Author: oduduwanews

Posted on

#ProSARS and #EndSARS protesters clash in Lagos

Armed thugs on Wednesday attacked #EndSARS protesters in Ikeja, the Lagos State capital, injuring some of them and disrupting their peaceful demonstrations.

The thugs, who stormed the venue around 2pm on Wednesday, reportedly attacked the protesters with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.

The protesters had blocked a section of the Alausa road and were singing solidarity songs when their attackers suddenly appeared and disrupted their demonstrations.

However, no life was lost as the protesters repelled the assailants.

Thousands of youths across the country have in the last one week been protesting against the harassment and extrajudicial killings perpetrated mainly by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force.

The police authorities have since disbanded the unit and announced the Special Weapons and Tactics unit as its replacement.

Posted on

#EndSARS: Protesters damage Lagos fire engine truck

A Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service Engine Truck was damaged by some #ENDSARS protesters on Tuesday at Alausa, Ikeja area of the State.

Speaking to journalists at the scene of the incident, the Acting Head of the Agency, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, expressed her dissatisfaction at the unprovoked attack on the truck used daily to assist and support Lagosians in emergency situations.

According to her, the fire engine truck was on its way from Salvation Street, Opebi, where it had been deployed to quell a fire incident in the morning, enroute to another emergency call at 10, Thomas Adeboye Street, Olowoira in Ojodu, before it was attacked by some of the protesters.

In her words, “The distress call to Olowoira was received at about 12.08hrs and the Alausa fire truck was en-route the scene from Opebi, where it had just concluded an operation before it was attacked and damaged by some protesters”.

While maintaining that the Fire Engine Truck was still able to attend to the occurrence at Olowoira despite the attack and damage by the protesters, Adeseye advised Lagosians to stop destroying government property since the cost will eventually be borne by the taxpayers in the State.

Posted on

#EndSARS: Oyo Assembly condemns killing of protesters, IG SWAT hasty-fix, calls for Police Reform

The Oyo State House of Assembly has condemned the killing of ENDSARS protester and the hasty setup of, Special Weapons and Tactics Team, SWAT as a replacement of the scrabbled Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS by the Inspector General of Police, noting that the entire police force needs complete overhaul to redeem its image.

The State lawmakers during its Wednesday plenary in Ibadan commended the federal government through the Inspector-General of Police for listening to the voice of Nigerian youths by scrapping SARS.

In a motion of matter of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Wunmi Oladeji representing Ogbomoso North, which calling for urgent need to investigate killing of Jimoh Isaika during “END-SARS” protest in Ogbomosho and invasion of Soun’s palace by yet-to-be identified hoodlums.

According to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, SARS officer should be a unit to face armed robbers and other tactical operations that could put lives of citizens in jeopardy by men of the underworld. Unfortunately, Nigerians are more scared of the SARS men than even armed robbers until they were disbanded recently.

He said, “the major problem of the youths with default SARS officers is consistent wrong profiling. When I was younger, I had access to exotic cars, maybe because of the privilege I had, and that did not make me or other legitimate young entrepreneurs or professionals out there fraudsters.

“As lawmakers, we may have different positions or opinions about SARS, but we have to consider the demand of the people. They have giving us the mandate and we have to represent and protect their interest absolutely.

“Many people have lost they lives to SARS, many were molested and extorted. Even as a speaker, I and other honourables have had encounter with SARS if not for the maturity we displayed.

“The federal government is too big, the power within and responsibility is too wide. Maintenance of federal roads, hospitals, agencies and other infrastructures are suffering because they are too big to handle. The exclusives list need to be reconsidered, there is obvious need for restructuring.”

Describing the killing of Jimoh Isiaka in Ogbomosho as further confirmation of brutality of so many bad eggs in the Nigerian Police, Hon. Olawunmi Oladeji lamented the news of police extortion, harassment and extra-judicial killings dominating pages of newspapers, social media, radio and television.

According to her, the lack of proper monitoring of police activities generally and SARS in particular has earned the country a bad reputation globally.

“World Internal Security and Police Index (WISPI) ranks Nigeria’s Police Force as the worst, just below Congo, Kenya and Uganda in 2016.

“We are urging the IGP to ensure the monitoring procedures are put in place for any new police arrangement that is to replace SARS while any officer that is guilty of professional misconduct should face due punishment without delay so as to serve as deterrent to others,” she added.

Hon. Adebayo Babajide representing Ibadan North Constituency II while commending Governor Seyi Makinde for his prompt intervention over the unfortunate killing of Jimoh Isiaka and ordering immediate investigation, urged the State to ensure the culprits are prosecuted so as too serve as deterrent to others.

He said, “Not all Police Officers are bad, because every section of the society has its own good and bad eggs. We are calling for total reform of the Nigerian Police Force.

