The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki of Edo has commended the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on the certificate forgery case levelled against him by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a Statement issued to newsmen on Saturday in Benin. According to the Governor, the judgement is a triumph of the rule of law and a testament to the fact that truth will prevail ultimately, no matter how vehemently detractors push lies in the face of incontrovertible evidence. He said that the verdict, delivered by Justice Ahmed Mohammed, was well-received as a victory for the rule of law. “It is the needless attempt by desperate individuals, trying to undo the will of the people through the backdoor, but we are happy today that justice and truth have prevailed,’’ he said. The governor added that the verdict confirmed, once again, that the Edo people were well-guided in trusting him to lead them in the September 2020 governorship election. He promised to continue to prioritise the development of the state, irrespective of all odds. “My profound gratitude goes to the judiciary who have stood indefatigably for truth and justice and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari.’’ Obaseki also thanked the People’s Democratic Party, the party leaders and members as well as his teeming supporters and people of Edo State for standing with him.
A popular Ibadan Sports Presenter, Ishola Abass Abassllah who work with Space FM, Ibadan, was attacked on his way to Studio early this morning for his morning program.
Accordingly to the release by one of his colleague, the sports presenter popularly known has ldan_Ori_Odan was robbed while his car was destroyed and his properties carted away. “His phones,laptop and other valueable things including money was forcefully taking from him.”
First City Monument Bank, FCMB, has named a new Managing Director following the stepping aside of its embattled Adam Nuhu.
Yemisi Edun holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife and a Master’s degree in International Accounting and Finance from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and a CFA® Charter holder. She is also an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers; an Associate Member of the Institute of Taxation of Nigeria; a Member of Information Systems Audit and Control, U.S.A; and a Certified Information Systems Auditor.
She began her career with Akintola Williams Deloitte (member firm of Deloitte Touché Tohmatsu) in 1987, with main focus in Corporate Finance activities. She was also involved in audit of Banks and Other Financial Institutions.
She joined FCMB in year 2000 as Divisional Head of Internal Audit and Control before assuming the role of Chief Financial Officer of the Bank and now as CEO
All Private and Public Schools in Osun State has been directed to resume academic Activities on the 18th of January 2021, this was contained in a statement released and signed by Mr C K Olaniyan, the Coordinating Director, on behalf of the Commissioner of Education.
The Statement also directed teachers to resume on the 11th for preparation against full resumption of Students.
The Lekki Estate Residents and Stakeholders Association (LERSA) has donated a patrol van to the Area J command, Ajah, of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The gesture, according to the association, was to show support to the police division and strengthen its capability for curbing violent crimes and other social vices in the area.
The Ajah division was one of the numerous police stations burnt by hoodlums during the #EndSARS protests in Lagos last October. Police vehicles, as well as other properties were set ablaze during the attacks.
The items donated include a Toyota Hilux, temporary tents, chairs and a generating set.
While appreciating the gesture, ACP Gbolahun said the donation had made the force understand the importance of community support and it was committed to defending the people.
Speaking on the attack, he said: “It was not as if we cannot defend our properties, but we thought of our corporate image and what members of the community would say. Imagine after the protest and community members see dead bodies outside the station, what would be the reaction towards the police?”
At least 11 people have been killed in the latest fighting between farmers and nomadic herders in the southeast of Chad, the local governor told AFP Sunday. The fighting took place on Friday and Saturday in Salamat province, after cattle belonging to one herder ruined a field. The herders attacked as the farmers were taking the animals into an enclosure. “I can confirm that these clashes caused 11 deaths, around 10 wounded and 12 people who started the conflict have been arrested,” Salamat’s governor, Yambaye Abel Massira, told AFP. “Several villages and fields were subsequently attacked and destroyed,” he added. Violence between sedentary farmers and cattle raisers from the Fulani community, also called Peuls, has deep roots in southern Chad, where many people carry guns. Between the end of November and mid-December alone, at least 33 people were killed in such clashes. In a speech on Thursday, Chad’s President Idriss Deby Itno expressed his concerns about the wave of recent violence. “Such a degree of animosity and hatred between communities is inconceivable,” he said. “Nothing, absolutely nothing can explain this outbreak of violence.” The use of force had to remain within the law, he added.
