The governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu SAN has condemned recent attacks of killer herdsmen in Igangan, Ibarapa are of Oyo State where several lives were lost.
Akeredolu in a statement personally signed and sent to newsmen by Gov. Akeredolu as read in part:
“We have just received with rude shock premeditated attack on our people at Igangan, Ibarapa, Oyo State, in the early hours of today. This cowardly onslaught on a peaceful community has occasioned loss of lives and property on a large scale. It is horrendous, callous, and highly provocative. All well-meaning Nigerians must condemn, in the strongest term possible, this latest assault on decency and communal harmony.
“While we will encourage the security agencies to get to the root of this latest act of provocation, we have directed the Commanders of the South West Security Network, Amotekun, to convoke a joint security meeting of all Commanders in the South West with a view to commencing joint operations in the region immediately.
“We must reiterate the fact that certain elements are bent on causing friction among the peoples of this country with the sole aim of achieving a pernicious end. They will stop at nothing until their set goal is realized. It is, therefore, incumbent on all lovers of peace and freedom to rise against this current regression into savagery.
“We on our part are resolved to defend our people, their property, and all legitimate means of livelihood against both internal and external aggression. On this, there will be no compromise. We call on our people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement in their communities. In addition, they must be united in the task of defending our lives and properties”.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Ashiwaju Seun Fakorede on Saturday appealed to the Federal Government to lift the ban on the operation of Twitter in the country.
Fakorede in a press release personal signed by him the micro blogging app as crucial to many Nigerian Youths because that is where their economic livelihood lies.
“The suspension of Twitter has been a tough pill to swallow, as I have been pondering on what our fundamental rights as citizens are and how much we Youths have to keep doing (because we are doing the best we can) in other to get the ideal life we desire.
It is public knowledge that Twitter is crucial to many Nigerian Youths because that is where their economic livelihood lies. And even for some has become a therapeutic tool to express and put their thoughts into writing. It is also evident the importance this app has to the older generation as we have seen political campaigns, promotions and worthy causes being carried out through this platform — indeed, Twitter is everybody’s social tool, the young and old.
As leaders we must not allow sentiments and emotions inform or overpower our judgments, especially those with outright adverse effects to the people we are serving.
I join the well meaning people of Nigeria to use this medium to appeal to the Federal Government to rescind the directive in the overall interest of the good people of our dear country, the Youth in especial.” he said.
The Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has suspended payment of minimum wage and consequential adjustment for workers from grade level 7 and above for three months.
The governor, who attributed the step to shortfall in the federal allocation, also slashed the salaries of political office holders and accounting officers by 25percent.
This contained in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the representatives of government and labour leaders.
Under the M.O.U, running grant to Government offices on monthly basis has been reduced by 50% while the economic review committee would henceforth meet monthly to keep labour abreast of the financial position of the state.
The Operations of Twitter have on Friday been banned by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The FG said it has suspended, indefinitely, the operations of the microblogging and social networking service, Twitter, in Nigeria.
The decision of FG to suspend Twitter was made known to the public today by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who announced the suspension in a statement signed and released to newsmen by his spokesperson in Abuja.
The statement, signed by Ministry spokesperson, Segun Adeyemi, cited the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.
According to the statement, the Minister said the Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.
It is not yet clear how the suspension will work but the Twitter website was still accessible from Lagos as of Friday afternoon.
Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo says Nigeria is dripping with bitterness and sadness in the face of the current socio-economic and political challenges facing the country.
According to Obasanjo, the current challenges besetting the nation run contrary to the dreams and aspirations of the founding fathers and what God destined the country to be.
He made the assertion on Thursday at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State’s capital, when he was presented with a book titled “The Man, The General, and The President,” written by Femmy Carrena.
Obasanjo said, “My prayer is that all of us will have something to contribute to making this country what God has created it to be – a land flowing with milk and honey.
“Right now, it is a land flowing with bitterness and sadness, that is not what God wants this country to be.
“We must change the narrative, we must talk to ourselves in the civilized language.
“There is nowhere you go in this country that you will not see geniuses in any section of the country. So, why should we look down on ourselves?”
Speaking on how to set Nigeria on the right track, the former President said education must take the forefront and must be accorded its rightful position to reduce the numbers of out-of-school pupils which at the moment is put at about 14 million.
Some gunmen on Thursday morning hijacked a school bus in Oba ile Estate of Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo state.
