A former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni has announced his defection to the Social Democratic Party ( SDP) to contest the June 18 governorship election in the state.
Oni who was governor between 2007 and 2010 in the state lost the January 26 People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary to a former chairman of the party, Bisi Kolawole but alleged irregularities that made him dump the party three weeks ago.
Speaking on a private radio station, Voice 89.9FM in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital on Wednesday, the former governor revealed that the necessary paperwork by the national leadership of the SDP for him to be the party’s candidate and his running mate would soon be concluded with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He noted that his decision to move to the SDP was a result of the continued call by the people for him to contest the June 18 poll as a third force, saying that aggrieved politicians in the two dominant political parties are supporting him in the new political party.
The Ifaki-born politician disclosed that no fewer than four aggrieved governorship aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC), members of a factional group in Ekiti APC, the South West Agenda for Asiwaju 2023 (SWAGA); members of the repositioning group in the PDP and others are forming what he described as a grand collation to win the election.
“I have chosen to advance my ambition in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) because we are looking at the future, not the present. The party has been around for years and won elections in this country, it is a well-known party, that is the reason I chose SDP to contest the June 18, 2022 governorship election in Ekiti state. We have seen the potential in SDP because we believe it is easier to sell as a third force for Nigerians. The process to make me a candidate is ongoing and will soon be completed,” he said.
When asked how the SDP will win without a known structure less than four months to the election, the former governor maintained that the will and aspirations of the people are the most important structure needed to defeat the APC and PDP in the state.
He expressed optimism that his achievements when he was governor coupled with the alleged impunity and injustice in the two dominant parties would sway the votes in his favour.
According to him, “I want to say without any forms of contradictions, that we politicians are coming together for this project coupled with the opinions of people in the streets. We are looking at a familiar terrain and a party with potential and also we are getting support from people that are well known in Ekiti’s political terrain.
“Let me say that for those who are in APC, four aggrieved aspirants are working with us. In PDP, the people called repositioning group, majority of them are working with us. Also, we are working with SWAGA members, SWAGA is a strong force in APC with a strong membership base.
“It is going to be a grand collation that will definitely benefit the people of Ekiti. I believe the goodwill of repositioning group, SWAGA and Segun Oni is almost enough to win the election in Ekiti.
“We must come to the reality of how a party is properly managed, if it is not properly managed, it won’t attract good people, that is the fact. I believe whatever is right is right. I have been around for some time, my antecedents are there for us to see, I am not looking for what to eat but service to the people, that is how I see politics.
“It is the people that will challenge the parties, the people are superior to the APC, PDP. It is what Ekiti people want not the political parties, we are listening to what the people are saying in the streets. I worked for the people with everything I had between 2007 and 2010 when I was governor and the citizens can testify to my achievements.”
Oni who advised the people of the state to reject vote-buying and other forms of inducement ahead of the poll stated that everything possible would be done to discourage voters from trading their future on the altar of peanuts.
“We are ready for Ekiti election. We will campaign against vote-buying because it is illegal. We are not going to fold our arms and allow it to work here. This condemnable act is against the people and our people must learn from what happened in the past. We must support those who can help our society to develop. Will the people still be eating what they got on election day for four years? It is bad and we will campaign against it because the people are not better now in the last four years in the state,” he said.
On what transpired during the PDP primaries, Oni reiterated that the party’s guidelines on the secret ballot system were violated, adding that he reacted to the injustice by leaving the party.
He said, “The PDP primary election was manipulated and devoid of known guidelines in any democracy in the world. What is bad is bad, and we must not be afraid to say the truth at all times. The guidelines say it is a secret ballot but the ballot is being shown to the former governor, Ayodele Fayose by the delegates.
“Let me say, If a party cannot manage their processes, it is the party that should be blamed, not the people reacting to injustice. We are only reacting to the obvious Injustice.
A socio-political group, under the auspices of the Yoruba Ronu Group, has cautioned against involving in campaign of calumny ahead of the forthcoming 2023 elections.
The group also condemned some alleged sponsored online media attacks against one of the presidential aspirants and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement released on Tuesday by Mr Diran Iyantan, chairman of the group, it was stated that mischievous posts online had become a routine, alleging that the source of those publications is well known and traceable to certain misguided politicians and fake human rights crusaders.
