The Oyo State House of Assembly convened on Tuesday for another plenary session, mduring which various matters and issues were deliberated upon.
In light of the crisis that occurred at Sumal Food Ltd in Ibadan on Monday, July 1, 2024, resulting in the loss of two lives, the House expressed strong disapproval of the unruly behavior of some expatriates and their mistreatment of Nigerian employees.
Consequently, the House has directed the Oyo State Commissioner of Police and the Head of Operation Burst to submit a comprehensive report on the incident and ensure that justice is served.
Additionally, the House adopted the report of the House Committee on Energy, which engaged with officials of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC). The report recommended that the company make prepaid meters available to customers at subsidized rates to address the issue of excessive estimated billings.
Furthermore, two bills – the Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency Amendment Bill 2024 and the Okeogun Polytechnic, Saki Amendment Bill, 2024 – passed their second reading during today’s session.
Energy experts, stakeholders, traditional rulers among several other important personalities gathered yesterday at the Centre for Petroleum, Energy Economics and Law, University of Ibadan to honour one of the founding fathers of the Centre, a renowned energy expert, Prof. Philips Akin Iwayemi on ocassion of his 78th birthday.
The distinguished personality lecture which was held in honour of the renowned Professor of Economics began at exactly 11am. The epoch-making event had several stakeholders and energy experts calling for a caution on the incessant call by western world to phase out fossil fuels amidst renewed agitation for a transition to renewable energy.
The experts averred that the call for an energy transition in Nigeria has been premised on the argument that non-renewable energy resources like fossil fuels, coal, oil, and gas produce a lot of harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
Renewable energy, like solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, ocean, and bioenergy, is believed to create far lower emissions than burning fossil fuels and is key to addressing the climate crisis.
Notwithstanding the advantages of renewable energy, the stakeholders gathered at the University of Ibadan on Monday for the first distinguished personality lecture series in honour of Professor Akinbolaji Philips Iwayemi and posited that renewable energy sources are unsustainable and expensive.
Leading the call for caution, Chief Executive Officer, International Energy Services Limited, Dr. Diran Fawibe, held that oil remained the mainstay of the economy and the nation still had huge deposits of oil, contrary to arguments that oil would soon dry up.
Fawibe chided what he called the hypocrisy of the West, which wants Nigeria and other oil-producing countries to phase out fossil fuels while building fossil fuel deposits.
Presenting his own argument, Professor Olufemi Bamiro, a former vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan and professor of mechanical engineering, called for an energy mix as opposed to a transition to alternative power.
Bamiro advocated the development of all energy resources in the country and the use of research to encourage the use of a mix of renewable and non-renewable energy resources.
Another scholar, Professor Isaac Bamigboye, stressed that for the nation to have energy sustainability, there must be a hybrid of the use of fossil fuels and renewable energy.
The chairman of the occasion, Professor Samuel Olofin, emphasised that the nation should better its fortunes by fully exploring the resources that it has.
The calls for caution followed the guest presentation by President, Nigerian Economics Society (NES) Professor Adeola Adenikinju, where he cautioned Nigeria against being stuck with oil because it believes it has abundant oil resources.
He argued that the nation must match technological progress and ensure that it reduces emission levels associated with the use of fossil fuels.
Adenikinju called for continued focus on technology and research in adopting renewable energy resources, warning that Nigeria risks waking up one day to announce that the world has moved away from the use of fossil fuels.
He said: “Most people believe that we need to use what we have and that because Nigeria has a lot of energy resources, carbon energy like oil, gas, and coal, as we talk about energy transition, it must not be at the expense of what we have, and that developed countries are being hypocritical in asking us not to use what we have. I don’t have any objection to that. The energy transition will not occur in a day. Therefore, we cannot pause our lives. I believe that we should use what we have.
“But, at the same time, we must continue to invest in research and development so that we position ourselves so that if tomorrow the world comes up with a new technology, we are prepared.
“Whether we like it or not, we account for less than one per cent of the global economy, so they can do whatever they like, and we will just be at the receiving end.
“So, it is important that, as a country, we are intentional and deliberate in what we want to do, and we put in place policies that will encourage the use of the entire array of our resources, renewable and non-renewable, for the development of this country. The government must ensure that they work in that direction.
