Author: oduduwanews

To restore peace in Igangan and entire Ibarapaland, the governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has perfected plan to meet traditional rulers, Inspector General of Police team and other stakeholders to find a lasting solution to herdsmen-indigenes crisis in the State.

The Deputy Chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas, Oba Francis Alao, who said this in an interview with one newsmen on Saturday, said the meeting was organised primarily to ensure that peace returned to the area.

The monarch said a team of the state government would represent the governor while a team from the office of the IGP would stand in for Adamu, noting that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ngozi Onadeko, would be present at the meeting.

He said, “I am going there tomorrow (today) to hold a meeting with all the traditional rulers in Ibarapaland. The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State too will be there. A team from the Inspector-General of Police Office is also going to be there.  The state government (representatives) will also be there.

“All we want to do is to ensure there is peace in the area for everybody to coexist peacefully. I am going in my position as the Deputy Chairman, Oyo State Obas Council; I am going on that premise and we have told all traditional rulers from the three local government areas in Ibarapaland to be there as well.

“There is an ongoing reconciliatory effort at Tede, Ago Are and Ago Amodu in Atisbo Local Government Area. I am coordinating that and everybody should sue for peace. Everybody should eschew violence and embrace peace while the security agents will do their investigation.”

The Asigangan of Igangan, Oba Lasisi Adeoye, also confirmed to our correspondent in Ibadan that he and traditional rulers from Ibarapaland would be part of the meeting,

He said, “All the Obas in Ibarapa will hold a meeting here in Igangan tomorrow (today) and the Olugbon will be here for the meeting.”

Badagry – one of the five traditional divisions of Lagos State – reaped bountiful dividends of the development programmes of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.

A 110-bed Maternal and Childcare Centre (MCC), School of Anaesthesiology in Badagry General Hospital and 252 units of two bedroom housing project in Idale; all completed and delivered in the ancient town by Governor Sanwo-Olu.

On Saturday, the boundary town literally stood still for the formal inauguration of the projects, as residents and traditional rulers, led by the Akran of Badagry, trooped out to receive the Governor, his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and members of their entourage.

Besides, Sanwo-Olu flagged off the construction of the 5.5 kilometre-long Hospital Road being rehabilitated to create easy access to the Badagry General Hospital and the new housing estate in the town.

The Governor said the projects were part of his administration’s efforts to bring development in Badagry at par with other areas of the State. With the completion of the four-floor MCC, which is already being operated, Sanwo-Olu said the State Government had expanded healthcare infrastructure and improved access to quality health services in the town.

“Today’s commissioning activities are in fulfillment of part of the promises we gave our citizens in Badagry and I am delighted to be inaugurating three key projects that will enhance standards of living and boost development of human capital, particularly the 110-bed MCC we have completed in this part of Lagos.

“This is just a testimony to our assurance to the people and our commitment to deliver quality projects that will turn around the lives of our citizens. Not only the MCC we are handing over for public use today has an emergency service, it also caters for obstetrics and gynecology. There are also laboratory, radiology, paediatrics and immunisation departments.”

The Governor said the rehabilitation and expansion of the School of Anaesthesiology in the Badagry General Hospital were aimed at increasing the number of trained professionals in the field. He said such pivotal projects were being replicated in other locations across Lagos.

He said: “The people of Badagry and the adjoining communities now have increased access to quality and safe healthcare, and reduction. This will bring about complete eradication of maternal and infant mortality, as well as general improvement in all maternal and child health indices in this local government. All these benefits will in turn have a positive ripple effect on the development and socio-economic indices of Badagry.”

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the Badagry MCC was immediately activated for operation after its completion last November, disclosing that the facility had already delivered healthcare services to over 3,000 outpatients and 600 children. The facility, the Commissioner said, has taken 49 successful caesarean deliveries.

The MCC, Prof. Abayomi noted, would complement the capacity of the 21 primary healthcare facilities across the three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Badagry axis.

