The funeral service of later Afenifere Spokesman, Yinka Odumakin kicked off yesterday in Lagos. Below are the pictures taken at the event.
Photostory: Funeral Service of Late Afenifere Spokesman, Yinka Odumakin Kicks Off In Lagos
Constitution Review: Nigeria’s Speaker, Gbajabiamila advocates level playing ground for women, men
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has advocated the inclusion of provisions in the country’s constitution to guarantee a “more equal” society where both men and women could contribute to development.
He noted that doing so was the only way Nigeria could achieve the success it desired, adding that women in particular should be free to “pursue their highest aspirations and achieve their maximum potential.”
Gbajabiamila spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the opening of a two-day retreat on ‘Achieving Gender Equity in the Constitution Review Process.’
The event, an initiative of the Office of the Speaker and the House Committee on Women Affairs, was organised in collaboration with the National Democratic Institute.
The speaker stated that there was no better time to push for the protection of the rights of women than now that the National Assembly was reviewing the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act.
Gbajabiamila explained that such practical steps must include giving girls and women more access to education, healthcare, commerce and participation in politics.
“To achieve such a society, we have to make sure that girls across the country have access to education and healthcare.
“We have to create opportunities for women to thrive in politics and commerce, and we must make sure that the laws of our land do not take away the rights of Nigerian women to participate fully in every sector of our national life”, he told the session.
The speaker asked participants to use the opportunity of the retreat to dissect the Electoral Act and the constitution to identify for excision, “any discriminatory provisions that might exist”, so that actions would be taken to “include provisions that guarantee a more equal society for all.”
He commended the timing of the retreat, coming at a period of increased awareness in the country that gender equity was no longer a women’s issue, but something that would guarantee peace and justice for all Nigerians.
Gbajabiamila assured women that the 9th House under his leadership would act on the recommendations of the retreat, as he told the organisers that he eagerly awaited the report.
The Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, Rep. Onanuga Adewunmi Oriyomi, in her welcome address, said both the constitution and the Electoral Act needed “reengineering to reflect equity.”
She added, “This, among other things, is the crux of this retreat.
“It is my hope that this event inspires ideas and discussions around ways to improve gender integration mechanisms and systems that can be adopted into the amendment of both the Nigerian constitution and the Electoral Act.”
The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, observed that Nigeria, the ‘Giant of Africa’, appeared left behind in recognising and granting equal opportunities to women to participate in governance.
She cited the case of the 3.8% representation of women in all the legislative houses in Nigeria, which she said was not good enough.
The minister said the demand of women in Nigeria remained 35% representation in elective and appointive positions.
The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, and the Country Representative, UN Women, Comfort Lamtey, delivered goodwill messages at the occasion, supporting the call for gender equity in Nigeria.
Final Year Student of LAUTECH Dies After Falling Into Soak-Away
In what could be termed as mysterious death, a final year student of Ladoke Akintola University LAUTECH has been reportedly died after falling into a soak-away.
ODUDUWA WAS gathered that life of the slain student, identified as Nifemi Asefon would have been saved if not for the failure of the staff of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital to give him quick medical attention he needed before he finally gave up the ghost.
It was learnt that the incident occurred at his hostel along 1500lth in school area when he wanted to switch electricity and got paralyzed.
An eyewitness who spoke with media immediately after the incident explained that Nifemi was rushed to LAUTECH teaching hospital and wasn’t attended to.
He said: Staffs at the hospital said they have to get a call from the Dean of Students Affairs before attending to him and they had to take him to Bowen, unfortunately before getting there he is already dead.
Nifemi’s death has made some aggrieved students to threaten total shutdown at the Teaching hospital. They are protesting that their colleague could have been saved if the health institution had taken the case as an emergency and gave him the necessary treatment before asking of details like the DSA.
The health institution on the other hand are claiming that their request of the DSA was to relate the news of the passing away to an elderly person, that the student was brought in dead.
Meanwhile, efforts to speak with the Dean of Students affairs proved abortive as calls and texts sent to him were unreturned at the time of filling this reports.
Alado Visits Aare Ona Kakanfo, Seeks Partnership on Ado-Awaye Tourism Development
In what could be described as visible determination to develop Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage, His Royal Majesty, Oba Revd. Ademola Olugbile Folakanmi, Makuledoye II, Soludero 1, the ALADO of Ado-Awaye and the Chairman, Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage Development Initiative (ATHID) has visited Iba Gani Abiodun Adams, the Aare-Ona Kakanfo and the Generalismo of Yoruba land in his Lagos residential home on Wednesday 21 April, 2021.
While giving the reasons behind his scheduled visit, Oba Folakanmi appreciated Iba Gani Adams for his key roles in preserving and developing Yoruba culture and tourism heritage and most importantly, for welcoming him and his entourage to his home. Kabiyesi said, “we are visiting you today to appoint you formally as the life Patron of Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage Development Initiative (ATHID) and more importantly to seek for your public endorsement of our various activities on our tourism heritage site at Ado-Awaye. This to us would serve as a marketing strategy to promoting the image of our cherished heritage to the attraction of the whole world for international recognition so as to compete with other tourism destinations in the country”
Speaking further, Chairman of Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage Development Initiative, Oba Folakanmi mentioned some of the various tourism destinations on Ado-Awaye hill to Aare Ona-Kakanfo which include the popular Iyake Natural suspended lake; newly discovered Ladeebo ancient cave; elephant tree; sacred and adventurous forest; Ishage hill; feet of elders; verge of death; Iya-Alaro lake for swimming and aquatic purpose among others.
