A magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin, on Friday ordered the remand of two foremost journalists, Abdulrasheed Shoboi Akogun and Dare Akogun in prison.
The remand order was made by Magistrate Bio Salihu shortly after the two brothers were arraigned for an alleged defamation of character by the Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye.
The government prosecutor, Nasir Yusuf, in his submissions, prayed the court for another date of adjournment pending the determination of police investigation over the matter.
He informed the court of the motion exparte attached to the police report seeking the remand of the suspects and the eleven paragraph affidavit deposed to which was attached to it.
Magistrate Bio Salihu who precided over the matter however turned down Barrister Kehinde Eleja’s appearance for the suspects saying according to Kwara State law, he lacks jurisdiction to hear him being a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Sobi FM’s Judiciary Correspondent Kayode Adeoti reports that Magistrate Salihu, in his short ruling, ordered Dare and Abdulrasheed remand in Oke-Kura custodian centre while the matter was adjourned to 19th of this month.
The two Akogun Brothers are journalists. The senior Akogun (Dare) works with Sobi FM Ilorin. The other Akogun (Abdulrasheed) is the publisher of one of the leading online news platforms in Kwara, FRESH INSIGHT TV. Abdulrasheed is also a politician. He was the spokesman for Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq campaign organisation in 2019.
Rafiu Ajakaye is the Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State Governor.
Akogun Abdulrasheed in a WhatsApp group (Kwara Commission) opined that corruption is endemic in the administration of Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq. He also alleged that Kwara Gov through Rafiu Ajakaye sponsored NUJ election with 15M. Ajakaye petitioned the police and wants Abdulrasheed to bring forth the proof of the allegations.
Abdulrasheed stood his ground and refused to apologise as advised by CP. He said he has proof for the allegation.
Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress, was present during Bidoun Oyebanji’s swearing-in as governor of Ekiti State on Sunday.
Along with Tinubu, several APC governors were present at the celebration on Sunday at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti.
The governors include Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the state’s most recent governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, and Arakurin Rotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo State.
Alhaji Abubakar Badaru, the governor of Jigawa State, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, the governor of Kebbi State, and Chief Bisi Akande, the previous temporary chairman of the APC, are the other three..
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved 100 percent increment on bursary payable to the students of tertiary institutions across the country.
The new bursary increments and other benefits approved by the governor were aimed at supporting educational needs of students of Lagos State origin.
According to the government, the new adjustment was basically to let them cope with the present economic reality across the country.
As gathered, the new bursary approved by the state governor for the students would take effect from 2022/ 2023 academic session.
The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Scholarship Board, Abdur Rahaman Lekki, dropped the hints during a meeting with representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Lagos State Chapter, and National Union of Lagos State Students (NULASS) at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja.
The meeting which was held at the instance of the Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo- Olu on Education, Tokunbo Wahab, had in attendance, presidents and some Executive members of both the two students union bodies and representatives of the state government.
Lekki also disclosed that the Lagos State Government at the just concluded State Economic Summit known as ‘’Ehingbeti Summit’’ had also approved the resolutions on the establishment of Lagos Diaspora Scholarship Funds.
Biodun Oyebanji on Sunday took over the reins of power as the new Governor of Ekiti State with a pledge to pursue a vision that will make the State a land of prosperity, opportunity, peace and progress in the next four years.
Delivering his inaugural speech shortly after being sworn into office, Oyebanji assured the people of the state that he understood his mission and he has come to fulfill it to justify the mandate given to him at the June 18, 2022 governorship election.
He promised to chart a new course for Ekiti development through a six-pillar roadmap which includes Human Capital Development, Agriculture and Rural Development, Infrastructure and Industrialization, Arts, Culture and Tourism and Governance.
Oyebanji completed the swearing-in formalities at 12.53 pm with the signing of oath documents after the state Chief Judge, Justice Adeyeye, had administered the oath of office and the oath of allegiance on the new helmsman.