The Honorable who represented Ibadan North West State Constituency under the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party in 2003 to 2007, who is currently the Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde, Hon. Olufemi Josiah gave an account of what transpired between them and their boss, whom they supported putting their lives on the run.
Hon. Olufemi in chapter 13 of his book, titled: A Walk On The Razor Edge, a yet to be published book, where he narrated the ordeal of the State Honourables who were against what many classified as an unlawful Impeachment of High Chief Adewolu Ladoja in 2006.
The Honourable accused the former Governor of been selfish, self centered, and concerned less about the growth of his followers.
It reads in part: “Ladoja was not ready to challenge the power of PDP and Baba Adedibu in the state, he was always looking for the path of least resistance. With that mindset, how can growth happen? As a result of Ladoja’s self-centeredness and fearful mindset, we lost two party tickets; PDP and AC. Honourable Deolu told us about a meeting which Obasanjo had with Ladoja and Adedibu, which confirmed my earlier assertion. It seemed that Obasanjo wanted to redeem himself and see if he could help Ladoja get the PDP governorship ticket. Although the PDP primary had been held weeks before and Akala had won, Obasanjo could have disqualified the primary. Then, leaders were more powerful and important than party decisions. However, Baba Adedibu refused and said Ladoja should be appeased in another way but he couldn’t get the governorship ticket. They decided to cut Ladoja a deal; he would nominate the deputy governor and they would also allow us to contest again for the state house of assembly on the PDP platform.
This was a fairly good arrangement, since we have suffered for him, fought for him, even had our lives threatened for his cause, we felt he could have nominated one for us for deputy and allowed the rest to contest for the state house, but Ladoja refused both offers. Because he couldn’t get his governorship ticket, he decided that we too won’t get anything. This was an ambitious leader who cared less about the political fortune of his followers”
The Honourable also explained how the re-installment of their former boss was also frustrated by the power that be.
Read full Chapter below.
A WALK ON THE RAZOR EDGE.
Chapter 13 On the path to success, support is usually minimal, because many people do no not believe in your dreams or even if they do, they are busy chasing their own goals to care much about yours. However when you attain your goal and success comes, the amount of congratulations and claps at the back is staggering and overwhelming, because now that people have seen that your plan works, they would want to associate with you. Success indeed loves company.
That was exactly our story as we came back from Cotonou after the supreme Court affirmed Ladoja’s win at the court. When we got to Imeko around Seme border, our phones started to pick back the Nigerian network signals since we were back on Nigerian soil. Immediately my phone became reachable, I started receiving congratulatory messages from people in Oyo state. Calls also started entering; I received more than thirty phone calls. People were greeting us, praying and celebrating with us, and I wasn’t the only one. My other colleagues were also experiencing an inflow of congratulatory messages. That was a gracious moment for us. It was one of the highlights of my political career. As young people, we took a risk to return the governor, ensure democracy rules the day. Few people believed in us because what we tried to achieve had no precedence in the history of Nigeria. But we finally achieved it against all odds and threats.
