Category: Featured

The Lagos State Governor came with a spirit of victory and like every football loving Nigerian, as he jumped out of his seat at the Teslim Balogun stadium in Surulere yesterday when Kelechi Iheanacho scored the two goals that gave Super Eagles victory against Lone Stars of Liberia in their World Cup qualifying match. The snapshots below for photostory.

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The Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, next in hierarchy to Olubadan in Council tomorrow, will receive notable sons and daughters of Ibadan at the Ibadan House, for the Inauguration Party of Chief Oluyemisi Adeaga and his excos who were recently sworn in as the Executives of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes.

Among the dignitaries who are expected to grace the event are; Royal Father of the Day:
His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Olayiwola Adetunji. (Aje Ogunguniso 1) The Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Royal Guest of Honour:
Alayeluwa Oba Gbenga,
Adigun Adeoye Oyetunji (Oyinlola II)
Aare of Ofiki land.

Special Guest of Honour:
His Excellency
Engr. Seyi Makinde
Executive Governor of Oyo State

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Chairman of The Day:
Chief Kola Karim
The Agba-Oye of Ibadanland.

Father of The Day:
Chief Ashiwaju Bode Amao
Asiwaju of Ibadanland.

Mother of The Day:
Chief Mrs Mutiat Ladoja
The Agbaakin Iyalode of Ibadanland

Co-Chairmen of The Day:
Chief (Engr) Jibril ‘Dotun Sanusi
The Otun Apesinola of Ibadanland and Okanlomo Oodua Designate.
Chief (Mrs) ‘Bisi Sanda

Chief Host:
Dr. Tirimisiyu A. G Oladimeji (TAG)
1st Vice President, CCII &
Chairman Inauguration Committee.
Chief Lekan Alabi among others.

Special Youth Feature:
‘Debo Adedayo
(Mr. Macaroni)

The event will also feature presentation of Awards to Individuals who has contributed meaningful to the development of Ibadan over the years.

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The Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba Dr. Abdganiy Salawudeen Adekunle Oloogunebi (Ajinese 1) has reacted to a report in some online media platforms that claimed that security men denied him, Alaafin of Oyo and Olubadan of Ibadan entry into the stadium during the commissioning and ceremonial football competition that held on Wednesday.

The monarch said he got into the stadium and witnessed the events alongside other traditional rulers and dignitaries invited for the commissioning ceremony.

Oba Adekunle hinted that although there was overzealousness displayed by the security men at the entrance of the stadium, but it was expected, looking at the number of crowd that besieged the event center at Adamasingba and the space created for people to pass into the main bowl of the facility.

He said the number of security was expected as many would have attended the event with the mind to rob and cause havoc and would only be checked from entering the stadium by such fierce force of the security.

Aseyin said Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji decided to turn back at the gate because of the crowd of miscreants that wanted to force their ways into the stadium.

“I would not know why somebody would say I was turned back by security men, I attended the event and was ushered in, although the entrance was rough due to mammoth crowd of miscreants that wanted to force their ways in and the way they were resisted by the police and other security agencies.

“Baba Alaafin and Olubadan are not of my age, you cannot expect them to withstand such rigor and that is why they turned back and went home, people should learn to draw a line between politics and good governance, the project is not for Seyi Makinde but the whole of Oyo State to be proud of, we should rather appreciate the governor for doing what many others have failed to do overtime.”

The commissioning ceremony of the re-modelled Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba was witnessed by the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, the Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu and his Edo State counterpart, Governor Godwin Obaseki as well as the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick.

Also present at the unveiling was the former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasheed Ladoja and a former Super Eagles coach, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde.

The Federal Government on Saturday recommenced the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme in Lagos State.

Flaging-off the 5th and 6th Bi-Monthly payment in Lagos State, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Yetunde Arobieke, said that 6,810 persons/households had benefited from the programme since inception.

Mrs Arobieke said the CCT supported the poor and vulnerable to improve consumption, with the aim of reducing poverty, preventing vulnerable households from falling further down the poverty line and building their resilience to withstand shocks.

