Category: News

Osun Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has expressed the readiness of his Administration to partner with willing investors in the country with interest in responsible gold mining in the State.

He made this known on Monday after embarking on facility tour of the mining sites of Segilola Resources Operating Limited located in Iperindo, Imogba and Odo Ijesa, all in Atakunmasa East Local Government Area of the State.

Governor Oyetola and his entourage inspected the Water Storage Dam used in processing the raw gold, process plant area, mining pit and sick bay for the employees of the mining company.

The high point of the visit was the unveiling of unrefined Gold samples, mined by Segilola Resources Operating Limited by Governor Oyetola.

He described the project as a practical step to good governance and commended the leadership of the firm for a job well done.

The governor who noted that his visit was memorable and historic as a result of the significant achievement recorded by the gold mining company, said the project is a reflection of the diversification policy of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He commended the mining company for maintaining cordial relationship with the host community and pledged the unalloyed support of his Administration to the mining company to ensure it operates to the optimum level.

Governor Oyetola who expressed personal conviction that the future of the State of Osun is assured, charged the host communities to continue to make the environment conducive for the gold mining company.

The Chief executives officer of Segilola Operating Resources Limited, Mr. Segun Lawson, appreciated the government for providing the enabling environment leading to the successful completion of the project within the spate of eighteen months.

This he said was made possible through the maximum support and cooperation the company enjoyed from the State government.

The Chief Executive Officer maintained that the company had impacted positively on the host communities to enhance community relations.

Mr. Lawson stated that the employment process in the organization was non discriminatory, saying over twenty percent indigenes of the host communities were employed by the company.

The Governor was accompanied to the mining sites by the Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. Benedict Alabi; the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Charles Akinola; Deputy Chief of Staff, Prince Abdullah Binuyo; Head of Service, Dr. Olowogboyega Oyebade; other cabinet members and a former Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. General Alani Akinrinade.

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) Chairman, CSP Shola Jejeloye has said that unrestrained speed, gross violation of extant laws of the State Government and other regulations are fast becoming rampant among motorcycles riders in most part of the State.

He further said that for the State to achieve its vision of zero tolerance for menace of okada on restricted routes and rid the State of all criminal activities, there must be prompt attention and continuous enforcement on the recalcitrant okada operators.

He said this after the Men and Officials of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offenses Unit {Taskforce) were attacked by suspected miscreants, hoodlums and illegal drug peddlers posing as okada riders during an enforcement for compliance operation at 7th Avenue, Festac Town, Lagos.

The operation was aimed at curbing the menace of okada riders, raiding of black spots in the area and entrenching sanity in the State.

The incident which occurred at about 11am had some suspected drug peddlers, miscreants, hoodlums in their large numbers who were hellbent on causing chaos rather than allow the Agency carry out its lawful duties and entrenching sanity in the area.

Several officers sustained varying degrees of injuries while one official vehicle and two private vehicles were burnt.

The attackers, numbering about 3000, wielding stones, cutlasses, bow and arrows and other harmful weapons dashed out from different darkspots in the area, shelled the officers continuously before they were subdued by superior tactical power of the Agency without a gun shot or inflicting any serious injuries on them.

Meanwhile, the reprisal attack was carried out by the Agency officials in a week long enforcement activities in all the nooks and crannies of Festac Town and Surulere where over 382 okada were impounded, 103 miscreants were arrested and handed over to the State Police command for prosecution while 4 other culprits in the first attack had been arraigned and sentenced to two years imprisonment for violating the State Environmental and special offences laws.

The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye who spoke after the incident assured Lagosians that the Agency remains undeterred in ensuring that the menace of okada riders is over, traffic and environmental offenders brought to the barest minimum if not zero level. He stated that the incident which occurred though unfortunate, has in no way affected the vision and mission the Agency in ridding the State of criminal elements. Meanwhile, crushing of another set of okada impounded by the Agency will commence on Monday as part of the State resolved to rid the City highways of okada menace.

