Category: News

Staff of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC have joined the National Union Of Electricity Employees (NUEE) for nationwide industrial action.

IBEDC made this known in a public notice signed by its management on Tuesday.

ODUDUWA NEWS gathered that the nationwide industrial action commences on Wednesday.

It was also gathered that the Eko Electricity Distribution Company EKEDC has also directed it’s staff to down tool and join the nationwide strike as declared by NUEE.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Monday disclosed that his administration has recruited Professional Builders into the State Ministry of Infrastructure, Lands and Housing after 10 years.

The Governor also revealed that the building department in the Ministry was created by his administration in a bid to promote professionalism in the building profession.

Governor Akeredolu spoke in his office while receiving the National Officers of Nigerian Institute of Buildings led by the President, Prof. Yohana Izam.

The National Officers are in the Sunshine State for the 52nd Builders’ Conference and Annual General Meeting slated to hold at the International Culture and Event Centre on Tuesday, August 16, 2022.

Governor Akeredolu hailed the commitment of the building profession to the development of the nation, adding that the importance of builders in the society can not be over-emphasised.

While welcoming them to the Sunshine State capital, the Governor noted that his administration has changed Akure into a blossoming State capital.

Governor Akeredolu said:”Akure as you know is the capital of Ondo State. Yes, when we came into office in 2017, a number of people felt Akure was a very rural capital but Akure is no longer a rural capital. Today, we have three airlines flying to Akure.

“Now, more people come to Akure for good reasons and I am sure if you move around, you will see many buildings springing up. People are improving old buildings and properties because we now have good access roads.

“Today, there are hotels. When we got here, we had maybe three standard hotels and everyone had to be there. But today, to our surprise, so many hotels are coming up that I am even afraid. And asked them, are you even sure you will have enough patronage. But they come back to me that they have done their survey.

“We have one big one in Ijapo. Another bigger one where we use to have Owena Motel. So, everybody is coming up. We know it is for the advantage of the State.

“Akure is no longer a rural city, Akure is now blossoming and we are sure your coming will add to the importance of Sunshine State.

“Now you have mentioned the building code that you wish to be domesticated. I will ask the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing to ensure that he takes it up immediately. We will domesticate the code.

“I find your suggestion apt. The issue of having Department of building department in Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology in Okitipupa, we will look into it and act accordingly.

“There are many builders,but we can afford to have more. As we continue to build, we need builders whether we like it or not in Ondo State.

“Before I came in over 10 years, no builder had been appointed. I had to give approval that they appoint builders and they have now been appointed.10 years none till now.

“To me, builders are as important as any other person. I believe our building department would do well if responsibilities are well given to them, they should move round and see all the buildings, and see where there are problems.

Earlier, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Buildings, Prof. Yohana Izam hailed Governor Akeredolu for transforming the State capital.

The Institute also commended the Governor for professionalising the building department in the State Ministry of Infrastructure, Lands and Housing.

Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 24 suspected internet fraudsters in the Ajah area of Lagos.

The suspects are: Kelvin Essien, Michael Ekene, Steve Ochanogor, Oladujoye Samuel, Ohaeme Samuel, George Emeka, Adenigbo Igbola, Famugiloh Hakeem, Samuel Elohor, Michael Ugochukwu, Olumide Olalekan, Ayanipo David and Adulawo Oladipupo Victor.

Others are: Okenwa Emeka Okobi, Adeyanju Olamide Blessing, Temi Simon, Elias Andrew Ogbe, Elvis Akuya, Onyebuchi Chisom, Abraham Nnana, Nwune Fortune, Golden Felix, Azeri Olam and Sushie Christian.

The suspects were arrested on July 28, 2022 at Happy Land Estate, Ajah, Lagos, following credible intelligence on their alleged criminal activities.

Items recovered from them, at the point of arrest, include exotic vehicles, mobile devices and laptops.

The four kidnap for ransom kingpins arrested by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force for criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and kidnappings have confessed to the killing of a retired Divisional Police Officer (DPO), CSP Garkuwa and a serving lawmaker, Hon Musa Mante of the Bauchi State House of Assembly.

While the suspects said that they killed the Police officer after his retirement for making life tough and miserable for them by constantly searching for them, they also said that they killed the lawmker and kidnapped his wives and children for failing to assist them with funds after making several requests for it.

The syndicate’s key suspect is Hamishu Galadima 48 alias Kan Wuka and Abdulwahab Alhassan alias Emeka and Abdulwahab Ahmed alias Dan mama and Hamidu Saleh.

