Oduduwa News

Hundreds of residents and property owners along the Ibadan Circular Road corridor today staged a peaceful protest at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan. The demonstrators, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, accused the state government of expanding the road setback beyond the originally approved 150-metre limit, a move they claim threatens to displace thousands of people.

Protesters alleged that the ongoing demolition and marking of properties were being done without adequate notice or compensation, describing the action as unfair and insensitive. Many lamented that their lifetime investments and ancestral homes now risk destruction in the name of development.

Security operatives were stationed at the Secretariat gate to prevent breakdown of order as the demonstrators demanded immediate intervention from Governor Seyi Makinde. Some leaders among the protesters urged the government to respect the gazetted layout and halt all demolition pending further dialogue.

Government representatives who addressed the crowd appealed for calm and assured that their concerns would be relayed to the governor. They maintained that the state had not approved any new expansion beyond the gazetted 150-metre corridor.

The protest, which caused traffic gridlock around the Circular Road axis and Secretariat junction, ended peacefully with a renewed call from residents for fairness, transparency, and compensation before any further demolition exercise.

The Oyo State Police Command has begun an investigation into the tragic death of a teacher, identified as Mr. Fatai, who was allegedly beaten to death by students in Ogbomoso after attempting to stop them from gambling during school hours.

According to eyewitness accounts, the horrifying incident occurred when the dedicated teacher intervened to stop a group of students engaged in gambling on the school premises. His attempt to enforce discipline reportedly provoked a violent reaction from the students, who descended on him with brutal force.

Sources alleged that Mr. Fatai sustained severe injuries, including broken limbs, and later succumbed to the assault despite efforts to save his life.

“This horrifying act is not just an attack on one man; it is an assault on the entire teaching profession,” one post read. “A teacher who stood for discipline and integrity was beaten and eventually died from his injuries — a painful reflection of moral decay and loss of values in our schools and homes.”

The incident has sparked outrage and calls for justice, with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Ogbomoso Zone, the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), and education stakeholders urging swift action to bring the perpetrators to book. The police have assured the public that all those responsible will be identified and prosecuted accordingly.

The President of the International Council for Ifa Religion, Chief Fayemi Fakayode, has debunked a long-held misconception surrounding the origin of the name of the ancient Yoruba city, Ibadan.

Speaking at a cultural enlightenment forum, Chief Fakayode explained that the city’s name was derived from “Iba-Odan,” not “Eba-Odan” as widely believed. According to him, “Iba” signifies a settlement or a place of homage, while “Odan” refers to the savannah or open field — thus, Iba-Odan literally means “a settlement in the savannah.”

He stressed that the distortion from “Iba-Odan” to “Eba-Odan” likely occurred over time through oral transmission and colonial misinterpretation of Yoruba phonetics.

Chief Fakayode emphasized the importance of preserving accurate historical and linguistic narratives, urging scholars, traditional leaders, and institutions to correct such misconceptions to protect Yoruba cultural heritage.

He further noted that understanding the true etymology of ancient Yoruba towns helps strengthen cultural identity and deepen appreciation of indigenous knowledge systems.

Controversial singer Portable says he is ready to return to school, despite already holding an OND from Kwara State Polytechnic, in order to better control his music career and business operations.

The “Zazu” crooner told reporters that while his music career took off early, he now sees the need to deepen his understanding of royalties, record‐label management and the commercial side of the entertainment industry.

“Even though I already have an OND from Kwara State Polytechnic, I still want to further my education so I can understand my music royalties and business deals better, especially for my record label, Zeh Nation,” he said.

Portable stressed that his decision is less about adding another certificate and more about acquiring the skills to run his empire independently. He said going back to school will help him manage his career and earnings like “a seasoned entrepreneur.”

The singer explained he no longer wants to depend on others for guidance. Instead, he wants the knowledge to make informed decisions for his label and platforms: “I need a role, I want to do something that would shock people…”

Jejelola Opeyemi has appreciated the presence of the sympathizer and respectful people that attended the fidau prayer of her father, late Jejelola Olasunkanmi Moshood.