We had a merry making night when we arrived in Lagos that night. By the next morning, we were at Lagos toll gate, waiting for Ladoja, so that we can drive in convoy into Oyo state. The Supreme Court had given a order to Ladoja to return to Ibadan the next day and claim his rightful seat, and we needed security. Although it was a supreme court order, we heard that the forces of Adedibu and Akala were looking for alternatives to make sure they do not hand over power. After the supreme Court victory, their thugs and supporters carried out riots and protests just like they did during the court of appeal victory. Based on the account of our lawyers, who were in Ibadan for the court of appeal verdict, getting out of Ibadan was a miracle for them. Adedibu’s thugs went on rampage looking for them. In order to stall the implementation of the supreme court judgement, they summoned the services of an high court judge whose act was a slap on the Nigerian fundamental constitution and the judiciary- Judge Iyabo Yerima. Because she had the backing of the presidency and some politicians, she allowed herself to be used. She asked the lawyer to come and present an application for interlocutory injunction stopping the police from enforcing the supreme Court judgement. However, their efforts were futile, as Ladoja’s victory was like a moving train, that they could not stop.
Although majority of PDP leaders at the national level were against Ladoja like Bode George, Amodu Alli, Teslim Folarin and the President himself, there was nothing much Obasanjo could do anymore. The international community and opposition were watching him keenly to see his next move and he reluctantly permitted that Ladoja should be reinstated. The security we had on the day we were scheduled to move was provided by one AIG Alapinni coupled with the DSS operatives. He led Ladoja from Lagos in a convoy, to enforce the judgement. Although there had been several resistances in the morning, when we got to Ibadan in the evening, the DSS had already cleared the miscreants.
Ladoja had a triumphant entry into Ibadan. I can never forget that day. The only person who has had that kind of reception in the city of Ibadan was Awolowo. I was young then, in 1979, when he came to campaign. People came in their thousands and waited for him on the road side, that was the kind of welcome Ladoja received. However, it seems that day we came to the climax and peak of our positive relationship with Ladoja because immediately he took over power, he started making mistakes again. Our relationship also started taking a turn for the worse. On his return to Ibadan, Yekini Adeojo was one of the people that received Ladoja. Although he had been part of his impeachment, he switched sides when baba Adedibu betrayed him. In politics, there is no permanent friend and no permanent enemy.. isn’t that how the saying goes?
Yekini Adeojo’s ambition for governor had not died with the last election held. He had thought he would get the PDP governorship ticket to contest in 2007 but Adedibu supported Akala against him. By the time we got back to Ibadan, several important events had happened politically. It was 6 months to the end of Ladoja’s tenure- although he went to court to request for the lost year, he was told that his deputy already ruled in his stead, since the governor and deputy shares the same ticket. PDP had had their primary and also Akala had emerged as the party’s governorship candidate. When we were in Lagos, we thought Ladoja was in talks with Tinubu, and he actually did. We thought when we got back to Ibadan, we would automatically switch to the new Action Congress, transformed from AD. We also believed that Lam Adeshina AD structure will join with Ladoja structure and create a powerful AC that would win elections and debase the rule of PDP and Baba Adedibu’s grip on Oyo state politics
However, to the surprise and chagrin of I and my colleagues, Ladoja started going towards PDP and PDP’s ticket. It was that point we started having issues with him. At that time, we had a political destiny together and I felt it would be difficult to leave a leader you have braved the odds together and achieved. However, I was wrong, I should have left him when he chose that path. I consider my loyalty to him and stay in his political network after the impeachment saga a mistake.
