Category: Featured

House On The Rock Pastor Dies From COVID-19. Pastor Adeyinka Akinbami, has passed on at the age of 61.

The clergy who was a pastor in House on the Rock, died of COVID-19. Announcing his demise on Saturday, Senior Pastor, HOTR, Paul Adefarasin, said he had yet to come to terms with Akinbami’s death.

He said the incident was a reminder of how deadly COVID-19 was and called on Nigerians to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols.

Adefarasin tweeted, “Yesterday, I received the rude and shocking news of someone deeply dear to me and all of the HOTR family.

The passing of Pastor Yinka Akinbami has become most painful because if there truly were good men, he was certainly one. To my brother, sleep well till we meet to part no more

“Family, kindly allow me to solicit your intercession for his dear wife of over 30 years; Pastor Tolu, his children, his children-in-law, and grandchildren. We can only at best imagine how much pain they are feeling. We share the pain of his loss but they will feel it a lot more.

“It’s important to remind the community about the deadly nature of the Covid-19 and its mutant virus strains. Please do your part by following all the recommended precautions. That way, you are able to protect yourself and others who become proximal to you. God bless and keep us all.”

Meanwhile on Saturday 9th of January, Nigeria recorded 1586 cases making 99,063 confirmed cases, and 1350 death record.

A combined Enforcement Team of the Lagos State Police Command and the Lagos State Safety Commission arrested youths partying at a Lounge located at 38, Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, in the early hours of Saturday, 9th January, 2021.

The team, led by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, arrived at the said location at about 1a.m and found several people clubbing.
This act according to the Honourable Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso was in contravention of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directives on the closure of clubhouses. He noted that the culprits also violated the 12a.m to 4a.m curfew imposed by the Federal Government to stem the spread of COVID-19.

“All those arrested will be prosecuted. The enforcement will continue across the State to stop the virus, which continues to kill”.

He said that that the law enforcement agents will continue to arrest and prosecute residents who violate COVID-19 guidelines and directives issued to curtail the spread of the deadly virus.

The Commissioner further advised residents to avoid large gatherings and ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines.

He noted that the second wave of the pandemic has continued to spread faster among Lagosians with increased cases of patients being admitted at the various isolation centers within the State.

“COVID-19 is real. The second wave is deadlier and spreads faster. People should observe the practices of physical distancing, wearing of face masks, regular washing of hands and use of hand sanitisers always” he added.

The Oyo State Government in adherence to it’s electoral promises has made a huge fit in the transportation sector by acquiring new Mass Transit Buses to ease the movement of residents within the State.

Reacting to the recent development DIG. COM. Moyosoreoluwa Olamilekan expressed joy over the purchase of the Mass Transit Buses and hoped they would be effectively and judiciously managed.

He highlighted a few benefits of an effective transportation system one of which is that it would bring economic benefits to the State.

“For every ten million dollars of public transit investment made, business sales increases by thirty million dollars.
Furthermore, transit agencies and organizations employ many people and create many times more private sector jobs”.

He then went on to mention that the acquisition of transit buses would reduce road congestion. He sighted America as an example. He said America currently use results in a reduction of 865,000,000 hours of travel time, a figure which would be many times higher if cities in the U.S.A had the high quality transit service and lower dependence on cars that many European urban centers have.

He also mentioned that transit lessens gas usage and reduces pollution. He again sighted America as an example saying public transit over there use results in a reduction of 450,000,000 gallons of gas being burned which, as in the case of road congestion, would be substantially higher if European urban planning principles were applied, including a gas tax reflective of the true cost of automobile use to society.

DIG Olamilekan mentioned that freedom and mobility would be amplified by public transit. He stated that the availability of public transit opens up personal mobility to everyone, giving each person the freedom to go virtually anywhere. He said many people are unable to drive, and a majority of drivers would appreciate the ability to walk, cycle or take public transit instead, at least sometimes.

He noted that household expenses would also reduce by using public transit as if a family decides to do away with one car and instead rely on public transit, they would have saved over $10,000 per year.

He said that social connection increases when driving is decreased. He also said that Commuters will be more productive on public transit than in cars.
“When driving on automobile, one cannot sleep, read, write, relax or do anything that transit takers are able to do” he added.

