President Bola Tinubu congratulates Justice Stella Anukam on her re-election as Judge of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights for another term of six years.
Justice Anukam was re-elected at the African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting Executive Council in Accra, Ghana, on Friday.
The Nigerian obtained her law degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (formerly known as University of Ife), Osun State, Nigeria, in 1984, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in August 1985.
She is also a chartered secretary, chartered arbitrator, and seasoned administrator.
Justice Anukam has served as former Director of Special Programmes at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in Abuja, Nigeria, and as former Director of the International and Comparative Law Department of the Federal Ministry of Justice.
President Tinubu commends Justice Anukam for her contributions to the development of human rights jurisprudence on the continent and enjoins her to continue to bring her invaluable knowledge and insights to the African Court.
The President states that his administration will continue to support the candidature of competent and qualified Nigerians for international positions, noting the country’s strategic importance in the global community.
The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights is a continental court established by African states to ensure the protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa.
It complements the functions of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The court is composed of eleven judges nominated by member states of the AU and elected by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
Nigeria is a state party to the Protocol establishing the Court, having ratified it in 2004.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported a significant increase in the average retail price of petrol in June, with a litre now costing N750.17. This represents a 37.44 percent year-on-year increase from the N545.83 recorded in June last year.
However, compared to the previous month (May 2024), the average retail price decreased by 2.53% from N769.62. The NBS report also revealed that Benue State had the highest average retail price for petrol at N854.55, while Lagos, Kwara, and Ogun States had the lowest average retail prices at N626.94, N650.00, and N670.63 respectively.
The South-South Zone had the highest average retail price of N794.64, while the South-West Zone had the lowest price of N696.42. Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has attributed the recent petrol scarcity in parts of Lagos and Abuja to the disruption of ship-to-ship transfer of petrol due to thunderstorms and flooding of trucking routes.
In a grand ceremony marked by pomp and pageantry, the Olu of Agbowo, Oba Musibau Akande Gbenusola, celebrated his 1st year coronation anniversary. The event which was taken place on the 12th and 13th of July 2024, held in Agbowo, saw a gathering of dignitaries including the Executive Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Governor Ademola Jackson Adeleke, the Owa Ajero of Ijero Kingdom, HRM Oba Joseph Adewole, other notable royal fathers, and distinguished personalities.
Meanwhile, Yoruba American Community YAC haas extended its congratulatory message to Olu of Agbowo, Oba Musibau Akande Gbemisola for his first year anniversary as well as other members of YAC that were elevated to chieftaincy positions.
Th felicitation message was contained in a statement made available to ODUDUWA NEWS by the President of Yoruba American Community, Prince Kolawole Akinyode as read in part:
“The celebrations were not only a reflection of Oba Musibau Akande Gbenusola’s remarkable leadership but also included the installation of new chiefs, many of whom are prominent members of the Yoruba American Community. This installation highlighted the strong ties and enduring cultural heritage between the Yoruba diaspora and their homeland.
“The Yoruba American Community extended their heartfelt congratulations to their newly installed members and to Kabiyesi, Oba Musibau Akande Gbenusola. The community, in a release signed by the President, Prince Kolawole Akinyode, and the Public Relations Officer, Amb. Omolara Williams, thanked HRM Oba Musibau Akande Gbenusola for honoring the Board Members of the community with chieftaincy titles. They prayed for a peaceful reign for the king.
“Dr. Temitope Omotayo, the CEO of WGT Media who is also the immediate past president of the community, described Kabiyesi’s gesture as unprecedented in the history of the community. The occasion underscored the unity and strength of the Yoruba community, both locally and internationally, celebrating a year of progressive leadership and cultural pride under the reign of Oba Musibau Akande Gbenusola.
Among the newly installed chiefs who are members of Yoruba America Community were:
Prince (Dr.) Adelekan Kamilu Adeleke – Baba Oba of Agbowo Kingdom
Prince (Dr.) Adelekan Kamilu Adeleke – Asiwaju of Agbowo Kingdom (Ilu: Iwo)
Yeye Christy Adeleke- Yeye Oba of Agbowo Land.
Yeye Taiwo Bunmi Adeleke – Yeye Asiwaju of Agbowo Land.
Chief Sunday Ishola Omoyele – Otun Oba of Agbowo Land.
Chief ( Mrs) Monisola Anike Omoyele – Yeye Otun Oba of Agbowo Land.
Chief Thomas Ayodeji Da-Silva – Aare Akogun of Agbowo Land.
Chief ( Mrs.) Taiwo Ifelola Da-Silva – Yeye Bewaji Okin of Agbowo Land.
Chief Ayodele Ali-Owe – Agbaakin of Agbowo Land.
