enforced to the latter not just to ensure prosperity in terms of agriculture but to ensure that the security of lives and properties of the people is guaranteed.

Kazeem Olalekan Israel (GANI) writes from Ibadan, Nigeria.

The acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mohammed Umar Abba on Tuesday, 19th, 2021 honoured zonal offices that distinguished themselves in the mandate areas of the Commission in 2020.

Ibadan Zonal Office was rewarded with an award of excellence for posting the highest number of convictions-292-in 2020. It is closely followed by Lagos Zonal Office with 227 convictions while the Port Harcourt Zonal Office came third with 106 convictions.

Headquarters Operations emerged tops in assets recovery having scooped a total of N15.1billion in 2020. Lagos and Abuja Zonal Office came second and third with N10.9billion and N1.29billion respectively.

Speaking at a brief ceremony attended by the respective heads of zone, Abba congratulated the honourees for distinguishing themselves. “Management is happy with your performance and decided to honour you with a letter of commendation and a plaque”, he said.

The EFCC boss added that the gesture was designed to inspire personnel of the Commission to greater performance, even as he urged the Zonal Heads to extend the gesture of rewarding excellence to Sections and Teams in their zones.

Responding on behalf of the awardees, Baba Mallam, who stood in for the acting Director of Operations, Mohammed Hadeja, thanked the acting chairman and the management of the Commission for considering them worthy of the honour. He described the honour as an elixir that would further motivate personnel to strive for excellence in the best tradition of the EFCC.

Those present at the ceremony included Chief Detective Superintendent Saad Abiubakar, Head, Abuja Zone; Deputy Chief Detective Superintendent Abdulkarim Chukkol, Head, Port Harcourt Zone, Deputy Chief Detective Superintendent Abdulrasheed Bawa, Head, Lagos Zone and Deputy Chief Detective Superintendent Kanu Idagu, Head, Ibadan Zone.

According to the NECO Registrar, the SSCE was, however, disrupted in some states due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the #EndSARS protests that held in many states across the country.

Prof. Obioma gave the lists of states affected to include Abia, Enugu, Edo, River, Ondo, ,Ekiti, and Lagos. Others are Oyo, Kano, FCT and Ogun.

He also said the affected subjects were Chemistry practical, Economics, Technological Drawing, Food and Nutrition, and Further Mathematics, and noted that the results of the affected candidates will be pending until supplementary exams are conducted for the papers missed…

“This is to inform all concerned NECO students who missed some papers during the ENDSARS protest that they are now to do those missed papers as stated below:
Wed 3rd Feb Chemistry practicals ( to do alternative to practicals)- 2.00 to 4.00pm
Thurs 4th Feb Economics ( obj & essay)- 2.00 to 5.00pm
Mon 8th Feb Commerce (obj & essay)- 2.00 to 4.40pm.”

Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, has been implored to take immediate and decisive measures to secure lives and property in the state.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Professor Adeolu Akande, made the plea in the wake of the security measures announced by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Monday.

The Ondo State Government had on Monday given a 7-day ultimatum to illegal occupants of forest reserves in the state to vacate their hideout. The government also announced many other stringent steps to secure the state from incorrigible elements.

Professor Akande noted the extreme measures would make Ondo State uncomfortable for the criminals, who would seek a new haven and continue to wreak havoc.”

“It is logical to expect that the displacement of these criminal elements from Ondo State will lead them to migrate to comfortable zones to continue their nefarious activities. This is the risk Oyo State faces if it fails to take stern measures to keep such elements away from the state.

“We should not be unmindful of claims by the Chairman of the Amotekun corps in Oyo State that the forest reserves in the Oke Ogun area have become a haven for criminals from neighbouring countries.”

“It is therefore of great urgency that Governor Makinde announces measures to ensure that Oyo State does not become a natural comfort zone for criminal elements expelled from neighbouring states.

Professor Akande noted that the rising crime wave in the state and across the country calls for collective action from all citizens.”

“This is no time to trade culpability. The state is facing a serious security challenge, and all of us must join hands with the governor to salvage the situation.

“Criminals do not distinguish between political parties when they commit a crime. They do not choose their victims according to their political affiliation. All hands must be on deck to return our dear state to a secure and peaceful one”, Professor Akande concluded.

Following the seven-day ultimatum issued by Yoruba cultural activist, Sunday Igboho, asking Fulanis to leave Yoruba land, the Seriki Fulani, Oyo State, Saliu Abdul-Kadri, has sent a Save our Soul (SOS) message to the Oyo State government.

Abdul-Kadri rendered this SOS when a delegation of the state government led by Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security, Mr Sunday Odukoya, visited Igangan for an assessment visit.

