The funeral service of former Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan is holding at the Cathedral Church Of Christ, Marina, Lagos.
Leading the Federal Government delegation is Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Others in attendance are the Secretary to the Government of Federation, Boss Mustapha, Minister of Information Lai Mohammed, Former Head Of State Yakubu Gowon, the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, as well as the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki.
Former Governor of Ogun State Ibikunle Amosun is also in attendance.
The Lagos State government had announced a 13-hour closure of roads leading to Marina where the funeral is taking place.
Chief Shonekan who served as the head of interim national government between August and November 1993 died on the 11th of January 2022 at the age of 86.
The Joint Action Committee, JAC of the three Trade Unions in Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate has written the a Save Our Soul letter to the Oyo State House of Assembly to intimate the Legislature of the state of Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate and the plight of the staff and students.
According to the letter duly signed by COEASU, NASU and SSUCOEN Chairmen, the college appreciates the 9th Oyo State House of Assembly for passing the bill for the change of the name of the College to “Oyo State College of Education”, Lanlate and the other areas of the College law, which has given the College an autonomy.
The Statement read ” Since its establishment the College has been battling with series of problems and challenges which have necessitated this letter.
” The issues are itemised below:
(1). Non-Release of Take-off Grant : The College was not given any take-off grant by the state government when it was pronounced autonomous, and it has not received any till now. This has led to the poor state of facilities at the College. Of all the state-owned tertiary institutions, it is only our College that has not been given any take-off grant and this has negatively impacted the growth and development of the College.
(2) Infrastructural Deficit: The non-release of take-off grant to the College has compounded the infrastructural deficit in the College. . There are no enough offices for staff hence some of them sit under trees. There are virtually no toilet facilities as the few available are in a state of disrepair. Staff have to go to the bush to answer nature’s call.
(3)Damaged Bridge: The bridge on the only road to the College was destroyed by flood about three years now. The College Management and the staff unions have written letters to the State Government requesting for the bridge to be fixed but nothing has been done as we write this piece.
(4) Abandoned Project: The state government awarded the contract for the construction of the School of Education Complex to a contractor some years back. The contractor abandoned the project and absconded. Recently, the state government was said to have mobilised the contractor again with about #20 million to complete the project. Unfortunately again, the contractor has refused to return to site. We are appealing to the state government to prevail on the said contractor to come and complete the work. If the project is completed, it will ease the problem of shortage of office accommodation. More importantly, the College is preparing for accreditation and the building is required for the accreditation of all its courses.
(5) Staff Welfare: We commend the state Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde for his worker-friendly programs. However, our annual salary increments for 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, which has October 1 as its effective date are yet to be effected. Apart from this, the staff of the College are also owed promotion arrears of 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 all of which have run into several months now. Even, the 2021 promotion exercise is still hanging.
(6) Non-payment of Arrears of the consequential adjustment on minimum wage: Recall that the State Government under Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde graciously approved the consequential adjustment on new minimum wage in January, 2020. It may interest the house to know that it is only our College that is yet to pay the arrears as agreed and signed by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the trade Unions of the six Oyo State owned Tertiary Institutions and the government representatives. For your information, the staff is being owed 9months of the arrears up to date. Because of this, we have commenced an indefinite strike since January 24, 2022. We are also owed arrears of Hazard and Medical allowances of 16months between 2014 and 2015. All efforts to get the College management to pay has proved abortive as they always complain of non-availability of funds
(7) Issue of accreditation: The issue of accreditation is another area of concern. Be informed that since the College became autonomous in 2016, no accreditation of courses has been done. This is very dangerous for the College and her students.
As we round off this letter, we want to passionately appeal to Governor Seyi Makinde to come to our rescue. His midas touch is being felt everywhere across the state. Ours should not be an exception. These problems are too much for the College to bear. Needless to say Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate is at a precipice , and may collapse completely if urgent steps are not taken.
Responding to the appeal, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin noted that his recent evaluative visit to Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate showed him clearly the unimpressive state of infrastructure and the general condition of the College.
“I toured round the facilities, listened to the staff, students and other stakeholders on ground. We are calling for massive repair of infrastructures and approval of more fund for facilities and accreditation activities.
