Category: News

The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, has sought the permission of governors in the South-West to go after the killers of three Yoruba monarchs.

Adams, in an open letter to the Governor of Ekiti State, Abiodun Oyebanji, on Tuesday, said he had the capacity to deal with those he called the enemies of Yoruba land, saying, however, that he needed the permission of the governors.

ODUDUWA NEWS recalled that suspected kidnappers recently killed two Ekiti monarchs – the Onimojo of Imojo, Oba Olatunde Olusola; and the Elesun of Esun Ekiti, Oba Babatunde Ogunsakin, while the Alara of Ara Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Fatoba, narrowly escaped.

A few days later, the Olukoro of Koro in Kwara State, Oba Olusegun Aremu-Cole, was shot dead at night by assailants, who invaded his palace.

In his message, Adams raised the alarm that the Yoruba race was in danger, saying “the more than 60 million Yorubas living in the South-West, South-South, and North-Central of Nigeria are troubled.”

He recalled how the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Israel Adeusi, in Ondo State was killed by suspected herdsmen in 2020, just after he left the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s office.

Adams said in the history of Yoruba never had three Obas been killed in the space of four days.

Kidnappers of five pupils of Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure Ekiti, and four staff members have demanded N100 million ransom for the release of the nine victims who were taken away on Monday.

The principal of the secondary section of the school, Boje Olanireti, confirmed the ransom demand, in an interview with Punch on Tuesday.

The abduction epidemic has continued to defy the efforts of the security agencies as cases of kidnappings were being recorded in various parts of the country daily.

The abduction of the schoolchildren and four staff members occurred when the gunmen waylaid the school bus conveying 25 pupils home after school hours in the Emure community in Ekiti State.

Shedding light on how the incident occurred, Olanireti explained that the abduction happened about a five-minute drive from the school.

She said, “Immediately the school closed at 3 pm, and by the time we gathered all the children, it was already 3:30 pm. It was that time that they moved.

So, the incident happened between 3:30 pm and 4 pm. The school is in a suburb of Emure village, so they were going back home in Eporo. The incident occurred just about a five-minute drive from the school to Eporo.

“When the gunmen attacked, the people around heard the gunshots, and they came to Emure with motorcycles to inform the people in the school about what happened. We immediately reported to the police station at Emure.

“The students were over 25 on the bus when the incident happened. When the gunmen attacked them, they shot the tyre of the vehicle and asked the children to come out of the bus. They asked all of them to lie down. They picked five students and four staff members. They, after that, asked others to go.”

Olanireti added, “The five students comprise two from the secondary (school) and three from primary school while the four staff comprise two teachers, one driver and one bus assistant.

“When the parents heard about the incident, they came from Eporo, and they have been making frantic efforts by reaching out to some security outfits, including the police and Amotekun.’’

“The security operatives have also been talking to the proprietor of the primary school, and he has been giving them information. By the time they opened communication, they first called the husband of one of the teachers and demanded N10 million for each kidnapped victim. But when they later called the headmaster, they demanded N100m for all of them.” the principal said.

A family source at Eporo Ekiti, who preferred anonymity, confirmed on Tuesday that the kidnappers had contacted the family of one of the children demanding N100 million on the victims.

The source said, “They called the family of one of the school children, and they are requesting N10 million per victim. What we gathered is that there are nine persons kidnapped – five schoolchildren, two teachers, one bus assistant, and a driver.

“The parents are at Eporo. The bus was taking them home after closing. It was in the process that the kidnappers struck. None of the families of the abductees can afford the ransom.’’

The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has dissolved the State Executive Council, with immediate effect.

All members of the Cabinet are to immediately hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most senior administrative officers in their respective offices.

Also, all Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs) are relieved of their duties, with immediate effect.

All the affected officials are directed to hand over all government properties in their possession.

The Governor thanks the affected officials for their services and contributions to the development of the State.

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday charged the newly sworn-in judges in the state to be truly the last hope of the common man.

The governor sworn in Mr. Martins Akinyemi, as a judge in the State High Court, Mrs. Bolanle Awoyemi and Mr. Adeniyi Lawal as judges in the Customary Court of Appeal.

At the swearing in ceremony, which was conducted at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun described justice as one of the most important moral values in the sphere of law and politics.

The governor also noted that justice exists for the purpose of establishing law, order, and truth as it enhances the well-being of individuals through equal access to justice.

“Justice is one of the most important moral values in the spheres of law and politics. It exists for the purpose of establishing law, order, and truth because it enhances the well-being of individuals through equal access, advocating for justice and promoting policies that address systemic barriers,” he noted.