He assured the people that public transit is a safe and equitable transportation mode saying that when fewer cars are driven it reduces road crashes and loss of lives. He stated that cars degrade the environment and contribute to global warming, and they devour gigantic amounts of land for driving and storing them. He added that they are enormous burden to the working poor, and have devastated urban centers and caused housing to become unaffordable.

“Public transportation must be supported by the government in order to strengthen the long-term health of the economy, lessen inequality resulting from the burden of car ownership by the working poor, improve the environment, reduce the death and injury count resulting from cars, and many other reasons” he further added.

He concluded by admonishing the people to support the efforts of the Effulgent State Government under the Leadership of His Excellency Engineer Seyi Makinde and work together to make a difference (M.A.D) in Oyo State Nigeria.

Not less than seven persons have been confirmed dead in a class between men of Oyo State Security Network Agency popularly known as Operation Amotekun and some Fulani in Ibarapa North Local Government Area of the State.

The clash was said to have started at Okebi village on Saturday morning but the cause of the clash could not be immediately ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

A man, Saliu, who claimed to be a resident of the area told Punch that seven persons had been killed.

He added that about seven houses were also razed.

Saliu said, “Alhaji Usman Okebi and his two sons were killed. We don’t know what caused the fight. Some persons were shot and injured.

“The number of people killed has increased to seven. Those who were shot and ran away later died in the bush.”

Another source said the clash was between the Amotekun corps and Bororo people. He said some persons were killed but could not say which suffered heavier casualties.

The Commandant of Amotekun in Oyo State, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (retd), when contacted said he was on his way to the place to ascertain what happened.

He said, “I heard the same thing and I am on my way there now.”

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Olugbenga Fadeyi, when contacted by our correspondent said the DPO at Aiyete Police Division had moved to the community to assess the situation.

The Association of State Chairs of the African Action Congress AAC has released a press statement in regards to the Federal Government approach in handling the arrest and prosecution of Omoyele Sowore, the convener of Revolution Nigeria.

In the statement signed on behalf of their State Chairs Murtala Adamu, Niger State, Rex Elanu Benue State, Usman Zush, Kano State, Ameen Abdul, FCT Abuja and Kunle Wizeman Ajayi, Lagos State dated on 8 January, 2021.

The Union accused the Buhari led Government of snubbing and ignoring the Magistrate and the entire judicial system by manipulating the bail process of their National Chair and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore. They described the act as a purported attempt to start a staged assassination plan against their leader.

“We are very aware of the two meetings between yesterday and today moderated by key actors of the Buhari/APC fascist hegemony.
At these meetings, the court snub today was planned to start a situation where Sowore and the Gudu 5 will be forced into long detention from where an extra-judicial murder is planned” the statement read.

They also claimed that Sowore and the Gudu 5 were severely injured and taken into custody by SARS operatives were they held a peaceful Cross- Over protest at Gudu Junction in Abuja on New Year Eve. And every effort to secure their released have proved abortive due to the instructions given by those in authority including the president.

They then noted that the attack on Sowore and the Gudu 5 were obvious facts that the current administration wants to advance it’s crudity and also turn their rejection by the citizens to war.

” We are a momentum when the global structures of greed and power are being rejected massively. The tyrants believe they have to hide under the Hitlerist umbrella to force humanity to their whims and caprices. But the wind has long blown and the pounch of the proverbial hen is naked” they added.

They also gave a Stern warning to the Buhari Government and the APC against harming their leader Sowore and the Gudu 5 in any way. They threatened to go rough if anything goes wrong.

They reminded the public that the forces of Liberation brought Nigeria into being by fighting the Colonialists. Sighting the forceful take over of power from the military through revolutionary struggles of the June 12 and Democracy.

They pledged their commitment to seeing to the end of unpatriotic elements in the system of Nigeria whose emptiness and roguery has turned the country into a Haven of poverty and pains, forcing themselves and their unrepentant impunity on the people.

“Therefore, we will be moving massively to the streets Nationwide next week until Buhari and the APC Government listen to the voice of reason.
Free Sowore and the Gudu 5 Now!
Nothing Shall Discourage us” The statement concluded.

A Twitter user @ikhuoria_ has narrated how his girlfriend broke up with him because he did not agree to become a yahoo boy.

According to him, his girlfriend bought him a laptop and modem as seed capital for him to start ‘yahoo’, because his monthly income was too small.