“We are calling on our Governor to kindly prioritize this college in all educational projects for this year. The students, staff and stakeholders are trusting us on this and there will definitely be a turn around,” The Speaker added.
An Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court sitting at Isabo, Ogun State, on Thursday, ordered that four teenagers who allegedly murdered a 20-year -old girl, Sofiat Kehinde, be remanded in prison for two months.
The defendants, Balogun Mustaqeem, 20; Majekodunmi Soliudeen,18; Abdulgafar Lukman,19; and Waris Oladeinde,18; were arraigned on two counts of conspiracy and murder.
The boys were arrested on Saturday for allegedly severing the head of Kehinde, which they burnt in a pot for a ritual.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Lawrence Balogun, told the court that the defendants committed the offence around 11pm on January 28 at the Kugba area in Abeokuta.
Balogun alleged that the defendants conspired among themselves and murdered Kehinde, who was Soliudeen’s girlfriend.
He said they killed her by cutting off her head with a cutlass.
According to the prosecutor, the defendants murdered Kehinde with the plan to use her for money rituals.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened sections 324 and 316 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State 2006.
He said, “They unlawfully killed Sofiat Kehinde, aged 20, by cutting off her head, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable Section 319 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.”
The Magistrate, I. O Abudu, who did not take the plea of the defendants, ordered that they be remanded in prison.
Abudu ordered that they be remanded in the Oba Custodial Centre pending legal advice from the Ogun State Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
She, however, adjourned the case till March 14 for mention.
Meanwhile, the premises of the court were filled to the brim as the victim’s family and other sympathisers trooped to the court to witness the arraignment.
Agbekoya farmers society of Nigeria has disclosed that it will deploy magical power to free detained yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, (popularly referred to as Sunday Igboho) if the government of Benin Republic continue to hold him illegally.
Speaking during a peaceful rally on “State of the Nation” in Osogbo, Osun State capital on Thursday, the association’s President, Chief Kamorudeen Okikiola said Igoho is not criminal, but a freedom fighter and he is been held illegally through the influence of Nigerian Government on Benin Republic.
“Sunday Igboho is not a criminal and we know he is being held illegally, Benin Republic Government has stopped taking him to court, hence, we demand that he should be released through legal means, if they refuse, we will use our magical power to get him out of the prison.
I repeat, we Agbekoya, will get him out of Benin Republic detention and bring him back home”, he said. On the Nigeria socio-economic situation, Okikiola called for a reversal to the 1960 constitution or restructure the country before the 2023 general elections, adding that without such step the country will not progress, irrespective of who is elected as president.
He decried the spate of insecurity across the country, warning of the grave consequences of taking the masses for granted by politicians.
“It is pertinent that we revert to the 1960 constitution and the different regions will have the privilege of enjoying good governance without having to struggle for Presidency.
And if that will be difficult, we should restructure the country inorder to enjoy adequate security of lives and property.
“The FG may decide to hold the election without listening to the yearnings of Nigerians on restructuring, but we are of the view that whoever is elected would not achieve anything under the present constitutional arrangement.
“It is also pertinent to add that politicians should stop taking Nigerians for granted, because the consequences, with time, will be too enormous for the country to remain together again”, he said.
Okikiola also advocated for constitutional role for traditional rulers, as a means to check insecurity within the rural areas.
The rally which was attended by members of Agbekoya across the Southwest states had members bearing banners with inscriptions such as, “free Sunday Igboho”, Southwest Governors should rise and save Yorubaland from invasion of bandits, kidnappers, ritualists, rapists etc.”, “Bandits now have colony within our country” among others.
The protesters converged on Olaitan from where they move through Odi-Olowo, Asubiaro, Isale-Osun, Idi-Omo to Ataoja, Oba Jimoh Olaonipekun’s palace, where they submitted a letter to the royal father on their demands from the President.
The Olubadan-in-council on Thursday, nominated the Otun Olubadan of Ibadaland, High Chief Senator Lekan Balogun as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The decision was arrived at on during at a meeting at the residence of Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Owolabi Olakuleyin
According to the Inside Oyo, the meeting was moderated by the state government representative in the person of Director of Admin and General Services of Ibadan South East local government.