Sanwo-Olu said the State Government acknowledged the effect of affordable housing on the socio-economic wellbeing of the residents, which was why his administration went into a joint partnership with a private investor, Echostone Development Nigeria Ltd, to deliver the 252-unit two-bedroom terrace bungalows for low- and middle-income families.

The housing project was designed with eco-technology and EDGE Advanced protocol, which is a green building certification that making buildings to be more resource-efficient.

Sanwo-Olu said same technology would be employed to build the proposed Workers’ Village in Ipaja later in the year. This scheme, he said, will provide 600 affordable housing units to workers and their families.

He said: “The 252 units of two-bedroom terrace bungalows being commissioned today incontrovertibly proved our sincerity about closing the housing deficit and delivering our housing promises through relationship we have cultivated with the private sector for housing development. This Idale-Whedako Scheme is indeed a direct result of our faith in the capacity of the private sector to play a supportive role in housing development.

“This housing scheme has come with the lowest of prices, which makes it affordable to the targeted population. The payment plan will be spread over a longer period of time. I thank our development partner, Echostone Development Nigeria Ltd, for supporting the State Government in this regard.”

Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, said the housing project was uniquely designed and came with the convenience of low cost maintenance in terms of water usage and energy efficiency.

He added that the project had security and comfort features, such as streetlights, water treatment plant, central sewage treatment plant, strong perimeter fence and good road network.

“No doubt, the housing scheme has added great environmental and economic value to Badagry community,” Akinderu-Fatai said.

Governor Sanwo-Olu took about 1.17-kilometre road walk with Badagry residents to flag off the reconstruction of the decrepit Hospital Road that connects the city centre to the Badagry General Hospital.

While declaring the project open, the Governor noted that the project would be expanded to double carriageway and will be done in two phases, with the first phase spanning 3.2-kilometres.

The second phase is 2.3 kilometres and it will commence immediately after the completion of the first phase.

Sanwo-Olu said: “This road construction flag off is a demonstration of our readiness to serve our citizens on this part and it doesn’t matter how long it takes. It doesn’t matter how far Badagry is from the State capital; we will never neglect this city in our development drive. We will continue to justify the confidence you reposed in us when you voted us in.”

The Hospital Road also links five communities- Idale, Akarakunmoh, Pivota, Topo and Ajido – to Lagos-Badagry Expressway via Joseph Dosu Road.

A group of cattle breeders in Nigeria, the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, has said no one has the right to evict herdsmen from the forest reserves in Ondo state because all the land in Nigeria belong to Fulani.

Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, the national president of the association told the Sun newspaper in an interview that herders will not obey Akeredolu’s directive mandating them to vacate the forests reserves. Bello Abdullahi Bodejo has said the order by Governor Akeredolu is illegal. do not need anybody’s permission to use a forest for grazing so far as it provides the nutrients needed by their cattle.

Bodejo said: “All the lands in this country belong to the Fulani, but we don’t have any business to do with land if it doesn’t have areas for grazing; if the land doesn’t have cow food, we won’t have any business with it. We don’t sell land, we don’t farm.

What we consider is the areas that have cow food. If the place is good for grazing, we don’t need anybody’s permission to go there.” He said the group had filed a legal action challenging the legality of the Ondo state governor’s order. Bodejo distanced herdsmen from kidnappings, armed robberies and other violent crimes reportedly being carried out in parts of the country.

“I Walked All Night In The Forest, Now In Ogun State”—Seriki Fulani Says After Youths Sets Ablaze His Abode In Oyo

Following the Friday night unrest in Igangan, Ibarapa North Local Government of Oyo State, the Seriki Fulani of Oyo State, Alhaji Saliu Abdulkadir, on Saturday morning, said he trekked through the forest to Ogun State from Oyo State.

He said that many of his family members were shot by the angry youths. He said none of his family members was killed in the fracas.

