Oduduwa News

A very loud explosion has been heard in the city of Ibadan and the surrounding area, causing damage at multiple locations, according to local residents. The causes of the sound was not yet known

The incident happened at about 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday when a very large “blast” or “explosion” was heard in and near the city. Thousands of residents reported hearing and feeling it on social media.

It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion or where it originated. Windows were blown out at multiple locations, including at homes, and part of the ceiling collapsed at Ace Mall, Bodija.

As at the time of filing this report, it has been confirmed to ODUDUWA NEWS that several people injured.

More details with pictures very shortly….

The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has sent a request to the Oyo State House of Assembly to access a loan of one hundred and fifty billion naira to finance the ongoing Sen. Rashidi Ladoja circular road in Ibadan and other infrastructure.

The Governor made the request in a letter forwarded to the State Legislature which was read on Tuesday by the Speaker, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin.

The Governor in the letter said, the request became necessary to enable the State Government to complete the 104km road project and others like it in Oyo State.

The House while deliberating on the loan request directed its committees on Finance, Appropriation and State Economic Planning as well as that of Works to investigate the loan request.

It urged the two joint committees to come up with a comprehensive report on the loan request and the mode of payment.

The Speaker in his submission stressed the need for the committees to get all necessary briefs on the request and report to the House in one week.

” Having one #150,000 billion for Ibadan Circular Road and other infrastructure is a good idea but we have to consider the payback mechanism. I meant the payment procedure. We also want the two committees to get all necessary details about the proposed loan. We need a wholistic report on the request, the economic impacts of the road and other infrastructure when completed among other details.” Oyo Speaker said

As Nigerians celebrate the Armed Forces Remembrance Day in honour of fallen heroes, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, assured serving officers that the country will continue to appreciate their gallant works even while they are alive or when they pass on.

He said the event, which is a yearly routine, was an opportunity to appreciate the efforts of fallen heroes and members of the Armed Forces who had served Nigeria in one form or the other, stating that the government would continue to appreciate their gallant works.

Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke during this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony held at The Remembrance Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; members of the State Executive Council, state government officials, Commanding Officers, religious and traditional leaders, serving and retired members of the Armed Forces and families of the fallen heroes, among other dignitaries.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said the occasion was significant as it had become a national day to pray for the departed souls, the incapacitated security personnel and serving military officers, their families and Nigeria.

He said: “We thank God that we can also celebrate another Armed Forces Remembrance Day. It is a yearly routine and it is an occasion where we all come together to recognise and acknowledge our fallen heroes and gallant soldiers who have served the country in one form or the other for decades. It has become a significant day that everybody wants to honour them, appreciate them and continue to encourage them.

“It is a day to remember them; their families and the loved ones they left behind. We will continue to pray for the repose of the fallen heroes. We commit their families to God’s hands. The country will continue to appreciate the gallant works of our serving officers even while they are alive or when they pass on.”

During the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu released the white pigeons.

The Governor, his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and Commanding Officers, among others, also laid the wreath at The Remembrance Arcade to celebrate the fallen heroes.

A minute silence, gun salute and prayers were also observed in honour of fallen heroes.

The Old Students body of Iseyin District Grammar School, (IDGS) Iseyin has revealed the activities lined up for the 60years anniversary of the school.

In a Press Release made available to newsmen on Tuesday and signed by the Chairman of Publicity Committee, Mr Tunji Lalude, there will be opening ceremony with rally and endurance trek from the Government Technical School, Oluwole to IDGS through the Aseyin Palace, with a walk-through of the School premises on Wednesday 24th January 2024.

The programme will continue on Thursday with Panel discussion on ‘Career Development and Building a Prosperous Future’ and a public lecture on “Building A Prosperous Future, Your Background Notwithstanding” from Dr. T.Y Raheem, Past President of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria and activities of the day will be concluded with a Novelty Match between IDGS Staff and Old Students of the school.

Lalude stated further that “on Friday, the proramme continues with the second Anniversary lecture entitled “IDGS at 60: Keeping Tab on Public Schools and Infrastructural Challenges in Nigeria” by Chief Adeniyi Falade, former National President of the All Nigerian Congress of Principals of Public Schools (ANCOPPS).

“There will be General Assembly and election of new executive members for both National and Zonal Chapters of the Association; the launching of an updated school directory and newsletter, Jumat Service at the Olona Central Mosque, award presentation and special dinner.

“The School’s Cultural group is billed to thrill the attendees, which will culminate into a 100 million naira (₦100 m) fund-raising event, foundation laying of the school gate and 0.5 km school road projects and reception programme on Saturday 27th January, 2024.

“The ceremony will close on Sunday with a Church service at the Anglican Church, Okutapemo, Iseyin to appreciate God for a successful outing. We therefore use this medium to call on all Old Students of IDGS at home and in Diaspora to take active parts in this celebration,” he said.

