Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ibadan North East Local Government under the umbrella of PDP Concerned Members of Ibadan North East Constituency 1 has written to the leadership of the party appealing to them to ensure that constituency 1 should be allowed to produce consensus candidate.
According to different letters made available to Oduduwa News, signed by the Mr A. A Maruf & M. O Jimoh Coordinator and Secretary respectively, the group appealed to His Excellency Seyi Makinde and the Vice Chairman of PDP southwest zone, Amb Taofeek Arapaja.
In the different letters with the title “Clarion Call To Correct Imbalance in the Nomination of Chairmanship Of Ibadan North East Local Government Between Constituency 1 & 2 of the Local Government “ the signatories on behalf of the concerned members appealed to Gov. Seyi Makinde to ensure that the people of constituency 1 are given a sense of inclusion as the party since 1999 has always chosen chairmanship candidate by consensus and all has been from constituency 2, and it’s only fair that the 2024 Chairmanship candidate of the local government should be chosen by consensus from constituency 1.
Similarly, the same call was made to the Chairman Ib. North East Elders/Stakeholders Forum, a former Commissioner in the State Chief Mikail Adebayo Lawal & the Chairman, PDP of the local government, Mr Isiaka Fatokun
The family of a 19-year-old lady, Deke Akanse, has been thrown into panic following her disappearance from home on June 29.
Akanse’s father, Ajayi, told our correspondent that his daughter left their house in Idiroko, Ogun State while he was not at home.
He said upon enquiry, he learnt that his daughter was taken away by a neighbour simply identified as Bidemi who claimed they were heading for Magboro.
Ajayi added that they later succeeded in apprehending Bidemi whom they dragged to the police station.
He said, “I was not around when she came to pick up my child. I am a farmer. I had gone to the farm. When I came back from the farm, I saw the door to my house locked up. My wife told me that one of our neighbours came to take my daughter out.
“We have been looking for our daughter since then. It was seven days ago that we caught Bidemi who came to pick up my daughter without my consent. We took her to the Idiroko Police Station.
“After her arrest, Bidemi told us that my daughter was taken away by a man who carried her from Agege to Berger after their transport fare got exhausted.”
No fewer than four persons were on Sunday confirmed dead, while 11 others sustained injuries in a lone accident involving a Foton bus at the Aiyetoro axis on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The incident was confirmed by the spokesperson of the Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps Babatunde Akinbiyi.
Mr Akinbiyi explained that the accident occurred at 09:59 a.m. and was caused by a tyre burst which led the commercial bus to somersault into a ditch.
The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, on Saturday, described his father, Pa Ezekiel Oyebanji, as a man who places great value on honesty, integrity, humility, hardwork and self -discipline, virtues which, according to him, have helped in shaping his own personality.
The Governor also stated that those who have been speculating over possible political crisis between him and the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele will be grossly disappointed, adding that the cord of their relationship stands strong and unbreakable.
Governor Oyebanji spoke on Saturday, during a thanksgiving service held at the First Baptist Church, Ikogosi Ekiti, marking the 90th birthday celebration of his father, who is a retired school principal.
Shedding light on his simplicity and humble approach to life, Governor Oyebanji stated that his father contributed immensely to his spiritual growth, which had buoyed his faith in God, as the only one with the capacity to provide solution to all life’s challenges.
Giving reasons for the decision of the family to have a low key celebration devoid of any formal invitation to anyone, Governor Oyebanji said it was in line with the family’s modest manner of doing things, coupled with the fact he, as the Governor of the state, has to live by example.
The Governor said: “I would have loved to make the birthday elaborate, but I have to make it a low key for the fact that Ekiti people are currently my employer, so I have to behave responsibly. I have to be cautious and circumspect in whatever I do.
” If I wasn’t a governor, I would have celebrated him more than this. We deliberately did not send out invitation card to anyone so that Baba can have a modest celebration with his friends and family members. But somehow people heard and turned up to honour our father”.
