Some colleagues of Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing have reacted following her unreserved apology to the Theater Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners of Nigeria TAMPAN.
We reported that at an award ceremony in Canada to celebrate Yoruba actors and actresses, Nkechi Blessing knelt to acknowledge her errors to TAMPAN publicly. She sought the forgiveness of the leaders and pleaded that her ban in the industry be lifted.
Still on it, Nkechi, via her Instagram page, stated that she wished she knew the things she knows now, but she is thankful to God for direction and guidance. Tendering an unreserved apology to the members of the association, she hoped they find a place in their hearts to forgive her.
Nkechi, who is turning a new leaf, noted how change comes with a lot of soul searching, sober reflections, and, most importantly, peace within oneself.
Taking to her comment section, Iyabo Ojo, Mo Bimpe, Jamiu Azeez, Oge Okoye, Yewande Adekoya Abiodun, and Kemi Korede sent some love emojis.
Toyosi Adesanya wrote, “God will continue to order your stress.
No fewer than 15 people reported to have been been dead while several others injured in a collapse of building at Jegede Area, Olorunsogo, Ibadan.
The incident said to occur in Ibadan at exactly 2am on Thursday
Confirming the incident, the General Manager, Oyo State Fire Services, Rev. Akinyemi Akinyinka said they received a distress calls from the people in the neighborhood at 2am.
According to him, “May I inform you that Oyo State Fire Services Agency received a distressed call at around 2 am this morning at jegede olunloyo area , Ibadan ,of which 10 persons has been recovered from debris of collapsed building, while 7 persons rescued alive.
The Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole has claimed that Nigerian workers today are significantly poorer than previous generations.
Oshiomhole stated this during a lecture for members of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 17 at the National Institute of Security Studies in Abuja on Wednesday.
He noted that the widely discussed N70,000 minimum wage is equivalent to just $42 when converted to dollars, a sharp decline compared to the past.
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He said, “When the minimum wage in Nigeria was established under President Shagari, around 1981, it was about N125, which was equivalent to around $160 a month. Today, despite a 100% increase achieved by labour last year, the current exchange rate reduces this N70,000 to just $42.
“So, if you divide N70,000 by N1,650, it gives you $42. This shows that working people are much, much poorer now than we were many years ago. This income devaluation affects the quality of life and everything else.”
Oshiomhole stressed that the government and wealthier states should pay more than the current minimum wage.
Reflecting on his time as President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, he recalled pushing for Lagos State to raise its minimum wage beyond N5,000.
He said, “A serious employer should not be paying the minimum wage; they should pay more. Major employers, like the civil service, should not pay just the minimum wage. I expect the Federal Government will, over time, adjust its minimum wage.
“When I was NLC President, we agreed that oil-producing states, like Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Lagos, which have significant revenue, should pay no less than N7,000—the same as the federal rate.
“Interestingly, when we pursued this, the current President was then Governor of Lagos State. He showed me all the books and said he couldn’t afford it, but I had to push him. We organised strikes to make sure that all necessary funds were used for salaries, even if it meant sacrificing other projects.
“My job then was not to sympathise with the employers; it was to ensure workers got their due.”
Oshiomhole also called for the expansion of minimum wage laws to cover domestic staff and other employees through amendments.
He stated, “If you look at the law in Nigeria, which I hope we can amend soon, although the federal government and states have agreed on a N70,000 minimum wage, some employers still pay less, as the law only applies to enterprises with around 25-50 employees.
“But in today’s economy, a small ICT company with only 10 staff can still generate significant turnover, so the old employee number criteria are outdated.”
Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has denied filing a suit against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged plan to arrest him upon completion of his tenure.
Fake lawyer, Darlington Ozurumba, filed the fundamental right enforcement suit before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of a Federal High Court in Abuja
The statement reads in full:
REBUTTAL: “SANWO-OLU SUES EFCC OVER ALLEGED PLAN TO ARREST, PROSECUTE HIM AFTER TENURE”
Our attention has been drawn to the news circulating in a section of the media, titled: “Sanwo-Olu Sues EFCC over alleged plan to arrest, prosecute him after tenure.”