Ladoja was not ready to challenge the power of PDP and Baba Adedibu in the state, he was always looking for the path of least resistance. With that mindset, how can growth happen? As a result of Ladoja’s self-centeredness and fearful mindset, we lost two party tickets; PDP and AC. Honourable Deolu told us about a meeting which Obasanjo had with Ladoja and Adedibu, which confirmed my earlier assertion. It seemed that Obasanjo wanted to redeem himself and see if he could help Ladoja get the PDP governorship ticket. Although the PDP primary had been held weeks before and Akala had won, Obasanjo could have disqualified the primary. Then, leaders were more powerful and important than party decisions. However, Baba Adedibu refused and said Ladoja should be appeased in another way but he couldn’t get the governorship ticket. They decided to cut Ladoja a deal; he would nominate the deputy governor and they would also allow us to contest again for the state house of assembly on the PDP platform. This was a fairly good arrangement, since we have suffered for him, fought for him, even had our lives threatened for his cause, we felt he could have nominated one for us for deputy and allowed the rest to contest for the state house, but Ladoja refused both offers. Because he couldn’t get his governorship ticket, he decided that we too won’t get anything. This was an ambitious leader who cared less about the political fortune of his followers. The AC ticket was also there on the platform of gold for him. Although the governorship ticket had been picked by Alhaji Oyedeji Alidodo, but we all knew he was a dummy candidate. Ladoja could have gotten the ticket anytime he wished and given us the opportunity to contest for the state house on the platform of the AC too but he was too afraid of Obasanjo to use the AC ticket and we lost out on that chance too. However, at that moment, we still stuck with him. Funny enough, when we got back to Ibadan, even after the supreme Court judgement, the Adedibu pro honorables still tried to impeach the governor again, even when his rule remained only six months!
They brought their thugs and supporters to the State Assembly and occupied it for days. They sang songs and even cooked food at the state assembly building. We couldn’t access the house, so we had to start using the government house for our proceedings. We also passed the 2007 budget at the Government house.
However, after some time, the pro Adedibu honorables got off Ladoja’s case. This is because they became busy. Almost all of them had gotten a rerun ticket and they were busy campaigning for the 2007 election. They and their supporters later left the house for us. To “compensate” us for being loyal to him blindly, Ladoja decided to give us each an opportunity to appoint the caretaker chairman of our respective local government for two months. Ladoja demanded register from INEC but he was not given in time. Before the time he received it, the tenure of the chairmen had expired. So we had two months to choose a caretaker chairman before the local government elections which happened to be in the same period with the general elections. However with the experiences we faced with Ladoja, some of the leaders in his camp were still against us, especially the Sarafa Alli camp. They felt Ladoja had no business giving us the chance to appoint local government chairman caretakers. “After all didn’t he take care of us in Lagos?” They said but they forgot we risked our own ambitions to bring him back. They started plotting against us and wanted to be the camp that installed the chairmen. Through their allies, they were able to get the House of Reps to give an order which stated that the Oyo state honorables must sit as one or the house of reps would take control. They knew that if that happens, we won’t able to sit over and affirm the names of chairmen the governor sent. Then the offer of installing our own candidates would be lost to the Sarafa Alli camp. We and the Sarafa Alli people were counting days to the implementation of the house of reps order. About three or four days to when the order would have effect, I and my colleagues decided to reach out to the Adedibu honorables. We needed to recoup our own efforts from the Ladoja struggle and we knew once the national assembly takes over the house, it would be very difficult for us to do so. Although we had chosen different sides and strategize against each other in the past, some of them still remained our friends and we were able to get the assurance of other honorables. It was not a fight between Ladoja and Baba Adedibu anymore. We saw our individual interests being threatened and we decided to come back together. On a day before the house of reps order will become effective, we were able to have a meeting together in the presence of newsmen; about twenty-six of us. The House of Representatives order became null and void.
