Author: oduduwanews

An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ogbomoso has barred the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye and the kingmakers led by Chief Sobalaje Otolorin from removing the Chief Imam of the town, Sheik Teliat Yunus Ayilara.

It could be recalled that both the Soun and the Chief Imam have been at loggerheads in the last few months.

ODUDUWA NEWS learnt that Muslims in in the town under the auspices of Registered Trustees of Ogbomoso Muslim Youths Forum had dragged the traditional ruler and the kingmakers who are members of Soun-In-Council to court over planned removal of the cleric.

The case with the suit number HOG/31/2024, filed at Oyo State High Court Ogbomoso Division, has Registered Trustees of Ogbomoso Muslim Youths Forum as plaintiff, while the Soun and the Soun-In-Council are the defendants.

The court, presided over by Justice K.B. Olawoyin, on Wednesday 26th June, 2024, barred the traditional ruler and the Soun-In-Council from removing the Chief Imam.

It barred the “defendants/respondents whether by themselves, their agents, privies, officers under their control, or any persons acting on the instruction of the defendants/respondents from suspending or removing the holder of office of Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land (in person of Alhaji Yunus Olusina Ayilara) or in anyway disturbing or tampering with the office of Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

“The defendants/respondents and their agents, servants and/or privies and/or any persons acting under their control or on their instructions are also restrained in the interim from doing anything under any guise whatsoever to interfere with or impede the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land from carrying out the functions and duties of his office as Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land pending the hearing and determination of the Motion On Notice filed herein.

“I put on record that I have taken judicial notice of the full names of the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land as Alhaji Taliat Yunus Olusina Ayilara and that of the 1 defendant/respondent as His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye (Orumogege III), the Soun of Ogbomoso land.

“The hearing of the Motion on notice dated and filed 26/6/2024 is adjourned to 1/7/2024”.

Osun Masterminds is very weak on research and still laced with partisanship in its assessment of the performance of Osun State government, the Spokesperson to the Osun State Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed has disclosed.

Responding to the press conference by the group, the Spokesperson said fertilizers from the federal-state programme started arriving in Osogbo late Thursday. The Ministry issued a statement on Friday announcing the arrival with more trucks still coming in as at the time of filing this report.

How do you start sharing fertilizers that are still arriving in the state? What better way to be transparent than the statement from the state government on arrivals including the number of trucks?

We note that the group is being mischievous and partisan as usual as it still finds it hard to abandon its old root as an appendage of the opposition during the pre-2022 election.

Another example of the group’s hypocrisy is the reference to Dele Yes sir road. The Iwo – Osogbo road was awarded to Peculiar Ultimate Concerns by former Governor Gboyega Oyetola. The project is still ongoing and the contractor has done only about 30 percent of the job.

As an inherited project, the state government has been monitoring the execution of the project for quality assurance and the contract cannot be terminated unless there is concrete proof of infraction. Any termination based on hearsay and political allegations may land the state in costly litigation.

The state government is enforcing the highest level standard on the ongoing constructions across the state including the Lameco-Okefia dualisation and flyover bridges. So far, there is no evidence, technical or otherwise of any work under the infra plan being substandard. The government has zero tolerance for substandard work and we affirm that the projects are being supervised by top quality and certified engineers.

The public knows the administration will investigate any genuine complaints. All previous complaints were investigated and they were found to be baseless and more of political taunts. The administration noticed that criticisms from groups like Masterminds are borne out of political partisanship and confusion occasioned by the widely acknowledged good performance of Governor Adeleke.

As much as the administration welcomes feedback and genuine criticisms, the government will not succumb to blackmail and busybody political attacks. It is time for Masterminds to join the political process and stop fronting for the defeated club of yesterday.

The Ogun State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps says 17 persons died in 16 road crashes during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration in the state.

Sector Commander of FRSC, Mr Anthony Uga, gave the figure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Ota, Ogun.

Uga said that 45 persons also sustained various degrees of injuries from the crashes.

The sector commander said that most of the accidents were caused by excessive speed, dangerous driving, night travel and tyre bursts, among others.

“We are appealing to motorists to adhere to traffic rules and regulations to prevent unnecessary loss of life, especially during this rainy season.

“In addition, they should exercise patience and reduce their speed to reduce disaster on our highway,” he said.

The sector commander said that the special patrol just concluded also helped to minimise road crashes because the corps was able to check excesses of motorists.

He said that FRSC would continue to sustain the special patrol, especially on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and other parts of the state to ensure that lives are safe on the road.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos has affirmed the five-year jail term sentence of Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old minor.

Recall that Ijesha was sentenced to five years in prison on July 14, 2022 by Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo (rtd) of the Lagos State High Court.

