Author: oduduwanews

Posted on

Gov. Makinde Didn’t Organize June 12 Protest, Media Aide Replies APC

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde did not organise the June 12 rally in Ibadan on Saturday contrary to claims by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), the governor’s media aide has said.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, while reacting to the statement credited to the APC said that it was mischievous for the opposition party to attempt to rope the governor into an event that was clearly organised nationwide by pro-democracy groups.

The statement read:

“Contrary to the wild claims by the APC, Governor Seyi Makinde did not organise the June 12 protests in Ibadan. He only ran into the protesters at Osuntokun Junction in Bodija and addressed them.

“As the Chief Security Officer of the state, it behoves the governor to calm down the protesters and ensure they only protest peacefully. And that was what he did.

“What the APC need to do is to advise its members to stop the perennial display of sadism by celebrating every unwarranted incident in the state.

“It is on record that APC elements, rather than join the push to ensure the sanctity of lives and property in the state, has been busy fuelling embers of discord in their bid to gain political benefit from perceived fallout of the crisis they are surreptitiously engineering.

“The APC should forthwith desist from wishing evil for the state. In a short while the veil will be lifted off those who are fanning the embers of discord.”

Posted on

Ex-Reps Member, Dapo Lam Hosts Social Media Influencers/Bloggers, Advises on Better Content Creation

Some selected Ibadan-based social media influencers who are prominent on Twitter and Instagram yesterday Friday 11th June 2021 had LUNCH WITH OMO OLOORE” at the Ibadan residence of the former lawmaker.

At the interactive session, issues bothering on content creation, collaboration, individual challenges, and obstacles hindering the progress of the sector were discussed.

Honourable Dapo Lam Adesina in his opening remarks appreciated the influencers for honouring his invitation and went further to charge them to raise the bar of content creation and media influencing in the state.

According to him “We have lots of talented Influencers in Oyo State, but one cannot fathom the reason behind the slow development of the sector in the state”.

He went further to advise those present at the lunch to do more of collaborating instead of doing things in isolation.

Different speakers at the interactive session/lunch while sharing some of their experiences also appreciated the uncommon gesture of the former lawmaker while majority agreed that working together is very key if progress must be made.

Posted on

Ooni Declares UNN Convocation Open, Charges Graduands To Add Values To Society

Arole Oodua and Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II has charged the graduating students of the University of Nigeria(UNN) Nsuka to go into the world as good ambassadors and add great values to the society by proudly making use of the knowledge impacted on them by the university.

The African foremost monarch who doubles as Chancellor of the prestigious university made this admonition in his opening speech on Saturday while he was declaring The 49th Convocation Ceremony of The University of Nigeria Nsuka open.

“We have come to confer the degrees of this institution on you and I challenge you all to be good ambassadors in any endeavor you may be in the world.

You always rise and contribute to the development of our society and humanity in general as we now live in the era of knowledge-based economies and our country is looking up to our graduates like you to enable us compete favourably in the global stage.” Ooni said.

The Co-chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) who is also the natural father of the entire Oduduwa Race worldwide congratuled the Honorary Degrees Awardees and Professors Emeritus for various awards and recognitions conferred on them by the university.

Represented by Minister of State for Education, Chief Emeka Nwajiuba, the visitor to the university, President Muhammadu Buhari asked the University to do more to address the needs and challenges of the country for the desired attainment of National development goals. He expressed confidence in the ability of the Nigerian universities to find a lasting solution to problems being faced by the country.

“I also challenge our universities to continue to emphasize trainings in entrepreneurship so that these graduates are able to become job creators, instead of perennial job seekers, as I have no doubt that the Nigerian universities are very much able to find a lasting solution to problems faced by the country.” President Buhari said.

Earlier in his welcome address, the University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Charles Igwe stated that the event was for the higher degrees and postgraduate diplomas climaxing the 49th school’s convocation ceremony which had earlier witnessed award of Bachelors ‘degrees and Diplomas.

He put the total number of the graduands for the Bachelors Degrees and Diplomas at Eleven Thousand and Ten(11,010) while Doctorate degrees, Masters degrees and Post-graduate Diplomas were announced to be Three Thousand, Four Hundred and Nine Seven(3,497).

Professor Jacob Olupona, a professor of African American studies at Harvard University, USA, Alhaji (Dr) Mohammed Indimi, Chairman/CEO of Oriental Energy and Mrs Nnenna MaryAnn Obiejesi the Group Executive Director of ObiJackson Group of Companies and Nest Oil were among the awardees for various categories of Honorary Doctorate Degrees at the 49th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Nigeria(UNN) Nsuka decorated the Chancellor, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the Ooni of Ife.