Speaking regarding his father’s virtuous life, Oyebanji stated: “Those who are saying I am humble should blame my father for it. He is the one who thought me to be humble. I have no apologies about that. If I have misbehaved as a Governor, my father would have called to caution me. He is such a disciplinarian and would waste no time in correcting me even as a sitting Governor”.
Speaking regarding his political future, Oyeabanji said he has no enemy to fight and that those postulating that he and Senator Bamidele would soon clash would be disappointed.
“The two of us are first and foremost friends and brothers, we believe in God as the sole determinant of the future and we are also highly experienced politicians who have committed our political future in the hands of God. So, stop speculating about any war between us.
“God is the Alpha and Omega of human beings, He does things at his own will. God is the decider of our fate. I want to tell you clearly that nothing can separate me from Senator Bamidele. We have built a strong relationship over the years, so politics can’t separate us”.
In his remarks at the thanksgiving service, the celebrant, Pa Oyebanji, said his strong belief in scholarship as a weapon to overcome poverty, propelled him to acquire western education through hardwork and resoluteness.
Pa Oyebanji appreciated God for being alive to celebrate 90, and still standing tall in good health to contribute to the growth of education in his community, state and the country at large.
“When I finished my Primary six, my father loved all his children, but he didn’t have money to send us to school. I was farming with him, but I loved education and I was determined to acquire it at all costs, which I later did.
“What I know is that whoever that is not focused and hardworking can’t succeed in life. It was these principles that led me to study for my GCE as a private candidate. It was this that gave me admission into the university. Our youths must know that those who made it to the top struggled in life to get there. So, they must work hard to rise and succeed”.
The nonagenarian father of the Governor also charged parents to invest hugely in their children’s education to make their future brighter, more rewarding and glowingly remarkable.
“That was what I did that paid off today. I took the upkeep of my children with passion. I didn’t joke with it. Our parents should also imbibe same because whatever you sow, you shall reap”.’ Pa Oyebanji said.
In his remarks, Senator Bamidele, said the good deeds Pa Oyebanji inculcated in his children reflect in Governor Oyebanji’s remarkable performance as Governor of thr state, a development he said had raised his political rating and would make him spend eight years as a governor.
“As God liveth, Baba will still live longer to reap the fruits of his labour. I appreciate the Governor for standing by me to be Senate Leader. His support was strong and solid. He did this because he had imbibed the culture of Omoluabi and love for Ekiti from his father.
“I will make sure that I join Governor Oyebanji to improve the wellbeing of Ekiti in terms of road construction and facilitating federal projects to Ekiti. This is what we owe Ekiti and we shall achieve it”.
In his sermon titled: ‘Teach us How to count our days’, the Pastor in charge of Gateway Baptist Church, Ado Ekiti, Reverend Michael Otun, dismissed the insinuation that birthday celebration is a signal of imminent death as being thought in some quarters, instead, he said birthday celebration is as an opportunity to think more about heaven.
Showering encomiums on the celebrant for his discipline, humility, prudency, honesty, the Cleric urged Nigerians to always do things right for the nation to experience radical development in all facets.
Pastor Otun described Pa Oyebanji as a courageous man, who faced the vicissitudes of life with valour and triumphed in spite of the initial frictions and snags caused by poor background.
“Baba is not a proud person, in fact he is humble to a fault. Whoever that is diligent is his friend. He has a good and rich history. He believes in intellectual building. He began his life from a humble beginning and rose to the Pinnacle of his career. He is today the father of Ekiti State Governor.
Present at the church service were the the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, House of Representatives members, Hons. Biodun Omoleye and Akinlayo Kolawole, former Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola.
The roll call also included, the Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Dr. Habibat Adubiaro, the Chaplain of Government House, Pastor Segun Awolumate, Vice Chancellor, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Victor Adeoluwa, Local Government Chairmen, traditional rulers, top government functionaries as well as former students of the celebrant.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has cautioned the factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa, against plans to stage a sit-at-home protest in Lagos State.