The appellate court in its lead judgment by Justice Folashade Ojo (presided) found the appellant (Baba Ijesha) guilty on counts 4 and 5, where he was accused of indecently touching a minor and sexually assaulted her.

Other members of the panel, Justice Abdullahi Bayero and Justice Paul Bassi agreed with the lead judgement.

Delivering judgment on the appeal on Thursday, June 27, Justice Folashade Ojo set aside appellant’s conviction on indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault of a minor which allegedly occurred between 2013 and 2014, describing the testimony of PW1 (Damilola Adekoya) as hearsay.

Justice Ojo, however held that on the event that occurred on April 19, 2021, the evidence of PW1 (Damilola Adekoya) was an eye witness account, adding that an eye witness account remains credible and one of the most effective ways to established commission of an offence.

The court held that the appellant’s voluntarily confessed to the crime of of April 19, 2021, and did not challenge the statement of (PW1), Damilola Adekoya throughout the proceedings…

……Calls For Calm over Religious Tension in Iseyin

The International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR), has called on the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrashed Akanbi, to desist from denigrating the traditional religion and Yoruba tradition and culture, saying the Osun State government, Yoruba Elders and all Yoruba Socio-Cultural organizations to also call the monarch to order.

The call was made on Saturday by the President of ICIR, Dr. Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode, during the inauguration of the new executive committee of The Council at the World Ifa Temple, Oke-Itase, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Fayemi noted that the monarch’s utterances have always caused religious discord and embarrassment for other traditional leaders who are custodians of Yoruba tradition and culture within the Yoruba kingdom and abroad.

“We implore the people who are fanning the ember of religious discord in our land to desist. We advise the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrashed Akanbi to refrain from using unprintable statements against the Yoruba tradition, culture and religion.

“We also call on the government, especially the government of Osun State, Yoruba socio-cultural organizations and Yoruba elders to call Oba Abdulrashed to order before his utterances cause problems.”

Fatunde also used the occasion to call for calm in the crisis that started in Iseyin between the Muslim and Christian community where a Pastor was alleged to have assaulted an Alfa over attempt to slaughter ram on Eid-Ile-Fitri (Ileya) day.

“For the sake of peace, we implore practitioners of all religions and traditions to live in harmony and focus on what unites us rather than what separates us
In view of this, we appeal to both parties, Muslims and Christians fighting in Iseyin to allow peace to reign,” he appealed.

Dr. Fakayode charged the new executive committee to see the opportunity to serve as a way to contribute their quota to world peace and human progress as the committee was formed at a time when the Yoruba land and its tradition, as well as religion are facing challenges.

He pointed to the need for the Ifa adherents to brave up and be true custodians of the Yoruba tradition, culture and religion.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared that Nigerian workers will not be treated as beggars in the country, stressing that state governors cannot unilaterally decide the minimum wage of workers.

In a statement by its Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, the NLC described the stance of the state governors as dictatorial and emphasized that the national minimum wage is a collective agreement designed to ensure a minimum standard of living for every worker in the country.

Upah noted that the minimum wage is separate from the individual pay structures of states, which already reflect their unique financial capabilities and circumstances. He warned that allowing state governors to pay workers whatever they like would be akin to reducing workers to beggars, saying “Enough is enough!”

The NLC’s statement reads in part: “The concept of a national minimum wage represents a national wage floor, a baseline below which no worker should be paid… Nigerian workers should not be reduced to beggars!”

The Oyo State Government has approved the recruitment of 7,500 teachers, and 3,000 non-teaching staff into the state teaching service, as part of its efforts to improve the Post-Primary education sector.

The Chairman, Oyo State Post-Primary Teaching Service Commission, TESCOM, Pastor Akinade Alamu made this known on Friday in Ibadan.

Recall that in 2021, the Oyo State government through the Commission employed about 5,000 teachers in the State.

He said the recruitment exercise then, was applauded by stakeholders in Oyo state, including the World Bank Global Partnership on Education.

Pastor Akinade Alamu said the present administration in Oyo State, would continue to prioritise education, and job opportunities for the public.

The Chairman said interested candidates with requisite credentials, can apply through the link, http://tescom.jobportal.oyostate.gov.ng for about two weeks.

Pastor Alamu also advised applicants to ensure they have a National Identification Number, functioning email; phone numbers among other requirements.

He said the recruitment of new teachers will be based on merit to raise the standard of education, advising all qualified candidates, including Physically challenged, to jump on the offer.

According to him, merit-based employment is key to qualitative education, hence the need to adhere strictly to the stated guidelines on the portal.

He warned applicants from applying simultaneously for both categories, saying that each applicant is entitled to either teaching or non-teaching category.

The Chairman said steps for the employment exercise include, online application, CBT examination, and Oral interview.

