Author: oduduwanews

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Ogun, FG Sign MoU On 2024 National Sports Festival Hosting

Determined to host a world-class National Sports Festival in 2024, the Ogun State Government and the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development have signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

In his remarks after the signing of the MoU at the Governor’s Office, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, on Saturday, Governor Dapo Abiodun informed the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, that Ogun is noted for recording many firsts and the hosting of the competition would not be an exception.

“Ogun State indigenes have invested in sports development in Nigeria. Apart from that we have eminent sports men and women who have distinguished themselves and brought glory to this country. We are ready to host a world-class festival next year. We have capable hands and sponsors that are ready to support us.

“I want to assure you that we will live up to expectations as reflected in the MoU. I can assure you that we will not disappoint you.

“I want to assure you that like you have said to me that the one in Edo was a very good showing, the one in Delta was better than the one in Edo, the one in Ogun will be the best. We will immediately move to set up a Local Organizing Committee,” the governor stated.

He explained that the National Sports Festival was developed to promote unity and cohesion among the youths, observing that Ogun as a state with a huge number of youths due to the large number of education institutions, his administration has developed strategies to gainfully engage them through sports and other relevant activities.

“Sports is a tool to teach our youth leadership skills development, discipline, team work and self confidence. When youth are busy through sports engagements, they won’t have time for social vices. Some of them have developed into world beaters and we will continue to encourage them”, Abiodun added

The governor recalled how the state performed very well in the last edition of the Festival by hauling 70 medals, appreciating the Minister and the Federal Ministry of Sports for supporting the state at the bidding stage.

He, however, assured that all necessary steps would be taken to ensure a successful sports festival next year.

In his response, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, said the choice of Ogun State as the next host was due to its culture of sports development, availability of sporting infrastructure and potentials to host a befitting festival that would linger for a long time.

He said the state was blessed with prominent sports men and women who have made the country proud, expressing confidence that its performance as the host of the next edition would surpass the last two editions.

While calling on the state to commence preparation as soon as possible, the Minister assured the corporate bodies that are ready to sponsor the competition handsome incentives in terms of tax holidays among others.

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FRSC Confirms Three Dead, Others Injured In Lagos-Ibadan Auto Crash

In a statement, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said the accident took place around the Saapade – Ogere axis of the road on Saturday evening.

Five persons – four male adults and one female adult – were involved in the crash, FRSC spokesperson in Ogun, Florence Okpe, said. Two persons were also injured in the incident.

“The suspected cause of the crash was excessive speed which led to losing of control on the part of the Toyota car rammed into the moving truck from the rear,” she said.

Okpe expressed sadness that three other persons died in the crash.

On the cause of the accident, the FRSC spokesman stated that a speeding Toyota car marked KSF122, had rammed into a Sino truck registered FZE840G.
The injured victims have since been conveyed to the Victory Hospital in Ogere, while the bodies of the deceased were deposited at FOS Morgue, Ipara, all in Ogun.

Meanwhile, the Sector Commander of the FRSC in Ogun, Ahmed Umar has sympathised with the families of the victims.

He emphasised the dangers of speeding, especially during rainy seasons when visibility is always poor, advising motorists to drive defensively and obey traffic rules and regulations.

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Three Notorious Armed Robbers Arrested For Alleged Invasion Of Phone Market, Murder Of Trader In Abeokuta

Men of Ogun state Police Command on Saturday 6th of May 2023, apprehended three members of a robbery syndicate who invaded the phone market popularly known as Tarmarc on the 12th of April 2923, where they killed one of the traders after carting away several highly valued phones.

The suspects, Ajayi Kayode, Habeeb Idowu and Temitayo Oresanya were arrested, following an information received by policemen attached to Kemta divisional headquarters that the suspects have been hibernating at Abule Ake area of Kemta for quite some time now in order to evade Police arrest.
Upon the information, the DPO Kemta division, CSP Adeniyi Adekunle, mobilized his men and moved to the scene where the three suspects were apprehended.

