Author: oduduwanews

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My heart bleeds anytime women, girls are raped – Sanwo-Olu’s Wife

Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has urged all stakeholders to support the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), saying that the necessary will must be mustered to completely stamp out the menace of rape, especially against women and girls.

She spoke at the second phase of the Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum organized by her office for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society groups involved in tackling SGBV crimes in the state.

According to a statement by the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Office of the First Lady, Mrs. Olubukonla Nwonah, the forum was with the principal aim of galvanizing action among relevant stakeholders in line with the policy thrust of the state government on zero tolerance for all forms of extreme violence against women, girls, children, and also men and boys.

Speaking, the First Lady said: “To God be the glory that we are able to host the second phase of this stakeholders’ forum designed to scale up the fight against SGBV. Since the first forum in June last year, we have had a series of meetings to identify and work on the missing links between the different MDAs and organizations.

“The meetings were important and revealing. A lot came out of it and MDAs were able to harness their forces to work together. This forum is the second phase for us to meet the various NGOs and Civil Society groups that are closer to the people to understand their roles, challenges, and how to support the fight against SGBV.

“My motto in my secondary school is ‘action not words.’ A lot of talks, a lot of policies have been put in place. For me, it’s time to act more, be faster and be more proactive and that is what we are trying to do.”

Explaining that the Office of the First Lady is noted for social advocacy, she said it was always painful to hear of sexual abuse cases, just as she reiterated the need for all stakeholders to support the fight against the menace.

“A lot of progress has been achieved but there is still a lot to do. It pains my heart and my heart bleeds when I hear that there has been a rape case in any area; in any local government; in any school; in any organization and so on. It is really painful to know that these things are still happening and this reinforces the conviction that we must work collaboratively to stamp it out totally.

“We stand on zero-tolerance against SGBV. It is a lot of work but I know with the support of NGOs and Civil Society groups, we can achieve it. Government cannot do it alone and that is why NGOs are very important. So, my charge to you wonderful people is to go out there and intensify your work in our various communities against SGBV,” the First Lady said.

She also commended the state Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the recent signing of the Bill establishing the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency into law, and the appointment of an Executive Secretary in the person of Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, to lead the new agency.

“It is inspiring that the law, which also establishes the Sex Offenders Register, has finally become operational in the state and it is hoped that this will provide a quantum leap in terms of the legal framework to significantly and frontally tackle the menace of domestic and sexual violence, name and shame perpetrators and most importantly provide adequate medical and legal support to the victims,” she said.

The forum was well attended by NGOs and Civil Society groups in the state including Mirabel Centre, Project Alert On Violence Against Women, Women At Risk International Foundation(WARIF), Bimbo Odukoya Foundation, International Federation Of Female Lawyers, Day Spring Helps Ministry, Jashabel Touch A Heart, Eagles Wings Development, Vision Spring Initiatives, Ceceyara Foundation, Child To Child Network, Heartminders Societal, Women Law And Development Centre Nigeria, Women’s Consortium Of Nigeria (WOCON), Women’s Right And Health Project, Community Women’s Rights, African Peace And Conflict Management Foundation, Wuraola Foundation, Safe Haven Children’s Foundation, Stand To End Rape Initiative, Community Health Support And Empowerment Initiative, Humanity Family Foundation For Peace And Development, Virginspride Foundation, Rubis Ink Initiative, Real Women Foundation, and Pukiche Girl Foundation.

Others are God’s Home For Women Foundation, Media Concern Initiatives For Women And Children, African Women Lawyers Association, Center For Corrections And Human Development, Center For Sex Education And Family Life, Chamagne Foundation, Iyaniwura Children Care Foundation, Tonia Bruised But Not Broken, Youth Empowerment Foundation, Bina Al-Amal Foundation, Women Arise For Change, Women Advocates Research And Documentation Centre(Ward C), Child Protection Network, and Centre For Children’s Health Education Orientation And Protection.

At the meeting, members of the groups identified the challenges militating against the fight against SGBV crimes and proffered solutions. They also all signed pledges to signify their commitment to scale up advocacy and war against the menace.

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Editorial: Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife

The ongoing Olojo day ̣ is a communal festival attached to the worship of Ogun in Ile -Ife where people across the globe troop into the ancient town in commemoration of the historic event.

