Author: oduduwanews

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the weekend assured that there would be more intervention by the state government to support the fight against all forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the state.

The Governor spoke at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja during the presentation of six vehicles by the First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu to critical agencies of government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to facilitate a prompt, efficient, and effective response to the menace of rape, defilement, domestic violence, child abuse, and associated crimes.

The beneficiaries are Family Court, Lagos State Judiciary; Directorate of Family Health and Nutrition, Lagos State Ministry of Health; Guidance and Counseling Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Education; Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP); Auntlanda Bethel Foundation; and SGBV Response Team, Office of the First Lady.

The vehicle presentation was the highpoint of the commemoration of the global 16 days of activism against SGBV, as spearheaded in the state by the Office of the First Lady.

Mr. Governor commended all the stakeholders, partners, and donors, saying the feat clearly confirmed that a lot could be achieved working together.

“I am happy with all of our partners, the NGOs, the various offices, and the judiciary that are doing great things. What this means is that just keep doing what you are doing, somebody somewhere is watching, and at the appropriate time, you will be encouraged and we all need to encourage ourselves. I am sure next year, others who are also raising up the bar and they are best in class at what they do will be encouraged.

“On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I want to thank all of you for what you are doing. I want to thank my wife, the First Lady; the wife of my brother the Deputy Governor; everybody in the Office of First Lady, and all stakeholders that have put this together.

“What this means is that next year, we should do a lot better, we should have a lot more partners, we should have a lot more intervention, we should indeed be able to say that indeed these are the things we have done and we are on the right path,” he said.

Earlier, the First Lady said a lot had been done to scale up the fight against SGBV, saying it was gratifying that vehicles were being presented to further ramp up the capacities of relevant agencies to deal decisively with the menace.

“A lot has been done with regards to the 16 days of activism. We had our Community Sensitization on the 29th of November, followed by School Sensitization. We also took part in the Interfaith parley where we had the opportunity to talk to religious leaders (Christian and Muslim).

“In between, I went to Abuja to attend the Second Annual Conference of Nigeria Governors’ Wives Forum against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, and we also had the opportunity of meeting the National Union of Road Transport Workers to sensitize them on the dangers and position of the law on SGBV.

“We are presenting six vehicles today making a total of Nine vehicles we have presented to support the fight against SGBV. Recalled that we had earlier presented three to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) of the Ministry of Justice; Child Protection Unit of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development; and the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti, Lagos. For us, we will not relent in our fight against the SGBV,” she said.

Besides the vehicles, rape kits were also donated to the Ministry of Health to help in the treatment of rape survivors.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye commended the First Lady for her passion and genuine commitment and consistency displayed to the cause against SGBV, assuring that the vehicles and the rape kits would be deployed for the intended purpose.

The donors are the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) and Lagos State Gaming and Lotteries Authority, while the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) supported the 16 days of activism campaign with adverts on billboards and electronic media.

His Imperial Majesty, Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi JP CON, CFR, Ajagungbade III, the Soun Of Ogbomoso Land has been confirmed to have died in the early hours of Sunday, 12th December, 2021 at the age of 95.

Details later.

Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has cancelled the peace walk that was meant to herald the healing of the state.

Sanwo-Olu had invited the youth, some celebrities, civil society organisations, the media and other groups to join him in the peace walk, saying it will signal a new beginning for the state.

But a few of the celebrities rejected the invitation.

Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, Sanwo-Olu said the peace walk was cancelled owing to the rise in cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

“Since my last address to you on Tuesday 30, November 2021, during which I expressed a desire to lead a walk for peace, following the outcome of the work of the judicial panel on restitution for victims of SARS-related abuses and other matters, I have been inundated with deep expressions of solidarity from various groups and people declaring their readiness to join me on the symbolic walk,” he said.

“When the unseen enemy called COVID-19 began to ravage the world and indeed our nation, I assumed the role of the incident commander in our quest to protect the lives of our people. We subjected ourselves to the dictates of science.

“We chose to be guided not by our emotions, but expert opinions rooted in science. Between Tuesday 30, November 2021 that I made my address, and now, we have seen a significant rise in cases associated with the Omicron variant of this pandemic.

“Given this development, I am constrained to stand down all preparations for the walk for peace. I will not endanger the life of any Lagosian in my sincere search for peace.

