The Nigerian Indigenous National Alliance for Self-determination has called on the Governments of the United States, Britain, France, Russia, Germany, and other top European and Western Countries to impose heavy sanctions on the Nigerian Government for undermining democracy and continuously abusing human rights.

The group also urged the American Government and European Countries to stop selling arms to the Nigerian Government, alleging that previous arms sold to the Buhari-led regime with borrowed funds have found their way into the hands of herdsmen, Boko Haram, ISIS, and other terrorists that are currently terrorising the Indigenous people of the South and Middle Belt of Nigeria.

This was contained in a statement by the Communications manager to NINAS, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye,

NINAS is the umbrella body of leading regional Self-determination Groups in the South and Middle Belt of Nigeria with Ilana Omo Oodua representing the Yoruba bloc, Lower Niger Congress representing the South-South and South East, and Middle Belt Forum representing the Middle Belt bloc.

The CFM signatories who wrote the petition to the US Government and European Countries, according to the statement included a renowned Historian, Emeritus Professor Banji Akintoye, former President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; respected Varsity Don, Prof. Yusuf Turaki, Secretary-General of NINAS, Barr. Tony Nnadi, Pioneer Commissioner for Education in Osun State and National Chairman of Ilana Omo Oodua, Professor Wale Adeniran, amongst others.

Part of the letter read, “We the people of the South and Middle Belt under the aegis of Nigerian Indigenous National Alliance for Self-determination call on you to sanction the government of Nigeria for undermining democratic ethics and abusing people’s rights to live; to own property; to liberty; to dignity; to peaceful assembly and to self-determination.

“The Arms being sold to the Nigerian Government with funds borrowed from your territory are now being used to kill, oppress, harass, intimidate and strangulate harmless protesters and defenseless people of the South and Middle Belt of Nigeria who are exercising their rights to self-determination and peaceful assembly.

“Boko Haram Terrorists, Fulani herdsmen, and Bandits are now maiming, harassing, and killing our people on the roads and in their farmlands with same arms and ammunitions bought from your countries with impunity.

“Today, peaceful protest is an aberration in Nigeria. Opposition voices are now being arrested and caged behind the bar for demanding good governance and their inalienable right to self-determination.

“Freedom of speech is now an essential commodity in Nigeria. The leadership of Nigeria is now censoring the media to prevent free speech to alert the world to the ongoing genocide. Social Media is now under threat in Nigeria.

“We appeal to you, in the interest of peace-loving people of the South and Middle Belt of Nigeria to halt further sale of Arms to the Nigerian Government until the country surrenders the sovereignty of the people back to them.

“For the record, our cardinal demand as a group is for the Nigerian Government to function as the transitional government while a United Nations supervised referendum is organised so the people can exercise their self-determination right and end to unitary Nigeria which has been turned into an apartheid state.

“We demand unconditional abolition of 1999 Constitution of Nigeria which we have shown to be a fraud perpetrated against the people of the South and Middle Belt of Nigeria given that the people did NOT make it.”

A high-powered delegation comprising the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, the Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Solomon Bonu and a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Surulere Constituency I, Hon Desmond Elliot, among other government officials on Tuesday visited the Magodo residence of late Nollywood Actress, Rachael Oniga to condole with the deceased’s family.

The Commissioner presented a Letter of Condolence to a representative of the family, stating that the visit was at the instance of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

According to Mrs. Akinbile-Yusuf, the deceased actress made an impact in the industry that made it impossible for anyone not to pay tribute and acknowledge her contributions to Nollywood.

She urged the family to accept the shocking death as an act of God, imploring them to avail the State Government information about the burial details so that the necessary support can be extended.

“We share in your grief, this is not a loss to the film or entertainment industry alone or the immediate family members. It is a huge loss to the State Government and specifically to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture”, she stated.

In his address, Mr. Desmond Elliot, consoled the family, saying “Please, accept our condolences, it’s a loss to us as a people and as a State. The Governor and other government officials are also heartbroken”.

Responding on behalf of the family, a brother-in-law to late Rachael Oniga, Engr. Abimbola Odusote, said, “We appreciate the State Governor, Deputy Governor, Members of Lagos State House of Assembly and the delegates that the Governor has sent to come and commiserate with us at this time, may God bless you all”.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism Arts, Princess Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi and some Directors from the Ministry were also part of the delegation that visited the deceased’s family.

