Bobrisky has found himself in lęgal trouble with the Economic and Financial Crîmes Cømmission (EFCC). Following his attempted departure from Nigeria on an Amsterdam-bound KLM flight, he was detained by immigration officers at Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport and subsequently arrested on allegations of bribery and corruption.
The EFCC asserts that Bobrisky ignored multiple invitations to clarify allegations he made against the commission. A viral voice note allegedly claîms that Bobrisky had bribed EFCC officers with N15 million to drop money laundering charges.
The commission, however, denies these allegations and has assembled a committee to investigate the matter. The EFCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwajaren, stated that false allegations could lead to further charges.
Bobrisky, who reportedly resisted arrest, sustained !injuries and shąred his distress with followers on social media.
The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed Bobrisky’s transfer to Abuja, where he is expected to provide evidence to substantiate his claims.
A youth group has called on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeploy its Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ondo, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, ahead of the Nov. 16 governorship election.
The group, Action for Credible and Transparent Elections, under the umbrella of Ondo Youth League, made the call during a protest at INEC headquarters on Tuesday in Abuja.
Protesters have stormed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Abuja, demanding the redeployment of Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola as Ondo State Resident Electoral Commissioner over fears of favoritism in the state’s upcoming election.
The protesters waving banners with various inscriptions that what played out in Edo State will not be repeated in Ondo State. Despite having no issues with Mrs Babalola, the state refuses to take chances.
The gubernatorial election in Ondo State holds on Saturday, November 16th, 2024.
The Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole has claimed that Nigerian workers today are significantly poorer than previous generations.
Oshiomhole stated this during a lecture for members of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 17 at the National Institute of Security Studies in Abuja on Wednesday.
He noted that the widely discussed N70,000 minimum wage is equivalent to just $42 when converted to dollars, a sharp decline compared to the past.
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He said, “When the minimum wage in Nigeria was established under President Shagari, around 1981, it was about N125, which was equivalent to around $160 a month. Today, despite a 100% increase achieved by labour last year, the current exchange rate reduces this N70,000 to just $42.
“So, if you divide N70,000 by N1,650, it gives you $42. This shows that working people are much, much poorer now than we were many years ago. This income devaluation affects the quality of life and everything else.”
Oshiomhole stressed that the government and wealthier states should pay more than the current minimum wage.
Reflecting on his time as President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, he recalled pushing for Lagos State to raise its minimum wage beyond N5,000.
He said, “A serious employer should not be paying the minimum wage; they should pay more. Major employers, like the civil service, should not pay just the minimum wage. I expect the Federal Government will, over time, adjust its minimum wage.
“When I was NLC President, we agreed that oil-producing states, like Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Lagos, which have significant revenue, should pay no less than N7,000—the same as the federal rate.
“Interestingly, when we pursued this, the current President was then Governor of Lagos State. He showed me all the books and said he couldn’t afford it, but I had to push him. We organised strikes to make sure that all necessary funds were used for salaries, even if it meant sacrificing other projects.
“My job then was not to sympathise with the employers; it was to ensure workers got their due.”
Oshiomhole also called for the expansion of minimum wage laws to cover domestic staff and other employees through amendments.
He stated, “If you look at the law in Nigeria, which I hope we can amend soon, although the federal government and states have agreed on a N70,000 minimum wage, some employers still pay less, as the law only applies to enterprises with around 25-50 employees.
“But in today’s economy, a small ICT company with only 10 staff can still generate significant turnover, so the old employee number criteria are outdated.”
As part of her efforts to towards effective synergy and networking with relevant stakeholders, the newly established Department of Crime Management and Security Studies, Faculty of Social Management and Humanity, The Polytechnic, Ibadan recently visited the Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp on a courtesy visit having identified the NSCDC as one of the stakeholders in the security architecture of the country.
The Crime Department team led by Barrister Kolawole Shittu, a Chief Lecturer and head of the department was warmly welcomed by the State Commandant of the NSCDC, Augustine Nugboyon Padonu and the members of his management team.
In his address during the visit, Barrister Shittu noted that the courtesy visit was necessary by his team to familiarize with key stakeholders within the security architecture of the country, since his department was newly established to provide educational services on crime management and security studies as well as disaster risk management.
He stressed further that the department is currently running Certificate programmes in Crime and Security Studies, and Disaster Risk Management, and that the department will start her full national and higher national diplomas as soon as the accreditation process with the National Board on Technical Education is completed. He therefore, urged the State Command of the NSCDC to see his department as partners on training and capacity building which the personnel of the Corps can benefit from.
