Author: oduduwanews

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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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Lekbad Column: Ibadan, The Filthy City And The Government’s Unfancied Narratives

Comrade Lekan Badmus is a Columnist with Oduduwa News, Public Opinion Analyst and Human Rights Crusader.

“.. running splash of rust,
and gold-flung and scattered,
among seven hills like,
broken china in the sun.”

The introductory poem above is crucial to this article. The poem, written by JP Clarke is an avid description of Ibadan. As expatiated by Winnie Ekwere , the poem is a quintet of running verse. The tone of the poem gives off as being off-handedly dramatic especially as the poet begins by citing the name ‘Ibadan’. He seems to criticize the look of the city by his description in the remaining four lines of the poem. Thus:

… running splash of rust and gold is used to describe the rusted zinc roof tops in Ibadan.

… scattered among seven hills alludes to the scattered and unplanned nature of the houses in the hilly city.

…like broken china in the sun paints an image in your mind of disorderliness.

and parts of broken china that are different but from the same piece.

The poem is more a sarcastic description of the town rather than what majority felt it is. Verily, a denotative interpretation of every line of the poem reveals the inner mindset of the erudite poet. Two things readily come to the mind of a stranger at the mention of Ibadan. Thuggery and Filth. As it was then, so it is now. Very filthy.The only period when the city wore a new look was during the era of late governor Ajimobi.

In the past, Gege – Olopa was famously known for indiscriminate dumping of refuse. That attitude earned the area a derogatory appellate of “Gege-Oloorun”. Incidentally, I am from the area; precisely, Ile Alagbaa, just behind Born Photo. Meanwhile, the entire city is not immuned from being referred to “Oloorun”. This article is not intended to denigrate the city but a conscious effort to awaken the consciousness of the indigenes, residents and government. We all have to be responsible and responsive.

It is quite unfortunate that Ibadan has returned to the old stinking city when offensive scent used to pervade the environments. Being the capital of Oyo State, one expects the entire areas to look decent as to depict its status but disgust is the word; when garbage heaps and dirts welcome one into the city. Instantaneously, one is tempted to ask; albeit soliloquisely, whether the government at state and local levels are on sabbatical. What a neglect of responsibility !

I was listening to a program on Agidigbo FM on a Sunday morning ( 19th September, 2021) anchored by the media Czar, Oriyomi Hamzat. A call was put through to Lagelu Local Government Chairman on the issue of refuse and flood in his area of jurisdiction. His response was a testament to the fact that the local governments are financially incapacitated to do anything meaningful. Whereas, issues like this are best solved by the councils.

I sincerely want to salute the courage and objective assessment of the situation by the media guru. He was not economical with the truth when he said that; “the fact that you are running a populist government does not forbid you from ignoring illegality.” This was an apparent response to government somewhat irresponsiveness to the current mess where refuse have littered every nook and cranny. “The late governor Ajimobi did well in the area of environmental hygiene with brute force; that did not prevent people from voting him for second term !.” Oriyomi fumed.

An examination of the menace of refuse and sewage disposal shows that government is her own problem. Those who are circumventing water ways, those erecting shanties and those who have become perpetual dumpers of refuse are not above the law. We do not need to make any further laws for; the existing extant laws are enough to prosecute the perpetrators. What really is the duty of the officials from ministry of environment ? How about the department of Urban Planning? Where are the Sanitary Inspectors? It is obvious that all what the government needs are at her disposal. The only thing lacking is political will.

State government cannot be everywhere. They are not an island. You need to loosen the rope on the neck of the councils so that they could function optimally.
CDAs and Local governments are suppose to do this but the refusal of the state to allow councils’ autonomy is not helping matter. Even, the officials of the ministries that are responsible for sanitation do compromise. Once they are financially induced, they pretend not to see anything. Urban planning department are also culpable. Sabotage everywhere.

In conclusion, the weekly sanitation exercise on every Thursday is a good way to tackle this peculiar mess only if the offenders are made to face the music. Government should also be ready to step on toes. The motor parks and market traders within the city are contributory factors to the dirty environments. All these activities should be banned.
It is laughable and disgusting that the traders and commuters have always ignored government directives on vacation order. What a ridicule ! It takes political will to enforce an order. Prevention is better than cure. Let all us do the right thing to avoid epidemic.

lekanbadmuscolumn@gmail.com.

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Sanwo-Olu Bags Guinness World Records Certificate

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Friday received the Guinness World Record certificate as holder of the world’s largest anniversary logo made with cupcakes mosaic.

