ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that on Wednesday, the names and images of 122 inmates who escaped from the Abolongo Custodial Centre in Oyo State have been released.
The inmates had escaped the correctional centre on Friday, October 22, 2021, after unidentified gunmen attacked the facility.
The Federal Government had enlisted the help of Interpol in recapturing the fleeing inmates when the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola visited the facility after the incident.
As of Monday, October 24, it was reported that 463 inmates had been recaptured with more than 300 still at large.
However, it is unclear if the names and images released are the remaining inmates who are still at large.
Governors Kayode Fayemi, Rotimi Akeredolu, Nasir El-Rufai, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo among others attended a panel discussion during the 27th Nigerian Economic Summit held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. The summit was themed ‘Securing our future: The fierce urgency of Now’. Below are the snapshots of the summit.
Ahead of the planned Ibadan Youths Summit, the delegates of Ibadan Prime Youths Forum, also known as the CCII Youth Wing, under the leadership of Dr. Oluwatunmise Adeagbo, the National Coordinator, in the early hours of Monday visited the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Oyo State, Asiwaju Seun Fakorede at his office.
The National Coordinator (Dr. Oluwatunmise Adeagbo) in his remarks said that the visit was part of the activities of the Forum in the build up to the Dec 2nd Ibadan Youth Summit, 1st Edition.
National Coordinator & Honorable Commissioner
“Sir, we are here to congratulate you on your re-appointment as Honourable Commissioner, we see and commend the numerous work you did before the dissolution, and we have no doubt that you will continue from where you stopped then, as representatives of Ibadan Youths, we sincerely commend your efforts. We are here on a familiarization visit to intimate you on the proposed Ibadan Youth Summit, this is in recognition of your interest in the development of the Youths, and in complementing the efforts of Government, we decided to organize this programme to enlighten and empower our youths”
The National Coordinator also stated, that in order to have a successful implementation of the programme, the Forum has visited, National Orientation Agency, Industrial Training Fund and other Agencies for collaboration and partnership.
“After visiting all other places, we also deem it fit to visit your Office for support towards the proposed youth summit entitled ‘Burden of Youth Unemployment in Nigeria: Whose Fault Sustainable Interventions & Solutions’. The summit has been scheduled to have two sessions, the panel session and the Entrepreneurial/skill exhibition session, and it will be a privilege to have you as one of the members of the panel, sir”
In his response, the Honourable Commissioner applauded the Youth Forum for such innovations, saying that his Ministry will support the Forum in this coming programme and any other youth-oriented programmes of the Forum
“The Ministry will support your Forum, we are here because of programmes like this, it’s a developmental one, and the ministry will see how we can always come in for previous programmes, I will also make myself available for the programme, and the ministry will support you where necessary”
Part of the request made by the Forum also include partnership with the Ministry in both state and federal opportunities for members and Ibadan Youths in general, which the Commissioner promised to inform the forum whenever an opportunity avail itself.
Lastly, a visit was also paid to the Office of Special Assistant on Youth and Sports, Hon. Kazeem Bolarinwa.
In his remarks, he also supported the idea and promised to give his best to the actualization of the programme.
The Chairman APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, visit Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his Bourdillon Residence, ikoyi Lagos.
Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has vowed to pursue and recapture all inmates who escaped from the Abolongo, Oyo, Oyo State, Custodial Centre of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) on Friday night when the facility came under attack of gunmen.
The Minister gave the assurance whilst making an inspection visit to the facility on Sunday morning, in Oyo, Oyo State.
“I’m assuring Nigerians that the Federal Government will pursue not just those who attacked our facility, but those who have escaped lawful custody.
“The attack was unconscionable. I commend officers of the Nigeria Correctional Service and other members of sister security agencies who provided perimeter security for our facility for fighting gallantly and holding the fort before the attackers were able to gain access to the awaiting trial section of the facility. However, those who escaped are already being pursued. Some have been rearrested, many more will still be captured,” the Minister stated.
Giving more details about those who escaped, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola noted that, 446 out of 907 escapees have been recaptured, whilst 69 never left the facility.
“As at the last count, 446 of the escapees have been recaptured, leaving 392 still at large. We want to assure Nigerians that the service have an updated database of the escapees which includes their biometrics. We are sharing the database with all security agencies in the country, including the Interpol, so those who escaped our recapture efforts can be nabbed.