Posted on

OPINION: Annulment of June 12 Poll, A Moment Of Sober Reflection ~ By Aderibigbe Busari

I feel so sad anytime i remember that Nigeria as a nation has once had a freest, fairest and credible election. There is nothing as disheartening as having a credible election and the credible election was shortlived by a unilateral decision.

As another June 12 is commemorated today, issues verging on the nation’s renascent democracy have ressurected again.

The electoral victory of June 12, 1993 General Election did not see the light of the day as the then Military Head of State , General Ibrahim Babangida who superitended over the exercise, cancelled and annulled the poll despite the wide acceptability of the result by both local and international observers.

June 12 election was the manure that accounted for the country’s democratic progress. Our democratic leaders, from Obasanjo to Yaradua, to Jonathan and to the incumbent resident are indirect beneficiaries of the supreme price paid by Moshood Abiola.

The democracy the nation savours today cannot be divorced from the event of 1993, particularly the supreme sacrifice made by Moshood Abiola.

The ultimate sacrifice made by chief M.k.O Abiola nourished the seed that freed Nigeria from the yoke of the military and died for democracy to survive but wat he did not bargain for is the criminality and other social vices currently pervading our system.

Chief M. K. O Abiola is the symbol of the freest, fairest and transparent election in the annals of our history, an election where no blood was shed, where a Muslim-Muslim ticket won, an election that was devoid of tribalism, religious chauvinism, ethnicism, regionalism and favouritism.

Subsequent elections in Nigeria could have maintained this laudable quality if the election was not subverted by anti-democratic forces.

Conclusively, June 12 remains a day of sober reflection in Nigeria because it was a day the sovereignty of majority of Nigerians were traduced.

June 12 remains an indelible stain in our polity.

I can’t end this piece without asking this pertinent question:

WHAT HAS NIGERIA LEARNT AS A NATION FROM THE DEBACLE OF JUNE 12 1993 GENERAL ELECTION?

I shall continue to ask this fundamental question until we get it right as a democratic nation.

Aderibigbe Yisahu Ajibola Busari is a Public Affairs analyst.

Posted on

JUST IN: Protesters Chant ‘Buhari Must Go’ As Demonstration kicks off in Ibadan Amid Security Presence

The June 12 protesters have kicked off protest in Ibadan.

It was learnt that the protest which kicked off in Mokola Roundabout, Ibadan had many youths carrying placards with various inscriptions.

According to one of ODUDUWA NEWS correspondents who is currently monitoring the protest reported that the protest has been peaceful and that many security operatives were stationed across major areas in Ibadan to forestall hijacking of the protest by hoodlums.

It was gathered that places visited across Ibadan were calm and peaceful as few people were seeing carrying out their economic activities while some placed their shops and offices under lock amid palpable fear that the protest might snowball into violence.

Posted on

June 12: NANS Divided As Southwest Student Body Vows To Storm Streets Tommorow

The National Association of Nigerian Students NANS has been divided over the planned nationwide protest slated for June 12 by its national chapter but later suspended. This came after the Zone D Chapter of NANS has dissociated self from the statement credited to NANS President, Asefon Sunday claiming to have suspended the planned protest due to the fear of being hijacked by hoodlums.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed the Coordinator, Kowe Odunayo Amos, and Secretary-General, Giwa Yisa Temitope and sent to Oduduwa News as read in part:

“It is most pathetic to read the statement issued by the President of NANS, Sunday Asefon calling for the cancellation of the June 12 protest which had been planned for and which has had preparations at top-gear for the execution of such. In fact, it must be put in proper perspective that the statement was issued in his personal capacity as the President of NANS and not on behalf of the association, hence, it does not reflect the position of Nigerian students because no consultation was made before such statement was issued. And, it is to this end he was careful enough to have made use of first person singular throughout the cause of writing the statement.

“It should be noted that just yesterday, while Sunday Asefon was busy mouthing government’s position, students and staffs of Kaduna Polytechnic were being kidnapped.

“As we all know, June 12 is an annual ritual in the country to remember the day the peoples’ right to freely elect their leader was buried. In fact, the day is not about MKO Abiola or any personality as such, but, about the Nigerian people as a whole. And, it is important to state categorically that the essence of tomorrow’s agitation is to show our dissatisfaction as an association against the rising insecurity in the country, the increased inflation rate, peoples’ inability to access health care amongst others and to also call on the government of the day to do more in securing the people of the country.

