Author: oduduwanews

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NDLEA destroys 255 hectares of cannabis farms, arrests 13 in Ondo

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA in a major operation that lasted seven days, have destroyed a total of 255 hectares of cannabis farms spread across five local government areas of Ondo state.

In addition, 13 suspects were arrested and 250 kilograms of cannabis seeds as well as 63.85kg cannabis weeds were recovered during the operation deep inside five major forests: Omolowo/Powerline forest; Ipele forest; Ala forest; Ogbese forest; Utte and Okuluse forest that spread across five local council areas of the state.

The exercise codenamed Operation Abub’, which began at Ogbese forest on Tuesday 15th February lasted till Monday 21st Feb, 2022. At the Ogbese forest, a suspect, Olatunde Olaoluwa was arrested in his cannabis farm measuring 10 hectares, which was destroyed and burnt along with other cannabis farms spread across the Ogbese riverbank.

The following day, 16th of Feb, the Agencys Strike Force operatives in their numbers stormed Ipele forest where they arrested Amos Mark; Luke Job; Monday Momoh, and Otunuya Waya while 19 hectares of irrigated cannabis plantations were destroyed. One of the suspects, who escaped during the farm destruction, was later arrested in his house.

The Omolowo community in Ogbese area was next on Wednesday 17th Feb when one Mary Udonije was arrested inside a 10-hectare farm with 16.5kg of cannabis seeds and 4.5 kg of processed cannabis. Also recovered in the farm was an irrigation pumping machine with over 700 metres hose for watering the illicit weed.

Not less than 154kg of cannabis seeds was also seized at Ala forest, Akure North Local Government Area with over 30 hectares of irrigation cannabis farms destroyed and burnt. A suspect, John Mike who claimed to be a labourer was also apprehended with 2.5kg of cannabis seeds.

On day four of the operation, 54 hectares of cannabis farm was destroyed at Utte and Okuluse forest, Ose Local Government Area of the state. Also recovered in the farm was 95kg of cannabis seeds, 2.5kg of processed cannabis sativa and a pumping machine with long hose.

On the fifth day, one Anthony Agbe, 58, was arrested with 43kg of fresh cannabis inside a farm that was earlier destroyed at Ogbese. He claimed he was contracted by one Henry Daniel, (a.k.a Calender) who is at large to help gather the destroyed cannabis weeds. On the same day, one Ahmadu Abubakar was arrested with three Dane guns in a hut within a farm where over three hectares were destroyed at Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

On the last day of the operation, Monday 21st Feb, over 50 clusters of cannabis farm spread across 47 hectares were destroyed and 2kg of cannabis seeds seized, while a suspect, Olorunlogo Lekan was apprehended inside a large cannabis farm measuring 10 hectares at Ala forest before it was destroyed and burnt by Strike Force officers drawn across Edo, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states Commands of the anti-narcotic agency. At least, 72 hectares of other cannabis farms in small clusters close to the identified ones in the five forests were also destroyed in the course of the operation.

Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers and men of the Strike Force corps of the Agency for their sacrifices and commitment to the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari that all such cultivation and plantations in the forests must be located and destroyed. He charged them to look out for more of such farms in any part of the country for similar response.

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Oyo Govt To Create Enabling Environment For Kunle Afolayan’s Mega Film Village In Oke-Ogun

The Oyo State government on Monday said adequate enabling environment would be provided for the mega Film Village established by the popular film producer and actor, Kunle Afolayan at Igbojaye in Itesiwaju local government.

The film village, which is one of its kind in Africa would lend structural capacity to the film industry and provide relaxation and other facilities for tourists when completed.

The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun stated on Tuesday at his office in Ibadan that every means within the capacity of the State government would be made available for the Film Village to be the best tourist destination in Africa.

Olatubosun said apart from the late Hubert Ogunde and Adeyemi Afolayan, the father of Kunle Afolayan, no theater practitioner has put so much efforts into theater to the extent of establishing a Film Village till the latter did at Igbojaye.

He went further to say that the State was poised to benefit immensely from the project, as many youths would be employed in construction of the village and in the tourism sector of the project.

He maintained that the project was part of other private ventures that have seen opportunities in the landscape, cheap human capital resources, security of lives and properties as well as provision of network of roads round the State and were taking better advantage of the situation.

“You can see that the works of the present administration in the State is yielding good results, we appreciate Mr Kunle Afolayan for this bold step to establish the Mega Film Village in Oyo State and we are conscious of the fact that the project has gulped millions of naira, the present administration under the able leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State will continue to direct all efforts towards creating enabling environment for such ventures to spring up and be sustained in the State.

“The creation of Amotekun to complement the regular security forces in Oyo State has seen to eradication of vices and crimes, while people are now bringing their businesses to Oyo State, where nature has blessed them with arable land, desirable natural ambiance and human capital to develop their businesses.”

Mr. Kunle Afolayan who spoke with journalists at Igbojaye during the weekend said the Film Village was envisioned to create tourists attractions in the area of resorts with mountain hiking, recreation and opportunity for film makers to have readymade structures to make good films.

