Author: oduduwanews

It has just been gathered that the staff of Oyo Water Corporation have embarked on a peaceful protest, staged in front of Oyo state government secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

Civil Servants having offices within Secretariat are struggling to gain entry, as all entrances leading the secretariat were blocked with vehicles belonging to Ministry of Water Corporation.

The blockage of the entrances had led to traffic gridlock around the secretariat, creating chaos as both motorists and pedestrians are having hard time to gain entry.

Cars belonging to workers of the Water Corporation seen at the entrance of Oyo state government secretariat were with placards with inscription such as :

” Provide portable water for people of Oyo state ”

” Don’t Kill Water of Oyo state ”

” Appoint a substantial General Manager ”

Birthday Ads
“Provide chemical so we can work ”

“Today is world water day but we are not celebrating ”

” Enough is enough of suffering and smiling in Oyo state water corporation workers ”

” Provide portable water b people of Oyo state ”

” where is one Billion Naira meant for chemicals ”

” Safe workers of Water Corporation from hunger”

Some of the workers of the Water Corporation seen at the entrance and approached by westerndailynews for Interview declined.

Security operatives were on ground to maintain peace and orderliness. Few weeks ago the workers of Oyo state Water Corporation begun an indefinite strike to press home their demands.

The Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) has in a press release announce the commencement local government election process with timetable and guidelines into the 33 local government areas in the state.

Quoting the Commission’s Chairman, Aare Isiaka Abiodun Olagunju SAN, “stakeholders are hereby enjoined to give their support and cooperation to the Commission, so as to organise and conduct free, fair, credible and transparent local government election in Oyo State.”

1. In compliance with Section 30 Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), Section 5 (a) and Paragraph 1 (1) Schedule 2 of the State Independent Electoral Commission Law CAP 154, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000, the general public is hereby informed that Elections will be conducted in thirty-three (33) Local Government Councils in Oyo State on SATURDAY, 15th May, 2021 between 8:00a.m. and 3.00p.m.
   `
2. In the circumstance, prospective candidates are expected to obtain nomination forms in respect of the elections into their Local Government Councils at the Commission’s headquarters situate at Quarters 484, Total Garden –Gate Road, Agodi GRA, Ibadan. Oyo State on or before Monday 30th April 2021 upon payment of the sum of (A) N250,000:00k (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) only for the position of Chairman or (B) N100,000:00k (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) for the position of a Councilor.
3. The relevant prescribed fee(s) as stated above shall be payable to either The OYSIEC (Chairmanship) Zenith Bank Account No. 1211862568 or The OYSIEC (Councillorship) Zenith Bank Account No. 1211851234 respectively depending on the position the candidate is contesting for in the elections.

In a bid to encourage residents of Lagos State, especially the Adolescent and Young People (AYP) know their HIV status, the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) has conducted Free HIV Testing Services (HTS) at the Ozone Cinema, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos.

The annual outreach, usually done in commemoration of Valentine’s Day, is designed to conduct free HIV testing, sensitise and enlighten the populace on the factors associated with the virus as part of the Agency’s mandate of preventing its spread in the State through targeted interventions.

Whilst addressing pressmen at the HTS Center on Sunday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), LSACA, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke noted that the outreach is targeted at the AYPs, as they constitute 43 percent of the State’s population.

She said: “According to the State Bureau of Statistics, 43 percent of the State’s population are AYPs and the group is highly vulnerable to HIV infection due to their low-risk perception as evidenced by the State’s HIV prevalence of 1.4 percent”.

Asserting that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who doubles as the Chairman of the Agency, has exemplified his administration’s commitment to youth development by his approval to release funds as well as the implementation of HIV/AIDS sensitisation and awareness campaigns, Dr. Adeleke stated that the outreach is strategically designed to attain the Global epidemic control of HIV/AIDS, through the UNAIDS 95-95-95 initiative, by 2025.