Reports had quoted Ekpa as hinting in a tweet on Wednesday of plans by IPOB to replicate the protest in Lagos.
However, Aare Gani Adams in an interview with The Tribune said such an attempt will not be condoled noting that the South West region is not Biafra Republic.
He also cautioned the Finland-based IPOB leader to desist from repeating the mistake that led to the Civil War and drop the move which he described as counterproductive.
He said: “I can’t go to the South East now and say I want to decide for the people of that region. So, it is not possible to import the South-East agenda into Yorubaland. It would be counterproductive. We advise him (Ekpa) to drop that idea.
“He should not try that. The South West is not Biafra Republic. Any attempt to impose the Biafra Republic agenda will be resisted. He should desist from repeating the mistake of the 1970s. He should be very, very careful.
“They are entitled to their opinion, but South West is not their Biafran region. He should be very, very careful.
“He should not come and impose his agenda on the South West. It is uncalled for, it is unwarranted. Although I don’t know him and I have not spoken to him, he should not bring unnecessary tension to Yorubaland. We will not accept that.”
National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Arewa Youth Forum (AYF), Nigeria Youth Alternative Council, Nigerian Youth in politics and others on Friday formally confered the Grand Commander of the Nigerian Youth (GCNY) title on the Ayedero of Yorubaland, Honourable (Dr.) Shina Peller.
The conferment took place in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja during a farewell dinner organized by the Nigerian Youth Leaders and Stakeholders in honour of the former House of Representatives member, who represented Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency in the ninth National Assembly.
Explaining the rationale behind the farewell dinner and the conferment of the title, the President of the NYCN, Comrade Solomon Adodo, noted that it is in recognition of Honourable Peller’s unparalleled contribution to youth development and empowerment of the masses.
Speaking further, Comrade Adodo explained that the dinner was put together by the frontline youth leaders of different youth organizations in Nigeria, adding that the purpose was to celebrate the former federal lawmaker for his sojourn in service to Nigeria and for being an outstanding legislator who is ever supportive of youth-driven initiatives, as well as for being an advocate of a common man.
Also speaking at the event, the President of the Nigeria Youth Alternative Council (NYAC), Nixon Chukwuka Odimbu, described the Ayedero of Yorubaland as a great leader who makes leaders. He revealed that Honourable Peller was the one who single-handedly sponsored his campaign as a House of Representatives candidate for Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2023 general election.
Furthermore, the convener of the event, Comrade Olufowobi Olanrewaju Desmond, who is the Vice President of the Nigerian Youth in Politics, said the event was organized to celebrate Honourable Peller for his outstanding contribution to youth development.
In addition, Comrade Olufowobi explained that the Ayedero of Yorubaland, through his NGO, Lead Generation Initiative (LGI), has trained thousands of Nigerian youths across the six geo-political zones of the country on active citizenship, effective communication, community development, leadership and good governance.
In his remarks, Honourable Peller expressed profound gratitude to the Nigerian Youth Leaders and Stakeholders for honouring him with the farewell dinner and for conferring him with the title of the Grand Commander of the Nigerian Youth.
He added that the honour was an encouragement as well as another challenge for him to intensify his efforts in initiating and supporting youth-driven initiatives, adding that it is very important for the government, public and private organizations to invest in the youth as they are great assets that can be leveraged to make the country better.
An Abuja-based lawyer, Inibehe Effiom has condemned how Tinubu-led administration is prosecuting the case of the suspended CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele on the basis of political vendetta not for public interest.
The lawyer was quoted in a statement made available via his Twitter handle as this:
“The SSS has taken Nigerians for granted again. I am upset about the two-count charge filed against the suspended CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
“Illegal possession of firearms without more, is a crime for the police. It is ridiculous to detain Emefiele for one month only to come up with this.
