Author: oduduwanews

The Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Post Primary Schools Teaching Service Commission TESCOM, Mr. Babajide Kafari Olasunmade has felicitated the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde on the occasion of his 56th birthday.

The Permanent Secretary in a statement made available to Oduduwa News, expressed his felicitation message to the Governor on behalf of the entire Teaching Service Commission TESCOM.

He was quoted in a statement personally signed by him and made available today to newsmen as read in part:

“On behalf of the Board, Management and the Staff (both Teaching and Non teaching) of Oyo State Post Primary Schools Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), I am joining the teeming populace of Oyo State indigenes to felicitate a rare gift and blessing to not only Oyo State but Nigeria and Africa in general, His Excellency, Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde FSNE on the occasion of his 56th birthday.

“Our amiable Governor is celebrating his birthday and the people of Oyo State at home and abroad are celebrating with him, he is not just a Governor like the rest, he is exemplary in action and programmes that have catapulted the name of our State to an enviable height in good governance.

“We are extremely happy and felicitate you for being pronounced exceptional and a leading light in governance in Nigeria. You are our pride, and hereby identify and share with you, your Excellency, this joyful moment of yours and salute your originality, courage and exhibition of a strong potential for excellence, innovation and leadership in governance and especially in education industry.

“On behalf of all of us in education industry, you are appreciated for the love for education, welfare of workers and mass employment of teaching staff into our various schools and to crown it all, appointment of twenty -two Permanent Secretaries in education industry, this is highly unprecedented. May God continue to envelope His Excellency with divine favours and understanding to lead the state to an enviable heights. Amen”.

Makinde who began the celebration of his birthday yesterday at the Fashola farm, along Oyo Iseyin road had many admirers and well wishers who thronged the place to join him in commemoration of his birthday occasion.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has advised Nigerians to keep the hope alive. He said this while he was expressing his greetings to Christian faithfuls on Christmas day.

“As we celebrate Christmas, I extend my warmest wishes to every Lagosian and Nigerian, especially Christians. Let’s remember the true essence of this season – reflecting on the birth of Jesus and spreading kindness and generosity.

“This Christmas, I urge everyone to live in harmony and peace with believers of all faiths. Let’s embody the virtues of humility, tolerance, and compassion, just as Jesus Christ taught us.

“In these challenging times, I emphasize the importance of hope and faith. Trust in God and have faith in the intentions of our administration.

“I assure Lagos residents of a safe and joyful celebration. Go about your activities without fear; our administration has taken proactive security measures for a peaceful Christmas. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas filled with love and unity”, said Sanwo-Olu.

A Yoruba traditional worshipper, who is the General Secretary of the Traditional Religion Worshippers Association of Oyo State and founder, Olodumare’s Temple of Light International, Dr. Fayemi Fakayode has said that the mistake made by late Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther by naming Esu as Satan while translating the English Bible to Yoruba has cost African traditionalists their true identity.

He said the wrong stereotype has been carried across centuries and led to wrongful discrimination, killing and unjust disposition of other religions towards Yoruba traditional religion adherents.

Fakayode said this at the 2023 annual Esu festival tagged “Walk For Esu” at Alade Town, Old Oyo Road, Ibadan on Sunday, where Isese worshippers gathered to celebrate after a sensitization campaign rally around major areas in Ibadan.

He stated that the campaign was meant to correct the error made by the late Bishop Ajayi Crowther, a freed slave of Yoruba descent, who later became an Anglican Bishop and was given the task of translating the Bible to Yoruba language.

“We are gathered here today to celebrate Esu, one of the most industrious of all Yoruba deities and who unfortunately was misconstrued to be of the same character with the Bible’s Satan.

“The sensitization rally, which has been on across the world for years is meant to change the stereotype caused by the Crowther’s mistake and restore the deserving respect that should be accorded Esu by all and sundry, an effort which we have seen is achieving success.

“Esu is a deity that Yorubas believe has always blessed them with good things as a messenger of God, he is not vile and bad as being characterized by the people of foreign religions,” Fakayode pointed.

The event culminated in a public lecture titled “Esu: The Wealth of The Society”, which was delivered by Chief Fakayode Olaonipekun, a traditionalist based in Ibadan.

Olaonipekun mentioned that Esu and Satan are two separate entities, adding that the Yoruba’s Esu has no equivalence in any other religion.

Signed:

Mogaji Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode,

Founder, Olodumare’s Temple of Light International,
Ibadan and General Secretary,
Traditional Worshippers Association of Nigeria,
Oyo State Branch.
Sunday 25th December, 2023.

The Ogun state police command has confirmed that the Nollywood actor and director, Azeez Ijaduad, was unintentionally shot by a police officer on Sunday.

Earlier reports of Ijaduad being shot by a reckless policeman were made public by his colleague, Abiodun Adebanjo, on Instagram. However, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, clarified that the incident occurred when an officer attached to Bramajaj Company Limited accidentally discharged his rifle during the company’s end-of-year party at a hotel in Iperu.

Ijaduade, who was present at the hotel for a movie shoot along with his crew members and other actors, was unfortunate enough to be struck in the neck by the stray bullet. The police have informed that Ijaduad has been promptly taken to the hospital and is currently receiving treatment. Odutola assured that the actor’s condition is now stable.

Veteran Nollywood actor, Dejumo Lewis, famous for his role in the beloved ‘Village Headmaster’ series, has passed away at the age of 80.

Dejumo Lewis, known for portraying the character, Kabiyesi in ‘The Village Headmaster,’ which aired from 1968 to 1988, has left an indelible mark on Nigerian film and television.

Though the details surrounding Lewis’ passing remain undisclosed, his contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry are widely celebrated.