The new Deputy Governor, Mrs. Monisade Afuye, had earlier been sworn in by the Chief Judge. The new Governor and Deputy Governor were prayed for by the state Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Clement Abifade.
Before Oyebanji was inaugurated into office, the outgoing Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, handed over the “pen of authority” to his successor, officially transferring power of approval to the new Governor.
The inauguration which took place at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion before a mammoth crowd was attended by the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Governors Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Benedict Alabi.
The event was also attended by two former Governors of Ekiti State-Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Chief Ayodele Fayose; former Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi; former Interim APC National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; wife of the new Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji; her predecessor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; husband of new Deputy Governor, Pa Lawrence Afuye and father of the new Governor, Pa Ezekiel Oyebanji.
The ceremony was marked with a colourful parade by officers and men of the Nigeria Police, inspection of the guard of honour by the new Governor, music and other forms of festivity by enthusiastic party members and indigenes who came from far and near to witness the occasion.
Unfolding his agenda, Oyebanji said: “My vision is for Ekiti State to be a land of prosperity, opportunity, peace and progress. A land in which transformed people and communities can reap the fruits of their labour in dignity, good health and safety.
“A land of honour where integrity matters. For this vision to be actualised we need to focus on a roadmap to get there. The French West Indian psychiatrist and political philosopher, Frantz Fanon, in his famous quote says: “Each generation must discover its mission, fulfill it or betray it …” Ekiti Kete, I do understand my mission and I am here to fulfil it. The import of the mandate you have given to me and the responsibility I now bear is clear.”
He added: “These pillars highlight our priorities as an administration, which I explained in greater detail in my manifesto. Our goal is to safeguard our people’s lives, livelihoods, well-being and future. It is to create shared prosperity for all.
“To grow the economy, equip our people with valuable skills, create jobs, and expand the range of opportunities available for everyone. It is to create a conducive environment for investors to thrive in our economy, and to make Ekiti State the preferred destination to live, work, and invest.
“In keeping with the Ekiti State (Transition) Law, 2019, our plan will also build on the foundation laid by the outgoing administration by prioritising the completion of strategic infrastructure projects in the knowledge economy, transportation, agriculture and power.
“Our modus operandi will be the establishment of numerous platforms for widespread participation, interaction, and inclusiveness of all stakeholders. We intend to ensure robust dialogue and uncensored expression and consultations across the length and breadth of the state, thereby ensuring the interest and participation of all in the welfare of Ekiti Kete.
“We assure the people that we will hear you and truly see you. Our outlook is a government of the people, for the people, by the people through active involvement. On this platform I hereby pledge my accessibility to you all.
“This is the summary of my manifesto which I presented to you, the basis upon which we earned your trust. With the recently unveiled Ekiti State Development Plan (2021 – 2050) midwifed by the immediate past administration, all stakeholders in the sustainable development of our dear State, now have a roadmap to Ekiti’s prosperity that goes beyond many electoral cycles, around which we will mobilise and coordinate efforts to succeed. Again, I assure you that by God’s grace and the support of our people “Together With You, We Will Keep Ekiti Working.”
Oyebanji also used the opportunity to canvass support of Ekiti voters for Asiwaju Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election and other candidates for the National and State Assembly polls.
He said: “Our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has presented to the nation, one of the most impactful political leaders of our time – His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as our candidate for the position of President of Nigeria.
“Asiwaju is a committed nationalist, astute administrator, prolific thinker, and a resourceful manager of human and natural resources, who has paid his dues and demonstrated his capacity to lead Nigeria at such a time as this. Ekiti is best positioned for peace and prosperity under the leadership of Asiwaju Tinubu and I am sure that we would deliver our votes for him.
“In the same vein, our candidates for the National Assembly, and the State House of Assembly are men and women of honour whom we need in office to actualise our common vision. On my part as leader of Government I will do my best to continue to earn the confidence of our people in our great party.”
Also speaking at the ceremony, APC presidential flag bearer, Asiwaju Tinubu, hailed the electorate in Ekiti State for keeping faith with the broom party urging them to sustain the momentum in the forthcoming general elections.