“To those on the run, be assured you have nowhere to hide. You can run, but you can’t hide. We’ll fish you out! We are publishing details of those who escaped in the mass media so the public can assist in that effort,” the Minister reiterated.
On the effort to rebuild the damaged part of the facility, the Minister noted that he has directed the NCoS, to immediately begin remediation work.
“I have instructed the CG of NCoS to immediately begin the reconstruction of the damaged parts of the building. We hope to make the facility better secured and more habitable for the inmates.
Also speaking during the inspection, the Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, NCoS, Haliru Nababa, mni, noted that so far, the service has successfully prevented internal jailbreaks in all her facilities.
“The NCoS have so far prevented internal jailbreaks in the country. What we have reoccurring in recent times are external attacks on our facilities. We have been retraining our officers not just on securing those in lawful custody, but prevent external attacks.
“We are collaborating with other security agencies in the country to make such attacks near impossible and where they do occur, the attackers will not live to regret it,” the CG stated.
On the instruction given by the Minister of Interior to immediately begin remediation work on the facility, CG Nababa noted that work has begun already.
“As you can see, workers are already on site fixing damaged doors, broken windows and mounting walls. Before the end of today, work would have been completed on it,” Nababa stated.
Before leaving Oyo, the Minister’s entourage paid a courtesy visit to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, and commiserated with him over the attack of the FG facility in his town.
“We are here to commiserate with your majesty over the attack in your town less than 72hours ago. Oyo is known as a peaceful town and with the measures we are putting in place, you can be assured nothing of such will take place again,” Ogbeni Aregbesola assured the monarch
Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has condemned the attack on the Oyo town correctional facility, saying the invasion was a national embarrassment.
Suspected bandits Friday night reportedly attacked the Abolongo Correctional Centre in Oyo town, freeing an unspecified number of inmates at the facility.
While reacting in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Kehinde Aderemi, the Yoruba generalissimo said the invasion of Oyo town prison by bandits has exposed the poor security situation in the country.
He also expressed concern about the situation, adding that Oyo State and the entire South-west has never experienced such an attack in a very long time.
Recalling that the same situation also played out in Kabba, Kogi state, Adams warned the Inspector General of Police, Mr Usman Baba, to protect prisons across South-West.
“Oyo town has never recorded such incident in its long history. It is unfortunate that insecurity has triggered various types of menace,” he said.
Adams added, “Following the attack on the Abuja-bound train, and the Oyo prison attack, it is certainly no doubt that the bandits are playing out a script that will later engulf the entire nation.
“It is, indeed, very ridiculous to hear such unsavoury news coming from the ancient town. However, I want to express my concern to Kabiesi, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and the Oyo state government”
“I am also using this opportunity to urge the Inspector General of Police to look into the security situation in Oyo and address the problem in the most professional manner. Oyo state is very sensitive to the southwest and we cannot continue to live in fears.”
The most popular Oyo State Political team,(Team 4+4) for governor Seyi Makinde second term has declared it unwavering support for Ambassador TAOFEEK OLADEJO ARAPAJA as he joined the race to become the Deputy National Chairman Of People Democratic Party (PDP).
Ambassador TAOFEEK OLADEJO ARAPAJA who emerged as the Chairman South West PDP some months ago has relinquished the position to contest as the Deputy National Chairman in the coming National Congress of PDP which will come up on 30th-31st of Oct. 2021 in Abuja.
Team 4+4 while speaking with journalist, described Amb. Taofeek Arapaja as a man with ocean of intelligent,and a man who is embedded with a wide political experience, these reasons and others leadership role played successfully recently by him as southwest PDP chairman in uniting our party (PDP) nationally,made us(team 4+4) to give undaunted support for him to run as PDP deputy National chairman, so he can use his wealth of experience to bring more unity to the party which we believed will bring victory for the party atlarge in the forthcoming general election.
The team stated further that Amb. Taofeek Oladejo Arapaja vast knowledge of the party cannot be limited to the Southwest alone but can be Utilized at the National level because of his zeal and readiness for team work with others executives to attain the seat of Power at federal level come 2023.
Knowing well that Ambassador TAOFEEK OLADEJO ARAPAJA as Southwest Chairman controls six(6) States of the southwest and within short time in office he has touched and tour round the states for settlement so as to achieve undefittable structure ahead 2023 general election,we believe if he win again as PDP Deputy National Chairman in the coming National congress,the party victory in 2023 general election is 💯 certain.
