At the plenary today, 17 July 2023, the Osun State House of Assembly passed the Osun State Anthem, Crest and Flag Bill 2023 into law.
Shortly before the passage, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, admonished his colleagues to read through the bill to ensure that it reflects what transpired at the Committee of the Whole at the last plenary.
The sponsor of the bill, who is also the Majority Leader of the House, moved the motion for the third reading of the Bill and the motion was seconded by the Hon. representing Ife Central, Hon. Abiola Jeremiah Awoyeye.
After the passage, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun commended his colleagues for the accelerated passage of the Osun State Anthem, Crest and Flag Bill 2023 into Osun State Anthem, Crest and Flag Law 2023.
He noted that the new law was re-enacting the spirit and character of the repealed State of Osun Anthem, Crest and Flag Law, 2012 but with vital amendments that reflect the evolving identity and aspirations of the State.
He added that the new law was also in compliance with the Judgement delivered on December 14th, 2017 by Hon. Justice O. D. Afolabi of the High Court of Osun State in Suit No. KIL/M47/2016.
Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun affirmed that the law was also to ensure consistency and clarity in the naming conventions of States in Nigeria as prescribed by the Constitution.
According to him, “We have by this law, returned the State to its factual and constitutional description as ‘Osun State’ across all legislation passed by this esteemed House from 2012 to 2022. This adjustment ensures accuracy and facilitates seamless interpretation, implementation, and reference to the laws of our State.
“Furthermore, we have by this law, amended the name of the House itself, reverting to the constitutionally designated “Osun State House of Assembly.
“This adjustment preserves the integrity and coherence of our legislative institution while aligning it with the form prescribed in Schedule 7 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Additionally, the law makes for the evolution of our State’s appellation, shifting from ‘The State of the Virtuous’ (IPINLE OMOLUABI) to “The State of the Living Spring.” This change not only encapsulates the dynamic spirit, vitality, and vibrancy that our State embodies but also resonates deeply with the soul of our people and the founding fathers of our State. It reflects harmony with nature, acknowledging the abundant springs and water bodies that grace our landscape, symbolizing purity, resilience, and a source of blessings.
“Instructively, the new law retains the old Osun Anthem. This means that the State Anthem shall continue to be rendered at all public functions in the State, alongside the National Anthem. We recognize the role that the rich Yoruba anthem can play in cultural and value orientation, and thus, it has been retained to continue to play this critical role.
“Lastly, the new law adopts the Nigerian National Flag and Coat of Arms as the sole flag and crest to be utilized across all public spaces within our State. This adjustment represents a commitment to our national identity and unity as one vibrant and indivisible entity under the Nigerian Federation.”
The Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice Iyabo Yerima, on Monday swore in 15 new magistrates, saying it would enable the state judiciary to perform better. Yerina, at the swearing-in ceremony held at the State High Court premises, Ring Road, Ibadan, said that the Oyo State Magistracy had, over time, suffered a shortfall in the number of magistrates.
She said there were only 19 magistrates presiding in the various Magistrates’ Courts, spread over all the magisterial districts in the state.
According to her, there have been circumstances where a magistrate would preside over more than one magisterial district.
She was, however, optimistic that the situation was set to change.
“With the appointment of more qualified legal practitioners as magistrates, I am confident to state that the judicial arm of government will be many steps closer to responding adequately to its statutory responsibilities aggressively.
“This will ensure that justice is not only done, but seen as done to all and sundry,” she said.
The chief judge charged the newly appointed magistrates to exercise their authority with fairness, impartiality, honour and utmost integrity.
“You have the power to shape lives and communities through the decisions you make; with this power comes an even greater responsibility.
“Remember that the scales of justice are balanced, and it’s your duty to ensure that they remain so,” Yerima said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new magistrates are: Adebola Adedoyin, Olasumbo Kudirat, Raji Oluwaferanmi Ayomide, Adelabu Olajumoke Victoria, Rufus Adeoluwa, Ige Oladipupo and Jimoh Kazeem.