ODUDUWA NEWS has learnt that the gunmen abducted one person who was on duty to convey children to school.
The incident occurred around 6:45am while the driver and the attendant were moving round to pick the Pupils of Chimola School, situated inside the Estate.
A source in the school explained that the gunmen numbering about eight who were on motorcycles, rounded the vehicle, forcing the driver to stop.
He said the eight men who were armed with guns, cutlass and some other weapons, dragged the drivers down from the vehicle and threatened to kill him.
He said the bus with registration number Lagos LSD 853 FJ with Chimola Schools inscribed on it was driven away by one of the hijackers while others moved away from the scene on motorcycles.
He said “the driver and the attendant were about to pick the first student when the incident happened. The gunmen rounded the vehicle and came down with dangerous weapons
“The driver was dragged down from the bus while one of them take the driver’s seat and drove off with the attendant in the bus.
“The whereabouts of the attendant is still unknown but we have reported the incident at the Oba ile Police station.
“This is the first time we are experiencing this kind of situation here. It is quite unfortunate.”
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) could not confirm the incident, saying he has not been briefed, but promised to confirm from the Divisional Police Officer in the area.
ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that some armed men yesterday struck in Ikire and Apomu, Irewole and Isokan local government areas of Osun State, killing five persons in Ikire after attacking two new generation banks and a police station. It was gathered that the armed robbers had earlier robbed a bank in Apomu town around 5:00 p.m. before proceeding to Ikire where they killed three persons at a commercial bank’s Automated Teller Machine (ATM).
Two other persons were said the have been killed in the community during the sporadic shooting. The police spokesperson in the state, Yemisi Opalola, while confirming the incident said she cannot confirm the casualty figure, but the Commissioner of Police, Olawale Olokode, is already at the scene of the incident.
A resident of Ikire, who simply identified himself as Sola, said: “The robbers came into the community around 5:55 p.m. and were shooting. I don’t know maybe they were able to enter the bank and cart away money but I am sure that some persons were killed.”
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has announced a 25 per cent reduction in the overall tuition fees paid by students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH).
The governor, who made the announcement while paying a thank-you visit to the students of the institution, also pledged that the reduction will cut across the board benefitting indigenes and non-indigenes, adding that he is making such a move even though the institution’s tuition is the lowest in the entire South-West.
Gov Makinde also stated that in a bid to fulfil his promise to the students during his electioneering campaign, he actualized the sole ownership of LAUTECH for Oyo state and fixed the Under G road in the school.
In his words, “Let me tell you, the LAUTECH fee is still the lowest in the entire South West. Having said that, I will reduce your fee across the board; whether indigenes or non-indigenes, even new students. There will be a reduction of 25 percent across board.
In May edition of OduduwaNews personality Interview, our correspondent had a chat with the C.E.O/Founder of Tobest Agricultural Products Limited.
Mr Tobi was a one time President of Faculty of Science, Obafemi Awolowo University. He spoke on what Unionism/Leadership should represent, the expectation from student leaders and many more.
As a background player in Politics, Mr Oluwatobi gave an assessment of Engr. Makinde’s administration.
Enjoy reading.
OduduwaNews: Can I meet you sir? Mr Oluwatobi: My name is Oluwatobi Matthew Ogunlere, the Founder/CEO of Tobest Agricultural Products Limited. OduduwaNews: As a one time President of the Faculty of Science of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, what was Unionism experience like? Mr Oluwatobi: It was an opportunity to me. Leadership is not a birth right but a privilege to serve. So, when I was given the opportunity, I tried my best. OduduwaNews: Is Students’ Unionism achieving its purpose? Mr Oluwatobi: Well, for now, I can’t say. The body is meant for a better welfare of Great Ife students. It’s high time, students stopped aiming at political position as an opportunity to embezzle or abuse power. OduduwaNews: Coincidentally, the current holder of the Position you held some years back was accused of embezzlement, is leadership all about the money and fame that come with it? Absolutely No! Leadership is not about embezzlement of fund or fame. OduduwaNews: What should student leaders represent?
Mr Oluwatobi: According to Arnold H. Glasow, “One of the tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency” Also, John Maxwell said, “a leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” As a leader, there must be a vacuum you’ve observed. This would trigger you on how to fill it up by providing solutions to solve such problems. You don’t just wake up that I want to become this, I want to vie for this post or that. No! There must have been some things you’ve observed in the system that you want to correct or improve. Then when you get there, make sure you don’t disappoint the people who trusted you with their votes. You have to deliver. OduduwaNews: From Unionism to being an Agric Entrepreneur, how was the transition, what was the motivation?
