Author: oduduwanews

An elder statesman and founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has said the country is facing a deep economic crisis, thereby affecting the welfare and safety of its citizens.

Babalola, who demanded concerted efforts from stakeholders to salvage the situation, noted that the nation’s constitution is the root cause of the challenges confronting the country.

The renowned legal icon spoke in Ondo town at the weekend during the 2024 Ekimogun Day celebration, where he was decorated as the “Living Legend of 2024” and inducted into the Ondo Development Committee’s Hall of Fame by the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo.

An elder statesman and founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has said the country is facing a deep economic crisis, thereby affecting the welfare and safety of its citizens.

Babalola, who demanded concerted efforts from stakeholders to salvage the situation, noted that the nation’s constitution is the root cause of the challenges confronting the country.

The renowned legal icon spoke in Ondo town at the weekend during the 2024 Ekimogun Day celebration, where he was decorated as the “Living Legend of 2024” and inducted into the Ondo Development Committee’s Hall of Fame by the Osemawe of Ondo, Oba Victor Kiladejo.

This recognition comes barely seven weeks after he was celebrated and October 18th was declared as “Afe Babalola Day” in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

The nonagenarian, represented by the Vice Chancellor of ABUAD, Professor Smaranda Olarinde, called on the traditional ruler and other stakeholders in the country to join his advocacy for a new people’s constitution that would guarantee social and economic prosperity for Nigeria.

He said, “It is common knowledge that Nigeria is going through economic crises, particularly in relation to the safety and welfare of the people. When I was young, and I am talking of over 90 years ago, there was no hunger, there were no thieves, life was safe, and people could go to their forests where they had their farms both during the day and under the moonlight.

“The reason was because the constitution at that time acknowledged a direct rule system, which the colonialists made use of. What this means is that when the colonial masters came, they found that Yoruba kingdoms were so well organised under the Obas. So, they relied on the Obas for the progress of the town.

“This was why, in 1960, the Independence Constitution provided for the House of Chiefs. The chiefs were close to the people, and they were given due recognition. That has been abolished.”

“Let me give you an example of the roles of the Obas and their importance and effectiveness. Some years back, the first armed robbery took place in Ado-Ekiti. The robbers came to the National Bank in broad daylight. The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti was contacted.

“He immediately sent emissaries to all villages surrounding Ado-Ekiti and asked them to block all roads out of Ado-Ekiti, including footpaths. So, when the thieves were done, they headed out of the town, not knowing that the Oba had sent messages to all the people around Ado. They were caught on one of the narrow routes in the forest. Congratulations.

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the state Governor Ademola Adeleke of fraudulently taking undeserved credit for the road projects done by the combined administrations of Mr Rauf Aregbesola and Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola in order to deceive the people of the state and beyond.

It would be recalled that Governor Adeleke rolled out the drum yesterday by bringing in the Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to commission the Stadium-Testing Ground-Oke-Baale-Ilesa-Garage Road along the Osogbo Ring Road without alluding to the fact that his administration had only 20 per cent intervention on the said road project while his predecessors had effected the 80 per cent of the commissioned phase of the road contract.

Based on his unenviable antecedents, we are not surprised that Governor Adeleke could go to the despicable length of fraudulently claiming the executor of the projects of his predecessors which could be likened to a brazen ignominious act of stealing dirty during the daylight.

Our surprise as a party at the untoward development on the dubious road commissioning saga, was the complicity of Governor Makinde who is a qualified Electrical Engineer, blessed with the administration of a populous state like Oyo for six years running not to have discovered that his Osun State counterpart invited him to commission an uncompleted project.

The original design of the road was to be in two layers but surprisingly, only binder course was done on the commissioned road while there is nothing to show that the wearing course of it has been done as contained in the road design which automatically qualified it for an uncompleted project .

It is important for Governor Makinde to investigate the nature and history of any project he is invited to commission especially by Governor Adeleke in future so that his plight would not be like that of former President Olusegun Obasanjo who was brought to Osun State last week for the commissioning of about two kilometres of Lameco-Old Garage Road which several portions of it are already in the state of disrepair.

We challenge the Osun State Governor Adeleke to prove to the whole world that his administration did 250 kilometres of light-up within the two years of his government contrary to what he told Makinde as the information available to us showed that what the government under Adeleke had done is within the range of only 20 kilometres of light-up.

We sympathize with Governor Makinde over his pledge to assist his counterpart return to the Bola Ige House in 2026 as Governor Adeleke knows where the shoe pinches and he is supposedly endowed to differentiate from an impossible Utopia and reality of the mere political statement credited to the Oyo State governor which is as good as Dead On Delivery.

