Author: oduduwanews

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EFCC Arrests Man For Allegedly Obtaining N38m From Internet Fraud Suspects

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal Command, have arrested one Ladeji Kelvin Babatunde for allegedly obtaining over N38,000,000.00( Thirty-eight Million Naira) from suspected internet fraudsters in order to prevent their arrest by the Commission.

The defendant allegedly impersonated officers of the Commission and obtained the sum of money by false pretence from the suspected cybercriminals.

Upon his arrest, a four-bedroom uncompleted apartment located at Ikola Road, Alagbado, Lagos, which was developed with the proceeds of the perpetrated fraud, was recovered from him.

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2023: Arewa Youths Want Sanwo-Olu To Call Yoruba Elders To Order Over Inflammatory Statement

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has called on the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to caution the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) from making inflammatory statements capable of setting NIgeria on fire.

AYCF National President, Alh. Yerima Shettima expressed this in a statement he personally signed and made available to press on Thursday August 26, 2021.

“We have followed with keen interest, the news of an inflammatory remark making the rounds about the Sarkin Fulani of Lagos and credited to the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE).

“The Yoruba elders, who spoke through a former National President of YCE, Dansaaki Samuel Agbede, asked the Lagos State Government to stop its recognition for the Sarkin Fulani,” it said.

The group said that they are unsettled by this position coming from elders who are supposed be guardians of the people and should be taking the lead in ensuring tolerance, peace and harmony between the people of Lagos State and their neighbours from any part of the country, moreso Northern Nigeria.

They said that the office of the traditional Sarkin Fulani of Lagos is an estimated 150 years old and it reflects and represents the general interest of Fulanis resident in the area.

“It was therefore misplaced to see the YCE trying to forcefully liken the estimated 150 year old Lagos case to that of Edo State, which is comparatively new.

“It is evident that for the past 150 years, nothing tragic has ever happened to the relationship between these ambassadors of the Fulani tribes, primarily because of the successful enlightenment strategy in support of tolerance and harmony by the Fulani monarchy in Lagos.

“Most importantly, there is no law in Nigeria that says another person’s crime elsewhere makes someone somewhere automatically guilty of the same wrongdoing,” the statement said.

It added that, “If contrary were the case, we in the North would have asked our leaders or governors not to recognize people from other parts of Nigeria in areas like Kano, Katsina, Kaduna or any State in the region.

“It is for this recognition for the rights of others and unconditional tolerance that you can find Yorubas, Igbos and other Nigerian monarchs being accorded due respect and formal recognition in every part of the North. For us, tolerance is a necessary ingredient of unity and harmony,” it said.

AYCF emphasized that these traditional leaders of the Fulani are no more than ambassadors of their people, representing the beautiful cultural and religious heritage of their people.

“The historical and cultural values of the Nigerian Fulani can be gleaned from their presence (in more recent times) in France. Germany, the United States and other parts of Europe.

“This example is simply a proof that no society thrives without men and women of goodwill to serve as the custodians of their people’s culture and development concerns,” it added.

They therefore, advised the YCE to tread cautiously on the issue because it represents a potentially dangerous proposition

“We urge the Lagos State Government to quickly intercede in this matter by calling the YCE to order, to avert an avoidable breach of peace built over a period of an estimated 150 years

“We are compelled to draw attention to the YCE’s position on good time in order to elicit appropriate constitutional and legal action to maintain the tolerance, harmony and respect for the historical and cultural values that have held these Fulani as good neighbours.

“We insist that this is one sure way to avert a potentially regrettable decision being propounded by the YCE.

“We are disturbed by the YCE’s latest campaign that seeks to obliterate the respect and recognition of the Sarkin Fulani monarch because of the current situation in the country, notably the security challenge.

“We also find it quite childish that the YCE is making a fuss about illegal immigrants in Lagos, something that should be an issue for the either the NIA, the Nigeria Immigrations Service and the DSS. By the way, how does such a purely security issue connect to due recognition for the Sarkin Fulani?” It queried.

The statement said that YCE got its facts all twisted because there is so much disconnect in most of the issues they raised.

“We don’t support any action of intolerance, capable of further worsening the nation’s security challenge. It is our candid view that the YCE needs to be cautioned from potentially inflammatory declarations that could breed division among Nigerians in Lagos, who have been living as understanding neighbours for some 150 years.

“We take exception to any motive that could lead to undue interference with traditional and cultural values of a people in a democratic setting. This, we dare say, is a ticking time-bomb,” it said.

AYCF said that they are aware that the Lagos State Government has well-enlightened cabinet members who won’t condone any move that could lead to a breach of the peace and we hope they rise to the occasion.