In addition to this, ALADO of Ado-Awaye requested from Iba Gani Adams to use his personality by calling on the general public such as business tycoons, students populace, public servants and others to be patronising Ado-Awaye tourism destination. Laying emphasis on the forthcoming “Children Day” celebration planned programme slated to hold between 27th and 28th May, 2021; world tourism day-September 2021 and the major Iyake Festival coming up between 1st and 5th December, 2021.
In his conclusion, he used the opportunity to appeal to Aare Ona-Kankanfo to assist him to influence would-be investors to come and invest on the site. He finally submitted a business plan proposal on the development of Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage assuring him of profit making partnership deal amidst guaranteed security.
Responding, the Aare-Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba Land, Iba Gani Abiodun Adams welcomed Oba Folakanmi and his entourage warmly to his castle. Speaking further, Iba said, “I am highly delighted to be honoured and appointed as the life Patron of Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage Development Initiative (ATHID) and to give necessary endorsement in the same manner of appointment to some of the line-up activities towards promoting Ado-Awaye tourism heritage.”
The Yoruba Warlord, Iba Gani Adams said, “I wish to congratulate Ado-Awaye people for having a visionary Oba who is working tiredlessly to develop the town.” He stated clearly that, “Community development is not a sole responsibility of a leader but joint efforts in the right directions.” On this note, he charged all the stakeholders in tourism industry, the government, especially the host council, philanthropist, the business tycoons and the community people to support Kabiyesi in his strong efforts to develop Ado-Awaye tourism heritage via various activities as unveiled in his speech.
He concluded by pledging his unalloyed support in all ramifications as he promised to make himself available in person at the forthcoming “Children Day” celebration slated for 27th and 28th of May, 2021 as part of the line up of activities designed toward promoting Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage.
On the Alado of Ado-Awaye’s entourage were, Mr Nasiru Oladokun, Chairman, Ado-Awaye Community Development Council, Mr.Gbenga Fatokun, Mr. Azeez Afonja, Mr. Yekeen Asimiyu, Prince Niyi Okunade, Principal Secretary to ALADO of Ado-Awaye among others.
Ace Nollywood Actor, Baba Ijesa arrested for defiling 14-year old girl
The police in Lagos State have confirmed that popular Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesa, is under investigations for the defilement of a minor.
ODUDUWA NEWS learnt that the actor, who has been in Police detention was accused of defiling a 14-year-old girl and that he started the act since the victim was only seven years old.
The image maker in charge of the state police command, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the arrest to Tribune Online in a statement, signed by him, on Thursday.
Adejobi said: “The Lagos State Police Command has arrested one Olarenwaju James ‘m’ 48, aka Baba Ijesha, popular Nollywood actor for defiling a minor.”
The police image maker also said: “The case of defilement was reported on April 19, 2021, by one Princess Adekola Adekanya ‘f’ at Sabo Police Station and transferred to the Gender Unit of the State CID, Panti, Yaba Lagos for proper investigation.”
“Based on preliminary findings, the suspect started sexually assaulting the victim, 14 years, since she was 7 years old.”
He also added that “the suspect confessed to the crime and was also captured by a CCTV camera in the house of the complainant.”
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered for proper investigation as he promised to do justice in the matter.
Nollywood actor, Baba Ijesa, arrested for allegedly defiling 14-year-old girl for seven years.
JUST IN: Kidnappers on rampage, abduct travellers in Ibarapa
ODUDUWA NEWS has just gathered that some yet to be identified number of travellers have just been kidnapped along Igboora-Eruwa road.
It was learnt that the travellers who were traveling from Abeokuta to Eruwa early hour on Thursday had their vehicle hijacked by the kidnappers along Igboora-Eruwa road, Ibarapa area of Oyo State.
Olayomi Koiki, a Media Aide to Chief Sunday Igboho also confirmed this news to us today via his official social media platform. In the short statement released by Koiki, he said though the hijacked vehicle has been recovered and towed to Eruwa Police Station but the victims are still with the kidnappers.
It was gathered also that one of the victim’s cousin confirmed that the kidnappers had reached out to his family demanding a ransom of N10m before his cousin could be released.
As at the time of filing this report, Oyo State Police Command has not made official statement on the incident.
Osun Gov, Oyetola mourns passing of Olufon, says death a colossal loss
Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has described the passing of the Olufon of Ifon in Orolu Local Government Area of the State, Oba Almorouf Adekunle Magbagbeola, as a colossal loss.
The Governor in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan on Thursday in Osogbo, offered his sympathies and prayers to the Royal Family and the people of Ifon.
