Nothing But Fact
ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that there was firec incident at the Plank Market at Okobaba in Ebute Metta.
Though the cause of the fire outbreak can not be ascertained now by our Correspondent. The residents of the community were seeing making frantic effort to curtail further spread of the fire.
The Lagos State Fire Service and the State’s Emergency Management Agency LASEMA were later seeing mobilizing their men to the scene.
Details later.
A former Manager with the Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Osadebe Osakwe has dragged the publisher of Sahara Reporters Mr. Omoyele Sowore and the Sahara Reporters Media group to a Lagos High Court seeking the sum of N250 million each as damages from the defendants for alleged defamation of character.
Dr. Osadebe who is also the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of North China Construction Nigeria in his statement of claim, alleged that the defendants in their online news media, website and blog on 17th May 2016, published the offensive material captioned “Zenith Bank Manager uses Armed thugs to take land from indigenes”.
The publication went further to say “A crisis is reportedly brewing between Igbodo Community in the Ika North East and Onicha-ugbo community in Aniocha North Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta state following alleged criminal activities coordinated by a Manager of Zenith Bank Plc, Osadebe Osakwe. Dr. Osakwe, an indigene of Onicha-Ugbo community and a Manager of Zenith Bank Plc has allegedly been using armed thugs to seize land from residents of Igbodo community.
“Sahara Reporters reliably gathered that Dr. Osakwe who has used the confiscated land to established a farm called “Adagat” Agricultural Ventures Limited” has continuously boasted that the Minister for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu and his brother, a Senior Police Officer are solidly behind his land-grabbing from the people of Igbodo community for the purpose of starting a World Bank farming project…”.
The Plaintiff, who also alleged that the defendants in another publication on 19th April, 2018 titled: “Scandal: Gov. Okowa, Sister, SSG and Others Embroiled in N13.6bn Secretariat Complex Fraud.” The defendants in the publication on their website stated that: “Delta state Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, his sister, Ivana Shenton, Secretary to the State Government, (SSG), Festus Ovie Agas, Commissioner for Special Duties, Government House, Asaba, Henry Sakpra, a former Zenith Bank Manager, Osadebe Osakwe and others have been indicted in a N13.6 billion fraud scandals related to a new secretariat complex being built by the state and information available to this website indicated that the governor, awarded the contract for the new central secretariat complex to North China Construction Company Nigeria Limited (NCCG) which allegedly has the governor’s Sister, Ivana Shenton and former Zenith Bank Manager, Osadebe Osakwe as frontiers.’
“Checks by Sahara Reporters revealed that North China Construction Nigeria Limited was registered two years before the emergence of Okowa as a governor with Corporate Affairs Commission registration number, RC 1113315, and is being managed by Osadebe Osakwe, the former Zenith Bank manager who is also a strong ally of the Delta governor… It was alleged Osakwe spent a fortune in making sure Okowa emerged governor of Delta state in 2015 general elections. It described the contract as ‘a conduit pipe being used by Governor Okowa to drain the state’s treasury ahead of his second term bid….”
Dr. Osadebe said the defendants have caused to be made and published several publication against him through their online media to reduce his estimation before the average right thinking members of the society.
He said the publications of the defendants have clearly and deliberately represented to the whole world that he is a stooge, corrupt, fraudster, a killer, a cheat, a dubious fellow of questionable character, a thief, lacking in integrity and an enemy of the people of Delta State of Nigeria, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the International Community altogether, and these imputations are in no doubt defamatory against any standards worldwide.
Briefing journalists, Dr. Osadebe’s lawyer, Barr. Patrick Odozi stated in his word “I know that the said unverified and unsubstantiated publications which was put in an international online news media and published worldwide, is completely false and fabricated, and I strongly emphasize that in all the said publications the defendants defamed the character and image of my client on the internet which has been published and read and still being read till date by different people within Nigeria and abroad who have now come to see my client as a brute, corrupt and a debased fellow,” The lawyer asserted.
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the release of the protesters arrested recently by the Nigerian Police Force during #EndSARS protest. This was made known today in a statement released via his official Facebook account as read in part:
“Following the conclusion of the sitting of the State Judicial Panel of Enquiry and Restitution on Police Brutality, I want to reassure everyone that government will ensure full disclosure by making the report public.