“I have always maintained the position, that the SSS is essentially a political tool in the hands of every occupant of Aso Rock. They are notorious for bungling cases and creating needless political tensions. The SSS needs to rethink its involvement in cases. It is becoming very embarrassing.
“The Naira redesign policy is not a crime; and it is immaterial whether it was properly implemented or not. It seems the suspension and arrest of Emefiele were not propelled by any interest in holding him accountable for mismanagement of public resources, but a political vendetta.
Where are the charges on terrorism financing?
Why is Mr. Tinubu handling this case like this?
“Many Nigerians supported Emefiele’s suspension because he made nonsense of the CBN’s regulatory processes and independence. We wanted better monetary policies from the CBN.
“However, with the way the case is going, it appears that the government has a different agenda”.
In respect to the commemoration of our 3rd anniversary at Oduduwa News, we have perfected all arrangements to celebrate it by supporting indigent students with academic and learning materials in some selected public schools in Oyo State.
In the last three years of our operation, covering news and stories within the Southwestern states, we have enjoyed your cooperation and support and this has really helped in expanding our audience base and readers. We thank you all.
Finally, the distribution of the academic and learning materials will be donated to schools on the 24th &25th of July, 2023 as we also call on interested person(s) to join us, and as well support us with whatever academic items they can afford. You can contact the numbers attached to this flier for partnership.
A female victim of suspected kidnappers has been rescued in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, by operatives of the So-Safe Corps.
The Corps put up a big fight in an exchange of gunfire with the hoodlums to successfully secure the victim’s freedom, and also arrested a 32-year-old member of the syndicate, Tunde Salami, from Ibadan in Oyo State
The victim was said to ran into her abductors on July 13, at about 8:00pm, while returning home from the market.
They reportedly seized her phone, gold jewelry, N100,000 in her possession and an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card and thereafte drove her away in her car.
On receipt of a distress call on the incident at the headquarters of the So-Safe Corps, the State Commader, Dr. Soji Ganzallo, charged the Ijebu Zonal Commander, superintended by ACC Marcus Ayankoya, to embark on the victim’s rescue, and do everything within the team’s capability to arrest the kidnappers.
Ganzallo disclosed in a press release issued by the Corps’ Director of Information and Public Relations, AC Moruf Yusuf, that the team could not easily catch up with the kidnapper because of logistics challenges, but was unrelenting in the onerous task.
In the process, the team was informed of strange footprints on a farmland at Oke-Ako Community in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area, following which Ganzallo instructed the Isiwo/Itamapako Divisional Officer of the Corps, SC Aderibigbe M.O, to mobilize and lead his special squad to deal with the suspected kidnappers decisively.
“The kidnappers were tracked down after rigorous and intensive search, even as they were on the verge relocating the victim”, the Commander stated, adding that, the operatives consequently confronted them in a shoot-out and were successfully repelled, a development that led to the arrest of Salami, from whom a locally-made pistol was recovered.
The victim, according to the statement, was traumatized but not harmed.
The statement further disclosed that both the suspect and the victim have been transferred to the Obalende Divisional Police Headquarters in Ijebu-Ode for further investigation.
A student of Federal School of Statistics, Ibadan was shot by soldiers on Saturday afternoon.
The student was shot at the school premises during the “signing out event” of the graduating students.
According to an eyewitness who spoke to ODUDUWA NEWS under condition of anonymity said, “the student was one of the HND graduating students and was asked to remove his cap by the soldiers stationed on campus but the said student refused to remove it and this made the soldiers to be infuriated and started beating him”.
It was learnt that the student who brazenly refused the order of the soldiers also engaged in heated argument with them having been alleged of being a member of the dreaded Eye Confraternity by putting on the semblance of a cultist cap.
In the course of the heated argument, one of the soldiers pulled the trigger and shot the student at leg.
It was learnt that the Rector of the institution, Dr. K.O. Balogun waded in and directed the soldiers to take the student out for immediate treatment.