“Let the government look into their recruitment process, the training and retraining schemes for police officers. Discipline required and also improved remuneration for the hard tasks expected from them.”

Posted on

Makinde approves N8.7bn for the construction of 43km Saki-Ogboro, Igboho road

Oyo state government during its state executive council meeting chaired by Governor Seyi Makinde has granted semi Autonomy to four government hospitals to ensure effective secondary health care services.

The hospitals including, Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Ring Road Hospital, State Hospital Oyo, and Saki Specialist Hospital.

Briefing Journalists on the outcome of the 28th executive council meeting, the Commissioner for Information culture and Tourism Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun said the four Government hospitals selected would serve as a pilot scheme towards improving the strengthen Secondary health care in the State.

Dr. Olatubosun explained that Governor Seyi Makinde has directed the relevant Ministries and Agencies concerned to work collectively and provide the necessary support to the ministry of health for quality health service delivery.

Also, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources Dr. Idowu Oyeleke told Journalists that the state executive council has approved 312.2 million Naira for the reinstallation of 28 standard boreholes with standby power supply.

Dr. Oyeleke stressed that the 28 boreholes will cut across the Geo-Political zones across the state.

In a related development, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Hon Muyiwa Ojekunle told newsmen that the Oyo state government has earmarked 8.7 billion Naira for the construction of a 43km road from Saki to Ogboro down to Igboho

Hon Ojekunle stressed that the 43 kilometers road project was awarded to Messr China Civil Engineering Corporation through Alternative Projects funding Approach.

Those projects approved at the 28th state Executive council meeting chaired by Governor Seyi Makinde were targeted at bringing rapid development to Oyo state.

Posted on

2020 World Food Day: Lagos govt charges students to embrace agriculture

The State Acting Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya has urged secondary school students in the State to grow into a more productive agricultural labour force as adults.

Olusanya made the call today in Lagos at the School Quiz Competition organised by the State Ministry of Agriculture as part of activities marking the Y2020 World Food Day Celebration in Lagos State.

She explained that the call became imperative because of the rampant unemployment, the vacuum being created by aged farmers, who are retiring from active farming, and the possible effects of the global food crisis.

The Acting Commissioner noted that the importance of the Agricultural Quiz Competition cannot be overemphasised as it aims to further stimulate the interest of students in Agriculture as a subject.

“The importance of this Agricultural Quiz Competition cannot, therefore, be overemphasised as it aims to further stimulate the interest of students in Agriculture by assisting them to recall and imbibe information on various aspects such as improved agricultural techniques and innovations”, Olusanya opined.

She pointed out that the State Government is committed to the attainment of sustainable food production, wealth and job creation through youth and women empowerment with significant private sector involvement, adding that the State Development Plan in Agriculture is to move the present local food production from 18% to 25% of the State’s food demand by the year 2025.

“It is our desire to provide food security and an enabling environment for our people to have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and hygienic food to maintain a healthy life. We have to imbibe the lessons learnt from the dwindling return from oil to encourage the participation of everybody in agriculture so that most of our basic needs could be met locally and we would be independent of others to feed ourselves”, the Acting Commissioner explained.

She stressed the need for adequate food supply and proper storage of food for emergencies is very important, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic reaffirmed the need for adequate reserves of food.

The World Food Day is celebrated worldwide every year on the 16th of October to commemorate the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in 1945, hence the grand finale would be celebrated in the State on Friday, October 16th, 2020.

The Schools’ Quiz Competition was won by Ansar-ud-deen Senior High School, Surulere while Ajara Senior Grammar School, Badagry came second and Abibat Mogaji Millennium Secondary School, Dopemu came third.

Miss Mary Aluko of Comprehensive Senior High School, Ketu, Alapere emerged the overall best student at the Competition.

The theme for this year’s World Food Day Celebration is “Grow, nourish, sustain. Together. Our actions are our future”.

Posted on

Makinde visits Soun of Ogbomosho, releases 100 million naira for renovation of Palace

Oyo state Governor Seyi Makinde has ordered an immediate release of one hundred million naira to the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Jimoh Oyewunmi for renovation of the palace following invasion of the palace by hoodlums in the wake of ENDSARS protest

The Governor gave the directive during a sympathy visit to the palace to assess the level of damages done at the palace an assessment visit to the palace .

