Category: News

The President, Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, said he invoked the spirit of freedom during his electioneering in Ogun State.

He said during the campaign season, some of his popular statements that resonated with Nigerians and his supporters were used to invoke the spirit.

The former Lagos State governor said the hardship that accompanied the Central Bank of Nigeria cash swap policy during the electioneering period forced him to invoke the spirit of freedom in the South West state.

“I invoked the spirit of freedom in Ogun,” the president said while speaking at the palace of Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, in Ijebu Ode.

He added, “It is a homecoming and I owe so much to all of you and there is so much to thank you for. Because of the way you have taken me and the way you’ve responded to me, all I can say is thank you.

“To many of you, thank you for being there for me and being there for the country. You demonstrated so much loyalty, so much commitment and voted at a very crucial time.

“Your monies were confiscated. The cash swap didn’t work. It was terrible then. I realised that and I came to Ogun State to invoke the spirit of freedom for which we are noted for.

“I invoked that spirit twice. The spirit of Baba (referring to Awujale). The spirit of Baba – Emi l’okan (it’s my turn), that’s Baba. The spirit for being blunt and that is him.

“And the second spirit is that of money (Naira scarcity), ‘ama dibo ama wole’ (we will vote and we will win) even if there is no money. And that, ever since, has been the spirit that is driving me to serve.”

We had early reports that Tinubu had on June 3 set the social media on fire when he vented his frustration during a presidential campaign in Abeokuta, saying it was through his efforts that the ex-President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), made it to Aso Rock after failing thrice.

It was during the event that he blurted out his now famous quote, “emilokan” (It’s my turn).

“It is my time. I’m educated. I’m experienced. I have been serving people for a long time. Bring me the presidency, it is my turn,’’ Tinubu had insisted.

He also pointed at Abiodun whom he described as ‘Eleyi’ absentmindedly as one of the products of his political hard work.

“Look at this one (Eleyi) seated behind me, Dapo, he wouldn’t have become governor without my support,” Tinubu had stated.

Tinubu made the statement while addressing the APC delegates in Ogun State.

His outburst evoked mixed feelings from Nigerians, with many loyalists of the party including the National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, saying the remarks were meant to slight the president and Ogun State governor.

Also, in reaction to the new naira scarcity and fuel shortage which provoked riots across the country, Tinubu accused unnamed powerful persons of masterminding the crisis to shoot down his aspirations. His ally, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, affirmed that some Presidency officials, including the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, were working against Tinubu.

Veteran Nollywood actress, Sidikat Odunkanwi professionally known as Iyabo Oko, has reportedly passed on.

Her daughter, Bisi Aisha, announced on Facebook , saying that the actress died on Wednesday evening.

She wrote “May ur soul Rest In Peace mummy”, .
Actress Foluke Daramola-Salako also confirmed her death. On her Instagram page, Daramola-Salako wrote: “and finally we lost her.. rip Iyabo Oko, we did our best but God knows best”

Before her demise, the 61-year-old actress battled with ill-health which caused her to take a long break from the movie scene.

Sidikat had stage names such as “Iyabo Oko” “Apoti Aje” Sisi Mama”.

Last year, one of her daughters, Olamide, disclosed that her mother was diagnosed with ischaemic stroke about five years ago but kept her health issues away from the public.

Yoruba Nollywood stars including Foluke Daramola, Iyabo Ojo, Bolaji Amusan, Mercy Aigbe and Biodun Okeowo, others assisted financially in the past.

Despite being out of office, the Ayedero of Yorubaland, Honourable (Dr.) Shina Abiola Peller, on Tuesday distributed rams worth millions of naira to constituents across Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency and by extension, Oyo North Senatorial District.

Honourable Peller, who represented Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency at the ninth House of Representatives, personally supervised the distribution of the rams to make 2023 Ileya celebration worthwhile and enjoyable for his people, particularly Muslims who cannot afford buying rams.

Also distributed were bags of rice and other important items that are needed to ensure that the celebration is well enjoyed by the Muslim faithful in his federal constituency and Oyo North Senatorial District.

Noteworthily, over two thousand families who benefited from this humanitarian gesture of the Oke Ogun-born businessman cum politician, will be having a fun-filled Salah celebration with their family members, close associates and friends.

When contacted to speak on the reason behind the gesture despite being out of office, Honourable Peller recalled that distributing rams, bags of rice and other items to people during Salah celebration has always been his usual act even long before he joined politics.

He added that whether he holds any public office or not, he won’t stop reaching out to the people, particularly the needy, during festive period like Eid ul fitri, Eid al-Adha (Ileya), Easter, Christmas and New Year celebration.

In addition, Honourable used the avenue to wish fellow Muslim brothers and sisters a blissful salah celebration while he urged to make peace their watchwords, adding that Islam symbolizes peace.

