Friends Of Late Tunde Thomas Defend Wife, FCMB MD

Close friends of late Tunde Thomas have denied the claims spreading online that his estranged wife, Moyo Thomas told him her two children were fathered by FCMB MD, Mr. Adam Nuru.
In a statement Saturday, 2 January, 2021on behalf of friends of the late Thomas, Mr Adetunji Iromini warned the public to be wary of a sponsored petition on change.org which they described as a wicked assault on Tunde’s cherished memory.
According to them, the allegations about the paternity of Tunde’s children with Moyo Thomas are unsubstantiated and malicious.


They added that the claims were intended to portray Tunde as an uncaring father and thereby rubbished his reputation.
“Tunde is the father of the two children and Moyo never told him he was not their father as he was in touch constantly with the children, calling and having fatherly conversations with them, even at odd hours, at least twice every month from December, 2017,” the statement reads in part.
“The last of such calls took place on Thanksgiving Day on 26th November, 2020. Tunde visited his children in USA in June 2018 and interacted with them unhindered after his recovery from the stroke he had earlier that year,” the group of friends stated.


“This does not paint the picture of a man who had been told he was not the father of his children as was maliciously stated in the petition and is being circulated on social media,” they added.
The friends, who apologised to FCMB MD, Adam Nuru, said the unwarranted negative publicity is quite unfortunate in many ways.
According to Tunde’s friends, “It does not augur well for the memory of the departed soul especially as we are all grieving the loss of Tunde, who was buried only on Wednesday, 30th December, 2020”.
“The pictures of the children are being posted in the social media, without care and utter disregard for the human feelings at this trying period for the family.
“There would not have been any need to respond to issues raised in the petition but for the sake of posterity, and to defend the integrity of and loving memory of Tunde and his children. Tunde was a very caring and responsible father to his two kids notwithstanding the misunderstanding he had with his wife, which is a matrimonial issue.


“Like any marriage, there were differences between Moyo and Tunde leading to their separation and eventual relocation of Moyo to the USA in December, 2017. It is important to note that the divorce process was never thought of or initiated by Moyo. And to the best of our knowledge, no divorce papers were ever served on Moyo.
“This means that they were still legally married because Moyo and her family believed the channel for reconciliation was still open up until Tunde’s unfortunate demise. Moyo and Tunde clearly worked to ensure the differences they had did not affect the relationship they respectively have with the two children.
“It is very sad that a group of people have decided to take the differences between a married couple and misrepresent it into a sensational story. It is unfair to have the pictures of his young children splashed all over the internet.
“Tunde had a mild stroke in 2018. By the grace of God, he was able to fully recover from this and carried on with his life. He was obviously doing well at his job and was in another relationship with a lady who was pregnant before his death.
“Why he had a cardiac arrest that led to his eventual death almost two years after remains a mystery that only God can provide answers to. We can begin to postulate on possible reasons, but we would rather not, to preserve the fond memories of Tunde.


“Tunde has now gone to be with his maker. We do wish his family and associates including his pregnant girlfriend, the fortitude to bear the unfortunate loss. He has now been laid to rest and we implore all to allow those grieving his loss, including Moyo and his children, to do so in peace.
“May Tunde’s soul rest in perfect peace. Amen,” the statement concluded.

University Don Proposes Permanent Solutions To ASUU Strikes

In combating the major challenges that confront Nigerian universities, The Assistance Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West of England, Bristol, Professor Lukumon Oyedele has on Tuesday, 22nd of December beseeched the Nigerian Government to grant Nigerian Universities autonomy to permanently solve the challenges facing Education in Nigeria.