Chief ( Mrs.) Asabi Oluwakemi Alli-Owe – Yeye Agbaakin of Agbowo Land.
Otunba Akinsola Oluwole – Apesin Ola of Agbowo Land.
Erelu Nihinlola Oluwole – Yeye Apesin Ola of Agbowo Land.
Chief Yisau Ogunleye – Asoju Oba of Agbowo Land.
Chief ( Mrs. ) Ogunleye- Yeye Asoju Oba of Agbowo Land.
It is an event that will be remembered for a long time”.
President Bola Tinubu has approved N70,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers with promise to review the national minimum wage law every three years.
President Tinubu also promised to find ways to assist the private sector and the sub-nationals to pay the minimum wage.
President Tinubu announced the decisions at the meeting held with leaders of TUC and NLC on Thursday in Abuja, the second time the parties met in 7 days.
The Labour leaders applauded President Tinubu for the fatherly gesture as the President also promised to use his discretionary powers meet the demands of university unions demanding unpaid 4 months salaries.
The Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA, has vowed to investigate and see to the prosecution of any local government Chairman that is accused of corrupt practices in the State.
This is in response to questions from journalists by the Chairman of OYACA, Justice Eni Esan (rtd) on the roles of the agency in curbing corruptive tendencies associated to the local government system and the general insinuations about possible mismanagement of funds by the council Chairmen.
Recall that the Supreme Court recently gave judgement that called for direct payment of Local Government allocation to their respective accounts.
Eni Esan, who spoke at a sensitization programme on the Roles of Stakeholders in Thr Fight Against Corruption, organized by the agency for Directors of Ministries, Directorate and Agencies (MDAs) of Oyo State Government at Ibadan on Thursday, stated that her OYACA poised to look into any petition against any local government Chairman, forwarded to the agency, investigate and bring the culprit to book.
“OYACA will look into any petition and bring whoever is guilty to book, whether the person is a Local Government Chairman or a member of the council administrators, whatever position the person is holding, OYACA is no respecter of persons.
“We have investigated the highs and the mighty, so it doesn’t make any difference to us, once there is an allegation of corruption, we are backed by law to bring the perpetrators to book, either by taking them to court to indict them or we advise the Civil Service to invoke its rules to punish the perpetrators if they are Civil servants.”
She added that the agency has spent much efforts on preventive measures to nip corruption in the bud with the use of orientation, sensitization and advocacy approaches to bring every sector of the society into terms with the effects of corrupt acts in the State.
The retired Justice maintained that the approach has helped to prevent corrupt practices, as people’s mindsets has changed for better, knowing the consequences of the act from the advocacy programmes.
“Sensitization is a huge part of nipping corruption in the bud, like what you just witnessed at this event where Directors of MDAs were sensitized about what corruption is, its effects on the State’s economy and the society, the punishment that await perpetrators as well as roles they can play to prevent corruption.
“We have been doing this all over the State, so it is not business as usual, as the psyche of the people has changed, their mindset has changed, people who wanted to engage in corruption, when they listen to us, they change their minds.”
The sensitization event was witnessed by Board and management members of OYACA like among whom are Deaconess Afe Olopade, a board member, Barrister Tijani I. O, the agency’s Executive Secretary, Mrs Folasade Ajibade, Director Information and Technology, Mr Lere Omotoso, Director Administration and Supply as well as Mr Akindele Azeez who is the Director, Finance and Administration.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has reacted to the viral news claiming he swindled a US based woman of $180,000 in a romance scam.
The statement to debunk the news was made known to newsmen through the Palace Spokesman, Otunba Yera Olafare as read in part:
“The Palace of the Ooni of Ife is not unaware of a trending fake news about one Ms Fagbule purportedly swindled of 180,000 dollars allegedly by our father; Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, The Ooni of Ife.
“It is worrisome the level at which ladies have been making themselves victims of marriage frauds on internet despite our several warnings to the general public particularly ladies whose ultimate ambition were to become queens of the Ooni by all means to beware of the internet marriage proposal scammers who could only capitalize on their gullibility driven desperation.
“Even though it is not in our tradition to respond to fake news like this posted and promoted by a criminal faceless source through a Twitter (Now X) account, it has become so imperative this time around to make this response for necessary clarifications in order to calm the inundation of the genuine concerns expressed by subjects, friends and lovers of the Ooni globally on this matter.
“The following assertions are hereby made for necessary clarifications:
“That the news as posted by a Twitter (now X) handle called “99% OPPRESSED” is fake, untrue and absolutely an unfounded allegation only adopted as a nugatory character assassination tactic aimed at achieving a cheap popularity with a view to drawing huge followers/traffic for avaricious monetization from Twitter (X).