Dignitaries present at the event include the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Mrs Evelyn Akintunde, as well as serving and retired judges.
The Deputy National Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abubakar Kyari, has taken over the leadership of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Kyari’s takeover comes after the widely reported resignation of the National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
Adamu was reported to have tendered his resignation with the National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, on Sunday.
On Monday morning, Kyari led a team of seven other members of the NWC to a meeting in his office.
This newspaper learnt that the official car of the Deputy National Chairman was parked in the slot reserved for the National Chairman.
Kyari came in with the Deputy National Chairman (South) Emma Enukwu; National Vice Chairman (North West) Salihu Lukman; National Vice Chairman (North East) Salihu Mustapha; National Vice Chairman (North Central) Muazu Bawa; National Vice Chairman(South West) Issacs Kekemeke; National Vice Chairman (South East) Ejoroma Arodiogu and the Deputy National Secretary, Barrister Festus Fuanter
The National Secretary, Senator Omisore, arrived at the secretariat later in the morning and joined others in the meeting.
The meeting was held behind closed doors, and security around the national secretariat has been heightened.
President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima have appealed to the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal not to invalidate the results of the February 25 presidential election. Their plea specifically concerns the controversy surrounding the attainment of 25 percent of the votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In their final address, presented by their lead counsel Wole Olanipekun, Tinubu and Shettima argued for the dismissal of the petition filed by the Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Olanipekun dismissed the challengers’ arguments and testimonies as baseless, exaggerated, and reliant on hearsay.
The lead counsel called on the court to reject the petition entirely, as it lacked substance and merit. He emphasized that the petitioners’ argument, suggesting that Tinubu and Shettima’s election should be nullified for not achieving 25 percent or one-quarter of the votes in the FCT, had no legal basis. According to Olanipekun, the use of the conjunction “and” in the constitution is to be interpreted as connecting rather than separating.
“The appellant failed to recognize that judges do not possess the power of clairvoyance, which involves making predictions and subsequently proclaiming a new leader in place of a deceased one,” Olanipekun stated. He further asserted that judges cannot perform miracles when handling civil claims, nor fabricate evidence to assist a plaintiff in winning their case.
The family of a 19-year-old lady, Deke Akanse, has been thrown into panic following her disappearance from home on June 29.
Akanse’s father, Ajayi, told our correspondent that his daughter left their house in Idiroko, Ogun State while he was not at home.
He said upon enquiry, he learnt that his daughter was taken away by a neighbour simply identified as Bidemi who claimed they were heading for Magboro.
Ajayi added that they later succeeded in apprehending Bidemi whom they dragged to the police station.
He said, “I was not around when she came to pick up my child. I am a farmer. I had gone to the farm. When I came back from the farm, I saw the door to my house locked up. My wife told me that one of our neighbours came to take my daughter out.
“We have been looking for our daughter since then. It was seven days ago that we caught Bidemi who came to pick up my daughter without my consent. We took her to the Idiroko Police Station.
“After her arrest, Bidemi told us that my daughter was taken away by a man who carried her from Agege to Berger after their transport fare got exhausted.”
No fewer than four persons were on Sunday confirmed dead, while 11 others sustained injuries in a lone accident involving a Foton bus at the Aiyetoro axis on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The incident was confirmed by the spokesperson of the Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps Babatunde Akinbiyi.
Mr Akinbiyi explained that the accident occurred at 09:59 a.m. and was caused by a tyre burst which led the commercial bus to somersault into a ditch.
The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, on Saturday, described his father, Pa Ezekiel Oyebanji, as a man who places great value on honesty, integrity, humility, hardwork and self -discipline, virtues which, according to him, have helped in shaping his own personality.
The Governor also stated that those who have been speculating over possible political crisis between him and the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele will be grossly disappointed, adding that the cord of their relationship stands strong and unbreakable.
Governor Oyebanji spoke on Saturday, during a thanksgiving service held at the First Baptist Church, Ikogosi Ekiti, marking the 90th birthday celebration of his father, who is a retired school principal.
