Author: oduduwanews

Oyo State Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) has commenced the implementation of its oriented programs to tackle the menace of erosion and other environmental disaster under the World Bank Assisted project in the state.
While holding meetings with Community Leaders and other Stakeholders in various benefiting communities in the state, the Project Coordinator of OYO NEWMAP, Engr. Omowunmi Yakub said Oyo State Government has graciously approved the commencement of desilting and clearing of waterways in all the mapped sites of seven Local Government Areas in the state.

Engr. Yakub explained that work would commence immediately on the already mapped erosion sites to reduce resident’s vulnerability to flooding, which underscores the essence of the meeting.
“We need to engage the communities and stakeholders where the projects will be carried out as well seek for their cooperation for effective implementation, maintenance and sustainability”, he said.
The Project Coordinator therefore implored residents of various benefiting communities to cooperate with contractors handling the project in their areas to ensure that the work is carried out within the stipulated time frame without any interference from any quarter.
Engr. Yakub explained further that the seven erosion sites to work on include Olusoji/ Alaro stream, Oluyole in Ibadan, South West LGA, Ahoyaya stream, Olodo in Egbeda LGA, Ologogoro/Oremoje in Iseyin LGA, Orogun steam in Saki west LGA, Isunwin stream, Isale Alaafin High School Oyo in Atiba LGA, Iwagba/Agbonyin stream in Ogbomoso North LGA and Aborerin stream, Eruwa in Ibarapa East LGA.
He emphasised that Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration in Oyo State is committed to tackling the issue of flooding in the state to alleviate the suffering of the people. Added that his vision is to put in place measures that would mitigate the manace of erosion and other natural disasters.
“He is a man of his words and that is why you see him fulfilling all his election campaign promises to the people of Oyo State. His administration will not relent in its efforts to improve the livelihood of the citizenry in the State”, he said.
He therefore urged the benefiting communities to desist from construction of structures and dumping of refuse into waterways to prevent flooding.
In their different responses during the Stakeholders’ meeting, all the Chairmen of benefiting Local Government Areas commended Engr. Seyi Makinde for his determination to tackle erosion problems in the State, pledged their support for effective implementation of the erosion control project in their Local Government Areas.
The community leaders and residents of the erosion prone areas appreciated the present administration under the leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde for the gesture while they also prayed for the success of his administration.

The Lagos State police command has recovered the body of Ayanwole Oluwabamise, a 22-year-old fashion designer who went missing after boarding a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) at Chevron, Lekki area of Lagos State.

The police command recovered the body after it was alerted by residents in Lagos-Island axis that a corpse was abandoned in the area.

The body was said to have been recovered by the policemen attached to Ebute Ero Police Station and has been deposited at the mortuary within the axis.

There had been effort to trace the whereabouts of Oluwabamise after she mentioned missing upon boarding the BRT on February 26.

On Sunday, Lagos State said it has arrested two suspects in connection with the incident.

Oluwabamise was said to have boarded the bus from Chevron Bus Stop around 7pm and later sent distress message to her friend when she felt uncomfortable in the vehicle.

She was said to have asked her friend to pray for her and sent the vehicle details to the friend as she complained about the behaviour of the driver.

Oluwabamise also gave her friends other details, including the number of persons in the said bus and she was advised by the friend to alight at Oworonsoki instead of continuing to Oshodi in that circumstance.

But that was the last her family and friends heard from her as she never got to her destination and the driver had also disappeared since then.

Giving update on the case on Sunday, Lagos police spokesman, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said the suspects in custody were assisting investigation.

“As soon as the report got to the police, investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the lady was immediately initiated,” he said.

“To ensure a speedy and diligent investigation, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, immediately directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti to take over the case.

“In the course of ongoing investigation, two suspects have been arrested and are currently helping in our investigation.

“While assuring that police detectives will continue to work assiduously to find the missing lady and bring her abductors to justice, the command wishes to appeal to anyone with useful information that could help in our investigation to promptly give it to us for further necessary actions.

“Suspect who hails from Moba L.G.A. in Ekiti State, is about 5 feet plus tall, dark in complexion and speaks Yoruba and English languages well.