“Lagos State Government, under my watch will not make any attempt to cover up the recommendations of the panel, whether it favours us or not.
“I am convinced that the panel report would be helpful in strengthening true reconciliation and help to prevent re-occurrence of violence in the State.
“We are currently facing the arduous task of rebuilding the state, one year after it was hit by a wave of arson attacks resulting from the EndSARS protests. Lagos recorded a huge loss in assets and resources, following the violence that trailed the protest, as public transportation infrastructure, court buildings, police stations, private properties and iconic assets were razed by arsonists on October 21, 2020.
“In the spirit of freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Constitution, I have ordered the release of those that were arrested for participating in a drive-through EndSARS memorial protest at the Lekki Tollgate yesterday except the person who was caught with dangerous weapons at the scene.
“The immediate task before us is to work together to rebuild Lagos and I extend a hand of fellowship to the youth to be stakeholders in the development of our State”.
Some unidentified persons suspected to be hoodlums have beaten up the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.
The former presidential candidate was roughed up having been denied entry into the court premises to observe the trial of embattled Indigenous Peoples of Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The Nation reports that Sowore was slapped and punched by the 20 unkempt looking individuals right in from of the security agents who allowed the assault until onlookers raised alarm.
The publication added that the hoodlums left the scene left without being apprehended by the security agents.
Irked by the ignorance of the security operative, the members of the public then chased the hoodlums to apprehend them as the security operatives looked on.
The security operatives were said to have eventually intervened after the situation got rowdy.
Before the incident, Sowore said: “A courtroom is not complete except people are there to witness proceedings. I want to sit right in front of the judge and witness it all.
“They have assured us that Kanu will get justice. He is my friend and I should be here. But the security agencies are still not allowing me in.”
The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, on Wednesday, said preferences placed on paper qualifications by employers in Nigeria is responsible for high incidences of examination malpractices in JAMB.
He also said the simple way to make public servants shy away from corruption and other sharp practices is to make available to them, appropriate minimum welfare packages.
The former vice-chancellor of the University of Ilorin made the assertion in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, while delivering the 10th annual lecture of the Forum of Heads of Federal Government Establishments in Nigeria, (Ekiti State chapter).
Speaking on the topic ‘Value Reorientation for Effective Service Delivery: JAMB Perspectives’, he said no worker would choose to remain indolent, disloyal and unproductive if his working environment is appealing.
Oloyede blamed various cases of fraudulent practices in schools, especially during external examinations, on too much emphasis on paper qualifications by authorities while engaging people for employment.
Oloyede, who was represented on the occasion by Mrs Mabel Agbebaku, the Director, Quality Assurance at JAMB Headquarters, said he had initiated as well as carried out a number of innovations and disciplinary measures which had not only shore up annual money generated in its activities, but also eased out bad eggs from the agency.
“Any practice that aims at compromising the integrity of examinations pose a great danger to the collective hopes of the citizenry and the developmental aspirations of the nation.
“As the Board is investing a large chunk of its resources in the fight against examination infractions, government and other stakeholders alike must also show increased commitment to this fight because of the threats posed not only to the educational system, but also to national development.
“Some of the reasons for the widespread report of academic cheating might not be unconnected with the undue emphasis placed on paper qualifications and the desperation for professional courses such as Medicine, Law, Accountancy etc,” he said.
According to him, in the Board’s constant efforts to deploy international best practices, Computer Based Testing (CBT) was employed as the mode of examination delivery in the conduct of its exams in recent past, saying this innovation had helped to reduce malpractices and irregularities to the barest minimum.
He accused some private CBT centres of complicity in encouraging malpractices during UTME exams, warning them to desist henceforth or be ready to face consequences.
The JAMB boss said many of the CBT centres are in the habit of collaborating with both parents and schools to earn underserving grades, adding that: “Some of them even go as far as allowing the use of one person’s biometrics to register multiple candidates and also use different person’s photograph to register a candidate.”
The special guest of honour on the occasion and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, who was represented by the Head of Service, Mrs. Peju Babafemi, commended the forum for coming up with the idea of organising the annual lecture and promised government’s continued support.