LASG

ForAGreaterLagos

In his resolve to stem the tide of insecurity in the state, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has nominated the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams as the state’s ambassador for the Western Nigeria Security Network, WNSN, known as Amotekun.

The governor also presented a brand new Jack Pick up Van to Aare Adams as a pilot vehicle with three members of the security outfit as part of Adams’ security entourages.

Speaking while receiving the van at his Omole Phase 2 residence in Lagos yesterday, Adams described the gesture as commendable, stressing that the security of the state remains the topmost priority of every government.

He also applauded the governor’s courage in ensuring that the state is safe for residents, insisting that governor Makinde’s efforts at reducing the tempo of insecurity in the state, by allocating ten million naira each to all the local government in the state had really paid off.

Iba Adams said the office of the Aareonakakanfo will continue to complement the efforts of the security outfit in reducing the spate of insecurity across the state.

He said: “I want to appreciate our amiable governor for this worthy honour, and I hope other governors in the region will replicate this gesture, particularly, at this time when we are faced with the various security challenges across the southwest.

“Security is a sacred responsibility of the Aareonakakanfo, and for the governor to have recognised that is highly commendable.

“Now that Oyo state government has identified with us as the ambassador of the state Western Nigeria Security Network outfit (Amotekun), it is a call to service.

“As the Oyo state ambassador of Amotekun, I will use the office of the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland to complement the efforts of the state government in addressing the security deficit across the state.

“More importantly, I hope other states in the southwest, including Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Ogun and Lagos will replicate this gesture bearing in mind that the stool and office of the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland are solely for all the states in the southwest and it is the responsibility of the governors to take care of the paraphernalia of the office.”

Meanwhile, the leader of the Oyo state Amotekun team, Comrade Akinro Kazeem Babalola said the state government gesture is in line with its resolve to reduce crime and the spate of insecurity in the state.

He said governor Makinde’s zero-tolerance to crime has rekindled people’s hope in the government

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has today inaugurated newly elected local government council chairmen.

This was contained in a statement released today by the governor via his official Facebook account as read in part:

“Today, at the induction programme for the 57 elected Council Chairmen, I charged the new leaders of the third tier of government in Lagos State to devote their resources to people-oriented programmes that will address poverty and accelerate good governance at the grassroots.

“I reminded the council chairmen that the manifesto of the APC on whose platform they came to power gives priority to programmes focusing on development and people’s welfare. I stated that it was incumbent on them to sustain the support, trust and confidence of the people by promoting purposeful, result-oriented and inclusive governance.

“The party’s people-centred ideas and programmes have, over the years, been implemented meticulously at the Federal level and in Lagos to the admiration and satisfaction of our people, who, in return, have remained consistent and unwavering in their support and loyalty to our party.

“As Local Government Chief Executives, they have important responsibilities as Security Officers in their domains, serving as an early-warning security system for law enforcement and security agencies, and for the State Government.

“Council Chairmen must have eyes and ears to the ground, working closely with local and traditional institutions, market, transport and artisan unions, youth groups, and religious organisations to defuse those seemingly minor tensions that have the tendency to blow up into unmanageable situations.

“I also used the occasion to give a progress report on the 377 projects kicked off last year by the State Government across the wards and bring the new council helmsmen to speed on them”.

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday approved the report of its committee on establishment which recommended the reduction of pensions to former governors and other affected officials by 50 percent.

The committee also expunged the provision of houses in Abuja and Lagos for former governors as stipulated in an earlier law operated by the state.

The report further showed a reduction in the number of vehicles to be made available to former governors and their deputies.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, suggested that former governors should get two vehicles (a car and a van) instead of three as recommended by the committee.

He also suggested that the amended bill should provide that the cars be changed every four years instead of the three years recommended by the report.

While some of the lawmakers, at plenary, had suggested for an upward review of the pension for the affected public office holders by 75 percent, others urged that the pension remain as stipulated in the old law.

However, Obasa argued that it should be left at 50 percent, especially as the report had recommended the removal of houses and reduced other benefits.

While recalling the recent murder of the president of Haiti, Obasa said it was necessary to also secure the lives of the former office holders.

“By virtue of my office, I have seen former Speakers who we just had to intervene in their lives because of the situations they found themselves outside office. We have also seen former governors in a very bad situation,” he said.