They are kidnappers arrested by the IRT operatives after intelligence reports on the kidnappings, armed robbery and criminal conspiracy were lodged against them by the indegenes of Dass LGA of Bauchi State.

After a well coordinated operation by the DCP Tunji Disu-led intelligence Police team, the officers apprehended the suspects and they confessed their individual involvement and roles in all the kidnappings and armed robbery operations in Plateau, Bauchi and Kaduna villages and market roads on Mondays.

They also confessed to ‘ve also burgled the room of one Suleiman Shuaibu alias Shayi a native of Dass local council of Bauchi State at about 01.15 hours and took into captivity six members of the man’s family.

The key suspect, Hamishu said that his gang killed the divisional police officer because he was in the habit of always searching for them every time after any crime incident was reported.

On the killing of the lawmaker, he said that the criminal gang eliminated the man for refusing to assist them with funds after several requests were made of him from his gang members whereas he always assisted others.

He said: “We entered the house of the honourable member of House of Assembly, Hon.Musa Mante and killed him inside his room and took physical cash of two million naira (N2,000000).

“And we kidnapped his two wives and took them to Dutsin Miagoshi Igala and the victims spent almost four days in capitivity and we demanded for a ransomel of thirty-five million naira (N35,000000)”.

On how they killed the lawmaker, he said that he was the one guarding the deceased man’s gate while other gang members entered through the roof of the house and took away his money before killing him.

The other suspect, Abdulwahab alias Emeka who further confessed that they worked with the gang leader in the various kidnapping cases, added that he was previously dealing on hard drugs and had interracted and know all the criminals terrorising the villages in Bauchi.

He, however, said that he did not follow the crime suspects to the home of the lawmaker but he only provided them with the information that was needed for his capture.

He added that he was an ex-convict that was arrested for drug offences by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA and was imprisoned twice for two year jail terms
and served his terms and was released.

Upon further interrogations by the IRT media team, all the suspects admitted that that they had engaged the late lawmaker in an argument about his constituency projects that was said to be lopsided and when he could not provide a satisfactory answer they shot him.

They also said that they ganged up against the retired Police officer because he vowed to continue to pursue and deal with the criminals in the area for natives’
safety and security.

On the exhibits recovered by the Police team, they had confessed to have operated with one AK 47 assualt rifle and assorted range of ammunitions.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba has directed that all the weapons, arms and ammunitions in the hands of criminal elements such as kidnappers and bandits should be mopped up immediately for security of lives of citizens of the country.

The Police authorities through the Force Spokesman CSP Muyiwa Adejobi has assured that all the suspects are going to be prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the laws of the nation.

Akinlaja Ireoluwa Oluwatomiwa, a 17-year-old student at Redeemers University in Osun State who was abducted in Ogun State, has managed to escape his captors.

When the kidnappers kidnapped the 100-Level Mass Communication student on Sunday, August 14, he was on his way to the Redemption camp so that he could join his parents before he was abducted.

It was learnt that he had gotten out of a car, and the kidnappers had taken him as he was waiting for his parents to pick him up. As soon as he was taken, Akinlaja instantly sent his mother a message to let her know.

The Ogun State Police Command men sprang into action right away in an effort to save the victim and catch the criminals.

A statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Abeokuta by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Kunle Somorin, explained that the victim escaped from his abductors when security officers stormed their den in Ikorodu, Lagos.

“Our security men had trailed the kidnappers to Ikorodu, where the victim was being held hostage. Their arrival on the scene had given an opportunity for the victim to escape from captivity.

“We are happy that the victim escaped unhurt. He has since been reunited with his parents,” the statement read partly.

According to the statement, the security men were still on the trail of the kidnappers, adding that no effort would be spared to rid the state of undesirable elements.

It quoted Governor Dapo Abiodun to have vowed that “there will be no hiding place for criminals in the state.

“Ogun State has zero tolerance for terrorists, bandits, kidnappers or ritual murderers and other criminals by whatever name they are called,” Abiodun said, insisting that in Ogun State, “our security system has been fortified to repel them;

Sanni Gafar, 29, a suspected terrorist, was rescued by the Lagos State police command on Monday from mob violence in the state’s Ijora Badia region.

Gafar was dressed as a woman at the time of the mob activity, according to Lagos Police Spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin.

Sanni Gafar, 29, is the male suspect, who many have claimed was disguising himself as a woman, according to preliminary investigation, stated Hundeyin.