He said:

“This is wishing my Muslim brothers and sisters a fun-filled 2023 Eid al-Adha celebration filled with love, happiness, joy, affluence and sound health.

“Today is so pious to us all as Muslims and we must make it count by seeking God’s mercy and forgiveness for our shortcomings and praying fervently for peace to reign in our country.

“Since Islam, which we practice means peace, it is very important that we make peace our watchword; we should think peace; preach peace always and religious tolerant.

“Importantly, as we wine and dine during this festive period, we should remember to reach out to our fellow Muslims in whatever way we can, particularly the needy.

“Once again, I wish everyone of us a blissful salah celebration. May we witness many more of it on earth. Ameen.”

It was a moment of relief for the residents of Iseyin when the people of the community heard that some notorious hoodlums were arrested in connection to criminal activities in the town.

The people of the community who could not hide their feelings thronged Iseyin Police Division on Monday, June 26, to ascertain the veracity of the claim that one of the notorious hoodlums identified as Musiliu, popularly known as MC, was among the criminal gangs arrested by the combined security forces.

One of the residents who expressed her feeling but did not what her name to be on print said, they were happy because the town has been witnessing series of criminal activities for so long and that arresting these hoodlums would restore peace to the town while they were hopeful that that rest of the criminal gangs who are still in the forest shall be apprehended.

Musiliu and 6 other thugs were reportedly whisked away after sustaining gun shot injuries by men of the security team when he was trying to escape

“Musiliu is the leader of the thugs that have been terrorizing Isalu area of the town.” A source said.

The government of Osun state has denied rumors on social media that it is plotting to subvert the judgement of death sentence on Dr Rahman Adedoyin, affirming that there is no plan to pardon the proprietor of the Oduduwa University.

Reacting to the growing rumour of possible state pardon for the businessman, Governor Adeleke was quoted as noting that his administration has never and will never intervene in the judicial process, labeling those behind the fake news as public enemies.

Those who concorted the fake news are evil minded political operatives who are merely grasping at straws in their desperation to blackmail the state Governor. Governor Adeleke has not and will never contemplate exercising the prerogative of mercy or whatever the report calls it, on a matter under adjudication which has generated deep interest among local and global communities.

It is important to clarify that neither the State Governor nor his political party has any hidden plot on the said murder case other than a public interest agenda to see culprits in the dastardly act face the full wrath of the law. That explains why no PDP member is involved as counsel for any of the convicted individuals and why the state judiciary enjoys and exercises its full independence in the hearing and jugdement of the case.

It is uncharitable for political enemies and their paid agents to attempt any linkage between the convicted businessman and the state Governor. We affirm with all sense of responsibility that Governor Adeleke is not at any material time a friend or partner of the owner of Oduduwa University and did not interfere, intervene or manifest any untoward agenda in the arraignment, hearing and sentencing of the accused .

We therefore urged the members of the public to ignore the repeated rumors of state pardon by Governor Adeleke for the convict and the watery push to link service records of a state judicial official to a popular verdict on the gruesome murder of a postgraduate student. Those peddling such lies are agents of darkness acting on behalf of disgruntled, dark political elements. They are better ignored.

We convey appreciation to men and women of goodwill who have put up spirited defense for the Governor in the face of this orchestrated falsehood. The undiluted truth is that neither the State government nor the state Governor is interested in the subversion of the wheel of justice.

No fewer than six persons have been confirmed dead, while 15 others sustained varying degrees of injuries at Sekona on the Ogbomoso-Odo-Oba road in the Ogo Oluwa Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The crash, involving a commercial bus and a trailer, occurred on Sunday evening.

Also, an Okada rider lost his life, on Monday morning, after he ran into a stationary vehicle at Gbede, very close to Ote, on the Ogbomoso-Ilorin road in Surulere Local Government Area of the state.

According to the information gathered, the victims were all male adults, and their corpses had been deposited at the Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital mortuary while the injured ones were taken to Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, for medical attention.

Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the commercial bus with 21 passengers on board and the trailer were heading North before the incident happened.

One of the witnesses, Seun Fakorede, said, “The accident occurred Sunday evening. The driver of the bus was trying to overtake the trailer at that sharp corner and suddenly he lost control and hit the trailer. All of a sudden, the bus veered off the road and somersaulted almost five times. Five people died immediately. Others were quickly rushed to the hospital by the road safety officials.”

Confirming the two incidents to newsmen on the phone, on Monday, the Ogbomoso Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Isaac Adebayo, said, “The incident happened Sunday evening around 17:00 hours.

“Five died immediately. My people have gone there this morning. I just confirmed from him that another person died at the hospital, making it six altogether.

