A member of the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State, Mudashiru Baraka, has been reportedly assassinated.
He was said to have been killed by rival political thugs on Wednesday morning in Oyo town.
It was gathered that Baraka, a PDP grassroots mobiliser in the town, was macheted to death by his assailants at his father’s house in the morning.
Efforts to get police reactions through the state Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, proved abortive as his mobile number was not reachable.
There are strong indications that the five aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party governors may endorse their preferred presidential candidate on January 5, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
It was gathered on Tuesday that the governors, who are presently meeting in London, United Kingdom, might be influenced by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s advice that the Presidency should come to the South-East in 2023.
Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu states and some political heavyweights from the South had parted ways with the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, over his alleged refusal to prevail on the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu to resign after Atiku, a northerner clinched the presidential ticket of the party.
The governors insisted that Ayu’s resignation would ensure a balance in the leadership of the main opposition party.
Although Atiku and the governors held several meetings in Nigeria and the UK, there was no headway as they insisted on Ayu’s removal from office as a precondition for peace.
However, in deciding on the presidential candidate to support, a top source informed the newsmen that the governors might heed Obasanjo’s counsel that they should endorse the Labour Party presidential standard bearer, Peter Obi.
The former President had met with the governors in London in August where he reportedly lobbied for Obi.
Giving a background on the factors that might sway their decision, an aide to one of the governors stated, “The governors are considering Obasanjo’s advice that the Presidency should come to the South in 2023. Obasanjo has advised them to support Obi because he believes that if the Presidency comes to the South, it should go to the South East.
“That is why at their last meeting in London, he lobbied for Obi because justice and fairness demand that South-East should produce the next president.’’
Asked when the governors, known as Integrity Group would unveil their preferred candidate, the source said, “From all indications, the governors will announce their preferred candidate next week. If there is no major event before January 5 when Makinde will kick off his campaign, they will make the announcement on that day in Ibadan.’’
An aide to another governor dismissed reports that the group were divided over the choice of the presidential candidate to endorse.
According to the source, at the London meeting on Tuesday, the governors agreed that since Atiku failed to prevail on Ayu to step down, they should work for a southern candidate.
No division Speaking on the alleged cracks in the rank of the governors, the source stated, “Not really, but they have different approaches to the issue. Some of them have nothing against Atiku. But none of the governors will come out to speak against the joint decision of the group that the presidency should come to the South. If Ayu has stepped down, they would have supported Atiku.’’
But other sources are insisting that the unity of the Integrity Group may be hanging by a thread, as there seems to be a crack in the fold.
The contention, it was learnt, involves who to support between Obi and the All Progressives Congress standard bearer, Bola Tinubu.
Wike had said at several fora that nobody can break the ranks of the G5, adding that attempts to do so by their detractors had collapsed.
It was learnt that the ambition of Ortom, who is gunning for the Senate and Makinde, who is seeking a second term in office may be hanging in the balance as a result of their faceoff with Ayu.
Besides this, the Benue State governor had not hidden his love and preference for the former Anambra State governor whom he said could deliver Nigeria.
Islamic leaders direct female students to wear hijabs to schools in Ogun, bemoan dearth of Islamic Religious Knowledge teachers in public schools
The League of Imams and Alfas in Ogun State has asked “desiring and willing” female Muslim students in the state to start wearing Hijabs to public schools in the state when they resume for second term on January 9, 2023. The pronouncement, according to the league, followed recent interactions with the state government and was made public in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Sheikh Tajudeen Adewunmi, on Tuesday.
The statement which was issued after the league’s December general meeting noted that “desiring and willing female Muslim students could adorn white colour shoulder length hijab as they resume for the second term of the 2022/2023 academic session on Monday 9th January, 2023 and henceforth without any fear of molestation or punishment.”
The group also pointed out that “all doubts or controversies on the matter have been put to rest by the pronouncement of the Honourable Justices of the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which reaffirmed the rights of Muslim students in Nigerian schools to use hijab as they so wished.”
The Muslim Ummah called on the state government to warn teachers and school heads to desist from depriving Muslim female students their human rights and accept the approval of the use of hijab in schools.
“We request the state government to warn overzealous and religious intolerant individuals among school heads and teachers as well as others who might want to take laws into their own hands by preventing Muslim students who are willing to express their fundamental human right.
“The Muslim Community had noted the previous intolerance and disdain from non-Muslim teachers and heads of schools against Muslim students on this matter, which include (but not limited to) molestation, affliction of physical injury and many forms of harassment.