Professor Oyedele who made the statement while delivering the 2nd annual Prince Tunde Ponnle public Lecture titled “Internationalization of Higher Education in Nigeria: A Change in Attitude and Strategy” identified ineffective governance model, poor academic quality, and structural problems as part of the problems that is currently affecting Nigerian Universities. He further stated that the issue of not working and still getting paid is a panacea for failure and future strikes and thus causing the incessant strike in Nigerian Universities. Professor Oyedele however maintained that giving Universities full autonomy will enable each institution to determine and manage their resources more effectively.
In his lecture, Professor Oyedele said “The only way the Nigerian Government can make Nigerian Universities great again is to ensure that full autonomy is embraced in terms of every activity within the university system in Nigeria. I strongly believe that this will give opportunities for universities to fund themselves and be able to do exactly what they want. It will definitely cause issues, there is no doubt about it because some universities will collapse, some universities will merge, but the reality is that the universities that can survive this will do well, and new ones will also emerge.”
“Competency-based appointment and performance-based management can go a long way to increase academic quality in the country. It’s not about ethnicity, it’s not about tribalism, and it’s not about where you come from or your state of origin. It’s about who can do the job.
After giving autonomy, the role of the Government will just be monitoring and ensuring accountability within the university system.” Professor Oyedele added.


The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Labode Popoola while speaking on the lecture noted that he is an advocate of autonomy.
“When you have the autonomy, there are some basic things you must do. You have to be accountable, transparent, and should be able to employ from wherever you want. You can charge your own fees based on the quality you give.”
However, Professor Popoola stressed that while autonomy has numerous advantages, it comes with responsibility.
Osun State Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, in his address said “this year’s topic is not only interesting but very apt. Our government is ready to leverage on well-informed contributions like this to reform our state-owned tertiary institutions.”


The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Folorunsho Bamisayemi noted that his administration is committed to making Osun state institutions globally competitive and as such, we are receptive to every well-articulated idea to achieve our goals,” he added.
Among dignitaries that graced the event are the former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; The former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan and former Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole; The current Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede; The former Registrar of Obafemi Awolowo University, Mr. Ayorinde Ogunruku; Royal fathers in the State of Osun among other dignitaries.

Ex-BBN housemate, Laycon conferred with chieftaincy title in Ogun

Rapper and reality TV star Olamilekan Moshood Agbeleshe better known as Laycon has been conferred with a chieftaincy title on Sunday in Ogun State.

The winner of the fifth season of Big Brother Naija received the traditional title from the Onipokia of Ipokia, Oba Yisa Adesola Olaniyan, at the 2021 Opo Day celebration held at the District High School, Ipokia.

The Onipokia during the title installation said Laycon as an indigene of Ipokia truly deserved the title of Akeweje.

Speaking about Laycon, Oba Olaniyan described the young star as a good ambassador to Ipokia and a positive inspiration to all Nigerian youths.

Laycon on his part thanked the monarch, indigenes of Ipokia as well as the youths for standing by him throughout his stay at the BBNaija house.

He promised to stand by the youths and everything that would contribute to their development.

In a Twitter post, Laycon also revealed that the venue where the chieftaincy ceremony took place is where his mother schooled. He shared:

“Fun Fact: The venue where I was given my chieftaincy title is District High School Ipokia, where my Mum schooled. On every transcendental being that is valid.”

Laycon won last year’s season of Big Brother Naija tagged Lockdown. The show saw 20 housemates compete for the grand prize worth N85 million.

Laycon edged out the four other finalists Dorathy, Nengi, Vee and Neo to clinch the coveted status of winner.

As the winner he got N30m cash prize, a two-bedroom apartment, Dubai trip for two, SUV from Innoson Motors, trip to Dublin, a trip to watch di UEFA Champions League finale, home appliances courtesy of Scanfrost, one year supply of Indomie noodles, Munch it chin-chin and Colgate toothpaste, one year supply of Pepsi and branded chiller, brand new Oppo mobile smartphone among other mouth-watering prizes.

Ekiti govt hands over N100m car loan to workers

ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that Ekiti State Government has handed over over N100m car loan to workers across the State.

The Commissioner for Finance, Akintunde Oyebode, who described the gesture as demonstration of the state government’s commitment to the welfare of workers, promised mouth-watering offers to the workforce.