The festival is meant to commemorate Ogun, the god of iron, and Oranmíyan, said to be the son of Ògún and Oduduwa. Oduduwa was recognised as the mythical ancestor of the Yoruba race and is one of the gods of the land that is significant to Yoruba history and traditions.

From oral traditions, it was noted that Ogun is the Yoruba oríṣa of war. He is one of the earliest divinities. He was a hunter; and before the earth was formed, he used to descend by a spider’s web upon the primordial marshy waste for the purpose of hunting (Idowu, 1996:84). He was said to be one of the immemorial beings (Oòyè) who descended from Olodumare along with other divinities like Ọbatala and other òrìṣà (Oladapo, 1980:104).

He was a warrior designated to pave the way for the other, less war-like deities who followed. His invaluable services and commitments to humanity compelled the Yoruba to remember, and memorialize him though ritual at least once a year until this very day. His service therefore led Ògún to be given the honorific title of “Owner of the Day” (Ọlojo ̣) as he was the one that paved the way for other ‘oríṣas’ or gods.

Oranmíyan was an Ile-Ife prince and a warlord who later founded the Oyo and Benin Kingdoms. He was said to have been conceived through a cross-sex meeting of two deities over a slave woman known as Lakange Anihunka (a slave captured by Ogun in one of his war expeditions). The deities involved were Oduduwa and Ogun himself. Ogun slept with the woman upon returning from his war trip to Ile -Ife ̣, but unbeknownst to him, the woman was already betrothed to Odùduwà. When Ògún came to confess to what he had done, it was too late to stop Oduduwa from marrying her.

The woman later gave birth to a child who had one side of his body fair and the other dark. The fair skin was Oduduwa’s and the dark skin was Ògún’s. This image of the child then gave rise the saying òrò ̣-ló-yàn which may mean “the child is very unusual” or ‘the child has become explicitly unnatural or “my prayers have been answered”. This saying then depicts the name of the deity Oranmíyan until today, and at the same time reveals the cultural model of gift of a child in an extraordinary way (ìfà lọ̀mọ̀) which is always emphasised in Yoruba parlance. This parlance identifies the belief that people live out the meanings of their names. The philosophy of naming among the Yoruba is expressed in common saying that “ ilé ni à ń wò kíi átó sò òmò lórúkò”( one must consider the tradition and history of a child’s relatives when choosing a name). This tradition of naming is a long standing tradition and practice among Yoruba families and such customs often reference their sacred stories, beliefs and the vocations associated with the family.

This model therefore indicates the symbolic importance of Ogun and Oduduwa in the creation of Oranmiyan, most importantly that the child represented a gain for Oduduwa, who outsmarted Ogun through his authority as king. The Olojo festival has a display of colour symbols which brings to mind this mythical story that connects Oranmiyan with Ogun and Oduduwa. The image of fair and black colours which Oranmiyan was born with is also reflected in the ritual dress of the Lokolokos every year during the festival. The image also symbolises the reminiscence of the picture of Oranmiyan in every Olojo festival.

When Oranmíyan grew up as a prince, the festival of Ọlojo ̣ was inaugurated by him to venerate Ògún. He himself also became associated with the festival because he was as warlike as Ògún, his partial father. The festival thus also served as an annual festival for every king enthroned in Ile -Ife ̣ from the time of Oranmíyan to the present day. The Ọlojo ̣ festival occurs annually in the month of October.

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2023: Ex-Oyo Gov, Ladoja Throws Weight Behind Tinubu’s Presidential Bid

Rashidi Ladoja, governor of Oyo State between 2003 and 2007, has said that his very good brother and colleague in Lagos, Bola Tinubu, would preside over Nigeria better than it is if he is elected to govern Nigeria.

The Osi Olubadan, who made this known in an interview with Sunday Tribune, revealed that apart from being competent to rule Nigeria, “look at what he has turned Lagos to. But you are only looking at that one. What about another group, led by some Northerners, which is now saying it is Osinbajo that they want. Anybody can canvass for support, but we should look for who is the most competent to lead the country.

If it is coming to the South, all of us should be happy that it is coming to the South. Maybe we will be able to prevent what is happening in the North from happening in the South, i.e., it is not safe to go to any school in the North now because you don’t know when the terrorists will strike cart away the school children, asking for ransom. We have a lot of problems in the country and I am sure the problems in the North are worse than those in the South. Maybe here, we are not used to it here, but they are over there.