Pastor Alamu applauded Governor Seyi Makinde, for approving mass recruitment exercise in Oyo State.

“Oyo State government’s huge investment in the education sector is yielding positive results as our students are doing well on all fronts. Therefore, the government is set to recruit more teachers, in addition to those on ground”, he said.

The Chairman said the recruitment exercise is being supervised by an inter-ministerial committee, that would ensure a seamless exercise.

He stressed that the exercise is free of charge, assuring the public of another transparent and credible, as mandated by the World Bank Global Partnership on Education (GPE).

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, TESCOM, Mr. Haroon Lawal said the recruitment is aimed at fortifying the teaching and non-teaching sector of the state’s secondary education.

The Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, Sheikh Teliat Yinus Avilara, has fired back at the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, over a query issued to him for performing the Hajj pilgrimage without informing the monarch.

In a letter addressed to the Soun, the Chief Imam stated that his office is not a traditional title and therefore not under the control of the Soun of Ogbomoso. He emphasized that the Soun has no power to query him.

The Chief Imam’s response came after the Soun issued a query to him for traveling to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj exercise without his knowledge. However, the Chief Imam clarified that he responded to the Soun’s letters out of respect for Yoruba culture and tradition.

In the letter signed by his secretary, Ogunleye Sulaimon Ajasa, the Chief Imam maintained that as a Muslim and spiritual head of the Muslim community in Ogbomoso, he cannot subject the rules of Islam to Yoruba tradition and culture.

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede has ordered the arrest of two officers of the Commission allegedly involved in the manhandling of a female staff of Regional Hotel, Ojo, Lagos.

The officers were sighted in a viral video assaulting the staff of the hotel in an early morning sting operation in Lagos. The operation yielded a sizable number of suspects who are still being profiled.

The EFCC’s boss has also ordered detailed investigations of the operation carried out at the hotel and assured that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken against any of the officers found to be culpable.

Olukoyede assures the general public that the EFCC would continue to ply its job professionally and with profound respect for the rule of law.

Governors from the southern part of Nigeria under the aegis of the Southern Governors’ Forum, have called for the consideration of the cost of living and ability of each state to pay the new minimum wage just as they advocated that each State be allowed to negotiate the new wage with the labour unions.

This was contained in a Communique issued at the end of their meeting held on Monday, June 25, 2024, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

In their 16 points Communique, the Forum called for strengthening of fiscal federalism and devolution of powers and expressed concern over current practices where mineral licenses are issued and explorations undertaken without recourse to State governments.

It noted that issuing mineral licenses without carrying the states along have resulted in criminal activities, attendant negative environmental impact, ecological degradation, and with no remediation commitment or revenue accruing to the States or the Federal Government.

The governors maintained that being the economic and industrial region of the country, there was need to address the inadequate power supply in the region by taking advantage of the recent constitutional amendment that now allows States to regulate, generate, transmit and distribute electricity whilst also considering optional sources like renewables.

The southern governors said they have resolved to aggressively embark on energy transition plan from fossil fuels (petrol and diesel) to cleaner energy and specifically CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and ultimately EV’s (Electric Vehicles) to help reduce the cost of transportation, which would lower the cost of food, goods and services of the citizens and residents.

The meeting also called on the Federal Government to rehabilitate, repair and reconstruct Trunk A roads and transfer some roads to States that have expressed interest in taking them over, applauding President Tinubu for conceptualizing and commencing the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, which cuts across eight states of the region.

The Communique hinted that the governors have resolved to commission a regional multimodal transport master plan that would prioritise connectivity of rail, road, air and water transportation, to facilitate interstate, intra-regional movement of persons, goods and services and thereby enhancing the ease of doing business.

It further stated that Southern States Development Agenda (SSDA), would comprise of a team whose primary responsibility is to outline a holistic plan to foster trade and investment, sustainable growth and development, economic prosperity, social harmony and food security for the region would be set up.

The Development Agenda, the governors added would work hand in glove with individual State Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agencies, the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and other relevant MDA’s and multilateral agencies as necessary.

On issue of state police, the Governors resolved to continue to advocate for the creation of State police against the backdrop of the success of the regional community based security outfits, which have been effective in intelligence gathering.

The governors, the communique further stated, resolved to remain united and committed to oneness of purpose, noting that the physical boundaries that divide the people of the south could not be compare to the strong bonds of enterprise, resilience and culture that they share just as they have resolved to be deliberate and intentional about intra region trade, partnerships and investment facilitation and promotion which was agreed would require a structured and coordinated collaborative approach.

The members of the Forum commended Mr President Tinubu for the food palliative support to States and the laudable economic recovery reforms and policies through the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda pledging to support him in his unwavering resolve to reposition the country and build a greater future for all.

