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All Political Parties Must Zone 2023 Presidency To South – Elders Forum

Nigerians especially those from the southern and middle belt region of the country have been urged to ensure that they reject presidential candidates from other parts of the country. The call was made by the leadership of the Southern Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) on Thursday, March 10. Leaders from the south and middle belt have called on Nigerians to reject presidential candidates from any other region. ODUDUWA NEWS reports that this was a resolution from its meeting that had delegations from constituent organisations of the SMBLF led by Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere (southwest); Pogu Bitrus, President of the Middle Belt Forum (Middle Belt); George Obiozor, president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo represented by the secretary-general, Okey Emuchay, (southeast); and Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, national chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF (south-south) represented.

The leaders said the call for the 2023 presidency to be zoned to the south should not be taken lightly.

In its communique released at the end of the meeting, the forum declared its total support for a unified Nigeria anchored on the tenets of equity, fairness, justice and principles of true federalism. It further urged the people to reject any political party that fails to flag a candidate from the south. Reject political parties that fail to field southern candidates Further calling on political stakeholders from the region to avoid any comprise, the forum said the worsening security situation in the country needs urgent attention.

The forum also condemned in the strongest terms, the ongoing massacres and decimation of indigenous populations, especially in Zuru, Kebbi state, southern Kaduna, Benue, Plateau and southern Gombe.

In the same vein, it called for the establishment of state police across the different states of the country.

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Former Oyo Commissioner, Prof. Raphael Afonja embraces Islam, adopts Muslim name

The immediate past commissioner for public works and transport in Oyo State, Professor Raphael Afonja has dumped Christianity to embrace Islam.

The video of his conversion hit social media on Saturday, March 12, 2022.

In the 1 minute, 35 seconds video that has since gone viral, the Professor of Physical Sciences now known as AbdurRahman was seen pronouncing the Kalima Shahada after the Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Sheikh Talihat Yunus Ayilara.

ODUDUWA NEWS gathered that Kalima Shahada is the Islamic declaration of faith which can be translated to mean, “there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger”.

The Imam, in his Khutbah (sermon) of Friday, March 11, broke the news to the congregation, adding that Allah has blessed the ummah (the Muslim community) with the conversion of Prof. Raphael to Islam on Thursday, March 10.

“This will be my first conversion success story since I became an Imam,” said Sheikh Ayilara, who was appointed the Chief imam of the ancient Yoruba town in November 2021.

The former Commissioner who has now adopted the name AbdurRahman, is a Professor at the Department of Physical Sciences, City University of New York. He was once an Adjunct Professor at the Southern New Hampshire University.

He has won several honours, some of which include: U.S. Army National Defense Service Medal, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; U.S. Army Service Ribbon, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; U.S. Army Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; U.S. Army Sharpshooter Qualification Badge, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Others are Distinguish Honor Graduate, US Army Quartermaster School; Doctoral Fellowship Award, City of Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Aside from his academic career, he has an intimidating diverse professional career having worked for various bodies. Some of these include the United States Air Force, where he served as a Program Manager/Engineer in the 27th Special Operations Civil Engineering Squadron, and Gamut Engineering and Technology Services where he was a Senior Consultant.

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Claim of Buhari approving Buni’s removal baseless – Fani-Kayode tackles El-Rufai

Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Aviation Minister, has criticized Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State over his comment on the removal of Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, as the acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Fani-Kayode described El-Rufai’s comment that President Muhammadu Buhari approved Buni’s removal as APC acting Chairman as baseless and unwarranted.

The Kaduna State Governor said his Yobe State counterpart would not continue as the acting Chairman of the ruling party.

El-Rufai said Buhari approved Buni’s removal before he embarked on his medical vacation to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

He also alleged that the Yobe State Governor had concluded plans to scuttle the party’s national convention through frivolous court injunction.

However, Fani-Kayode dismissed the claims made by El-Rufai.

Appearing on Channels Television on Friday, the former Minister doubted if the President ever approved Buni’s removal.

He said: “I was not there when the President ordered the removal of Buni. Neither was he there. I doubt very much if the President would do that, to listen to one side and ignore the order. I doubt if he would do that without following the law.”

The APC chieftain insisted that El-Rufai was wrong to have discussed such matters on national television.

“I have never seen a situation where the minister or governor or even party chairman would come on national TV and say the President has endorsed someone and everybody ought to sit down. The President of this country is a democratic, decent person who would never act that way.

“Even if the President told them that, it is not right for El-Rufai to come on national TV and disclose that or begin to paint the President as if he were kind of a dictator. We are in a country of laws which must be regarded. If the President wants to remove Buni, we would do it according to the law,” he said.

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OYHA Hopeful, Asiwaju Makanjuola Oluwatosin Congratulates His Imperial Majesty, Olubadan of Ibadan land.

The Oyo State House of Assembly Hopeful, Asiwaju Makanjuola Oluwatosin Taofeek aka Tosin Gboye on Saturday Congratulates the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Moshood Olalekan Balogun, Alli Okumade II, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan land.

In a statement made available to newsmen, Asiwaju Makanjuola described Oba Balogun has an accomplished administrator both in the public and private sector.

