Category: News

.As State set to get huge financial support

Efforts by the administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola to develop the tourism sector of the State of Osun through Public Private Partnership is beginning to yield positive result, as both Sterling Bank Plc and Union Bank have pledged to place Osun atop the list of the states to benefit from their huge financial support for massive transformation of culture and tourism in the country.

Already, a delegation led by an adviser to the African Union and Consultant to the partnering banks, Otunba Olawanle Akinboboye, had commenced an inspection tour of tourist sites in the State with a view to exploring the possibility of immediate investment in the sector.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the delegation from African Union, Continent Building Initiative, Goge Africa, Sterling Bank and Union Bank on Governor Oyetola at his office on Wednesday, Akinboboye said the choice of Osun as one of the benefitting states, was based on its rich culture, attractive tourist sites and the business-like presentation by the state through its Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Adebisi Obawale when he visited the team in Lagos.

Akinboboye, who disclosed that both Sterling and Union banks had earmarked the sum of N15billion as initial commitment to the development of culture and tourism in the country, noted that Osun with all its attractive tourist sites stood a better chance to benefit immensely from the gesture than any other state.

He expressed satisfaction with Governor Oyetola-led administration’s level of commitment to rejuvenating the tourism sector, just as he assured that Osun will top the list of the benefitting states.

Akinboboye said, “Africa has not been able to compete with other continents of the world in spite of its relatively huge size. We have stunning sites waiting to be transformed to attractive destinations.

“Efforts to build the Africa we want is ongoing. And this has to be done through tourism. We therefore aim at forcing all the leaders in the continent to focus on culture.

“The State of Osun has it all. Sterling Bank has earmarked a sum of N5billion for capital tourism creative development as a starting commitment as it is willing to give us more while its Union Bank counterpart has equally set aside a total sum of N10billion for the same purpose.

“All of us were highly impressed by the presentation by the Osun Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Bisi Obawale and this is the reason we decided that the State is the first to visit.

“I am very pleased to state that all the attractions visited are quite good. I can see the desire in the impressive disposition of Mr. Governor and his team. In my 37 years in this industry, I have never seen this level of commitment.”

In his remarks, Governor Oyetola said the administration would hold tenaciously its vision to create wealth and enhance the standard of living and the general well-being of the citizens through the development of infrastructure, agriculture, mining and tourism.

He added that his administration was investing heavily on infrastructure development as part of efforts to make the State attractive to investors in these critical sectors.

Oyetola expressed delight at the pledge by the two banks to invest huge amount to the tune of N15billion as initial commitment to the advancement of culture and tourism in the country, adding that the gesture was in line with the vision of his government to develop the sector through Public Private Partnership.

“I have always believed that our tourism can only be driven by private sector. We are lucky to be the custodian of the cradle of Yoruba race, which is Ile-Ife. This makes Osun a place to be when it comes to culture. We have seen it before now and I am happy that we have seen people who will make us realise our dreams in tourism. We thank the Sterling Bank, the Union Bank and all other bodies that have shown interest in the development of our culture and tourism.

“We are ready, willing to support in whatever forms to see this through. We are investing heavily in infrastructure to make our State attractive to investors. With this highly welcome development, it is clear that all the good things desired for this sector is beginning to bring the desired result and success is assured,” Governor Oyetola added.

In attendance at the courtesy visit include: the Deputy Governor, Mr. Benedict Alabi, Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Charles Akinola, Deputy Chief of Staff, Prince Abdullahi Binuyo, Head of Service, Dr. Festus Oyebade, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Adebisi Obawale and Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Engr. Lekan Badmus.

Others are Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof. Olalekan Yinusa, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Adeleke Adebayo, Special Adviser to Governor on Education, Mr. Jamiu Olawumi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Transport, Olatoke Olaniyan and Professor Niyi Akinanso among others.

Professor Isiaq Akintola, the President of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has again faulted the credibility and outcome of the CBT held by Oyo TESCOM.