“The world is moving, and we cannot pretend that we can ignore it. We must be strategic, prepared, and have a plan, and that plan should be to use both renewable and non-renewable energy and invest in research and development so that our universities can be there to compete when the world eventually transits.”
The event, with the theme “Challenges and Opportunities for an Equitable and Just Energy Economics Transition in Nigeria,” was organised under the headship of the Centre for Petroleum, Energy Economics, and Law, University of Ibadan, Professor Olugbenga Falode to honour Prof. George Iwayemi, one of founding fathers of the and leading Principal Investigator of the Centre.
The Oyo State NDLEA Commander CN Olayinka Joe-Fadile, alongside his management team, has decorated newly promoted officers of the command with their new ranks.
While congratulating the newly decorated officers at the State command office in Onireke CN Olayinka Joe-Fadile said the promoted senior officers other ranks include 2 Deputy Commander of Narcotic (DCN), 11 Assistant Commander of Narcotic (ACN), 12 Chief Superintendents of Narcotic (CSN), 5 Superintendents of Narcotic (SN), 7 Deputy Superintendents of Narcotic (DSN), 50 Assistant Superintendents of Narcotic (ASN 1), 5 Assistant Superintendents of Narcotic (ASN 11), 2 Chief Narcotic Agent (CNA) and 2 Senior Narcotic Agent with their new ranks amidst cheers from families, friends, and well-wishers.
While congratulating the newly decorated officers on their well-deserved promotions, the State Commander emphasized that promotion calls for greater responsibility and charged the affected officers to brace up for tasks that come with their new rankrank and assure the remaining officers that there own will soon come.
The Deputy Commander of Narcotic on OPS/TRG and ASS/FIN.INV encouraging the newly promoted officers to strive for greater achievements in the service of the nation because to whom much is given much is expected.
In appreciation on behalf of Oyo state command management, Assistant Commander of Narcotic Audu Raji Rotimi appreciated the Chairman Chief Executive Officer for the confidence repose in them by elevating them to their next essential rank.
He thanked friend’s and well washers parent for being a part of this celebration.
Some officers of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun were injured on Friday following an attack by a group of people suspected to be herdsmen in Akure, the state capital.
It was gathered that the corps arrested some cows which allegedly destroyed farmlands in Osi and Igboba Communities in the North Local Government Area of the state on Friday.
A source narrated that the Amotekun officers were taking the arrested cows numbering about 120 to the state headquarters of the Amotekun Command in Akure when the herders accosted them on the Akure-Ado expressway and attacked them.
The source said, “As they were taking the arrested cows to Amotekun headquarters in Akure, on reaching the Sango area (of Akure) the herders came out with dangerous weapons and attacked the officers to prevent them from taking the vows away.”
Similarly, a viral video obtained by our correspondent showed some of the officers of the corps shooting sporadically into the air to disperse their attackers while the injured ones were quickly taken into the Amotekun Hilux van.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Ondo Amotekun, Jimoh Adeniken, confirmed the incident and said an investigation had commenced.
The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has called on all well-meaning Nigerians to support the Commission in its effort to redeem the youth from the path of derailment.
He made the call in Abuja on Friday, July 5, 2024 when the executives of Committee of Youth Mobilization and Sensitization, CYMS, led by their head, Chief Obinna Nwaka paid him a courtesy visit at the Commission’s corporate headquarters. According to Olukoyede, “We are going to maintain this tempo. Well-meaning and reform-minded Nigerians must support us. We must not allow our youths to derail. We have allowed it over a period of time and we have seen the destruction. Some of our youths are smart and skillful. It is just a matter of sensitizing them towards how to channel their talents to productive engagements. There is no future in cybercrime.
“Let everybody realize this, the fight is not for ourselves. It is for the youth, it is for the entire country. Just imagine what will happen if EFCC does not work for one month, so it is important for us to give this mandate serious collaboration and support.”
He stressed that Nigerians who desire a better future for the youth and the country, especially those who have suffered harm and humiliation from cybercrime must stand up and be counted for collaboration and partnership with the EFCC. “It is important for us to realise that if we continue to move in this trajectory the future would be bleak for the youth and the country. We must do something fast. Travel abroad and see the humiliating treatment they give Nigerians. Once they see your Green Passport, they take you aside from the queue and subject you to a thorough search because of the bad image that a few of our youths have created for the country. Nigerians need EFCC. If you are not working, who will even think of you? We are working, that is why you are seeing all these attacks everywhere.