Obasa noted the argument of his colleagues that the projected downward review of the pension for the former governors and others could also be affected by inflation and other economic considerations, but reminded that the House must meet the wishes of the people one of which is a cut in the cost of governance.

“There is no argument, we must realise that this is democracy and it is all about the people. We are here because of the people. When we represent people, it is good for us to listen to them as well.

“We must realise that we would always go back to the people for support. So when we hearken to their agitations and reduce what existed, it shows that we listen,” Obasa told his colleagues adding that his suggestion for further reduction of the number of cars was because “as you age, your needs continue to decrease.”

Earlier some of the lawmakers had supported the report of the committee saying it would have a positive impact on the internally generated revenue of the state.

The leadership of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) on Wednesday lauded the Administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun for continuously taking the welfare and general well-being of the residents, particularly workers, as priority since assumption of office.

The Union also applauded the Governor for restoring the lost hope of the workforce in the State through the prompt implementation of his workers-friendly policies and programmes that had corrected so many lapses of the past.

The members of the Union consequently threw their weight behind the Governor and endorsed him for second term, saying they would do all things possible to re-elect him for giving them the best place they deserved as proletariats.

This is even as Oyetola bagged the Workers-Friendly Governor Award as a symbol of appreciation of many of his efforts to advance the cause of workers in the country at large and Osun in particular.

In his acceptance speech, Governor Oyetola appreciated the leadership and members of the Union for being supportive of his Administration since inception.

He commended Osun workers for their high sense of diligence, commitment, loyalty and passion for the government as being displayed in their collective quest to move the State to greater heights.

“I appreciate the National leadership of the Nigeria Civil Service Union for the visit and welcome you formally to Osun. I equally thank you for choosing Osun as the host for your Southwest Zonal Meeting.

“As a government, we have been enjoying the hands of fellowship from our workers since we came on board and I must confess to you that I am overwhelmed by the show of love which you all displayed.

“Our government is workers friendly. We have been partners in progress. Labour played a significant role in my emergence as the candidate of our party and subsequently my emergence as the Governor of the State.

“As you all know, our government has been fulfilling its promise made to ensure the payment of full salaries as and when due. We have also not failed in our responsibility to ensure payment of full pensions and gratuities regularly since 2018, including gradual clearing of the backlog of arrears inherited.

“We have provided robust Health Insurance Scheme for our workers and our Administration has also upgraded over 200 members of staff of UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital just as we also pardoned 962 civil servants who had been pencilled for demotion for embarking on further studies without approval.

“And above all, we are paying Minimum Wage despite the obvious economic challenges in the country. These and many others are being done by our government to show that we value our workers and will never do anything to undermine their welfare.

“We are going to do more for workers. You have demonstrated that you are good partners in progress. I am very honoured today by the presence of your members who came from far and near.

“It is therefore a very cherished honour that will no doubt continue to boost our resolve to constantly put our teeming workers first.

“I wish to, once again, thank you all for finding me worthy of this honour. It is a call to do more for our hardworking workers and for the people of our great State. I shall not disappoint you,” he added.

He therefore dedicated the award to the good people of the State, particularly workers for their unflinching and unalloyed support.

Speaking on behalf of the members of the Union at a One-Day Retreat and Award Presentation of the award of Nigeria Civil Service Union Southwest Zone, held at the Staff Development Centre, State Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, the National President of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Comrade Lawrence Uchechukwu Amaechi, lauded the tremendous achievements the Administration had recorded in the last two and half years.

Amaechi, who described Governor Oyetola as the best among the equals in the country, noted that the Union would continue to be grateful for the good gesture the Administration had extended to workers so far.

According to him, it was good to celebrate the inimitable hands of fellowship being extended to workers in the State by the Oyetola- led Administration.

“We have been following the progress of Union across the country, and Osun stood out as a State where the welfare of workers was attended to without negotiation.

“We are grateful to you because you have done very well since taking over leadership responsibility. We know what you inherited, but today, the story is different because workers across the State are happy.

“You are not among the bad leaders we have in this country. You are a good man. And when a good man leads, people’s lives get better.

“It is on record that Osun is among the States where we didn’t negotiate before the minimum wage was approved and paid to workers.

“I give kudos to the Governor for keeping faith with the workers’ welfare. I was here few years ago, but I couldn’t see smile on the faces of our colleagues because they were being paid half salaries and owed. But we thank God that today they receive their salaries and pensions in full.