Iyatan said, “We have repeatedly stated in our previous releases that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s ambition does not stop other Yoruba or any South-West person from aspiring to the same position. We just feel that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has a better chance than anyone else at clinching the position which is the reason for our support for him.
“It is, therefore, sad to see fellow Yoruba persons casting aspersions on the person of Jagaban for flying high the flag of the Yoruba race. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s interest after leaving office has been to help nurture and consolidate democracy in Nigeria. This, he has done, creditably, well. In addition, he has helped the progressives to attain the country’s presidency.
“We are aware that the stakes are high as the presidential election approaches, and desperate politicians will resort to different gimmicks, basically, to rock the boat. Those who have committed themselves to a sustained campaign of calumny in the media against the person of Asiwaju Tinubu, the former Governor of Lagos State, will labour in vain and they are well known to us.
“We are aware that these cowards and hack-writers have benefited from Asiwaju’s benevolence in the past, only to turn around and sponsor negative publications to impugn his reputation. We charge them to desist forthwith from such callousness because their duplicitous conduct will eventually hunt them down.”
The group urged politicians to promote their political party interest, to conduct themselves with maturity, dignity and mutual respect in the interest of the people of Yoruba-land and, by extension, Nigeria.
In this Interview, the CEO of Waterfield Luxury Hotel, Bashorun Estate, Akobo, Ibadan, Mr . Hamid Ismail explained how he rose from being a Clerk at the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN to the position of Director; his choice of Ibadan for business and his view on the Nigerian Economy.
Can we meet you sir? Mr. Ismail: My name is Hamid Ismail, I am looking forward to my 62nd birthday, I used to work at the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN and I retired in 2016. Around 2010 or so, I had to think of what to retire on knowingfully well that I need to lay my hands on something when I retire from service, and what came to my mind among so many options was to set up a hotel. I had always thought of where I would be going when I retire from service, if one does not engage himself, one would either be sleeping at home once you have nowhere to go, or going to beer parlour and golf club. What came to my mind was to setup a hotel, and I should be able to employ some people that would be paid salaries and that give me joy and fun. As you can see, this week, I am already planning to pay my workers. I was in Abuja, but I felt that the best place to come and establish my business is Ibadan, some of my friends had wanted me stay in Abuja but I refused to oblige due to my love for Ibadan.
Located at Plot II & III, Bashorun Estate, Akobo, Ibadan.
Q. What was your Interest for choosing Ibadan as your place of establishment? Was the development of Ibadan your major concern? Mr Ismail: Thank you very much, like I said, Ibadan is my native land, my place of birth, where I grew up and had both primary and secondary school. Beyond that, Ibadan is a place to be. Firstly, when you are at home, you are at peace with yourself. My relatives and friends are here in Ibadan and I can easily reach out to them in Ibadan. As a matter of fact, I was in Ilorin for about 20years, but it wasn’t my place of birth. So, I felt I should come and invest in Ibadan and do a little for what the city has done for me because I owe Ibadan a lot.
Q. How best can you describe your youthful days, what was the struggle like for survival before you got employed? Mr Ismail: Our youth days were fun. I started school in 1966, then in 1970, I got into bad influence and I said I wasn’t going to school again and I went to join my uncle who owned a grinding machine for yam flour at Orita Merin and I used to follow him to shop regularly. In 1972, I changed my mind that I would go back to school, then I was taken to another school at Ebenezer Primary School and that was where I finished primary school. The thing about this is that, from our ancestral home at Oje Igosun, Ile Ayegbede, I used to walk to Agodi Gate, I would have to trek to school and it was fun as we didn’t see it as suffering and may be because everybody was doing it at that time. I later joined my uncle at Oketedo, though he’s late now, it was still trekking from Gbenla to Igbo Agala, to Oke Padi, the same thing when coming back. So, it was fun and we didn’t see it as a suffering, it was just a normal way of life. There was competition then, and that was one of the things that drove me back to school, I was seeing some of my contemporaries going to school. So, I decided to return to school and was enrolled at Igbo-Elerin Grammar School where I finished my secondary school. My elder brother, he’s still in Ilorin now, he was working with Nigeria Herald Newspaper then. In 1980, I went to join him and stayed with him. That same 1980 I joined ilorin Agric Development as a Sales Clerk, from there I joined Central Bank of Nigeria.