Two amongst the suspects have confessed their participation in the robbery incident, while the third one Temitayo Oresanya though affirmed to be a member of the same cult group with them claimed that he didn’t participated in the robbery. He stated further that Ajayi Kayode and Habeeb Idowu came to his house at Abule Ake to hide from the police after their robbery escapade.

It will be recalled that the daredevil robbers invaded Tarmarc on the 12th of April at about 5 pm, shooting sporadically and carted away several phones after they shot dead one of the traders identified as Dayo Bankole. One of the robbers by name Sakiru Adeniji was arrested at the scene, while others escaped.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olanrewaju Yomi Oladimeji, who commended members of the public for their coopration by giving useful information to the police, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to State Criminal Investigation Departments for discreet investigation. He also directed that the remaining members of the gang must be hunted for and brought to justice.

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One Dead As Car Crushes Tricycle In Lagos

A Sport Utility Vehicle crushed a tricycle carrying a family of four along Isheri-Igando road in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on Sunday killing one passenger.

According to our correspondent, the driver of the SUV, which was speeding towards the Igando area of the community, lost control and collided with coming vehicles, which included two commercial buses and a tricycle.

Other passengers were critically injured and rushed to a nearby hospital.

The victims include the tricycle rider, a couple and their two children who were said to be on their way to church.

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Three killed as cultists clash in Sagamu

No fewer than three persons have been killed as young men suspected to be cultists overran Sagamu, the headquarters of Sagamu Local Government, Ogun State.

DAILY POST gathered that the young men, who are members of the Eiye and Aiye confraternities, relaunched their usual supremacy battle on Tuesday, shooting at one another.

As at Saturday, three persons were said to have been shot dead in the ongoing fracas that has brought commercial activities to a halt in some parts of Sagamu.

Locals said several other persons sustained injuries in the attack, sending shivers down the spines of residents.

Our correspondent learnt that one of the victims, an attendant at Awabat filling station in Ijokun, was shot dead on Friday night.

A reliable source told our correspondent that the man, simply identified as Matey, was shot in the head by some yet-to-be identified persons.

“We don’t know if he was a cultist, we don’t know what happened. We just saw that he was shot dead by cultists. He’s a petrol attendant at Awabat in Ijokun,” a mother of one, who pleaded anonymity, said.

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Osun Govt Dissociates Self From Alleged Plan On Workers’ Demotion, Payment Of Half Salary

The Government of Osun state has described as outright falsehood and wicked fabrication, the fake news about demotion of workers and alleged plan for half salaries for state workers.

The statement signed by the Governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed reads as follows:

“We affirm that the Osun State Government under Governor Ademola Adeleke has not and will not demote any worker. There is also no plan to introduce half salary.

“Additionally, we declare that the content of the said story and all the references to a supposed worker are mere fabrications to undermine the very strong bond between Governor Adeleke and Osun workers, both in the formal and the informal sector.

“The bond of partnership between this administration and the workers was further cemented at the May 1st workers day celebration where labour leaders praised the extraordinary commitment of Governor Adeleke to workers’ welfare.

“The May Day event also saw confirmation by all stakeholders that Governor Adeleke was the first Governor in Osun state to have workers’ welfare as the first item on his governance agenda.

“Members of the public and the labour movement also acknowledged that the present administration has been clearing the mess and the evil fallouts of years of maladministration by the APC in Osun state. Part of that acclaimed step is the template adopted to clear years of half salary and pensions owed Osun workers.

“It is therefore a failed hatchet job by the defeated All Progressives Congress (APC) to allege that a solution provider, a workers’ governor and a performing leader of a peoples’ government is planning any anti-labour agenda

“Let us remind the sponsors of fake news that the Adeleke administration inherited over N400 billion debt from the previous administration, a very low allocation from the federation account, a demoralized public service, vastly looted public facilities, a very deep state infrastructure deficit and a disillusioned citizenry due to a government of deceit under the former Governor.

