Category: News

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has said that his administration was poised at making the Ojude Oba festival a global event.

The governor who stated this on Tuesday at the 2024 Ojude Oba Festival held at the Ojude Oba Pavilion in Ijebu-Ode, said the annual event has grown from a mere gathering of Ijebu people to felicitate the Awujale to an event that attract both national and global audience.

According to the governor, the festival, which has become a tourist attraction, symbolizes and reflects the collective unity of the people known for hard work, perseverance, and industry.

He said: “Ojude Oba festival is not only a cultural heritage for the indigenes of Ijebuland but has now become a significant event that attracts local and foreign tourists to Ogun State, showcasing our hospitality and enviable tradition of Ijebuland to the national and global audience.

“This festival serves as a symbol of our unity, tourism and a rallying point to all the Ijebu sons and daughters to celebrate the life and times of our tradition, culture, and revered monarch.

“It has become a catalyst for development of Ijebuland, and this undoubtedly underscores the importance of preserving our traditions for future generations.

“By standing for unity and harmony, we elevate our community and set an example for others to follow. The essence of unity and harmony in Ijebuland can be seen willingly in cultural events like this festival.

“Our administration is deeply committed to supporting the initiative to make it a permanent event in the global tourism industry,” he said.

The event, Prince Abiodun observed, creates opportunities for an advancement which has brought about the socio-economic development not only to the axis but the state as a whole.

While thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for showing interest in expanding the festival, especially with plans to include it in the UNESCO’s world cultural heritage, the Governor said his administration was committed to providing the conducive environment for business to thrive.

He said the festival provides an opportunity for the Ijebu people to take stock and project the future. He called for unity and harmony from people across the state, adding that it was time to work together to build a virile state.

“The state government will continue to create a conducive atmosphere for community development across the state and I solicit the support of the people, especially all the sons and daughters towards the 20th National Sports Festival, Gateway Games, 2024, part of which will be hosted right here in Ijebu-Ode,” the governor concluded.

Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. Hannatu Musa-Musawa, who was represented by Rev. Ben Ugo, Director of Cultural Industry and Heritage, said her ministry was working towards promoting and preserving cultural heritage of President Tinubu’s administration with the creation of economic expansion to the tune of $100bn.

He acknowledged the cultural diversity of Nigerians, noting that the federal government is working towards making the country a cultural hub by the year 2030.

Chairman of the 2024 Ojude Oba festival, Chief Olu Okuboyejo, appreciated the governor for his support for the festival and the people for turning up enmass to grace the occasion.

In a heartbreaking turn of events, former Senate President Bukola Saraki is currently grieving the loss of his beloved mother, Florence Morenike Saraki. The news of her passing was confirmed by TVC News on Tuesday evening through a statement on social media.

According to reports, the tragic incident occurred when Mrs. Saraki went into a coma and was swiftly rushed to a hospital in Lagos state. Despite efforts to save her, she was placed in an intensive care unit (ICU) where she unfortunately succumbed to her condition.

A source close to the family revealed that Saraki, who was in Ilọrin at the time, was promptly informed and immediately departed for Lagos with his wife, deeply affected by the tragic news. The late Florence Morenike Saraki, aged 89, was the widow of Olusola Saraki, a prominent Senator in the Second Nigerian Republic and a revered political figure in Kwara until his passing in 2012.

Just last year in August 2023, the family joyously celebrated Mrs. Saraki’s 88th birthday, making her sudden demise all the more poignant for those who knew and loved her. Bukola Saraki, in a public confirmation, expressed his profound sorrow over the loss of his mother, marking a somber moment for the Saraki family and the community at large.

In a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, announced that operatives seized 390kg of cannabis and arrested three suspects during a raid in Ibese, Ogun State.

The arrested individuals were identified as Muhammad Sani, Nura Mohammad, and Samaila Rabe. Additionally, officers uncovered a ‘skuchies’ production facility in Sagamu’s Sabo area, resulting in the arrest of seven suspects: Kareem Jamiu, Oriyimi Ayo, Bamidele Wasiu, Rasheed Olanrewaju, Ramota Lawal, Amudalat Olarewaju, and Adeniyi Omotosho.

Recovered items included 387 liters of skuchies, 70 liters of industrial codeine, 25kg of cannabis, and various quantities of Tramadol, Rohypnol, and Diazepam.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that equipment used for producing these psychoactive substances was also confiscated during the operation.

Residents of Idekan Farm Settlement in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, were left in disbelief when Matthew James allegedly murdered his wife, Etim Mary, aged 55, over suspicions of infidelity.

It was gathered that the tragic incident occurred around 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.

According to eyewitnesses and police sources, James, now in custody, reportedly committed the crime after suspecting his wife of having an extramarital affair within their community.

An anonymous eyewitness revealed that police from the Ijebu-Igbo Division swiftly apprehended the suspect after the incident.

“The suspect claimed they had a ‘blood covenant’ not to betray each other,” the source disclosed. “He suspected his wife of infidelity. She had been married before and had children before marrying James.”

The spokesperson for the state police command, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident, stating that the victim was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

“She was found with deep cuts on her forehead, shoulders, and other parts of her body,” Odutola stated. “The husband was apprehended with a blood-soaked machete believed to be the murder weapon.”

The body of the deceased has been deposited at Alayangbe Private Mortuary in Oke-Agbo, Ijebu-Igbo, pending an autopsy.