Three hammers, six screwdrivers, one pair of pliers, one chisel, five spanners, three rolls of black cellophane, cable wires, a 20mm bending spring, a pair of black pants, and a plastic box of clips were all found in a bag that he was carrying when he was discovered. His claim that he is an electrician is currently being investigated.

The acting governor of Oyo State, Barrister Bayo Lawal has disclosed that the dillapidated roads will be rehabilitated in few months.

He also stated that to prevent the spread of epidemics, the residents need to adopt the practice of maintaining cleanliness and refrain from careless trash disposal.

The appeal was made by the Acting Governor, Barrister Adebayo Abdul-raheem Lawal, along with the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Professor Daud Sangodoyin, the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Abiodun Oni, and the Chairman of OYSROMA, Hon. Ogunlade Busoye, during an inspection tour of the city of Ibadan to gauge the level of adherence to environmental sanitation laws by residents.

During the inspection, a woman who was obstructing drainage with firewood in the road gutters was also given a 24-hour deadline by Lawal, who initially went to Mokola to inspect the road and distill culvert before moving on to Molete.

Barr. Bayo Lawal expressed displeasure at how citizens improperly disposed of their trash along the sides of the roads and promised that a large cleaning awareness campaign would be carried out throughout the three senatorial district to make sure that no area of the state was covered in filth.

He urged state inhabitants to take the initiative to preserve their surroundings clean seriously and stated that government will prosecute defaulters and violators of environmental sanitation.

Three persons have been confirmed dead, while 13 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a lone accident which occurred Sunday evening along the Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway.

The accident, which happened at the notorious Onipepeiye village in the Obafemi-Owode local government area of Ogun State, involved an Abeokuta-bound Mazda passenger bus marked: APP 297 YC, conveying 18 passengers and the driver.

It was learnt that the deceased, as well as other injured victims were members of the congregation that partook in the just-concluded 70th Convention of the Redeemed Christian Church Church of God (RCCG) held at the Redemption Camp located at Mowe, along the Lagos -Ibadan expressway.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, who confirmed the accident, explained that the bus summersaulted several times before falling on one of its side after losing one of its rear tyres.

Akinbiyi, who attributed cause of the lone crash to excessive speeding on the part of the bus’ driver, also stated that the driver of the bus, who had earlier ignored the passengers’ repeated caution against his excessive speeding, later lost “one of the rear tyres as it busted and the bus somersaulted, falling on its side”.

Investigation confirmed that the bus was coming from Redemption Camp and passengers were among the congregation who were part of the just-concluded 70th Convention tagged Perfect Jubilee,” the TRACE spokesman added.

Disclosing that remains of the deceased victims have been deposited at the morgue of the State Hospital in Ijaiye, Abeokuta, Akinbiyi further said that the 13 other injured victims were rescued to the same hospital, as well as the Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Idi -Aba, Abeokuta for medical treatment.

Oba Oloyede Adeyeoba Akinghare II, the young monarch of Ondo State’s Okeluse Kingdom, has completed his secondary education.

On his Instagram page, the Arujale (Ojima) of Okeluse posted pictures from his graduation and thanked his family, the school, and everyone else for their support throughout the course of his six-year’s journey.

Oba Oloyede Adeyeoba Akinghare II, the young monarch of Ondo State’s Okeluse Kingdom, has completed his secondary education.

Oba Oloyede is considered to be the youngest monarch in power.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commenced mobilisation in preparation for a nationwide strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) over the failure of the Federal Government to reach an agreement with the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The students’ body said it would join forces with the labour centres comprising the NLC and Trade Union Congress until the Federal Government reached an agreement with the

NANS position was contained in a communiqué jointly signed by Comrade Adegboye Olatunji, Coordinator, NANS Zone D, Comrade Kehinde Damilola, Chairman NANS Ogun, Comrade Adeleke Quadri, Chairman NANS Oyo, and Comrade Omotosho Surprise, Chairman NANS Ondo, issued at the end of an emergency meeting of South West students leaders and stakeholders held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The emergency meeting attended by the Students Union Government (SUG) Presidents and other present and former leaders of NANS from Zone D, deliberated on critical issues affecting the students constituency in particular and the entire masses of Nigeria.

The union condemned the government for treating the strike by university lecturers with levity, urging the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu to ensure the strike was called off without delay.

“We frown totally at the Federal Government’s lackadaisical attitude towards the sector especially by treating the strike action of University staff Unions with levity.

“We are resolute on mobilising all our forces to show our displeasure and we call on the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to deepen the struggle by mobilising for a national strike action until the government finds a solution to the strike action,” NANS said in a communique at the end of the meeting.