Oyebode, who, according to a ‘Press Release’ by the Press Officer, Ministry of Finance, Dayo Adeniyi, made available on Saturday, urged the beneficiaries “to make use of the loan positively and basically on what it is meant for.”

The commissioner said that beneficiaries of the N100.28m included 41 beneficiaries on Grade levels 02-06 which cost N3,280,500; 96 beneficiaries on Grade levels 07-09 which cost N24,000,000; while N45m was disbursed to beneficiaries on Grade levels 15-17; and N1.5m to one beneficiary on consolidated scale.

He said, “The state government under Governor Kayode Fayemi finds it necessary to make the workers happy despite the economic situation induced by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

BREAKING: Secondary, primary schools to resume in Lagos by Jan 18

The Lagos State government has set the resumption of the second term of 2020/21 academic session from Monday, January 18, 2021.

The state Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo on Monday made this known

She said, “All public and private schools below the tertiary level in Lagos State should be reopened for the second term 2020/21 academic session from Monday, 18th of January, 2021.

“Schools should have flexible plans where students and teachers who feel sick can teach or learn from home via available online platforms. Schools should also strive to avoid any COVID-19 infection among all students and staff,” the statement read in part.

The commissioner advised students, teachers and all other stakeholders to observe physical distancing, regular sanitization and hand washing.

Ogun lady who accused Commissioner of sexual harrasment recants, says purported video misconstrued

Melojeuekun Barakat Mayowa, the 16-year-old student who accused the Ogun State Commissioner for Environment, Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, of sexual harassment, has appealed to Nigerians to allow the issue to die down as her words in a video she had made on the allegations, were misconstrued, as many people misunderstood her.

The Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS111) student had, on Saturday, December 2, released a video where she accused Abudu-Balogun of attempting to rape her in the guise of helping her financially.

In the video, Mayowa had said, among other things:

“When Abudu-Balogun came into the room, he locked the door and put the key inside his pocket. He asked about my school and I said Victory Model College. He said how much is my school fee, I said N30,000. He asked who pays it and I said my daddy.

“Hon Abudu-Balogun now moved closer to me and pressed my breast. I moved away from him. He said won’t I cooperate, and I replied by saying why will I cooperate. He now started pressing my breast, pressing my body and harassing me, something like that. Then, I was struggling to free myself from him to get freedom.

“He started reciting some incantations and wanted to place his hand on my head, I now moved away his hand and said nobody touches my head. He wanted to force me into his room, but I struggled with him and started shouting.”

The video had drawn the anger of Nigerians who called for the dismissal of the Commissioner as well as his prosecution.

On his part, Abudu-Balogun swiftly released a statement debunking the allegation, saying it was the handiwork of his political enemies who wanted to tarnish his image.

“My attention has been drawn to a purported video circulating on social media of a girl alleging that I attempted to sexually harass her,” the statement read.

“On this said day, the girl was brought to my house by one of my loyalists who is her uncle, to assist her to get a job as a Computer Operator at the ICT Centre I facilitated while I was serving as a member of the House of Representatives years back which has been moribund

“I met her at my sitting room for a few minutes where many of my loyalists are, people that came to visit me for the New Year. I chatted with the lady for few minutes and as part of my usual gesture, I gave her some amount of money for her transportation.

“A day after, I was informed by some people that I have been alleged to have attempted to sexually harass the girl and I should invite the family for a meeting so as to settle the matter amicably.

“It was after my refusal to yield to their threats that they went ahead to make a teleguided video leading the lady on what to say to implicate me. This is purely a political blackmail by my adversaries.

“Let me state emphatically that I never attempted to sexually harass anyone.”

But his explanation did not hold water with the state government as Governor Dapo Abiodun promptly suspended him while ordering the police to carry out an intensive investigation into the allegations.

However, the teenager made another video on Sunday, which seems to hint at a possible recanting of the earlier allegations she made on Abudu-Balogun.