Akintola also accused the chairman of the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Pastor Akinade Alamu, of lying against him during his interview on Fresh Radio. The interview was held at 10 am on Monday 31st August, 2020.

MURIC’s allegation was contained in a press statement issued on Thursday, 3rd September, 2020, by its helmsman, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads:

“It will be recalled that MURIC issued a statement on 14th August, 2020 condemning the Christianisation of the Computer Based Test (CBT) that was being organised by Oyo TESCOM. We based the allegation on the fact that Muslim candidates were given bible-based questions.

“TESCOM reacted the next day (15th August, 2020) blaming the computer system for the incident and promising adequate redress. But TESCOM chairman went beyond issuing a press statement by calling the director of MURIC on telephone that same day seeking his cooperation. He also invited the director to his office and the CBT centre although the director declined.

“He therefore asked the director of MURIC to send representatives. The director gave him the telephone number of the chairman of its Oyo State chapter. The latter later confirmed that he had been contacted by TESCOM chairman and invited to come to the CBT centre in the University of Ibadan to monitor the rest of the examination. MURIC headquarters approved the visit in good faith.

“To show goodwill, MURIC reciprocated the next day by issuing a public statement thanking the chairman of TESCOM for reacting quickly to its complaint. However, we did not mention his telephone calls and his invitation to MURIC. This was for strategic reasons. We knew we might need this information in future.

“Based on his invitation, three members of MURIC went for the exercise (the chairman, Dr. Nurudeen Oloso, the Ambassador, Ibrahim Agunbiade and Barrister Abdul Waahid Lawal). They were warmly received and conducted round the venue. They went daily until the examination ended. The involvement of MURIC in the monitoring occurred in an atmosphere of friendliness and the three-man team was even given a Certificate of Recognition while pictures were also taken with TESCOM officials as memorabilia on Friday, 21st August, 2020.

“But to our surprise, the same chairman of TESCOM who invited MURIC to the centre went on air to claim that MURIC came to disrupt the CBT examination. If that is so, why was MURIC eulogised during the closing ceremony? Why did the TESCOM chairman say that the presence of MURIC at the CBT centre lent credibility to the examination? That was an indefensible volte-face. Oyo TESCOM chairman lied. We are shocked to our marrows. We are highly disappointed that a man placed in such a position of trust could lie to the public without batting an eyelid. It is a betrayal, a stab in the back.

“We are also disturbed that the chairman is a pastor. It is a very bad reflection of the abyss of moral decadence into which our religious leaders have sunk. By lying against us on Fresh FM, Pastor Alamu has broken one of the Ten Commandments: Thou shalt not bear false witness against your neighbour (Exodus 20:16).

Read Also: MURIC CONDEMNS CHRISTIANISATION OF OYO TESCOM EXAMINATION

“The Bible also says, “You shall not spread false report about your neighbour’ (Exodus 23:1) but this man went on a live radio to spread falsehood about his Muslim neighbours. Or are we not neighbours just because we happen to be Muslims? Revelation 22:15 classified ‘dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood’ as being ‘outside’.

“For the avoidance of doubt, MURIC is in possession of incontrovertible evidence of Pastor Alamu’s telephone call to its director as well as pictures taken and certificate received at the CBT centre during the closing ceremony. Pictures do not lie. Neither do certificates, at least genuine ones don’t.

“TESCOM chairman has discredited his CBT examination by his own character. Falsehood cannot produce anything credible. You cannot build anything on nothing. Nemo dat quod non habet (You cannot give what you don’t have). Worse still, he has done great damage to interreligious dialogue. Taking a cue from Pator Alamu, it will take a long time before Muslims in Oyo State can trust Christians in public office. TESCOM’s CBT test is hereby declared highly questionable. Its transparency cannot be guaranteed as no result was immediately released.

“A computer-based test that took more than a week to release cannot be free from manipulations. It is not even the computer this time around. It is the finger on the keyboard and the hand that holds the mouse. MURIC cannot vouch for Pastor Alamu’s finger on the CBT keyboard. We therefore pass a vote of no confidence on the whole exercise.”