Abdulkadir further revealed in Ibadan that he, his wives and children were sent out of the settlement by the youths, adding that 11 vehicles and houses were burnt in the process.

He said despite assurance by the police and the people of the state, his house was burnt in the presence of security agents.

He said, “As we speak, we are in the bush. Our cars, numbering about 11, have been burnt. Some of my children sustained injuries, and we are looking for a way to get them to the hospital. My children have left their houses for the bush. We need the government to help us. Police, Operation Burst and other security agencies were there when they set my house ablaze.”

The Inspector General of Police has ordered Oyo State Commissioner of Police to arrest Sunday Igboho and bring him to Abuja.

Confirming the order, Presidential spokesman, Garba Sheu told newsmen in Abuja on Friday.

Shehu reportedly said the IGP informed him of his directive to Ngozi Onadeko, the Oyo commissioner of police, to arrest Igboho and transfer him to Abuja.

Frank Mba, police spokesman, did not immediately respond to newsmen inquiry on the order of the IGP.

Igboho had asked herdsmen in Igangan in Ibarapa north local government area of Oyo to leave within seven days following reports of the killing of some Oyo citizens.

He had blamed herders and Fulanis, including Saliu Kadri, the Seriki Fulani, of being behind the rising insecurity in the area.

The quit notice generated tension in parts of the state, prompting Seyi Makinde, the governor, to ask the IGP to arrest those fomenting trouble under the guise of protecting the interest of Yoruba people.

“For people stoking ethnic tension, they are criminals and once you get them, they should be arrested and treated like common criminals,” the governor had told the police commissioner.

ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that the Senior Staff Association of Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) have declared an indefinite strike beginning from February 5.

Announcing the decision on Friday in Abuja, the spokesperson of the joint action committee of SSANU and NASU, Peters Adeyemi, explained that the Federal Government has reneged on their October 2020 agreement where all parties agreed to address the issues leading to the strike.

The striking non-teaching staff is demanding that their members be taken off the government’s Integrated Personnel Payroll Information (IPPIS) as well as review the sharing formula for the universities earned allowances between the teaching and non-teaching staff of the universities.

“The joint action committee of SSANU and NASU hereby resolves as follows: That members of NASU/SSANU shall embark on an indefinite, comprehensive and total strike with effect from February 5, 2021,” he said.

“Two weeks’ notice effective from today, Friday, January 22, 2021 is hereby given to the government and relevant stakeholders of this development.

“The October 2020 memorandum of understanding (MOU) resolved that the compliance of SSANU/NASU with respect to IPPIS would be corrected within two weeks.

“But three months after, there has been no correction of these anomalies leading to a high level of restiveness among our members who have been short-changed on account of the problem caused by IPPIS.”

Sunday Adeyemo, an agitator for Oodua Republic, better known as Sunday Igboho, has visited some Oyo communities to confirm compliance of Fulani people with the vacation order he gave last Thursday. 

Speaking with newsmen early Friday morning, he affirmed his decision to visit the communities despite the threats by the Governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, to arrest him.

In a video shared online, Igboho was well received during his visit to the Igangan community as scores of people converged for his reception.

The people were seen jubilating; dancing and singing. 

Addressing the people, Igboho said, “The Fulani have gone, we have sent them out of our land and they cannot come back again. Kidnappers cannot rule over us, they can’t take over our land from us. It belongs to us; they should stop threatening. 

“Those who live with us peacefully; we are not fighting them but how will a visitor claim one’s house from him. If you live with us in peace, we have no problem with you but if you decide to kidnap and kill us, we don’t want you here. I assure Yoruba people, particularly those in Oyo State, that there is no danger.

“This one we have started here in Oyo State will not end here. We are going to other parts of the South-West. Tell Fulani herdsmen in Ekiti State, Ondo State and Osun States; in fact, in all South-West states that they should get ready for us because we are coming.”