As a progressive political team for Seyi Makinde 4+4 agenda (team 4+4) under the leadership of Hon.Gbenga Adewusi Ayinde a.k.a Arole we wish Amb.Taofeek Oladejo Arapaja a brilliant success ahead.
Signed: Team 4+4 Led by Hon. OLUGBENGA AYINDE ADEWUSI AROLE (CHAIRMAN OYO STATE SPORTS COUNCIL).
.says award, invitation to seek improved ways to sustain free education in Osun
…as Akande advocates sustenance of Awolowo’s indelible educational legacies
The Governor of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola on Thursday, bagged the Awolowo free education award of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.
He received the award at the 2021 edition of the Lecture Series of the institution’s Faculty of Education, which was delivered by former Governor of Osun, Chief Adebisi Akande.
The award, according to the organisers, was in recognition of the governor’s significant efforts to turnaround the educational fortunes in the State within the almost three years of his Administration.
Oyetola who dedicated the award to the memory of the founder of free education in Nigeria, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and the people of Osun, described the honour as “an invitation to continue to seek better and improved ways to sustain free education in the knowledge and technology-driven world.”
The Governor also restated his commitment to sustain the legacy of free education in Osun, adding that his Administration had succeeded in its resolve to retain education as the bedrock of socioeconomic and infrastructure development of the State.
He said: “Education is the most crucial aspect of our Development Agenda in Osun in view of its place as the driver of all the sectors and the face of sustainable development.
“Despite the limited resources at our disposal, we have sustained free tuition in primary and secondary schools in the State while also providing free feeding for our pupils to enhance their nutritional abilities and mental alertness.
“We have substantially increased our budgetary allocation for education and we are working tirelessly to radically diversify our economy to achieve our goal of sustaining free education up to secondary school level and affordable at the tertiary level.
“Our education programme cuts across all levels. We are supporting our primary, secondary and tertiary institutions and positioning them to compete globally. Our strategy is to commit huge financial resources into the sector, assemble the best hands to manage the institutions and partner with well-meaning citizens and friends of the State to achieve our objective.
“Under this arrangement, we are renovating our schools, including technical and school for children living with disabilities, providing educational facilities and training and re-training our teachers to make them to provide top-notch services and produce competitive products.
“We are also collaborating with our partners to facilitate equipment, including laboratories, research workshops and teaching hospital for our tertiary institutions as appropriate,” he said.
Governor Oyetola also commended the organisers of the award for instituting the Obafemi Awolowo Free Education Series to interrogate and advance tangential development issues in the nation and to keep the legacy of free education alive.
Speaking on the theme of the lecture, “Awolowo Legacies In Education and Policies: Enduring Lessons for Contemporary Nigeria”, Chief Adebisi Akande said the late Awolowo was an exceptional model in politics whose indelible legacies in education cannot be over-emphasised.
According to him, the late Sage believed so much in education as he, in 1952, awarded 200 scholarship to indigent students for a university education having submitted in his advocacy for mass universal education as a panacea to socioeconomic development.
“Awolowo left behind imperishable legacies. He believes that the man’s greatest need is education. He ensured that every child must be educated. His policies were centered on education.
“Some of the Awolowo’s imperishable legacies were his consistent advocacy for true federalism to put an end to unchecked impunity of the then rulers, he fought for the unity in diversity among Nigerians as he used his innovative tendencies in governance to impact many lives”, Akande added.
Receiving Governor Oyetola and other awardees, Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, lauded the Administration of Governor Oyetola for investing hugely in the education sector as manifested in the success the State had recorded so far.
Ogunbodede who described Oyetola as a lover of education said the award was in recognition of his tremendous contributions to educational reformation and advancement of the course of quality, functional and qualitative education in the State.
He said: “This programme is aimed to honour our own, late Obafemi Awolowo whose passion and love for education cannot be quantified. He used all the available resources to advance the education as this legacy lives till now.
“It is in respect of this that we have resolved to honour this legacy. No doubt, our Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola has done so much to develop the education sector. He has done so much for the university more than expectation.
“You have been so supportive. You have been coming to our aid whenever we need your support. You have been doing well. Our prayer is that God will continue to be with you and enrich you to continue to do more for the State.”