In the new short video, Mayowa pleaded that Nigerians should allow the matter to rest as she and her family were not ready to drag issues with the commissioner.

While thanking and appreciating Nigerians for standing up for her, Mayowa said:

“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to meaningful Nigerians to please allow this matter to rest. We don’t want to drag issues with the commissioner.

“The former video I made, many people misunderstood it, so please you should allow the matter to rest.”

JUST IN: Court remands Sowore, four others in Kuje Prison

The Magistrate court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Omoyele Sowore and four others at Kuje Correctional Centre.

Their formal bail application will be heard tomorrow, January 5, 2020.

Sowore was arrested by the police for leading a protest against bad governance on New Year’s Eve in Abuja.

He is being arraigned alongside four others by the Federal Government on three charges of criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, and attempting to incite others.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

JUST IN: Sowore, four others arraigned for protesting on New Year’s Eve in Abuja

The Federal Government has arraigned Omoyele Sowore and four others at the Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Sowore was arrested by the police for leading a protest against bad governance on New Year’s Eve in Abuja.

He is being arraigned by the Federal Government on seven charges bordering on an alleged conspiracy to commit treason, money laundering, and insulting the President, among others.

Sowore and four others are being arraigned on three charges of Criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, and attempting to incite others.

Sowore and four others arraigned at the Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on Monday, January 4, 2020. PHOTO: Sodiq Adelakun/Channels TV.

Sowore had earlier before the protest charged Nigerians on Twitter to hold a crossover protest by picking up a candle and a placard showing their grievances against the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

This is not the first time Sowore will be arrested. He was detained for over 100 days in 2019 for calling for a #RevolutionNowProtest.

Amotekun fires shots at Police officer in Oyo

An officer of the Oyo State Security Network also known as Amotekun Corps, Ibrahim Ogundele has shot a police officer, Mr. Fatai Yekini in Oyo town on Saturday.

Ogundele is a male officer working with the Amotekun Corps at Isale-Oyo area while Mr. Yekini is a Special Police Constabulary attached to Ojongbodu police station

Source said that Yekini was shot on his left leg at a very close range on the 2nd January 2021 adding that Yekini was taken to the Oyo State General hospital in the Owode area of Oyo.

It was revealed that the police officer is reportedly still receiving treatment at the hospital as of the time of filing this report.

Ogundele is a male officer working with the Amotekun Corps at Isale-Oyo area while Mr. Yekini is a Special Police Constabulary attached to Ojongbodu police station

Source said that Yekini was shot on his left leg at a very close range on the 2nd January 2021 adding that Yekini was taken to the Oyo State General hospital in the Owode area of Oyo.

It was revealed that the police officer is reportedly still receiving treatment at the hospital as of the time of filing this report.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Mr. Olugbenga Fadeyi confirmed the incident.

Fadeyi told newsmen on Sunday that the incident happened when the police officers at Ojongbodu Division were responding to calls to dislodge some youths who were staging a carnival.

He added that the Amotekun Corps member has been detained at the police station for further interrogation.

Fadeyi said, “Yes, this happened when the Police personnel at Ojongbodu Division, Oyo were responding to calls to dislodge recalcitrant youths staging a carnival after several warnings that such should not be staged.

“The Amotekun personnel has since been arrested and currently being investigated at Ojongbodu Police station.”

Schools remain closed indefinitely – Lagos Govt

The Lagos State Government has announced that all public and private schools below tertiary level in Lagos State remain closed indefinitely due to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A statement issued by the Head of Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr. Kayode Abayomi noted that the recent directive makes it mandatory that all schools earlier scheduled to resume on 4th of January, 2021, must remain closed until a new resumption date is announced.

While informing that a new date will be communicated in due course, Abayomi urged parents and students to ensure strict adherence to guidelines issued by the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19 such as the wearing of face masks, physical distancing, washing of hands under running water and use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers.

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