We need to clarify that Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at no time, sued or briefed any legal practitioner to file a suit on his behalf concerning the above subject matter.
Also, it is disingenuous for the Governor who enjoys immunity as conferred on him by the Constitution and has almost three years ahead of him to brief any lawyer on this kind of matter.
To the best of my knowledge and my inquiry confirmed that the EFCC is not investigating the Governor and has never invited him or threatened arrest of any member of his staff, domestic or otherwise.
We are currently investigating how the case came to be without our knowledge.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
Until his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.
The 56-year-old Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th Regular Course.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987. He rose to Major-General in September 2020.
Oluyede has held many commands since his commissioning as an officer. He was Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer Guards Brigade, Commandant Amphibious Training School.
General Oluyede participated in several operations, including the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the North East theatre of operations, where he commanded 27 Task Force Brigade.
Oluyede has earned many honours for his meritorious service in various fields of operations. These include the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, Passing the Staff Course, and Membership in the National Institute.
Others are the Field Command Medal, the Field Command Medal of Honour, and the Field Training Medal.
Oluyede also received the coveted Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award.
He is married and has three children.
Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser Information and Strategy To President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
The Ecumenical Water Network, Africa (EWNA) has commended the Oyo State Community and Social Development Agency (OYCSDA) for prioritizing water availability across the State.
This was stated in the address of the organization’s Regional Coordinator, Vr. Kolade Fadahunsi during a courtesy visit to OYCSDA Chairman, Hon. Abideen Adetokunbo Adeaga on Wednesday.
Kolade said the visit was part of the advocacy programmes embarked upon by the body to call for availability of water in five major African countries, namely, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Kenya, adding that the focus in Nigeria is on the South West of the country.
He mentioned that it is commendable that the ongoing sixty-six projects of OYCSDA across the State that are basically on education, health, sanitation and erosion control, encompasses water provision for every sector of the projects, as directed by the World Bank and Oyo State government, under the Nigerian Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES).
He went further to call for collaboration between OYCSDA and Ecumenical Water Network, Africa, as the body celebrated ‘Africa Water Week,’ so as to achieve the set agenda of delivering portable water for a mass of people and stamp out water-borne diseases from the country.
“While extending warm greetings from Ecumenical Water Network, Africa, and commend your efforts in transforming the 33 local government areas of Oyo State, we are delighted to inform you that your initiatives have made a lasting impact on the communities.
“Our organization has been advocating for water availability in five African countries of Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Kenya, while in Nigeria, we focus on South West, we are excited about the yearly Africa Water Week, which is usually in the week of 21-26 October annually.
“This event aligns with our mission with our mission to promote water as a right and combat privatization, we are impressed by OYCSDA’s prioritization of water availability in Oyo State, particularly the 66 ongoing micro-projects across local governments,” he declared.
In his response the Chairman of OYCSDA, Hon. Abideen Adetokunbo Adeaga appreciated the EWNA team and promised to do more to sustain the legacy of sustainable community development of Governor Seyi Makinde in the State.
He told his guests that the State was poised to increase availability, affordability and accessibility of citizens to portable water without leaving out any area in the State.
Meanwhile, the OYCSDA on Tuesday, held a training for its employees to enhance their performance and productivity at work.
The training, which held at the Ibadan, Oyo State on Wednesday, had its theme as: Improving Productivity In Community Development Work.
The resource person at the training, Mr Siyanbola Adegoke spoke on improving business/workplace etiquette, stakeholders relationship management, effective communication and the need for time management among other core areas of discussion.
He enjoined the members of OYCSDA staff to maintain diligence, hardwork and resilience in the face of constraints at work, so as to deliver more to the communities in Oyo State that are the major stakeholders in their work focus.
The Chairman, Oyo CSDA, Hon. Abideen Adetokunbo Adeaga said the recent approval given for the sixty-six micro-projects called for more productivity and hard work from the members of staff, which necessitated the training event.
The General Manager, OYCSDA, Mr Salau Jelili reiterated the commitment of the Oyo State administration, under Governor Seyi Makinde to do more towards positively impacting the populace.
