Category: Featured

The Oyo State Muslim Community has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to ensure more Muslims are appointed in the next cabinet appointments. This they said was necessary to ensure balance and religious justice.

In a statement released on Friday which was signed by their Chairman, Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni (Chairman) and the Secretary-General, Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade, the group demanded a more representative ratio than the 11 Christians to 5 Muslims used in the first appointments.

It would be recalled that the community had earlier condemned what they termed lopsided appointment along the religious line in the first two years of Governor Makinde’s administration.

The statement below:

PRESS RELEASE – 8th July 2021

ENSURE RELIGIOUS JUSTICE IN YOUR NEW CABINET

It is no longer news that the Oyo State Governor, H.E. Engineer Seyi Makinde, in exercising his constitutional right, has dissolved his cabinet. Nobody conversant with the law can query the power of a Governor to hire and fire any of his political appointees.

The buck of Governance of the State ends on the Governor’s table.

If the Governor’s performance is perceived to be marvellous, commendable and praiseworthy, his aides don’t take the credit, he does. However, if his performance is lacklustre, poor, condemnable and worthless, his appointees are not blamable nor condemnable, the Governor bears the brunt and wholly takes the blame.

Only the Governor knows the qualities he found in who those he appoints before appointing them and why he decided to relieve them of their appointments.

What concerns us as a Muslim Community is, ensuring that the rights of the Muslims are not jeopardized in the hurly-burly and political gerrymandering In the State.

When Governor Makinde first came into office in 2019, he (in August of that year), appointed 14 Commissioners, as members of the State Executive Council. He had earlier appointed Secretary to the State Government and Chief of Staff, the highest-ranking members of the Executive Council, both of whom are Christians. In the same vein, while His Excellency and his Deputy were both elected, he inherited the Head of Service.

In this write-up, we are only going to be looking at appointments directly made by His Excellency, The Governor. Thus, the SSG, Chief of Staff and 14 Commissioners, totalling 16, were the only officials appointed by The Governor directly in 2019. The lion’s share of 11went to the Christians while only a smattering 5 were Muslims – ratio 11:5, against Muslims

Please find below the list of the 2019 appointed members of the Oyo State Executive Council:

1. Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun – Secretary to the State Government –
(CHRISTIAN)
2. Chief Bisi Ilaka – Chief of Staff –
(CHRISTIAN)
3. Hon. Barrister Adeniyi John
Farinto – Commissioner for Budget
& Planning –
(CHRISTIAN)
4.. Mr Adeniyi Adebisi –
Commissioner for Commerce
(CHRISTIAN)
5. Hon. Muyiwa Jacob Ojekunle – Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development – (CHRISTIAN)
6. Prof Oyelowo Oyewo –
Commissioner for Justice
(CHRISTIAN)
7. Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye – Commissioner for Establishment and Training – (CHRISTIAN)
8. Barrister Seun Asamu – Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources – (MUSLIM)
9. Mr Rahman Abiodun AbdulRaheem – Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development – (MUSLIM)
10. Chief Bayo Lawal – Commissioner for Special Duties
(MUSLIM)
11. Hon Funmilayo Orisadeyi – Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Matters
(CHRISTIAN)
12. Dr Bashir Bello – Commissioner
for Health – (MUSLIM)
13. Hon Wasiu Olatunbosun –
Commissioner for Information
and Mass Mobilization – (MUSLIM)
14. Prof Kehinde Sangodoyin
– Commissioner for Education,
Science and Technology
– (CHRISTIAN)
15. Mr Akinola Ojo – Commissioner
for Finance – (CHRISTIAN)
16. Rt Hon Kehinde Ayoola –
Commissioner for Environment
and Natural Resources
– (CHRISTIAN)

In our usual manner, we called the attention of His Excellency to this unbearable lopsidedness. While the Governor initially exhibited some gubernatorial taciturnity, some of his strong supporters attempted to pull the wool over our face by pointing to two of his appointees who bear Muslim names but are proud and unrepentant Christians. These were Mr Luqman Bisi Ilaka and Prof Daud Sangodoyin

The Governor’s ultimate demonstration of wanting to hearken to our protestations resulted in the eventual appointment of Alhaja Fausat Sanni as Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion; In addition, when the first Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, who happened to be a Christian died, a Muslim, Dr Abdulateef Idowu Oyeleke was appointed to replace him. Alhaji Siju Lawal also came on board as Commissioner for Establishments and Training. Muslims perceived this as perhaps a starting point for righting the wrongs.