He agreed on the topic of the lecture, saying: “The continuing debate on the pervading moral decadence in the society has resonated, in no small measure, the concept of ‘Value Reorientation’ in public domain.
“Therefore, the significance and aptness of your lecture, titled ‘Value Reorientation for Effective Service Delivery: JAMB Perspective’ cannot be overemphasized
“JAMB has indeed demonstrated this ideals of value re-orientation , as evident in its various reformations as well as giant stride in terms of increased remittances to the coffers of the federal government.”
Earlier in his welcome address, Mr James Famurewa, the Chairman of Ekiti chapter of the Forum, explained that the annual lecture was conceptualised as a veritable and strategic platform where all federal civil servants in the state can benefit immensely from the intellectual capacity and wealth of experience of eminent scholars, renowned public officers, technocrats and other critical stakeholders invited to deliver lecture.
He hinted that the forum had just been allowed a parcel of land to build its state secretariat, estimated to cost N25 million, with an appeal to both the state government and other stakeholders to assist in making the project become a reality
The chairman of the occasion, Mrs. Janet Olufunmilayo Adesubokan, remarked that members of the Forum in Ekiti had all been fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of the federal government at the state level to the admiration of the host public.
“It is certain and evident that through this type of annual lecture, the body has been able to live to expectations, especially in the area of educating and creating the needed awareness on activities of the federal government,” Adesubokan said.
Aare Gani Adams, Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, has said religious bigotry would not help Nigeria to move forward and reclaim her glory.
Adams, whoholdstheposition of an apostle in the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, called on Nigerians to embrace religious tolerance and refuse to see one religionassuperiortotheother.
He said it would be helpful if Nigerians see their different religions as potent tools in advancing the nation, stressing that neglect of the promotion of indigenous culture and reverence of deities, including Olukun, can be linked to stunted economic growth in the country.
The convener of the annual Olokun Festival made the observations on Wednesday in Lagos at the special prayers for Nigeria in commemoration of the 2021 edition of the festival, adding that the pandemic prevented the event from holding last year.
Adams, who played host to leaders of the Christian, Muslim and traditional religions, led praise and prayer sessions, noted that the place of prayer cannot be overemphasized, especially in combating the killings, banditry, insecurity, fall in naira value, rising cost of living and other challenges Nigerians are presently faced with.
While addressing the Yoruba, he called on them to promote their culture. He, however, alleged that a particular traditional leader in the region has taken it upon himself to spite Yoruba deities and culture.
According to Adams, the traditional leader’s conduct was appalling as it contradicted the Yoruba tradition.
Meanwhile, Dr. Philip Abiodun, in his closing remarks, appreciated the religious leaders and participants, while praying that the tide would turn in favour of Nigeria.
Oyo State government, on Wednesday, has announced its renewed plans to bring back some of the mendicants who have left the provided Akinyele Resettlement Centre back into the facility.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Omolabake Kafilat Olayiwola, stated this during an assessment visit to the facility, saying that the state government is willing to accede to some other urgent requests made by the destitute.
She appealed to philanthropic residents to patronize beggars, destitute urchins at the Akinyele resettlement, saying this is the best way to treat the destitute.
She explained that adequate care has been given to the evacuees at the new facility, which, according to her, is more habitable and conducive.
She said: “Firstly, I want to appreciate the effort of the governor concerning what he has done here. We even have some people in other states who have acknowledged the fact that the good things happening here are not being experienced in their own states. So, it is a great privilege.
“Concerning those among the destitute leaving this settlement the state government has provided for them, we have interviewed them and they told us that it is because those who give them food no longer come inside the settlement. So, they had to be going outside to get the food from those people. They said if the people will be coming inside to give them food, they won’t have any cause to go outside of this environment.
“In view of this, I want to urge some of our people who give them food to always try and come into the main resettlement centre because this is the best way to treat the destitute. We should stop giving them stuffs outside.
“In any case, I have assured that some of the requests they have made will be tabled before His Excellency, who we know is very kind and I believe the requests will be granted. Also, we will take every necessary step to ensure that those that go outside are returned and remain inside.
“Another good development about this is, we are making provision for food for them and they don’t complain about that. I have walked round this resettlement and I have seen that the state government has really done well for the destitute. I commend the government for the infrastructure put in place for them and I believe many more things will come for them.”