In attendance were otun Ibadan High Chief Lekan Balogun (Olubadan elect), Balogun of Ibadanland High Chief Owolabi Olakuleyin, osi Olubadan High Chief Rasidi Ladoja, otun Balogun of Ibadanland High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, Olubadan High Chief Eddy Oyewole, Osi Balogun of Ibadanland High Chief Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe, Ashipa Balogun of Ibadanland High Chief kolawole Adegbola, and Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland High Chief Dada Ishioye.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has signed bills to establish two new Universities in Lagos State into law.
This was made known yesterday by the Governor via his official Facebook account as read in part:
“For Nigeria to reach greater heights of development, we must invest significantly in transforming education and Lagos will put STEM at the forefront.
“I am excited to announce that I signed the bills to establish two new Universities; the Lagos State University of Education and the Lagos State University of Science and Technology.
“We are transmitting the Lagos State Polytechnic in Ikorodu, Isolo and Surulere campuses to the University of Science and Technology as well as Adeniran Ogunsanya Colleges of Education, Ijanikin and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Epe to Lagos State University of Education.
“We are investing into the quality of the curriculum and strength of the programmes offered.
“This action today will enable NUC do its due diligence.
“We are now blessed with two additional universities joining LASU established in 1982 by the first Executive Governor of Lagos State, the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande.
“Investment in education continues to be one of our many success stories and we will not relent”.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Wednesday said internet fraudsters, known as yahoo boys and other criminals have threatened to come after him, following his resolve to wage war against them.
Recalls that Abiodun on January 21, re-launched the OP-MESA, where he declared war on Yahoo boys as well as kidnappers.
But, while speaking on Wednesday in Abeokuta, Abiodun said the criminals are feeling the heat of the newly relaunched security outfit.
Speaking at the meeting with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State in Abeokuta, Abiodun said the criminals have decided to go after him because he had made life unbearable for them.
He said, however, that he would continue to make life unbearable for enemies of the state.
“After we launched our OP-MESA last week, I understand that they have been working extremely hard, infact, what I heard is that those criminals are now saying that Dapo Abiodun is making life unbearable for them and that they are going to also come after me. Well, let me assure you that I will continue to make life intolerable and unbearable for you and I’m waiting for you.”
Speaking on the meeting with Makinde, Abiodun noted that kidnappings and other crimes are rampant at the border communities of the two states, hence, the need for a bilateral agreement.
On his part, Gov Makinde said the joint security meeting “is the right thing to do and it is absolutely important we do it.”
The Oyo governor said he and Abiodun had defied political party differences and pursued a common goal of fighting insecurity in their states.
He insisted that state policing is vital to addressing insecurity challenges at the grassroots.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC has reinstated the security aides of a Member of the House of Representatives, Shina Peller.
The NSCDC withdrew the personnel attached to the lawmaker representing lseyin/ltesiwaju/ Kajola/lwajowa Federal Constituency in Oyo State on Wednesday.
The withdrawal of the personnel followed the introduction of a bill by Peller proposing to scrap the Corps and merge it with the Nigeria Police Force.
The lawmaker proposed the bill to the House via the National Security And Civil Defence Corps (Repeal and Transition) Bill 2022, which passed the first reading on Tuesday.
But NSCDC Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, reversed the withdrawal of the security aides in a statement issued Wednesday evening.
See also Four policemen shot dead by suspected kidnappers at checkpoint in Calabar The statement was titled, ‘CG frowns at withdrawal of officials assigned to Member of the House of Representatives, orders reinstatement’.
Signed by the NSCDC’s spokesperson, Odumosu Olusola, the statement read, “The leadership of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has dismissed as unauthorised and without recourse to the Corps constituted authority, a letter signed and sent to a Member of the House of Representatives, Hon Shima Peller, informing him of the withdrawal of officials of the NSCDC assigned to him.
“Not only did the officer in question lack the power to do such, he was also found to have acted on his whims without clearance.
“The Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has therefore directed a reinstatement of the withdrawn officers with a compliment of necessary courtesies to the Honourable Member.”