He condemned public office holders who would not want to account for their stewardship, stating that such acts of impunity have nurtured corruption in the country. “What we are simply saying is that if you have occupied a position of trust, come and account. You can only run, you can’t hide. If we don’t bring people to account they will drive the country into a pariah state, where anything goes. There is nothing personal about the work we do in the EFCC. You can see the developments that are taking place in countries that do not have the kind of resources that Nigeria has. Nigeria will be great again but we must all come together to fight corruption”, he said.
He appreciated the group for its anti-corruption stance and interventions in the direction of re-orientation of the youth away from cybercrime. “I want to thank you for all the work you do, particularly in the area of sensitizing the youth on the need for them to create a good future for themselves. What is important is for us to be optimistic. We are not going to relent, we are not afraid of anything.”
Earlier in his speech, Nwaka stated that the work of the Commission endeared it to the group because they are geared towards securing the future of Nigerian youths. “We have something deeply running through our veins which is to support and work with the Commission to ensure that corruption is brought to its knees. We also want to thank you for fighting to secure the future of Nigerian youths. That was why we became annoyed a few days ago when we heard that there were some Nigerian youths who do not care about the future of their own generation and want to protest. You are not just trying to secure the future of Nigerian youths but those of unborn generations.
“We want to commend you for the good job that you have done so far. It is not easy because the challenge is enormous. We want to tell you that you have brought new and good initiatives and reforms in the anti-corruption fight. One of them being your policy not to shut down businesses and establishments on account of investigating them.”
He further applauded Olukoyede for the Commission’s crackdown on naira mutilation. “What you are doing to restore respect for the naira can only happen when we have somebody that is firm and dogged in a cause”, he said.
A 19-year-old pregnant girl in Lagos, on the verge of suicide after being abandoned by the boy who impregnated her and facing threats from her employer, was rescued by police officers from the Ikorodu Area Command.
The girl, who had been duped of N100,000 and threatened with arrest, was found in Ogun State about to drink poison. The police, led by Area Commander Musendique Orobiyi, provided her with necessary support and handed her over to the gender unit at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters.
In another event, the Lagos Police Command has released statement to confirm killing nine suspected kidnappers who engaged them in a gun duel.
This was contained in a statement released by the State Public Relations Officer of Lagos Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin as read in part:
“Gentlemen of the press, it is our delight to inform Lagosians that the Lagos State Police Command under the stewardship of CP Adegoke Fayoade, mni recorded a major breakthrough yesterday, Thursday, July 4, 2024. Our intelligence gathering assets yielded very credible and actionable intelligence about a dangerous and very notorious gang of kidnappers planning to kidnap some high net-worth individuals in Lagos.
“Upon receipt of this intelligence about two weeks ago, CP Fayoade directed the Command’s tactical teams to commence work on it. They followed up closely, monitored dutifully and were able to determine that the gang was going to strike yesterday in Ladipo area of Lagos State. With the benefit of this information, we were able to proactively prepare for them and more or less laid an ambush for them.
“The kidnappers who were caught unawares would not give up easily as they engaged the police officers in a shoot-out. They of course bowed to the superior fire power of the police. Nine of them were neutralized while two escaped with gunshot injuries. Four AK-47 rifles, four locally-made semiautomatic pistols, nine AK47 magazines, three walkie-talkies, one POS machine and a loud speaker were recovered from them. Also recovered are their two operational vehicles: one black Toyota 4Runner and a blue Lexus RX350. Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.
“It is worthy of note that the Command had been on the trail of this gang for the past eight months for their numerous kidnapping of wealthy individuals in Isolo, Okota, Ejigbo and Ladipo areas of Lagos State. We are proud to declare that their reign of terror has effectively come to an end.
“This breakthrough is in addition to several other breakthroughs we have made in recent times in identifying and apprehending gangs of kidnappers and armed robbers while planning their crimes. Many of these were not made public so as to protect the identity of members of the public that made the information available.
“We urge everyone including medical practitioners to be on the lookout for anyone with gunshot injuries and promptly inform the nearest police station or call any of our emergency numbers if they come across any. We also use this medium to call on other well meaning Lagosians not to hesitate in giving us information when they suspect anything amiss around them to enable us act appropriately and swiftly. On our part, we promise to continue to prioritize their safety and security”.