In an interview with newsmen on Friday, Igboho had alleged that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari had not brought anything good to the people of the South-West except social vices.

Igboho, therefore, called on the president to take the Fulani out of Yorubaland.

“Buhari should come and evacuate his people from our land, we don’t want them again. They are just punishing the youths; they have turned us to nothing, why? The educated youth don’t have jobs, nothing, the gain now is to kill and kidnap us. We are still on the unemployment issue, we have accepted our fate, should we not be in peace and enjoy security again? It’s enough,” he said.

In the early hours of 19th January, 2021, political party stalwarts and members of Peoples’ Democratic Party PDP thronged in hundreds to grace a year in office, projects commissioning and empowerment programmes embarked upon by the Chairman of Itesiwaju Local Government, Hon. Ojo Bolaji Akintola.

The event which was held at the local government premises had several items such as feedmills, Cash gift, hundreds of 5kg cooking gas, bags of rice, clippers and generator sets distributed by the chairman to empower the youths, women, widows, poultry farmers, market women and men across the ten wards.

The caretaker chairman expressed his gratefulness to Almighty God who made him witness the special occasion and used the medium to welcome all and sundry to the gathering. He opined that the programme was in triplicate, marking of a year in office, projects commissioning, as well as empowerment programmes for the people of Itesiwaju Local Government.

Chairman while speaking at the event used the avenue to commend his great mentor/political father, a seasoned politician, Senator Hosea Ayoola Agboola who according to him has been the brain behind the successful implementation of his activities as chairman.

He said, economic recession that has eaten deep into the fabrics of individuals actually informed his action to bring succour into the families of average citizens of the local government. Hon. Ojo gave kudos to the executive governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde for his unrelenting and immeasurable efforts to ensure the state is crime-free by joining his colleagues in the Southwest to establish Amotekun corps to beef up security in the State. He maintained that he shall be grateful forever for the trust reposed in him to serve his people as such opportunity cannot be forgotten in a jiffy.

He further stated that despite the paucity of fund in the Local Government treasury, the party’s blueprint has always been a guidance which must be fulfilled to meet the four cardinal points of the present administration in the state and local government areas.

The council boss while speaking further used the occasion to narrate parts of his scorecard to the people, he said since the inception of his administration he has been able to ensure that six motorized bore-hole were sunk, one at Baba-Ode, Ona-Iwa Mimo, Koomu, Otu, Okaka and Oke-Amu.

He said, about 141km roads were graded across the local government areas, installation of transformers and connection to National Grid at Baba-Ode, Igbojaye, Oke-Amu and Otu were carried out, free jamb coaching, gifts to babies of the year, relief items donated to the ailing people. He averred that he had touched virtually all sectors especially Agric and health.

In further commemoration of his one year in office, the caretaker chairman, Itesiwaju Local Government, Hon Ojo Bolaji Akintola officially commissioned motorized boreholes sunk for the betterment of his people. He reiterated that his administration within a year had brought rapid development to the council with the provision of six motorized boreholes across the council area including the ones at Jagun Compound, Okaka and Agelu Area. The council chairman emphasized, that his administration will continue to prioritize the youths, widows, aged, vigilante group as well as market men and women among others.

Among the beneficiaries were Ayansola Micheal, Adeagbo jamiu, Adepoju serifat, Oguntayo Elizabeth and Ayandokun Ibrahim among others and they all joyfully thanked the council boss for deeming fit to cushion the effect of COVID-19 pandemic particularly at a time when most of the families had been seriously hit economically.

The council boss however charged the people of his council area to be law abiding and abstain from unlawful acts, capable of hindering the progress of the council and to support Seyi Makinde led-administration with a view to achieving rapid development and benefiting more dividends of democracy in his council.

Among people that graced the events were traditional rulers, PDP political stalwarts, religious leaders, all the caretaker members, directors and units heads.
The event was held on Tuesday the 19th of January 2021 at the council Secretariat Otu.