Q. Which year exactly you joined the service of CBN? Mr Ismail: I joined in July 1981. I have already been given admission to UNILORIN then to study Bio-Chemistry and I met one Electrical Engineer who changed my orientation and said to me that the opportunity Bio-Chemistry as course could likely give me is teaching. I am not saying that Bio-chemistry is not good, don’t get me wrong. He analyzed it and I reasoned along with him and that was early 1981. For that reason, when I got a job at CBN, I just forget about the University admission because I was to resume in October of 1981 in Unilorin. When I got to Central Bank, I took some professional exams, those exams were in parts, in the first six months, I had already finished first part. So, it made it easy for me to forget about Unilorin.
Q. Which Department did you start from at CBN? Mr Ismail: I started from Treasury Department and later moved to Currency Department. They were not known as Department, they were known as Offices and my salary then as a Clerk was N96.
Q. Which qualification got you employment at CBN in 1980? Mr Ismail: Good. You know, CBN has its own policy, which I think it is still in practice. As a Clerk then, you either come in using grade one which was around 16points. In my own case, I had grade two which was around 22points or so, that was what made CBN employed me, nothing more than that.
Q. How can you access the mode of employment as at the time you were employed and the present reality, after 35 years in the system, has anything changed? Mr Ismail: The system is now an unfortunate one, it’s not only about CBN. When I was in the system, the procedure for employment was very clear and the department in charge of employment would have to identify vacancies in all the departments before they invite public to fill the vacancies. At some point, they gave the work out to Consultant, it was the Consultant that would put advert out, screen people and send shortlisted names to the CBN, after which CBN would conduct Interview and once you pass the interview you would be employed.
Q. Going back to the hotel business how has been the patronage? Mr Ismail: The business is just about a year, just like the normal business, it’s still coming up; people are getting to know it. We are working everyday to improve our services and serve our customers better. Basically, we render accommodation services, we have a small hall for general meetings, board meeting, birthday party, small get-together, and we have open field for event.
Q. Can we know about the cost implications of these rooms? Mr Ismail: Our rooms are in four categories. We have single room; single luxury; executive luxury & suites (2 set). N20,000; N22,500; N28,000 & N30,000; N40,000 respectively.
Q. What can you say about the current state of Nigerian economy as it relates to hotel business and others? Mr. Ismail: Well, you know hotel business is for those who have the need to come and stay in your hotel, if they don’t have the need they won’t come. No matter how the state of the economy, you would find people who have one event or the other like those who want to celebrate weddings or birthday party. Despite the harsh economy, people still embark on wedding, naming and burial ceremonies. So, you would still find those who have the need to use a hotel. I agreed that the economy is tough, but some people are still surviving. I don’t subscribe to people saying Nigeria is bad, those who complain every time have nothing to offer too, in your own little way, think of what you can do to better the lives of the people. Just last week I was walking round this street, and I noticed that about 15 different construction works are ongoing, and with the way they are working on those sites, it shows they want to finish it as soon as possible, what that tells you is that Nigeria is not that bad as people portray it. People are making money; just identify the area that’s good for you and turn it to opportunity. Though, it can be tough, if I say everything is easy, I’m deceiving you, this hotel was supposed to start in 2017, remember I left CBN in 2016, I had planned that after collecting my gratuity, I would invest it in hotel. Shortly before I left, they started devaluing the currency and I had already ordered the importation of materials to use for the hotel from China. With the devaluation of the Naira, everything changed and that affected the valuation of the materials I had ordered to be imported. I did not give up and with resilience I was still able to put everything together. So, my advice is that, let us continue to see Nigeria as a viable project and it will be better for all of us, we can’t continue to be here and be cursing the country. Q. What other Professional certificates did you acquire? Mr Ismail: I finished ACIB, I did part one & part two which qualified me to be an Associate Banker and thereafter I went to do my MBA, but they were all part time courses. I did MBA at University of Ado Ekiti and would have to leave Abuja every Friday evening to Ado Ekiti or Ilorin for classes and that was part of the struggle then, it was a very big risk. Sometimes, I would travel from Abuja to Ilorin and I would be dozing while driving and had to just park the car by the roadside. 30 minutes thereafter I would continue the journey. Looking back to my journey so far, I say Alihamdulilahi. I had ACIB, HND Banking & Finance, MBA.