”The programme is to facilitate the transfer of N5,000 per month to beneficiaries, which is paid on bi-monthly bases (every two months), with payment given to all eligible households selected from the National Social Register (NSR).

”The livelihood component of this programme is fundamentally aimed at enabling beneficiaries to establish a sustainable means of livelihood.

”A total number of 6,810 beneficiaries from six targeted LGAs (Apapa, Amuwo-Odofin, Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos Island and Badagry) have been benefitting from the Conditional Cash Transfer programme in Lagos State since its implementation,” she said.

The commissioner, who is the State Focal Person on the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), said that Lagos State was among the 34 states benefitting from the programme, due to the effort, support and inspiration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

She said that Mr Sanwo-Olu supported State Operations Coordinating Unit (SOCU) established the Register of Poor and Vulnerable Households in the state, provided office space and the required staff for State Cash Transfer Unit to carry out its activities.

According to her, major benefits of the programme is capacity building, which is built at all tiers to enhance empowerment of beneficiaries’ household to be self-reliant.

”The training is carried out at three tiers; officers at the state level and local government level are trained, who in turn cascade the training to the beneficiaries in their communities.

”Beneficiaries are trained on Life Skill and Savings Group Mobilisation and Micro Business Development (SGMB), which is targeted at enabling the beneficiaries to save and form cooperative groups.

”The training enables them to make financial plans and engage in viable business activities within their communities to strengthen their livelihood activities by contributing their share to the state and national economy,” she said.

Earlier yesterday, members of the Baby Blue Angels Foundation gathered at their office in Ibadan to celebrate the birthday of their Boss, Amb. Ramata Agberemi Dabo.

The programme which was held along with awarding of prizes to the winners of the recently concluded essay writing competition and empowerment scheme for the less privileged had in attendance well-wishers, friends and associates who thronged the Foundation Secretariat to celebrate the great philanthropist.

In her words, the chairperson of the ocassion, Alhaja Ganiyat Muhammed attributed the kind gesture and philanthropic traits of Amb. Ramata Agberemi Dabo to the gift of God no one can buy. She said, “it is not easy to be helping people as Ramata has been doing because there are so many people in our society who have capacity to do so but choose not to do so”.

The Managing Editor of Oduduwa News, Mr. Ismael Taiwo who also chaired the Panel that awarded winners of the essay competition, showered encomium on the founder for deeming it fit to award intellectual contest. He said, the title of the essay competition, “Reawakening The Reading Culture In Nigeria” is timely and topical particularly at this era where majority of youths have abandoned reading for internet scam, and other forms of social vices rather than utilizing the advancement in technology for their capacity building by cultivating reading habit.

He said, such essay contest will no doubt boost the morale of the youths as well as preparing them ahead of the task of quality leadership as the saying, “readers are leaders”.

In his on remark, Alh. Danbayo appreciated BBA Founder, for all she has been doing. He said he used to be marvelled on the kind of personality the founder is, and as such he believed that such kind of person should be given leadership position to influence positive changes the society desires. He averred that he believed that Ramata Agberemi Dabo would yield to the call of her people to represent them at Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency come 2023.

The winners of the essay writing competition were thereafter awarded their prizes. Nurudeen Suliyat Olamide of Ibadan Southwest came first while Abubakr Ridwan, Adekunle Ayomide of Akinyele Local Government came 2nd and 3rd respectively.

In the meantime, five people including four women and one man drawn from different areas of Akinyele/Lagelu zone were also gifted cash donations as empowerment. The team leader, Omolara Ajadi in her own remark, thanked everybody that graced the ocassion and prayed that God continue to bless the founder and grant her aspirations.

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Tuesday held a world press conference in commemoration of the annual African Traditional Medicine Day, at his Ile Oodua palace, Ile-Ife.

The African Traditional Medicine Day is commemorated on 31st of August, every year.