“We don’t think Governor Sanwo-Olu would condone such a dangerously divisive stand of the YCE, considering the importance of tolerance and harmony that has made Lagos the economic and commercial giant of this country for many decades,” it concluded.

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LAUTECH Satelite Campus Iseyin Commences Academic Activities, Staff To Resume On Monday

The members of staff of the newly-created College of Agricultural Science and Renewable Resources of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Iseyin Campus will resume in Iseyin on Monday, as academic activities will commence by September.

This was disclosed by the Provost of the College, Professor Jacob Adewale on Tuesday evening after inspecting facilities provided by the Iseyin community for the take-off of the institution.

Adewale said the inspection tour was in accordance with the directive of the State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde that the College should start academic activities by September and for the management of LAUTECH to see the readiness of the community to host the institution.

He told community leaders after the tour that the College will start off with two faculties, which are Faculty of Agricultural Science and the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources.

He said “no doubt, the establishment of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources, the Iseyin Campus of LAUTECH, is the dream come through. I reliably gathered that the Iseyin community had been looking forward to establishing a Higher Education Institution, by the Government, in the town, since about seventy (70) years ago. Thanks be to God and the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde for the actualization of the dream of this community, by the establishment of the College.

“The College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources, Iseyin Campus of LAUTECH, has two Faculties: (1) Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and (2) Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, While the former is already in existence, the latter is newly created.

“The existing Faculty has six Departments, and the new Faculty has four Departments, making a total of ten Departments. The existing Faculty has Professor A. A. Akingbade as the Dean, and Professor L. A. Alamu is the Acting Dean of the new Faculty.

“The departments in the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences are
Agricultural Economics (AEC),
Agricultural Extension and Rural Development (AER),
Crop Production and Soil Science (CPS), Crop and Environmental Protection (CEP), Animal Production and Health (APH), Animal Nutrition and Biotechnology (ANB)

“The departments in the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources are Aquaculture and Fisheries Management (AFM), Forest Resources Management (FRM), Wildlife and Ecotourism Management (WEM), Environmental and Resource Economics (ERE).

“The academic development of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources, Iseyin Campus of LAUTECH, is of paramount importance towards the actualization of the mission of LAUTECH, which is “to provide suitable condition for the advancement of knowledge through research and learning; produce self-reliant graduates, apply technology-driven knowledge to creativity and positively impact on the global environment, It also aims at becoming an epitome of integrity and service”.

“A carefully-crafted academic plan of the College has been set for its academic development. In the first academic session of the existence of the college (2021/2022), the University shall present an academic brief and a detailed curriculum on Renewable Natural Resources programmes to the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Abuja for approval in order to admit students into the new programmes.

“Resource Accreditation by the NUC will take place in the second session (2022/2023). That is, one year after students’ admission into the Renewable Natural Resources programmes, the University is already working on the requirements of curricula, personnel, physical structures and facilities for teaching and training, such facilities include workshops, laboratories, and studios. In addition, in 2022, the NUC shall be invited to carry out re-accreditation of programmes in Faculty of Agricultural Sciences.
Research development of the college.”

The Provost hinted that a research and development unit will soon be established to facilitate an accelerated research development in the institution.

“In order to accelerate the research development of the college, a Research and Development Unit shall be established. The academic staff shall be encouraged to take the advantage of the institution-based research funds at Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

“There shall be an establishment of a Training and Research Farm of the state-of-the-art, with facilities for students and staff research projects. There shall be students and staff experimental pens for livestock, poultry, fisheries, forestry, ecotourism, and wildlife. The college research programmes shall focus on the development of technological innovations in Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources that are cost-effective, and adaptive for Agricultural and National development.

“The college shall take off on the premises of the former Teachers’ Training College, Okeho Road, Iseyin., where its administrative building, two faculty buildings, and at least four lecture theatres will be located. The Teaching and Research Farm, and the Commercial Farm shall be located at the site along Iseyin – Ogbomoso Road, Iseyin. The productions on the commercial farm shall be sources of internally generated revenue (IGR) for the institution.

“The Institution shall acquire functional and state-of-the-art ICT system in a centre as well as campus wide networking for internet services. Staff offices would be connected to the Institution’s internet server and the staff would be charged some affordable amount for the services.

“Also, there shall be a provision of the facilities in the ICT centre for an additional role as a Computer Based Test (CBT) centre for examinations, as done at the main Campus. As the institution grows, additional facilities such as laptops and connectivity shall be provided at the ICT centre for the CBT of JAMB. Registration of Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) candidates and conduct of UTME in the centre shall provide an easy access for the indigenes. It shall also be a source of IGR for the institution.”