He stated “These suspected miscreants have shown that they have no regard for laid down laws of the State. We will also show them that we remain resolute in the discharge of our duty. We will continue raiding blackspots, impounding okada plying restricted routes in the State and enforcing all environmental laws to the letter.” Jejeloye insisted.

The Chairman reiterated and assured Lagosians not to exercise any fear during the yuletide as the Agency will do everything humanly possible to ensure a crime free festive period in the State.

Oba Dosunmu was one of the producers of the popular television series, ‘Village Headmaster’ in the 80s.

It was learnt that he died in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital after a brief illness.

A former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is from Owu and is the Balogun of Owu kingdom.

“Baba (Oba Dosunmu) is dead, he died yesterday. The mood in the palace is gloomy,” the source said.

Oba Dosunmu ascended the throne in July 2005. But before then, he had been a civil servant, broadcaster and politician.

Oba Dosunmu attended King’s College, Lagos in 1956 and was later admitted into Hendon College of Technology in London to study Drama and Television Production in 1963.

From there, he proceeded to Landmark Baptist College, Tennessee, US in 1987 where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Theology.

He worked at the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Ebute Metta, Lagos State. He later joined a broadcasting organization where he rose to the position of Head of Drama Department.

Brother of Late Timothy Adegoke, a student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, who died at the Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Olugbade, has said he escaped being abducted by some men on Saturday.

It was gathered that, Gbade informed journalists in Ibadan, on Monday, during a telephone chat that some men brought a car to his area in the Eruwa community of Ibarapa East Local Government Area, in Oyo State and made attempt to bundle him into the vehicle, with a view to whisking him away.

It is recalled that Timothy, a Masters Student of OAU had travelled from Abuja to Ile Ife to sit for his MBA exams at the Moro campus of the university. He lodged in a hotel and his corpse which was dumped inside the bush was said to have been allegedly buried by some staff of Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Ile-Ife.

Olugbade, who had been championing the calls to get justice for his late brother explained that he was saved by some security agents, that rushed to the scene of the attempted kidnap to chase the hoodlums away.
Narrating how the incident occurred, he disclosed that he had visited a store close to his house in Eruwa to buy a few things but while going back home, the men allegedly made an attempt to abduct him.

Olugbade said: “I went to a store close to our house in Eruwa to buy a few things and after buying the things, I came out of the store and was returning home when I saw that some men came out of a car that was parked close to the place. The car was parked there before I went inside the store.

“The men rushed out of the car and just came towards me and they said, ‘he is the one, go inside that car. They started pursuing me they wanted to kidnap me.
“When I realised that, I started running away, shouting and screaming and this attracted those nearby. The DPO Eruwa tried and some policemen and Amotekun corps who were stationed at a nearby place came towards me. The security agents’ response saved me from being kidnapped.”
Efforts to get the reaction of the Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Oyo State Police command was unsuccessful as calls put through to his mobile phone rang out.

At the yearly review of how Federal Government agencies relate with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the country, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, sent a clear message to the relevant MDAs: your role is to support the “hustle” of Nigerians engaged in different enterprises by creating a conducive and enabling business environment.

Prof. Osinbajo made this assertion today during the MSME Clinics Stakeholders’ review meeting at the Presidential Villa, attended by heads and representatives of agencies including SMEDAN, BOI, NEXIM BOA, SON, FIRS, NAFDAC and others.

According to him, “everybody knows that Nigerians are enterprising, practically every Nigerian has some kind of business, as they say, some hustle or some other things that they are doing.

“People need the right environment and that is what our role is, to ensure that we understand that it is to facilitate and make it easier, not to become a stumbling block or a tollgate,” the VP stated while reiterating that the agencies’ job is to make things easy for the MSMEs to do their business.

He also made the point about the hardworking nature of the average Nigerian, noting that “this is a country where people want and desire to work,” but added that ‘the constraints are what we have to address. This would be dealt with by human beings and not spirits.”

In addressing the challenges, the VP mentioned that “our creativity and innovation must be first and foremost to remove the obstacles, that is what will solve Nigeria’s problems, implementation of the grand policies that we have and it depends on us.”