Earlier today, members of the Baby Blue Angels Foundation gathered at their office in Ibadan to celebrate the birthday of their Boss, Ramata Agberemi Dabo.

The mini party was organized to celebrate the founder of the NGO who as at the time of filing the report is currently not in Nigeria.

The Team leader, Ajadi Omolara while speaking on behalf of her members gave thanks and praises to God for using the founder of the NGO as a source of blessing to humanity. She said, the event was organized to celebrate the glorious year added to the age of a great philanthropist.

A poetry composed and dedicated to the founder of the NGO was read by the Managing Editor of Oduduwa News, Comrade Ismael Taiwo who also joined other well-wishers to grace the occasion. The highlight of the poetry read apart below:

“Just like yesterday!
Hmm! Yesterday, today or tomorrow
Yesterday is gone!
Today is what we are celebrating
Is it true that yesterday has gone…
Yesterday, when mama screamed
Screaming in anticipation
Anticipation! Only God knew
The All-knower knew what will be the outcome
The screaming continued…
Screaming as requested by the Obstetrician
Obstetrician, following his laid down theories
Only God knew the powers beyond theories
God, looking at the Obstetrician,
Having known His intention
whether to prove the theories wrong or not
Suddenly! Mama heard the baby crying
crying to be welcomed to the world…
The world filled with ups and downs
Wow! what a successful job
Exclaimed the Obstetrician!
God in His abode, looking at the Obstetrician!
who did not know the powers that go beyond science
The crying continued….
Oh! She is a female
Thanks to Almighty God, coming out from Mama’s mouth
Hmmm! A bouncing baby girl
just came to the world,
the family of Agberemi
giving Mama hope of joy
Mama continued looking
Looking for the hope
hope in the shining and beautiful
bouncing baby girl
Yesterday has gone!
Mama continued staring at the baby girl
Looking what tomorrow will be
tomorrow when the baby grows
growing to fulfill mama’s hope
Wow! the hope has come
Today has brought Mama’s long yearning tomorrow
Today is the D-Day
The celebration of a jewel
The glorious day
in the glorious week,
the glorious month
in the glorious year
Today is your birthday
And u feel pretty good
Your body’s still working
You should touch wood
Your wrinkles few and far between
You may not look 18 anymore
Still you get pimples like a teen
I’m glad you feel as fresh as ever
Today is fulfilling your tomorrow
tomorrow filled with joy cum happiness
Oh! The sky is moon and sun,
The river is water
The fragrance is rose flower
The joy, happiness, funfilled life and prosperity
shall be the hope of Mama’s tomorrow”.

The vote of thanks was given by one of the members of the NGO, Omotolani Lolade and thereafter the programme was brought to an end.

The Former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode has arrived Ibadan after completing the project tour he embarked on in the capital city of CrossRiver, Calabar. You will recall that Fani-Kayode was alleged to have insulted a journalist, Charles Eyo of the Daily Trust who asked him to provide answer to the question of who was bankrolling his project tour to some states in Nigeria but Fani-Kayode was enraged by the question and started hurling abusive words on the journalist.

OduduwaNews has learnt that Fani-Kayode has arrived Ibadan to continue his project tour in Oyo State. He made this known yesterday via his official Twitter handle that he would be embarking on inspection of some of the projects embarked on by the governor of Oyo State, Gov. Seyi Makinde starting from today 31st of September, 2020.

The Yoruba elders under the aegis of Yoruba World Congress, an umbrella body for Yoruba nationals both at home and abroad, has again reiterated its stance that the plan to place the Western Nigeria Security Outfit, Amotekun, under the control of the Nigeria Police Force will be rejected with full force.

This was contained in a statement on Sunday, titled, ‘Yoruba World Congress supports Akeredolu, Makinde on Amotekun’, and signed by the group’s President General, Prof. Banji Akintoye.

The YWC reinforced the stand of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and his Oyo State counterpart, Governor Seyi Makinde, that Amotekun should not be subsumed under the control of the NPF.