Recently, in June 2021, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde announced the dissolution of the Oyo State Executive Council. Just this week, we heard of the appointment of Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi as Chief of Staff to His Excellency, The Governor. Our thinking was that, since a Christian had occupied the position of Secretary to the State Government, the only other BIG Executive Council position, Chief of Staff, should have been given to a Muslim.

This would have gone a long way in assuaging the feelings of Muslims in the State.

We hereby admonish H.E. Engr Seyi Makinde, to spare us a listening ear. Your Excellency, you don’t lose anything by promoting religious equity in all that you do sir. Rather, you win more hearts.

In the demographics of Oyo State, Muslims are unarguably in the overwhelming majority. What we have always clamoured for, despite our numerical superiority, is an equal number of Christians to that of Muslims in all appointments. We also clamour that in other policy decisions of government, the two major religions should be given equal considerations.

It is distasteful and demeaning to our sensibilities for somebody to be talking of meritocracy as the yardstick for appointment into offices. We do not know of any professional calling where we don’t have higher-flying Muslims.

It is pertinent to state that, when we talk of the appointment of Muslims into political offices, our focus is only on members of the Governor’s political party, PDP. It is equally a truism that there is a preponderance of Muslim professionals within the PDP. We, therefore, urge the Governor to collaborate with all Muslim principal stakeholders within the party. This would enable him to pick genuine Muslims for his new Cabinet and he should then be assured of the support of the Muslims in the state, in as much as he ensures religious justice in all spheres of governance.

May Almighty Allah continue to grant us peace and peaceful co-existence in Oyo State, Aamin.

(SGD)
Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni
Chairman

(SGD)
Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade
Secretary-General

It has just been gathered that a mobile Police Officer has been gunned down by Armed Robbers terrorising Orile, Mile 2.

According to an eye witness who narrated how the mobile Officer was killed said, “as he would always do, on that unfurtunate night he got an sos from a woman whose husband and others were being robbed at gunpoint at a GTB bank ATM near my Plaza.

“He called the First bank and GTB mopols security but none of them responded.

“He quickly ran with his pistol to help the people being robbed. He shot at the robbers and bullet didn’t enter, they shot at him and the bullet didn’t enter too.

“Unknown to him, the criminals gang had their colleagues stationed around. Two of the criminals grabbed him from behind; hit him with 4*4 wood at the back of his head; he fell down and they messed him up more with more and then riddled him with bullet and went back and continued the robbery operation. More than 10 people at the GTB bank Coker / Oduade branch were robbed as other groups blocked the express road while robbing cars that were passing.

“These criminals operated unchallenged for hours despite sos to police station Orile and police officers we saw Police men collecting money from motorists at Coker bus stop nearby.

“Mopol Buba was rejected at a nearby hospital and later died at about 2am Thursday morning leaving his wife and children fatherless.

‘I am pained because Buba was not just my CSO, he was a Gallant officer who would go to any length outside his comfort for the safety of others.

“Buba had been a torn in the flesh of these criminals for years now. Few weeks ago, he rescued someone while being robbed by the same criminals which left one of the criminals critically shot by mopol Buba. The criminals regrouped and rescued their fellow criminal who was shot but we heard he later died.

“Rumor has it that killing of Mopol Buba yesterday was a planned revenge from the hoodlums.

“Please this is an SOS call for the RRS to come to our help. This is enough evidence as they requested before. Please help escalate this appeal. Lives are being lost and terrorized daily by the criminals along Orile, Odunade, Suru-Alaba to Mile 2 axis”.

The House of Representatives has approved the $6.183 billion External Borrowing request by President Muhammadu Buhari to finance the deficit in the 2021 budget.

The borrowing was already captured in the N13.6 trillion budget as a financing window.

At its plenary in Abuja on Thursday, the House considered and approved the report of the Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management, which gave the nod to the presidential request.

The borrowing will be implemented through the issuance of Eurobond in the International
Capital Market.

The recommendations of the committee, presented to the House by its Chairman, Rep. Ahmed Safana Dayyabu, read, “That the House consider and (i) approve the request of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the issuance of $3,000,000,000 (Three Billion USD) but no more than $6,183,081,643.40 billion (Six Billion, One Hundred and Eighty-Three Billion, and Eighty-One Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty-Three USD and Forty Cents) Eurobond in the International Capital Market for the implementation of the new External Borrowing to part-finance the deficit authorized in
the 2021 Appropriation Act;
(ii) also approve that the amount authorized above may be raised from multiple sources such as the International Capital Market and any other Multilateral or Bilateral sources as may
be available;
“(iii) direct the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the Director-General of the
Debt Management Office and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to submit to the
National Assembly within 10 (Ten) working days (excluding the day of the close of Trading) a
letter containing the United States Dollar amount so raised and received as a result of the
above approval together with the applicable Exchange Rate.”