The record was in respect of Lagos State Government’s celebration of the 60th independence anniversary of Nigeria with 60,011 cupcakes mosaic anniversary logo in the world, on October 1, 2020.

The initiative had placed Nigeria and Lagos in the Guinness World Records as holder of the world’s largest anniversary logo made with cupcakes mosaic.

The Certificate of the Guinness World Records for the Largest Cupcakes Mosaic was presented to Governor Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos House, Marina by the Managing Director, Outori Limited and Lead, Fly Africa Initiative, Mr. Wole Olagundoye.

Governor Sanwo-Olu was joined by the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji; Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharm. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Solomon Bonu and his SDGs and Investment counterpart, Mrs. Solape Hammond to receive the certificate.

Speaking on the presentation, Akinbile-Yussuf, said putting Lagos State in the Guinness Book of World Records was a great feat which the State would leverage for other world records.

Meanwhile, Governor Sanwo-Olu has assured Lagosians and investors that his administration would continue to make Lagos a destination of investment and a 21st Century economy.

The Governor gave the assurance on Friday when the New Managing Director/Chief Executive Office of Nigerian Breweries, Mr. Hans Essadi, paid him a courtesy call at the Lagos House Marina.

He said his administration is committed to the realisation of the THEMES agenda and therefore promised a mutually beneficial as well as enduring relationship between Lagos and the company in the areas of education, road infrastructure, employment and sports, among others.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said the company had been proactive in putting in place various programmes, especially in the area of promoting sports, youths engagement, education, through its “Maltina Teacher of the Year competition”, adding that Lagos is willing to collaborate with Nigerian Breweries to improve on drainage, the aesthetic and road connectivity of Ijora where the company is situated.

Sanwo-Olu added that investments in infrastructure would facilitate business performance around the area, particularly for the Nigerian Breweries, which holds a strong stake in the corridor, saying the State Government has commenced robust efforts to fasten development particularly across the Iganmu Abebe Village corridor and its environs.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said efforts to sanitise the area from miscreants were intensified to minimise security threats around the corridor.

He said however, that given the huge funds required for the investments, the need for Public Private Partnership was important.

Speaking earlier, the New Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Breweries, Mr. Hans Essadi, said he was excited about the Lagos agenda on education, making Lagos a 21st century economy and its resilient nature, adding that the company is ready to partner with the state.

He disclosed that with innovative strategies, Nigerian Breweries seeks to expand its productivity base, which he projected would facilitate exports to neighboring countries as well as contribute significantly to job creation in Nigeria and Lagos in particular.

In her remarks, the Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries, Mrs. Sade Morgan, said the Maltina Teacher of the Year award was strategic by the organisation to boost the morale of teachers and tutors.

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2023: Osinbajo/Zulum Presidential Ticket Will Give Overwhelming Victory To APC – Party Chieftain

A chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Dr. Garus Gololo, has advised the party to field Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo, and Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, for an overwhelming victory in the 2023 presidential election.

Speaking in an interview in Abuja on Friday, Gololo said Osibanjo has displayed competence, loyalty, hard work and statesmanship to pilot the affairs of the country.

Gololo said, with dialogue and negotiation, power could rotate to the south, despite the fact that the north has the numbers, adding that the south might not pick it the way they are going about threatening the north.

“In politics, what you do when you want votes is to consult with people, dialogue and negotiate with them. For now, who are you fighting for? You can’t fight for Tinubu because already he is aged. He is already in UK hospital, do you want to be going back to London as we are going? We cannot take that thing again, we are okay.

“I can vote Osinbajo direct because he is a person of integrity, he is loyal to the president, he can do anything you think of and he is not biased. When he speaks anywhere, he represents Nigeria, not ethnic or parochial view. I respect him and can go with him.

“If Osinbajo is going with Zulum, before 12 O’clock, we would have seen the results. But if you pick Tinubu, who will he pair with? I understand he wants to run with Boss Mustapha, who lost his ward in Hong in 2019. His younger brother bought the form for State Assembly, but did not succeed, is that who will be vice president?”, he said.

On the agitation for power shift by the south and the attendant comments credited to Northern Elders Forum, Gololo threw his weight behind the north, saying the south should rather consult widely and dialogue with the north, rather than engaging in acts that would jeopardize their chances.