The Ondo State Security Network, also referred to as the Amotekun Corps, a few days ago paraded no fewer than 27 suspects reportedly linked to kidnapping, theft, murder, and burglary across the state.
Giving a press briefing at Amotekun headquarters in Akure on Tuesday, the Amotekun Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, explained, “Today we are presenting to you 27 suspects. “Within the last two weeks, we have made an arrest of 27 suspects involved in one criminal activities or the other.
While there have been isolated incidents of kidnapping in areas bordering the state, according to Adeleye, “All 18 local government areas are peaceful.” The Amotekun Corps has been not only supportive in terms of security and stability but has also worked actively in support of community and investor confidence, with its rangers positioned on farmlands and government forest reserves.
He cited the examples of a 30-year-old suspected cultist accused of the attempted murder of law enforcement agents.
Gbenro, 42, was said to have assaulted Amotekun officers. Samuel Peter, 21, who allegedly took to attempted murder. Akimade Friday, for the murder of a 65-year-old man. Others were related to theft, one of them was Segun Owolabi, 20 years, who reportedly specialized in stealing motorcycles. Then a group of young men of ages between 22 and 25 were also linked to house burglaries. Adeleye identified those individuals to include suspects named Toba, Pelumi, Ogumade, and Oriade.
Community Peace, Conflict Resolution Efforts Commander Adeleye further enumerated community peace restoration and conflict resolution occasions recorded by the corps during the year under review to include the amicable resolution of five herder-farmer clashes. “The herders volunteered to compensate for losses incurred and paid government fines for any infringements,” he added.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has suspended former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, over alleged anti-party activities.
In a resolution submitted to the APC National Secretariat and addressed to National Chairman Dr. Umar Ganduje, the Osun APC accused Aregbesola, a former governor of the state, of creating divisions within the party by establishing a splinter faction.
This alleged move was seen as undermining the party’s cohesion and unity, especially during a critical period in Osun politics.
The APC in Osun claims that Aregbesola’s actions have fueled internal divisions, with party leaders asserting that his influence on certain groups has caused significant discord. This suspension marks a decisive action by the party’s state chapter to address perceived disloyalty and realign its leadership ahead of future elections. Further responses from Aregbesola’s camp are awaited as the situation unfolds.
…as government’s delegation visits family of late student
The Ogun State Government has shut down Obada Grammar School, Obada, Idi-emi over the death of Master Monday Arijo, an SS2 student of the school.
This followed the arrest and suspension of the teacher allegedly responsible for the death of the student on Friday last week as a result of corporal punishment.
The Principal of the school, Mrs. Tamrat Onaolapo, who was earlier issued a query for allowing corporal punishment to be used on the pupil against the established rules and regulations in the state, has also been suspended.
The closure of the school was based on the directive of the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who has also directed that a panel should be set up to investigate the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident.
The governor has promised that those liable by the outcome of the investigation will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Representatives of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology have also visited the family of the late student.
The visit was to offer condolences to the family and express the Ministry’s sorrow over their loss as well as collect first-hand accounts of the incident for a thorough investigation.
The team comprised of the Director, Secondary and Higher Education Department in the Ministry, the Principals General, Egba and Yewa Divisions, Zonal Education Officer, Imeko Afon, representatives of ANCOPPS, Ogun State President, Trade Union Congress and the Ogun State Chairman of ASSUS.
The Principals General, Egba and Yewa Divisions as well as the Director of Education, Secondary and Higher Education, who spoke during the visit, expressed their heartfelt condolences even as they pledged the support of the state government to the family during this challenging time.
The officials assured the family that thorough investigation would be launched to determine the facts surrounding the incident and that accountability would be pursued.
They reiterated the government’s commitment to learners’ safety, the creation of a more supportive school environment, and justice for the bereaved family over the sudden death of their son.
The DPO, Idi emi, assured the family that the situation around the ugly incident would be unravelled to the core, and justice would be served. He assured them of the safety of their wards in the school.
A condolence letter to commiserate with the bereaved family over the loss as well as a cash gift of N500,000 were handed over to the representative of the deceased family.
The officials were received by the family who expressed their grief and shock at the sudden loss of their child.