“This case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Abeokuta once preliminary investigations are completed,” Odutola added.

This tragic incident echoes a similar case in April in Ekiti State, where another man allegedly killed his wife over suspected infidelity.

Former Accountant General of Federation, Jonah Ogunniyi Otunla, has been confirmed dead in UK.

The Irawo-born accountant said to have died in at his residence in United Kingdom on Monday June 17, 2024. He said to have slept and didn’t Wale up again.

Recall, Otunla who hailed from Atisbo Local Government had been battling with financial misappropriation case from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC before he later died.

The EFCC had investigated Otunla over diversion of about N24 billion meant for disengaged staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and another N2 billion allegedly received from the office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA for his personal use.

He later refunded N6.3 billion to the coffers of the Federal Government to avoid being prosecuted for looting the treasury.

Tragedy struck as a 45-year-old woman, Abiodun, popularly called “Iya Sunday,” burnt her 86-year-old mother with petrol, allegedly believing her mother was behind her predicament.

The incident happened on Friday at Surulere, opposite Anglican Cathedral Church in the Ondo West local government area of Ondo State.

It was gathered that the victim, whose name is yet to be confirmed, sustained burns from head to toe and is currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

According to an eyewitness, Sola Oladele, the suspect came to the house on Friday around 5 a.m. and called out her mother before pouring petrol on her and set her on fire.

He said, “What happened between them before the incident we don’t know, but the suspect has been arrested by police at the Enu-Owa division for further investigation.”

The suspect, Abiodun, said she did it because she was told that her mother was behind her predicament.

She explained, “I went to my mother’s house around 4 a.m. and sat outside. When it was 5 a.m., I called out my mother from the house. Immediately after she came out, not knowing what was happening, I poured petrol on her body and set her on fire.

“What started it is that I went to one pastor for prayer, and he told me that my mother is behind what is happening to me. I did not believe it at first. My mother also took me somewhere to see one woman. After my mother left, the woman also said the same thing.

“I burnt my mother because of what I heard from the pastor and the woman, that I can only be free from bondage when my mother is dead,” she explained.

The Enu-Owa police confirmed the incident and said the case would be transferred to Akure for further investigation.

In an alarming development, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, has announced a severe cholera outbreak that has already claimed the lives of 15 people within the state. With 350 suspected cases reported and 17 confirmed cases of cholera, authorities are on high alert to curb the spread of the disease.

The commissioner disclosed this information on Saturday, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Following the initial alert, the state Ministry of Health has activated its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) at Mainland Hospital, Yaba, to coordinate response efforts.

Abayomi highlighted that laboratory tests have confirmed cholera sub-type O-1, known for its severe impact on those infected. While efforts have led to a decrease in cases in previously affected areas, new cases are now emerging in unaffected local government areas.

To address the outbreak effectively, the state Ministry of Health has engaged in collaborative efforts with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the World Health Organisation. It is imperative for residents to adhere strictly to hygiene measures and cooperate with health officials to contain the spread of cholera.

As the Eid al-Adha celebration approaches, Abayomi urged residents to prioritize personal hygiene and sanitation practices to prevent further escalation of the outbreak. The government’s plea for community-wide participation underscores the collective responsibility in mitigating the impact of the cholera outbreak in Lagos State.

In a recent development, the Nigerian Police have firmly refuted the claims made by Senator Shehu Sani regarding the detention of youths since the 2020 EndSARS protests. The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, issued a statement on Sunday debunking Sani’s assertions.

During the 2024 Democracy Day Dinner on June 12, 2024, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Senator Shehu Sani alleged that several young Nigerians have remained in custody since the EndSARS demonstrations that took place in 2020, urging for their release. However, Adejobi has declared that no individual is being held unlawfully by the Police or any other security agency in connection with the #EndSARS protest.

The statement emphasized that the claims made by Senator Shehu Sani are baseless and urged the public to dismiss them. Adejobi further warned the former Senator against spreading false information that could potentially lead to public unrest and incitement.

The Executive Chairman of Kajola Local Government, Hon. Mustapha Akeem has extended his best wishes to Muslim communities across Kajola Local Government and the people of Oyo State at large on the ocassion of Eid-Kabeer celebration

The Chairman in his speech addressed today said, Eid Kabeer is a festive time when families show love, and appreciate the teachings and lessons from the fulfillment of promise made by Prophet Ibrahim.

“We are enjoined to be grateful in our abundance, and be hopeful in the scarcity. Let’s be moderate in our merry making and reflect so much on the teachings of this day by fulfilling promises and increase in the acts of benevolence to others.

“This is a time for self-reflection and devotion through prayer and showing of love to one another, an occasion when Muslims around the world reaffirm their commitment to helping the less fortunate, including those struggling because of economic hardship and inequality.

“It is my hope that we utilize the festival to be more prayerful and share the ideals of perseverance, tolerance and love to one another as taught by the Holy month.

Once again, I say Barka De Sallah.

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) is calling on the general public to exercise caution over the recent cholera outbreak in some states across Nigeria.

In a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Friday 14th June, 2024, the Director General of NBMA said Nigerians must exercise caution as Nigeria records 30 deaths, and 1,141 suspected cases from the disease.

“As we approach the festive period of the Salah celebrations, it is of utmost importance that we collectively prioritize the health and safety of our communities.” She said.

Cholera, a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by the ingestion of contaminated food or water, has been reported in Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta,