Not fewer than four persons including a businessman, Chief Bode Olayinka, were injured and goods worth millions of naira were destroyed at Efon Alaaye, Efon Local Government area of Ekiti State when a group of hoodlums unleashed violence on some All Progressives Congress chieftains in the area.
Sources alleged that the attack was connected with the forthcoming local government elections billed to hold in December across the local government areas and local council development areas in the state.
One of the victims, Mr Olaitan Olayinka, alleged that the assailants who numbered about 20 led by one Oluwafemi, popularly known as Owolesu, came to attack them with cutlasses, guns and other dangerous weapons in the front of his family house while relaxing Monday evening.
Olayinka, who had plastered his forehead, narrated his ordeals in the hands of the hoodlums on Thursday in Ado Ekiti, alleging that a political leader in the local government area was behind the incident in a bid to silence other aspirants in the forthcoming election.
He said, “I am a retired civil servant. I am also interested in contesting as Chairman of Efon Local Government area. But the political leader, with the use of a group of political thugs, attacked us.
The first edition of the Nigeria-Benin Investment Summit will hold soon in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, after final consultations with relevant stakeholders in the two countries.
This was revealed by the Oke Ogun-born Nigerian businessman cum politician, Honourable Shina Abiola Peller, in a statement he issued, shared on his verified social media platforms and with the media on Thursday, where he stressed the strong bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Benin Republic.
The former House of Representatives member who is also the Ayedero of Yorubaland, stated further that while he was in Cotonou, he met briefly with the country’s Minister for Trade and Commerce, Madame Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, to discuss the Benin-Nigeria Investment Summit.
According to the Ayedero of Yorubaland, the summit will provide a unique opportunity for researchers, policymakers and development practitioners from Nigeria, Benin Republic and other parts of Africa, to debate development and the policies required eradicate poverty in the context of the Post 2015 Africa Development Agenda.
Honourable Peller, who also witnessed the 63rd Independence anniversary of Republic of Benin, where Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was a Special Guest of Honour, added that the summit will explore a well-orchestrated desired policy, institutional and investments frameworks for creating a conducive environment for traders and businessmen/women in the two countries to transact with ease.
The former lawmaker, who has been appointed by the organizers of the summit as a member of the organizing committee, is expected to coordinate and bring in businessmen and women from Nigeria to attend the event.
He expressed optimism that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will give necessary support to every initiative targeted at enhancing trade and commerce between foreign investors/traders and Nigerian businessmen and women.
His statement read in full:
“Yesterday, I had the privilege of witnessing the 63rd Independence Anniversary of Republic of Bénin, where our president, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was a Special Guest of Honour.
“It was a memorable event and the presence of President Tinubu, Nigerian State governors from Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Kwara, Kebbi and Niger as well as Nigerian businessmen, including myself, is a testament to a strong bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Benin Republic.
“Also during my visitation to Republic of Benin, I had the privilege of meeting briefly with the country’s Minister for Trade and Commerce, Madame Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, where we spoke about the proposed Nigeria-Benin Investment Summit which will come up soon in Cotonou after final consultations with relevant stakeholders.
“The Summit will provide a unique opportunity for researchers, policymakers and development practitioners from Nigeria, Benin republic and other parts of Africa, to debate development and the policies required to eradicate poverty in the context of the Post 2015 Africa Developmental Agenda in particular with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Also, it will serve as a platform to establish the means to realize Africa’s ambitious agenda on inclusive growth within social groups, most especially, as it concerns the youth, women and children.
“The Summit will explore a well-orchestrated desired policy, institutional and investments frameworks for reducing poverty and creating a conducive environment for traders and businessmen/women in the two countries to transact with ease.
“Having been appointed by the organizers of the summit as one of the organizing committee members, I’m saddled with the responsibility of coordinating and bringing in businessmen and women from Nigeria to attend the event.”
“I am very confident that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not hesitate to give necessary support to every initiative targeted at strengthening trade and commerce between Nigerian businessmen/women and foreign traders and investors.”
A ministerial nominee from Kwara State, Lateef Fagbemi, says the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) cannot continue to disobey court orders.
The Senior Advocate made a subtle jibes at DSS for illegally detaining suspended Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa without charges and re-arrest of ex-CBN Governor after the Court has granted him bail.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who spoke on Wednesday when he was screened by the Senate in Abuja, pledged to work with the National Assembly and the judiciary “on certain parameters” if appointed the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice by President Bola Tinubu.
Fielding questions from the lawmakers on disobedience to court orders by federal agencies, Fagbemi, who was accompanied to the screening exercise by over 10 senior advocates, said the DSS and the EFCC should conduct investigation before arrest and not arrest before investigation.
He said, “The major areas where we have these disobedience of court orders, with main respect, are between these agencies. My advice will be that in matters of law, the AGF should be involved. “DSS cannot be an island onto itself. EFCC cannot continue to behave as if there is no law. There is law and if you want to do investigation, you do investigation before inviting the accused person. It is not a question of inviting him and say you have caught a big fish and at the end of the day you say you are investigating.”
On his reaction if a President flouts court orders, the senior lawyer said, “I think with respect, you will not find the President flouting any order because the Attorney General will be made a party to.”
“The mere fact an order is made does not mean that you should obey it immediately. You’ll think about it, do I appeal? If I am not appealing what do I do next? If I am not appealing, of course, I cannot subject the order of court to any order of validity. “By Section 287, it has to be obeyed, not only by the government but by every authority and persons in Nigeria,” he said.
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated the immediate-past Osun State governor, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola , on his nomination as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The state chairman of the APC, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, in a statement issued by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Chief Kola Olabisi, in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, today described the nomination of former Governor Oyetola as a deserving reward for his excellent performance in both public and private offices.
Lawal stated that based on his antecedents, there is no doubting the fact that Oyetola would add a significant value to President Tinubu’s administration.
The state APC chairman congratulated all the APC members and leaders in Osun State on the nomination of ex-Governor Oyetola, adding that he would bring to bear his vast experience garnered over the years.
He enjoined the APC members and leaders in the state to engage in ceaseless prayers for the divine guidance of the Osun State minister-nominee in office.
Lawal disclosed that the nomination of former Governor Oyetola as the minister of the federal republic of Nigeria is a pointer to the fact that a golden fish has no hiding place.
The party chairman was grateful to President Tinubu for finding ex-Governor Oyetola worthy for an appointment as a minister-nominee.
He assured the President that he was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the nominee would turn around any ministry he is assigned to as his enviable performance is indelible as the Osun State governor.
In his words: “I am, on behalf of my family and the state executive officers of our party under my watch, congratulating our amiable former governor for making the list of the ministerial nominees.
“My prayer is for God Almighty to continue to grant you a sound health, wisd
President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday night, met with Leaders of the various Labour unions and promised that the Port Harcourt refinery will commence operations by December 2023.
The meeting came after re Labour unions commenced a nationwide protest over what it described as ‘’anti-people’ policies introduced by the Tinubu government since its inception on May 29, 2023.
The National presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero and Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo in the statement released, said the president made a series of promises following which they agreed to return to the negotiations table.
“It is pertinent to inform Nigerians that the extent of the success of the protest is underlined by the request of the President of the federal republic of Nigeria; Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu to meet with the leadership of the NLC and TUC in a closed-door session.
The engagement was fruitful that immense mileage was obtained with regards to the issues that bogged down the work of the Presidential Committee on Subsidy removal and necessitated the protest viz; He committed to an immediate restructuring of the framework for engagement in line with the input of the Labour leaders.
He let out a certainty that the Port Harcourt Refinery will commence production by December this year. He pledged to ensure that Agreement is reached on the Wage Award for Nigerian workers immediately.
He promised to unveil a workable roadmap to the CNG alternative next week. On the strength of the president’s pledge and commitment, we have decided to return to a new and reinvigorated dialogue process to allow for full implementation.
Once again, we thank Nigerians while we wait for the Government to fulfill its own part of the understanding as agreed with His Excellency; the President.” the statement read
Less than two weeks after the conduct of Computer-Based-Test for Higher National Diploma prospective candidates, the management of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, has increased its acceptance fee from N32,500 to N42,500.
This was disclosed in a memo dated 28th July, 2023 and signed by the Deputy Registrar, Mrs. E. A. Omole.
The memo reads, “The management at its extended management meeting on Friday, 28th July, 2023, considered matters on the upward review of Acceptance Fee due to prevailing economic situation.
“After an extensive deliberation, the extended management approved an upgraded review of Acceptance Fee to N42,500 only, effectively from 31st July, 2023.”
Recall that, the previous acceptance fee was N32,500.
The Nigeria Labour Congress has commenced nationwide protests over the removal of the petrol subsidy and demanded N200,000 as the national minimum wage.
The protesters On Wednesday converged on the Ikeja under-bridge in Lagos State.
NLC had given the government a seven-day ultimatum with threats of a nationwide strike scheduled to commence on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.
Speaking in the video, one of the protesters said that the cost of living has gone up and people are dying out of hunger.
He said, “The cost of living is very high and people are dying every day.
“We have decided to go to Abuja to discuss with the government constructively by tendering our charter of demands which includes the national minimum wage to be put forward as N200,000, the four refineries must work and Labour to be part of the supervisory committee.”