“This isolated incident notwithstanding, the Police Command is committed to protecting lives and properties of all residents of the state at all times.”

Former President Chief Matthew Aremu Okikiolu Obasanjo 85th birthday soiree was held at Marriot Lagos, Ikeja Saturday evening.

The star-studded event was the climax of the day’s celebration preceded by a novelty football match in Abeokuta and an international symposium with the theme: ‘African Narrative With Nigeria Situation.’

The colorful dinner hosted by Lagos state Governor, Gov. Babajide Sanwolu of Lagos state,
had in attendance Governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Adedapo Oluseun Abiodun of Sokoto and Ogun states.

Gov. Tambuwal felicitated with the octogenarian celebrant, saying that the people and government of Sokoto state “identify with you wherever you go.”

Describing the ex-President as “an institution” recognized within the country and abroad,” he wished him many more years of good service to humanity.

High profile Nigerians who graced the occasion include: Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Professor Benedict Oramah, the President and Chairman of the Board of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the executive director of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Chief Segun Awolowo.

Distinguished politicians at the ceremony include: former Senate President, Olusola Saraki, who was accompanied by his wife, Toyin Saraki; and former Minister for Water Resources, Mukhtar Shagari.

Former Governors, some of who served President Obasanjo as ministers, were those of Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Ogun states: Peter Obi, Sen. Seriacke Dickson, Donald Duke, Sen. Liyel Imoke, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Emeka Ihedioha, Saminu Turaki, Sule Lamido and Otunba Gbenga Daniel respectively.

The business class too was not left out. The chairman and CEO of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, businessman, philanthropist and former chairman of Forte Oil PLC, Femi Otedola as well as
philanthropist and ace banker, Jim Ovia showed up at the fete.

Media moguls: Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi and Ben Murray-Bruce, proprietors of African Independent Television (AIT) and Silverbird Television, respectively, attended the bash.

So also did former Managing Director of the Nigerian Delta Development Commission (NDDC, Ndutimi Alaibe and Chief Ayo Adebanjo, pan-Yoruba Afenifere leader among many other high profile Nigerians.

President Muhammadu Buhari says Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo is now in charge of the country.

The president said this shortly before he departed Abuja for a routine medical check-up in London, the United Kingdom.

The president had initially planned to embark on the trip from Nairobi, Kenya after attending the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) at 50 in that country.

His spokesman, Femi Adesina, had on March 1, said from Kenya, the president would proceed to London for “routine medical checks that will last for a maximum of two weeks.”

However, the president returned to Abuja on Friday around 1.p.m, fueling speculations.

But Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, told Daily Trust that the trip had been moved to Sunday.

According to Adesina’s statement, Buhari is due to return to Abuja in two weeks.

Fielding questions from reporters before his departure at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Buhari said Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was in charge constitutionally when he was out of the country.

The President said his absence would not affect state functions as he was aware of every development taking place in his absence.

Asked about how the country would function in his absence, he said: “Well, I cannot claim to be doing the work alone. The government is fully represented. The Vice President is there. Constitutionally, when I’m away, he’s in charge. Then, we have the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and then the Chief of Staff, so, there’s no problem.”

On the anxiety over the March 26 convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), he doused tension and said the party had the capacity to organise the programme.

On what he would tell Nigerians who had expressed doubts regarding the ability of the APC to conduct its national convention successfully, he said, “Well, they should wait and see. How did we come as a party to take power from the ruling party which had been there before us for so many years? So, we have the capacity. Everything will be all right.”

It is not clear if Buhari transmitted a letter to the National Assembly, handing over pending his return to the country.

Following the announcement of a new dress code for female police officers in Nigeria by the Inspector General of Police last week, the National body of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria, FOMWAN has hailed the new policy describing it as one that is fair to female officers irrespective of ethnic or religious backgrounds.

The new dress code permits female police officers to wear stud earrings and hijab under their berets or peak caps while in uniform.