Prince Abiodun noted that the new judges have demonstrated unwavering dedication, integrity and profund understanding of the intricacies of the judicial system, urged them to see themselves as custodians of a proud and heroic pedigree from whom the people of the state have a right to expect from them.

The governor, while reminding the new judges not only to rise above temptations and trials, but be calculative and honest in all ramifications, said that he is confident that the tradition of integrity, diligence, industry and excellence that has been the hallmark of the state judiciary will not only be continued but also enhanced.

In a similar development, Governor Prince Abiodun has sworn-in two new permanent secretaries with a promise to make the state civil service a reference in the comity of civil service in the country.

The two permanent secretaries are Engr. Muritala Adekunle and Engr. Olufisan Osiyale.

Speaking at the swearing in ceremony which took place at the Executive Chambers, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan Abeokuta on Tuesday, Governor Abiodun noted that his administration in the last years, positioned the civil service to be vibrant and result oriented.

He said: “As a very responsive and responsible government, working assiduously with determination, we are therefore positioning the civil and public service to be vibrant and result oriented towards the successful implementation of our Building Our Future Together agenda.

“By our vow principles of governance that solely predicate on inclusive leadership, we consider the civil service as prime partnership of great value and significance. Therefore, we should continue to hold you in the highest esteem and treat you with the utmost respect and respect that you deserve.”

Abiodun emphasized that the swearing-in of the two permanent secretaries who were chosen on merit and tract record was a deliberate policy step taken by his administration towards transforming and strengthening the civil service for optimum performance.

Commending the permanent secretaries for standing firm and remaining resolute in the face of daunting challenges while serving the state, Governor Abiodun opined that their resilience has passed off, calling on them to be prudent, proactive, accountable and meticulous as accounting officers in their respective ministries.

Speaking in an interview, the Head of Service, Mr. kolawole Fagbohun, congratulated the newly appointed permanent secretaries, imploring them to work harder in order to justify their new positions.

In their remarks, the new permanent secretaries thanked the governor for the elevation and promised to join hands with their colleagues in taking the state to the next level.

The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, codenamed So-Safe Corps, has apprehended a man terrorising the Ala Community in Odogbolu Local Government Area with a fake pistol.

A statement issued from the Office of the State Commander of the Corps, Commander (Dr) Soji Ganzallo said the suspect identified as Daniel Iwalokun, a native of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State was apprehended by the Ijebu Zonal Operation team of the Corps on January 21.

The statement added that the suspect has been instilling fear and causing unrest in Ala communities with his criminal activities using the fake pistol to achieve his criminal aims.

Ganzallo further noted that following the suspect’s arrest, preliminary investigations established that he has been operating alone. He further revealed that the suspect and the recovered fake pistol has been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force, Obalende Divisional Police Headquarters for further investigation and likely prosecution.

Men of the Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, codenamed So-Safe Corps, have arrested a robbery suspect, Biola Adebesin, who allegedly specialises in burgling places of worship in Baba Ode and Iju communities in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state.

Adebesin was alleged to have “stolen from the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Onibuku, Cherubim and Seraphim, Baba Ode and Stronghold Ministry”.

Items recovered from him were two Yamaha keyboards, one mixer engine, a decoder, accessories, one Tecno Android and small Bontel phones

This was according to a statement issued on Sunday from the Office of the State Commander of the Corps, Commander Soji Ganzallo through the Office of the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Corps, Assistant Commander Moruf Yusuf.

Ganzallo, in the statement, narrated that “at about 04:30hrs on the 18th of January, 2024, the officers of the Corps on routine patrol engaged in a face-to-face battle with the suspect carrying heavy load on his head in Baba Ode community.

“He was stopped for questioning by the officer of the So-Safe Corps, but he dropped the load and took to his heel.

In a bid to combat rising concerns regarding the activities of miscreants in Oshodi, the Lagos State Taskforce initiated an early morning raid resulting in the arrest of 63 individuals and the recovery of weapons. The raid, conducted on Monday, lasted for over three hours and targeted various areas including Bolade Junction, Mosafejo, Oshodi Bridge, Oshodi Under Bridge, Brown Street, Railway Track, and the BRT Corridors.

Residents and commuters alike had grown increasingly restless due to the disturbing activities perpetrated by these miscreants, prompting the taskforce to take decisive action. Led by the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye, the operation proved to be highly successful.