Mr Oluwatobi: To me, it’s easy because both unionism and entrepreneurship deal with people and good management. If you can manage people and their resources well, then you are good to go. Unionism and entrepreneurship deal with goals and visions that must be achieved. My motivation is about creating and adding values to people’s life. In Unionism, you solve problems, but no profit. But in entrepreneurship, you solve people’s problems, you get profit. So, if you can balance both together, public funds won’t be entering your eyes anyhow.
OduduwaNews: How is the experience like and what advice will you give for a youth who’s consider going into agriculture? Not easy, but the motivation to create value and impact lives with good legacy will keep pushing you not to relent. Agribusiness not a quick get rich scheme. You have to be consistent and focused. Some farm businesses are capital intensive, while some are not. In all, if you have interest in it, start from somewhere. I started from being a distributor for Amugold and Mr. Cook when I was in part 2. I also combined garri, eggs etc with it. OduduwaNews: You’re gradually becoming a politician, democracy in Nigeria, are we where we are supposed to be?
Mr Oluwatobi: “Are we where we are supposed to be” as a question is ambiguous. In some states, they will say they are progressing .. while in Nigeria as a country, we still have a long journey ahead. It’s high time we started voting based on credible personalities; it’s high time our leaders took it as a responsibility that they owe the masses GOOD GOVERNANCE, it’s high time the citizens made use of public amenities well and judiciously. For instance, I was perturbed when I heard that some unscrupulous element cutting the tracks of the railways. That’s bad! We all have our quota to contribute, as we are clamouring for better leadership and better Nigeria, we must also be good Citizens of Nigeria.
OduduwaNews: Oyo State is your home after Ekiti, how can you assess the achievements of Gov. Seyi Makinde in 2 years? Mr Oluwatobi: 90%. I want to use this opportunity to tell all Oyo Indigenes that you are blessed to have GSM as a Governor at the right time and moment 👌🏼
OduduwaNews: What should we be expecting from you in the nearest future, are you contemplating contesting for elective position? Mr Oluwatobi: Expect more of creation of values, impacting people’s lives and obviously job opportunities from our brand . Life is in stages, for now I’m focusing on Tobest Agricultural Products Limited. If any opportunity shows up to serve, I will honourably accept it to serve the people. OduduwaNews: What advice do you have for Gov. Makinde? Mr Oluwatobi: I want to use this opportunity to implore him to keep being the people’s governor.
OduduwaNews: Any word for the youths? Mr Oluwatobi: No matter how loud the social media noise could be, never look down on yourself but keep focusing and never relent. OduduwaNews: Thanks for your time sir. It’s most appreciated. Thanks.
There was pandemonioum and chaos as agitators for the Yoruba Nation, on Saturday, forcefully reopened the Idi-Iroko land border in Ogun State, which had been closed by the Federal Government since 2019.
A video posted by self-acclaimed Yoruba freedom fighter, Sunday Igboho, on his personal blog, ‘Sunday Adeyemo Igboho TV,’ showed the agitators in their hundreds storming the Idi-Iroko area in Ipokia Local Government Area of the state and forcefully opened its land borders between Nigeria and Benin Republic, urging the people to begin doing their businesses.
Though the agitators were engaged by operatives of the Nigerian Customs Service (NSC), and men of the Immigration Service, who tried to repel them, the video also showed where a gun was snatched from an Immigration officer.
In the video clip, one of the agitators is seen shooting sporadically into the air while the crowd cheered him in admiration.
Different voices were also heard in the background calling on soldiers and other security agents to come out and engage them in a shootout, while others were seen destroying the gates at the border, while screaming:
“We have opened the border at Idi-Iroko. Come out and do your business!”
The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun 1 Area Command, Hammed Oloyede, who confirmed the incident, however said his men successfully repelled the Yoruba Nation agitators while denying any attack on the officers.
“There was no attack on our patrol bases or checkpoints. Those guys were just doing their own. They tried to attack one patrol point, but it was repelled. The situation is under control. There is no problem,” Oloyede said.
While commending the ‘freedom fighters’ at the end of the video, Igboho said more of such actions are in the pipeline as his group is determined to break away from Nigeria.
Igboho also accused the Federal Government of shutting down the land borders in the South-West while those in the North were open.