He said, “I am solidly behind them. I’m from the North. If you watch very well, the Governor of Ondo state, Akeredolu said if the party fails to zone the presidency to the South West, there will be no APC in 2023 in Nigeria. This is the same person, a sitting governor, who could not deliver his state to the president in 2019. A sitting governor who was defeated by PDP, and you are making this type of statement?

“He just entered politics by chance because he has no background, otherwise, he has no business in politics. Some of his utterances don’t make sense in politics. Party is supreme, no matter what. What matters in politics is whether you can deliver your ward. You cannot deliver your state as a sitting governor and you are saying there must be zoning. Zone to who?

“Left for people like him, Buhari would have lost the 2019 election. Already we know where we are going, we have the votes. Nobody can intimidate us using zoning. We have the votes and you have yours, let us go to the poll. We are not fighting, votes will determine who will be, simple”.

He stressed that “In politics if you have a candidate in mind you want to campaign for, you can go round, discuss with the people, hold meetings with the local community – the elders, youths, women. But you cannot come out directly, after signing “Anti-open grazing” law and talk of zoning. He signed Anti-grazing law, but he cannot sign votes, we will sign that for ourselves in 2023”.

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October 1: Ogun Govt Announces 3-Day Programme To Mark Independence Anniversary

The Ogun State Government has announced a 3-day programme of activities marking Nigeria’s 61st Independence Anniversary in the state.

The 2021 National Day celebration begins on Friday September 24 with a commemorative Jumat service at the Central Mosque, Kobiti, Abeokuta, at 1.00pm.

The anniversary train moves to the Cathedral of St Peter, Ake, on Sunday September 26 for an inter-denominational Church Service which begins at 10.00a.m

A special parade featuring members of the Armed Forces, the Police, Labour and trade Union Groups, children from Schools across the State, will hold on Friday 1st October 2021 at the M.K.O. Abiola Stadium, Kuto as part of the grand finale marking the end of the celebration.

The State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun urges all Nigerians, especially residents of Ogun State to embrace peace and work for the progress of the country, noting that no nation can become great without sacrifice by its citizens.

“Nigeria is a great country and will be greater if all her citizens reject ethnic and political divisions, religious bigotry and sectionalism” Governor Abiodun added.

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NSCDC Parades 8 Suspects For Currency Counterfeiting, Other Crimes In Ekiti

THE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ekiti State command has paraded 8 suspects for alleged currency counterfeiting, obtaining money by false pretence, breach of trust, criminal conversions and drug-related offences.

Items recovered from them include substances suspected to be Indian hemp, fake foreign and local currency, a Toyota Matrix car and four travel bags filled with items suspected to be some charms.

Three of them: Shittu Idowu, 47; Ogunkorode Kayode, 51 and Akinyemi Olumide Victor, 29 were accused of duping a complainant from Abuja about N6.7million.

One Abimbola Sunday, 30, was also paraded for using a stolen ATM card to procure an expensive wine worth over N485,000 at a popular hotel in Ado-Ekiti

The NSCDC boss in Ekiti, John Fayemi, also paraded one Ajayi Bose Bamidele, 28, who specialised in job racketeering and said to have collected the sum of N150,000 from an applicant with a promise for a job in NSCDC.

Others are two brothers: Otamini God’s power, 24, and Otamini Wisdom, 22, for defrauding a POS operator of about N150,000, and one Iyiola Abayomi, 30 for theft in Olorunda area of Ado-Ekiti.

Fayemi said they would be charged as soon as the investigation was concluded.

He urged the youths to shun all acts that could lead them to crime, saying the truth and hard work pay.

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Cholera outbreak: Oyo Govt launches prevention measures, urges residents to stay calm

Oyo State government, on Friday, reassured the residents of the state of its preparedness to prevent the outbreak of cholera in the nooks and crannies of the state.

Speaking at the press conference held at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, the permanent secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Mufutau Ayoola, implored the people to ensure they properly dispose of their faeces and refuse, while improving on their personal hygiene henceforth.

He equally maintained that disease surveillance and notification officers in all the 33 Local Government Areas of the state have been put on red alert to institute preventive measures and sensitization of health professionals, with a view to promptly responding to outbreaks of cholera in our areas.

“The State Ministry of Health wishes to draw the attention of the members of the public to the need to prevent the outbreak of Cholera among the populace.

“Cholera is a water-borne illness which is highly contagious. It is an infection that is transmitted from person to person through faeces oral route, that is through eating food or drinking of water contaminated by faeces, especially where the source of drinking water has been polluted by flooding in unprotected wells as well as attending a large gathering of people during ceremonies such as wedding and funeral and contact with persons with cholera or who died of cholera.