We may excuse Governor Adeleke on his allegation that his immediate-past predecessor abandoned the said project in the sense that it might not be possible for him to know that the former Governor Oyetola did 5.3km single carriageway with median, two numbers of roundabout and slips road of the said road from Stadium Roundabout to Ilesa-Garage Roundabout as the period coincided with the time that it was expedient for Senator Adeleke to run away to America.

Inspite of paucity of funds during his administration, will it be proper and correct to believe by the discerning members of the society that the Oyetola administration that fully funded the single carriageway with median, two numbers of roundabout and slips road from Ilesa-Garage to Stadium Roundabout to complete the loop of the entire Osogbo East Bypass project to binder level as having abandoned the project?

Governor Adeleke undoubtedly needs tutorial to be in the know of the fact that a cumulative amount of over N15 billion was paid by both the Aregbesola and Oyetola administrations for the project, leaving a balance of about N3billion for total completion of the road which included complete overlaying to wearing course

It is so sad that the road that was stopped at a binder level without overlaying was lane marked by the laid-back and inept administration of Governor Adeleke.

The attempt of Governor Adeleke to obliterate the eventful four-year administration of former Governor Oyetola now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, will be an effort in futility as the history of the state cannot be whole without giving the workaholic and financial engineer his proper place. Recall that Oyetola administration paid N97billion of Osun debt without borrowing.

The earlier Governor Adeleke desists from incubating another fellow’s egg, the better it would be for his wobbled and rudderless administration which is largely being run by impulse rather than diligent planning.

Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello, Ibadan-born Islamic preacher, is dead.

Though details of his death were sketchy as at press time, ODUDUWA NEWS confirmed from the Facebook page of another preacher, Sheikh Taofeeq Akewugbagold

May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.

Details later.

The Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, OYOSUBEB, on Thursday evening nabbed one Abosede Ojo, a middle aged job seeker who allegedly falsified her job portal result.

Dr. Nureni Adeniran, OYOSUBEB’s Chairman, said the suspect has been handed over to the police for further investigation.

Adeniran said that the suspect, who sat for the recruitment cbt examination scored 36, but decided to connive with an examination syndicate who allegedly produced a fake congratulatory message for her.

He explained that the suspect was apprehended during a verification exercise put in place by the Board, for qualified candidates.

Adeniran further explained that the suspect confessed that she did not come for the interview, but liaised with her husband to get herself a congratulatory message.

According to him, the police is on a trail of transactions between the suspect and the cyber-cafe where she got the printout.

He said “the suspect has be handed over to the police, and the board, would track and also apprehend others involved in the illicit act.”

”My advice to others is that they should stop such illicit acts”, Adeniran advised.

An head on collision between a heavy laden truck and a commercial Micra taxi has claimed four lives while two persons were seriously injured in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.

According to report by the Deputy state commander, rescue and recovery, OYRTMA, Mr. Adisa Oluwakayode the accident happened around General Gas Express way, along Iwo Road to Ojoo axis of Ibadan on Thursday 5th December, 2024 at about 11:45 pm.

It was gathered that the trailer drove against traffic through one way, colliding with a commercial Micra Taxi with registration number BDG680HL

Newsarena.ng also learnt that the dead bodies have been deposited in a mortuary while the injured victims were rushed to an undisclosed hospital by the Oyo state Road Transport Management Agency, OYRTMA’s rescue and recovery team in collaboration with Amotekun and Nigeria police personnel who were at the scene for quick intervention.

In a bid to strengthen education and digitalize educational learning in Oyo State, The State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde will be commissioning 200-capacity Computer Based Centre at the State Library located at Dugbe on January 15th, 2024.

The 200-capacity computer centre is a public private partnership between Oyo State Government and BINATECH Engineering Services Limited.

The computer centre when inaugurated will be equipped with modern facilities and will address the desires of Oyo State Students to access modern learning materials as well as a hub for JAMB CBT and other computer based exams.

While speaking, the Director of the engineering firm handling the construction of the Computer Centre, BINATECH, Engr O. A. Abiodun said the construction of the Computer Centre was borne out of the desire and vision of the State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde towards the development of educational sector having invested heavily in human capacity development as a result of massive recruitment of qualified personnels in our public schools in recent time.

The Library which has not been given desired attention in the past has been brought back to life by the present administration with the ongoing construction of Computer Centre.

The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has called on President Bola Tinubu to reconcile with former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, fostering unity within the political fold. The monarch made the appeal during a visit by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FERMA, Chukwuemeka Agbasi, to his palace in Lagos.

Goronyo and Agbasi were in Lagos for a two-day working tour, inspecting facilities and commissioning key infrastructure projects in the state. Speaking during their visit, Oba Akiolu highlighted the need for unity among political leaders, stressing that forgiveness and collaboration are essential for national progress.