The statement read in part, “Amotekun, as rightly posited by the governors, is an independent security outfit necessitated by the clear danger of murderous herdsmen internationally accepted as terrorists, heartless bandits and sundry criminals who have turned Yorubaland into killing fields.

“It was also the failure of the existing security architecture to tackle the menace and secure life and property in the South-West region that led to the clamour for Amotekun by the generality of our people.

“It makes no sense, therefore, to put the same Amotekun under an organisation that has proved incapable and inadequate to provide the much-needed security in the first place.

“Putting Amotekun under the Nigeria Police hierarchy is a ploy to weaken it and sabotage the strident clamour of the people of the South-West for peace and security in their homeland.

“It must be noted that the entire South-West rose like one man to demand and support Amotekun and to resist all efforts to truncate its birth.

 “We also call on all Yoruba sons and daughters at home and abroad to stand up in support of Amotekun and speak out against efforts or plans to muffle it.”

….Says the Force Remains Committed to protecting the Sanctity of the Ballot

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A. Adamu, NPM, mni has warned politicians and their supporters in Edo and Ondo States, where gubernatorial elections are scheduled to hold on 19th September, 2020 and 10th October, 2020 respectively, to conduct themselves properly, play by the rules and steer-clear of tendencies capable of undermining the electoral process in the two States.

This was contained In a statement signed and released today by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba.

The IGP gave the warning having reviewed the Election Security Threat Assessment Reports submitted by the Commissioners of Police from both States in a meeting held Tuesday, 25th August, 2020. The Election Security Threat Analysis reveals amongst other indicators: arming and movement of political thugs, use of inciting statements during political campaigns, high likelihood of violence and possible cross attack by political opponents, misinformation/disinformation aimed at heating-up of the polity and deliberate efforts at delegitimizing government institutions involved in the electoral processes.

The IGP has therefore ordered the Commissioners of Police in the two States – Edo and Ondo – to rejig their preparations for the elections to accommodate and address the threats and emerging trends as contained in the security report. He noted that the Force leadership is evolving customized security architecture to protect the people and ensure hitch-free elections. The IGP however warns politicians and their supporters in Edo and Ondo that the Force will not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law on anyone or group, irrespective of status that may want to sabotage the security arrangement being emplaced for the elections.

Meanwhile, the IGP assures Nigerians, particularly the people of Edo and Ondo States that the Force remains committed to protecting the sanctity of the ballot in the country. He reiterates that the Police will be neutral, apolitical and will work assiduously with all stakeholders in ensuring a level playing ground for all in the elections.

A man arrested by Civil Defence for alleged murder in Ogbomosho.

OduduwaNews has gathered that a farmer, Abraham Alamu, has been arrested by the officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Oyo State Command Agro Rangers Squad (Ogbomoso Zone) for allegeddly killing one man identified as Shuaibu Adamu of Elega Village, Ikoyi in Ogbomosho.

This was revealed in a statement signed by the PRO of the Corps, Mr. Oluwole Olusegun.

He stated that the suspect was trailed when his command got a distress call from the citizens of the community on the alleged murder and that they ventured into action immediately. He said his Command later arrested him on Friday in Ogbomoso town after he had escaped since he allegedly murdered one Shuaib Adamu who before he was killed was grazing cattles in the murderer’s farm.

The crime was allegedly committed at Oko Oba, Elega, Orire Local Government Area on 21st of this month.

The State Commandant of NSCDC Mr. Iskilu Akinsanya explained that the arrest was made possible with the help of the public and the Agro Rangers Squad of the command.

He said that the suspect has been handed over to the Nigeria Police, Oyo State Command for further investigations.

The items said to have recovered from the suspect include hammer, scissors, saw, nail remover, mosquito net, 3 ATM cards, two ID cards, clothe, bible, purse and toothbrush.

OduduwaNews just learnt that a fuel tanker accident occurred in Ondo State. It was gathered that the tanker lost control and rammed into a commercial area in Ikare Akoko, Ondo State. Details later.