Author: Taiwo Ismael

…. Awards Contract For Completion of 12.5km Challenge-Odo Ona Elewe-Apata Road

Oyo State Government, on Tuesday, approved the notational promotion and payment of civil servants dismissed in 2012, by the last administration who were recalled by the present administration.

This was made known to pressmen in Ibadan by the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, after the State’s weekly virtual, executive council meeting.

Olatubosun hinted that the gesture was in consonance with the policy of the Seyi Makinde administration to cater for all without prejudice, and to give the workforce cause to be satisfied in other to booster proficiency.

“97 civil servants dismissed in 2012 were recalled the moment this administration got into office, the executive council, today, approved their notational promotion and payment of gratuity to the concerned ones among them.

“This is in furtherance of the present administration’s drive to give cause for the working population to be happy for the job they do; it is also a testament to the fact that this is a government with large heart, that caters for the welfare of all.”

The commissioner added that the executive council also approved contract for the completion of section 1 and section 2 of the 12.5 kilometers dualization of Challenge-Odo Ona Elewe-Apata road in Ibadan.

He said the contractor, Messrs Kopek Construction Nig. Ltd., has agreed to repair all defective portions in section 1 of the road and to embark on the completion of section 2 of the road.

“In consideration of displacement of Oyo State residents in this particular area, Oyo State Government has deliberately channelled Section 2 to pass CBN route, so as to reduce the number of residents to be displaced by the construction.

“The road, when completed will significantly reduce traffic along Challenge-Apata axis of Ibadan metropolis; and delivery period is 12 months.

“The contract was awarded at a total sum of N5,646,384,211.92 which includes compensation (N775,403,670.19) and all statutory deductions,” he explained.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan Zonal Office, on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, arrested 32 “Yahoo boys” for alleged involvement in internet fraud.

The suspects were apprehended during a raid on their hideout in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. Officers of the EFCC swept on the location, after diligent analysis of series of intelligence gathered on their alleged criminal activities.
Three of the suspects claimed to be serving members of the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC), 19 were undergraduates of various universities across the country, while the remaining 10 laid claim to sundry vocations.

The suspects are Oyebamiji Francis; Aremo Jeremiah; Ogbonnaya Prosper John; Anuoluwapo Matthew; Oladele Victor; Mumuni Waliyullah; Olawoyin Abiodun; Okuwatoyin Henry; Arisekola Shina; Babarinde Solomon; Samson Gideon; Joshua Ola Adebayo; Ajayi Joseph Ajibola; Garba Mojeed, Olatunbosun Tobiloba and Azeez Ridwan.
Others are Ajala Timilehin; Adebolapo Bakare; Alaba Gideon; Ogunkeye Olumide; Ogunleke Tolu; Olapade Emmanuel; Adegoke Aanu Abiodun; Job Ayantoye; Oyebode Pelumi; Babayanju Toluwani; Oladele Ayobami; Omonaiye Abubakar; Sattong Baking; Abisoye Kehinde, Iwajomo Nathan and Aniyikaye Tope.
At the point of their arrest, 12 exotic cars, several phones, laptops and some incriminating documents were recovered from them.

The suspects were subjected to thorough screening by medical officials of the EFCC, in line with the Covid-19 prevention protocols.
They would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

The former governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose has said in an interview granted to Plus TV that he would jail the Nigerian ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo if he has opportunity to become the President of Nigeria.

He said, “Let me tell you, Obasanjo has made hate speech and should be brought to book by this government.

“I pray one day I will become President of this country by God’s grace Obasanjo will go back to prison.

“I am telling you the truth because there are so many things Obasanjo must be questioned about.

“Obasanjo is not a saint. When he came out of prison, his farm at Ota was in shambles but today, it is back to life.

“Where did get the money he used to resuscitate the once ailing farm? It was from the government.

“For the library, all governors at that time contributed N10m each to support Obasanjo by force.

“The third term is still fresh in our memory. So, baba should stop telling us he is a saint.”

The former Ekiti governor also chided Obasanjo for his comments on late Buruji Kashamu, saying he had paid his own dues and spent his time on earth.

“No court convicted him and he left and departed the world. Everybody will have an end. Let’s wait and see how Obasanjo will end,” he added.

Reacting to an online reports published by Sahara Reporters indicating that the Arole Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II had ordered the Department of State Security (DSS) to arrest one tricycle rider, identified as Lawal Moshood, who was based in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State and was alleged to have disguised as ‘Ooni of Ife’ defrauding some women with marriage promises.

Ooni’s director of media and public affairs, Comrade Moses Olafare who spoke to journalists on Tuesday described the report as mischievous and ridiculous.

“We find it disheartening that some online media practitioners have adamantly chosen to practice journalism without adherence to simple principle of investigation which allows fair hearing.”

“You will notice that some women and ladies have been defrauded by some people claiming to be Ooni, promising their victims marriage.”

“On the part of the DSS, they began their investigation without any order from Ooni of Ife’s palace and somebody was arrested in Ijebu Ode. In the course of their investigation, they discovered that the arrested suspect, Lawal Moshood had opened Facebook accounts in the name of the Ooni. There was even a recent case of a woman who sold her properties in the United States of America based on an online scammer, who impersonated the Ooni, promising to marry the woman.”

“The Ooni of Ife does not have the constitutional power to order the arrest of anybody. The case of Moshood Lawal is between him and the DSS that arrested him. The security agency acted on a tip off and trailed him to Ijebu Ode, where he was arrested. What the DSS is doing about his case, we don’t know. It is just pitiable and laughable that some journalists, who should by their expected level of education know the limits of power of any traditional ruler in the internal security management of Nigeria would now be spreading falsehood that Ooni ordered arrest of a tricycle rider.”

“Where does the Ooni get the power to order the arrest of anybody? . The only thing Ooni can do is to make official report to the security agents who are constitutionally empowered to initiate investigations where the need arises.”

“The report by Saharareporters is a vivid example of jungle journalism, with the ultimate agenda to blackmail and mislead the public. But, their mission had failed because no amount of blackmail and mischief can overwhelm the integrity, respect, love, mass appeal, local and international recognition enjoy by the Ooni of Ife, most especially among the youth.”

Ooni of Ife is not only a promoter of the youth in Nigeria, but also dedicates most of his socio-economic programmes and projects, running into billions of naira to the upliftment and emancipation of the nation’s youths”, Olafare concluded.

Earlier today, the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu attended the Passing-Out Ceremony of the pioneer Amotekun Corps Officers as the Ondo State Security Network Agency begins operations officially.

The photos of the event attached below.