“Kabiesi is an accomplished Administrator, his contribution while at Shell and National Assembly won’t be forgotten, we are lucky to have someone like him as our King”

“Kabiesi’s wealth of experience in Public Policy & Governance is an added Value advantage for us in Ibadan and Oyo State at large, as he will be using these experiences for the development and advancement of Ibadan land”

He further charged the people of the ancient city to support the new Monarch in the re-building of Ibadan land.

Finally, Asiwaju Makanjuola’s prayers is for long life and sound health for His Imperial Majesty, Oba ‘Lekan Balogun, Alli Okumade II.

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JUST IN: Lagos Dispatch Rider Nabbed With Baby Inside Courier Box

A dispatch rider in Lagos State has just been apprehended with a baby found in his courier box.

The incident, it was learnt, happened in Sangotedo Area of Lagos, as mob descended on the yet-to-be identified rider.

A video of the incident obtained by ODUDUWA NEWS as shared on Twitter showed the rider being beaten by mob as he was being dragged to a police station.

One of the persons in the background was heard saying, “This is the child that was abducted.”

The police are yet to speak on the incident which has set tongues wagging over the high wave of crimes and criminalities in the state.

As of the time of filing this report, the circumstances surrounding the child being kept in the box were not made clear.

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Trigger-Happy Policeman Shoots Student, Colleagues Embark On Protest In Eruwa

ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that an officer of the Nigerian Police Force fired a shot at one student of the Department of Business Administration of Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa. The student identified as Akinsuyi Samuel was said to be travelling to Ibadan yesterday alongside his friends in their personal vehicle before they were stopped by some police men and one of the Policemen fired a bullet through the door of the passenger’s seat right inside the car and hit the student.

According to our correspondent in Eruwa, the affected student has been transferred to Ibadan from Awojobi Hospital Eruwa for proper treatment and the Area Commander and DPO had promised to take responsibility of the medical care of the student.

Meanwhile, there was a peace meeting after the incident when students of the institution started protesting and condemning the incident, The meeting had in attendance, Area Commander, DPO, the management of the institution led by the Ag. Rector Dr. Gbade Akinteye, Students’ Union President of the institution and other Student activists from the state level

In the meeting, the Area Commander and DPO disclosed that the said Police has been arrested and transfered to Ibadan, The students representatives would meet him on Monday for identification. The police officers assured students populace of getting justice for the guy because no good parent would be happy with the incident.

The Ag. Registrar and Ag. Rector urged students to remain calm, the situation is under control, the Management of the institution will follow the case appropriately because injury to one is an injury to all. “Welfare of the students populace is the utmost priority of the current management. We were not in town when the incident occurred but we rushed down here because of the love for our students and our primary assignment as management is to protect our students, the management is not happy and we are not going to sleep on the matter until the needful is done”, said Ag. Rector.

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Igbo president will bring peace to Nigeria – Obasanjo

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has declared support for an Igbo Presidency in 2023.

Obasanjo, while receiving a 2023 Presidential aspirant, Mao Ohuabunwa on Thursday in Abeokuta said it was time for reconciliation in Nigeria by supporting a president from the Southeast region to emerge in 2023.

The former president stated that southeasterners can bring a lot to the table if elected.

“Beyond bringing unity to Nigeria or being the cement that holds Nigeria together, I believe that Southeasterners can model hard work and entrepreneurship.

“This will help in wealth creation and fight against poverty, which is ravaging Nigeria,” Obasanjo said.

He warned Ohuabunwa that running for Presidency is a tough job.

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FIBSU National Congratulates Oba ‘Lekan Balogun

The Federation of Ibadan Students’ Union, National Council has sent a congratulatory message to the newly installed Olubadan of Ibadan land.

According to the National President of the Union, Aare Fakolade Anuoluwapo he described Kabiesi has a blessing to Ibadan land and pray for long life for the Mornach.

“We congratulate Kabiesi in his installation as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan land, and equally wish Kabiesi a long life on the throne”

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Ibadan Prime Youth Forum Felicitates Oba Lekan Balogun

The Ibadan Prime Youth Forum under the leadership of Dr. Oluwatunmise Adeagbo on Thursday on behalf of all Ibadan Youths congratulated the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba (Dr) Lekan Balogun.

In a statement made available by the National Coordinator, he described the new Mornach as a blessing to Ibadan as his wealth of experience in Administration & Governance will help in the development of Ibadan.

“On behalf of all Ibadan Youths but Indigenes and residents, I congratulate our royal father, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Moshood Olalekan Balogun on his ascension to the throne”

“We believe that his reign like those before him will sustain and promote peace and advance the development of Ibadan land”

“Kabiesi years of experience in Administration and Governance, having served in both private and public sector is an added advantage to us in Ibadan and this will reflect in the overall development of Ibadan land”

The Forum also extends their appreciation to the Executive Governor of Oyo, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde and the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes under the leadership of Prince Oluyemisi Adeaga for the support given to the revered Mornach.

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JUST IN: Gov Makinde Presents Staff of Office To New Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun

Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde @seyi_amakinde has presented the staff of office to Sen. Mohood Lekan Balogun as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Governor Makinde presented the staff of office to the former Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland at the ancient Mapo Hall, venue of the coronation ceremony.

Speaking for the first time as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Mohood Lekan Balogun thanked Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Governor Makinde, Ooni of Ife and other Dignitaries present at the occasion.

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