In his response Commandant Padonu welcomed the visiting team from The Polytechnic, Ibadan. He noted that the Commandant General of the Corps has always been encouraging personnel of the corps to go to school and build themselves academically which makes the institution to have majority of her staff as first degree holders. He commended the visiting team on this novel initiative to partner with the Corps on training and capacity building, and therefore, pledged that the corps will partner with the department and give supports where necessary. Both teams engaged themselves and discussed other critical areas of synergies, and are hopeful that their collaboration will improve crime reduction and disaster risk management in Oyo State.
In attendance were Mrs Bode-Okunade, Mr Amusat, Mr Ogunleye and Mr Olanrewaju all on the entourage of the Polytechnic Ibadan team, while the heads of training, administration and the public relations officer of the NSCDC Oyo State Command were also present.
Hon. Omidiji Ponmile,the Chairman of Agbele Sporting, has extended his warmest felicitations to Oloye Teslim Folarin on his 61st birthday.
Hon. Ponmile, the Igbeti-born politician and businessman, has described Oloye Teslim, a three-time Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as a statesman of high caliber who is brave at heart and large in vision and who never shook when the adverse wind blew.
The Agbele Sporting Chairman commends Oloye Teslim Folarin’s penchant for diligence, which is evident in his contributions toward the development of Nigeria’s socio-economic and political landscape based on his service to the nation as a member of the Senate.
He said Oloye Teslim Folarin’s remarkable contributions to the stability of the Senate during his tenure as Senate leader are a testament to his visionary leadership and pragmatic approach to politics and governance.As you deservedly celebrate this glorious day,
it is my prayer that Almighty God, who has richly prospered you and ordered your every step these past years, will continue to bless you with good health and fulfillment in the many more years of worthy service ahead of you, he prayed.
The Ecumenical Water Network, Africa (EWNA) has commended the Oyo State Community and Social Development Agency (OYCSDA) for prioritizing water availability across the State.
This was stated in the address of the organization’s Regional Coordinator, Vr. Kolade Fadahunsi during a courtesy visit to OYCSDA Chairman, Hon. Abideen Adetokunbo Adeaga on Wednesday.
Kolade said the visit was part of the advocacy programmes embarked upon by the body to call for availability of water in five major African countries, namely, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Kenya, adding that the focus in Nigeria is on the South West of the country.
He mentioned that it is commendable that the ongoing sixty-six projects of OYCSDA across the State that are basically on education, health, sanitation and erosion control, encompasses water provision for every sector of the projects, as directed by the World Bank and Oyo State government, under the Nigerian Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES).
He went further to call for collaboration between OYCSDA and Ecumenical Water Network, Africa, as the body celebrated ‘Africa Water Week,’ so as to achieve the set agenda of delivering portable water for a mass of people and stamp out water-borne diseases from the country.
“While extending warm greetings from Ecumenical Water Network, Africa, and commend your efforts in transforming the 33 local government areas of Oyo State, we are delighted to inform you that your initiatives have made a lasting impact on the communities.
“Our organization has been advocating for water availability in five African countries of Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Kenya, while in Nigeria, we focus on South West, we are excited about the yearly Africa Water Week, which is usually in the week of 21-26 October annually.
“This event aligns with our mission with our mission to promote water as a right and combat privatization, we are impressed by OYCSDA’s prioritization of water availability in Oyo State, particularly the 66 ongoing micro-projects across local governments,” he declared.
In his response the Chairman of OYCSDA, Hon. Abideen Adetokunbo Adeaga appreciated the EWNA team and promised to do more to sustain the legacy of sustainable community development of Governor Seyi Makinde in the State.
He told his guests that the State was poised to increase availability, affordability and accessibility of citizens to portable water without leaving out any area in the State.
Meanwhile, the OYCSDA on Tuesday, held a training for its employees to enhance their performance and productivity at work.
The training, which held at the Ibadan, Oyo State on Wednesday, had its theme as: Improving Productivity In Community Development Work.
The resource person at the training, Mr Siyanbola Adegoke spoke on improving business/workplace etiquette, stakeholders relationship management, effective communication and the need for time management among other core areas of discussion.
He enjoined the members of OYCSDA staff to maintain diligence, hardwork and resilience in the face of constraints at work, so as to deliver more to the communities in Oyo State that are the major stakeholders in their work focus.
The Chairman, Oyo CSDA, Hon. Abideen Adetokunbo Adeaga said the recent approval given for the sixty-six micro-projects called for more productivity and hard work from the members of staff, which necessitated the training event.
The General Manager, OYCSDA, Mr Salau Jelili reiterated the commitment of the Oyo State administration, under Governor Seyi Makinde to do more towards positively impacting the populace.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has suspended former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, over alleged anti-party activities.