That would be the last time and only sitting we would have together since August 2005, we were also able to ratify the names of the caretaker chairmen we had nominated. It was a win for us and a loss to the Sarafa Alli camp. The day after the house of reps order became invalid, I met and supported engineer Seyi Makinde as a senator on the platform of ANPP. That would not be the first time I would be meeting him. I had a first meeting with him on December 2006, based on invitation by Muyiwa Olaniyan. Then, they were next door neighbors. We met at his sitting room at Idi- ape, Oluwokekere’s axis before he moved to his present house. He told me his ambition, and said he was interested in farming too. At that time, I didn’t know I was talking to a rich man. I liked his person instantly and promised to support him. I later learnt that he was a member of the Fortune group. The group consists of members of Oyo state indigene from different parts of the state. Muyiwa Olaniyan, Late Hon Kehinde Ayoola,Femi Babalola Jogor, Muyideen Ladoja were also members of the group. Their meetings was held at Fortune Chinese restaurant from which I think the group got its name. At that time, the group was called Ladoja’s fortune group because the members supported Ladoja. We became friendly afterwards and during his campaign for the Senate post, I led him into our camp. I introduced him to Chief Odubiyi, where he also met other leaders and supporters in the company of Wasiu Adeleke, I also took Seyi Makinde to my supporters at Igbejo in Oganlas Compound. By that time, I was the most important factor and decision maker in Ibadan North West. I was the honourable representing the local government at the house and my PA cum the manager of my political group was the caretaker chairman. However, Seyi Makinde lost the election against Adedibu’s son Kamoru. Looking back, I believed he was rigged out. Although he challenged the election in court, efforts to reclaim his lost mandate was almost impossible. Only few judges have the guts to rise above the political force of Obasanjo and Adedibu then. This just goes to show that Seyi Makinde had a humble beginning politically, he has had a dogged and rugged ambition for over 16 years before he achieved what he is today. If he had given up, he probably won’t be where he is today. The National Assembly election was held on a Saturday. The day after, Chief Odubiyi called me to his house, and I went in the presence of Fatai Adetunji- My PA and the local government Chairman caretaker.
When we got to his house, chief told me he wanted to demand something from me, and I responded that I would give it to him if it’s in my power and possession to do so. Chief Odubiyi told me “Josiah, I want you to contest for the Ibadan North West Chairmanship.”
Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has rejected plans by the Nigerian Government to use the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to determine and control the structure of Amotekun and other security outfits in states.
National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, disclosed this while speaking with PRESS on Wednesday in reaction to a statement credited to Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
Odumakin said the plan by the IGP to determine and control the structure of Amotekun and other security outfits in Southwest States was an attempt aimed at muzzling and whittling down the operations of such outfits using command and control gimmick.
Odumakin said it was an indication that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government was not interested in the security of lives and properties of Nigerian citizens.
He said that the South-West region would resist any attempt to truncate or thwart the operations of Amotekun, which is backed by law passed by the six state parliaments.
He said, “They are not interested in the security of Nigerians. What they are interested in is command and control and to be in charge. The moment you submit Amotekun to the control of IGP, that is the end of it. We will reject such a move.”
Commander of Ondo State Security Network Agencies, Adetunji Adeleye, said the Amotekun Corps cannot be subsumed under the guise of community policing by the Nigerian Government.
Adeleye said Amotekun was a grassroots security outfit that already had its own legal backing.
He said the security outfit was established to compliment efforts of existing security agencies in the South-West region to curtail crime.
Adeleye said, “The Amotekun Corps is a baby of the law set up for policing and protection of its own people.
“You cannot subject the structure of the Amotekun Corps to the directive from the Inspector-General of Police or any other legal entity.
“All Amotekun does is to complement all existing security agencies in the country including the police.
“The constitution guarantees the state to also have its own security outfit so far they are backed up by laws guiding their operations. There is a law put in place which has even been passed by state Houses of Assemblies guiding the operations of the Amotekun Corps.”
While noting that the state was not against the government to create community policing, Adeleye said they have already fashioned out a way to protect people of the region.
On his own part, spokesperson for the United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy, Tony Uranta, said Garba Shehu had a right to his views but cannot decide for people on how they would secure their lives and property in the face of the challenges of insecurity confronting the nation.
He called on the governors in South-South and South-East to team up in solidarity and support the South-West governors to ensure that Amotekun was not hijacked by the Federal Nigerian Government.
A call has gone out to private organisations to partner with the Lagos State Government in its drive to bridge the unemployment rates in the State and also increase the chances of gainful job opportunities for job seekers.
The Honourable Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke made the call on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at Ikeja with recruitment experts on ways to partner with the government to ensure that unemployed youths are gainfully employed in the State.