The Chairman, Iseyin Development Union (I.D.U), Alhaji Bayo Raji said the development has called for prayer for the present administration to succeed in all its endeavors, looking at the fact that it has met the paramount need of the community.

He stressed the need for unity among indigenes to work towards a smooth commencement and sustaining the development needed in the College.

In his word, a former Senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District, Chief Gbenga Babalola, who took the management to his fish farm along Iseyin-Oyo road, said he was ready to relinquish the facility to the College, in as much as it would speed the development of Oke-Ogun and Iseyin community.

The fish farm has five functioning boreholes, feed mill, lecture room, incubation unit and a standby generator set.

A foremost indigene of the town, Alhaji Ahmed Raji also donated staff quarters of about seven chalets and boys quarters to accommodate some of the management staff of the College.

Raji who was represented at the event by the former Chairman of Iseyin local government, Alhaji Saheed Alaran said the occasion called for a true symbiotic relationship between what he called ‘the town and the gown’, adding that the community has so much to contribute for the successful take-off of the institution.

He called on other well meaning indigenes of Iseyin to rally round the College, as according to him, it is a flagship of better things to come.

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COVID-19: Lagos Govt Commences Administration Of Moderna Vaccine

Lagos State Government today commenced the administration of the Moderna COVID vaccine at the designated 183 vaccination sites across the State.

State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi who stated this today after receiving a preliminary monitoring report of the vaccination exercise from the Social Mobilization Team expressed satisfaction at the conduct of the exercise at most of the sites visited.

He noted that the turnout of citizens who had enrolled for the vaccine at various vaccination sites is encouraging, adding that it is an indication of impressive vaccination uptake.

While noting that he is aware of pockets of challenges at some sites, the Commissioner assured that all the glitches noticed would be addressed for better service delivery.

He said: “I’m impressed by the report from the field. We had a good start for the first day. It can only get better, and I can assure you that all the challenges encountered today would be resolved to ensure a seamless exercise going forward.

“I would like to appreciate the team of dedicated staff who are driving this exercise as well as Lagosians for their turn out, cooperation and adherence to COVID protocols at our various sites. Efforts of all stakeholders has helped ensure the success of day one of the vaccination campaign”.

Abayomi stated that eligible citizens who are interested in getting the Moderna vaccine can book on the NPHCDA E-registration on portal – https://nphcda.vaccination.gov.ng/ to get vaccinated.

He noted that the E- registration is a mandatory criteria for the vaccination adding that only citizens who registered on the E-registration site would be attended to at the vaccination sites.

Vaccination sites monitored include; Sango PHC in Agege LG; Ogba, Ifako, Agbado and Iju PHCs in Ifako-Ijaiye LG; Oregun, Opebi and Ojodu PHC in Ikeja; Merian PHC in Alimosho LGA; and Ogudu PHC in Kosofe.

Others are, Sura, Oba Adeyinka Oyekan PHCs and Lagos Island Maternity Hospital in Lagos Island LG; Shogunle and Oshodi PHCs in Oshodi-Isolo LG; and Palm Avenue PHC in mushin.

Some of the vaccinees who spoke to the monitoring team expressed satisfaction at conduct of the exercise adding however that the process could get better in the coming days.

A vaccinee, Mr. Banabas Amadi, who got vaccinated at the Ogba PHC testified that the process was seamless right from the E-registration to the actual vaccination at the site.

He encouraged citizens who are yet to receive the vaccine to take advantage of the opportunity to get vaccinated stressing that the process is easy and fast.

He said: “I just got vaccinated. It was an interesting experience. I registered online and the process was seamless. Getting here, it was initially a bit rowdy but it is calm now. I guess it is because this is the first day, but the process is generally fast and I believe it can get better. I commend the government and everybody in charge of this vaccination process”.

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Opinion: Attack On NDA; The Show Of Insecurity Worsening By The Day || Adesina Julius

It is quite unfortunate that a country which offered so much in hope and possibilities for its citizens at independence has today become a land of suffering, insecurity and near hopelessness.

The attack on Nigeria Defense Academy (NDA) has further affirmed that the security architecture of the country has collapsed and no one is safe. Obviously, the virulent voices of discontent are everywhere signalling a break off this marriage of inconvenience called ‘Nigeria’. Or, where is the common identity where freedom of movement amongst citizens is without threats and fear in virtually all the parts of the country?

I see the attack on NDA as an affront, which was a deliberate attempt to ridicule Nigeria and the intelligence of the Nigeria security agencies.