Q. Being one of the stakeholders in Ibadan, what is your opinion regarding the chieftaincy Issues in the city? Mr Ismail: Concerning the Obaship, when Late Governor Ajimobi brought about his reformation, majority of us felt he didn’t do well. Like Senator Lanlehin said, “if something is not broken, why will you have to fix it”? That is Ibadan traditional arrangement; everybody acknowledged it, not just Ibadan. It’s the best; it doesn’t give room for struggle or fight. If God spares your life, once it’s your turn, it’s yours. Some of my friends saw Ajimobi’s reform as a development but I felt it was needless. The one that was similar to it is Queen of England and at some point, you would know who would become the Queen. So, I felt the Governor then didn’t have to dabble into it as it would create problem. Some of the Olubadan- In-Council members fell into it for whatever reasons. Thank God, sanity has taken place now. I’m happy that High Chief Adewolu Ladoja was able to play maturity, if not, he would have further disorganized everything, and he has the power, means and the Court. One beautiful thing about Ibadan is that the citizens are always for Ibadan. For example, the Late Arisekola once said that anything he wants to put his hands on and he hears that it’s for Ibadan, he would have to leave it for the general interest of Ibadan. It was not as if someone forced me to come and invest in Ibadan or for economic gains. I just felt that I should come and invest in my fatherland and that applies to everybody who wants the growth and development of Ibadan. I just hope that things get better so that upcoming ones can appreciate why we are doing all these.
Q. Nigeria was favourable to you during your youthful days, how can you compare your time with the present economic realities?
Mr Ismail: You’re right, most times, when I look at it, what I come to realize is that we are too many now, secondly, the people who are supposed to do things in a right way are not doing it, and that’s the major challenge we are facing today. It’s very easy to blame the President, Ministers and so on, but every Nigerian has a price, and that’s the unfortunate thing. What I mean is that, you can actually buy anyone in Nigeria. I don’t know the possible best but every Nigerian would have to sit down and think of how best he /she can help the country. While at CBN, I was in Internal Audit Department for almost 20years, and what I saw was that most Nigerians would want to do wrong thing. For example, if they steal, they would now say that I don’t know that you would catch me, now that you have caught me, I would drop it, and that happens everywhere in Nigeria. Also, I don’t think there can be revolution in Nigeria as some advocate, everyone is waiting for his turn and hoping that somehow, that turn would come at the appropriate time. That’s why corruption would be difficult to deal with because everyone is waiting for his turn to eat the national cake. Corruption has become cankerworm that is eating deep into the fabric of our nation. Another Issue is about patriotism, I worked with some people, when you talk about Nigeria, they would say, what’s my business with Nigeria, if it like, Nigeria can collapse. Likewise, some would say whatever it takes, I would protect it. Let me give you an instance when I was working at CBN, there was one of CBN Governors then, I won’t mention his name. During his reign as CBN Governor, there was pressure on him that he should devalue the currency, he declined given simple economic reason. He said that the benefit of devaluing Naira is to make export cheaper, and he asked that “what are we exporting”? The West controls our economy and the commodity price is fixed at the global market as we don’t have control over it, he didn’t bow to the pressure, I was also watching him too. When he left, the man that came after him within six months started devaluing the Naira and everything started collapsing. It’s about how you perceive Nigeria.
Q. What’s your advice for the Youths? Mr Ismail: Firstly, I would say that the youths should prepare themselves very well in whatever they do, they should be properly qualified in their chosen profession and continue with the struggle, it’s just a matter of time, it would get to your turn. Just do your best. I believe so much that things would be better.
At the critical phase in the life of nations, institutions, and even groups. there is often a man of the hour. It is arguably, however, whether the hour produces the man or is it the man who creates the socio-economic and political forces that propel him into greatness and celebrity.
