Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Command of the EFCC, have arrested one Bolarinwa Oluwasegun, a fake Army General, for an alleged N270m fraud.
The suspect, who posed as a General in the Nigerian Army, allegedly made false representations to the complainant, Kodef Clearing Resources, that the President, Muhammadu Buhari, had shortlisted him and one other to be appointed as the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, and that he needed a short grant “to press and process the appointment.”
He also allegedly forged a letter of appointment as COAS purportedly signed by the President and showed the same to the victim to further prove his claim. For details of this and other stories, visit our website: www.efccnigeria.org.
The position of the executive governor of Oyo state, Engineer Seyi Makinde on the lingering controversy on the procedures of ascension to the coveated seat of Olubadan reminds me of the biblical King Solomon. God had given the young king a rare chance to request for anything. As young as he was, he made the right and the best choice. Solomon opted for wisdom to the consternation of his subjects.The wisdom was subsequently granted and surreptitiously accompanied with other needed impetus that facilitated his success on the throne. Solomon shunned covetousness, greed, materials and a host of other ephemerals. His reign was successful.
Like King Solomon, the executive governor of Oyo state has displayed an uncommon wisdom. He listened, meditated, sought advice and prayed. The resultant effect is his verdict on the imbroglio that has almost desecrated the globally respected ascendancy process of Ibadanland.
The position of his Excellency cannot be said to be biased. He has the knowledge of the subject matter and so could not be subjective to manipulation. His statement is central and an influential expression of the mood of the teeming populace. Although, the anxious indigenous people had waited patiently to hear from the oracle. He; and probably the court holds the ace; and so can set the pace. And he has set it the right way.
Prior to the statement, there were tenacious searches for the norms in the face of intrigues, double-dealing and swindle at the hands of the cooked guides and fabricated narrations. The intrigues had shown a near collapse of the ancient tradition of ascension which was torn asunder by some over-zealous elites through the muzzle of power. They showed the city a wobbling adrift through the chaotic fractures of systemic and institutional dysfunction but to a dead end. The advocates of this apocalyptic move are better explained in the Frantz Fanon book, ‘The wretched of the earth’.
The statement of the amiable governor was crystal clear, lucid and germane. It was a resolution to revolution and one against reactionary imperialists. We are privilege to have amongst a people lost in collective amnesia; a select few who have elected themselves as national soul-guides and chronicler of history.
Equiped with fact, the state governor had made a startling remarks which has prevented the rottenness of our heritage. For archive, a periscope into the four main cardinal points as encapsulated in the statement read thus:
(1). Ibadan traditional institution must revert to its original concept.
(2) This is the last time there will be a controversy on who should be the next Olubadan.
(3) I am giving the assurance to every indigene and resident of Ibadan that what Kabiyesi, Oba Saliu Adetunji stood for is what I will carry through.
(4) Anyone who wants can key into it.I know Baba( Oba Adetunji) is watching us and will give us the support we need to do what is right and needful to protect the integrity and sanctity of the traditional institution of Ibadanland.
With these statements, it is cock sure that the family of the late kabiesi would have noticed a vibration in the grave of Baba, turning his side and beaming with smile in approval of the position of the governor to which had fought relentlessly. In contrast, someone else might wear a forlon and melancholic look in anticipation of the accompanying timidity of surrendering of the crafted crown.
Like the coined maxim of “no victor, no vanquished; the stance of the governor did not in a way obstruct the installation of the learned potential successor but the decision lies with the high chiefs themselves. Though a precarious situation. The situation could be likened to the “aliens compliance order” of Ghananians authority when the foreigners were forced to return to their countries at the twilight of their woeful economy. In the same way, the “Obas” would have to renounce, retrace and retract some pronouncements hitherto made on the unfolding drama. In simple terms, the gladiators would have to walk a tight rope in negotiating their ways to the ancestral fold. However, it takes more than tribal marks and a family name to claim citizenship.
The soft-spoken governor is much more than a historian. A historian can only record an event on the face value but a visioner turns event into a human experience beyond the plasticity cause and effects-permutations. The verdict has indeed unlocked the memory door into our recent past and retraces the footsteps of some un-sung heroes who transgressed the formidable barriers erected against self-worth.
A significant percentage of respondents have expressed support for the position taken by His Excellency. One of such was from a notable politician and Lawyer, Chief Lanlehin. He had commented to commend the governor saying; ” your position was borne out of conviction, courage”.
Late music maestro, Michael Jackson once posited that; “it is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. Lies run sprints, but the truth runs marathon.”
Reform is essential in view of the dynamic nature of the world. It is a phenomenon that must not be mingled with politics. If the propounders of the reform had not attached sentiment, it would have been the best. The political colouration attached to it had erode d its merit, originality and given it the interpretation of imitation which Jackson was referring to.
It remains to be seen whether the modern obas would heed the advice of the governor.
Ibadan O ni baje… E ba n gb’omo oke…!!
Comrade Lekan Badmus is a Columnist with Oduduwa Online news.