“This in other words, means that 95 percent of the people living with HIV should know their HIV status; 95 percent of HIV positive individuals should be initiated on anti-retroviral (ART) drugs; and 95 percent of individuals on anti-retroviral (ART) drugs should achieve viral suppression”, she said.

She explained that the outreach provides individuals with an opportunity to know their HIV status and adopt HIV prevention strategies, saying “Persons who test positive for HIV shall be immediately referred to one of the free HIV treatment facilities in the State, where they would be initiated on Anti-Retroviral drugs to attain the third 95 percent viral suppression. Thereby, ultimately achieving undetectable viral loads, which equals to “non-transmissible virus”.

Dr. Adeleke emphasised the importance of the HIV counselling services provided which, she said, addresses lifestyle modifications as it relates to each individual, whereby community members are enlightened on safe sex practices with Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials and condoms.

Noting that there were practical illustrations on how to use the HIV oral self-test kits during the outreach, the CEO further stressed that the achievement of the 95-95-95 Initiative is a key step towards the eradication of new infections by the year 2030.

She said the Agency adheres strictly to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols as demonstrated by counsellor testers fully kitted in their Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and Community members also sensitised on COVID-19 Infection, Prevention and Control to halt the spread of the deadly disease.

Adeleke urged residents, especially the AYP, to spread the love and not the virus, saying they should always take precautions against HIV and COVID-19.

Also speaking at the event, a representative of the Local Action Committee for AIDS (LACA), Lagos Mainland Local Government, Mrs. Taiwo Ogunyemi noted that the outreach is aimed at reducing the implications of HIV in communities and ensuring the populace know their HIV status.

One of the beneficiaries of the service, Esther Olohunwa, commended the government for reaching out to the Youth and other residents on the need to know their status and for always organising the test and counselling services all year round.

While encouraging residents to know their status and shun stigmatisation of people living with HIV, Olohunwa stressed that being infected with the virus is not a death sentence.

Worried at the violent clash between Yoruba and Hausa Communities in Shasha, Ojoo Area of Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, Ondo State Governor and Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Sunday, visited the troubled area, appealing to the warring parties to maintain calm.

The violent clash had reportedly led to the death of some residents, destruction of properties, and displacement of people in the area.

Governor Akeredolu who was led to the Shasha market by his Oyo State counterpart, Governor Seyi Makinde, under the auspices of the Southwest Governors’ Forum, pleaded with elders among the Yoruba Community in the area to call the youth to order as efforts are being intensified by government to find lasting solution to the avoidable violence which occurred last Friday.

Arakunrin Akeredolu who addressed the people of the area after assessing the wanton destruction of properties, begged them to allow peace to reign.

The Governor pleaded with the people not to take the law into their hands but allow the security agents and the Governor of the state to do their work by restoring peace to the community, assuring that all contending issues will be sorted out.

He said no matter the degree of perceived injustice that might have been perpetrated against the people, they should sheathe their swords and allow for dialogue and resolution of all contending issues within the provisions of the law.

While noting that tension and charged atmosphere would not profit anyone, Arakunrin Akeredolu asked the people to consider the past and the peaceful coexistence that they have enjoyed over several decades.

Governor Akeredolu said: “We have come to plead with you that no matter how angry, we should not react violently. I know many things may get us angry, but as we know, we have been living together for long. Let us think about the past, let us consider our peaceful coexistence in the past. Let us be calm.

“I have come on behalf of all southwest Governors, I beg you to be calm. While thinking about us here, let us also know that we are also everywhere. This is our fatherland, no doubt, but our people are also in some other people’s fatherland. We must also think about them.

“Let us not take laws into our hands. The police are here and they are ready to work now. Amotekun officers are here for you. I’m not saying that for us as Governors that we are perfect or the police are perfect. But we can’t take laws into our hands. Please, we know it might be very provocative but I appeal for calm because we have families in the up North. Let us cooperate with our Governor, Seyi Makinde.