“The hitherto tolerance from Muslims has been taken for granted and the Muslim community will not hesitate to take necessary actions against any individual that could frustrate the desire and the efforts in the exercise of the rights of any Muslim in any form or guise,” the statement further read.
It also frowned at the compulsory teaching on Christian Religious Knowledge to all students in some public schools as well as the dearth of Islamic Religious Knowledge teachers in public schools.
While pointing out that the constitution made it clear that educational instructions should not be given to anyone on a religion other his/her own, the religious leaders asked the state government to deploy Islamic Studies teachers to schools across the state to teach the subject.
“We appeal to the state government to follow this up with necessary instructions to the heads of schools to make them understand that Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution identifies no state religion and as such they should all desist from any act(s) that could create religious animosity in the state.
“The League of Imams and Alfas and the entire Ummah in Ogun State appreciate and respect other religions and their adherents and will continue to do so for our peaceful coexistence and stable religious atmosphere in Ogun State especially because there is no compulsion in religion. Together we can sustain the state in its stead as a model among the comity of states in the country,” the statement added.
The 2023 Ibadan Cultural Festival Week Committee under the Chairmanship of Engr. Sunday Gbenjo on Tuesday, 27th December 2022 decorated the President-General Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga as the Grand Omoluabi of Ibadan.
According to Engr. Sunday Gbenjo the decoration is part of the pre-activities of 2023 Ibadan Cultural Festival which will be commence on the 17th of March 2023 to 25th of March 2023.
In his remark, the Chairman stated that the decoration and award is in recognition of his contribution to the development of Ibadanland as other prominent Ibadan sons and daughters who has and currently contributing to the development of Ibadanland has been identified and will be decorated by the Planning Committee before the official commencement of the Ibadan Week in March, which is also one of the ways by which the committee generates funds internally before seeking for other sponsors.
Furthermore, the Chairman stated that they decided to commence this year’s pre-activities by honoring the first indigene of Ibadanland and also seek for his prayer as they commence work.
Decorating the awardee was the President of Egbe Omo-Ajorosun Club, Chief Abiola Ali, he congratulated Chief Oluyemisi Adeaga and described him as a role model who has always put Ibadan first. He also commended Engr. Sunday Gbenjo for the exemplary leadership he’s giving the committee and encouraged him to continue in his good conduct.
Present at the presentation includes the wife of the awardee, Princess Oluyemisi Adeaga, President Omo Egbe Ajorosun Club, Chief Abiola Ali, executive and members of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Secretary of 2023 Ibadan Cultural Festival Week Committee, Vice Chairman of 2023 Ibadan Cultural Week, Chief Mrs Simiat Larodo, Chief Adeola Oloko, members of the 2023 Cultural Week and well wishers.
Reacting to the award, the Grand Omoluabi of Ibadanland, Chief Oluyemisi Adetayo Adeaga appreciated the committee and prayed that their work will be successful. Speaking futher, Chief Oluyemisi Adeaga stated that his journey so far as the President- General has been the grace and devine wisdom of the Almighty God. He thereafter reiterated his commitment towards the growth of Ibadanland and said that he’s trying all possible best to ensure that the new Ibadan Palace is completed before the completion of his first term and stated that all things been equally, if given a second chance, he will ensure the palace is completed.
Popular Nollywood Actor, Alhaji Kamal Adebayo, popularly known as Sir Kay-Kamoru is dead.
Adebayo was the father of skit maker, Isbaeu Barbie and also a prominent transport union member in Lagos.
Actor Yomi Fabiyi confirmed his demise in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
“O di gba kan naa, Sir K Warrior. Wabili Kabbar. RIP senior man,” he wrote.
While the cause of his death is yet to be known, his colleagues and close associates have turned to their social media pages to express their grief.
The actor was a close acquaintance of the Chairman of the Lagos State Parks Management Committee, Alhaji Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya better known as MC Oluomo.
The former Chairman Of Iseyin local government and Deputy Governorship candidate under the African Democratic Congress in the 2019 election, Alhaji Saheed Alaran has on Tuesday, organized a special Muslim prayer for the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kayode Ariwoola at Iseyin.
The focus of the prayer which had the Chief Imam of Iseyin local government, Alhaji Akeem Babatunde Olajori and members of the Iseyin League of Imam and Alfas in attendance was for God’s guidance and protection over the CJN in his national duties.
The prayer point was also centered on prominent sons and daughters of Iseyin community like Barrister Raji Ahmed SAN, who Alaran described as a strong pillar for the development of Oyo State, Oke-Ogun and Iseyin community.