Shedding light on his simplicity and humble approach to life, Governor Oyebanji stated that his father contributed immensely to his spiritual growth, which had buoyed his faith in God, as the only one with the capacity to provide solution to all life’s challenges.
Giving reasons for the decision of the family to have a low key celebration devoid of any formal invitation to anyone, Governor Oyebanji said it was in line with the family’s modest manner of doing things, coupled with the fact he, as the Governor of the state, has to live by example.
The Governor said: “I would have loved to make the birthday elaborate, but I have to make it a low key for the fact that Ekiti people are currently my employer, so I have to behave responsibly. I have to be cautious and circumspect in whatever I do.
” If I wasn’t a governor, I would have celebrated him more than this. We deliberately did not send out invitation card to anyone so that Baba can have a modest celebration with his friends and family members. But somehow people heard and turned up to honour our father”.
Speaking regarding his father’s virtuous life, Oyebanji stated: “Those who are saying I am humble should blame my father for it. He is the one who thought me to be humble. I have no apologies about that. If I have misbehaved as a Governor, my father would have called to caution me. He is such a disciplinarian and would waste no time in correcting me even as a sitting Governor”.
Speaking regarding his political future, Oyeabanji said he has no enemy to fight and that those postulating that he and Senator Bamidele would soon clash would be disappointed.
“The two of us are first and foremost friends and brothers, we believe in God as the sole determinant of the future and we are also highly experienced politicians who have committed our political future in the hands of God. So, stop speculating about any war between us.
“God is the Alpha and Omega of human beings, He does things at his own will. God is the decider of our fate. I want to tell you clearly that nothing can separate me from Senator Bamidele. We have built a strong relationship over the years, so politics can’t separate us”.
In his remarks at the thanksgiving service, the celebrant, Pa Oyebanji, said his strong belief in scholarship as a weapon to overcome poverty, propelled him to acquire western education through hardwork and resoluteness.
Pa Oyebanji appreciated God for being alive to celebrate 90, and still standing tall in good health to contribute to the growth of education in his community, state and the country at large.
“When I finished my Primary six, my father loved all his children, but he didn’t have money to send us to school. I was farming with him, but I loved education and I was determined to acquire it at all costs, which I later did.
“What I know is that whoever that is not focused and hardworking can’t succeed in life. It was these principles that led me to study for my GCE as a private candidate. It was this that gave me admission into the university. Our youths must know that those who made it to the top struggled in life to get there. So, they must work hard to rise and succeed”.
The nonagenarian father of the Governor also charged parents to invest hugely in their children’s education to make their future brighter, more rewarding and glowingly remarkable.
“That was what I did that paid off today. I took the upkeep of my children with passion. I didn’t joke with it. Our parents should also imbibe same because whatever you sow, you shall reap”.’ Pa Oyebanji said.
In his remarks, Senator Bamidele, said the good deeds Pa Oyebanji inculcated in his children reflect in Governor Oyebanji’s remarkable performance as Governor of thr state, a development he said had raised his political rating and would make him spend eight years as a governor.
“As God liveth, Baba will still live longer to reap the fruits of his labour. I appreciate the Governor for standing by me to be Senate Leader. His support was strong and solid. He did this because he had imbibed the culture of Omoluabi and love for Ekiti from his father.
“I will make sure that I join Governor Oyebanji to improve the wellbeing of Ekiti in terms of road construction and facilitating federal projects to Ekiti. This is what we owe Ekiti and we shall achieve it”.
In his sermon titled: ‘Teach us How to count our days’, the Pastor in charge of Gateway Baptist Church, Ado Ekiti, Reverend Michael Otun, dismissed the insinuation that birthday celebration is a signal of imminent death as being thought in some quarters, instead, he said birthday celebration is as an opportunity to think more about heaven.
Showering encomiums on the celebrant for his discipline, humility, prudency, honesty, the Cleric urged Nigerians to always do things right for the nation to experience radical development in all facets.
Pastor Otun described Pa Oyebanji as a courageous man, who faced the vicissitudes of life with valour and triumphed in spite of the initial frictions and snags caused by poor background.