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a 47-year old man identified as Godson James, for allegedly killing a police officer along Ifon-Benin road, in Ose LGA of the state.
Spokesperson of the command, Funmilayo Odunlami, said the suspect was fleeing from policemen along the route.
She said the officers had been alerted of a crime he committed in Akure, the state capital, before he killed the policeman.
However, the suspect, while being paraded at the headquarters of the command in Akure, said he killed a “criminal” in self-defense, and not a police officer.
“A woman, Oshodi Mubowale, reported at Police Scorpion office Akure that on the 21st of July, 2023, unknown man (six) with an unregistered Ford Jeep came to her shop at No 1 Omolere shopping complex Adesida market, Akure, through One Thomas Toyin, aged 48years and Omonigba Kehinde, aged 47years, both traders in the same complex,” Odunlami said.
“The said man requested he needed a cash sum of Six million naira (N6,000,000.00) but he was only able to get a cash sum of Four Million Four hundred thousand naira (N4,400,000.00) from her under the pretence that he will send the money back through bank transfer but failed to do so.
“However, the complainant later called him and he kept giving excuses.
“She was able to trace him to De Javu hotel Alagbaka together with some of her relatives but the said man found a way to escape in his own car.
“In the process they had to pursue him with another vehicle but they later turned back after series of phone threats from the man.
“The policemen and military men at the checkpoints within the axis he took were alerted.
“In the process of trying to evade arrest, he intentionally ran over an Assistant Superintendent of Police attached to Ifon division, ASP Emmanuel Oyewole at Police Pin down, Ori Ohin, with his vehicle.
“The officer was confirmed dead in the hospital.
“He was later arrested by officers of the Fourth Brigade headquarter, sobe in Edo State.
“The suspect, Godson Tender James aged 47, was handed over to the police with the sum of 1.515 million naira by the military.”
Pandemonium broke out in the Oba Akran, Ikeja area of Lagos on Tuesday afternoon when an unidentified helicopter crashed into a building, immediately igniting into flames.
The incident occurred near the AP Filling Station and United Bank For Africa on Oba Akran Street in Ikeja, the Lagos State capital.
According to eyewitness, the incident happened at about 3.30pm. At the time of this report, it was uncertain whether the helicopter pilots survived the crash or not.
Additionally, there was no clarity on other casualties, as first emergency responders were still conducting ongoing rescue operations.
The Lagos Fire and Rescue Service was being awaited for further emergency operations to salvage the situation.
Scores of Oyo State workers were again stranded outside the Oyo State Secretariat as they turned up to resume work on Tuesday. The workers were milling around the Secretariat gates as the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress, and other affiliate bodies took charge of the gates.
Recall that ODUDUWA NEWS, had yesterday published that Oyo state workers shutdown Agodi secretariat over some of their demands yet to be met by the governor.
One of the workers, who was among those stranded at one of the gates that leads into the secretariat and spoke to Oduduwa News, pleaded anonymity as she expressed her displeasure over her inability to resume at the office.
She noted that although the country has been hard hit since the removal of subsidy from petrol, which was followed by a massive increase in petrol pump prices, she is hopeful that Governor Seyi Makinde, who has always given priority to workers’ welfare, would come to their rescue.
Governor Makinde had, through his biweekly newsletter On July 27 intimated his plans to roll out more sustainable actions to cushion the effects of subsidy removal, which has made life difficult for Nigerians. He said, “We have heard our people’s call for palliatives due to the prevailing economic situation in the country. We have already taken some measures in terms of expanding the routes of our Omituntun Bus service and ensuring that transport costs are not increased. But we know there is more to be done, and in the coming weeks, we will be rolling out more sustainable actions for the benefit of our people.”
However, the leadership of the NLC insisted on going on strike unless Governor Makinde addressed them directly. Some inscriptions on their placards read: “We want to meet with the Governor and not his representative” and “Our full salary is not enough for our transportation to our place of work.”
Some of the Oyo State workers had arrived early to work to beat the NLC gate closure and were seen at their desks trying to work. The NLC had unsuccessfully tried to chase everyone out of the Secretariat earlier.
The NLC claims that the protest is to express dissatisfaction with the current situation in the country and also to demand the harmonisation of salaries for pensioners, palliatives for civil servants as well as payment of outstanding dues.
Speaking on this, the Special Adviser on Labour Matters to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Adebayo Titilola-Sodo, said Governor Seyi Makinde remains committed to workers’ welfare. He said the protests were unnecessary as the government was already meeting the demands of labour.
You will recall that Governor Makinde had in 2020 provided free bus service for civil servants and the busses are still in use.
As of the time of filing this report, the five entrances that lead into the Oyo State Secretariat were still being manned by NLC comrades while security operatives are on standby to ensure tensions do not escalate