Jejelola Opeyemi on behalf of the family wishes to express his profound gratitude to Hon. Dele Adeola, Member Oyo State House of Assembly representing Iseyin/ Itesiwaju Constituency, The Executive Chairman, Iseyin Local Government Hon. Razak Bisi Fadiran, The Oyo State NDLEA Commander, Cdmr. Olayinka Joe-Fadile ably represented by Deputy Commander in charge of Drug Demand Reduction Unit, DCN. Toyin Ajanaku, Area Commander NDLEA Ogbomoso Area Command, DCN Alfa Muhammed, Officers and Men of NDLEA Oyo State Command, Majekobaje Isalu Community Iseyin, Akomolede ati Asa Yoruba Oyo State Chapter, Istijaba Group, CAC Oke-Ibukun/Ile-Ominira Ipapo, Ideal Club of Iseyin, United Brothers Association Iseyin, Elevated Group Ipapo, PDP ward 10, Owode Ipapo, APC Iseyin local government, Sped Iseyin Center, Oke Ola Community, Isalu Community, family and friends for their attendance during the fidau prayer for the repose of our dearest late father.

Words alone cannot express the length of our appreciation to you all, especially for making yourselves available to identify with us at this time of grief may God Almighty reward you abundantly.

Multidimensional Energy Expert, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, has called for the establishment of a Multidimensional Energy Accountability Taskforce (MEAT) to address what he described as a “breakdown in Nigeria’s energy governance system,” following revelations of over $300 billion in unaccounted crude oil revenue.

Hamzat, who is also a member of the International Association of Energy Economics (IAEE) and the Nigeria Association of Energy Economics (NAEE), made the call in a statement on Friday, describing the situation as “the most alarming case of economic sabotage in the world.”

“The $300 billion unaccounted crude oil revenue reflects a breakdown in energy governance, not just theft. It is a call for structural, technological, and institutional reform of Nigeria’s oil value chain,” Hamzat stated.

According to him, the Senate Ad Hoc Committee’s revelation on crude oil theft exposes deep structural failures within Nigeria’s energy architecture, marked by weak inter-agency coordination, obsolete metering technology, and opaque fiscal management systems that have enabled massive revenue leakages.

“Energy security is not just about generation and supply; it is about governance, accountability, and justice,” he said. “The loss of $300 billion is not merely financial, it is the theft of our future. Fixing it requires the fusion of technology, policy reform, and moral leadership.”

Speaking as Executive Director of the Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro), Hamzat linked the collapse of energy governance to Nigeria’s broader insecurity and economic instability. He argued that economic injustice in the oil sector fuels social crises by creating despair, inequality, and disillusionment among citizens.

To address the crisis, Hamzat proposed the creation of the Multidimensional Energy Accountability Taskforce (MEAT), a national coalition of experts, institutions, and civil actors dedicated to restoring transparency and trust in Nigeria’s oil and gas value chain.

The mandate of MEAT, he said, would include, Conducting a comprehensive forensic audit of crude oil production, exports, and revenue flows using both local and international verification tools, Deploying blockchain, satellite, and artificial intelligence systems to establish a National Crude Tracking System (NCTS) for real-time monitoring of every barrel produced, creating a Unified Energy Accountability Framework (UEAF) linking data from the NNPCL, NUPRC, FIRS, and CBN for coherent and transparent reporting, Advising on policy and legal reforms to strengthen enforcement of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and align Nigeria with global extractive transparency standards and Partnering with global institutions to trace and recover diverted or stolen crude proceeds, channeling them into a National Energy Justice Fund (NEJF) for community energy projects and local refinery development.

Hamzat explained that the taskforce would be multidisciplinary, comprising energy economists, technology innovators, legal practitioners, forensic accountants, civil society leaders, and host community representatives to ensure a holistic and credible solution.

He urged the Presidency and National Assembly to treat the proposal as a national priority, emphasizing that no genuine energy transition can occur in a country where primary resources are unaccounted for.

“Before we talk about clean energy transition, we must achieve energy sufficiency and accountability. No nation can transition to renewables while losing its primary resources to corruption and mismanagement,” he added.

Hamzat further advised that recovered funds be channeled into strategic investments that strengthen grid infrastructure, expand local refining capacity, and empower energy-deficient communities.

Concluding, Hamzat asserted that Nigeria’s recovery will not come through external aid or new loans but through governance renewal and moral responsibility within its energy institutions.