In exceptional cases, you can have the outstanding man who is glaringly a product and at the same time a creator of the forces that determine the desired change and direction of development. It must be noted that the introduction of positive changes means going up the hill. This champion may meet challenges in any form in his journey.
Such an apostle of change with missionary zeal must be a man of courage, commitment, broad-mindedness, far-sightedness, innovation, cool nerves, temper, understanding, tolerance, and patience. He should be a man who is prepared to make sacrifices and whose critical assessment of situations will lead him to re-adjust and accommodate without losing his focus and assessment. Indeed, he must be a man to successfully take control and swim against the tide.
Today, I pay special tribute to the man who is both the creation of the moment and a creator of the forces for the sustainable growth of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka, FAS, FNMGS, the 12th substantive Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Born on 16 February 1958, Professor Olayinka, an A-rated geologist, is the first person to be appointed from the Faculty of Science as the VC since the University was established in 1948.
After graduating from Ilesa Grammar School, Professor Olayinka, proceeded to the premier University of Ibadan, where he studied Geology between 1977 and 1981, obtaining a B.Sc with Second Class Honours (Upper Division). He was a resident of Sultan Bello Hall where “nobility is our pride.”
Thereafter, he proceeded to the United Kingdom in September 1983 for his postgraduate studies at the Imperial College of Science, Technology, and Medicine, where he obtained an M.Sc. (Geophysics) from the University of London and a Diploma of Membership of Imperial College, in July 1984.
He attended the University of Birmingham between 1985 to 1987 for his doctoral research, with sponsorship from the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals of United Kingdom Universities (now Universities UK).
His first post-doctoral journey was at the Institute for Geophysics and Meteorology, Technical University Braunschweig (1996) and the second was at the Department of Applied Geophysics, Technical University Berlin (1997-1999) as an Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow. Prof. Olayinka joined the services of the University of Ibadan in 1988. He rose through the ranks and was elevated to the grade of Professor on October 1, 1999, at the age of 41.
The immediate past VC belongs to many professional and academic bodies, notably Nigerian Academy of Science, Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) and the West African Research and Innovation Management Association (WARIMA), which he once served as its President.
He served the University in various capacities, including Head, Department of Geology, and Dean of the Postgraduate School. In July 2007, he was elected into the University’s Governing Council and his predecessor in office and mentor, Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole, FAS, later nominated him as a candidate for the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) in December 2010. Five years later, the Governing Council of the University appointed him as the VC for a single term of five years.
In this regard, he understands the administration of a complex institution with people of different backgrounds, religions, and cultures like the University of Ibadan. He is no doubt an outstanding scholar, resourceful administrator, and adept manager of human and material resources who contributed and still contributing to the development of the University, one of the foremost Universities in the world.
Prof. Olayinka’s career reveals one interesting phenomenon which cannot be ignored. It is the visible hand of providence in his education and training as if God arranged a programme to prepare him for the role he was to play in the affairs of the University of Ibadan, nay Nigeria. In keeping a date with history, so pervasive were the achievements of Prof. Olayinka during his tenure as the UI’s VC with his bold accelerated development programme for the University.
Some of his achievements include, among others: (1) Expansion of the curriculum including the establishment of three new faculties; (2) Establishment of 14 new departments, and the introduction of fresh academic program including a B.Sc in Architecture, B.Sc in Environmental Health Sciences, M Sc. in Biomedical Engineering, M. Sc in Accounting, M.Sc in Banking and Finance and M.Sc in Marketing and Consumer Studies, despite dwindling financial resources; (3) Inauguration of the Aliko Dangote Complex at the UI School of Business (UISB); (4) Extension to the Bode Amao Creche and Nursery School Building; (5) Creation of a new position of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships) with Prof. Olanike K. Adeyemo (FAS, FAAS) being the first person to occupy this role. The position was approved by the Senate and Governing Council of the University in February 2017 and it became operational the following month. This position has since been recommended for all Federal Universities by the National Universities Commission (NUC); (6) Transformation of the Postgraduate School into a Postgraduate College headed by a Provost and two Deputy Provosts with Prof. Jonathan Babalola as the pioneer Provost; (7) Establishment of a Directorate of Affiliated Institutions; (8) Development of a Code of Ethics in Teaching and Service; (9) Delivery of Regular Capacity Building Workshops, including Monitoring and Evaluation for new Deans and Heads of Departments; (10) Convening of three Annual Research and Development Fairs tagged UI-TOWN Connect; (10) Promotion of all categories of staff as and when due; (11) Creation of a Career Guidance and Counseling Centre for Students; (12) Regular Career Sensitisation Workshops and Master Class to improve the employability of UI graduates.
