Category: News

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has congratulated Muslim faithful in the state, Nigeria and across the globe on the occasion of 2021 Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The governor, who called for tolerance and religious harmony at all times, urged Islamic faithful to reflect on the essence of the festival, which he described as the “Festival of Sacrifice.”

He stated that with the Eid-el-Kabir, the Almighty Allah (SWT) is teaching humanity about the virtues of total submission to His will, adding that human beings must learn to put God first in all situations.

He said: “The Eid-el-Kabir presents an opportunity for us to reflect on the faith, with which Ibrahim (Abraham) willingly agreed to sacrifice his only son and was set to let go of his prized asset, just in obedience to the command of Allah (SWT).”

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted him as admonishing Muslim faithful to lay aside all forms of religious, ethnic and tribal sentiments, in the interests of unity, peace, progress and prosperity of the state and country.”

The governor further said: “It was regrettable that Muslims in the state and across the country cannot observe the 2021 Hajj in Saudi Arabia as a result of COVID-19.
“This situation should be seen as part of the sacrifice we all have to make at this time, as a way of emulating Prophet Ibrahim.”

He added: “But despite the current COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the whole world, the Almighty Allah (SWT) allowed Muslims in Oyo State to join the Muslim Ummah in making supplications for the forgiveness of our sins.
“I am grateful to my Muslim brothers and sisters and residents of the state for remaining steadfast despite the situation imposed on us by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Governor Makinde called for the continued support and cooperation of the Muslim Ummah and all residents of the state.

He also called on all residents of the state to continue to observe all COVID-19 protocols, including the pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical measures, adding that the state will surely triumph over the pandemic.
“We should ensure the wearing of face and nose masks, regular washing of hands and ensuring social distancing.
“We must abide by the advisories already issued by the Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force and adopt the Own Your Action (OYA) slogan in order to save ourselves and our community from the pangs of the pandemic,” he added.
The governor, therefore, pledged to continue to make life more meaningful for all residents of the state, reiterating his administration’s commitment to the socio-economic transformation and the infrastructural revolution of the state in line with the Roadmap for Accelerated Development of Oyo State, 2019-2023.

“On the part of this pacesetter government, we shall continue to make life more meaningful for the people of Oyo State through policies and programmes that are godly and humane.
“As we look forward to an end to the current gloom and a return to normalcy, let us continue to work together for the safety, wellbeing and prosperity of our state.
“Once again, I congratulate our Muslim brothers and sisters and our community,” the governor concluded.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has congratulated Nigerians, especially Muslims across the country on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir festival.

Governor Sanwo-Olu while rejoicing with Muslims on Eid-el-Kabir celebration urged them to celebrate with caution in the wake of the third wave of coronavirus infections in Nigeria. He also advised them to keep to all the COVID-19 protocols.

Sanwo-Olu in his Eid-el-Kabir message issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, advised Lagosians, especially Muslim faithful to imbibe the lessons of sacrifice made by Prophet Ibrahim and work for the peace, stability, unity and progress of the country.

The Governor said there is strong connection between peaceful coexistence of all tribes and religions and development, noting that as Lagosians, every resident must live together peacefully.

“On behalf of my family and government of Lagos State, I join millions of people around the world, to wish our Muslim brothers and sisters in the State and in Nigeria happy Eid-el-Kabir, which comes with significant lessons for mankind.

“Eid al-Adha has become a symbolic event in the history of mankind, following the events that led to the sacrifice by Prophet Ibrahim, who held tenaciously to his faith in God despite his unpleasant circumstances at the time.

“The festival, therefore, reminds us that there will always be great rewards when we have abiding faith and patience in trying periods; persistence in prayers and tenacity in our belief, as well as sacrifice for the progress of mankind and development of our society,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu while seeking Lagosians’ support for development and growth of Lagos State, urged residents to support his government’s efforts in building a ‘Greater Lagos’ that will work for all through the THEMES developmental agenda of his administration.

The Governor also implored Nigerians to support governments at state and federal levels in building a better society that is free from violence, insecurity and other social vices.

The Lagos State Government, on Monday, reminded residents to ensure that gains already made towards a cleaner environment in the city are not eroded as they join Muslims in celebrating the Ed-el-Kabir.

A statement signed by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello, urged residents to complement the efforts of various agencies through timely evacuation of waste and cleaning of drains, especially during this festive period.

He said all waste generated through the slaughtering of rams and other animals, as well as waste from food items, should be properly discarded after bagging, through approved PSP operators, just as everyone must avoid unsanitary actions.

Bello, while felicitating with all Muslims, urged Lagosians to celebrate with moderation, bearing in mind that the COVID-19 pandemic is still with us.

He averred that all those who will engage in public outings during the holidays should avoid littering while observing all COVID safety protocols.

“In view of the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic and observance of the prescribed safety protocols, everyone must always ensure that they handle waste in the most appropriate way”, the Commissioner stated.

Bello also used the opportunity to remind Lagosians that the Law against street trading is still in force, stressing that any form of street trading that includes the display of rams on major highways, road medians, walkways, lay-bys, gardens and parks across the State will not be tolerated.

Noting that it is usual for traders to take advantage of the season to market and sell rams and other livestock, the Commissioner warned that such trading must be done in designated markets without defacing the State’s aesthetics or compromising the wellness and wellbeing of residents.

Governor of the State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, has rejoiced with Muslims in the State and across the world on the occasion of the 1442 AH Eid-el-Kabir festival, urging them not to forget the symbolic significance of the celebration.

This is contained in his Eid-el-Kabir message to Muslim faithful.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, on Monday, the governor encouraged the Muslim faithful to take cognisance of the symbolic significance of the festival and imbibe the lessons of obedience and sacrifice as demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim.