“Baba is not a proud person, in fact he is humble to a fault. Whoever that is diligent is his friend. He has a good and rich history. He believes in intellectual building. He began his life from a humble beginning and rose to the Pinnacle of his career. He is today the father of Ekiti State Governor.
Present at the church service were the the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, House of Representatives members, Hons. Biodun Omoleye and Akinlayo Kolawole, former Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola.
The roll call also included, the Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Dr. Habibat Adubiaro, the Chaplain of Government House, Pastor Segun Awolumate, Vice Chancellor, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Victor Adeoluwa, Local Government Chairmen, traditional rulers, top government functionaries as well as former students of the celebrant.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has cautioned the factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa, against plans to stage a sit-at-home protest in Lagos State.
Reports had quoted Ekpa as hinting in a tweet on Wednesday of plans by IPOB to replicate the protest in Lagos.
However, Aare Gani Adams in an interview with The Tribune said such an attempt will not be condoled noting that the South West region is not Biafra Republic.
He also cautioned the Finland-based IPOB leader to desist from repeating the mistake that led to the Civil War and drop the move which he described as counterproductive.
He said: “I can’t go to the South East now and say I want to decide for the people of that region. So, it is not possible to import the South-East agenda into Yorubaland. It would be counterproductive. We advise him (Ekpa) to drop that idea.
“He should not try that. The South West is not Biafra Republic. Any attempt to impose the Biafra Republic agenda will be resisted. He should desist from repeating the mistake of the 1970s. He should be very, very careful.
“They are entitled to their opinion, but South West is not their Biafran region. He should be very, very careful.
“He should not come and impose his agenda on the South West. It is uncalled for, it is unwarranted. Although I don’t know him and I have not spoken to him, he should not bring unnecessary tension to Yorubaland. We will not accept that.”
National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Arewa Youth Forum (AYF), Nigeria Youth Alternative Council, Nigerian Youth in politics and others on Friday formally confered the Grand Commander of the Nigerian Youth (GCNY) title on the Ayedero of Yorubaland, Honourable (Dr.) Shina Peller.
The conferment took place in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja during a farewell dinner organized by the Nigerian Youth Leaders and Stakeholders in honour of the former House of Representatives member, who represented Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency in the ninth National Assembly.
Explaining the rationale behind the farewell dinner and the conferment of the title, the President of the NYCN, Comrade Solomon Adodo, noted that it is in recognition of Honourable Peller’s unparalleled contribution to youth development and empowerment of the masses.
Speaking further, Comrade Adodo explained that the dinner was put together by the frontline youth leaders of different youth organizations in Nigeria, adding that the purpose was to celebrate the former federal lawmaker for his sojourn in service to Nigeria and for being an outstanding legislator who is ever supportive of youth-driven initiatives, as well as for being an advocate of a common man.
Also speaking at the event, the President of the Nigeria Youth Alternative Council (NYAC), Nixon Chukwuka Odimbu, described the Ayedero of Yorubaland as a great leader who makes leaders. He revealed that Honourable Peller was the one who single-handedly sponsored his campaign as a House of Representatives candidate for Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2023 general election.
Furthermore, the convener of the event, Comrade Olufowobi Olanrewaju Desmond, who is the Vice President of the Nigerian Youth in Politics, said the event was organized to celebrate Honourable Peller for his outstanding contribution to youth development.
In addition, Comrade Olufowobi explained that the Ayedero of Yorubaland, through his NGO, Lead Generation Initiative (LGI), has trained thousands of Nigerian youths across the six geo-political zones of the country on active citizenship, effective communication, community development, leadership and good governance.
In his remarks, Honourable Peller expressed profound gratitude to the Nigerian Youth Leaders and Stakeholders for honouring him with the farewell dinner and for conferring him with the title of the Grand Commander of the Nigerian Youth.
He added that the honour was an encouragement as well as another challenge for him to intensify his efforts in initiating and supporting youth-driven initiatives, adding that it is very important for the government, public and private organizations to invest in the youth as they are great assets that can be leveraged to make the country better.