Professor Olayinka is a man of minimum words but maximum impacts. Among other qualities, he is institutional memory. One is marvelled at his deftness in recounting University’s historical events and dramatis personae with precision.
Another aspect of his life that impresses one is that he believes that ” it is better to leave, If you must, doing what you believe in, rather than to succumb with an aching heart and still leave.” All this is saying is that Professor Olayinka is a courageous experimentalist, undaunted by challenges, a creative thinker, firm in his convictions, and immovable once he is convinced about the righteousness of his cause. .Though, this, at times, may suffer a backlash! A classic example is when Professor Olayinka, after consultations, initiated a new numbering system for Inaugural Lectures, for ease of chronology and recall. Some members of the University community interrogated it and found certain errors in the wonderful enterprise. Mention must be made of Professor ‘Biyi Afonja, a world-class statistician and mentor of many generations of statisticians in the field of practice and studies who visited me in my former office in the Directorate of Public Communication, Alumni Centre, on 27 November, 2021 to complain about the misclassification in the numbering system for Inaugural Lectures. My gentle intervention on the matter was soothing to Pa Professor Afonja, and happily autographed two of his books to me. Later, I met Professor Olayinka in the Trenchard Hall of the University on the issue. Calmly, he said: “I understand, Baba Afonja is so passionate about his University as a proud alumnus. He wants an accurate record. Mr. Oladejo, we have to start from somewhere. We will make our corrections. Please assure him.”
According to Joe Parno, “success without honour is a seasoned dish, it will satisfy your hunger but it will not taste good.” This appears to be the thought of the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), the umbrella organization of all Ibadan indigenes all over the world, when it conferred the prestigious award of “The Most Outstanding Friend of Ibadanland (MOFI)” on Professor Olayinka “for outstanding performance in office as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan in March 2021.” “Seest thou a man diligent in his business, he shall sit before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”- Prov. 22:29.
One is amazed at how Professor Olayinka can amass all these achievements in 64 years, and still counting!
Prof. Olayinka is found in the true resolve of the combination of strength and wisdom. It is a rare mixture! He has taken brilliance to a whole new level in our University. When you combine diligence with innovation, you arrive at someplace special. Sir, enjoy every bit of your success, you deserve it!
The joy and happiness of your special day are a continuation of God’s blessings in your life. May the glory of God continue to shine on you and your family as you celebrate your 64th birthday, and march on!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIR!
Olatunji Oladejo Director, Ibadan University Press (Publishing House) First Director of Public Communication, University of Ibadan (2012-2022)
The House of Representatives has commenced a probe of the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola. The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, made this known on Wednesday.
Gbajabiamila is a staunch loyalist of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who has declared his intention to run for presidency in 2023.
This development is coming few days after Aregbesola publicly call out Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for turning himself into a god.
Gbajabiamila presided over the plenary on Wednesday, where members resolved that the interior minister and prisons chief, Haliru Nababa be probed.
They are being accused of misappropriating about N165billion funds earmarked for prisons development across the country.
The House resolution came as a result of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Ndudi Elumelu, who is the Minority Leader of the House.
“The House is disturbed that despite this Act and increase in budgetary allocations to the Nigerian Correctional Service to drive its renewed mandate, the tempo and quality of the service have remained the same if not retrogressing,” Elumelu said.
“The House is worried that the working conditions of staff and inmates’ welfare have deteriorated notwithstanding, the over N165 billion budget allocations to the service in the last two years.”
With this, the lawmakers resolved to have its committee on Reformatory Institutions investigate the allegations and report to the House within 12 weeks, for further legislative action.
