Category: Featured

By: Isedowo Oluwatosin Temijuayolo

Following the flood prediction for this year, the Federal Government disclosed placing  response agencies on red alert in flood-prone areas of Ekiti State to avert disasters.

The response agencies include the federal and state Fire Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), among others.

The response agencies  warn residents of the state to avoid dumping refuse and erecting buildings on water channels as part of the preventive measures against flooding.

On the 21st of August, 2021, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Habib Mustapha Ahmed, stated at a stakeholders’ meeting ,an awareness campaign on flood preparedness, response, and mitigation in order to avert the flood issue

According to Ahmed, who was represented by the Head of Operation in Ekiti State, Mr. Olusegun Afolayan, the meeting became imperative because of the consequences of the flooding, which would impact negatively on people in the various communities.

“All hands must be put on deck to mitigate the occurrence of flood disasters that may likely occur between September and October 2021.”

He appealed to the local councils to sensitise people in their domains against dumping refuse in water channels and to help clear drainages so as to allow free flow of water, especially in the flood-prone areas.

Following the gruesome murder of a former student leader of the Lagos State University (LASU) and a socialist campaigner, Comrade Nurudeen Alowonle a.k.a Omomewa by armed assailants, a member of staff of the institution has urged the Lagos State Government to illuminate the entire LASU-Iba Road and increase patrol of security agencies in the axis.

Comrade Omomewa was said to have been murdered at about 8pm, near the LASU-Iba gate of the institution.

According to sources, Comrade Omomewa died from the gun shot by yet to be identified gun men, while another staff of the institution who was attacked alongside the said Comrade escaped with gun shot wounds.

The said staff is at the moment recuperating in an undisclosed hospital.

Reacting to a statement by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso to the effect that Western Avenue in Lagos had been illuminated, the said LASU staff urged the government to do more in that regard across the state.

“All bright: Western Avenue in Lagos … this evening. The retrofitting of street lamps for a brighter, cleaner and safer environment continues,” the Commissioner had said in a post which was accompanied with pictures of Western Avenue.

Responding, the LASU staff said: “Sir, this is commendable, but more work to be done around Lagos.

“Two days ago, a former student of Lagos State University ( LASU) late Comrade Omomewa was shot alongside a staff, around 8 pm, near the LASU Iba end gate.

“We call on the government as a matter of urgency to do something around the LASU axis by illuminating that end.

“Also, there is need for the presence of security men near the campus on patrol.
Thank you,” he said.

On his part, Mr Ogunwusi Bamidele Segun, a journalist with Daily Independent newspaper, urged the state government to do something about the fact that Lagos is now very dark at nights.

“It was possible for armed robbers to operate between Alaka and Surulere few days ago because the area was dark. More works need to be done in that axis and many other places in Lagos. Lagos is now very dark at nights,” Ogunwusi said.

Also speaking, another journalist, Mr Chris Kehinde Nwandu admitted that the state was making progress but said more work needed to be done to address traffic robberies.

“We’re making progress but more still have to be done in the area of security especially traffic robberies, said Nwandu.

Other commentators commended the ongoing retrofitting of street lights in the state.

By: Isedowo Oluwatosin

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has expressed his condolences on the death of a former Administrator of the state, Brig.-Gen. Adetunji Idowu Olurin (rtd.), who passed away yesterday 21 August,2021, at the age of 76.

Gen. Olurin, a former military Governor of the old Oyo State, served as Sole Administrator of Ekiti State for six months between October 19, 2006 and April 27, 2007, during the state of emergency imposed by the Olusegun Obasanjo Administration in the wake of political crisis that engulfed the state at the time.

Governor Fayemi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, described Gen. Olurin’s death as a great loss to Nigeria, Ogun State, his home state and Ekiti, which he helped stabilise during the six-month emergency rule.

He described the late General as a selfless statesman, courageous soldier and an altruistic patriot who served his country diligently while in active service and during his retirement.

The Governor pointed out that the deceased discharged his duties as the Sole Administrator of Ekiti State with a great measure of fairness and firmness and left some legacies he would remembered for in the annals of history of the Land of Honour.

Dr. Fayemi said although the late Gen. Olurin was a soldier, he was a man of the people who was very much concerned about their welfare and ever ready to solve problems brought to his attention.

The Governor noted that Gen. Olurin brought his humane nature and professionalism to bear during his tenure as the Military Governor of the old Oyo State and while on peace- keeping assignment as the Field Commander of ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in Liberia.

According to him, the history of how a lasting peace was achieved in the then war- torn Liberia would not be complete without a worthy mention and glowing chapters written on the sterling contributions of the late General Olurin.

On behalf of the Government and good people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with the immediate family and associates of our amiable General Olurin. Our prayer is that God will grant the deceased eternal rest and grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.” the Governor said.

Olusegun Falola, one of the lawyers of embattled Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho, has said his client’s stay in Benin Republic detention is a blessing in disguise.

The 48-year-old agitator, who was first detained at the Brigade économique et financière (BEF), is at Prison Civile de Cotonou — Cotonou Civil Prison.

In the last judgment, the Cour De’appal De Cotonou ordered that Igboho should be kept in prison custody.

At the 13-hour hearing, the court ruled that Igboho be sent to pre-trial detention pending conclusion of the investigation.

Speaking on efforts on Igboho’s freedom, he said: “Igboho’s arrest shows he was cheated, because he didn’t commit any criminal offense.

“I plead with all Yorubas and Nigerians at large, don’t see Sunday Igboho as a convict, see him as someone who is under Benin Republic’s protection. Igboho is only staying underground for now until when there is breath of fresh air.

“Nigeria did not show up in court or bring up evidence against Sunday Igboho. So there is no criminal charges against him. When Igboho leaves prison, he’ll demand asylum from other countries including France, and they we’ll be ready to receive him.