See also NNPC redeploys staff, names new spokesperson In an earlier letter dated February 2, 2022, by the Head of Administration, Oyo State Command, Sotito Igbalawole, the Corps claimed that the withdrawal of the men was necessitated by “the urgent national need.”
The letter with reference number, NSCDC/OY/173/VOL.III/196, titled, ‘withdrawal of personnel,’ read, “Following the directive of the Commandant General on the necessity of the deployment of the command personnel for an urgent national security assignment; on behalf of the state commandant, I hereby withdraw all personnel attached to you.
“This is to meet up with the urgent national need. All inconvenience this might cause is highly regretted.”
Peller had sought to repeal the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (Amendment) Act 2007, establish a transition management committee to superintend over the NSCDC, develop regulations and implement procedures for the transfer of assets and personnel of the corps to the Nigeria Police Force, and other related matters.
In the bill, Peller noted that “fragmentation of security resources across multiple competing agencies is counterproductive.”
The lawmaker also noted that the mandate of the NSCDC “has now become a duplication of the Nigeria Police Force,” adding that this has led to avoidable conflicts.security aides
The Honourable member representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency, Hon. Dele Adeola has empowered his constituents with various items and cash donations.
Recall, the first phase of the empowerment was held last year where 2 acres of land were ploughed with tractors for farmers drawn across his constituency.
The second phase of the empowerment which started yesterday by 12pm had several dignatories in attendance, the Chairman of the State Party, Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro, Chairman, Iseyin Local Government, Hon. Muftau Abilawon; Chairman, Itesiwaju Local Govt, Hon. Abiodun Ojo among several party faithfuls.
In his words, the State PDP Chairman, Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro lauded the outstanding performance of Hon. Dele Adeola for his legislative role at the floor of the House. He equally attributed the monumental achievements of Gov Makinde in Oke-Ogun particularly in Iseyin to the collaborative efforts of both the executive and the legislature.
Some of the items distributed as empowerment were sewing machines, pepper grinding machines, generators, farm sprayers, gas cyclinders, and cash gifts were also donated to disabled.
Adeola while speaking, thanked all guests for honouring his invitation, he however highlighted some of his achievements at the floor of the State Assembly which included several motions and bills that attracted development to his Constituency.
He attributed some infrastructural development projects in Iseyin to his unrelented efforts at the legislative house which had seen the completion of Ibadan/Iseyin road, the ongoing reconstruction of Oyo/Ogbomosho road, Oyo/Iseyin road among other several other infrastructural projects.
“The role of legislature is primarily the enactment of laws, this we have been utilizing at the State House for overall development of the my Constituency”, said Adeola.
While speaking further, Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro, the State PDP Chairman was quoted as saying, “if I am permitted to raise Adeola’s hands for second term at this programme, I would not hesitate to do so owing to his laudable performance but with voices of your constituents being loud at this event, it is a pointer that you all want him for second term as the voice of people is the voice of God”.
He however thanked him for his performance which has made PDP in Iseyin to be well established as it would not stress the party to campaign too much come 2023.
The programme came to an end at exactly 4pm while the beneficiaries were assembled to carry their various empowerment items.
Following a request by The lawmaker representing lseyin/ltesiwaju/ Kajola/lwajowa Federal Constituency in Oyo State at the House of Representatives, Shina Peller that the Nigeria Police should take up the responsibility and NSCDC while the properties of the Security Agency should be transferred to the Police, this was contained in a proposal to the House via the National Security And Civil Defence Corps (Repeal and Transition) Bill 2022, which passed first reading on Tuesday.
Responding to the development on Wednesday, the Commandant General of NSCDC through the State Commandant of Oyo State Instructed that Personnel attached to the Honorable Member should be withdrawn with immediate effect.
The statement reads “Following the directive of the Commandant General on the necessity of the deployment of the Command personnel for an urgent National security assignment”
“On behalf of the State Commandant, I hereby withdraw all the personnel attached to you, this is to meet up with the urgent National need”
The Statement was signed by DCC Sottyo Igbalawole for the State Commandant.