Others that were prayed for at the occasion are the Nigerian envoy to Ukraine, Ambassador Shina Alege, Barrister Jelili Owonikoko SAN, Barrister Bimbo Atilola among many others.
In his words, Alaran said the prayer was important as the CJN has a national calling to rebuild the judicial system in Nigeria, so as to make justice available to all without segregation, adding that the distraction that followed his elevation was from elements that forgot that Nigeria remained a country that could only survive its current challenges by working on the unity of its tribal sections.
“The prayer is important because our brother who has assumed a national position upon which our country’s judicial system is anchored for survival and rebirth, he has gotten all that is needed to achieve the height and he has gotten there, what remains is for God Almighty to guide, protect and support him in all his doings.
“Also, we are here to pray for our brother who is the face of Oke-Ogun and Iseyin, a respected legal practitioner and philanthropist per excellence, Alhaji Ahmed Raji SAN, Oke-Ogun and Iseyin need him more now that development has started coming our way, may he never misstep, may all God continue to replenish him with wisdom and capabilities to do more for the people.
“So did we pray for others like Ambassador Shina Alege, Barrister Jelili Owonikoko and other sons and daughters of this community at home and abroad that are making us proud in their different endeavors.”
The Chief Imam of Iseyin, Alhaji Akeem Babatunde Olajori while praying, cautioned those he said were out to play politics with the future of Nigeria by attacking the CJN to desist, otherwise they would attract the wrath of Allah.
Olajori said the news of some people, sponsoring opposition against the CJN came to him as a shock in a nation that proclaimed unity as the bedrock of its existence.
“God is not a God of tribe, he created all equal and assigned everyone with his or her own time, why would they raise eyebrow when it is legitimately the turn of our own son? Although we appreciate the President of Nigeria for not allowing tribal sentiment get in his way and pray that the time of Justice Ariwoola will be favorable to our nation at large.”
The Ikolaba of Iseyinland, High Chief Ismahil Odubiyi Tikalosoro said the focus of the prayer was not only on the CJN, Barrister Ahmed Raji and other sons and daughters of Iseyin that have made national marks, but also for a prosperous Iseyin going forward.
He prayed that God Almighty will take control of the selection process of the new Aseyin of Iseyin, which he said has gotten to a considerable level.
Present at the prayer gathering were other traditional Chiefs and community leaders like retired Colonel John Ayegbonyin Fagbire and Alhaji Olanrewaju Azeez of the Iseyin Elders’ Council among many others.
Three young men have been reportedly killed on Monday morning by yet-to-be identified people in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The incident happened around Office Bus Stop, after World Oil petrol station on new Ibadan/Oyo Expressway in Akinyele Local Government area of the state.
Investigations by newsmen revealed that the incident happened early hours on Monday.
It was further gathered that one of the victim was beheaded while vital parts were also removed from the remaining two bodies.
A commercial driver, Abdulfatai AbdulGaniyu said, “I saw the lifeless body of these people in the morning when I was carrying passengers from Ojoo to Toose today. The case looks like ritual because one of them was beheaded.”
Another source who claimed anonymity said, “Passengers who are looking for cheap prices, cheap buses are normally staying at that bus stop to board their vehicles to either Oyo, Ogbomoso, Ilorin and even Jebba.
“They cannot afford the fare at the terminal, that’s why they stay there. But this particular case is quite different because some of their vital organs were removed.”
Earlier yesterday, the Oke-Ogun People’s Award was held in Iseyin with several prominent sons and daughters of Oke-Ogun in attendance.
The award-giving event which spans over two years usually organized to honour Oke-Ogun indigenes who have carved a niche for themselves in their various areas of endeavours.
This year’s edition also included awards of honour to Oke-Ogun students who are also excelling in their various courses of studies in higher institutions of learning.
Recall, Lateef Adetunji Adeleke was the first student to be awarded Oke-Ogun Best Student Award (OOBSA) in last year’s edition, having won the competition in 2019.
Lateef who hails from Iseyin represented Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba (AAUA) where he studied Linguistics and graduated with a first class honours degree in 2021. He graduated as the University’s Overall Best Student and the first of such from Faculty of Arts in the history of AAUA. He is currently a postgraduate student at the Department of Linguistics and African Languages, University of Ibadan.
According to ODUDUWA NEWS Correspondent who monitored the event, this year’s Oke-Ogun Best Student Award (OOBSA) went to a young lad, Waris Sanusi who hails from Igboho in Oke-Ogun and studied Industrial and Production Engineering from the University of Ibadan where he recently graduated with a First Class Honours and got inducted into the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Ibadan.