The House, which was presided over by the Speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, also passed the 2021 Supplementary Budget for Third Reading.

Lawmakers passed N982.729bn as the supplementary budget, up from N894.842bn earlier submitted by the Executive.

The Deputy Speaker, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase, later presided over the Committee on Supplies and the Committee of the Whole after the House suspended its rule in the absence of Gbajabiamila, having excused himself to attend to other official matters.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has appointed a veteran accountant, Sir David Olabanji Sunmoni, as the new Pro-chancellor and chairman of the reconstituted Governing Council of the Lagos State University (LASU).

Sunmoni’s selection came about seven weeks after the Governor – the Visitor to the school – dissolved the Prof. Nurudeen Ninalowo-led Governing Council on the recommendation of the Visitation Panel that probed the crises and controversies surrounding the selection of substantive Vice Chancellor (VC) for the school.

The appointment of new Council members followed the recommendation of the Prof. Bamitale Omole-led panel, which also counselled the Governor to order fresh selection process for the substantive VC.

Sanwo-Olu, however, returned 12 other officials, who served in the previous Council led by Ninalowo.

Inaugurating the 13-member Council at the State House in Alausa, on Thursday, the Governor pointed out that there were wide consultations with the stakeholders before the members were selected, saying one of the urgent responsibilities before the new Council was to immediately activate the process for the appointment of a new VC.

Sanwo-Olu admonished the Council members to strictly adhere to due process, extant laws of the school and to be fair to all contenders.

He said: “Inauguration of new Governing Council for the Lagos State University (LASU) signals a new chapter of progress and resolution of issues surrounding the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor for the university. As the supreme governing authority of the university, I charge you to give top priority to implementation of quality policies and programmes that will accelerate the pace of development and growth of the university.

“One of the key responsibilities of the Council which requires your urgent attention is the activation of the process for the appointment of a new Vice Chancellor for the university. In performing this responsibility, I urge you to be guided by the lessons from past events and ensure strict adherence to relevant laws, guidelines and procedures.”

The Governor urged the Council members to work tirelessly to sustain and improve existing peace and industrial harmony in the university, saying the progress of the school was the only way to justify the confidence reposed in them.

He charged them to come up with innovations, programmes and policies that would move the university forward and maintain its academic excellence, while assuring the Council members of the State Government’s continuous support.

Sanwo-Olu noted that special consideration was given to the appointees’ pedigrees, competencies, work experience and their contributions to the development of the State and the country.

He said: “As members of the new LASU Governing Council, I charge you to bring about your wealth of experience and accomplishments in your various chosen professions to impact positively on the management, policy formulations and smooth running of the university. I urge you to consider your appointment and this inauguration as a call to duty and service to your fatherland.”

Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, said the Council members’ appointments were made in pursuant of the powers conferred on the Governor by the enabling laws of the school.

He said the ceremony became imperative in order not to create vacuum in the governance of the school.

Sunmoni, an indigene of Ikorodu, described his appointment as a “unique opportunity” to serve the people.

He promised to work with members of the Council and university administration to make the school a citadel all stakeholders would be proud of.

“We will do our best and work assiduously to take the school to the next level. The school under my leadership would be a pride of all. We will never disappoint the confidence repose in us by Mr. Governor,” Sunmoni pledged.

At the event included the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji, Chancellor of the school, Prof. Gbolahan Elias, SAN,

Acting VC, Prof. Adedamola Oke, and Acting Registrar, Mr. Emmanuel Fanu.

Other members of Council are Mrs Tolagbe Taiwo, Mrs Moronke Williams, Mr Tolani Sule, Dr. Hakeem Adetugbobo, Mr Anuoluwapo Oladele Eso, Mr Adebayo Akinsanya, Mrs. Foluke Kafayat AbdulRazaq, Prof. Shaffideen Adeniyi Amuwo, Mrs Adenike Yomi-Faseun, Mr Adekunle Soname, Mr Karl Toriola, and Dr Ifeanyi Odii.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail of N200million for a former Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Adedibu Ojerinde, who was charged with alleged diversion of about N5.2billion public funds.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu admitted Ojerinde to bail in a ruling he delivered after listening to arguments from lawyers to the defence and prosecution.

Justice Egwuatu noted that bail is at the discretion of the court, adding that there is no evidence before him why the defendant should not be admitted to bail.

He ordered the defendant to produce two sureties in like sum, whom must be residents of Abuja and show evidence of tax payment.