Addressing newsmen after a brief introduction by his Director of Media and Public Affairs, Comrade Moses Olafare, Ooni Ogunwusi who is the spiritual leader of the prestigious Yoruba race, described the African Traditional Medicine as a major inheritance of the black people which is capable of solving all medical, spiritual and other problems.

The monarch who called on Nigerians particularly sons and daughters of Oduduwa to join in the promotion of the African Traditional Medicine, added that herbs and roots are of unbeatable efficacy globally.

He said, “Recently, as part of my COVID 19 response, promising traditional therapies have emerged and are still emerging. The Ministry of Health through NAFDAC has approved over 40 herbal products for management of symptoms of covid 19 and immune boosters. Traditional health practitioners are at the forefront in covid 19 preventive measures, management of symptoms of covid 19 and referral of patients for timely care. With covid 19 , there has been improved awareness of the values of traditional medicine.

“There is a great need to invest more on research and development in traditional medicine as this will contribute to harnessing home grown solutions to improve the well being of people in all parts of the World. Major pharmaceutical companies have produced herbal remedies and are looking for new active ingredients. Having the right partnership and investments , African Traditional Medicines would find broader global markets . World health Organization and other multilateral organizations are supporting capacity development in the traditional medicine sector and the development of local manufacturing.

“The progress achieved in the second decade of African Traditional Medicine include development of policy framework in 8 African countries, community mobilization aimed at raising awareness on the value of traditional medicine and building capacities of researchers, traditional health practitioners and regulatory authorities, through training in partnership with WHO and Centre for Disease Control. Last year , a regional expert advisory committee for covid 19 was launched. The objective was to accelerate the pace of research by supporting countries to collaborate on clinical trials of traditional medicine in line with international standards.

“As a great custodian of African tradition, l responded to the covid 19 preventive measures by building locally fabricated fumigator which uses the fog method of dispensing the disinfectant to disinfect the environment. I donated two fumigators each to the 36 states in Nigeria and Federal Capital Territory , Abuja. In addition, I produced herbal remedies; Verozil to boost immunity and manage symptoms of viral infections especially covid 19 and Rio Bitter Leaf to boost immunity and detoxify the body. These herbal drugs have been tried and tested and are among the 40 drugs registered by NAFDAC last year. I also developed an Intiative, Pan African Foundation for Indigenous Medical Research and Development (PAFIMERD) which was launched during the celebration of African Traditional Medicine Day ,last year , August 31st, 2020.

“Objectives of the foundation are in accordance with the goal of African Traditional Medicine; creating a platform for promotion and growth of African Traditional Medicine, support conduct of research and development of traditional medicine and initiate & support policies, laws and regulations for the growth of African Traditional Medicine. The foundation has a memorandum of understanding with the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRID) and is in strong collaboration with NAFDAC.”

On the level of success recorded through his advocacy over the years, Ooni Ogunwusi lauded the Federal Government for approving the Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine Bill 2020 for onward transmission to the National Assembly and speedy passage to law.

“We are waiting for the last process of making the important bill which has scaled though the first and second reading in the Parliament a law in Nigeria for the betterment of all.” The Ooni added.

Barely 24 hours after two members of a kidnap syndicate were gunned down in Itori, Ewekoro Local Council Area of Ogun State; another member of the syndicate, was yesterday killed by the state police command at Ilala forest, in Imala area of Abeokuta North council area.

Following another bloody encounter, one of the suspects was also arrested through the gallant exploit of the police officers.The State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a statement, said the gun battle between the police and the kidnappers was as a result of information received by the police at Imala divisional headquarters that six armed kidnappers were sighted in the forest.

“Upon the information, the DPO Imala Division, CSP Bernard Ediagbonya quickly mobilised his men, the hunters, vigilante men, so safe corps, as well as Fulani youths and stormed the forest.