“Also this morning, my people have to go to another rescue on the Ilorin road. An Okada rider ran into a trailer again at Gbede, very close to Ote. He also died. That’s the information I’ve gotten so far,” he explained.

A Magistrate Court in Ibadan, Oyo state has ordered the remand of skit maker, Abdullahi Maruff Adisa, popularly known as Trinity Guy, in prison over allegations of se3ualising a minor in his viral skit video.

Recall that the Nigerian Police, through Force Public Relation Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, called for the arrest of Trinityguy following a viral video of his dangerous pranks.

A statement by the Oyo State Police Command on Friday, disclosed that the skit maker and parent of the little girl in viral video were quizzed by the Command and would appear in court Monday.

Oludare Adebayo, counsel to the defendant who was brought before the magistrate by the Police, urged the court to grant his client bail.

Magistrate PO Adetuyibi, while denying the bail application, stated that the allegations against the Skit maker is currently receiving attention of the state Ministry of Justice.

The Socioeconomic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, a non-profit organization has called on the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to treat detained EFCC chair, Abdulrasheed Bawa fairly and ensure that his human rights are not violated.

Abdularasheed Bawa, the former EFCC Chairman reported to the Department of State Security DSS immediately after his suspension as the Anti-Graft Agency Boss.

He has since been detained by the DSS without charges brought against him. This has left many people to attribute his detention to political vendetta launched by corrupt elements who are on the watchlist of the commission led by Bawa.

ODUDUWA NEWS gathered from reliable source that DSS has not brought any charge against the detained former EFCC Boss despite his prolonged incarceration and he has not written any statement since his detention.

SERAP said this in a statement made available to newsmen today as read in part:

“The Tinubu administration must treat detained EFCC chair, Abdulrasheed Bawa fairly. Bawa must either be charged with a recognizable criminal offence or released immediately, consistent with his rights under Section 35 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended).

“Human rights, the rule of law and democracy are interlinked and mutually reinforcing and central to the universal and indivisible core values and principles of the United Nations, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States to which Nigeria belongs”.

Just few days after fans and lovers got cars for Lalude and Iya Gbonkan, another veteran actor, Sola Olaonipekun, popularly known as Pariolodo has received a car gift from fans. This was made possible by Pastor Gabriel Amusan of Agbala Gabriel Global

Pariolodo received about ₦6million donation within 24hours. A car ordnarily worth about ₦7.5million was bought for him at ₦4.5million from a fan based abroad. His wife’s shop was also stocked with goods of about ₦1million which include a deep freezer and a generator, 3 bags (apo) of gaari, 2 bags of rice amongst others.

Before the end of the 2nd day, a sum of additional ₦1.5m was donated by fans to add to the balance of ₦500,000 to put finishing touches to Pariolodo’s house and equip his new office which Pastor Gabriel promised to get for him.

Additionally, an ardent fan also promised to put one of his sons on scholarship abroad for studies.

A professor of Mass Communication at the School of Communication, Lagos State University, Lai Oso, is reportedly dead.

Oso who was also the President, Association of Communication Scolars and Professionals of Nigeria, was said to have died in a ghastly accident that happened on Saturday evening.

His death was confirmed by the Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, LASU, Professor Sunday Olayinka Alawode in a broadcast message sent to BIGINAIJA on Sunday morning.
Alawode wrote, “Good morning family. I am constrained to inform us of the involvement of Professor Muraino Olayiwola OSO, (we all fondly called Baba Lai Oso) in a ghastly auto accident which claimed his life yesterday 24th June 2023.

“It’s a rude shock to all of us even as we commiserate with Mummy Oso, the children and his entire family, the Communication family worldwide, LASU Community and all others.

“Baba, your sudden exit is painful, but we rest in the comfort that you have gone to be with the Lord. Rest in Peace. Adieu Baba of the Communication family.”

BREAKING: LASU don, Lai Oso, dies in fatal accident

A professor of Mass Communication at the School of Communication, Lagos State University, Lai Oso, is reportedly dead.

Oso who was also the President, Association of Communication Scolars and Professionals of Nigeria, was said to have died in a ghastly accident that happened on Saturday evening.

His death was confirmed by the Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, LASU, Professor Sunday Olayinka Alawode in a broadcast message sent to BIGINAIJA on Sunday morning.
Alawode wrote, “Good morning family. I am constrained to inform us of the involvement of Professor Muraino Olayiwola OSO, (we all fondly called Baba Lai Oso) in a ghastly auto accident which claimed his life yesterday 24th June 2023.

“It’s a rude shock to all of us even as we commiserate with Mummy Oso, the children and his entire family, the Communication family worldwide, LASU Community and all others.

“Baba, your sudden exit is painful, but we rest in the comfort that you have gone to be with the Lord. Rest in Peace. Adieu Baba of the Communication family.”