In her welcome address, the Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof. Bonke Omoteso, urged the leaders and well-meaning Nigerians to support education and donate generously to the growth and development of education in the country particularly in the university.
She said: “Awolowo was a man of vision and a dynamic administrator. He fought that the State resources should be channelled into education. He introduced free basic education. We enjoyed it and we are still enjoying it until today.”
The representatives of the National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi lauded the Awolowo’s enduring legacy on education.
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the release of the protesters arrested recently by the Nigerian Police Force during #EndSARS protest. This was made known today in a statement released via his official Facebook account as read in part:
“Following the conclusion of the sitting of the State Judicial Panel of Enquiry and Restitution on Police Brutality, I want to reassure everyone that government will ensure full disclosure by making the report public.
“Lagos State Government, under my watch will not make any attempt to cover up the recommendations of the panel, whether it favours us or not.
“I am convinced that the panel report would be helpful in strengthening true reconciliation and help to prevent re-occurrence of violence in the State.
“We are currently facing the arduous task of rebuilding the state, one year after it was hit by a wave of arson attacks resulting from the EndSARS protests. Lagos recorded a huge loss in assets and resources, following the violence that trailed the protest, as public transportation infrastructure, court buildings, police stations, private properties and iconic assets were razed by arsonists on October 21, 2020.
“In the spirit of freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Constitution, I have ordered the release of those that were arrested for participating in a drive-through EndSARS memorial protest at the Lekki Tollgate yesterday except the person who was caught with dangerous weapons at the scene.
“The immediate task before us is to work together to rebuild Lagos and I extend a hand of fellowship to the youth to be stakeholders in the development of our State”.
Oyo State Government has released the take-off grant for the commencement of activities at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso (LAUTECH)’s College of Agricultural Science and Renewable Natural Resources, Iseyin, in Iseyin local government area.
This was made public on Tuesday evening at Iseyin by the Chairman, Governing Council of LAUTECH, Professor Ayodeji Omole, who led other members of the council and management members of the University, on fact-finding mission to ascertain the cost of putting up structures and renovating existing buildings for administrative, research and residential purposes.
Omole hinted that with the release of the take-off grant, work would start in earnest, as Governor Seyi Makinde would do the turning of sod at the administrative site of the College along Okeho road by November, 2021.
The Chairman who visited the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Dr. Abdulganiy Salawudeen Adekunle Oloogunebi Ajinese 1, said “we appreciate the community through Kabiyesi for the support received so far on this project, at the outset, some people believed the issue of some ownership of LAUTECH would not be possible, but for the doggedness of the Governor, we here today.
“I want to announce here that the take-off grant for work to start at the College has been released, by next month (November), the Governor himself will come and do the turning of sod for construction works to commence.
“The Governor has also promised that the institution will get more funding from the 2022 budget, as it has been captured in the 2022 annual financial estimate, so the community must brave itself for the works ahead.”
Prof. Omole called on the community to provide more land for the university project as the available acquired land has been exhausted on projections based on research, academics and other aspects of the institution’s projects.
He said all eventualities should be put into consideration at the present moment of putting life into the College, as according to him, the College might eventually become a full-fledged university.
He also asked residents to relate well with students and staff members of the College as he reckoned that they would be coming from different homes, backgrounds and with different orientations.
“The land allocated so far is so small and working with the allocations done on paper for the projects for different aspects of academics, research and other other areas, we need more.
“You never can say, this College may eventually become a full-fledged University, the community needs to acquire more land.
“University normally changes the landscape of the community as students will be coming from different backgrounds with different orientations, our people should please accommodate them.”
The Aseyin of Iseyin in his remark, gave kudos to Governor Seyi Makinde for not neglecting Iseyin community in his strive to make Oyo State an envy of other States in Nigeria.
He assured the LAUTECH Council and management staff of security of lives and properties of students and staffers of the College, assuring the delegation that upon commencement of construction works at the College site, indigenes of Iseyin would rally support for the success of the project.
The National President of Iseyin Development Union (I.D.U), Alhaji Bayo Raji told the delegation that apart from the acquired land that has been handed over to the authority of the College, another 50 acres of land was presently being acquired for the institution.
Raji praised the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde for not looking back in his determination to restore the old glories of Oyo State through education, healthcare and social infrastructure.