“That the so called Mrs Fagbule was and is never known to the Ooni of Ife for any interpersonal communication or relationship whatsoever, talk less of being so promised with a marriage proposal.
“That Ooni Adeyeye does not operate any Facebook account personally. He runs the palace as an institutional organisation with a functional media directorate which has a section that operates his social media handles; Instagram, Facebook etc.
“That If truly the lady so mentioned as Ms Fagbule is from Osun State or Ile-Ife in particular, why didn’t she come to the palace to meet Ooni in person throughout their co called relationship?
“That, rather than taking her matter to the appropriate agencies like EFCC and the Police for professional investigation which could have adequately helped her, she chose to make it a social media brouhaha.
“That, if, for whatever reason she had preferred social media and human rights platforms to the Police and EFCC who are so professionally trained, shouldn’t she have engaged a credible mainstream media organisation; Print and Electronic, or consulted credible Human Right crusaders like CDHR, Femi Falana Chambers and their likes in the country who undoubtedly pocess qualities of a tested capacity and passion for applying principles of justice and fairness in their efforts of thorough investigation in any matter of injustice against the oppressed. She rather chose an unscrupulous faceless Twitter (X) handler who is not identified beyond “99% OPPRESSED”.
“That the said letter of marriage proposal so paraded on the Twitter (X) handle of the so called “99% OPPRESSED” alleged to have emanated from the Ooni is a fabrication of lies from the pit of hell, as the Letterhead used for the letter does not reflect the originality of our official letterhead used at the palace for official correspondences. And that the body of the letter does not grammatically reflect Ooni’s personally signed letters in any way.
“That, with the Ooni’s status in wealth, business success, philanthropy and highly revered royalty, to allege or even suggest that he would be collecting money from any lady for travel expenses and others in exchange for marriage with a huge portfolio of billions of Naira being handled by Ooni Ogunwusi for humanity can only be viewed by reasonable people in the society as a figment of the imagination of Mrs Fagbule and her social media Messiah.l (99% Oppressed).
“That if the lady truly has a genuine case of marriage proposal fraud against anyone wether or not it affects the name of the Ooni, she is hereby invited to the palace in Ile-Ife to physically meet the Ooni for his fatherly assistance with the help of the Law enforcement agencies to uncover the perpetrators of this inhuman crime against her helping her in cracking down the fraudster who had wickedly defrauded her as we have had so many cases so successfully handled in the past.
“For the umpteenth time, the Ile Oodua Palace of the Ooni of Ife wishes to advise all persons globally to be carefully conscious of their engagements particularly in the social media as the Ooni does not interface with anyone via the internet/social media or appoint proxies to do so. Contrary to the fake letter being dangled as evidence in the media, the Palace’s letterhead is unique and familiar to corporate bodies, personalities, other recipients and prospective recipients alike, with the Ooni’s signature as the “Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula” and not “His Imperial Majesty”.
Thousands of students at the University of Ibadan have protested against a hike in school fees and other issues.
As early as 8 a.m., the visibly angry students moved in large numbers to all the entrances of the institution and blocked them.
Both academic and non-academic staff were locked outside the gates.
After blocking all the entrances, they moved from one faculty to another to ensure that academic activities were totally paralysed.
The students who warned sternly that there should be no video recording of the protest explained that the school management has not been fair to them.
Some of them who spoke with Vanguard said three issues compelled them to troop out.
A male student said, “We are protesting against injustice and insensitivity of the state school authorities to our plight.”
“You can imagine the authorities saying they will be shedding power henceforth, which means there are days we will be in darkness. How do they expect us to study?”.
“Secondly, they have hiked school fees astronomically to an unimaginable proportion. Do they want us to abandon our studies? Our parents are saying there is no money. Even feeding is difficult and we are still trying to wriggle out of this they are bringing hike in tuition fees. We cannot take this any longer. Enough is enough”.
“The third issue is the victimization of some of our colleagues who protested last time. The police have arrested them and up to now, they are still being detained for saying no to injustice. They are hurting us and they don’t want us to complain.”
Three female students who are in science said the situation is worse for them as they have to pay through their noses.
One of them said when she gained admission, she paid around N78,000 but now she is asked to pay over N300,000; some are paying N200,000.
The event disrupted the early take-off of a programme scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Department of Economics, CBN Hall.
The students went to the premises and shut all the gates, while a few staff members who managed to trek from the gates scampered for safety.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned of a one-month nationwide strike if the National Assembly passes a law allowing state governors to determine the minimum wage.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, raised the alarm at the 2024 NLC Rain School in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital, on Monday. Ajaero accused the National Assembly of planning to move the minimum wage from the Exclusive legislative list to the Concurrent list, allowing governors to set wages.