“So he’ll return back to Nigeria when the administration that is against him leaves office.”

On steps Igboho will take after regaining freedom, Falola said: “If Nigeria is yet to be a safe haven for him (Igboho) to return, especially for his freedom and maximum security, all his cars in Ibadan and businesses will be done in Cotonou.

“The judges asked Igboho if he had land in Cotonou and he responded that he has a land in Seme.

“So, there is still danger ahead. Igboho’s asylum in Cotonou is for him to stay in the country and do his businesses in country and also travel to Germany to either live there or to travel to and fro. He’ll use Benin as his new home until Buhari’s tenure is over just for his own safety.

“We should be thankful to Benin Republic government for granting Igboho access to medical attention, also his wife, Ropo goes freely to see him to also interact with him and bring food regularly.

“If Igboho had been captured the way Kanu was extradited to Nigeria, then we won’t be talking about him today, his health would have worsened, look at how his aides have been treated.”

Falola further stated that “Once the storm is gradually coming to an end, Igboho will regain his freedom.

“He is hale and hearty, and also in good condition. He is also getting more medical attention for him to be fit especially ahead of any future political ambitions.”

“Sunday Igboho’s stay in the prison is not befitting for his status but it is a blessing in disguise, just to keep him protected.” He added.

The chieftain of All Progressives Congress APC in Oyo State, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan has frowned against any form of political ambush called JAGBA embarked on by one of the political gladiators who is also the current serving Senator in Nigeria, Senator Teslim Folarin and some of his supporters

He said this today while featuring on a radio programme called Political Circuit on Fresh FM as monitored by ODUDUWA NEWS, he decried the manipulation of party congresses by some set of people who went to his ward at Ojaba to hijack the structure of the party.

He said he has challenged the manipulation through Court process and that he would ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book. He said it would not be fair for someone to be in Abuja to be using manipulative style to hijack the structure of the party when some of them have been working tirelessly to entrench democratic process.

He also kicked against the notion that the governorship seat should be ceded to Oke-Ogun as ethnic political colouration will not be condoned.

He maintained his stand that he would contest for governorship election in 2023 and that if there is free and fair primary election in APC he would contest the seat and if he loses fairly he would embrace the winner and work for such person.

He however avowed that he would not hesitate to test his popularity somewhere else if APC fails to allow them level playing ground.

Dr. Olaniyi Olayiwola of the Department of Statistics, College of Physical Sciences (COLPHYS), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State, has asked the government to maintain a balance between population and available resources to have a better society. Dr. Olayiwola, who is the Head, Department of Statistics, gave the charge while featuring on FUNAAB Radio 89.5FM live interactive programme, Boiling Point. According to him, the government should optimise the utilisation of available resources and keep a proper record of the same.

“Population control is necessary, but not achievable in Nigeria due to certain factors, as the only way out is to manage and utilise our resources optimally. When we use it optimally, there will be a balance between our population size and the available resources for overall economic development. It is because people are not engaged that there is a population explosion,” he said.

Dr. Olayiwola stressed that Nigerians are not doing things the way they are supposed to be done, but rather, doing things the way they want them done. He said cultural and technological issues were some of the problems the nation was facing when it comes to population explosion. He disclosed that that 90% of Nigerians only believe in having children and not considering their upbringing and welfare. The Don urged the government to start keeping a proper record of things to have a better understanding of what is happening, adding that there are so many things that are underutilised in the country. “For a country to have a high income, it needs urbanisation, diversification of the economy, and manpower, but Nigeria is too porous and we are not doing things the way it should be done. We need to maintain a balance”, he said.

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the State of Osun has condoled the lawmaker representing Osun Central at the 9th Senate, Dr Ajibola Bashiru over the death of his mother-in-law, Mrs Susan Gladys Aso.

The Governor’s condolence message was contained in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, in Osogbo on Saturday.

Governor Oyetola said: “Dear distinguished, I was sad to learn of the demise of your mother-in-law, Mrs Susan Gladys Aso and wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to you, your wife and the entire family of the deceased.

“While it is painful to lose a loved one, I urge you and the entire family, especially your wife, to take solace in the fact that Mama lived an inspiring life that is worthy of emulation.

“The late Mrs Gladys was a hardworking, loving and accommodating woman, a great teacher and worthy role model to her children and grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.

“We pray to God Almighty to grant her soul eternal rest and comfort you and the family she left behind.”

A Socio-cultural group in Akure, known as the Ooye Development Initiative (ODI) has advised the occupants of Akure not to mourn the death of Hon. Adedayo Omolafe who was a member of the house of representative, but to celebrate his legacy continuously.

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Hon. Omolafe, who died untimely on the 16th of August, 2021, popularly known as Expensive was a member of the Ooye Development Initiative (ODI) and was a representative for the Akure North and South in the lower chamber of the National Assembly in Abuja.
Mr. Sunday Falee, the president of the Ooye Development Initiative (ODI) in a solacing message defined Omolafe’s death as a tremendous loss to the people of Akure.
In his statement, he said, “Hon Omolafe was a great son of Akure who impacted the lives of so many people. He was a philanthropist, a humanist, and a selfless politician whose grassroots links were unbeatable. A political colossus of immense significance to the teaming people of Akure, we are greatly pained by the demise of this great son of ours,”
The ODI group said the reaction to the death by the people of Akure and those across the world, shows how much Hon. Omolafe inscribed a memorable place in the hearts of his people to Akure.
The president of the group, Falee also added in his statement, “The only lesson all sons and daughters of Akure can draw from Expensive’s exit is that it pays to be good. He was very good to everyone and lived his life among the people. He was selfless and didn’t joke with the development of his people. What we should do in his memory is to continue from where he stopped,”