“I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of support the initiative received from far and near. The deluge of support is, however, indicative of one thing: our people know the strategic place of peace to our quest for development.”

A white garment church pastor has been arrested by the Police in Ondo state for allegedly raping a 5 months old pregnant woman.

The woman identified as Bukola, revealed that the alleged incident occurred after she visited the Pastor’s church for deliverance.

According to Bukola, the pastor who claimed that her baby was in a vertical position instead of being horizontal, used ‘anointing oil’ to rub her private parts before he inserted his manhood.

She said;

“We usually have a programme every Wednesday. On that fateful day, I went to the church but unfortunately, the service had ended. “He collected the list they gave me from the hospital and said the items on the list were too many. He later said I should go and do the photocopy which I did. He then said I should take it to the altar. While I was sitting down, he started pressing my stomach. He asked me how many months my pregnancy was and I said five months.
“He said he was going to do some spiritual work on me before my delivery. He stood up and entered a room. He later called me to enter and I did. He asked me to sleep which I did. He also said I should remove my clothes which I did.

“He asked me to open my legs and dipped his m!ddle f!nger with oil in my private parts. He said my baby was in a vertical position instead of being horizontal. He said he would put oil in my private parts and would help me insert it with his private parts so that the oil would get into the baby.
“He then rubbed oil on his private parts and had sex with me. He said he was not supposed to do it but he helped me because my husband was not around. It was later after he had sex with me that I came into my right senses.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami confirmed that investigation had commenced following the arrest of the Pastor.

Odunlami said;

“I have not got full details of the matter but the pastor is with us and investigation has commenced.”

OONI STORMS IDANRE AS 95-YEAR-OLD OWA COMMEMORATES CORONATION ANNIVERSARY, SAYS “YORUBA IS ONE PEOPLE”

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Friday stormed the ancient Idanre Kingdom in Ondo State, as the 95-year-old Owa of Idanre, Oba Fredrick Adegunle Aroloye celebrated his 45th coronation anniversary.

Ooni Ogunwusi who made the long journey in company of Yoruba monarchs and Ife High-Chiefs, described Idanre as his second home, stating that the ancient town is the only one in Yoruba land that shares nomenclature with Ile-Ife; the source of Yoruba race.

“Your real name is Ife’ke which means the Ile-Ife at the top, you all migrated from Ife and your kinsmen are still in Ife till date doing so well. When your ancestors first got here, they were referred to as ‘Ara IFe’, which means people from Ife.

“Yoruba people are one no matter where we are or what we do, we are still one people with enviable way of life.” The Ooni said.

Earlier in his address, the Owa of Idanre, Oba Adegunle who could not hide his heartfelt gratitude to the Ooni for making the trip, described the ancient Ile-Ife as the cradle of civilization and entire Yoruba people.

On the status of the Ooni, the nonagenarian who brought out a set of documents recorded before and after the colonization of Africa, stated that the Ooni is the leader of all Monarchs in the entire Oodua Race..

“Ile-Ife is the cradle of Oduduwa kingdom and somebody occupying the position should be given that recognition as the overall father all of us in Yorubaland and Oduduwa Race in general.

“There are pictures here showing the huge roles played by the Ooni in those days especially in leading other Yoruba Obas during meetings that had to do with security, peace and development.

“So, Kabiyesi, , I need you to do more of this, I am aware of your good works and I am proud to be associated with you but we need more. Do not listen to what some negatively minded people might do or say, Oduduwa would continue to be with you.” The Owa said.

Comrade Moses Olafare; the Director of Media and Public Affairs to the Ooni of Ife as well as other top personalities were pronounced as chiefs of Idanre Kingdom, as part of activities earmarked for the celebration of the Owa’s 45-year coronation anniversary.

Comrade Olafare who was pronounced the Otunba Olayera 1 of Idanre Kingdom, was cheered by the happy crowd including his principal, the Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, while the Elewo traditional band of the Ooni thrilled the gathering with awesome performance.

Other appointed chiefs are; Dr. Anthony A. Omolola (Otunba Atunluse), Mrs. Maria Folashade Omolola (Yeyemeso), Engr. Benson Ajisegiri (Otunba Atayese), Mr. Smart Fadayomi (Gbobaniyi) and Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Hon. Chinwe Monu Olanrewaju Esq. as Yeye Oge Oloja.