As President Muhammadu Buhari visits Ogun State on Thursday, residents of the State have taunted Governor Dapo Abiodun, telling him to take the President to the dilapidated roads in Sango, Ota, Akute, Alagbole, Ijoko and others in Ifo and Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Areas.
It was reported that Gov Abiodun had on Wednesday announced on his verified Facebook page that the President would be in Ogun to commission roads and two housing units constructed by his administration.
As the governor cordially invited Ogun residents to join him in welcoming the President, the post was greeted with various comments, asking him to take Buhari to the areas where roads have become almost impassable.
Abiodun was also asked to visit other parts of the State with the President so as to give him on-the-spot assessment of things in other places.
Here are some comments:
Bello Isiaka: “Take him (Buhari) to Ijoko, Alagbado and Ojodu Akute to see how bad the road is and how much you have neglected the people around that area. You are too slow.”
Oyedele Oyewumi: “Ojodu Berger-Alagbole, Akute-Agbado-Ijoko-Sango roads need to be commissioned by the President. Let Mr. President ply that road and see what we’re going through in that axis.”
Kayode Adebayo: “Your Excellency Sir, don’t also forget Sango-Alagbole road, because it should also be commissioned by our dear president and let him also tour the road from Ijoko to Alagbole. Awon oniyeye.”
Alhaji Kashimawo: “Mr President is fully wellcome. Please Mr Governor, let him pass through Lagos-Alakuko-Tollgate-Sango and then Sango-Ijoko-Agbado, Okearo-Akute roads and then expect good commendations from Mr President.”
Oluwatoyin Kafilat Balogun: “Please let Mr President see the good work being done at Sango, Akute, Agbara, Sagamu and Ijebu. I’m sure he will hug you, peck and even kiss you for a job well done.”
Olatunde Oladunjoye Pics: “If you can take him to Ijoko, Agbado Akute, Alagbole, Berger, for him to see how bad the roads are. Mr governor, no improvement in that area at all. No recreation for youths, no good roads, no streets. I am tired sir, please make changes.”
Shakirullahi Babatunde: “Inviting Mr President to come and commission resurfaced road, how I wish Minister of Works and Housing follows him down here to assess the work done.”
Adex Cornelius: “Let him come to Yewa South and see how our area is, Mr. Governor And Mr. President.”
Prince Noorud-deen: “Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Executive Governor of Ogun State, kindly commission Sango/Ijoko/Agbado/Ojodu Berger Road as you have the President in the Gateway State. Sectional Governor.”
Akinola Opeyemi: “Please, Mr Governor, take President to GRA road Sagamu and Ikorodu cement road and Atoyo Egbe both in Sagamu. God bless Ogun State.”
Adeniyi Oluwaseyi: “Mr governor, please let the president also commission Oke-Ejigbo, Saje-Elega road.”
Sunday Chinedu: “Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun – MFR, Make sure you take H.E M. Buhari to sango Ota. Thank you sir.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has clarified that the Lagos-Ibadan highway would not be affected by Buhari’s visit to Ogun.
Florence Okpe, the Ogun FRSC spokesperson, said this in an update on Wednesday, stressing that only the Abeokuta-Interchange road and the Ijebu-Ode-Epe road will be closed to traffic during the visit.
Former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba has reacted to statement by a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George describing the Presidential ambition of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a huge joke.
Tinubu, who is the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Lagos State, had declared his interest in contesting the 2023 Presidential Election after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Osoba, who is also a chieftain of APC, said the comment of George was informed by the bitterness he (George) still nurse against Tinubu.
Osoba said George believed that Tinubu had a hand in “his problems.”
George was incarcerated for about two years after he was jailed by High Court in Lagos for corruption charges relating to his tenure as the Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
The judgment was upheld by the Court of Appeal, however, George won at the Supreme Court.
Speaking on a television programme, Osoba said Tinubu had a right to express interest in occupying the highest office in the land, which he had done.
He said instead of George having headache over Tinubu’s declaration, he should rather concentrate on how his party, the PDP would also present a Presidential candidate in the 2023 election.
Following the consistent outcry from members of the general public on the activities of hoodlums and traders who have turned pedestrian bridges to places of abode, the long arm of the law has caught up with twelve (12) offenders at the Oshodi and Ladipo areas of Lagos State.
The Corps Marshal of the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), CP Gbemisola Akinpelu (retd) disclosed this revelation at the Command Headquarters of the Agency in Bolade-Oshodi after she led a tactical team on the raid.
According to her, “the hoodlums and defiant traders are partners in progress when it comes to desecrating pedestrian bridges meant for pedestrians to access instead of crossing the highways as one side is trading illegally and the hoodlums lay about to rob innocent citizens”.
While speaking on the arrest, CP Akinpelu reiterated the commitment of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu towards a cleaner and greener environment of which the mandate falls with LAGESC to rid the State of environmental infractions.
She avowed that the Agency will not rest on its oars to deliver on that mandate.
She stated that the government erected pedestrian bridges strategically across major highways in the State to assist residents in crossing the highways with a view to reducing hit and run vehicle drivers and to also avoid accidents in the state.