“Governor Adeleke has since been working round the clock to restore public confidence in government, to bridge the infrastructural gap, to clear backlogs of salaries owed to workers, to rebuild the public service, to sanitize public finance, and to digitalize Osun economy.

“Osun people rewarded the Governor by massively voting for PDP in all recent federal and state elections. And across Osun state, citizens are undergoing intense prayers for the validation, confirmation, prevalence and sustenance of their governorship choice by the Supreme Court. The prayer of Osun voters is that good governance they are enjoying and the Peoples Governor they voted for will continue in office by God, man and the Lord Justices of the Supreme Court.

“We therefore urge members of the public to ignore the fake news about demotion of workers and re-introduction of half salaries. Governor Adeleke is an apostle of good governance and grassroots development who upholds workers’ rights and aspirations of Osun people.

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WAEC: Oyo Govt Demotes Six Teachers Over Alleged Involvement In Exam Malpractices

The Oyo State Government has announced the demotion of six classroom teachers who were found guilty of their involvement in exam malpractices in the last 2022 Senior School Certificate Examination conducted by WAEC.

According to the memo made available to ODUDUWA NEWS by Oyo State Post Primary Schools Teaching Service Commission directed to The Tutor- General, Saki Zone where the Malpractice took place, the memo stated that the decision to demote them followed the findings of the panel set of by the Commission to investigate them, which found them all guilty.

The following demoted teachers are: Ogunkunle Musibau. O from grade 14 to 13 & Popoola Akeem Abiola from grade 8 to 7 both of Owo Community Grammar School Owo. Others are Mr Mustapha Bolanle Nureni from grade 15 to 14; Ammed Adamu Ademola from grade 10 to 9; Titilola Ajeleye John from grade 10 to 9 & Adegbola Abraham Titilope from grade 8 to 7 all of Progressive Secondary Grammar School, Tede.

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Oyo Govt Approves Remodelling of Agbowo Shopping Complex, Says Project To Be Completed In 18 Months

The Oyo State Executive Council had approved the remodelling of Agbowo Shopping Complex following the resolution of the cabinet members who met yesterday.

The council in a statement made available to newsmen had resolution and approved the following:

1) The remodelling of Agbowo Shopping Complex to a shopping complex, a 4-star hotel, the anchor store, cinema building, event centre/casino and a restaurant through a direct contract model awarded to Messrs Planet Projects. The contract duration is 18 months at the sum of N10.1 billion to be funded by a project specific 7-year medium term bond of N8.5 billion. The bond is to be raised by Messrs SCM Capital Ltd who will provide bridge finance of N4.25 billion to the contractor to be refunded from the proceeds of the N8.5 billion bond.

2) Four Executive Bills to be presented to the House of Assembly. They include: Oyo State Harmonised Environmental Bill 2023; Real Property Protection Bill 2023; Oyo State Safe Schools Bill 2023; and Oyo State Rural Access Road Agency Bill 2023.

3) An Amendment Bill to the Chiefs Law of Oyo State to be presented to the House of Assembly.

4) The Governor’s Lodge in Abuja to be commissioned by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo on May 23, 2023.

5) Also during the meeting, Governor Seyi Makinde announced the new Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Olufunke Oni who will replace Alhaja Ololade Agboola when she retires on Monday, May 8, 2023.