Governor Makinde explained that beyond the ENDSARS protest, most Nigerians have become frustrated over prevailing harsh economic reality in the country and if government fail to address youth idleness with gainful employment there might be future disaster

He also noted that while his government was not against peaceful protest, protesters must be responsible enough to voice their concerns as the state government would work more at ensuring youths in the state were meaningfully engaged

The Governor also instructed the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters, Chief Bayo Lawal and caretaker chairman of Ogbomosho north local government to make an evaluation of vehicles and other items destroyed for fixing

In his response the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Jimoh Oyewunmi appreciated the visit, and urged government to wake up to it numerous responsibilities

The monarch also assured that the traditional institution would continue to play it role in supporting the government for a better society

The Governor thereafter visited the families of the slain Jimoh Isiaka that was killed during the ENDSARS protest in Ogbomosho

Posted on

Makinde partners France to broaden economic landscape in Oyo

The Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Monday, said that the state was partnering with the French Government in order to broaden the state’s economy and ensure better life for its people.

Governor Makinde, who stated this while receiving a delegation of the French Government led by the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jerome Pasquier, at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan, said that the partnership has yielded positive results for the state’s economic expansion agenda, while also broadening the state’s economic landscape.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as saying that part of the positive results being recorded in the state’s economic expansion efforts was the 26.4 per cent growth in its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the first half of 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statement said that the governor expressed delight at the close relationship between the state, the French Embassy and Government of France, adding that his government is open to collaborating with France on several projects in areas such as education, agriculture, security and economic expansion.

He said: “We are happy to have this close relationship with the French Embassy and the Government of France. I am quite happy with the relationship. I have a very good memory of what is going on in France right now.

“Since the last time we visited together, there have been positive changes in the economic landscape of Oyo State. For example, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Oyo State still witnessed 26.4 per cent growth in our IGR. We have also been addressing the infrastructural deficit of the state and that has been helping us to actually boost the economy.”

Governor Makinde stated that he is ready to seek help where necessary to turn around the economy of Oyo State, adding that the state is ready and open to businesses that can bring development and growth to its economy.

“Like the Ambassador mentioned, we are collaborating on several fronts and projects right now. And we want to thank you, the French Government, for your contribution to the RAAMP project. I know it is yet to take off fully but we are ready. All the necessary committees to drive it have been put in place and they are ready.

“Also, the Farmers’ Wholesale Market that we are trying to set up at Akufo, it will interest you to know that from Apete, we are fixing the road all the way to Akufo.

“Work is really going on there. We are excited because it is supposed to be the largest such market in South-West, Nigeria. So, we thank you for your support on that and we hope to still work collaboratively on it.

“Oyo State is ready for business and we have tried as much as possible to be open because we believe transparency is very key. We believe there are programmes we can tailor to fit what we need.”

He added that the state has put in serious commitments and investments into creating a secure and conducive environment for businesses to grow.

“I also want to let you know that we have made so much progress in terms of security as well, because we believe that all of the investments drive and the good things we want to do can only take place in a safe and secure environment.

“So, we are investing quite a huge amount to ensure that when people come to Ibadan and Oyo State in general, they don’t have to think twice on whether they are safe or not.”

The governor, therefore, appealed to the French Delegation to assist the state in the Occupational and Educational Programme that can boost the state’s education system.

He said: “Finally, I know that there is this occupational and education programme. We started a similar collaboration with the IITA called the STEP programme. They picked one school at Fashola. We have since expanded the programme. We now have schools picked from various geopolitical zones in the state and we will appreciate the inclusion in the similar programme of the French Government, as that can even help us expand the programme further.”

Earlier, the leader of the French delegation, Ambassador Pasquier, said that there were a lot of things that the French government could do with Oyo State, expressing the willingness of his country’s government to work with the state in agriculture, tourism, health and developing strong links that could help tertiary education in the state.

He appreciated the governor for the hospitality accorded him and his entourage through the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism since they arrived in the state, pledging that bilateral relationship between French Government and the Oyo State Government will continue.

The event was attended by top government officials, including the Deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan; Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun; Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka; Head of Service, Mrs. Ololade Agboola; Commissioners; chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Culture and Tourism, Hon. Isiaka Tunde Kazeem, and other House of Assembly members.

Posted on

#EndSARS: No protester killed in Lagos – Sanwo-Olu

. . . As Governor Sanwo-Olu Calls For Peace

The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to reports that an #ENDSARS protester has been killed in Surulere. This is not true.

A group of hoodlums stormed the Anti-Kidnapping Unit at Hogan Bassey Street, Surulere, to free two suspects standing trial for alleged kidnapping. They shot three officers. One of them, Inspector Erinfolami Ayodeji, unfortunately, died. The others are Inspectors Ekein Joshua and Peter Agabi.

The hoodlums, while escaping, fired into the air. A bystander was hit. He also died – sadly.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu commiserates with the families, who lost their loved ones and prays that God will strengthen them.

He urges all those concerned to ensure that these protests do not degenerate further and create room for hoodlums who do not mean well for our society.

The government is working with the Police to ensure the restoration of the peace that Lagos has always been proud of.

You cannot copy content of this page