He is currently an IT Solutions Architect at Huawei Technologies, Nigeria and has received several multinational awards.
Several prominent sons and daughters of Oke-Ogun which included Prof. Dele Layiwola, a former Director of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan; Chief Adekunle Tanwa, an Industrialist; Hon. Shina Peller, a member of Federal House of Representatives; Hon. Dele Adeola, a member of Oyo State House of Assembly representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency; Alh. (Barr) Bayo Raji, former Chairman, Iseyin Developmental Union; HRM, Oba Ademola Olugbile, Alado of Ado-Awaye; Mr. Raheem Ibraheem, Administrative Head, Iseyin South LCDA; Hon. Surv. Kunle Busari, Former Board Member, Federal Housing Authority, Abuja, Dr. Mrs. Sifau Adejumo of the University of Ibadan, Senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District, Senator Fatai Buhari; Sojulore TV among several others.
The convener of the awards, Com. Hammed Saheed Oloro while speaking to ODUDUWA NEWS Correspondent said, he gives thanks to Almighty God for making this year’s edition of the programme a success. He averred that the awardedes were carefully chosen from various nominations from the people of Oke-Ogun and that the event was organized to appreciate their unrelenting efforts towards achieving Oke-Ogun of our dreams.
He used the medium to thank all participants who graced the ocassion and prayed that Almighty God continues to bless all.
The Lagos State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has vowed to ensure that justice is served for the late Lagos-based lawyer, Bolanle Raheem who was murdered by a trigger-happy policeman in Ajah.
This was contained in a statement made available today by the governor via his official Twitter account as read in part:
“”With utter shock and sadness, I received the news of the mindless shooting of a citizen by a police officer whose primary job function was to protect the same citizen.
“I hereby sympathize with the family, friends and associates of late Bolanle Raheem. I am therefore assuring everyone of the State Government’s full support and cooperation with the police authorities in their investigation to unravel the remote and immediate cause of the shooting, that led to Bolanle’s untimely death, with a view to ensuring that justice is served.
I”I have studied preliminary reports on the matter and have instructed the appropriate Government officers to immediately get on it. We must ensure a speedy justice for the late Bolanle. Our Government cannot sit back and watch our citizens killed by the same law enforcers that should ordinarily protect them.
“I’m aware that the Lagos State police command have arrested, disarmed and detained the police officers involved in the shooting incident. I can assure you that the accused persons will have their day in Court and nothing will be spared under the Laws of Lagos State until justice is served adequately. We will ensure that it is done speedily because justice delayed is justice denied.
“I would also appeal to residents to remain calm and not take the law into their hands on the matter, the State Government will live up to her responsibilities and get justice for the late Bolanle Raheem”.
A renowned politician and elder statesman in Nigeria, Chief. Abiola Ogundokun has advised the Governor of Osun State, Sen. Ademola Adeleke to face governance squarely as it is too early to be distracted.
The Iwo Born politician made this statement during a programme he organised in his hometown where he distributed foodstuffs and financial support to the less privileged.
The veteran journalist questions the Governor, saying it will be strange for the Governor to say he doesn’t know the state is indebted while he was campaigning to be the Governor. He went further to state that all new administration over the world inherits assets and liabilities when they assume power as government is a continuum and therefore advises Governor Adeleke to be focused on providing good governance as time is counting.
Addressing the jubilant crowd, Chief Ogundokun challenged the Governor to publish the details of the acclaimed N18 billion Former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola allegedly borrowed after the July 16 Governorship election. He assured everyone that the APC defeat in the last Governorship election that was allegedly rigged was just a temporary setback as Adegboyega Oyetola will reclaim back his mandate through the judicial process. On that note, he advised APC supporters to remain steadfast, committed and loyal to the party.
Also in his remarks, Chief Ogundokun urges the elated crowd and party stalwart present to redouble their efforts and ensure that all APC candidates emerge victorious in the 2023 General Election. He urges the youths to shun violence and not allow themselves to be used as instrument of destruction by desperate politicians.
He assures the needy and masses present that the food and financial support program that he has been running on quarterly basis since 1976 will continue as long as he lives on the surface earth and therefore tell them that they can count on him not to leave them forsaken.
Present at the program includes the APC Senatorial candidate for Osun West; Dr. Hamidu Tadese, Alh. Omobola Yusuff, Alh. Fatai Abubakr among others.
In his own address, the APC Senatorial hopeful, Dr. Hamidu Tadese thanked the masses for their loyalty and support, imploring them to remain steadfast and ensure a total victory for APC candidates from Top to Bottom in the 2023 General Elections.