While speaking with newsmen on behalf of the Commissioner, the permanent Secretary, Mrs Christiana Abosede expressed satisfaction on the state of the resettlement centre, stressing that the state government would continue to take good care of the Residents, in as much they stay in the designated camp.
She maintained that efforts are on top gear to recapture those that have absconded the camp to continue their begging business in some major streets of Ibadan.
“We bless the name of the Lord, thus far. God has helped us and Oyo State Government has been trying to see to the welfare of the destitute that have been evacuated and resettled at this centre.
“As you can see, they are doing well as regards medical care. The Ministry of Health has been up to the task and they have been feeding well. They took rice and fish in the morning, Eba and okro soup this afternoon. So far, so good, the Honourable Commissioner, the new commissioner for the Ministry in the person of Alhaja Khafilat Omolabake Olayiwola, has deemed it fit, as part of her familiarisation tour to visit the people here, and to assure them of government continuous support of the centre.
“That is why she is here and she is here too to listen just to get some feelers from them so that when she meets with His Excellency, she will be able to deliver some of their requests.
“Some of the destitute that were evacuated, we all see that some of them have strayed back to the street and effort of the ministry is to ensure that all of them are captured in.
“Even as part of the interview conducted with the seven elders that they have here, they complained a lot. They said they never liked the way some of them went back to the street and that they wanted Government to bring them back here.
“So, we are going to continue the evacuation exercises which we will be doing together. They have been feeding well as far as the Ministry in charge is concerned,” She said.
In their reactions, destitute, beggars met on the ground appreciated Governor Makinde led administration for providing basic needs for them within the camp,
They however charged the state government to maintain its stand and dislodge those beggars that are floating other colonies in major streets of Ibadan.
One of the protesters wore a white garment outfit while carrying a placard, while the other claimed he was a journalist. The two persons are currently cooling off in a black maria van.
Details later.
The Governor of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Monday inaugurated the Outbreak Response to Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio as part of efforts towards advancing healthy living of the citizens, particularly the children.
Oyetola said the initiative was designed to produce an army of healthy children who will inherit and sustain the administration’s Development Agenda and be the face of the Osun dream.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, held at Ayegbaju international market, Osogbo, Oyetola said by inaugurating the exercise today, the State was trying to prevent Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio which are in some states in Nigeria from getting to Osun.
He added that the initiative would serve as a booster to the health segment of the Administration’s Development Agenda which encompasses adequate, quality and equitable healthcare delivery in all its ramifications.
Governor Oyetola who disclosed that his Administration had adopted adequate and prompt strategies to remedy and revitalise the health sector.
According to him, the Administration’s healthcare delivery is a holistic, expansive and interconnected exercise hence, the polio exercise targeted at further enhancing the health of the children.
He enjoined the residents, particularly parents and guardians, to take maximum advantage of the initiative, saying, “I urge our mothers to cooperate with government by visiting our health centres to avail the chidren of the available facilities.”
He further said: “Today, we are widening the healthcare delivery net by flagging off the outbreak response to circulate vaccine derived polio to give our children good health attention and put the minds of their parents at rest.
“You will all recall that Nigeria was confirmed to be polio free on August 25th, 2020 with zero cases of the wild poliovirus. The nation was the last polio endemic country in Africa and was officially certified free from polio after making three consecutive years since the last case of wild polio had been identified.
“However, what we are trying to prevent today is Circulating Vaccine Derived Polio which are in some states in Nigeria today so as to prevent it from getting to Osun.
“This vaccination will be given to our children who are within the age range of 0-59 months. The main vaccination will be for a period of four days while there will be mop up for two days so as to get to areas where there could be missed Children.
“I am therefore appealing to mothers not to be afraid of the exercise. Mothers should bring their children for vaccination so that the health of their children can be boosted and guaranteed.
“This exercise is proactively designed to produce an army of healthy children who will inherit and sustain our Development Agenda and be the face of the Osun of our dream. I urge our mothers to cooperate with government by visiting our health centres to avail the chidren of the available facilities,” he added.
While enumerating some of the interventions made to revamp the health sector, Oyetola said, “Since coming into office, we have adopted adequate and prompt strategies to remedy and revitalise the health sector, including battling the Coronavirus pandemic, eliminating open defecation, and drastically reducing child and maternal mortality.