The only problem we are used to here is the farmer-herder conflict. Instead of the government addressing it as a major problem, it is not. We are risking another civil war because the danger signs are there. If the people of Benue and Akwa Ibom decide they have had enough and move to protect and defend themselves from attacks, what do you think will happen? They say those creating this problem are not from Nigeria, that they spread from The Gambia to Cameroon and they don’t have any territory that is recognised by the UN. This is why we are asking whether the Federal Government is not complicit on the issue.

There is free movement of people in the North; there is no free movement of people in the South, particularly in the South-West. The borders in the North are all open; those in the South are not, except the Seme border. And when people make noise about opening of our borders, they opened it only for Dangote and BUA to export their cement.

Whereas, most of the time, the cement is even cheaper in Benin Republic than in Nigeria. So, who is fooling who? These are the things that create problems, which is why I said this is not the Nigeria of our choice; a situation where one citizen is treated better than the others. We are supposed to be treated equally by government.

People who are running about 2023, it is not clear what they are looking for. They said Bola Tinubu wants to be president; I told you that the vice-president, Yemi Osinbajo, is also being asked to join the race by people of the North.

Why should it be the people of the North that are running about for the vice-president? Do they see in him somebody they can use? He has not yet indicated he wants to run. Tinubu might not have indicated, but his contribution to the enthronement of the man there is known.

I remember at that time that people were shouting against Muslim-Muslim ticket. Maybe he would have been vice-president now. So, it should be expected that Bola will want to give it a shot.

But given his health, would you advise him to take such a risk?
Are you a doctor?

People have been going to London on political pilgrimage to meet him…
Did they come back to report to you that he is not fit? Let me tell you one thing. If Bola feels that his health is not good enough, he will not contest. I know that about him. He wants to give service. He feels he has contributions to make. His lot is not going to be bettered than it is already is. He can feed himself.

What will a Tinubu presidency give to Nigeria and Nigerians?

What did his governorship give to Lagos? He took Lagos from an IGR of less than N1b to what it is today and development also goes with it. He has also been able to streamline the role of the states vis a vis the Federal Government. Do you remember how many months he was denied allocation for local government councils in the states? The councils did not go under. He fought and won. Of course, he did not do it alone.

The current vice-president was his Attorney General who was able to fight through the courts to get the victory. So, we can understand that Tinubu will be a law-abiding citizen as president and that is where everything starts.

He will respect federal character which is what we are complaining about now. Why should all the instruments of coercion be in the hands of people from one ethnic group? I like to give the example of Hadiza Usman, ex-NPA Managing Director.

What is her background that qualifies her for such post? What has she done in her life? As far as I am concerned, she was just a PA to Nasir el-Rufai. Is el-Rufai himself qualified to run the NPA not to talk of his PA?

I am sorry I am going personal, but that is where the problem starts. The ports that are supposed to give us a lot of money, now we can’t even go there as the roads are not there, except for Dangote trucks that are going to load there.“

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FG To Allocate Houses Through Online Applications – Fashola

Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has said that Federal Government houses nationwide would be allocated through online applications.

The minister stated this in an interview with Journalists during his inspection of houses under the Federal Government housing project on Thursday, in Bauchi.

He said very soon the process of allocation would start through online applications by the beneficiaries.

“The process is going to be on an online platform, the form will be online and pay online, fill them, you don’t need to give anything under the table. It is first come first served, that is why it takes a little while.

“We also noticed some dampness and drainage issues in the completed houses. Our facility manager would address them and find a way of draining the water for the beneficiaries”, he said.

Fashola pointed out that the houses would be allocated to all Nigerians; everybody is entitled to own the house through the online application.

He said the Federal Government was committed and passionate about solving the nation’s housing deficit.

“The Federal Government is determined to provide houses to the public across all the states of the federation”, the minister added.

He said the first phase of the houses had been completed; the Federal Government would now focus on the second phase to bridge the deficit in housing.

The Minister noted that the housing projects provide jobs to the citizens and boost the economy of the people in the state, as all materials used are bought in the state.

He commended the Bauchi state government for all the necessary support and for providing the land for the construction of the houses.

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Sports: Anthony Joshua Loses Heavyweight World Titles To Usyk

British boxer of Nigerian descent, Anthony Joshua has lost his heavyweight world titles after losing by unanimous decision to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.

The thrilling contest held at the Tottenham Stadium on Saturday night saw Joshua stripped of his WBA, IBF and WBO titles by a former undisputed cruiserweight world champion.