Igboho had last week stormed the Igangan residence of the Seriki Fulani noting that the Yorubas could no more bear being killed in their land by Fulanis.

Violence had trailed the visit with no fewer than three persons injured, one person declared missing while about nine huts were razed.

Addressing the state government’s delegation which visited, the Seriki Fulani said they were taken aback at the threat and invasion of their residence by the Igboho men.

Abdul-Kadri fingered foreign entrants into Ibarapa from Zamfara, Kebbi and other nationalities as being behind the kidnappings, killings, criminalities and not those Fulanis resident in Yoruba land.

He said that it was inconceivable that those of them who were born, grew up, married, built houses, set up businesses in Yoruba land will be the ones attacking and killing Yorubas.

Abdul-Kadri said that the Fulanis abhorred criminality, such that he had personally arrested criminals, both Yoruba and Fulani, and handed them over to the police.”

Recounting what transpired when Igboho visited, he said, “On Friday evening, I suddenly saw several Hilux vans and other vehicles. As they alighted, they were asking where the Seriki is. Then one of them said he’s Igboho, that he believes I must have been hearing about him. He then said he’s here to give us seven days ultimatum to leave Ibarapa and entire Yoruba land. He asked if I’m aware how Fulani was killing and kidnapping people.

“I was about to tell him that we arrested some Yorubas who were kidnappers, in Igangan and Tapa and they have been handed over to the police. Suddenly they began shooting sporadically and hit four of us followed by setting up our huts in flames.

“He then brought out a gun, put it in his mouth swearing by Ogun’s name that he must not meet us here at the expiration of the ultimatum. Then they left.”

We want the government to save us. “We may be regarded as visitors regardless of the number of years spent here but I grew up here, I married here; I have children over 45 years old. I have built houses here in Igangan.

“This place is our source of livelihood; we want the government to save us.

“We have supported governments over the years. The government should help put our mind at rest.

“A lot is happening to Fulani in Ibarapa, Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso. We arrest people suspected to be killers, kidnappers and hand them over to the police. Many of those we arrest are from Zamfara, Kebbi. What attracts those foreigners is a mining spot in Igangan. They steal our cows too.”

Responding to the plea of the Seriki Fulani, Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde, on Security”

Sunday Odukoya said the government has commenced an investigation into the matter, assuring that those found culpable would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

He said the government is not asking the law-abiding residents irrespective of their tribe or creed to leave any part of the state but only criminal elements.

He allayed the fear of the Fulanis on the ultimatum for them to leave the state, urging them to remain law-abiding, peaceful and shun any reprisal attack.

Odukoya assured of government’s commitment to the security of residents across the state urging them to support the government by exposing criminal elements in their midst.

He advocated for peaceful co-existence between the Yorubas and the Fulanis in the state.

Credit: The Nigerian Tribune

Tributes have been pouring in for David Ntekim-Rex, a 22-year-old tech entrepreneur in Lagos who was shot dead by robbers in Jibowu axis of Yaba area.
Co-founder of an immigration tech firm Tunde Omotoye said David was recently employed to head a unit of his company before his death.

“This is so sad and I am actually speechless,” Omotoye tweeted. “I got introduced to David just on Tuesday. He joined a startup team I belong to as Head, Product Design.

“The system has indeed failed David. It has failed him & his family totally. I pray his family finds the strength for this loss.”

David is one of the two Nigerians that won at the annual Master the Mainframe competition organized by AngelHack, a global hackathon company and the IBM Z Academic Initiative in March 2018.

How ‘we’ lost David
David, according to a Twitter user Roy Mustang, was on his way home from work on Friday night when the robbers attacked and shot him dead.

Mustang said the police were called to the scene while David was gasping for breath but could not aid his transfer to a nearby hospital.

“The Nigerian police stood and watched as he gasped for air,” Mustang tweeted. “They took pictures instead, and were more concerned with why he – a tech guy- was carrying a laptop.”

He explained that David was taken to the “military hospital around the area, the nurses ignored him. The doctor came around and kept asking who they all were. It took a senior nurse to come out and start checking for a pulse.” Mustang claimed that David had lost a lot of blood at this point.

“The police then took David and his family to Sabo, where they looked for the laptop that he had on him instead of giving them a police report. He was finally released to his family, and they got to LUTH around 12:30 am.

“David wasn’t attended to by the doctors at LUTH. He was there till the family was convinced he couldn’t be alive because he had no pulse. The doctors refused to administer any test to see if he was alive.”

David’s death like many others that happened in the country could be attributed to the failed security structure. Many helpless Nigerians like David are left to deal with the effects of a poor policing system and government policies that make the environment unsafe.