“In fact, if some persons somewhere are going around with the tag #BuhariMustGo, that does not mean that they have the capacity to send him out of the Presidential Villa which he presently occupies. Buhari can only be sent packing though an impeachment process at the floor of the National Assembly. So, rather than suspend an agitation because of the activity of some hoodwinked persons, we are duty-bound as an association to come out and clearly state what our position as an association is on the protest that had been called. And, if at all the NANS President has the interests of Nigerian students at heart, he should have used the occasion of his meeting with the IGP to demand for adequate provision of security personnels to protect students during the cause of the protest which is actually the duty of the Police. As an association, we are not preaching Buhari must go, we believe in one Nigeria but, the current challenges confronting us, security-wise is not encouraging.

“As a Zone, we totally dissociate ourself from the statement of the NANS President and call on SU bodies throughout the South West campuses to maintain the moblisation which is on ground. June 12 day of action is sacrosanct and we shall never for any reason succumb to blackmail of any sort. Our agitation is strictly a call for the Federal Government to abide by the social contract willingly entered into with the Nigerian people”.

Posted on

June 12: Stay Away From Southwest, Yoruba Group Warns Against Planned Nationwide Protest

The Yoruba Appraisal Forum (YAF) has warned those planning a nationwide protest on June 12 Democracy Day to stay away from the South West.

The group said people of the South West would neither support, tolerate nor join such protests, as the June 12 Democracy Day should be for celebration and not protests.

The warning came against the backdrop of alleged plans by various groups in the country to protest challenges in the nation on the June 12 Democracy Day.

The National Coordinator of the group, Chief Adesina Animashan, in a statement in Lagos on Friday, said the South West would never allow dissidents to mar the peace and peaceful coexistence in the region.

Animashaun alleged that those influencing the move for protests were enemies of state, who had been behind the many insecurity challenges bedevilling the nation.

“The people of South West and other civil society groups in Nigeria were at the forefront of agitations for the Federal Government to name June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day, which was given by the current administration, led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Nigerians should not forget so soon that past administrations ignored the calls to honour the late Chief M.K.O Abiola, acclaimed winner of the June 1993 annulled presidential election that later died while in incarceration.

“Therefore, it will be an abomination for the South West which holds the day sacrosanct to see disgruntled persons and hoodlums mar the day rather than celebrating it,” he said.

The YAF national coordinator urged Yoruba youths to shun such calls or protests and should rise up to the challenge by reporting any groups or groups in their domain planning to disrupt the peace in the South West via protests to security agencies closest to them.

He also urged traditional rulers in the South West to speak to their people in their domains against being part of such protests.

“We have enough challenges in Nigeria as it is. Any further action to take to the streets either on presumed peaceful protest will be counter-productive.

“Those bankrolling such moves should get their children and immediate family to embark on such protests as the South West cannot afford to lose their youths on a mundane and irresponsible protest that may likely lead to breakdown of law and order, killings and destruction of property, ” Animashaun said.

ODUDUWA NEWS reports that June 12 is a significant landmark in the political history of Nigeria and the declaration of June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day by President Buhari in 2020 further buttressed the importance of the day.

On June 12, 1993, the country witnessed an election that many claimed was the fairest in the nation’s history, however, the results of the election remain unknown as the election was annulled by the then military head of state, retired Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

Posted on

Igangan Killings: Ex-APC Guber Aspirant, Eruobodo Visits Community, Promises Succour To Bereaved Families

The APC Governorship aspirant in 2019 and 2023 Senatorial hopeful, Dr. Sola Ayandele has visited Igangan town in Ibarapa North to commiserate with the community leaders and families of the bereaved over the unfortunate incident that happened in the late hour of Saturday.

Recall that unknown fulani herdsmen attacked Igangan community on 5th June 2021 where innocent lives were killed unjustly and property worth millions were burnt, including the palace of the traditional ruler of Igangan.

Dr. Ayandele, during the visit, commiserates with the Asigangan of Igangan land and the families of the bereaved in sad mood, describing the incident as unfortunate.

In his reaction to an interview by newsmen present im the community, he said, “If we are saying that government is on top of this issue, we are not being fair to our people because if government is serious about our lives here, things of this nature will not happen. This is not the first time in our region. The destructions here are too numerous to mention. Government should provide adequate and functional security because we campaigned on adequate security, robust economy, and corruption-free government.”

He spoke further, “We can’t go back and tell our people that government has provided the security because lives were lost and property burnt down. What we beg government for is provision of security. We are not saying that Fulani or other tribes should not exist in our land but their existence should not be at the detriment of our people. Our people can’t go to their farms because of the fear of herdsmen.”

In his closing remarks, Ayandele promised to facilitate NEMA for quick intervention for the damages recorded in the community as well as intimate the Minister representing Oyo State to follow up the processes.

He donated cash for the upkeep of the burnt palace and to some bereaved families he visited.

You cannot copy content of this page