Oyetola who described Oba Almorouf as a symbol of history, culture and heritage, said the late monarch would be remembered as a visionary leader who made important contributions to cultural identity, national unity, peace and progress of Osun and Nigeria as a whole.
He prayed Allah to grant him Aljana Fridaus and equally grant the family and people of Ifon the fortitude to bear the loss.
Governor Oyetola said “I sympathise with the royal family and the people of Ifon, Orolu Local Government Area of the State on the passing of our father, the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Almorouf Adekunle Magbagbeola. His passing is a colossal loss not only to the State but to Nigeria as a whole.
“The late Olufon was an important symbol of history, culture and heritage whose contributions to cultural identity, national unity, peace and progress of Osun and Nigeria as a whole won’t be forgotten.
“I pray Allah to grant him Aljana Fridaus and equally grant the family and people of Ifon the fortitude to bear the loss”.
Lagos Environmental Task Office Impounds 81 commercial motorcycles on restricted routes
The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) has impounded 81 commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, for plying restricted routes and endangering the lives of other road users at Jakande Estate, Isolo area of the State.
The Chairman, Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit, CSP Shola Jejeloye, who led the operation, stated that the seizure was in line with the Lagos State Traffic Law, as well as the need to halt its flagrant abuse by the Okada riders.
He noted that Government is concerned about the recklessness of some motorcyclists on restricted routes and it, therefore, became necessary to clamp down on them, not only to protect the lives of other road users but theirs as well.
While maintaining that the State Government would not fold its arms and allow Okada riders to create chaos for other roads users on prohibited routes, the Taskforce Chairman stated that it is crucial for the Task Force to prevent an increase in the trend of crimes perpetrated by some of the commercial motorcyclists in the metropolis, particularly on prohibited routes.
Jejeloye restated the Agency’s commitment to continue the clampdown on recalcitrant motorcyclists plying restricted routes, adding that the move would help safeguard the security of lives and property in the State.
The Chairman, however, called for the co-operation of Lagosians by desisting from boarding commercial motorcycles in prohibited areas, emphasising that the State Traffic Law is in the larger interest of the society.
Oyo LG Poll: OYSIEC Shifts Election Date By One Week
The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) has announced the shift in the date for the conduct of local government election in the state.
The election which was earlier scheduled for May 15 date has been shifted by a week to now hold on May 22.
Chairman, OYSIEC, Mr. Isiaka Olagunju made the announcement at the flag off of the statewide voter education and mobilisation campaign towards the local government election organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), in Ibadan, on Wednesday.
According to the OYSIEC Chairman, the one week shift became imperative in view of the discovery that the Ed-el-Fitr celebration and holidays will fall around the previous May 15 date.
Assuring that the OYSIEC will be impartial and declare only ballots cast, Olagunju said the success of the election is dependent on residents coming out enmasse on election day.
The event also saw the OYSIEC boss list four other documents aside from Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) that will be tenable by voters to cast their ballot.
He listed the other acceptable items to vote as Temporary Voters Slip, Drivers Licence, National Identity Card and International Passport.
Speaking further, Olagunju said what was imperative was for a person’s name on any of the identification documents to match the name on the Voters Register, which he said will he displayed across the 33 local government election areas from next week.
National Confab: 1999 Nigerian constitution is fraudulent, skewed against the South – Afenifere
Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has described the 1999 Nigerian Consitution as a “fraudulent” document that favours the North than the South.
Adebanjo said this during an interview on Arise TV monitored by ODUDUWA NEWS on Wednesday.
He also accused President Muhammadu Buhari of being Nigeria’s “number one enemy” over his refusal to address issues raised by Nigerians, especially on restructuring the country.
“When Jonathan was handing over to Buhari in 2015, he told him that the document on restructuring was the most important document he was handing over but Buhari said he was going to toss it in the archives. This is why Nigeria is in trouble.
“Except Nigerians are just pretending, we know our problem. The major problem is this constitution where everything in it is skewed against the South. I have always said that the constitution is a fraudulent document made by the Military. Buhari’s refusal to convene a National Conference is imposing the constitution on us.”
The Afenifere leader stated further that the constitution was the reason why some Nigerians feel cheated, hence their calls for secession.
“All the provisions we are complaining about are in this constitution. If there is any change that Nigerians want, it is in this constitution. When everything is addressed and adjustments are made, Nigerians will remain together knowing that every region is treated equally.
“President Buhari’s refusal to attend to the issues raised makes him the number one enemy of unity in Nigeria. This is why people keep saying he wants to Fulanize this country. He keeps pretending that there is nothing wrong,” he said.
Adebanjo also tackled a spokesman to the President, Garba Shehu over his statement on calls for secession.
Shehu had said that President Buhari will not be bullied by secessionists who want him to “open the nation’s purse to pay them.”
“How can Garba Shehu say something like that? How can a President refuse to attend to issues raised by the citizens? When we say this administration is a dictatorship, they will say we do not know what we are saying.
“Who is Garba Shehu to say the President will not attend to the grievances of the people? Is this democracy? Everything we have been accusing this administration of is coming to play. This is a civilian dictatorship,” he said.