The heinous activities of the so called Bandits is gradually taking another dimension and the government has shown to be irresponsible with their continued silence on their atrocities in killing, maiming and kidnapping on a daily basis.

At a point like this, I’m forced to resolved that Nigeria is not defined as a country by the lives of citizens, their safety and welfare but it is defined and counted as one as far as it can still generate IGR, take loans to give President Buhari and his fellow politicians the kind of lifestyle they want. Nigerians especially the large parts of northern have experienced so much in the hands of bandits and terrorists. They have made a lot of people orphans, destitutes and ruined a lot of businesses.

Dear President Muhammadu Buhari, time to act is now, because every proclamation of a technical victory over the insurgents is quickly followed by a resurgence. It is high time the government needs to treat this issue of banditry as an all-out war against the state and direct its security apparatus to completely decimate them and bring this to a close.

The days of treating this issue with kids gloves, where notable clerics go into the forest for photo ops with bandits and serve as their unofficial mouthpieces, should end. The President should order the Chief of Defense Staff to match military might and actions in getting to the root of this scourge.

We cannot, as a nation, sit and fold our arms as this bandits keep maiming and kidnapping the innocent souls on daily basis. Mr President and the Military Officer’s should approach this banditry scourge with the urgency that it requires, showing the Nigerian people that it is still alive to its primary responsibility as defined by the constitution, which is the protection of lives and property of it’s citizens.

The Major. General should speak the language they understand to them.

Adesina Julius (Prestige) write from Igbeti, Oke Ogun area of Oyo State.

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Celebration Galore As Fareedah Oyolola, Nigerian Student Emerges World’s Most Brilliant Student

It is heart-warming to hear again that the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth has honoured Fareedah Oyolola, a secondary school student at Greensprings School, Lagos, as one of the brightest students in the world.

This recognition is a result of her exceptional performance in the advanced School and College Ability Test (SCAT), which every student must undergo in order for the institution to determine their current academic abilities before admitting them into its talent search programme.

Sharing her experience about the test, Fareedah said: “The test was a multiple-choice aptitude test in verbal and quantitative reasoning, and I had to answer 100 questions within 44 minutes! At the end of the test, my score was in the 92nd percentile for verbal reasoning and 87th percentile for quantitative reasoning.

There’s no way I would have gotten these high scores with such a limited time window if not for the great work put in by my teachers, towards developing my comprehension abilities and mathematical reasoning skills. I am very grateful to them.”

In a statement issued by the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth as obtained by ODUDUWA NEWS, the Executive Director; Virginia Roach, congratulated Fareedah and other outstanding students across the world. She said, “We are thrilled to celebrate these students. In a year that was anything but ordinary, their love of learning shined through, and we are excited to help cultivate their growth as scholars and citizens throughout high school, college, and beyond.”

Mrs Magdalene Okrikri, the secondary school principal at Greensprings Anthony campus, also expressed her satisfaction with Fareedah’s honour. She said, “This honour brings great joy to my heart. Fareedah’s achievement is a testament that our Thinking School programme is rewarding to our students, helping them to develop mentally and strengthening their cognitive abilities.”

The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth is an initiative of Johns Hopkins University committed to nurturing extraordinary young minds. Its 2020 – 2021 programme draws nearly 19,000 students from 84 countries. Fareedah and other honourees from other countries are expected to attend a summer programme in the United States or Hong Kong.

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Ogun Govt Confirms Kuoye as New Olu-Imasai of Imasayi

The Government of Ogun State has confirmed Prince Kuoye Lukman Olalekan as the Olu-Imasai of Imasayi.
The ancient town of Imasayi is in Yewa North Local Government of Ogun State.

A statement made available to ODUDUWA NEWS on Tuesday said the news of the approval of the new Oba of Imasayi has thrown the town into celebration. The new Oba boasts of a wealth of experience in public service spanning over two decades; and the people of the kingdom are unanimous in their belief that his reign will usher peace and development to the town. Prince Kuoye, from Oyesokun Ruling House, emerged victorious during the selection process conducted by the traditional chiefs under the strict supervision of officials of Yewa North Local Government officials in Ayetoro in March 2021.

Until his selection to the stool of his forefathers, Kuoye worked with National Identity Management Commission, NIMC. He had also served as Special Assistant to Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State and was also a former Secretary and Vice-Chairman, Transition Committee of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government. A renowned social worker, Chief Kuoye holds a Masters’ Degree in Social Work from Lagos State University and was a Past President of Rotary Club of Atan-Ota and Charter President, Rotary Club of Ado-Odo. The new Olu-Imasayi, who has accepted his selection, praised Governor Dapo Abiodun, and members of State Executive Council for affirming the popular choice of Imasayis.