@ikhuoria_ refused and his girlfriend threatened to dump him over his refusal to become a yahoo boy. He initially thought she was bluffing and was surprised when she packed all her things out of his house including the birthday present she bought for him.

He wrote,

“I remembered when i was dating this girl she bought me a gift on my birthday, when I opened it i saw a laptop and a moderm. I was surprised when I saw them. I had to ask her who are they for? She told me the reasons she bought them for me is becos she’s not happy with my salary and also I should start doing Yahoo (scam) I told her I can’t do it she said if I didn’t do it she will end the relationship. To my surprise, she packed all her things out of my house including the birthday present she bought for me”

This is one of many reasons why young men choose to engage in fraudulent activities as they feel it is a means to overcoming poverty and please the people they love.

‘Yahoo Yahoo’ which is an acronym for internet fraud has in recent times gained popularity in Nigeria as it is seen as a short cut to gaining financial dominance.

This has also given security agencies more work to do as they seek to sanitize the society and the entire country from this ravaging plague that is already painting the country in a bad light.

•Directs Outgoing VC To Convene Emergency Senate Meeting

Lagos State Governor and Visitor to Lagos State University (LASU), Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has cancelled the ongoing process set up for the appointment of a substantive ninth Vice Chancellor of the University.

The Governor further directed that a fresh process that would terminate in forty five days should commence immediately.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s decision on the cancellation came after a thorough investigation and stakeholders engagement, which were necessitated by various petitions against the selection process.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu was inundated with petitions arising from the selection process of the Vice Chancellor by the Governing Council. After a thorough evaluation and investigation of the various complaints, Mr. Governor, in his capacity as the Visitor to the University ordered the cancellation of the process,” he stated.

The outgoing Vice Chancellor, Professor Olanrewaju Fagbohun has also been directed by Governor Sanwo-Olu to convene an emergency Senate meeting for the purpose of appointing one of the Deputy Vice Chancellors, who is not a candidate in the cancelled selection process as Acting Vice Chancellor from Monday January 11, 2021 when the tenure of the incumbent Vice Chancellor, Professor Fagbohun expires.

The Governor further directed that, the Senate should select among its members, a pro tem chairman to superintend the meeting and conduct of election of Acting Vice Chancellor.

Following the setting up of the Committee on Waste Management, and in its bid to instill sanity, especially in Akure the State capital, the Ondo State Government has placed total ban on trading along the vehicular traffic lanes, pedestrian paths and walkways on major market corridors.

This information was made known through a press statement signed by Donald Ojogo, Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation.

The ban also includes artisans such as vulkanizers whose activities impede free flow of vehicular traffic, especially on the market corridors.

“Traders and artisans who have encroached on the main road and walkways in Arakale(Market) and Oja Oba along Oba Adesida road, Akure, with their wares are hereby directed to vacate such unauthorised trading spots with effect from Monday, January 11, 2021.

This directive becomes pertinent in view of the abuse and brazen disregard to the status of Akure, the State capital. It is particularly, a major source of concern that vehicular and pedestrian traffic now contend for space amid trading activities on same spots.

In order for the directive to be fully obeyed, the State’s Special Task Force shall, beginning from Monday, January 11, 2021, swing into action for effective enforcement and compliance.

Government emphasises that this move is in the interest of all residents, as the beauty or otherwise of our State Capital speaks volume of our values as a people. It is, therefore, necessary for all concerned to show a high level of understanding for the general good of all” the statement read.

The Lagos State Governor, accompanied by the Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, LASU Prof. Olarewaju Fagbohun gave the cheque of 5millon naira each to LASU best graduating students.
The event took place at the State House in Marina on Friday, Jan. 8 2021.

2018/2019 best graduating student, Oladimeji Shotunde was given the cheque after emerging the best student graduating from his set.
The event was also graced by the school’s Registrar, Mr. Amuni Mohammed Olayinka.

Another cheque was presented to the best Master’s Degree student 2018/2019 Olusola Olabanjo who also performed excellently among his set in the just concluded academic section.

The Governor admonished the winners of the cash prize to continue to work towards excelling in their respective fields and never fail to indulge in credible ventures even as they go further in life.

This step by the State Government further retracts the government’s effort in rewarding students who do well in their respective course areas upon graduation, thereby encouraging the youths and advancing Education in the State.