Author: oduduwanews

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Iseyin Customs Killings: Sorrow, Tears and Blood; Their Regular Trademarks – By Ismael Taiwo

There is no gainsaying in the fact that the land is filled with bad news virtually everyday as no day comes to rest without the news of killing of Nigerian citizens by either unknown gunmen or known gunmen (security agencies) whose primary constitutional duty is to protect Nigerian citizens.

The ugly trend whereby the Customs officers take delight in pulling the trigger at any slight provocative argument calls for serious concerns among the populace.

While Nigeria is battling with twin evils of economic hardship and insecurity; one will come to term that the latter is no longer caused solely by men of the underworld but statutory security agencies.

Iseyin, a peaceful city that rarely comes to the news on brigandage, kidnapping, and other vices recently had its garment of peace torn by murderers in uniform.

Just recently, the media space was agog by gruesome murder of innocent souls by the men of Nigerian Customs Services NCS whose nefarious act has been a national issues in the past few days. It was learnt that the Customs officers while trying to checkmate some alleged smugglers jumped into an innocent shop and carted away some bags of rice and in the process shot sporadically which led to the death of four souls.

What should perturb sensible minds is the fact that these men in uniform usually flex muscle and discharge their firing prowess whenever they engage armless civilians.

We cannot continue to be fourth class citizens in our country, a situation where innocent lives are being cutshot like this calls for sober reflection.

As William Shakespeare opined “there is no sure foundation set on blood, no certain life achieved by other’s death.

Nigeria tethers on the brink of total collapse and the foundation of our hard earned democracy may be tattered if the blood of innocent souls continually taken at prime by men of Customs and other security operatives.

Well meaning Nigerians must rise against this ugly trend as the monsters the SARS recently made out of Nigeria are still much alive.

Ismael Taiwo T-COOL
writes from Ado-Awaye

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We may shift UTME dates as over 600,000 unable to register due to NIN issues – Registrar

The possibility of shifting the date for the 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, UTME, is very high, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has said.

The Registrar, JAMB, Ishaq Oloyede, made this known during a virtual meeting with 2021 UTME Committee Members on Friday.

Mr Oloyede disclosed that over 600,000 candidates who indicated interest in sitting for the exams, are yet to register.

The exam is scheduled to hold between June 5 and June 19.

He said the candidates were finding it difficult to register due to the challenges of National Identification Number, NIN.

He said so far, 1.1 million candidates had registered for the 2021 UTME, stating that the board anticipated approximately 1.9 million registrations at the end of the exercise.

The JAMB boss noted that though 50 per cent of candidates had already registered without problem, there was need to carry everyone along.

According to him, that after meeting with stakeholders, we will decide on whether to shift the exam or not.

“The possibility of shifting the exam forward is still high; but that will be determined after our meeting with stakeholders.

“This is because about 600,000 candidates who have indicated interest in the exam are yet to register. There is need to give everyone the opportunity,” he said.

Mr Oloyede apologised for the new initiatives introduced in the 2021 UTME, saying that it was not to punish candidates but to exposed candidates in the habit of indulging in various forms of malpractices.

He added that candidates were expected to provide two pictures on the candidate slip, picture of the person who registered at JAMB office, picture of the owner of the name who registered with NIN.

He called on candidates to take note of the process, adding that the essence was to detect any disparity in the process.

“We apologise for putting you through some hardship in the registration. The government directed that anyone participating in JAMB must have their NIN. This is beyond our control. Those who are yet to register should do so.

“The mock exam is billed to come up on May 20. It is an optional exam meant to test the system. As you all know, the main exam is coming up between June 5 and June 19.

“Shifting the exam date is not the solution, at the meeting we will discuss on how some of the problems encountered by candidates will be resolved. It is important that we carry everyone along,’’ he added.

He further disclosed that JAMB had secured about 802 exam centres across the country and 104 centres in towns adding that Lagos state alone has four centres.

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Oduduwa Republic: Thousands Troop Out as Yoruba Nation Rally Holds in Osogbo

Says “Our Rights to Self Determination Inalienable”

Men of the Nigerian Police and DSS had barricaded the venue of the rally, Nelson Mandela Freedom Park to prevent the protesters from gathering but the armed men left the venue upon sighting the well organised and fantastically coordinated tumultuous crowd as they were peacefully singing pro-Yoruba songs and anti-Nigeria melodies without a dint of fear.

The crowd, led from the front by the Secretary General of Ilana Omo Oodua (IOO), Arc. George Akinola, Head of IOO Youth Development, Dr. Akin Adejuwon and other Agitators, expressly
declared that the actualisation of Yoruba Nation is an idea whose time has come, affirming that their rights to self determination is “Inalienable”

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Breaking: Security Operatives Seal Off Venue of Yoruba Nation Rally in Osogbo

There was a heavy presence of police, men of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, the venue of the Yoruba Nation Mega Rally on Saturday.