“It is in recognition of this that we were resolved to give you an award because of your good deeds and excellent performance across sectors of the economy. I am here today to join my members not because of anything but because you have demonstrated leadership that caters for the interest of all, most importantly the workforce.

“In fact, you have done very well in Osun. We don’t just give awards to people, but to those that deserve it. You deserve it. That is why we have resolved to give you as a show of appreciation for your resilience, doggedness, commitment and passion for the socioeconomic development and general welfare of the people, particularly workers in Osun.

“It is very expedient that workers of Osun have seen the light through your commitment to good governance. I promise our continued cooperation and loyalty to advance the State,” he added.

Earlier in his welcome address, State Chairman, NCSU, Comrade Abimbola Arapasopo, commended the Governor for being faithful to his electioneering promises made to reposition the civil service and make life meaningful and worthwhile for all categories of workers in the State.

Arapasopo who acknowledged the Governor for doing great things out of the obvious meagre resources, noted that the Adminstration has been doing excellently well in all spheres of life.

Also speaking, the State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Jacob Babatunde Adekomi, and State Chairman Joint Negotiation Council, Comrade Bayo Adejumo, appreciated the Governor for promoting the welfare and well-being of workers in the State.

In his remarks, the Head of Service of the State, Dr. Festus Olowogboyega Oyebade, lauded Oyetola for being passionate about everything that concerns the welfare and wellbeing of workers.

He added that Oyetola has proved himself as a father beyond the call of his official duties.

“No leader in the history of Osun has accomplished what Oyetola has done in terms of relationship with workers. He lives by the principles of recognising the other person, not just by names but by needs. He is a very disciplined man with money, materials and other resources,” Oyebade said.

Those in attendance were Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola; Deputy Governor, Mr. Benedict Alabi; Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye; some members of the State House of Assembly; Deputy Chief of Staff, Prince Abdulah Binuyo; some members of the State Executive Council; members of the State Civil Service, State Labour Leaders, among others.

The Oyo State House of Assembly Thursday confirmed the appointment of all Seven Commissioner nominees forwarded to it by Governor Seyi Makinde.

Recall that Governor Makinde had on Monday forwarded the list of the seven Commissioners to the House of Assembly for screening and ultimately for reappointment.

Their names were announced on the floor of the House on Tuesday by the Speaker, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin while reading the letter to that effect from Governor Seyi Makinde.

The confirmation of the Commissioner nominees followed their appearance and the presentation of reports of their Ministries before the State Legislators.

The Commissioners are Mr Akinola Ojo (Ministry of Finance), Prof Oyelowo Oyewo SAN (Ministry of Justice), Chief Bayo Lawal (Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters) and Prof Dawood Kehinde Sangodoyin (Ministry of Public Works).

Others are Barr Temilolu Nurudeen Ashamu (Ministry of Energy), Mrs Faosat Joke Sanni (Ministry of Women Affairs) and Alhaji Ismaila Ayansiju Lawal , (Ministry of Establishment and Training).

The Lawmakers took turns to ask questions, seek clarifications and give suggestions to the Commissioner designates on moving their various Ministries forward while the Commissioner designates responded one after the other.

The Speaker urged the Commissioners to do more in justifying the confidence reposed in them especially the Governor which led to their reappointment.

” I say congratulations to all our seven returning Commissioners on their reappointment. This is great privilege and another rare opportunity for you to continue in your various Ministries, and also another chance to serve the people of Oyo State. I therefore advise that you take note of all the questions and observations made by the Honorable Members towards moving Oyo State forward. ” Oyo Speaker said.

Speaking on behalf of other Commissioners , the Oyo State Commissioner for the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Bayo Lawal assured that more developmental programs will be embarked upon by their various Ministries to further advance the vision of Governor Seyi Makinde.

Hon Bayo Lawal expressed appreciation to members of the 9th Oyo State House of Assembly for their support for the present administration, and the cordiality existing amongs all the arms of Government in Oyo State.

Prominent Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo state; Alhaji Adebisi Olopoeyan has highlighted why he was not present at the Bukola Saraki-led National Reconciliation and Strategy Committee meeting of the PDP at the Oyo State Government House on Tuesday.

The PDP Chieftain explained that he wasn’t at the meeting for security reasons which if he neglected might be dangerous for him.