Meanwhile, Rauf Aregbesola, who served as Minister of Interior and a former Governor of Osun State, continues to mobilize support for the Omoluabi Progressives Caucus, a splinter group within the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

During a stakeholders’ meeting in Ilesa, Aregbesola reaffirmed the group’s commitment to reclaiming both the state and national leadership for unity and development. Addressing members, he emphasized the need for resilience, dedication, and adherence to the caucus’ core values of discipline, courage, and competence.

In a post on his verified X handle, Aregbesola expressed satisfaction with the growing membership of the Omoluabi Progressives Caucus. “The ongoing membership registration exercise has recorded remarkable growth. I encourage everyone to continue inviting more people to join our ranks and strengthen our collective resolve,” he said.

As the APC navigates internal divisions in Osun and other states, the Oba of Lagos’ call for reconciliation between Tinubu and Aregbesola is seen as a significant step towards fostering unity within the party. Both leaders, with a shared political history, are influential figures whose alignment could have far-reaching implications for the APC’s cohesion and success at both state and national levels.

Observers are keenly watching how these developments wil

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has condemned the arrest of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, over alleged criminal libel, describing it as illegal. Farotimi’s arrest, which took place in Lagos on Tuesday, was disclosed by Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, in a post on his X handle.

In a statement issued shortly after, Falana criticized the arrest and demanded Farotimi’s unconditional release, asserting that Lagos State had decriminalized defamation over a decade ago.

“Lagos State is among the two states in Nigeria that have decriminalized defamation in its entirety,” Falana said. He referenced a 2021 Supreme Court ruling in the case of Aviomoh v Commissioner of Police & Anor., where Justice Helen Ogunwumiju affirmed that defamation was removed from Lagos’ criminal law in 2011.

Falana argued that the arrest contravened the legal position established by the court, adding, “In demanding Mr. Farotimi’s unconditional release from illegal custody, I wish to state, without any fear of contradiction, that the current state of the law prohibits such actions.”

The arrest has sparked widespread reactions from human rights activists and legal practitioners, who view it as a potential violation of Farotimi’s rights.

Farotimi, known for his outspoken views and activism, has long been a vocal advocate for justice and good governance in Nigeria. His detention has added to ongoing discussions about the balance between free speech and legal boundaries in the country.

As of the time of this report, there has been no official statement from the Lagos State Police Command regarding the arrest or the allegations of libel. Observers are closely monitoring developments as calls for Farotimi’s release continue to grow.

The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has refuted claims by Northern governors and elites that they were not consulted on the controversial Tax Reform Bill. Speaking during a town hall meeting on the bill organized by Channels Television, Oyedele emphasized that consultations were extensive and inclusive.

The Tax Reform Bill, which has faced stiff opposition from Northern elites, particularly over its Value Added Tax (VAT) provisions, has sparked a national debate. Critics, including Senator Ali Ndume and Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, argue that the bill disproportionately favors Lagos State at the expense of the North.

The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill proposes significant changes to VAT distribution. Under Section 77, the federal government’s share of VAT revenue would reduce from 15% to 10%, while state governments would receive 55% and local government councils 35%. Additionally, 60% of the VAT allocation would be distributed based on consumption metrics.

Oyedele defended the reforms, asserting that the committee prioritized consultations. “We consulted. We had one session with the Governors’ Forum. They won’t say we didn’t consult them. They’re saying we need to consult more, which we agree with. But it is not correct to say that we did not consult,” he said.

The tax expert detailed the consultation process, which included engagements with the National Economic Council, finance commissioners, internal revenue service heads, and governors across geopolitical zones. However, Oyedele admitted that some governors were unavailable during these sessions.

On the contentious establishment of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) to replace the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Oyedele explained that the move was aimed at enhancing efficiency in revenue collection.

“Our revenue collection is less than 20% of what South Africa’s revenue service collects. This is not about scrapping agencies or introducing new taxes; it’s about institutional reform to optimize revenue,” he clarified.

The Lead Pastor of the Harvesters International Christian Center (HICC), Bolaji Idowu, will spend the night in the custody of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) of the Nigerian police in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for alleged N1.5billion fraud.

It should be recalled that earlier today, it was reported that the police operatives from the FCID were grilling Pastor Idowu, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

According to Sahara Reporters in an update report, a top police source at the FCID revealed that Pastor Idowu would be sleeping over in the police cell for the alleged crime.

“The case emanated from one of his pastors who duped several people in a real estate scheme,” one of the top sources revealed.

The police investigation showed that several billions of naira in the scheme were traced first to Pastor Bolaji’s church account and later to his personal account,” the source added.