It would be recalled that at the end of the meeting, Prince Dapo Abiodun was chosen to provide the needed leadership as Chairman of the Forum, while Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, the governor of Anambra State waa appointed as the Vice Chairman.

The communique concluded that quarterly meetings of the Forum would be held and rotated among member states.

The Communique reads:

At the conclusion of the Southern Governors Forum meeting held on Monday, June 24, 2024, and having paid respects to our immediate past Chairman, HE, the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; with condolences extended to his family, and appreciating the past Chairman for the solid foundation he laid by putting the forum in good stead; we the Governors resolved as follows:

1. Thanked and appreciated all member Governors for their support and commitment to the “Asaba declaration” of 2021, which was a resolve to ensure that Southern Nigeria produced the 2023 Presidential Candidate; we also thanked the Northern Governors’ Forum for their unwavering support for the resolution.
2. The Forum commended the laudable economic recovery reforms and policies of HE President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda; and unanimously committed to supporting him in his unwavering resolve to reposition the country and build a greater future for us all.
3. The Southern Governors applauded the President for conceptualizing and commencing the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, which cuts across eight (8) states. We noted that this will create employment in the construction industry, boost productivity by drastically reducing travel time, promote tourism, and open up and integrate all the Southern States to increased trade and investment opportunities whilst enhancing the ease of doing business.
4. The Southern Governors advocated that the Federal Government should rehabilitate, repair and reconstruct Trunk A roads and transfer roads to States that have expressed interest in taking them over.
5. The Forum will commission a regional multimodal transport master plan that will prioritise connectivity of rail, road, air and water transportation, to facilitate interstate, intra-regional movement of persons, goods and services and thereby enhancing the ease of doing business .
6. Being the economic and industrial region of the country, the Forum highlighted the need to address the inadequate power supply in the region. Member states were encouraged to take advantage of the recent constitutional amendment that now allows States to regulate, generate, transmit and distribute electricity whilst also considering optional sources like renewables.
7. The Forum resolved further to aggressively embark on energy transition plan from fossil fuels (petrol and diesel) to cleaner energy and specifically CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and ultimately EV’s (Electric Vehicles) to help reduce the cost of transportation, which will lower the cost of food, goods and services for our citizens and residents.
8. The members of the Forum commended Mr President on the food palliative support to States, and the Governors were also commended for complementing Mr President in their various States through numerous initiatives ranging from food palliatives to transport allowances. We resolved to be more aggressive and intentional about food security and member States were enjoined to intensify their agricultural resurgence/revolution initiatives utilising cash and food crops best suited for each region to ensure food sufficiency, self-reliance and employment generation. States should also consider setting up special agro processing zones to obtain the most value from the agro value chain.
9. The Forum discussed the minimum wage issues demanded by labour and unanimously agreed that the minimum wage should be reflective of the cost of living and ability to pay, and each State be allowed to negotiate their minimum wage. This led to the forum’s call for strengthening fiscal federalism and devolution of powers.
10. The Governors resolved to continue to advocate for the creation of State police against the backdrop of the success of our regional community based security outfits, which have been effective in intelligence gathering. This will truly enable Governors to be the Chief Security Officers of their respective States in deed.
11. Still on fiscal federalism, the Forum discussed the issue of solid mineral exploration and exploitation which remains on the Exclusive List in the constitution. Members expressed concern over current practices where mineral licenses are issued and exploitations undertaken without recourse to State governments. These have resulted in criminal activities, attendant negative environmental impact, ecological degradation and with no remediation commitment or revenue accruing to the States or Federal Government.
12. The Forum expressed concern over the controversy of the Local Governments Chairmen tenure in Rivers State and committed to take a common stand in support of position of the law and constitution.
13. The Forum members resolved to remain united and committed to oneness of purpose, noting that the physical boundaries that divide us do not compare to the strong bonds of enterprise, resilience and culture that we share and unite us. Member States resolved to be deliberate and intentional about intra region trade, partnerships and investment facilitation and promotion which was agreed will require a structured and coordinated collaborative approach.
14. The Southern States Development Agenda (SSDA) will be set up and will comprise of a team whose primary responsibility is to outline a holistic plan to foster trade and investment, sustainable growth and development, economic prosperity, social harmony and food security for our region. They will work hand in glove with individual State Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agencies, the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and other relevant MDA’s and multilateral agencies as necessary.
15. The Forum unanimously chose HE, Prince Dapo Abiodun CON, to provide the needed leadership as Chairman of the Forum and appointed HE Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo CFR as Vice Chairman and expressed their support for the newly appointed Chairman and Vice Chairman.
16. The Forum concluded that quarterly meetings will be held and rotated among member states.