Iseyin District Grammar School (IDGS) was established in 1964 and was recognized as a district school, as students were at a period attending the school from Tede, now Atisbo local government, Otu, Itesiwaju local government, Okeho, Kajola local government among other district communities in the Oke-Ogun region of Oyo State.

E-Signed:

Tunji Lalude,

Chairman,

Publicity Committee,

IDGS 60th Anniversary,

Iseyin.

Tuesday 16th January, 2024.

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State pledged on Monday to provide more support to the families of fallen heroes.

Makinde gave the pledge during the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, held at the Remembrance Arcade, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.

said that his administration would ensure that the families of fallen heroes lived a bearable life.

The governor expressed appreciation to service commanders as well as officers and men of all the security agencies operating in the state for their dedication to securing the state.

He implored the people of the state to always cooperate with the security operatives by feeding them with information when necessary.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Nigerian Legion, Oyo State Command, Julius Ogunkojo, stressed the need to boost the morale of soldiers through the payment of necessary benefits and living wages.

Ogunkojo called on the government and kind-hearted Nigerians to come to the aid of the ex-servicemen to improve their living standards.

The chairman noted that the number of personnel serving in the armed forces was low when compared to developed countries like the U.S.A. and China.

He urged the federal government to recruit more personnel to tackle the security challenges facing the nation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Arm

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu on Monday paid a working visit to Oyo state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde in Ibadan, the state Capital.

During the visit, the Governor expressed that his administration has begun to take advantage of the Electricity Act 2023 to transform the power supply situation in the state.

Makinde described the new law as a game changer in the electricity sector, stating that the state will soon key into it, as it is set to sign its own version of the law soon.

While the minister was speaking, there was a Power outage at the venue which gave the opportunity to express the concern of Nigerians to the minister.

He said “During your speech, there was a power outage and that is that is what Nigerians face every day. But we do know that we can improve the electricity situation for our country”.

“For us in Oyo State, the game changer is actually the Electricity Act 2023, and we will take full advantage of the law.

“As a matter of fact, we have started taking advantage of the new electricity law already and I should be signing the Oyo State version of the law by the end of this week or early next week, because it has been passed by the House of Assembly.

“Honourable Minister, let me give you the assurance that we don’t see division and politics when it comes to the issue of governance and ensuring that we provide good living conditions for our people.

“We don’t also see any problem in giving credit to whoever deserves it. If it is the Federal Government that assists us to get anything, we are ready to work together.

“Oyo State has the largest landmass in the entire South-West; that is why the Rural Electrification Agency of the Federal Government and our own Rural Electrification Board have been working together, and we believe we can achieve more.”

The HLA School for The Handicapped, Agodi-Gate, Ibadan was established in 1976 and has been providing haven for pupils with special needs in the areas of mental retardness, hearing, blindness, deaf and dumb, autism among others.

Currently the school has two hundred and forty pupils (240) with twenty academic and non-academic staff members who take their times to tend to the pupils.

It is worthy to state that this school has two public secondary schools: IMG Grammar School, Agodi Gate and HLA Grammar School, Agodi Gate, Ibadan bordering it from its rear flank at Oke-Adu, Ibadan North-East, Ibadan.

The reason for this letter is the condition of the school as related to its environmental condition, caused by burning of discarded spare parts of cars, plastics and many other items within and outside the school.

On Monday 15th January, 2023, I had the opportunity to visit this school alongside colleagues from my office to access the condition of the pupils and upon our entry, we were met by thick, dark smoke coming from the burning of tyres and condemned spare parts.

We all held our breathes, trying to escape inside the school, but upon entry into the school, we met teachers, some of who are also physically challenged, holding their noses.

They complained about how they have been getting sick since they resumed school, due to the carbon emission, which, according to them happens daily and also affecting the health of their pupils.

Upon subtle prodding about the steps taken so far by the school management, the Headmistress of HLA School For The Handicapped, Mrs Adewale Elizabeth claimed she has written several letters to the Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to address the crisis, but no changes have occurred.

I want to call on the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Mojeed Mogbonjubola, the head of the State Environmental Task Force, the Oyo State Minsitry of Education and Science and Technology and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), to urgently intervene and end the killing emission by the people selling cars’ spare parts and burning their carcasses within and around the school premises.

We all know the effects of carbon emission on human health, parts of which are respiratory (asthma, cough and catarrh) and cardiovascular diseases, headache, cancer, skin irritation among other deadly diseases.

I wish this appeal will reach the right authority and safe the pupils and people living and earning daily livelihood around this area.

Thank you.

Alhazan Abiodun Rilwan,

Project Public Relations Officer (P.P.R.O),

Oyo State Community and Social

Development Agency (OYCSDA),

Ibadan.