A statement issued in Abuja by its National Amirah , Hajia Rafi’ah Idowu Sanni, FOMWAN commended the Nigerian Police Force for introducing the policy at this period when some individuals, corporate organizations and institutions of learning in the country are sentimentally averse to the use of hijabs by female muslims.

” This is a unique development in the history of the Nigerian Police Force. Kudos to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba for the approval. With this development, the Nigerian Force has become the first Security Agency in the country to introduce the policy which granted permission to willing female muslim police officers to wear hijabs with their uniforms.

” We are happy that the IGP was quoted as saying that the dress code was in line with international best practices and it is also to address the growing concern for gender mainstreaming and respect for culture and diversity ” Hajia Rafi’ah Idowu Sanni added.

The FOMWAN Amirah appealed to Police authorities in all zones across the country to
allow for the implementation of the new policy without any form of harassment, discrimination or victimization of the willing female officers

She called on other security agencies across the country to follow the footsteps of the Nigerian Police by approving the same dress code for their female officers adding that such a policy will no doubt enhance commitment to duty while equally encouraging more female muslims to consider a career in the security services.

” I can say without any fear of contradictions that hijabs had long been approved as part of the uniforms of the Police , Army and Naval officers in many developed climes hence we should not see this as another form of extremism or what some religious bigots in Nigeria will term as Islamization agenda. Female muslims are never comfortable not wearing their hijabs as commanded in the Quran. This new dress code will enable muslim sisters to fulfill one of the most important commandments of Allah which is to cover their heads. This will enable them to contribute their quota to nation building. ” FOMWAN National Amirah stressed

She however enjoined all muslim female police officers willing to adorn the hijab as approved by the force to distinguish themselves by upholding Islamic moral teachings and principles always so as to be the best examples for others.

” FOMWAN is appealing to our Muslimah in the Police Force to be of the best moral standards as exemplified by holy prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Hijab is our pride and our identity. It represents modesty, decency and spirituality. It attracts respect hence anyone wearing it must be of good conduct and character all the time. We congratulate the NPF for being the trail blazer in this regard.”

Residents of Ebute in Oyingbo have called on the Lagos State Government to come to their rescue as Area boys clash shut down activities in the area for 2days.

Affected area include : Willoughby by Herbert Macaulay, Market Street by Bola, Freeman by Willoughby, Cemetery by Willoughby, Redeem church junction. Etc

According to a resident they break into shops overnight and stole goods Worth million’s of naira.

I am tired, they stole 5 power Motorcycles, one of the shop owner Chinedu said.

Details Later….

Baba Ijesha told the court that the foster mother of the minor, Princess, had called and requested him to be part of the movie production.

“On April 19, 2021, Princess sent me a message that she wanted to start a production and she would like me to play the role of a lover boy which I replied ‘okay’.

“She said the story is about rape and she wanted to tell the story in another dimension,”.

The defence counsel tendered before the court, a printout of WhatsApp message between Princess and the defendant, which was admitted into evidence by Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo.

“I asked for the movie location but she told me to come over to her house.”

“Before I entered, Princess met me at the balcony that the movie production was a Lagos State project, adding that the state wanted her to be the face of ‘anti child molestation.’

“She told me to improvise and create a story by myself. I told her the house was dark when I entered. She said we should rehearse that she would use her phone.

“Princess told me to kiss and suck the br€ast of the child, adding that the dress the girl was wearing was purposely for the role the girl wanted to play.

“She would leave the room so that the child would not be shy to play out the role.

“All those things we are seeing in that video is just acting. My lord check my record when it comes to acting, I can kill myself and die for acting. She was the one directing and filming my angles,” he said.

Baba Ijesha told the court that himself and Princess were directors of the movie, adding that she told him he could act out the scene in the kitchen as well.

“She told me I could go into the kitchen as well. She told the girl in question you remember what I told you, when I leave the room now, act out your role perfectly.

“The girl removed my shoe and I started acting out my role. I romanced her based on the movie role Princess gave me.

“As I was acting with the girl, kissing and licking her fingers, I was also whispering to her ‘hey do not look at the camera’.

“Suddenly, I saw like eight people including Princess, entered the room and started beating her”.