He said: “On getting to the scene, the hoodlums, who sighted the team from afar opened fire on them, and the team engaged them in a gun duel. In the process, one of the hoodlums was gunned down, while another one who identified himself as Usman Maidama was arrested. Other members of the gang escaped into the bush with gunshot injuries.”

Oyeyemi said one single barrel gun; one facemask and two pairs of sandals were recovered from the suspect. He said the command’s onslaught operations against bandits have been yielding positive results, as four AK 47 rifles have been recovered from the hoodlums within the last three weeks, while some of the bandits have met their waterloo during exchange of fire within the same period.

Oyeyemi said the commissioner of police, CP Edward Awolowo Ajogun, who expressed satisfaction with the consistent fight against criminals by men of the command has ordered the transfer of the case to the anti kidnapping unit of the state criminal investigation and intelligence department for discreet investigation.

“While assuring the good people of the state that the clampdown on hoodlums in every part of the state will be a continuous exercise. He also directed that escaped members of the gang be hunted, and brought to justice as soon as possible.”

Sequel to a letter reportedly sent to a first generation bank at Owode in Oyo town, Oyo State, by armed robbers, intimating it of their planned invasion and attack, there has been an increase in security and convoy patrol by the state police command.

But the police command has said that there had been no such threat, as it operates security architecture for the protection of lives and property.

Information gathered had it that the letter to the bank was brought by a local courier about a month ago and handed over to a security guard at the gate, who, in turn, gave it to the branch manager.

The branch manager reportedly informed security agencies, particularly the Police about the letter, leading to an increase in patrol around all commercial banks and their branches, as it was believed that the armed robbers might be using the branch written to as a distraction from their target.

Before the letter, the operations department in the police command had been leading tactical teams and mobile policemen in convoy patrol around the state, particularly the metro, on a 24-hour basis, since the assumption of office by the State Commissioner of Police, Ngozi Onadeko.

However, when contacted, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Adewale Osifeso, said that the command was not aware of such threat.

The PPRO said that patrol had been the constant duty of police operatives to ensure safety.

According to him, “Oyo State Police Command under the constructive leadership of CP Ngozi Onadeko, operates a robust and formidable security architecture, which is all encompassing, for the protection of lives and property of the good citizens of the state.”

Following the motion alleging that the Oyo State government plans to acquire lands and buildings belonging to residents of Akinyele local Government, the Oyo State House of Assembly has summoned the Surveyor General and Permanent Secretary, ministry of lands and urban development in the State.

ODUDUWA NEWS Correspondent at the State Assembly gathered that the motion which was raised at the Monday Plenary by Hon. Taofeek Kehinde representing Akinyele 2 State constituency noted that fear gripped inhabitants of Olosaoko, Alabata, Ajibade, Agbedo and Alase villages when they saw strangers parading themselves as Government officials going about with various land measuring instruments in their areas.

He said, “The inhabitants of the mentioned villages are predominantly farmers who have no other means of livelihood other than farm practices. This justifies the cry from the people about the suspicious move by Government to acquire their means of livelihood without prior notice.

“Acquisition or confiscation of property is usually through appropriate processes and procedures as provided by extant laws. Therefore, the government should communicate the people through right channels on the proposed mission, it will benefit the people and of course the State.”

In his own words, the Majority leader of the house and lawmaker representing Ogbomoso South, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin added that the intention of the government is to expand the economy by attracting the dry port, railway and other major projects to the area.

Dele Adeola, lawmaker representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju while speaking on the motion said he was aligned with the motion to call all stakeholders involved in order to be well briefed on what transpired in the said allegation of acquisition of land. He also used the ocassion to enlighten the residents not to be misled by the rumoured acquisition of 2000 hectares of land as being peddle around and that whatever action taken by the State Government is in line with overriding public interest.

However he insisted Government needed to consult the people and carry them along.

“They should inform the people and hold meeting with community leaders and affected residents,” he added.

The Speaker Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin this ruled for the permanent secretary of the concerned ministry and Surveyor General to appear before the lawmakers to explain the plan of the Oyo State Government