Light-Up Oyo Project Is Sustainable, Ex-Oyo Commissioner, Afonja Tells Critics

Waterfield Luxury Hotel, Akobo, Ibadan.

The former Commissioner for Works and Transport, Professor Raphael Ramon Afonja has dispelled rumour flying around that the ‘Light Up Oyo’ project is not sustainable and that the project cannot stand the test of time.

READ ALSO- Ado-Awaye Shooting: Araromi Political Head, His Cronies Using By Army As Cover-Up – Youths Allege

Afonja reaffirmed his position that the project which was Gov. Makinde’s vision is a very laudable and sustainable one and that he worked closely with his team and contractor when he was serving as Commissioner to make sure the project is sustainable.

Afonja made this disclosure while featuring in a radio programme monitored by ODUDUWA NEWS on Oko Ilu FM Radio in Ogbomosho.

Afonja said, Engr. Makinde’s idea of lighting up the roads in Oyo state was driven by the security challenges in Nigeria and the need to drive the economy of the State of Oyo. You can definitely see that his intention which was based on those two factors has shown that he meant well for the people of Oyo state. This Lightup project is still ongoing and the main components are the renewable sources of energy to power those lights are still being tested and installed across the state. He said as if they knew that the crises between Russia and Ukraine will cause energy crises, desiel was not the ideal choice to power those lights but was used to test the lines and correct any dysfunction before the project is fully implemented. “The first phase was to test run it with diesel and then a combined energy sources would thereafter be implemented which includes IPP, solar farm, gas and inverter.

He said the change to gas and the inverter battery at this time was necessitated by the sudden increase in the price of diesel and that it is currently being powered with gas in some places in Oyo State. The Commissioner of Energy Barr. Ashamu who is now in charge of the project is a very committed person and is not relented at making sure that the alternative energy sources are installed.

“Even after leaving office I still go around and check on the projects that I awarded while in office and I keep in touch with some of the people that worked with me to share ideas and hear about their challenges”, said Afonja.

He also discussed the lingering crisis in PDP where Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and others are demanding for the resignation of the National Chairman of the Party, Iyorcha Ayu.

He called on all parties to sheathe their swords and allow peace to reign in order to win the forthcoming general elections. He however made case that Engr. Makinde and Gov. Wike are democrats that believe in making sure people’s voices are heard and their opinions are considered and that is what democracy is all about. “Without this agitation, some people will force their own skewed opinions down everybody’s throat without considering all avenues that work for the betterment of the party and Nigeria as a whole, Though, the party’s constitution will deploy all major instrument to resolve the impasses”.

Afonja lauded development strides of Oyo State Governor and used the ocassion to solicit the support of the people for his re-election.

He concluded by describing the PDP presidential candidate as the Messiah Nigerians need to rescue the sinking ship of the country. He ended by saying May Almighty God bless Nigeria and it’s people.

We Introduced Bar Code To Curb Kidnapping In Lagos Garages – MC Oluomo

In order to protect the lives and goods of Lagosians as well as curb insecurity, the chairman of Lagos State Park and Garages Management, Alh. Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya popularly called MC-OLUOMO, has introduced bar code to all the commercial vehicles operating in Lagos.

Oluomo while unveiling the bar code stated that the transport management in Lagos will not put the lives of Lagosians in jeopardy, noting that the incidence of kidnapping is rampant in some parts of the country and it is the proactiveness of the stakeholders in the transport sector of Lagos that birthed the bar code introduction.

Mc-Oluomo continued that the chairmen of each Park and Garages whose drivers are caught putting the lives and properties of Lagosians at risk will be severely dealt with.

While explaining how the bar code works, Mr Isaiah Arowolo from Dotmatech Technology Ltd disclosed that over 20,000 vehicles are already in the data of the organization. He stated that each vehicle will have a unique bar code that people would be expected to scan before boarding such bus. Upon scanning, it will display the plate number of the vehicle, details of the driver and the unit from which the vehicle is operating as well as the name of the unit chairman.