One of the sureties, the Judge held, must be a Professor of a university while the other must own landed property with title documents in Abuja, which must be verified by the court along with operatives of Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

He said, in addition, the Professor, must provide documented evidence of professorship, letter of appointment and staff identity card.

In furtherance of its proactive measures to forestall any possible breakdown of law and order in Lagos State by members of Aiye Confraternity aka Black Axe as the group intends to mark its annual 7/7 Celebration ( Boogie-Night) in many states of Nigeria and beyond, with no exception to Lagos State, the Lagos State Police Command has embarked on Show of Force to send a signal to cultists, especially Black Axe members, to steer clear of the state, and to assure the good people of Lagos State of adequate security.

Earlier on Wednesday, 7th July, 2021, the Lagos State Police Command had warned members of the Black Axe to desist from having Celebration to commemorate their annual 7/7 in any part of the state as the police and other security agencies have put measures in place to resist such Celebration today 7th July, 2021 or at any time in the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has therefore re-echoed his order to officers and men of the command to intensify efforts in resisting and curtailing any act of lawlessness, oppression and intimidation from any group of individuals who might want to engage in any unlawful gathering or Celebration of whatever kind.

CP Hakeem Odumosu also charged intelligence and tactical units of the command to beam their search light on the identified areas that are vulnerable to attacks and reprisal attacks by any cult group in the state.

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday presented 10 cars to recognise public servants who have distinguished themselves in the junior and senior categories across the State Civil Service.

The Governor also announced a N5million cash gift for a Level 16 officer in Lagos State Civil Service for winning an impromptu quiz competition personally coordinated by the State’s Chief Executive.

Speaking at the luncheon with the Year 2019/ 2020 outstanding officers, (Junior and Senior categories) in Ministries Departments and Agencies, Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas held in Ikeja, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged officers in Lagos State Civil Service to continue to be change agents and outstanding public servants.

He also encouraged civil servants to continue striving for excellence and live as an example in whatever they do.

The Governor also urged them not to give up in being the best to justify the confidence reposed in them as well as letting people have something good and original to say about them.

Governor Sanwo-Olu while presenting keys and documents to the 10 recipients of the cars, which were drawn through a raffle draw commended the Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola for his efforts, saying Lagos State Government is committed to the welfare and service it promised to deliver to the state.

The recipients of the cars who emerged through a raffle draw at the grand finale of activities lined up to commemorate the Year 2021 Public Service Day, comprised four junior and six senior officers.

Recipients in the junior category were Basirat Shogbola, Olalere Alaka, Kikelomo Ogunbiaro and Olufunmilayo Alase, while those in the senior category were Olanrewaju Jaji, Olayiwola Odukoya, Adekunle Ipaye, Waheed Alaba, Victoria Adegbite and Olanrewaju Disu.

A Level 16 officer in Public Service Staff Development Centre, Mr. Taofeek Oladiran Ajetunmobi won a N5million gift from the Governor.

Speaking earlier, the Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, urged the awardees not to rest on their oars but continue to exhibit the high sense of responsibility, diligence, commitment to duty and unalloyed loyalty which are the qualities and values for which they have been recognised.

He said 166 out of 180 nominees were recommended for the Outstanding Officers’ Award, noting that the awardees comprised 101 officers in the senior category and 65 officers in the junior category.

The Head of Service said this year’s Public Service Week featured various activities, which included mass work for fitness, variety show, among others, adding that the objective of the best officer awards was in a bid to recognize and reward excellence.

The former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has made known his intention to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ifhis preferred candidate in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loses the party gubernatorial ticket.

Fayose made this known on Monday while addressing his teeming supporters at Afao Ekiti having endorsed Bisi Kolawole as his preferred candidate for the election.

He had, in May, presented the former House of Assembly Member who represented Efon Constituency to his supporters across the 177 political wards in the state in preparation for his victory in the party’s primary.

With the primary billed to come up early next year, the former state governor encouraged his followers to work closely with the various delegates to ensure victory for Kolawole and see that those that won’t listen to him do not win the election.

He reiterated that he will rather pitch his tent with the incumbent governor, Governor Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and go all out to work against PDP if his candidate does not get the party’s ticket.

His words: “My people, do not be afraid of the primary election ahead, you will all recall I bought the forms for the majority of the party’s executives from the ward level to the state level. I know some of them already betrayed me but I have no fear about that. Don’t forget I am Peter the rock, my anointed candidate Bisi Kolawole will do all his best to win and if the worst happens, I will pack my load and work with Governor Fayemi.

“I will better destroy the party than allow those who won’t listen to me to win the main election. I will advise you all to go home and work with delegates, don’t allow them hijack this my greatest asset which is the Ekiti PDP,” he said