Olopoeyan and other PDP stakeholders had earlier met with the committee at Carton Gate Hotel, Idi-ape before the said National PDP committee moved to the government house. He confirmed that he was in a meeting with the committee but deliberately refused to attend the enlarged meeting at the Government House based on his security which he said was hinged on his relationship with the state governor; Engr Seyi Makinde.

However, Olopoeyan offered insights into the discussion conducted at the Carton Gate Hotel, stating that the disgruntled members said what they wanted in front of the committee, while those who remain loyal to Governor Makinde presented their views.

“After the meeting in the hotel, I decided not to go for the enlarged meeting at the Government House because of my safety. The government is fraternizing with Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi, also known as Auxillary.

“But the committee has not given any judgment. The committee said they gave the governor till the end of this month (August) to reconcile all the aggrieved members. I believe the Saraki-led committee would do the right thing. But I don’t have confidence in Seyi Makinde until I see it done.

“We have not left the party. It is our party. We are together. We don’t want the party to be in disarray. Saraki said he would not allow anyone to destabilize the party. I am not asking for anything other than for the party to be a united one.

“One of the requests that we tabled before the committee is that the PDP executive council in the state should be dissolved. Let the caretaker committee be set up. We are preparing for the congress. Let the caretaker committee organize the congress. All I wanted is the stability of the party.”

Oyo State Governor; Engr Seyi Makinde while speaking at the meeting assured all party faithful to be steadfast in upholding the tenets and values of the PDP and that he has put in place strategies to placate and bring back into the party all aggrieved members of the party stating that this move will position the party on a pedestal and prepare the party ahead of future elections in the state. He further urged party members to place the party interest above personal hates and grievances.

Former President of the Senate and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; former Governors of Cross River and Gombe States, Senator Liyel Imoke and Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo; and former Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola were among those in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, yesterday described the two recently elevated Justices of the Court of Appeal from the state as upright Justices.

Hon. Justice Ademola Bola, JCA, and Hon. Justice Olabode Adegbehingbe, JCA, were among the 18 new justices elevated to the Court of Appeal of Nigeria and sworn in on June 28, 2021 in Abuja.

Until their recent elevation, they were Justices in the State High Court, Akure.

At a dinner/reception organised by the state government in their honour, Governor Akeredolu, who said the two Justices are held in high esteem, described them as courageous and fearless jurists.

While congratulating them on their well-deserved elevation, the Governor said the state is proud to have produced upright Justices like them.

The Governor promised to continue to push for more judges from the state to be elevated at both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, saying he will not allow the state to be shortchanged in the scheme of things.

The colourful reception held at the International Culture and Events Centre (The Dome), Akure, was attended by members of the two families, several justices and Senior Advocates of Nigeria, captains of industries, friends and well wishers among other eminent personalities.

The Governor also promised that retired judges in the state would be celebrated in their life time, even as he called for prayers for the elevated Justices to be able to discharge the onerous tasks ahead.

The Chairman of the occasion and former President of the National Industrial Court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, appreciated the Governor for the reception in honor of the two justices.

The celebrants, Justice Ademola Bola and Justice Olabode Adegbehingbe thanked the Governor for working tireless to ensure that the state was not shortchanged in the appointments

Also present at the event were the deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and his wife, Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa; members of the Ondo State House of Assembly led by the speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun; Secretary to the Government, Princess Oladunni Odu; Chief of staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale; members of the State Excutive Council, top government functionaries, religious leaders, traditional rulers among other dignitaries.

On Tuesday, the Ibese village in Ogun State’s Yewa North Local Government Area wasOn Tuesday, the Ibese village in Ogun State’s Yewa North Local Government Area was thrown into disarray when Hausa and Yoruba motorcycles battled, leaving seven people presumed dead.

According to ODUDUWA NEWS, the conflict began on Monday between two groups of bikers and escalated into a bloodbath on Tuesday.

The bikers were alleged to be arguing over an increase in daily ticket prices from N600 to N800 at the Dangote Cement Factory intersection.

It was reported that no less than seven people were believed dead in the situation, which was supposed to have turned ethnic.

However, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, could not confirm the number of victims in the situation during an interview with journalists.

He informed locals that the leadership was on top of the issue and advised them to go about their usual lives.

“The problem is presently under control,” stated Oyeyemi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police. It was a little conflict that had escalated into a major crisis.