While thanking the chief and kingmakers, Prince Kuoye called on indigenes and residents of Imasayi and especially those who slogged out the referred tool with him to join hands with him towards building Imasayi Kingdom.
“I want my dear brothers that vied this stool with me to know that we are all winners as my Obaship will be inclusive administration,” the new Oba said.
Meanwhile, the new Olu-Imasayi has commended the state government, kingmakers, and indigenes of the ancient town for his selection following his emergence as the paramount ruler of the Imasayi.

Prince Kuoye who accepted his selection, praised Governor Dapo Abiodun, and members of State Executive Council for affirming the popular choice of Imasayis and promised to work with all the concerned to build the kingdom of Imasayi to become a model town. While commending the chief and kingmakers for the selection process which was very clear and irrefutable, Prince Kuoye called on indigenes and residents of Imasayi to cooperate with him towards achieving the dream of building and improving the Kingdom.

He said, I am very grateful for this opportunity and I want to thank my fellow contestants who have gracefully accepted the decision of the people. I want my dear brothers that vied this stool with me to know that we are all winners as my Obaship will be inclusive administration,” the new Oba said.

Prince Kuoye, from Oyesokun Ruling House, emerged victorious during the selection process conducted by the traditional chiefs under the strict supervision of officials of Egbado North Local Government officials in Ayetoro in March, 2021.

The new Oba boasts of a wealth of experience in public service spanning over two decades; and the people of the kingdom are unanimous in their belief that his reign will usher peace and development to the town.

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Olowu Fish Market Sealed By Lagos Govt Over Sale Of Conserved Animals

The Lagos State Government through the Directorate of Environmental Health/Occupational Health and Safety in the Ministry of Health has sealed up Olowu fish market in Epe.

This is upon discovery that the market was being used for the sale of conserved species of animals including Monkeys, Elephants, Pythons, Crocodiles, Alligators, Antelopes, Pangolins, among others to both local and foreign Businessmen.

In a statement, the Director of the Directorate; Dr. T. F. Ajayi said the action was in furtherance of the need to proactively act to prevent the extinction of the species and also nip further outbreaks of diseases from such development.

“In view of the recent statement by international health authorities to the effect that Africa would need to be prepared for her health systems not to be overran, as other ailments/outbreaks would likely be on the rise, apart from the Coronavirus, the Lagos State Government has shown its readiness to keep the state healthy and safe.

“The activity carried out by the Director and other officers in the Directorate, ensured the Olowu Fish Market in Epe was sealed upon discovery of sales of conserved species (monkeys, elephants, pythons, crocodiles, alligators, antelopes, pangolins, etc) to local and foreign businessmen,” Ajayi said.

He explained that it became necessary to seal the market, in order to forestall other outbreaks as Ebola, Lassa fever and others that could arise from such unchecked activities.

Besides, Ajayi urged Lagosians to keep an eye on their environment and report activities that could damage the health system of the state.

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16 Hoodlums Arrested By Lagos Taskforce With Charms, Machetes, Other Harmful Weapons

Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) has arrested 16 miscreants believed to have masterminded violence and robbing of commuters in Iyana Cele and Iyana Isolo.

The miscreants, who capitalized on the peaceful No-work protest embarked upon by drivers of commercial buses on Oshodi – Mile 12 Expressway to unleash mayhem on commuters, were caught molesting passersby and destroying public facilities.

The Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Shola Jejeloye, who was in the area to maintain law and order as well as listen to some of the aggrieved protesters, called for calm, assuring that Government would address their grievances.

He added that no official of Lagos State Taskforce operates between Toyota and Mile 2, adding that the agency is presently rejigging its operation in order to prevent reported incidences of illegal Taskforce operatives in the metropolis.

He noted that he has listened to all complaints against the officials of the agency, noting that genuine complaints would be addressed.

It was learnt that the drivers decided to protest the installation of road signage on roads that used to serve as bi–directional ways as One – way.

The miscreants, who set bonfire on Mile 2 – Oshodi Expressway, prevented vehicular activities on the busy highway thus making commuters to resort to trekking.

The miscreants arrested include: Lekan Fatai (29), Tosin Ajakaye (32), Sakiru Lanre (38), Lekan Salaudeen (36), Hakeem Oyetoro (47), Daniel Adeojo(38), Ramon Moshood (30), Lekan Nureni (37), Okolawon Oluwaseun (39),Olajide Qudus (24), Uchenna Idima (28), Dada Hamid (23), Tega Monday (28)
Rafiu Pelumi (20) and Wike Odigbi (27).

Recovered from the miscreants were machetes, charms, cudgels and other harmful weapons.

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