Akinpelu bemoaned the activities of traders who are in the habit of displaying their wares on the pedestrian bridges which hinders free human movement and hoodlums notoriously known for sleeping on these bridges and robbing pedestrians as it is not an acceptable practice in Lagos.
She affirmed that the corps is determined to rid the state of illegal trading on and around pedestrian bridges whilst warning that anyone caught using the pedestrian bridges for illegal activities would be dealt with in line with the legal framework of the State.
She finally revealed that those arrested will be charged to court in accordance with the Lagos State Environmental Law 2017 (as amended) to serve as a deterrent for others not to attempt.
The Federal Government has lifted the suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria after approval by President Muhammadu Buhari
The decision was announced by the Chairman Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement and Director-General National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE.
Kashifu, in a statement in Abuja, said the approval was given following a memo written to the President by Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim.
He said: “The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) directs me to inform the public that President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the lifting of the suspension of Twitter operation in Nigeria effective from 12am tonight, 13th January 2022.
“The approval was given following a memo written to the President by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim.
“In the Memo, the Minister updated and requested the President’s approval for the lifting based on the Technical Committee Nigeria-Twitter Engagement’s recommendation.”
ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that another prominent Ogbomosho son in the field of academics, Professor Alex Adegboyega has been reportedly dead.
The professor confirmed to have died few hours it was reported that the erstwhile governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala died.
The don who before his death was a former HOD of the Department of Political Science at University of Ibadan.
He was born in September 21 1946, Ogbomoso, Oyo state.
He attended Dzodze Teachers’ Training College, 1963-67, University of Ghana, 1966-72, University of Ibadan, 1973-75
He was appointed Junnior Research Fellow, Institute of Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University, lle-Ife, 1975-76; Lecturer II, University of Ibadan, 1976; Lecturer I, UI, 1978 and Senior Lecturer since 1981.
As at the time of filing this report, the details of his death are scanty but family source confirmed his death.
Member representing Ibadan NorthWest/ SouthWest Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Adedeji Stanley Odidi-Omo on Wednesday identified with the Governor of Oyo State, family of Late Alao Akala, Ogbomoso Indigenes and the entire people of Oyo State on the demise of former Governor of the State, His Excellency Otun Adebayo Alao Akala.
According to a statement posted on his social media page, the Honorable said “With a sharp pain in my heart I received the news of sudden demise of His Excellency Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, the former governor of Oyo State”
“The sad news broke this morning and very unbelievable to many, Otunba Alao-Akala has given his best to the development of our dear state and the nation in general, as he served meritoriously at the Nigeria Police force and as the governor, he touched the lives of many, he was so generous and loved by the people of the state”
“As I feel the pain, I extend my deepest sincere condolences the family, Ogbomosho land most especially His Excellency the governor of Oyo state Seyi Makinde and the entire state in general, he will surely be missed within the circle.”
“This is a sad moment for the people of Oyo state, but death is inevitable, I pray that Almighty gives all the fortitude to sail through this tough situation, and pray the his gentle soul rest in perfect peace”
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commiserated with Oyo State Government over the death of the ex-Oyo Governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala.
In a statement released by the Govenror via his official Facebook account as read in part:
“On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos, I commiserate with Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, sons and daughters of Ogbomoso, people of Oyo State, family, friends and political associates on the death of Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala.
“Otunba Alao-Akala was more than a politician. He was a man of many parts who served Oyo State passionately, first as Deputy Governor and later Governor.
“He also did his best in contributing his quota to the growth and development of Ogbomoso as council chairman.
“Otunba Alao-Akala also made his mark in the NPF where he retired as Assistant Commissioner of Police in 1995 before eventually venturing into politics.
“I pray that Almighty God be pleased with his soul, grant him eternal rest, and give his family, friends, and the people of Ogbomoso and Oyo State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”.
Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun has described the death of former Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Christopher Alao-Akala, as a rude shock.
Similarly, the Governor has also commiserated with his Oyo State counterpart, Engineer Seyi Makinde, over the demise of his predecessor.
Otunba Alao-Akala who served as the governor of Oyo State between 2007 and 2011 died Wednesday morning at his country home of Ogbomoso.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Ismail Omipidan, Governor Oyetola said he was pained and saddened by the sudden demise of the former Oyo political leader and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The Governor condoled Akala’s family, his political associates, government and people of Oyo State over the unfortunate incident.
He described Akala’s death as a personal loss because the deceased was “a good friend of Osun who was always ready to identify with our government and celebrate our humble accomplishments and achievements.”
Oyetola recalled the laudable role Akala played during the resolution of the age-long battle between Oyo and Osun over the joint ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, and gracing the State’s 30th anniversary Banquet and Awards which held last year.
He stated that the late Ogbomoso-born politician was an unassuming elder statesman and a seasoned political leader whose reputation is worth emulating, adding that he would be remembered for his Administration’s strides in Oyo.
“On behalf of my family, government and people of Osun, I commiserate with the family of late Otunba Adebayo Christopher Alao-Akala, his political associates, friends as well as the governor and government and people of Oyo State.
“I pray that God grant him eternal rest and watch over the family and loved ones he left behind,” Oyetola said.