Governor Makinde who also appealed for calm said that self-help can not solve the issues, adding that there was no need for needless death in the area any longer.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has urged the residents of Oyo State, particularly the Yoruba people in Shasha area of Ibadan, the state capital against taking laws into their hands as a result of provocation.

Governor Akeredolu, who doubles as the Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, spoke on Saturday on the violent clash in Shasha community, Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.

In a statement which he personally signed and made available to journalists, the governor reminded the people of value of the high moral standards for which the Yoruba stock is known, saying, “We note with deep concern the most and avoidable orgy of violence in Shasha, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

As governor of Ondo State who doubles as the chairman, Governors’ Forum in the South-West, it becomes very compelling for me to address all residents, in particular, the Yoruba speaking people of our dear region as regards recent happenings bordering on security.

Without doubt, the situation we have found ourselves as a people is most despicable and contends violently against and abhorrently at variance with the value and hospitability for which our people are known.

We have been known for thoroughness. We have identified with legality for centuries; and our ethoes as a civilized breed of people are such that we do not identify with lawlessness, not even illegality.

In this regards, we urge all indigenes of South-West to sustain these values and enviable virtues by remaining with law abiding. Our resolve in this direction is not a sign of weakness, it is indeed, the strongest of all.

In particular, while I understand the height of provocation in the light of recent happenings as regards Shasha, Ibadan. I, alongside my other brother governors in the region are against willful appropriation of laws into hands. We do not support violence and in particular, brigandage, jungle justice and unnecessary self help.

We note with delight the efforts of our brother governor, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State who has taken bold step to stave off further escalation of the violence by imposing curfew in the affected areas.

He deserves every support in his avowed commitment towards peace and security in Oyo State. We shall all survive these times and live peacefully once again in our land

Osun Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has disowned the 2022 Governorship campaign posters in his name, saying he is still preoccupied with the delivery of quality service to the people of the State.

He said governance is still uppermost in his mind and as such he would not want to be distracted at this critical stage of his tenure.

To this end, he called on those behind the posters to tarry a while and wait for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to blow the whistle for the contest.

Two media outfits, Osun Defender and Bioreports, had reported: ” Osun 2022: Oyetola’s second term posters spotted in Osogbo.”

But the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ismail Omipidan, said his principal had no hand in the said posters.

He however wondered at the curious coincidence of the story in two different media by the same reporter who goes by the name Solomon Odeniyi.

“Since none of the two media acknowledged the other as being the originator of the news item, I smell some kind of mischief and ulterior motive, especially as the promoter and patron of one of the media was a former Commissioner in the State.

“Whatever the motives or intentions are, they are dead on arrival.

“For now, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State is more preoccupied with mobilising the people for membership registration and re-validation exercise, while Governor Oyetola is preoccupied with governance and not politicking.

“The Governor appreciates the goodwill and the solidarity of those behind it, if truly they are genuine, but wishes to state that what is uppermost in his mind at the moment is to take Osun to greater heights.

“He, therefore, appeals to those behind it to channel their efforts towards supporting government’s effort at changing the fortune of the State, which would probably make 2022 unattractive to the opposition, ” Omipidan added.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has mourned the passing of the first Civilian Governor of the State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande.

Jakande, a renowned journalist and elder statesman, who governed Lagos State during the aborted Second Republic between 1979 and 1983, died on Thursday at the age of 91.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, on Thursday said the late Jakande will remain one of the best public office holders in the political history of Nigeria based on how he transformed Lagos State and Nigeria during his tenure as Honourable Minister of Works.

The Governor said Alhaji Jakande popularly referred to as ‘Baba Kekere’ brought a lot of development to Lagos State as governor between October 1,1979 and December 31, 1983 in line with the five cardinal programmes of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), founded by the late sage and former Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The Governor also described the former Minister of Works as an epitome of honesty, dedication and selflessness, who used his elevated positions for the betterment of the people he served.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said the late Alhaji Jakande is one of the few Lagosians and Nigerian leaders that demystified politics by bringing governance closer to the people.