The Commissioner noted that the meeting was organised at the behest of the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, as one of the strategists being used by the government to solve the rate of unemployment in the State, leveraging on the expertise of recruitment agencies to achieve the collective goal of job creation and work placement as they know where the job opportunities are.
According to her, “We are looking at ways outside what the government can do to solve the unemployment issue, therefore, we need to talk to partners, to experts in the recruitment field on ways to collaborate to solve the unemployment surge and find how we can put graduates in the employment bracket”.
Arobieke explained that despite the high rate of unemployment in the country, there are still vacant positions yet to be filled due to the perception that most graduates are unemployable, adding that this could be linked to job seekers’ lack of employability skills, the mismatch between demand for labour and the ability of applicants and outdated school curricula which lack entrepreneurship and employability skills.
Maintaining that the meeting was to complement the goals of the five job registration/labour exchange centres in each division of the State, Mrs. Arobieke said it the interactive session also aimed at enhancing the graduate internship programme, employability skills training and mentorship programme organised by the State Government.
She expressed the hope that deliberation would continue to engender a professional network between the Ministry and recruitment experts until the margin between the employed and unemployed is drastically bridged.
While highlighting the efforts by the present administration towards addressing the plight of the unemployed in Lagos, the Commissioner commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his commitment and support in ensuring that unemployed youths are gainfully engaged for sustainable livelihood, which was underscored by the recent approval of 2,000 job seekers for internship programmes at corporate organisations where the government will be paying their allowances for six months.
The stakeholders’ meeting with the theme “Partnering for Success, Adapting Internship and Job Placement Practices for Post COVID-19 Reality” later went into plenary sessions moderated by Mrs. Titi Akisanya, a leading recruitment consultant/expert.
The Speaker , Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin says the success of Amotekun Corps in enhancing the security of the state is dependent on the full support and guidance given to them by officers and men of the Nigerian Police.
The Speaker therefore asked the Oyo State Commissioner of Police to extend full support to Amotekun Corps when fully operational in the state to enable them complement the activities of security agents in the task of reducing crimes in every nook and cranny of the state.
The Speaker reiterated this when the Oyo State Police Commissioner, Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu paid a familiarization visit to him in his office at the Parliament Building, Secretariat Ibadan.
Hon Ogundoyin told the Police Commissioner that Amotekun Corps was not established to take over the functions of the Nigerian Police but rather they are employed to help the Police to gather information, engage in surveillance as well as help them to arrest suspects .
The Speaker said ” We understand the constraints of the Nigerian Police. We know they are understaffed and the job before them is overwhelming. But the Amotekun Corps will be deployed to all zones in the state where they will participate in the job of securing their communities and assisting the Police. They will arrest suspected criminals and hand them over to the Police “
While assuring the Oyo State Police Command of the readiness of the State Legislature to work with the various Security Agencies since security is the joint responsibility of all, Hon Ogundoyin urged the Police to do more in the area of intelligent gathering and securing of the border communities in Oyo State.
The Speaker used the medium to bring the issue of incessant Fulani/farmers clashes in some parts of Oyo State especially the recent the crisis in Oriire Local Government in Ogbomoso to the attention of Police Commissioner, and urged the Police to ensure perpetrators of these clashes are brought to book.
In his remarks, CP Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu assured the Speaker that the Oyo State Police Command is ready to work with Amotekun Corps inline with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, IGP
The CP explained that the Police has a good working relationship with the various vigilante groups and local hunters adding that Amotekun Corps who will not bear arms wont be an exception
Citing the bank robbery incident in Okeho some weeks ago, CP Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu said if not for the locals the robbers would not have been apprehended.
On the Farmers/herders clashes, the State Police boss who promised that his men will take proactive steps to arrest those causing the crises, blamed the spate of kidnappings, armed robbery and other heinous crimes perpetrated in some parts of the state on some Nomads who use their cattle as cover-ups.
He said drastic steps will be taken to address the Oriire Local Government crisis and others like it across the state.