British boxer of Nigerian descent, Anthony Joshua has lost his heavyweight world titles after losing by unanimous decision to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk.

The thrilling contest held at the Tottenham Stadium on Saturday night saw Joshua stripped of his WBA, IBF and WBO titles by a former undisputed cruiserweight world champion.

Usyk, who was in tears when the decision was announced following a superb performance, now has four belts at heavyweight having held all belts at cruiserweight.

It was a shock defeat for Joshua, who had clinch 24 wins and just one loss prior to the match, but was outboxed by Usyk as he was nearly knocked out in the last round.

The scores were 117-112, 116-112, 115-113 in Usyk’s favour.

“This means a lot for me. The fight went the way I expected it to go. There were moments when Anthony pushed me hard but it was nothing special,” said the new heavyweight champion, who now has 19 wins from 19 pro fights.

“I had no objective to knock him out because my corner pushed me not to do that. In the beginning, I tried to hit him hard, but then I stuck to my job.

“The only thing I wanted to do with this fight is to give praise to Jesus Christ.

“I have been working so hard since January in preparation for this fight, it took me half a year and I didn’t see my family for so long. I missed seeing them playing.

“I want to go home and be happy with my family and I’m not thinking about the rematch.”

Joshua had been billed to fight fellow Briton Tyson Fury in a unification match that would have seen the winner become the undisputed heavyweight champion, but plans collapsed.

Joshua then opted to face his WBO mandatory challenger, Usyk instead – a fight that appeared easier – but was stunned by the 34-year-old, who, like the Klitscho brothers, has brought heavyweight glory to Ukraine.

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Oyo Speaker Hails Peaceful Conduct of PDP Ward Congress in Ibarapa zone

The Oyo State Speaker, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin has applauded the peaceful conduct of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP Ward Congress in Ibarapa zone.

Hon Ogundoyin stated this at Ward 2 in Ibarapa East Local Government shortly after participating at the Congress.

The Speaker said it was a good development for the ruling party in the State as the Security operatives at venues of the Congress in the whole of Ibarapa zone had virtually nothing to do as everything went smoothly without any hitch.

The Speaker who is a Member of the Oyo State PDP 2021 Local Organizing Committee for the Congress commended members of the party across the zone for conducting themselves peacefully adding that the PDP remains the party to beat in future elections not only in Oyo State but also across the country

” I want to commend members of our party in Ibarapa East Local Government particularly and even the whole zone generally for demonstrating high level of political maturity, comportment and loyalty. This was evidence in the peaceful and orderly manner they conducted themselves during and after the Congress. I was at all the ten wards in Ibarapa East Local Government and there was no record of any violence whatsoever. It was the same story across the zone. There was no report of any parallel Ward Congress in my zone. I meant no any PDP 2 Congress. This shows we are one PDP family in Ibarapa zone and I believe the issue of the faction is being addressed at the highest hierarchy of our party in the State” He said

Hon Ogundoyin assured that the Party in the State would soon resolve some of the issues raised by some aggrieved members across the State.

He stressed that the Governor has promised to seek amicable resolutions to all the issues raised by them.

” Leaders have emerged from our various Wards and this will further strengthen our party across the State. With this, Oyo PDP is good to go. I therefore congratulate our newly elected Ward executive members for their victory and I pray to God to make it the beginning of more outstanding feats for our great party.

The INEC Representative from Abuja who was in Ibarapa land, Aliu G. Aliu while commenting on the Ward Congress in the zone expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise.

In his reaction, one of the leaders of the PDP in the zone, Chief Olayiwola Gabriel said members of the party have unanimously elected their Executive officers at the various wards, stressing that there was no rancour at all in any quarter in Ibarapaland.

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Sports Analysis: Man Utd Loss to Aston Villa, Consequences of Complacency and Ego

Lekan Badmus is a columnist with Oduduwa News & a professional Physical and Health Education instructor.

Manchester United lost her first premier league today in a match that was supposed to be a walk over. Nobody believed the star-studded red devils could lose to Aston Villa especially with the presence of Ronaldo who had; previous to Aston Villa match, scored three goals in two matches.

Trailing the visitor by a lone goal, the home team got a penalty at the injury time. It was a relief but the chance was blasted when Fernandez fired into the heaven. Taking penalty when you are leading is different from when you are losing. Ronaldo is much more experienced, confident and emotionally stable than Fernandez at crucial moments. CR7 has seen it all.
In a match like this, a player who has more shock absorber should have taken the penalty.