He further disclosed that these information will discourage kidnapping and theft. Also, anyone that forgets his luggage in the bus can easily contact the driver or trace him through the information provided. He said people can download the app on Playstore or Apple iOS

Strike: ASUU loses case in Appeal Court As lecturers ordered to resume in 7 days

The court of appeal has granted the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, conditional leave to appeal the ruling of the National Industrial Court of 21st September ordering lecturers to end the strike and go back to the classroom

Justice Hamma Barka who lead the three-man panel granted leave on the condition that ASUU must obey the order of the interlocutory injunction by the lower court immediately.

Justice Biobele Georgewill a member of the panel also ordered that the leave granted can only stand if ASUU obeys the interlocutory order of the lower court.

Justice Georgewill also states that in a situation where the orders of the lower court aren’t obeyed, the court will withdraw the leave granted ASUU to appeal the interlocutory injunction orders by the NIC.

ASUU has been given 7 days to file its appeal and immediately obey the orders of the lower court.

Ado-Awaye Shooting: Araromi Political Head, His Cronies Using By Army As Cover-Up – Youths Allege

The youths of Ado-Awaye have condemned an attempt to distort fact and change the narrative by the political Head of Araromi Local Council Development Area of Oyo State.

The youths in a statement made available today to ODUDUWA NEWS by their President and Secretary respectively, Ajibola Abdulazeez and Olalekan Zainab as reproduced below:

ADO-AWAYE PROGRESSIVE YOUTH MOVEMENT (A.P.Y.M)

OUR HERITAGE, OUR PRIDE

REGISTRATION NO:- T.1845/92

RE: “HOODLUMS ATTACKED OPERATION BURST”, ADO-AWAYE POLITICAL HEAD AND HIS CRONIES USED BY ARMY TO LIE TO THE PUBLIC

Our Own Side Of Story As We Demand Apology For Derogatory Statement

The entire youths of Ado-awaye under the leadership of ADO-AWAYE PROGRESSIVE YOUTH MOVEMENT (A.P.Y.M) have condemned purported meeting held between the emissary sent by GOC II Division of Nigerian Army and Political Head of Ado-Awaye Local Development Council, Timothy Ogunleke

We wouldn’t have joined issue with the reckless statement made by the Political Head but for the sake of clarification to the public who he might have been misled with his statement, we have to say our own.

Waterfield Luxury Hotel, Akobo, Ibadan

Recall, one of our brothers was shot by a trigger-happy soldier who acted against the rule of engagement when the youths expressed their displeasure on the rate of extortion, molestation and inhumane treatment usually melted on our people particularly the motorcycle riders.

This inhumane treatment was alien to us as the soldiers stationed at that place before their redeployment were civil and acted professionally.

This inhumane treatment was brought to the notice of Alado of Ado-Awaye, Oba Olugbile Makuledoye and was said to have acted on it but to our dismay these recalcitrant men of the Joint Security Taskforce of Oyo State codenamed as Operation Burst continued to act unprofessionally. Rather than curbing their excesses, they continually unleashed terror on us and we took it upon ourselves to express our displeasure peacefully.

This very day the incident occurred, one of our youths was coming from his place of work when these men of Taskforce descended on him and subjected to inhumane treatment before he was later shot. The person according to the latest report might be transferred to UCH for further treatment.

The so-called political head was aware of this inhumane treatment and never acted upon it. Rather than doing so, he took solace in the paraphernalia of his office and euphoria of being called political head without result.

It is very sad that an important peace meeting held without any noticeable stakeholder like Alado of Ado-Awaye, community elders, and particularly the representatives of the youth that was almost killed by the trigger-happy soldier who acted unprofessionally by shooting armless citizen.

The statement released and shared by the Political Head of Ado-Awaye after the meeting was intellectually lame and very embarrassing coming from someone who supposed to be the voice of the community and the oppressing youth folks. Rather than speaking truth to power, himself and his cronies chickened out as usual and allowed to be used as facehsaving agent of cover-up to change the narrative for the erring soldiers.

It baffles one’s sensible minds when it has become the work of the Secretary to Iseyin Local Government to be speaking as spokesman of Nigerian Army. Should this not be enough reason to conclude why the Araromi LCDA is having a stangant pilot with no direction of meaningful development.

We are by this statement distancing ourselves from the purported meeting held by the Secretary of Iseyin Local Government Council, Timothy Ogunleke who hurriedly did the hatchet job for the security men and attempted to change the culprits to victims after the said meeting.