“The disease often presents with frequent watery diarrhea and vomiting and it is common where people practice open defecation.

“Members of the public are hereby implored to always take some precautions and preventive measures. They should avoid drinking water from doubtful sources, e.g streams, wells that have been polluted by floodwater.

“Avoid dumping of faeces and refuse into streams and rivers. Ensure water from doubtful sources is boiled, and cooled before drinking
Regular hand washing after visiting the toilet, bathroom, and attending to anyone stooling.

“Washing fruits and vegetables well with clean water before eating. Cover all foods and drinks from out of reach of house flies.

“The disease surveillance and notification officers in all the 33 LGAS of the State and have been put on alert to institute preventive measures, and sensitization of health professionals in public and private hospitals to promptly respond to the outbreak of Cholera in the event of any occurrence.

“We want to also reassure the populace of effective preparedness for the prevention of outbreak of cholera and wish to implore the populace to properly dispose of their faeces and refuse and improve on their personal hygiene,” he said.

Speaking further, He added that suspected individuals should be referred to the nearest government hospitals for free and quality care service

He, therefore, urged the general public to alert the Ministry of Health by calling the hotlines – 09058704101, 08025245809, to report suspected cases.

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FG bans SS1 and SS2 students from participating in WASSCE, NECO, NABTEB

The Federal Government has stopped students in Senior Secondary School one and two from participating in external West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), the National Examination Council (NECO), and National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB).

The development was contained in a circular issued to principals of federal unity schools by the Federal Ministry of Education.

The circular was signed by the ministry’s Director, Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, and confirmed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Ben Bem Goong, on Friday, September 24.

The circular read, “The ministry’s attention has been drawn to the flagrant disregard to its directive on (the) writing of external examinations such as NABTEB (NTC and NBC), WASSCE, NECO (SSCE) by SS1 and SS2 students.

Students who are involved in the practice find it difficult to settle down on serious studies. They become unruly and distract other students from achieving their goals.

Any student caught to have written any of the above examinations in SS1 or SS2 classes will be expelled from the college. All students must write these examinations after they have been duly registered for the examination by the college.

All students of Federal Unity College should adhere strictly to the content of this circular. And Principals are advised to bring the content of this circular to the knowledge of all parents of the college.”

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Policeman killed, scores injured as Okada riders clash with Lagos Task Force

A policeman was yesterday feared killed, while scores were injured, following a clash between commercial motorcyclists, popularly called okada, street urchins (area boys) and operatives of Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce), in the Ajao Estate area of the state.

ODUDUWA NEWS learnt that trouble started when Task Force operatives raided the area to clampdown on okada riders and their motorcycles.

The action led to a protest by okada riders with support of street urchins, who unleashed mayhem in the area, destroying cars and properties worth millions of naira.

The raid was part of the task force’s continued measure to put an end to okada riders’ penchant to disregard traffic rules and regulations in Lagos metropolist.

The area about 6:30p.m., most shops on busy Lateef Salami Street, Awoniyi Elemo, Asa-Afriogun and the popular Osolo way were closed, while commuters were stranded, as tricycles popularly called Keke Marwa were off the road, as operators scamper to safety.     But Chairman of the task force, CSP Shola Jejeloye,  in a statement issued yesterday by the Head, Public Affairs Unit, Femi Moliki, reiterated the unit’s resolve not rest on its oars until commercial motorcyclists’ penchant to disregard traffic rules and regulations is drastically reduced in the state.

According to an eyewitness under the condition of anonymity, okada operators are recalcitrant, as they have continued to operate on the expressway, and even park indiscriminately, thereby obstructing free flow of traffic.

He listed  Ikeja along on Agege Motor Road, 2nd Rainbow, Iyana- Isolo, Toyota Bus Stop, and Mile 2, along  Oshodi-Apapa expressway as areas the motorcyclists have continued to operate in total disregard to extant laws.

Giving a breakdown of motorcyclists impounded, Moliki said a total of 410 motorcycles were impounded between last week and Wednesday, September 22 on prohibited routes, while 300 were impounded last week and 110 seized on Wednesday.

He explained that operatives of the agency carried out enforcement in Isolo, Ojodu – Berger, Ojota, Lagos Island and Surulere last week, while the enforcement drive of the agency was also extended to 2nd Rainbow, where it seized 110 motorcycles on Wednesday.

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