6) Finally, Governor Seyi Makinde announced the 15-person Inauguration/Transition Committee:
Hon Segun Ogunwuyi – Chairman
Ms Ololade Ajibola – Secretary
Hon Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola
Mrs Toyin Balogun
Barr Adeniyi Farinto
Dr Wasiu Olatubosun
Hon Nureni Alabi
Chief Ademola Ojo
Hon Dayo Ogungbenro
Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke
Compol (retd) Fatai Owoseni
Alhaji Siju Lawal
Mr Akinola Ojo
Hon Simeon Oyeleke
Prof Abdulwaheed Soliu

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Senate Presidency: Sen. Yari Refuses To Step Down For President-Elect, Tinubu’s Preferred Candidate, Akpabio

Senator Abdulaziz Yari has reportedly refused the persuasion of President-elect, Bola Tinubu to step down for Godswill Akpabio for the Senate Presidency and will go ahead to contest according.

Yari had earlier on Friday said the contest for the Senate Presidency will be based on constitutional provisions and not instructions by anyone.

He said, “What is going to happen that day, it is going to happen based on the instructions of the constitution and not for anyone.”

The former Zamfara State governor described the contest as senators’ business, backed by the constitution to choose their leaders within themselves and not based on instructions from anyone.

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Court Adjourns Ex-Lagos Speaker, Ikuforiji’s Alleged N388.8m Fraud Trial Till June 1

Justice Muhammad Liman of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, May 4, 2023, adjourned till June 1, 2023 further hearing in the alleged N388.8m fraud trial of a former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji.

Ikuforiji, alongside his former aide, Oyebode Alade, is facing trial on a 54-count charge bordering on conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N338.8 million.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Rt. Honourable Adeyemi Sabit Ikuforiji, and Oyebode Alade Atoyebi, sometime between April 2010 and July 2011 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, conspired among yourselves to do an illegal act to wit: accepting various cash payments amounting in the aggregate to the sum of N338, 801, 442 (Three Hundred and Thirty-Eight Million, Eight Hundred and One Thousand, Four Hundred and Forty Naira only) from the Lagos State House of Assembly without going through a financial institution and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 and punishable under Section 16 (2) (b) of same Act.”

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them by the EFCC.

At the resumed sitting today, Ikuforiji, through his counsel, Dele Adesina, SAN, described the charge against him as “politically motivated.”

kuforiji said the initial allegations made against him by the prosecution was “fraud and misappropriation of funds.”

He said the prosecution, however, “later turned it to money laundering”, adding that “It is a pity that I am standing trial today based on a faceless petition that has no name or address of the writer, who alleged that I committed a fraud or misappropriated the sum of over N7 billion.”

“As a three-term Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, if I had, indeed, committed such an infraction, my case would not first get to the EFCC for trial, as members of the House would have dealt with me, by first impeaching me and handing me over to the law enforcement agency.

“I don’t handle cash, or disbursement of funds; it is the duty of the Office of the Clerk and the Finance Department to do that.”

When asked if the second defendant, Atoyebi, collected any cash on his behalf, Ikuforiji said: “Atoyebi collected money for the Office of the Speaker, where there were over 100 staff, and definitely not for me.”

In his testimony, the first defence witness, a retiree and former Deputy Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Ibisola Olawoyin Ogayemi, admitted knowing the defendants and that the Chief Accounting Officer of the House is the Clerk of the House.

Asked to talk about the modalities for financial transactions in the House, Ogayemi said that, after the Office of the Clerk and that of the Finance Department had done the paper works, “they would send it to the Speaker for approval; and after his consent, the documents would be returned to them.”

According to him, “The Office of the Clerk and the Finance Department would then raise invoices and cheques.

“Subsequently, the bank would bring the cash to the Finance Department for disbursement in the presence of the bank’s officials and staff of the Department to the beneficiaries.”

Also, the second defence witness, Kayode Motunrayo, a former Manager, First Bank, Agodi Branch, Ibadan, Oyo State, corroborated Ogayemi’s evidence, saying, “ When the bank received a cheque for payment from any government institution or agency, including the Oyo State House of Assembly, the bank would take the money down to the Finance Department of that Agency and carry out the disbursement in conjunction with the officials of the Finance department.”

The case was adjourned till June 1 and 2, 2023 for continuation of trial.

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