The United Nations has issued a stark warning about Nigeria’s impending food crisis, predicting that 82 million Nigerians – approximately 64% of the country’s population – may face hunger by 2030. This alarming forecast comes amidst a persistent surge in food prices and calls for urgent government action to address climate change, pest infestations, and other threats to agricultural productivity.
Nigeria’s food situation has reached a critical point, with the National Bureau of Statistics reporting that food inflation hit a record high of 40.66% in May 2024, surpassing the previous month’s 40.53% increase. This marks the highest year-on-year increase in food prices since record-keeping began in 1996, far exceeding the historical average of 13.42%.
The UN’s prediction aligns with earlier forecasts by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), which warned that 2.6 million Nigerians in Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara states, and the Federal Capital Territory may face a food crisis between June and August 2024. A government-led Cadre Harmonisé analysis released in March 2024 further revealed that approximately 4.8 million people in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states are experiencing severe food insecurity – the highest level in seven years.
Taofiq Braimoh, representing the FAO’s Resident Humanitarian Coordinator, highlighted the gravity of the situation at the launch of CropWatch in Abuja. He stated, “This year’s results are alarming: approximately 22 million Nigerians will face food insecurity in 2023, and around 80-82 million are at risk of severe food insecurity by 2030.” Braimoh emphasized the need for leveraging technology, such as satellite-based crop monitoring, to strengthen the agriculture sector and ensure food security.
The food crisis has not gone unnoticed by various stakeholders. Organized Labour expressed concern about rising food prices and fuel scarcity during the 2024 May Day commemoration, warning that the current situation threatens workers’ survival. Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olisa Agbakoba, cautioned about the potential for hunger riots, urging the Federal Government to take swift action.
To address these challenges, the UN and other experts are calling for a multi-faceted approach. This includes:
1. Implementing advanced agricultural technologies like satellite-based crop monitoring
2. Addressing climate change impacts on agriculture
3. Improving water management and irrigation systems
4. Combating pest infestations more effectively
5. Enhancing agricultural productivity through modern farming techniques
6. Developing policies to stabilize food prices and improve food distribution
As Nigeria grapples with this looming crisis, the government’s response and ability to implement effective solutions will be crucial in averting widespread hunger and ensuring food security for its growing population. The situation underscores the urgent need for collaborative efforts between the government, international organizations, and local stakeholders to tackle the root causes of food insecurity and build a more resilient agricultural sector.
Governor Ademola Adeleke has approved the appointment of a new Chairman for the Amotekun Corps in the person of retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Wale Abbas.
Mr Abbas replaced General Bashir Adewinbi (Rtd) who was inherited from the last administration and whose tenure of office lapsed last month.
In the same vein, a new Corps Commander has been appointed for the Amotekun Corps in person of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Security, Hon Isaac Adekunle Omoyele, a retired Chief Superintendent of Police and also a former Chief Security Officer to Governor Adeleke.
Retired AIG Abass holds a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Political science from the University of Lagos and a Master’s Degree in international law and diplomacy from the same university.
He was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on 3rd March 1990 as a member of course 16 cadet ASP and trained in the elite police academy, Kaduna.
He has served in various capacities in the Nigeria Police Force which includes Unit Commander 16 Squadron (PMF), where he rose to become the Commander of the squadron, he also served as Area Commander Mubi, Adamawa State, Area Commander Railway, Lagos State Railway Command, Assistant Commissioner of Police State CID Delta State, Area Commander ‘C’ Surulere, Lagos State.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations Yobe State, Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID Asaba Delta State, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ogun State, Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID Oyo State Command.
He was promoted to the rank of Commissioner of Police and Posted to Benue State Command in the year 2022 where he served for a period of one year and four months before his deployment to Delta State as the 21st Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command. He was later promoted into the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police before his retirement from service.
A retired Army Captain, Benedict Olusoji Akanni remains the Field Commander of Osun Amotekun Corps.
The appointments conveyed in letters by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye dated July 3rd, took immediate effect.
The Oyo State Anti-Corruption Agency (OYACA) has on Thursday conducted a sensitization programme for the new set of members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) at their Permanent Orientation Camp in Iseyin, Oyo State.