“Our School Free Feeding Programme which is targeted at children at the elementary school stage to enhance their health and mental alertness is also on course.
“Our renovation and revitalisation of nine General Hospitals and 332 Primary Health Centres programme, one per ward, which was flagged off three months of our coming into office, has reached an advanced completion stage as over 300 of them have been completed. All the Centres have qualified staff and adequate and quality drugs.
“We have also instituted the Osun Health Insurance Scheme with affordable premiums for workers and zero premiums for the vulnerable, including the aged and persons living with disabilities to provide affordable healthcare for our people.”
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Chairman, Osun State Primary Health Care Development Board, Leke Ogunsola, applauded the Administration of Governor Oyetola for taking the health and general well-being of the citizens to the front burners.
He said the Board has been working hard to ensure smooth delivery of immunisation to all households across the nooks and crannies of the State.
“The performance of this Administration in all sectors has been nothing short of stellar, especially in the area of health, with much focus on healthcare delivery at the grassroots.
“The first round of this Polio Outbreak Response Immunisation Exercise held in September this year, and it was observed that some children didn’t get immunised as a result of the reculcitrant attitude of some parents in refusing to present their children for immunisation.
“The second of the programme has already commenced on the 16th of this month, with the active implementation ending on the 19th and a mop-up exercise between 20th to 24th.”
Also speaking, the State Coordinator, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Mrs. Modupeola Oyesiji, commended the Governor on his prompt response to health related matters, saying this has proven his determination as taking the sector to the next level of development.
Dr. Oyesiji who described the provision of quality health as non-negotiable to every serious, responsible and responsive government, hailed the Governor for being resolute in his commitment to advancing the course of the citizens as reflected in the myriads socioeconomic and infrastructure development in the health sector.
She said, “We are very grateful for your timely and prompt payment of salaries which has been the motivation to enhancing the health sector. You have really assisted us in the health sector by assuring us that it is your priority. We have all the machineries in place to let us succeed. The immunisation is the right of every child and we will do everything to ensure that our children get immunised.”
The Representative of World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Bello Hammed, commended the Governor for being faithful to his electoral promises, particularly for allocating the recommended percentage to health sector in the Year 2022 Budget.
He said, “It is worthy of note that Osun is among the few states that have earmarked the required percentage to health sector as requested by WHO.
“I must also commend the tremendous achievements of the government to reposition the health sector. No doubt, the State is doing well in improving the health of the citizens as it has taken full ownership of their health.”
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has finally been presented with his caricature, days after daring Boda Taiye Oniyakuya, the comic artist who made a mockery of the Governor’s official portrait.
The comic artist, whose real name is Taiwo Osinowo, dared the Governor and showed up with Sanwo-Olu’s drawing at a youth event held in LTV Blue Roof, Agidingbi, on Tuesday.
Midweek, Boda Taiye Oniyakuya became a social media sensation after a viral post showing the Governor’s caricature. The artist, then, threatened to show up at the Governor’s office to present the humorous image.
The artist’s audacity elicited Sanwo-Olu’s response under the viral post, inviting the artist to present the funny drawing.
Sanwo-Olu, dressed in Boy Scouts’ venturing green shirt, beret and light-brown pant with yellow tie to match, received the comic image from the artist and praised the creativity behind the post.
“I’m truly excited with the creativity we have in Lagos and the amount of talented youths we have here. There are several of Boda Taiye Oniyakuya that we need to bring out to showcase to the world. We have gifted artists and scientists in Lagos.
“I use this opportunity to tell our youths that we are changing education curriculum to accommodate music, song writing, entertainment and fashion to be taught right from school. This is to help young people develop their abilities and give them choices.”
The Governor received the drawing and reward the artist for his effort.
Visibly excited after meeting the Governor, Boda Taiye Oniyakuya, who attended the event with his twin brother, thanked Sanwo-Olu for encouraging his talent.
He said he received messages warning him not to honour the Governor’s invitation for fear of possible arrest, pointing out that Sanwo-Olu’s simplicity and good-nature had changed the impression people sowed in his mind about the Governor.
You cannot copy content of this page