“The $300 billion loss is a reflection of moral decay as much as it is of economic mismanagement,” he said. “We must rebuild trust between the Nigerian state and its people through transparency, justice, and technology-driven oversight. The time for half-measures is over, the energy sector must become the foundation of national integrity, not the symbol of national failure.”

The management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, has suspended all academic activities at its Iseyin Campus following the tragic death of a 200-level student from the Department of Agricultural Economics. The student reportedly lost his life after being hit by a reckless driver who fled the scene in Iseyin.

In a statement signed by the University Registrar, Mrs. Olayinka O. Balogun, on Friday, November 7, 2025, the management described the incident as heartbreaking and expressed deep sorrow over the loss. She conveyed the institution’s condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased, noting that the tragedy had cast a shadow over the entire university community.

The Registrar stated that the university deeply regrets the incident, emphasizing that the emotional impact on students and staff warranted immediate action. Consequently, the management has approved a two-week suspension of academic activities at the Iseyin Campus to allow the university community to mourn and recover from the shock.

According to the statement, all students of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources are to proceed on a two-week break with academic activities scheduled to resume on Monday, November 24, 2025. However, officers on essential duties who may be required to work during the break will be duly informed through the appropriate channels.

While urging students to remain calm and supportive of one another during this difficult period, the university advised them to honour the memory of their late colleague by staying safe and upholding the values of the institution.

Farmers and residents of Aponmu community in Akure South Local Government Area staged a protest over the invasion and destruction of their farmlands by armed land-grabbers. The protesters, carrying placards with messages like “Stop Destroying Our Farmlands” and “Aponmu Is Not for Sale,” accused the invaders of bulldozing cocoa, cassava, and oil palm farms, often under police protection.

Their spokesperson, Pastor Tope Akinkuade, lamented that the attacks have destroyed livelihoods and could lead to a breakdown of peace if unchecked. The farmers marched to the Ondo State Government House, demanding urgent intervention, investigation, and protection of their land rights.

In response, the government, through the Special Adviser on Union Matters, Bola Taiwo, promised to look into the matter. The community, however, insists that previous complaints have been ignored and vowed to continue peaceful protests until the destruction stops.

The incident underscores rising land-grabbing and insecurity issues threatening agriculture and rural livelihoods across Ondo State.

Former Presidential Adviser, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has urged President Bola Tinubu to address Nigerians over recent threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to deploy military forces to Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.

In a statement on Thursday, Baba-Ahmed said it was disturbing that the president had yet to personally respond to the development, warning that his silence sends a troubling message about Nigeria’s leadership.

“If President Tinubu truly has capable advisers and understands the weight of his office, he should have spoken to Nigerians by now,” he said. “Our silence makes us appear weak and without direction.”

He cautioned the president against any plan to visit the United States for a meeting with Trump, saying such a move would “only worsen Nigeria’s image, like receiving a slap and smiling in return.”

Baba-Ahmed advised Tinubu to act decisively by addressing the nation, appointing ambassadors, and rebuilding Nigeria’s diplomatic presence abroad.

Trump had earlier threatened to deploy U.S. forces to Nigeria if the alleged killings of Christians continued, a claim the Nigerian government dismissed as false and misleading.

Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, said Nigeria faces terrorism, not religious persecution, and that both Christians and Muslims have suffered from extremist attacks.

Meanwhile, China declared support for Nigeria, opposing what it described as foreign interference under the guise of religion or human rights.

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has cautioned African governments against celebrating economic growth figures that fail to reflect real improvements in the lives of their citizens.

Speaking at a recent economic forum, Osinbajo emphasized that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth should not be the sole measure of national progress, noting that many African countries record impressive growth rates while poverty, unemployment, and inequality remain widespread.

He urged policymakers across the continent to focus on inclusive growth strategies that create jobs, improve education, strengthen healthcare systems, and expand social safety nets.

According to him, “It is not enough to grow the GDP; what matters is how that growth impacts the ordinary citizen. A nation’s success must be measured by the welfare and opportunities of its people, not just by economic statistics.”

Osinbajo called for pragmatic policies that link economic performance to human development outcomes, stressing that Africa’s future prosperity depends on translating growth into tangible benefits for all.