Oyetola also called on the worshippers and all Nigerians to use the celebration to pray to Allah to save the country from the resurgent COVID-19 pandemic, insecurity and other challenges facing the nation, just as he emphasised the need for unity, love, tolerance and peaceful co-existence among people in the State and Nigerians in general.

“In the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir celebration, I enjoin us all to respect our differences in terms of religion, tribe or political affiliation, and embrace love, unity, tolerance and peaceful co-existence. In diversity lies our strength, ” Oyetola said.

While wishing Muslims happy Sallah celebration, the governor reminded them that COVID-19 is still here with us and appealed to them to comply strictly with the safety protocols as they celebrate.

He said: “As we mark the Eid-el-Kabir festival, let’s be mindful that the pandemic is still here with us. We must therefore abide by all safety protocols as we celebrate. While the State Government has allowed for praying grounds to be opened, we must ensure that the prayers are observed in strict compliance with COVID-19 safety guidelines.”

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the dispatch of additional patrol vehicles and other equipment to the Rapid Response Squad (#RRS) to boost the fight against crime in the state.

The equipment was in furtherance of the resolve of the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu to sustain its support to the security agencies to completely annihilate criminals out of the state.

The RRS, at the weekend, took delivery of the said additional security wares from the government through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF).

The items are 350 Bullet proof vests,/Helmets and 20 Saloon patrol vehicles.

Acknowledging the working tools, RRS Commander, CSP Yinka Egbeyemi said the purpose driven Governor of the state had just spoken again in an unambiguous manner to support onslaught against criminal elements.

He said the tools aptly demonstrated the Governor’s unwavering resolve to give the police all that is needed to guarantee impregnable security of lives and property in Lagos, adding that it was also a signal to the police to go all out and get the job done.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos state Command, CP Hakeem Odumosu has habitually directed and challenged formations across the state including the RRS to sustain onslaught against all shades of criminals and these newly received apparatuses will be put to full professional use to carry out the Commissioner’s directive towards negating criminal activities in the state,” Egbeyemi assured.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Osun says no fewer than 14 people lost their lives in an accident that occurred on Ipetu-Ijesa – Ilesa Highway on Saturday evening.

The Sector Commander, Mr Paul Okpe, made this known in a statement issued by Mrs Agnes Ogungbemi, the command’s Spokesperson, which was made available to newsmen on Sunday morning in Osogbo.

Okpe explained that the accident occurred at 5:40 p.m. at the powerline area, killing four males, four females and six children.

He said the children were two females and four males, adding that a total of 14 people died in the accident, involving 18 passengers.

The sector commander explained that four males, who survived in the accident, were rushed to a nearby hospital.

“The 14 corpses have been deposited in a morgue, and the road cleared to avoid gridlock on the highway,” Okpe said.

He said that an articulated vehicle ( Howo-Sinotruck) with number plate BAU 171 ZE collided with a Toyota Sienna (Gold Color) with number plate KRD 842 GY.

According to him, we received a distressed call at about 5:45 p.m. on Saturday evening about an accident on Ipetu-Ijesa – Ilesa Highway, involving two vehicles.

“Our men arrived the location at 5:50 p.m and met dead bodies at the scene, which we have taken to the nearest morgue at the Wesley Hospital in Ilesa,” Okpe said.

The sector commander said that the accident occurred due to disobedience to road safety ordinance by motorists.

Okpe, however, cautioned road users to be safety conscious while embarking on a long journey.

According to him, safety is a shared responsibility, which must all be embraced, and not left in the hands of the safety officers alone.

Several vehicles were submerged underwater in parks at the popular Marina axis of Lagos Island on Friday as heavy rainfall persisted for hours.

Videos shared widely on social media showed some persons struggling to get to their parked vehicles amid the heavy flooding.

“I don’t know whether this car will ever be able to move again,” an unidentified person said in one of the videos as he inspected his flooded car. “Everywhere is flooded.”

Flooding is common in Lagos, a coastal city home to over 20 million people.

Despite government efforts to construct drainages and advise against dumping refuse in them, flooding is almost certain during heavy rainfall.

On Thursday, the state government said it was stepping up cleaning of canals – blocked by human refuse – in four local government areas.

Lagos has about 176 primary and secondary water channels that require regular cleaning.

On Friday, the flooding also affected traffic flow in many parts of the city as commuters groaned.

It has just been confirmed to ODUDUWA NEWS now that Amotekun Commandant stationed to oversee the security of Ibarapa Community has been gunned down by gunmen while attacking community, villages and towns in Ibarapa North of Oyo State.

According to an eyewitness who spoke to ODUDUWA NEWS under the condition of anonymity said the attack which started around 8pm lasted for more than an hour.

Details later.

Three persons including a journalist, Olubunmi Afuye were on Thursday shot dead in a bank robbery in Ilara- Mokin in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The deceased journalist was also the Public Relations Officer of Elizade University in Ilara-Mokin. It was reported that Afuye was shot in the head while he was seated in the driver’s seat of his vehicle parked outside the bank.

It was gathered that the robbers who operated at the bank for about one hour shot sporadically around the bank premises.

The robbers, according to findings gained entry into the bank after they had broken the security door with the aid of dynamite.

It was learnt that the robbers shot sporadically immediately they alighted from their vehicles to scare the residents of the area and others who trade around the bank.

The commercial motorcyclist who died in the robbery incident was allegedly killed by stray bullet, while the police officer was attacked, having made efforts to attack the robbers

It was rumoured that a huge sum of money was carted away by the armed robbers.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Tee-Leo Ikoro said the robbery incident was unfortunate, assuring that the Police would investigate it and apprehend those behind it