Also sighted at the venue were men of Amotekun Corps, who were positioned at a strategic spot, apparently to prevent participants from accessing the venue.
While our correspondent left the venue around 9am, none of the organisers of the rally had arrived in the area.

But the participants later regrouped under November 27 Bridge along Osogbo/Gbongan Road, Osogbo.

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Alleged recruitment in Polytechnic Ibadan is fake, Management tells job seekers

The management of Polytechnic Ibadan has debunked the news of recruitment going viral on social media.

This statement as contained in a statement signed by the Registrar of the institution, Mrs Modupe Theresa Fawale, the Authorities disclosed that the Institution has not made any public or external advertisement for positions of either lecturers or non-teaching staff.

The statement added that advertisements are paid for and in this case adding that the Institution has not made any payment for any advertisement to any medium including akedeoyo.com, nor has it presented any for public or external consumption.

It reads further: “It is instructive to point out that journalism is not a kamikaze profession where risks are taken without safety measures.

“What akedeoyo.com has done is a disservice to journalism and to the public, The Authorities of the Polytechnic, Ibadan expects immediate retraction from the outfit.

“We are also using this medium to appeal to Media Practitioners most especially online journalists to make clarifications from concerned establishments before publishing The Maxim of journalism is when in doubt, leave out.”

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Traditional worshippers warn Oluwo to stop desecrating deities as Ifa Conference holds

The Ifa Unity Conference on Thursday warned the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi to stop ridiculing the Yoruba deities and traditional worshippers with his utterances.

The warning was issued during a conference by Traditional Worshippers tagged, “Unity and Growth of Traditional Religion; Way Out”, held at Sadiat hotel, Osogbo, Osun State.

The Araba Agbaye Olu Isese, High Chief Awolabi Aworeni, while speaking during the event said, “Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi is ridiculing us, the traditional worshippers. He has been making utterances to disrespect us. Unfortunately, someone on that stool doesn’t know the importance and the relationship that should exist between the stool and traditional worshippers.”

High Chief Aworeni noted that the traditional worshippers are kicking against the disrespectful actions of Oluwo, saying, “after he ridicules us, he will later come begging, at this point we want to state that, he should stop such actions.”

He added that he has reached out to the president of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Mr. Bolaji Amusan, to caution filmmakers to stop desecrating Traditional Religion.

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Iseyin killing was caused by a response to mob attacks – Customs

The Nigerian Customs had clnfirmed the clash between some of its officers and some smugglers in Iseyin.

It was earlier reported that no fewer than four people were killed in Iseyin, Oyo State during a clash between some Customs officers and smugglers.

Customs in its reaction to the incident, argued that officers who were on routine patrol intercepted two Nissan Pathfinder SUV vehicles fully loaded with smuggled foreign parboiled rice at Iseyin.

Spokesman of NCS, Zone A, Theophilus Duniya in a statement made available on Friday, explained that the mob attacked the officers with dangerous weapons which led to the infliction of serious injuries on two officers.

He said the mob attempted to abduct one of the officers who was brutally attacked.

“At about 1500 hours of Thursday, 13th May 2021 some daredevil smugglers mobilized themselves with the help of some thugs; attacked a patrol team serving with Federal Operations Unit Zone A, who were on lawful duty at Iseyin.

“The officers who were on routine patrol intercepted two Nissan Pathfinder SUV vehicles fully loaded with smuggled foreign parboiled rice at Iseyin. Sequel to the interception, the officers were attacked by a mob who were mobilized by the smugglers.

“The mob attacked the officers with dangerous weapons which led to the infliction of serious injuries on two officers. In an attempt to abduct one of the officers who was brutally attacked.

“The assailants had taken the injured officer with his rifle before his team members acted in self-defence, shot at his suspected abductors leading to the death of three of them before he was rescued and taken for immediate medical attention.

“The officers were able to successfully evacuate the intercepted smuggled rice, while the injured officers are currently receiving treatment.

“The Acting Controller of the Unit, DC Usman Yahaya, is sad about the avoidable incident and urges community leaders and parents to call their wards and youths to order.

“While appealing for compliance to extant rules, he assures of the resolve of his men to remain resolute on discharging their duties in the best interest of Nigerians.”

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Ooni of Ife Visits Dangote Refinery, Says ‘Economic Solutions Within’

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has said that the solutions to Nigeria’s current economic challenges are within.

Ooni Ogunwusi who is the Co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria made this known during an officially courtesy visit to the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals in Lagos State, where he was accorded the comprehensive on the spot assessment of the magnitude of this exceptional project.

According to a statement by the Monarch’s Director of Media and Public Affairs, Comrade Moses Olafare on Friday, the Ooni explained that the involvement of unique Nigerians by the ace businessman and philanthropist, Aliko Dangote, the current economic challenges would soon be crushed.