Dejumo Lewis showcased his acting prowess in acclaimed films such as “A Place in the Stars” (2014), “Crossroads” (2020), and “Power of 1” (2018). His performances resonated with audiences, making him a beloved figure in Nollywood.

ODUDUWA NEWS has just gathered that a lone accident involving a 18-passenger Nissan bus conveying loads of fish from Ibadan to Iseyin.

The accident which occurred at exactly 12pm near Ofiki, almost 38 kilometer to Iseyin.

Our correspondent who visited the scene reported that the accident occurred when the front tyre burst suddenly and the driver lost control which made the vehicle to summersault several times.

There was no reported case of death but two people including the driver sustained serious injuries.

As at the time of filing this report, sympathizers who stopped along the road to rescue the victims of the lone accident ensured that the vehicle was moved completely from the road to ensure free flow of traffic.

Details later.

Two persons were confirmed dead while five others sustained varying degrees of injuries in an accident that occurred at J4 area on Sagamu-Benin expressway on Saturday.

Spokesperson for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun, Mrs Florence Okpe, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Abeokuta. Okpe said that the incident, which occurred at 3.35 p.m., involved a Chevrolet SUV, marked WWW 75 MW and a truck, with registration number SRA 584 XB.

She said that seven people were involved in the accident, comprising six men and one woman.
The FRSC spokesperson noted that the accident was caused by speeding and road obstruction, adding that the SUV rammed into the stationary truck due to speeding.

“The injured victims were rescued by a driver who was driving behind them.
“The unnamed driver took the injured to the hospital for medical attention, while the corpses were deposited at the State General Hospital morgue in Ijebu-Ode by FRSC operatives,” she said.

Okpe said that the FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Anthony Uga, had always admonished motorists to apply caution while driving and maintain the stipulated speed limit.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has accused the former local government chairmen ousted in 2019 of employing various tactics to divert his administration from its course. The governor, in his stance, contends that these former officials have resorted to all means to distract and disrupt the government’s operations.

Originally elected during the tenure of Governor Abiola Ajimobi in 2018, the ousted council bosses found themselves dismissed by Makinde in 2019. Their grievances stem from the alleged non-payment of their entitlements, leading them to secure a court judgment that froze the state’s accounts across ten commercial banks, as reported by Oduduwa News.

Governor Makinde, in response to the legal actions taken by the former council bosses, adamantly declares that his government will not succumb to pressure to release funds until all legal avenues have been exhausted. He maintains that the council bosses will only receive payment upon a directive from the Supreme Court.

Speaking on the matter, Governor Makinde defended his decision by highlighting the importance of adhering to constitutional principles. He drew parallels with past administrations, noting instances where dissolved council chairmen continued to receive entitlements. Despite facing distractions, Makinde asserted his commitment to a government founded on constitutional legality.

“I could have worked with anybody, but because they did something that was not in line with the Constitution, we decided that they had to go,” Governor Makinde stated emphatically. He underscored that his decision was not influenced by historical precedents but rather a commitment to upholding constitutional principles.

The governor revealed the complexity of the legal battle, recounting how the former chairmen pursued multiple legal avenues until they reached the FCT High Court. Despite the distraction, Makinde remains steadfast, asserting that not a single dime will be paid until the Supreme Court issues a directive.

“This is a government that is based on the Constitution,” Governor Makinde emphasized, sending a clear message that adherence to constitutional principles takes precedence over external pressures. As the legal skirmish unfolds, Oyo State finds itself at the center of a political storm, with Governor Makinde standing firm against what he deems an assault on constitutional integrity.

The Government of Ekiti State, led by Governor Biodun Oyebanji has approved a N15,000 wage award for all state workers as part of measures to alleviate the impact of the current economic situation.

The payment will be effective for a period of six months, pending an agreement on the minimum wage for workers.

Pensioners in the state will also receive a N10,000 wage award for six months, as approved by Governor Oyebanji. The wage award is set to take effect from this month, providing immediate financial relief for workers and pensioners, as outlined in a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Mr. Yinka Oyebode.

Additionally, Governor Oyebanji has approved the payment of July 2018 salary arrears to local government workers and primary school teachers across the 16 local government areas of the state.

The Governor had earlier implemented palliative measures for workers, including the payment of outstanding entitlements, extension of the minimum wage to senior workers on levels 14 to 17, and provision of shuttle buses for workers and students in the state.

The Government of Ekiti State continues to lead as a model sub-national government with a steadfast commitment to improving workers’ welfare and productivity within the available resources in the state.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has approved an exciting end-of-year package for civil servants in the state.

The bonus, which spans across all levels of the workforce, aims to bring some succour amidst the economic challenges facing the country.

The Christmas bonus ranges from 68% to a whopping 159% of the basic salary. Level 01 officers will receive an impressive 159%, while other levels will enjoy varying percentages according to a circular from the office of the State’s Head of Service (HoS).

Level 02 officers get (165), level 03 (135), level 04 (122), level 05 (113), level 06 (104), level 07 (88), level 08 (81), level 09 (88), level 10 (70).

Others are level 12 (80), level 13 (80), level 14 (68), level 15 (70), level 16 (102), and level 17 (84).

In monetary terms, levels 1-8 will receive N20,000 as bonus, levels 9 and 10 (N25,000), level 12 (N35,000), level 13 and 14 (N40,000), level 15 (N55,000), level 16 and 17 (N100,000).

The initiative builds upon the Abiodun-led administration’s ongoing efforts to support public servants.

It would be recalled that the Prince Abiodun-led administration has been paying N10,000 transport allowance to public servants, including pensioners and teachers in the state in the wake of the removal of subsidy on fuel.

Furthermore, the administration has been diligently addressing the backlog of pensions, gratuities, deductions, and other obligations.