The VP spoke about how it has taken some young Nigerians 3 years to get registration numbers for their businesses. He said he was told that in some other close African nations, the same registration takes 6 weeks.

He said for example “if you get food and drugs administration registration anywhere else, you can be in a Nigerian supermarket… and they come and compete with our own people here. This is happening in every respect, even with exports.”

In her remarks, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Amb. Mariam Katagun expressed her appreciation to the Vice President for his leadership role, and also praised the stakeholders and State governors for their collaboration and cooperation in holding MSME Clinics.

Present at the meeting were the Managing Director of Bank of Industry, Mr Olukayode Pitan; Executive Director of Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Dr Ezra Yakusak; Director-General of SMEDAN, Dr Dikko Umaru Radda; Managing Director of NEXIM Bank, Mr Abba Bello; Managing Director of Development Bank of Nigeria, Mr Tony Okpanachi; Director-General of Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Mallam Farouk Salim; Managing Director of Bank of Agriculture, Mr Alwan Ali Hassan. Others include the representatives of CAC, FIRS, NAFDAC, NITDA and Access Bank.

ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that a man identified as Victor has been set ablaze by suspected members of a cult group at the Akede area of Osogbo, Osun State.

It was learnt that the incident, which occurred around 2pm on Saturday, caused panic in the area.

Many residents reportedly fled to avoid being caught in the attack, as Victor struggled with his assailants.

Sources near the scene of the incident said the victim was trailed to the area by men, numbering about nine, who were on three motorcycles.

Our correspondent also gathered that before Victor was set ablaze, the assailants shot him several times.

A source said, “They attempted to kill him with machetes, but it didn’t work. They also shot him several times. When all that failed, they doused him with petrol and set him ablaze.

“After the man was set on fire, the attackers, who came to our area on three motorcycles, waited for a few minutes before leaving.”

The source explained that after the attackers left the area, some residents moved to the scene and put out the fire before the victim was taken to a hospital in Osogbo.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, said police operatives were on the trail of the perpetrators.

She said, “Investigation has commenced into the matter. Members of a cult attacked the victim. They doused him with petrol and set him ablaze.

“Our men are already on the trail of the perpetrators. The victim is believed to be a member of a rival group. He did not die. He was rushed to a hospital.”

The family of the owner of Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Chief Ramon Adedoyin, has called on Nigerians on social media to stop dragging the hotelier on social media.

The family insisted that Adedoyin is not a ritualist and has no hand in the death of a Master’s student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Mr. Timothy Adegoke.

In a statement by the family’s lawyer, Mr. Abiodun Williams, they claimed the hotelier has businesses managed by employees on his behalf.

Part of the statement read, “Like every other Nigerian and a parent for that matter, Chief Adedoyin is saddened by the death of the young man.

“And for the avoidance of any doubt, Chief Adedoyin is not only an educationist and hotelier but also an established business man with investments in different other sectors of the economy.

“So, he does not involve in the day-to-day running of the hotel and indeed his other business establishments as such roles are left in the hands of hundreds of his employees.

“We therefore wish to say, once again, that Chief Adedoyin and members of his family are not ritualists and will never condescend to such devlish act.

“So, we call on the media, especially the bloggers to verify information before going to press and also allow the police to conduct proper investigations on the death of the young man and bring anyone culpable to justice.

“We also urge the police on their part not to be swayed by the social media rumours being spread around on the matter rather to remain professionals in their investigations even as we wish to express our sincere condolences and sympathy to the Adegoke’s family while we pray God to comfort them.”

Ekiti State Government on Sunday said it is up to date with the payment of the salaries the state medical and health workers.

Akinjide Akinleye, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Human Services, made the clarification in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Akinleye was reacting to a news article credited to the National President of the Nigerian Medical Association NMA, Prof Innocent Ujah, alleging that the State Government is owing doctors four months salary.

Akinleye said that government had diligently paid the salaries of all workers in the State, including doctors.

According to him, public servants in the State, including medical and health workers, receive their salaries regularly without any default from the government.