Jejeloye expressed concern over the nature of the weapons and substances discovered during the arrest of suspected hoodlums. “The activities of these miscreants, as well as the harmful weapons and suspected hard drugs recovered from them, are deeply worrisome,” he stated. The raid yielded a significant amount of harmful weapons, including sharp objects that could be potentially used for violence, as well as substances suspected to be cannabis.

During the operation, one of the suspects attempted to escape, inflicting an injury on one of the officers in the process. However, the swift response of the taskforce prevented his escape, and he was subsequently apprehended.

Chairman Jejeloye reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order, declaring that this year there would be no tolerance for criminal activities. He cautioned the miscreants, urging them to adopt lawful practices or consider relocating outside the boundaries of Lagos State.

This recent crackdown signals the determination of the Lagos State Taskforce to protect the safety and well-being of its residents. With an iron fist, they are sending a clear message to those engaged in criminal activities that their actions will not go unnoticed or unpunished. As the taskforce continues its operations, the hope is that Oshodi and other communities within Lagos State will experience a significant reduction in crime, ensuring a safer and more prosperous environment for all.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is set to provide fuel to approximately 150,000 retail outlets operated by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) following a successful meeting between the refinery’s management and IPMAN executives.

The meeting, held after IPMAN’s exclusive scheduling, confirmed the refinery’s commitment to supply products to over 30,000 IPMAN members.

Regulatory assessments of the refined products are underway before final approval for fuel dispensing.
Major oil marketers, including 11 Plc, Conoil Plc, Ardova Plc, MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, OVH Energy Marketing Limited, Total Nigeria Plc, and NNPC Retail, have registered for product distribution from the $20 billion Dangote plant.

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) is also engaging with the refinery for product supply.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery commenced the production of diesel and aviation fuel on January 12, 2024.

IPMAN’s president affirmed the refinery’s commitment to supply products to IPMAN’s 150,000 stations nationwide.

“The meeting went well, so right now we are just expecting their reply in terms of the products that they are going to give us. They have agreed to dispense products to IPMAN members,” Maigandi said in a conversation with the Punch newspaper.

Asked to state the number of oil marketers that are members of IPMAN, he replied, “We have 30,000 members as of our last census, which was done two years ago. And they agreed to supply products to us. Also, our retail outlets are 150,000 stations across the country.”

Further probed on whether every IPMAN member and station would receive supply from Dangote, Maigandi emphasised, “What he (Dangote) is producing is for Nigeria’s consumption. He can supply Nigeria and can export some of the products. It is not a small refinery. It is a very big refinery. I was there to see things for myself, and it is a massive refinery.”

In response to information that Dangote pledged to bring products to the market in January and whether this was realistic, the IPMAN President expressed optimism.

“There is hope since they have started production. Immediately when they finish production, the next thing is to sell. I can confirm this because I was there myself. And I know immediately he gets approval to sell, he can start selling at any time.

“So, it is not a small project. It is a very good thing for Nigeria. They are to start with aviation fuel and diesel. You know that independent petroleum marketers also buy diesel.

“Therefore, by God’s grace, our 30,000 members are ready to buy and distribute across the 150,000 retail outlets nationwide. So anywhere you go you will see fuel. The issue of scarcity of fuel will be no more once he (Dangote) starts,” Maigandi stated.

When probed further on pricing with the refinery’s management by Punch, he stated, “No, we didn’t discuss the price, but all that we know is that the price is going to be a little bit lower than what we have been selling.”

The Dangote refinery, which has received six million barrels of crude oil at its two SPMs located 25km offshore, is capable of loading 2,900 trucks daily at its gantries. The refinery’s products will meet Euro V specifications.

Oduduwa News has gathered that a fire outbreak occurred at one 10-storey building identified as Mandilas Building, in Broad Street, Lagos Island.

A warehouse in a 14 storey building was gutted by fire around 1:15pm on Sunday. The fire originated from the first floor before it later spread to the fourth floor.

As at the time of filing this report, the fire fighting men were scene at the scene to prevent further spread of fire.

Details later.

Social media in Nigeria has been slammed by Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, who called it “taken over by barbarians.”

Soyinka voiced dissatisfaction with the dwindling quality of intellectual conversation on Nigerian social media platforms during a speech at an event.

He observed that while social media ought to encourage rational interaction, in Nigeria, the intellectual quotient has been supplanted by a decline in conversation.

Soyinka brought to light situations in which a simple disagreement over an election might result in people being publicly branded on social media.

He appealed to the country’s intellectual elite to save the nation from the damaging effects of social media.