The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit {Taskforce} has said that its men and officials have no hand in the enforcement for compliance activities that led to a commercial bus driver setting himself ablaze to resist his vehicle being impounded by yet-to-be-identified Security Agents.
Speaking at the Agency’s Headquarters today at Safety Arena, Bolade Oshodi, Lagos, the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye in a swift reaction to The Punch Newspaper report on the incident of a commercial bus driver who set himself ablaze to evade arrest during Enforcement for Compliance operation, said that Taskforce have no hand in it.
He said that at the time of the incident his Men were still at the base.
“The accusations are utterly inaccurate and misleading as investigations and eyewitness account of persons who were present at the scene of the incident have categorically revealed that the driver, one Mr Ayo aka Eru poured petrol on himself to scare the security operatives from enforcing the traffic law which he violated. After the operatives had left, luck ran out on him and some of the hoodlums present mistook him for one of the security operatives and set him ablaze.”
The Chairman further stated that the barbaric act of setting self ablaze, robbing self with faeces, chasing law enforcement officers with urine and other crazy acts are now the new wave of resisting arrest by recalcitrant Motorists who have developed the habit and passion for violating the State Traffic and Enviromental laws. He however said that if they are bold enough to be serial law breakers, they should be courageous enough to face the consequences of their illegal actions rather than constituting nuisance on Lagos road.
Jejeloye further narrated how one Mr Festus Ugbesia age 40 of Mafoluku area of Oshodi who claimed to be the owner of the bus drove the victim from the scene of the incident down to the Agency Headquarters, inciting member of public against the Agency that the officials of the Taskforce had been fingered for setting the victim ablaze, but it later dawned on him that Taskforce had no hand in it when he discoverded that our Men and officials were still on the parade ground preparing for the task of the day while the transport department of the Agency was still sourcing for petrol for their operational vehicles at the Agency Headquarters.
CSP Jejeloye further stated that “We have had many instances where imposters carry out illegal activities and mention the name of Taskforce in the process thereby leading to people pointing accusing fingers at us. We have arrested a few of the these imposters and we will keep doing so until they desist from tarnishing the image of the Agency”.
He further stressed that not all security operative you see on Lagos Roads are attached to Taskforce. Officials of Taskforce are trained, enlightened, educated, professionals and equipped enough to distinguish between traffic offence and criminal offence. Traffic offence is not a criminal offence, as such, minimal or zero force has to be applied in carrying out the enforcement. “Enforcement all over the world is not a tea party and in most cases, it is not people friendly, that is the reason Taskforce operatives do not get any support from passers by during their operations rather what is always obtainable is little truths but massive lies against the agency”. Jejeloye said.
CSP Jejeloye stated that the officials of Taskforce assisted the victim to quickly get medical attention from Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) as part of our patriotic act and corporate social responsibility . ‘’Let me emphasise here that for us as an Agency of Government we believe that it is better for us to allow an offender to go unharmed than to cause an injury. The officials of the Agency are being led by Senior Police Officers who are well trained and exposed. We are civilsed, educated and professional to allow such incident happen during any of enforcement operation”. He stated.
Taskforce Chairman admonished all recalcitrant offenders that traffic offence is not a criminal offence, they should keep faith with the country’s Judicial system and summon courage to submit self for prosecution at the Court for the offence committed, it is better and cheaper for them to face the reality of the offence they committed, rather than being evasive or demonstrating insanity to escape arrest which is no longer acceptable to us. Nigerians are no fools.
Jejeloye advised members of public to be vigilant, report any suspicious activities around them to the Agency and help the Agency in her drive to fish out fake policemen parading themselves as Taskforce officials.
He enjoined Lagosians to support the Agency in her efforts to instil discipline and achieve the State vision of zero tolerance for driving against traffic and other related offences. Taskforce was created to maintain law, order and sanity where there is none. Enforcement of traffic laws is not a tea party as the offender would do anything humanly possible to escape justice, and in the process, the offender can kill, maim and cause serious injury to innocent members of the public in his bid to escape from the scene.