In a resolution submitted to the APC National Secretariat and addressed to National Chairman Dr. Umar Ganduje, the Osun APC accused Aregbesola, a former governor of the state, of creating divisions within the party by establishing a splinter faction.
This alleged move was seen as undermining the party’s cohesion and unity, especially during a critical period in Osun politics.
The APC in Osun claims that Aregbesola’s actions have fueled internal divisions, with party leaders asserting that his influence on certain groups has caused significant discord. This suspension marks a decisive action by the party’s state chapter to address perceived disloyalty and realign its leadership ahead of future elections. Further responses from Aregbesola’s camp are awaited as the situation unfolds.
The oil markets have addressed a letter to the President, dated October 21, in which they are requesting a grant of N100 billion to assist in preventing the closure of impacted 10,000 marketers’ businesses in the coming weeks.
Dr. Joseph Obele, the National Public Relations Officer for PETROAN, stated that the price of a truckload of PMS has surged from N7 million to N47 million over the past 16 months.
He said, “Three days ago, there was a meeting at the national headquarters of PETROAN. At the meeting, there was, an indication that about 10,000 of our members would quit business in the next 45 days because their trading capital had been severely affected.
“That was why we wrote a letter to Mr President, dated October 21, requesting a grant of N100bn to save the affected marketers’ businesses from shutting down in the next few weeks.”
Abubakar Maigandi, the President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, acknowledged that there has been a decline in fuel consumption. He noted that the union’s members have also been impacted by this situation.
“There is a drop in consumption and the price of a truckload is higher now. So, we have reduced the quantity of fuel we buy. For instance, someone who bought 10 trucks before can only buy eight now. So, we haven’t been getting the right quantity that we are supposed to get. We sell only the little quantities we get,” he said.
The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has highlighted that the failure of oil marketers to purchase fuel has led to job losses for truck drivers and employees at petrol stations across the nation.
Mr. Afolabi Olawale, the Secretary-General of NUPENG, stated, “The economy is not smiling at all. Many petrol station owners cannot even buy a single truckload, and this has affected our members. Those of them that are truck drivers hardly get loads to carry anymore. Many petrol stations have closed down and our members who are petrol station workers have lost their jobs.
“This is an unfolding situation. It’s evolving, so I may not be able to give you the actual number of people affected now because we have those in the informal and formal sectors. We have people in the upstream, downstream, and midstream. But I don’t have the statistics right here with me to give you.
“Though everybody is affected, those in the downstream are the most affected. It affects those in the downstream sector directly because they are truck drivers, station workers, and the representatives of the marketers at different depots.”
Obasanjo had an exclusive interview with the News Central team and the state of Nigeria nation was discussed. He spoke on his time as President, the debt he met and how to he got forgiven for Nigeria. Obasanjo however berated the current huge debt profile of Nigeria which has drained the resources of the country.
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Thursday, expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s escalating debt, criticizing the country’s financial management years after he left office in 2007.
In a candid interview with News Central Television, Obasanjo revealed that he left Nigeria with a substantial $70 billion, comprising a $45 billion reserve and $25 billion in an “excess crude” account.
Oyo State Governor Engr. Seyi Makinde, former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, the Olubadan of Ibadan land Oba Olakukehin, and other dignitaries are expected to attend the book launch for the late Oba Lekan Balogun, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan land, who passed away last March at the age of 81.
The book, titled The Life and Times of the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Late Oba Lekan Balogun, is set to be launched on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at the Ibadan Civic Centre, Idiape, Ibadan. This event is expected to be the highlight of a symposium honoring the late monarch, who reigned from March 11, 2022, to March 14, 2024.
Governor Makinde will serve as the Special Guest of Honour, with the sitting Olubadan, Oba Olakukehin, as the Grand Host. The Ekerin Parakoyi of Ibadanland, Alhaji Chief Fatai Aremu Olanrewaju, and the Agba Akin Olubadan, High Chief Fijabi, will be the Chief Launchers at the event. According to the organizers, the book, written by educationist Dr. Layo Adeniyi, chronicles the Ibadan chieftaincy traditional system and delves deeply into the life and times of the late Oba Balogun.
The book consists of 221 pages and covers 21 chapters, focusing on past heroes in the city of Ibadan, the Ibadan Empire, its founders, notable Olubadan figures, ruling lines, and the emojis of Ibadanland. It also provides an in-depth explanation of the ascension to the Olubadan throne, the journey to becoming a high chief, and the roles of members of the Olubadan-in-Council. Furthermore, the organizers noted that the book details the unique process by which Ibadan chiefs ascend to the throne of Olubadan without any rancor. It also pays tribute to the eminent sons and daughters of the city and its fallen heroes.