The Ooni said, “I am full of admiration as this integrated refinery and petrochemical project which is being ranked as the largest in Africa and one of the largest in the world has the capacity to bring Africa to the frontiers of economic possibilities, holding the special key to meet the increasing domestic fuel demand, creating exponential employments for our teeming youth’s, whilst generating foreign exchange through exports.

”We all must commend the superlative dedication of Alhaji Aliko Dangote to this mission which is a strong symbol of industrial progress and rejuvenation. Indeed, it is a modern mirror of inspiration to our brilliant young people that are resiliently and unashamedly establishing cutting-edge products while making immense contributions to our economic development.

”As a nation, we are duty bound to applaud and celebrate the significant contributions of our best young populations to our nation. They are full of ambitions, hopes and dreams. With their entrepreneurial spirits like Aliko Dangote, our exceptional African great icon, our political leaders must raise the bar of patriotism and alignment with our young populations, creating more friendly robust policies that will unquestionably enable competitive economic growth and wealth creation.

”Like Aliko Dangote, our young populations are more sophisticated with a powerful culture of patriotism that has beclouded our political system for decades. They are bound through one creed, belief and inclusiveness irrespective of ethnicity or religions. Their contributions are intrinsic and very central to our future.

”We must begin to champion a new Africa through the eyes of our young population whose ideals reveal a sense of optimism with pathways to prosperity.”

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JUST IN: Aseyin holds emergency meeting, calls for expulsion of Customs over extrajudicial killings in Iseyin

In a bid to put an end to serial killings of citizens of Iseyin and its environs by overzealous men of Nigerian Customs Service NCS, the Aseyin of Iseyinland, Oba Dr Salaudeen Adekunle Ajinese and other stakeholders of Iseyin community have today held meeting to bring an end to extrajudicial killing of residents by Customs.

It should be recalled that earlier yesterday, ODUDUWA NEWS had reported the killing of four people by men of Nigerian Customs who said to have been on a trail of alleged rice smugglers, and in the process invaded an innocent shop and carted away some bags of rice while shooting sporadically which led to the death of four people and one other seriously injuryed

It was learnt that in the stakeholders’ meeting presided over by the traditional ruler, it was resolved that men of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) be expelled from the community, while some citizens were said to have rained curses on their accomplices who are citizens of Iseyin

It was learnt that the meeting was massively attended by residents, who also came to register their displeasure on the ugly incident that took the lives of four people on the eve of Sallah festival.

“The traditional ruler while speaking affirmed his position that there is existing executive order by President Buhari that says there should be 40km away from border while the Customs are carrying out their operations. He thereby assured residents that all hands are on deck to ensure that all Customs Officers are finally expelled from Iseyin.

“Kabiesi thanked the youths of Iseyin for being repentant and not intractable like some who took laws into their hands during #EndSARS brouhaha which led to destruction of Government properties and privately owned too”.

The monarch thanked the people of Iseyin for their calmness as well as Iseyin Divisional Police Officer for professional conduct

The monarch was both piqued and sobered over the brutal killing of 5 of his youths on a day of joy that people were celebrating after 30days of fasting and supplication”.

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LG Election: Lagos APC Rakes In Multimillion Naira From Chairmanship, Councillorship Aspirants

The Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has raked in multimillion naira from the nomination forms purchased by Chairmanship and Councillorship aspirants in the forthcoming Local Government elections in the state.

According to a breakdown of the nomination forms obtained by the aspirants released by the State Secretary of the APC, Hon Lanre Ogunyemi, a total of 1046 aspirants obtained Councillorship nomination forms, while that of the Chairmanship aspirants was put at 333.

From the foregoing, N666million was raked in from chairmanship nomination forms at N2million each, while a total of N523million was generated from the forms purchased by Councillorship aspirants at N500,000 each.

In terms of breakdown per senatorial district, for the Chairmanship forms, Lagos West recorded 163; Lagos East, 87 and Lagos Central, 83.

For the Councillorship nomination forms, Lagos West, 538; Lagos East, 282; and Lagos Central, 226.

A party source, however, disclosed to Lagos Monitoring Team that the amount generated is not as high as N1.189billion as women and youth were asked to only pay half of the fees for the nomination forms.

“You see, we did not generate up to N1.189billion. As a party that is sensitive to the need to support women and the youths, we have asked these categories of aspirants to only pay half of the fees for the nomination forms both for Chairmanship and Councillorship forms.

“Also, the disabled were exempted from payment. The nomination forms for this category of persons are free, save for N5000 administrative charges,” the source said.

However, in the breakdown of nomination forms released by Ogunyemi, there was no information as to the number of women, youth and disabled that obtained the nomination forms.

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