He said Jakande left with impeccable records in Lagos State and that is why he remains till date, a reference point for governors in Lagos and other parts of the country.

He said: “On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, I want to express my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and associates of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande as well as members of the progressive community.

“No doubt, the death of Alhaji Jakande is a colossal loss to Lagos State and Nigeria. He made lots of positive impact and contribution during his lifetime to the growth of our dear State by introducing housing and educational programmes that targeted the poor, building new neighbourhood primary and secondary schools and providing free education for all.”

“Baba Jakande within his four years in office established the Lagos State University. His government constructed over 30,000 housing units,which were of great value to the masses.

“Having distinguished himself as ‘Action Governor’, Alhaji Jakande was appointed Minister of Works in 1993 where he replicated his developmental programmes, by building thousands of housing units in different parts of Nigeria as Federal Low Cost Housing Estates.

The Governor added that the late Jakande’s selling point is not only in politics but journalism, his chosen profession.

“Alhaji Jakande also made remarkable contributions to the media industry as a respected journalist and media manager. He used the power of the press to influence positive changes in the country’s social and political landscape.”

The Governor reminded Lagosians that the best way to immortalise ‘LKJ’ as late Alhaji Jakande is popularly known, is to ensure that good governance the deceased advocated spreads to every facet of the Nigerian society.

Following skirmishes reported in Shasha market in Akinyele Local Government Area of Ibadan, the Oyo State government has ordered the immediate closure of the market indefinitely.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor gave the order to forestall breakdown of law and order in the area and equally imposed a curfew on Shasha and the market area.

The curfew is to run from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.
The statement warned residents of the affected area to go about their legitimate businesses peacefully, stating that anyone caught perpetrating violence will face the wrath of the law.

The statement read: “His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde has directed the immediate closure of Shasha market indefinitely following reports of a breach of peace in the area.

“The governor has also approved the imposition of curfew on Shasha. It will run from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.

“Residents of the affected area are enjoined to go about their legitimate businesses within the hours stipulated by the law.

“Anyone caught disrupting the peace of the community will be made to face the wrath of the law.”

As Osun Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality, Human Rights Violations and Related Extra Judicial Killings resumed sitting on Thursday, one of the petitioners, Mr. Adeolu Paul Sunday narrated how he was allegedly duped of #36million by four business syndicates in Lagos in 2016.

He said he was defrauded by the alleged business syndicates who were allegedly aided by the police to escape justice after being apprehended.

This is even as the panel harped on diligent prosecution, noting that it would not hesitate to strike out any case found wanting as the panel is resolute to ensure justice for all.

Recounting his ordeals at the hands of the police, Sunday, who claimed to be a businessman supplying electrical appliances and installation, said he was tricked to pay a sum of N36million into different accounts by the fraudsters.

He explained that in the quest to raise the money, he had to borrow a sum of N1.8million from his banker friend to augment the said money paid into the accounts of the syndicate members for the supply of electrical installations.

The petitioner further explained that the case was later reported at the Dugbe Police Division, Osogbo, by his friend who borrowed him N1.8million when he couldn’t refund the money on time.

“I am a practicing engineer dealing in electrical installation, inverter and solar energy installation with Certificate of incorporation RC 1256413 dated April 22 2015.

“I met one Mr. Kunle Ogunbanwo in 2016 who claimed to be a major supplier of electrical installations and we both agreed to run business together before I noticed that he had ulterior motive to defraud me.

“I started sending money into the accounts to the tune of N36million having taken me to his different warehouses in Lagos with the assurance of prompt delivery of all I applied for without knowing that he had an intension to dupe me.