To set the record straight, we are not hoodlums and ‘unscrupulous youths’ as claimed by the so-called political head who was politicizing human life that was almost taken by the security men. Suffice to say, the statement has been deleted since yesterday when the conscience as open wound disturbed them.

To the discerning public who may be interested in knowing the truth. This is the truth and nothing but the truth. Ado-Awaye youths are peace-loving even in amidst of maladministration from our LCDA, we would not sit idle while our people are being subjected to untold hardship, extortion and molestation in the hands of these security men when the supposed LCDA chairman who supposed to be overseeing the affairs of the community people has abdicated his duties.

This is the first time we are speaking up and we would not be kowtowed as we may consider all legal means to seek redress for the victim once he fully recovers.

On a final note, we are therefore demanding from the Political Head and his cronies who held the purported meeting with emisary of GOC Division II to withdraw the statement of tagging the youths of Ado-Awaye as “unscrupulous and hoodlums”. Nobody has heard our voice before on any issue as this is the first time we are speaking up having endured the excesses of the security men for a while and it is on just cause we are speaking now.

As it was Said by Martin Luther King “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

#EndEFCC: We Are Collecting Our Forefathers’ Money, Says One Of ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ Protesters

The moral decadence in our society has taken a new dimension as youths who engage in cybercrime do not feel ashamed of their dubious way of life.

Recall, Ibadan internet fraudsters joined the EndEFCC protest as they accused EFCC official of extra extortion after settlement

The Internet fraudsters organised a protest against the EFCC on Thursday in Ibadan, Oyo State. This protest comes days after some youths held a similar protest in Warri, Delta State.

Meanwhile, some of the protesters spoken to by ODUDUWA NEWS crew claimed they were protesting to end indiscriminate arrest of men of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC because they are preventing them from collecting their forefathers’ money from the white men.

Meanwhile, the EFCC has vowed not to be deterred by the protest staged by these interment scammers as all efforts are geared towards ridding Nigeria of the growing trend of ‘Yahoo Yahoo’ syndrome.

Eid-Maulud: FG Declares October 10 Public Holiday

The Federal Government has declared Monday 10th October, 2022 as Public Holiday to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Mawlid Celebration in commemoration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who made this declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulates all Muslims both at home and in the Diaspora for witnessing this year’s occasion.

He admonishes all Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, patience, tolerance and perseverance which are deep spiritual virtues and which the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) exemplified, adding that doing so would guarantee peace, security and harmony in the country.

Ogbeni Aregbesola enjoins Nigerians, particularly Muslims, to refrain from violence, lawlessness and other acts of criminality. “As the indisputable leader of our race, we must demonstrate responsible leadership in Africa”, the Minister stated.

While calling for a stop to all divisive tendencies across the country, the Minister urges all Nigerians, and the youth in particular, to embrace the virtues of hard work and peaceful disposition to fellow humans, irrespective of faith, ideology, social class and ethnicity and join hands with the President Muhammadu Buhari led-Administration in its effort to build a progressive and enviable nation that all citizens would be proud of.

The Minister urges Nigerians to be security conscious, asking them to report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest security agency and through the N-Alert application on Android and IOS, saying “when you see something do N-Alert, as this would elicit prompt response from security agents”.

ODUDUWA NEWS reports that the Minister Aregbesola wishes all Muslims a happy celebration and Nigerians a happy holiday.

Amid Rumour Of Critical Health Challenges, Tinubu Returns From UK

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has returned to the country after weeks in the United Kingdom.

The whereabouts of Tinubu have been the question on the lips of some Nigerians in recent days.

In a tweet on Thursday, presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, said Tinubu had returned to Abuja.

He said, “Our presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja from London.”

Yahoo Yahoo: Youths Stage #End EFCC Protest Over Indiscriminate Arrest In Ibadan

Some young persons in their numbers have protested against what they described as incessant illegal arrests by officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The protesters who took their agitation to the main entrance of the state Secretariat in Agodi Ibadan carried placards of various inscriptions asking the Government to end EFCC.

One of the protesters who identified himself as Samuel said they are agitating against indiscriminate arrest by the EFCC who many times accuse them of being fraudsters.

Samuel who said he is an engineer into real estate lamented that on several occasions he has been bursted by officers of the EFCC accusing him of being into fraud.