Though the incident which occurred is highly unfortunate and regrettable, I would like to clearly state that it was not carried out by officials of the Lagos State Taskforce, infact we are too careful and professional to allow such operations degenerate into that ugly incident. I would like to urge Lagosians particularly the media practitioners to tow the line of best practices and verify their findings scientifically before publication. The use of Taskforce branded vehicle by the Punch Newspaper is misleading and a misrepresentation of facts. At this point of our Nation’s history, there is need for us to be very careful in our reportage to avoid inciting members of the public against Government agencies. The Endsars impasse is still fresh in our memory and we must avoid a repeat of that ugly incident.
The Oyo State Government, yesterday rescued some victims of an accident which occurred at exactly 4:37am involving two trailers that rammed into the Resettlement center, Akinyele Ibadan.
According to the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Kafilat Olayiwola, the accident was as a result of brake failure which left two persons dead, while three with varying degree of injuries, were quickly rescued and taken to a nearby Government hospital.
She said, “We received a call about the accident that happened at the Resettlement center and immediately we responded. When we got there, an eye witness told us that a trailer loaded with rice hit another vehicle as a result of brake failure, one rammed into the fence up to the female hostel while the other trailer collapsed on another perimeter fence.”
“As I speak, the injured ones are receiving and responding to treatment in the Government hospital, nearby while the corpses have been buried according to Islamic rites.”
While Alhaja Olayiwola condoled with the community over the death of their loved ones, she also enjoined drivers to take necessary precautions before driving, as this will avert such sad incidents.
Some yet-to-be identified ritualists on Saturday allegedly cut off a 94-year-old woman’s head in her house at Ikun-Ekiti, Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the body of the old woman, Mrs Ayodele Asaolu, was found in her house on Saturday evening without her head.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ekiti, ASP Sunday Abutu, when contacted on Sunday on the incident promised to get back to newsmen on the incident.
Abutu however, confirmed the incident to NAN on Tuesday, saying that officers of the Command had began investigating the incident.
The PPRO said the case was reported by one of the children of the deceased who was contacted by neighbours after the corpse was found in the house.
NAN learnt that the woman was living alone in the house where the incident occurred.
Some indigenes and residents of the community who spoke with NAN correspondent on condition of anonymity said that they suspected some ritualists to have killed the old woman.
They added that the ritualists must have observed that the woman was living alone in her house before they attacked and killed her for the alleged money ritual.
“We were not aware of any movement around her house, she stays alone in her house and we believe it is the ritualists that killed and cut off her head for money rituals.
“We are appealing to the police to assist us to arrest them because if such an ugly incident can happen in our community, nobody is safe,” the residents said.
The Former Osun State Deputy Governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore on Tuesday disclosed that his major focus now is to ensure that Governor Adegboyega Oyetola is re-elected during the July 16 governorship election in the state.
Speaking in Osogbo through the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Yemi Lawal, the Senator said he is not distracted with the activities of some disgruntled elements in the state.
“Whatever anyone is doing to disrupt the peace of Osun State with a view to disturbing Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s re-election is a mere waste of time.
“My only focus, for now, is getting Oyetola re-elected during the July 16 governorship election. The primary is a done deal.
All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has congratulated the Otun-Olubadan of Ibadan, Senator Lekan Balogun, over his appointment as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland and elevation to the zenith of leadership institution in the land.
While praying for a long and eventful reign for the new Olubadan, Asiwaju Tinubu expressed the hope that the new monarch would deploy his tremendous skills and rich understanding of traditional institution to promote peace and stability in Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
In a statement on Tuesday by his Media Office in Lagos, signed by Mr. Tunde Rahman, the APC national leader said:
“Hearty congratulations to the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, over his appointment and elevation to the zenith of traditional institution in Ibadanland.
“The beauty of the rich and highly-respected traditional hierarchical leadership structure of Ibadanland has again affirmed itself.
“As a former Senator and the Otun-Olubadan until this new appointment, you have truly earned your stripes.
“Your high leadership qualities, particularly your tremendous skills, experience, knowledge and deep understanding of traditional institution are worthy of note.
“As the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, I hope and pray that you would deploy these qualities to promote peace, unity and stability not only in Ibadanland, Oyo State, Yorubaland but also across the country.
“I congratulate you. I wish you a long, eventful and successful reign. May your reign usher in peace and development in Ibadanland.”