Asiwaju Tinubu paid tributes to Ekiti people for being able to deliver victory to the APC at the last governorship election despite the odds which he attributed to the consistency and loyalty to the party.
He said: “Another set of elections is coming, we want you to keep faith in our party and I want to thank you for the faith you have in Nigeria. Thank you Ekiti Kete for your determination to keep APC in power.
“Oyebanji will not let you down, we will support him and we will support Ekiti. In the coming elections, we need your support and I know you will support us. We will win and give you a great and a bright future.” Asiwaju added.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has replied his predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amoosun, declaring that he (Amosun) will fail in his “anti-party politics aimed to scuttle his re-election bid in 2023”. Abiodun, who flayed Amosun for playing “dirty politics” and openly declaring to work for the emergence of a governorship candidate of another party in the 2023 general polls, said that the former governor would fall once again as he did in the 2019 gubernatorial election.
Amosun had in an interview with BBC Yoruba on Friday declared that he would work against Abiodun’s re-election bid. He also noted that he had already pitted his tent with the African Democratic Congress candidate, Biyi Otegbeye; a move which angered the state governor.
Abiodun, during a meeting with members of the Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, was said to have dismissed the former governor’s outburst as an “empty threat of a fallen man”, adding that “my second term is already ordained by God”.
The governor noted that it was a pity that Amosun had quickly forgotten how his adopted candidate “lost woefully” during the last general election, even when he was still in office as Ogun Governor. Abiodun said he was not perturbed by his predecessor’s “empty threat”, as similar threat in 2019 did not amount to anything.
“The same thing that person did in 2019 and failed woefully, even when he was still the governor in the state, he is now preparing to fail again and even fall down. Abiodun was said to have said, “We are waving goodbye to him now. He is not even a candidate of any political party. He is nothing and he is saying he will stop a governor that God has ordained; he will definitely fail again by the grace of God.”
ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that a Professor from Faculty of Education, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Bamidele A. Faleye has been reportedly dead.
According to ODUDUWA NEWS, the news of his death was reported and confirmed yesterday by his colleague from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife who spoke to our correspondent under the condition of annonymity.
It was learnt that the late academia died in his house at Ipapo area of Oke-Ogun after attending a wedding ceremony on Saturday.
It was gathered that the late Professor had told his people that he would sleep his house at his hometown before heading to Ile-Ife the following day only to be found dead in his sitting room.
According to a phone conversations with his colleague who is also a professor from OAU, Ile-Ife, he said, “the death of the professor was painful as he was a very bright, dogged and supportive ally before his death.
He was shocked to have heard the news of the death of a Professor of Tests and Measurements because according to him he looked very healthy and agile.
Governor Kayode Fayemi, in a carnival like manner was conveyed in a motorcade with his wife, Erelu Bisi, and the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, while members of the House of Assembly, executive council, political aides and permanent secretaries accompanied him with songs and jamboree from the front of the Governor’s Office to the entrance of the Governor’s Office main gate.
Governor Fayemi had also ordered release N1.6billion to pay one month arrears of salary of workers in the State. He assured workers to expect alert next week.
Governor Fayemi also released N400Million to all the 35 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas in the State to execute projects in their respective local governments.
A former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun said foreign nations granting visas to young Nigerians are wi#ked.
He stated this in his reaction to the mass exit of Nigerians to the United Kingdom, Canada, and other foreign nations. Speaking to BBC on the growing “Japa” trend, Amosun said, “I have heard about it and the reports are scary. All our youths and young talents are traveling out of Nigeria, seeking greener pastures, and the prospective countries are deliberately giving them visas to leave the country, without putting the origin country into consideration.
What scares me most in all this is the proliferation of emigration. Foreigners will not fix our nation for us if all our citizens should leave the country. I am seeing the countries granting visas to our youths as walked because they are not considering the origin nation, from which their prospective labour force is coming from.