2023: Folarin Stockpiling Arms For Election, Oyo PDP Appeals To Police For Investigation

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo state has said that Police investigation which unravelled the truth and exonerated members of the ruling party of having any connection with the incident at the APC campaign rally in Ibadan two days ago has made it incumbent on the security agency to immediately investigate Senator Teslim Folarin.

The Oyo PDP said the press statement by the Commissioner of Police which provided detailed information and clarity on what was tagged ‘malicious’ allegation by Folarin and the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC has justified its fears about the level of desperation by the opposition and its do-or die approach to the coming 2023 election.

The ruling party disclosed this in a press statement made available to newsmen early Thursday morning (today) by its State Publicity Secretary, Akeem Olatunji saying, “Folarin’s penchant for telling unbridled lies and maliciously fabricating falsehood to gain cheap political relevance has made him notoriously notable.

“Folarin’s alleged involvement in the yet to be resolved gruesome murder case of former NURTW chairmans in the state, Alhaji Eleweomo still remain fresh as evidence in our minds that the Senator is capable of anything and can do anything for his selfish political gains without recourse to consequences of his actions.”

The Oyo state PDP stated further that Folarin is capable of anything and therefore, called on the state Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Williams and the Department of State Security Services (DSS) to immediately investigate the Senator whom the ruling party alleged of stockpiling arms ahead of 2023 general elections.

The party stressed that Folarin has consistently been engaged on deliberate smear campaign and unprovoked verbal attacks against the state Governor, Seyi Makinde and some of the state government’s political appointees including the Chairman, Oyo State Park Management System (PMS), Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi.

According to the ruling party in Oyo state, Folarin brazenly brought out a sword and dangled it at his official governorship declaration signaling a call for war which constitutes serious threat to state security, public peace and orderliness wondering what message the senator was sending across to his party faithfuls with the show of sheer brigandage such as publicly dangling such dangerous weapon.

Consequently, the ruling party said the unprecented sector by sector achievements of Makinde in less than four years in office which has attracted national, continental, and global attention has shown opposition parties in the state, particularly the APC that there is no vacancy at the Agodi Government House come 2023 which has further fueled desperation of the Senator and his party.

The party noted that it uncovered Folarin’s plans alongside the political strategy of the APC in Oyo state which is to create political tension via the use of organized violence attacks at selected places and events and thereafter, alleging Governor Makinde and the PMS boss of masterminding them with a view to blackmail and discredit the PDP government ahead of the 2023 polls.

“The police investigation and press statement yesterday could not have come at a better time because it didn’t just vindicate Governor Makinde and Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi as alleged by Folarin and APC but also exonerates us for not having any connection whatsoever with the APC event.

“We are not unmindful of Folarin’s plans and APC strategy in the state ahead of 2023 having no ground whatsoever to tackle the PDP government in the state or engage in political debate to discuss strategic developmental policies and programmes, and as such, has resorted to what it knows how to do best; spreading of false propaganda as well as coodinating organized violence crimes and blaming them on government.

“We understand, no matter how long, a leopard can never change its skin therefore, no matter how much of reform and development the PDP has tried to bring to the political landscape in the state some unrepentant political opportunists such as Folarin will never be transformed into anything refined and because we know his political antecedents, we will not allow him take us back to the Eleweomo era.

“We have also gathered that Folarin has commenced the recruitment of political thugs and hoodlums the APC is planning to deploy to unleash mayhem on innocent citizens and perceived political enemies within his APC in Oyo state and thereafter, crying wolf to discredit efforts of the state government and security agencies in the state.

“By this, we are calling on the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Williams and the Department of State Security Services (DSS) to set machineries in motion to thoroughly investigate Oloye Teslim Kolawole Folarin because his conducts and actions have shown beyond all reasonable doubt that his selfish political aspiration is superior to human lives and security of the state.

“The hideout where Folarin is using to stockpile arms and ammunition as well as breeding ground for political thugs and hoodlums should also be tracked down and flushed out because to us in the PDP, no amount of political aspiration is worth a single human’s life and we do not want anything untowards from either Folarin or any member of the opposition that will undermine the relative peace and security being enjoyed in the state.” The Oyo state PDP stated.

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