The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun has extended his new year felicitation message to the people of Ogun State.

This was contained in a statement personally released by him today via his Official Twitter handle which reads in part:

“The past year came with its own challenges, but we are grateful we have renewed hopes for a better New Year 2021.

“The Ogun State Government remains committed to good governance and productive investments in critical sectors.

“Our gratitude to God and people is especially because of the many achievements we recorded in the past year, all of which have earned us awards of excellence in education, agriculture, affordable housing, security and ICT.

“All these couldn’t have been possible without the special grace of God and your sustained support, both of which we need to recover and sustain our collective place of pride in the prosperous New Year.

“The Ogun State Government, my family and I wish you and your loved ones a Happy New Year”.

OduduwaNews has just gathered now that there is sporadic shooting at Lekki Toll Gate where protesters gathered in defiance of Curfew declared by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

It was reported that many have been shot as at the time of filing this report but could not ascertain the veracity of the claim.

OduduwaNews has just gathered now that one Police Officer has been shot dead at Ojoo Police Division, Ibadan. It was reported that the Police Station was later set ablaze by angry youths reprising the death of their colleagues.

According to an eyewitness who spoke to OduduwaNews said, the police officers started shooting into the sky in an attempt to disperse the protesting guys and Army officers intervened by driving into the Station and engaged in a talk with the trigger-happy officers telling them about the consequences of their actions.

“In fact the the army guys really had the ears of the protesters. Unfortunately, the police officers turned deaf ears to the professional plea of the Army officers.

“It was just shortly after this that stray bullet hit three persons and the youths got infuriated.

Immediately the angry youths swung into action by getting petrol and set the Station ablaze. They really engaged the Police officers and one of them called Officer Sunday was killed and cremated right in front of the Station.

“He lives around one funfun before Igbo oloyin, arulogun road ojoo. The army guys was really commended for their actions today, said the eye witness.

The governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has ordered Join Task Force, Operation Burst to take over hotspots in Oyo State. This was made known today via his Official handle which reads in part:

“I address you at this time to talk about some of the issues that have been thrown up by the End SARS protests in Oyo State. I have always said that peaceful protests are an important part of our democratic process, and no one should be harassed or brutalised for protesting.

“For this reason, we deployed members of Operation Burst to protect protesters. And we are happy to report that there have been no cases of disruptions of protest grounds in Oyo State since they started work.

“However, the past two days have seen a new dimension to the ongoing protests. Thugs and hoodlums have taken advantage of the situation to perpetrate uncivil acts and harass citizens who are going about their day-to-day activities. Some thugs are going as far as forcing people who have businesses open to close shop and join in the protests. We know these are criminal elements. And so, as a state, we must act to protect the citizenry.

“Therefore, we are deploying members of Operation Burst to various hotspots in Ibadan to arrest the situation and restore normalcy. The members of the team will continue to protect genuine protesters and their right to protest. But we can not allow persons with ulterior motives to hijack the protests.

“We remain committed to the process of meeting the demands of these protests. Already, as promised, the Director of Public Prosecution, Ministry of Justice, Oyo State, has withdrawn cases against End SARS protesters, and those in custody have been released.

“Also, the Oyo State Government has set up platforms for reporting past and present incidents of police brutality and injustice.

“This will naturally pave the way for the next steps in our quest to get justice for the victims. I urge the good people of Oyo State to trust the process that we have set up and rest assured that every case will be pursued to a logical conclusion.

“I have directed that all schools in Ibadan, should be closed from tomorrow, Wednesday, October 21 2020 for the rest of this week. The situation will be reviewed on Friday, October 23 2020, and then further directives will be given.

“Please call 615 should anyone attempt to disrupt your legitimate business activities.

“We will continue to seek ways to engage with peaceful protesters. Our plan is that in the shortest possible time, we can finally say the days of large-scale and wanton police brutality and injustice is a thing of the past. Let me also use this opportunity to call on members of the Nigeria Police Force to remain professional in the discharge of their duties as they will be held responsible for their actions”.

“I have watched with shock how what began as a peaceful #EndSARS protest has degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well-being of our society. Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and miscreants are now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash mayhem on our State.

“As a government that is alive to its responsibility and has shown a commitment to the movement #ENDSARS, we will not watch and allow anarchy in our dear state.

“I, therefore, hereby impose a 24-hour curfew on all parts of the State as from 4pm today, 20th October, 2020.Nobody, except essential service providers and first responders must be found on the streets, said Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The Speaker Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin has advised Oyo State indigenes at the Nigerian Law School to make the state proud of them by distinguishing themselves academically and morally.

The Speaker gave the charge when members of Forum of Oyo State Indigenes in the Nigerian Law School, 2020/2023 session paid him a courtesy call in his office.

Hon Ogundoyin told the students to reciprocate the good gesture of Governor Seyi Makinde who recently approved five hundred thousand naira bursary for each of the two hundred and thirty-three Oyo State indigenes at the Nigerian Law School.

He added “Governor Seyi Makinde has demonstrated his love for education and training through the approval given for the payment of five hundred thousand naira bursary to the Oyo State Indigenes at the Nigerian Law School. Recall that he also place a ban on all illegal fee collections in all schools owned by the state government. This gesture to the Law Students to me will no doubt encourage you to pursue excellence in your quest to receive practical legal training to become qualified lawyers as recommended by your profession hence you must be ready to impact our world positively and profoundly especially as youth. Remember, anyone who has obtained a University degree in Law and who wants to practice as a lawyer in Nigeria must attend the Nigerian Law School. I therefore again charge you to see your professional calling as one of the most highly respected and elitist in the world and reciprocate the good gesture of the Governor by making yourselves good ambassadors of our dear State. “

Earlier, member representing Kajola State Constituency, Hon Abdul Hakeem Mustapha said the various educational policies of Governor Seyi Makinde would not only develop the sector but also encourage the students and spur them to great heights.

The Chairman of Forum of Oyo State Indigenes in the Nigerian Law School Sharafadeen Adepoju who said they visited the Speaker to show appreciation to him for lending his voice and support to their request from the state added that they were equally impressed with the various giant strides recorded by the present administration in many sectors.

He also described the Speaker as a good representative of the youth adding that his coordination of the 9th Oyo State House of Assembly has been widely acclaimed as outstanding.