The annual exercise is meant to orientate corps members about the activities of the agency, in the area of stamping out corruption and to solicit their support in achieving the set goal.
In her words, the Chairman of OYACA, Hon. Justice Eni Esan (rtd) said the agency has been able to achieve a lot while discharging it’s given mandate, among which is investigation of 186 cases out of 337 reported to the office.
She maintained that while investigation is ongoing on 151 cases, seven have been forwarded to the State Attorney-General for prosecution and fourteen persons are facing trial in court.
She added that OYACA has succeeded in retrieving huge amount of money from corrupt contractors that failed to deliver on contracts collected from government departments and agencies.
“The Oyo State Anti–Corruption Agency (OYACA) has been able to achieve a lot in the discharge of its mandate to fight corruption and curb corrupt practices in accordance with the law that established it.
“The Agency has received from Government Departments, institutions and individuals over 337 petitions on different cases of corruption and corrupt practices. 186 cases have been thoroughly investigated and concluded. Investigations are ongoing on 151 cases and 7 cases have been forwarded to Hon. Attorney General for Prosecution while 14 persons are already facing trials in court.
“It is expedient to mention that a senior civil servant in the state was recently convicted by a court of law and sentenced to a term of imprisonment for corruption.
“OYACA has been able to recover huge amounts of money from corrupt contractors engaged by Government Departments but who failed to perform the contracts as expected.
“OYACA has also assisted individuals to recover huge amounts of money from some fraudulent civil servants, the Agency has also investigated some Government officials on allegations of diversion of Government funds into personal accounts. Such officers at the moment, are standing trial in court.
“Also, in several MDAS, persons who had pending applications for approvals for over five years had such approvals speedily granted owing to the intervention of OYACA.
“As part of the core mandate of the Agency to educate and enlighten the public, we have carried out many sensitization and advocacy programmes for different groups of people for instance; Chairmen, officers and residents of Local Government Areas in the State, Traditional Rulers, Civil Servants and officers of the Judiciary and Staff and Students of Tertiary Institutions.
“The Agency is currently running radio and television jingles on various media stations to sensitize the general public on the ill effects of corruption and the role everyone can play to fight same.
“OYACA has opened social media handles such as YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and X formerly known as Twitter to enable members of the public to view our activities,” she added.
Eni Itan however sought the contributions of the newly mobilized corps members to the progress of Oyo State, which she said could only be achieved through corrupt-free conducts at public and private establishments and among the populace.
The Oyo State Government has said applicants without the license of Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria, (TRCN), can apply on the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board job portal.
The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran stated this today, while featuring on a weekly program on Fresh FM, Ibadan.
Recall that the Oyo State government opened its job portal for primary school teachers from June 25, 2024-July 9, 2024.
Adeniran however, said after being employed, each teacher must register for the TRCN’s licence, as this would be one of the major requirements for promotion, in the State teaching service.
Reacting to questions on the eligibility of teachers with NCE certificate, Adeniran said the Oyo State Government is aware of the importance of the licence, however, it will be a great disservice to deny prospective applicants job.
He added that they can register with the council, while on the job.
The OYOSUBEB boss, who is a registered member of the council, said the Oyo State government was committed to the standardisation of teaching profession in the state.
Dr. Adeniran therefore advised National Certificate on Education holders, B.A, B.Sc Degree holders to apply on the portal, as the deadline is fast approaching.
He said, “We have been receiving messages on the prospects of applicants without the licence of TRCN. No doubt, as a teacher, you must register with the council. However, we will allow them to apply. Those employed without the certificate must as a matter of duty, register immediately.”
This present government is planning to recruit 7,000 teachers and we are keen on employing duly qualified ones. Those who are licensed by the TRCN have added advantages. We do not want quacks, this is why the examination process will take written and oral stages. If you are lucky to be employed, without a TRCN licence, you must get it, as soon as you can.”
Adeniran, who applauded the process of application so far, said, the portal, has received over 55, 000 applications as at this morning.
Dr. Adeniran added that to motivate the teachers, the Board intends to deploy each teacher within his/her local government of residence.
The Chairman, while speaking on the likely questions for the applicants, said to avoid uproar, religious questions will not be included the CBT questions.
He advised job applicants to prepare for the next stages of the exercise, saying the board will only employ suitably qualified candidates.