He vowed that labour movements will be halted for one month if the law is passed, stating, “We are not troublemakers, but we will resist any attempt to remove the minimum wage from the Exclusive list.”
Ajaero also demanded that federal lawmakers and governors be subject to the minimum wage, questioning why leaders are bent on cheating workers amid current hardships.
Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, more commonly known as Sunday Igboho has issued a fresh warning to all Fulani herders suspected to be involved in several killings and abductions of residents in Oyo State.
The notice was announced by his spokesperson, Oluyomi Koiki in an audio message made available to SaharaReporters on Monday evening.
According to Koiki, Igboho has arranged his men to storm some forests in Oke-Ogun areas of Oyo State and flush out all Fulani herders living there.
The Yoruba rights activist mentioned that the herders were allegedly involved in contestant abductions and killings of Oke-Ogun residents.
Speaking in Yoruba, Koiki said, “Today is the 15th of July, 2024. This breaking news is issued around 6pm. All Fulani people living in Oke Ogun, living inside the bushes there, who are kidnappers, that are killing the people, are immediately ordered to leave now. Sunday Igboho said he would continue his work at Oke-Ogun, in Kishi and all communities that made up of Oke-Ogun. He said he would touch all those places remaining.
“All Fulanis should leave the bush in Oke-Ogun. The forest does not belong to you. The land belongs to us. He added that he is also waiting for the Obas in other parts of Yoruba land to speak up if they are witnessing attacks from Fulani people.
“He said he was ready to chase them away. He promises to flush all those miscreants preventing Yoruba from accessing their farms. He said he is not fighting with any governor, but he said his men would storm all the forests presently occupied by herders across the Yoruba lands but he is waiting for permission from other Obas in Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti, and Osun states.”
“He said his men are currently working on how to storm the forest in Oke Ogun land in Oyo State and warn all Fulani living there to vacate immediately,” Koiki added.
“So, on the issue of LG elections in Oyo State, we don’t have caretaker committees at the local level. We planned the elections in a way that not a single day was given out. We have a responsible government in Oyo State, we don’t need the federal government to tell us what to do. We know what is good and we know what is good for our people.
“Go back a little bit, what we inherited as an administration in 2019 was a local government system that was owing backlog of salaries, gratuities, pensions. I am saying this because Oyo State will get out of this even stronger. We are people that know what is good for our people. We can run our affairs by ourselves. The FG is not superior constitutionally to the state government though they have more resources than the states. So, we can do what is right in Oyo State and we have been doing what is right.
“For the primary school teachers, the Chairman of NUT is here. Before we came in, leave bonuses were last paid in 2017 and we paid that of 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The Primary health care facilities, inner roads were all in bad shape. We Al have been working collaboratively with the LGs to deliver dividends of democracy to our people.
“We were able to clear those salary arrears. We paid N18bn in pension and gratuities over these period. We upgraded about 209 PHCs, equipped about 264, completed 60 model schools. We constructed and renovated hundreds of primary school classrooms and fixed some Omer roads but there are still challenges that we have to address. We still have backlog of gratuities and pension.
“The local government is owing about N55bn in pension and gratuities. We are developing infrastructure that would push the economy and raise the living standard of their people and push their economy towards sustainable goals. But for us, at that time, our priority was not to deploy resources. What I am hearing right now is that our problem is not also money but how to share it. But I insist that our problem is not how to share money but how how to bake a bigger cake and bring our people out of hunger and poverty and stop the anger in the land.
“Our people do not care of the road is fixed by the FG or the state government or the LG. They just want to see good roads. An example is the Oyo-Iseyin road through Fasola, which is a Federal Government road but the state government fixed it and I have the letter for the FG when I wrote it for approval. It is a critical road to Oyo State economy.
“I believe it is our problem irrespective of what they are doing at the federal level. We know what is important to the lives of our own people here in Oyo State. I learnt FAAC is tomorrow (Tuesday) and all of you can come. We will delay the implementation for the next ninety days, which is three FAACs from now. They will still pay the money into JAC account.
“You make the laws, you break it. So, the law is at your own… That is not how to run a country. If you make the law, let us all obey the law. For us in Oyo State, we can solve our own problem, deal with our situation and prioritize our people. Our pass mark is to discuss among ourselves and whatever we agree upon.
“I am not saying things should not be transparent at the local government level but it is a distraction to say this is the magic bullet that will wash away our problems. NULGE is here, NUP, NUT and others are here. So, let us sit down and discuss and fashion out our own way out of this issue.” Governor Makinde said.
“NULGE is here, NUP, NUT and others are here. So, let us sit down and discuss and fashion out our own way out of this issue.” Governor Makinde said.