He said his Film Institute has started training 300,000 students on Film Studies in three years, through an agreement he had with MasterCard Foundation.

He added that 40% of the 300,000 students will be from low-income earning homes and the gesture will contribute to the growth of the film industry.

“I think this is going to create a big relief for the generations to come, when we want to shoot films, we always go look for people’s houses, begging them and you do not have control, but with this kind of place, we can have the confidence to commence shooting at our convenient time, we can easily decide on our own about the weather and other factors, but you cannot do that if you are renting the place or if you are tied to a time from the house owner.

“We came here in November for a suitable location for a film, but on getting here, I thought about it and I felt this is just a beautiful place, if you are coming from Ibadan, get to Iseyin, leaving Iseyin and on your way here, you will hardly see mountains, rocks and valleys like you see here, when you come to Okaka till you get to Otu, you won’t find those natural ambiance, but from Igbojaye to Komu-Baba Ode, the places are surrounded with all these natural gifts that people are not taking advantage of.

“There are lot of well known tourists destinations around the world that, as a matter of fact, do not have half of what we have here or because of how they are positioned, how they are structured and a lot of government supports, they get loans and people fly there from all over the world.

“That is what we are trying to create here too, for people from Lagos, people from Abuja and other areas will come down here, you do not have to go to Obudu again if you want natural ambiance, where you are at peace with yourself, that is the bigger picture, it is not just going to be a film studio, it is also going to be a recreation center, a resort with mountain hiking, that is what we are going to sell.”

He however lamented low availability of workforce at the location as according to him, many youths in Itesiwaju local government have relocated to Lagos and other cities, forcing him to go as far as Ibadan to hire work hands.

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Rail Line: People would be trekking from Lagos to Ibadan if I hadn’t intervened –Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has claimed that Nigerians would have been trekking from Lagos to Ibadan if he didn’t intervene with rail and road projects.

Speaking on Tuesday February 22 at the presidential villa while receiving a delegation from Kaduna state, the President said that by prioritising infrastructure projects, particularly the Lagos-Ibadan expressway and rail line, hardship was reduced.

Buhari said;

“My objective was very clear, despite the dwindling resources, I wanted to deal with infrastructure across the country.

We should look at advancement in terms of Infrastructure. No country can advance without infrastructure.

“The people from south-west can tell better because between Lagos and Ibadan by now, if we hadn’t done what we did, people would have been trekking because the road was not there, the rail was not there and there was so much insecurity.

“But we thank the international community. We thank China and Chinese investors, who came along to support the Lagos-Ibadan transport projects.”

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Nigeria Needs Comprehensive National Response To Win Battle Against Insurgency – Fayemi

Ekiti State Governor, John Kayode Fayemi has advocated comprehensive national response to win battle against insurgency.

He made the statement known today at a programme in Abuja where he was asked to speak on the topic, “Beyond Boko Haram: Addressing Insurgency, Banditry, and Kidnapping in Nigeria” at the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF) Annual Lecture in Abuja at the invitation of my friend, the CEO of MMF, Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode.

The event was chaired by former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and I was accompanied by my colleagues, Governors Simon Lalong and Rotimi Akeredolu, Chairmen, Northern and Southern Governors Forums respectively.

“I spoke extensively about the need for a comprehensive national response to win the battle against insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and all forms of security challenges afflicting our polity.

“Our country has the talents, agricultural, and natural endowments to create opportunities for skills acquisition and gainful employment to reduce violent crimes in the Land. But we must look inward and work assiduously to provide enabling environment and investments in basic amenities and skills necessary to navigate life in dignity.

“I have always held that we cannot meaningfully speak of citizenship in our country today without underpinning it with a comprehensive social compact based on which a civic culture and identity can be built and expanded.

“Let us reorganise in order to rise from our challenges stronger and better”.

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Older People Should Step Down – Former President Obasanjo Reveals

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the older generation to step down for the younger ones to take over as the 2023 Presidential elections draw closer.

Obasanjo said the older generation should support the younger generation with the needed knowledge and experience to transform Nigeria.

The former President spoke yesterday at the 2022 annual lecture of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation.

He faulted old politicians still contesting for the Presidency in 2023.

According to Obasanjo: “We need to have an intergenerational collaboration. Fayemi said he was in primary school when Murtala and Obasanjo were there.

“So, if people of the Murtala/Obasanjo era are competing with you as Governor, then, something is wrong.

“The Murtala/Obasanjo group should be stepping aside.

“Whatever experience and knowledge we have, we should be able to give it to you and you should be able to give it to those coming after you.”

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Oyo Lawmakers Want Gov Makinde To Fulfill His Promise To Victims of Igangan Invasion

Eight months after the invasion of Igangan town in Ibarapaland by suspected herders and armed bandits , the Oyo State House of Assembly has appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to fulfill his promise to the victims of the ill-fated attack.

The appeal was contained in a motion brought to the House on Tuesday by Hon. Peter Ojedokun representing Ibarapa North/Central State Constituency.