“In the course of raising the money, I went into borrowing where I took a loan of N1.8million from one Mr. Abdulrahman Hasan Raji, a friend of mine who later went to report the case to Police in Osogbo when I couldn’t pay him back as agreed.

“Upon this, I was arrested on 4th December, 2016 by Sergeant Muritala Muhammed and Late Inspector Femi Awoyemi both of Dugbe Police Station, Osogbo for failing to pay back the money that I borrowed from the complainant. I was detained and tortured mercilessly for seven days without being tried.

“But later, when I narrated what I used the money for and how I was duped by the syndicate members, Sergeant Muritala Mohammed and Inspector Femi Awoyemi who were serving at Dugbe Police Station, Osogbo, at the material time, both travelled to Lagos to effect arrest of suspected criminal gang members who defrauded me having seen the evidence of different banks deposit tellers that showed that I had been defrauded.

“Though four of the suspected fraudsters were arrested through the account numbers that I sent the money to, to my surprise, the Police later released them.

“One Sergeant Muritala Mohammed; CSP Babatunde Ogundairo (the then D.C.O, Dugbe Police Station, Osogbo), now the D.P.O Oke Odo Ota-Efun Police Station, Osogbo and Inspector Femi Awoyemi (now deceased) also at Dugbe Station, were the police officers involved in the matter.

“I am pleading to the panel to look into my petition and bring the erring officers to justice because if the suspects were not released, I would have gotten my money back”, he added.

Corroborating his client’s claims, the counsel to the petitioner, Barrister K.A. Adebisi prayed the panel to order a fresh probe of the complaints of fraud by the petitioner against the main suspects (Kunle Ogunbanwo, Hon. Bello, one Mr. Ayoola) and their cohorts who were arrested but assisted to escape in a very shaddy and dubious circumstance.

“We also want an order of this revered Panel to the appropriate authority having powers to sanction the erring police found guilty by allowing the culprits to escape justice, thus violating the fundamental rights of the petitioner to access justice as enshrined in section 6(6) (b) and 36 of the CFRN, 1999 (As Ammended) to serve as deterrence to others,” he appealed.

The cases heard by the panel on Thursday were: OS/JPIPB/003/2020 Oluyide Joseph Adekola versus Osun State Commissioner of Police; OS/JPIPB/007/2020 LAbdullahi Opeyemi AbdulRaheem versus Osun State Commissioner of Police; OS/JPIPB/008/2020 Chief Adegnoyega Agbaje & IOR. versus Osun State Commissioner of Police; OS/JPIPB/006/2020 Mr. Elusanmi Kolawole versus Osun State Commissioner of Police; OS/JPIPB/14/2020 Adeola Paul Sunday versus Osun State Commissioner of Police and OS/JPIPB/19/2020 Mrs. Kafayat Ibitoye & 10R. versus Osun State Commissioner of Police.

In efforts to verify the claims of petitions received at the Oyo state’s ENDSARS panel, the committee on Thursday paid an assessment visit to Divine Success Nursery and Primary school, in Ibadan.

The assessment visit was led by Chairman of the Panel, Retired Honourable Justice Badejoko Adeniji and the Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on Political matters and Strategy, Babatunde Oduyoye, on the petition received by the co-owner of the afore-stated school, Mr Olabanji, about the destruction of the school and stationeries.

During the assessment visit, Olabanji’s wife, Taiwo, affirmed the level of destruction of the school which was her initiative conceptualized on the 5th of January, 2012, as the number of registered students was equated at 28.

While speaking with newsmen on the assessment visit, Chairman of the Oyo state’s ENDSARS panel, Retired Honourable Justice Badejoko Adeniji, noted that it is important to verify the claims of petitioners before the Panel and make necessary recommendations to the state’s Government.

So far, over 70 petitions have been received by the Oyo ENDSARS Panel constituted by the state’s Government to investigate the victimization of Indigenes and residents by officials of the States Anti-Robbery Squad, on the 10th of November, 2020.