Akinleye explained that for the purpose of clarity, medical and health workers in the state, are employed across the three tiers of health facilities.

“Those at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti; the 22 secondary care hospitals under the management of the Hospitals Management Board and Primary Healthcare facilities, managed by the State Primary Health Care Development Agency.

“Health workers employed through the State Hospitals’ Management Board and the State Primary Health Care Development Agency are paid directly by the State government through the Office of the Accountant General,” he said.

The Permanent Secretary noted that workers employed at EKSUTH and other autonomous entities such as the State University, receive their salaries from their organisations, with subventions released by the state government to the institutions.

“As at today, all health workers in the State, including doctors, have been paid their salaries up to November 2021,” he said.

Akinleye said members of the public are aware that past administrations in the state owed workers salaries between July and September 2018.

According to him, Gov. Kayode Fayemi took over the liability from the previous administration and had begun to defray the arrears to the workers.

“It is important to state that the present administration is not owing any worker since its inauguration in October 2018,” he said.

Akinleye said the State Government hold its workers, including medical and health professionals, in high esteem and would continue to make their welfare a top priority at all times.

He said government would continue to create the enabling environment for its workers as a catalyst for improved productivity.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the weekend assured that there would be more intervention by the state government to support the fight against all forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the state.

The Governor spoke at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja during the presentation of six vehicles by the First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu to critical agencies of government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to facilitate a prompt, efficient, and effective response to the menace of rape, defilement, domestic violence, child abuse, and associated crimes.

The beneficiaries are Family Court, Lagos State Judiciary; Directorate of Family Health and Nutrition, Lagos State Ministry of Health; Guidance and Counseling Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Education; Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP); Auntlanda Bethel Foundation; and SGBV Response Team, Office of the First Lady.

The vehicle presentation was the highpoint of the commemoration of the global 16 days of activism against SGBV, as spearheaded in the state by the Office of the First Lady.

Mr. Governor commended all the stakeholders, partners, and donors, saying the feat clearly confirmed that a lot could be achieved working together.

“I am happy with all of our partners, the NGOs, the various offices, and the judiciary that are doing great things. What this means is that just keep doing what you are doing, somebody somewhere is watching, and at the appropriate time, you will be encouraged and we all need to encourage ourselves. I am sure next year, others who are also raising up the bar and they are best in class at what they do will be encouraged.

“On behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I want to thank all of you for what you are doing. I want to thank my wife, the First Lady; the wife of my brother the Deputy Governor; everybody in the Office of First Lady, and all stakeholders that have put this together.

“What this means is that next year, we should do a lot better, we should have a lot more partners, we should have a lot more intervention, we should indeed be able to say that indeed these are the things we have done and we are on the right path,” he said.

Earlier, the First Lady said a lot had been done to scale up the fight against SGBV, saying it was gratifying that vehicles were being presented to further ramp up the capacities of relevant agencies to deal decisively with the menace.

“A lot has been done with regards to the 16 days of activism. We had our Community Sensitization on the 29th of November, followed by School Sensitization. We also took part in the Interfaith parley where we had the opportunity to talk to religious leaders (Christian and Muslim).

“In between, I went to Abuja to attend the Second Annual Conference of Nigeria Governors’ Wives Forum against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, and we also had the opportunity of meeting the National Union of Road Transport Workers to sensitize them on the dangers and position of the law on SGBV.

“We are presenting six vehicles today making a total of Nine vehicles we have presented to support the fight against SGBV. Recalled that we had earlier presented three to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) of the Ministry of Justice; Child Protection Unit of the Ministry of Youth and Social Development; and the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti, Lagos. For us, we will not relent in our fight against the SGBV,” she said.

Besides the vehicles, rape kits were also donated to the Ministry of Health to help in the treatment of rape survivors.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye commended the First Lady for her passion and genuine commitment and consistency displayed to the cause against SGBV, assuring that the vehicles and the rape kits would be deployed for the intended purpose.

The donors are the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) and Lagos State Gaming and Lotteries Authority, while the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) supported the 16 days of activism campaign with adverts on billboards and electronic media.