Hon Ojedokun in the motion recalled that aside from the series of attacks experienced by Igangan last year, the town was invaded on the 5th of June, 2021 leaving many deaths and houses, shops, filling stations and vehicles including lorries loaded with goods razed completely.

The Palace of the Asigangan of Iganganland was also burnt down in the wake of the attacks.

The House in the resolution appreciated Governor Makinde for his prompt intervention through the deployment of security agencies to the town, the free treatment giving to those injured in the attack as well as the presentation of cash to the families of the Amotekun Commander and four others killed in the attack.

The motion read in part ” The severity of the attack and the magnitude of the damage and destruction has no doubt brought untold hardship to the victims and their families and has negatively affected their businesses and means of livelihood hence the need for Governor Makinde to put measures in place to compile the list of victims of the attack and provide succor and assistance for them in line with his promise”

The House also urged the Oyo State Government to make credit and loan facilities available through the Ministries of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Trade , Investment, Cooperatives and Industry to businessmen and women as well as other individuals who lost their goods and properties during the attack.

The lawmakers equally appealed to the Oyo State Government to work through the Ministry of Public Works and Transport as well as Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters towards rebuilding the palace of the Asigangan burnt by the assailants.

The Oyo State House of Assembly called for all round security surveillance especially in areas already identified as flashpoints in Iganganland to nib any of such future attacks in the bud while also commending the Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun) and other security Agencies for making the town and indeed the whole of Ibarapaland safe again.

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Ogun Govt Condemns High Spate of Illegal Monarchs In Some Communities

The Ogun State Government has condemned the high spate of some individuals, who unilaterally declare themselves as Monarchs of some communities in the State without the government approval.

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Afolabi Afuape in a release said the present administration would not allow the unwholesome development to desecrate the sacred institution of Kingship and lawlessness with the attendant compromise of the security of lives and property.

Afuape said no one could be made a Monarch without the consent of the government in any society, adding that in Ogun State the selection and coronation of a Monarch were always published in the Official Gazette of the State government, and any monarch whose appointment has not been published in the Gazette is an ‘illegal Oba’ and an impostor.

The Commissioner stated that an illegal Monarch risks prosecution in a competent Court of Law as provided in section 23 sub-section 2 (a-d) of the Obas and Chiefs, Council of Obas and Traditional Council Laws of the State.

He enjoined members of the public to report any individual found parading himself illegally as an Oba to the nearest Police station and the Ministry for necessary profiling and prosecution as appropriate to serve as deterrent to other impostors.

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Three die, two injured as van collides with car on Ijebu Ode-Benin-Ore Expressway

Three persons, including husband and wife, reportedly died while two others were injured as a Volkswagen van whose driver allegedly drove against traffic rammed into a Toyota Camry at Old Road, Ajebandele axis along Ijebu-Ode-Benin Ore Expressway on Sunday.

Traffic report from the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps indicated that the couple died on the spot while their driver later died in the hospital, where he was rushed.

The sad in the incident occurred at 9.35am.

This incident came less than 48 hours after 18 persons were burnt to death in another accident involving a tanker that collided with a commercial bus at the Isara-Remo axis along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The truck driver also drove against traffic, ramming into a bus on its rightful lane.

The Public Relations Officer, TRACE, Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, said in the latest accident, the vehicles involved, Toyota Camry bore number plate APP 477 DY while the Volkswagen van bore number plate KTU 923 AJ.

He said the occupants of the Toyota Camry are reported to be returning from a party in Owo, Ondo State, to Lagos when the unfortunate incident happened.

Akinbiyi said, “According to the eyewitness, the Volkswagen van driver took one-way and collided with the Toyota Camry. The number of persons involved was four males and one female.

“The two injured victims were taken to J6 Clinic, and the corpses were taken to the morgue at ijebu Ode General hospital.”

While the TRACE Corps commiserates with the victims’ families, it warned motorists to avoid route violation and speeding, given its attendant consequences.

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South West APC Governors Congratulate Oyetola Over Victory In Osun APC Primary

Governors elected under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southwest, have congratulated the Osun State Governor, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, over his victory at the last Saturday’s governorship primary election of the party in Osun State.

At a meeting held at the Ondo Governor’s lodge, Asokoro, Abuja on Monday, the Chairman, Southwest Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor , Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, said the five Governors from the region elected under the APC platform converged to congratulate and felicitate their brother Governor, Oyetola, over his victory.

“Most importantly, all of us decided to meet so that we will have the opportunity of congratulating our colleague, the Governor of Osun State who won his primary in a manner which we expected.

“So all of us are happy for him, that’s why we all stayed so long, congratulating our colleague who won the election.” Governor Akeredolu said.

Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Ogun State counterpart, Governor Dapo Abiodun as well as Governor Gboyega Oyetola were present at the meeting.

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EFCC Arraigns Man for Alleged Money-Doubling Scam in Lagos

The Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC on Friday, February 18, 2022, arraigned one Olalekan Mutholib on a five-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of over $100, 909. 06 and N1, 050,000.60.

He was arraigned before Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Mutholib and his accomplices allegedly claimed that they possessed some magical power to double the sum of $50,000 they had falsely obtained from one of their victims, Raji Babatunde.

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