Bruno lost the chance to equalise at Old Trafford because of two tensions. The tension of taking penalty when a goal was most needed and two; tension of wearing arm band as the captain.

Aside the penalty miss, it was also obvious from the match that Greenwood did not connect well with CR7. He was after personal glory. From what played out in the encounter, Pogba was never consistent. He seldoms slowing down the tempo of the game to the detriment of immediate urgency.

Meanwhile, the three people who were responsible for the loss are the coach himself, Bruno, Greenwood. If I were the coach, I would prefer using Ronaldo at the flanks with serious-minded midfielders.

The fighting spirit is waning in Man U. How I wish Rooney was around to team up with Ronaldo! There was no player to coordinate and charge others to put more effort. Ordinarily, that was supposed to be the duty of Maguire who; in my opinion, is not fit into that role.

Anyway, Football is not Mathematics. A team cannot win til eternity. The good thing in sports is the spirit of Sportsmanship.

For Comments:
lekanbadmuscolumn@gmail.com

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PDP Ward Congress: Gov Makinde Appeals To Aggrieved Members To Give Room For Resolution

Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Saturday, called for unity among members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, declaring that aggrieved members should give room for resolution.

The governor, who spoke at Ward 11, Ibadan North East Local Government, said that he was happy that the people of Oyo State are excited about the rulling party (PDP) in the state.

He said: “I see excitement with the people. They want to be participants in the democratic process to select their leaders to run the affairs of the party at the ward level. So, for me, it is democracy in action. “And also with the fact that we have been in government slightly above two years now, the people are still excited about their party. It is something that calls for celebration for us.

“Well, the exercise today went peacefully. I expect other congresses to be peaceful as well. “Everywhere around the state, the people are excited because they are getting dividends of democracy. So, I believe the excitement is all over the state.”

He tasked members of the PDP to stay united, adding that the time has come for the aggrieved members to bring their grievances to the table for amicable resolution.

He added: “For the PDP members in Oyo State, I want to ask them to stay unified because we can do quite a lot in unity. “And for some who are angry or aggrieved, let them bring their issues to the table, we will address them. Politics is about conflict and resolution of conflict within interaction of people.”

The governor maintained that the PDP has come to stay in the state, adding that the party will soon take power at the Federal level.

“So, we are not ruling out making overtures to them and getting them also to be a part of this process. This is because PDP is here to stay in Oyo State and the PDP is also poised to take over power at the Federal level. So, you don’t leave a winning team,” Makinde said.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman, PDP Ward Congress Committee, who is the Deputy Governor Office Edo State, Hon. Philip Shaibu,

said that the Committee did not notice any parallel congress in the state.

He added that the ward congresses have been “so peaceful.”

He said: “So far, so good, all the talks of having parallel election has not been noticed and what is key today is that the process has been peaceful.

“No report of any violence anywhere and that is one thing we have been afraid of since yesterday.”

He said the party will settle all internal issues among its members amicably .

He added: “Interestingly, all through the night, we were having discussions and phone calls to some of them that feel aggrieved. We will settle our internal issues and I am happy that we are already discussing.

“We are here to do the right thing and to conduct a free, fair and credible Congress.”

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Debtor Tied To A Stake Over N4.6M Debt Rescued By Lagos Police

LAGOS POLICE RESCUE DEBTOR TIED TO A STAKE OVER N4.6M DEBT

A young creditor identified as Oluchi Okoye aka PACA has been arrested by Policemen attached to the Denton Police Station for tying his debtor, Reuben Alozie, to a stake over unpaid N4.6m debt.

The suspect tied the victim to a stick with ropes at No. 29, Abeokuta Street, Ebute Metta, Lagos from 22nd September to 23rd September when he was eventually rescued by the police.

According to the suspect, he resorted to self help after several efforts to recover his money from the victim failed.

The arrest of the suspect was made possible following a complaint lodged at the station by victim’s wife, Angela Reuben who reported that her husband was deprived of his liberty by the suspect who held him hostage.

Following the arrest, the Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu directed that the suspect should be transferred to the Command’s Tactical team for diligent investigation and prosecution.

The Commissioner of Police uses this medium to warn people against taking the law into their own hands instead of taking legal actions to seek justice.

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