There is protest currently going by Yoruba Nation agitators in Ado-Ekiti.
JUST IN: Oduduwa Nation Agitators Protest in Ado-Ekiti
Gov. Makinde Appeals To FG To Reverse Decision on Twitter
Oyo state Governor Seyi Makinde has appealed to the Federal Government to reverse the suspension of Twitter operations in the country for the greater good of Nigerians.
The Nation had reported that the federal government on Friday announced an indefinite suspension of the operations of Twitter, the microblogging and social networking service, in Nigeria.
But defiant Nigerians on Saturday opted for the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass restrictions due to the suspension of Twitter operations by the Federal Government in the county.
Reacting, Makinde in a statement on Saturday, described Twitter as a platform for young people and all Nigerians to exercise their fundamental right to express and publish various opinions.
He said, “They use the platform to complain, argue and give feedback to the government and its agencies who in turn, use these to improve policies. This is a fundamental point that should be kept in mind as we debate the necessity of this suspension.
“As leaders, we should go beyond emotional reactions to issues and think about how our actions will affect the people we lead and our international ratings socially and economically.
“We should also remember that Twitter has gone beyond a source of communication for many of our hardworking youths in Nigeria.
“It has become a source of livelihood for many, irrespective of their political affiliations or religious leanings. Nigerian youths and digital communications organisations earn a living from being able to use the platform to post communications on behalf of their clients.
“Others who may not have physical stores also rely on Twitter to give visibility to their products and services,” he added.
JUST IN: Twitter Banned In Nigeria
The Operations of Twitter have on Friday been banned by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The FG said it has suspended, indefinitely, the operations of the microblogging and social networking service, Twitter, in Nigeria.
The decision of FG to suspend Twitter was made known to the public today by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who
announced the suspension in a statement signed and released to newsmen by his spokesperson in Abuja.
The statement, signed by Ministry spokesperson, Segun Adeyemi, cited the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.
According to the statement, the Minister said the Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.
It is not yet clear how the suspension will work but the Twitter website was still accessible from Lagos as of Friday afternoon.
Akeredolu Lays Foundation Of New Governor’s Lodge in Akure
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Friday laid the foundation of a new Governor’s Lodge at the Government House, Alagbaka, Akure.
He said his administration is embarking on the construction of a new Governor’s Lodge because the state does not have one, adding that shelter cannot be abrogated in human’s scale of preference.
Governor Akeredolu disclosed that the Governor’s Lodge built by the immediate past administration has several defects which pose a huge threat to human living, noting that the poorly constructed building appears to be weak and may collapse anytime.
He said: “Our first reaction to the ugly development was to involve the best of cost-effective steps to put to good use the facilities. In pursuant of this, qualified and experienced building experts were invited to work with our in-house professionals to carry out due diligence and survey on the structures.
“The objective of our action was to have a concise report on the adequacy of spaces, snags, building health and cost of remedial works. The report, thereafter, submitted by the experts revealed a humongous cost of putting the old lodge in a befitting status and yet it will not adequately compensate for the value of money to be spent.
“In our quest to continuously strive to fulfil our sacred vows to our people and leave a good legacy, a committee was set up to work on the experts recommendation and come up with a design for the construction of a new a Governor’s Lodge for Ondo State Government. The committee has turned in its recommendation on the construction of a new Governor’s Lodge of which we are here today to formally commence
Arakunrin Akeredolu added that the new aesthetic Governor’s Lodge was conceived with the best expectations of any Governor’s Lodge in Nigeria.
“The structure sits on approximately 2,000 square meters of land and measures about 18 meters from the ground floor to the tip of the iconic roof.
“The facilities will house a Banquet Hall to sit about 250 guests, Basement Parking, Indoor and Outdoor Kitchen, Swimming Pool, Sitting Lounge, Atrium Sitting Room, Bedrooms and other functional spaces.
“Information Communication Technology (ICT) software and gadgets will be applied in the finishing of this edifice while the entire environment will be adorned with both soft and hard landscape,” Governor Akeredolu said.
The Governor stated that his administration has been able to make bold footprints in the building infrastructure sector.
“We have conceived, delivered and are still working on some of the following construction projects: construction of Ultra-modern Internal Revenue Service Headquarters,
construction of Modern Guest Chalets in the Government House
Grounds.
“Construction of UNIMED Teaching Hospital facilities in Akure and Ondo Complexes, renovation of TESCOM Headquarters, renovation of the Library Board Complex, restructuring of VIP chalets, renovation of many public buildings across the State.
“Face-lift of the State House of Assembly Complex, modern office block for ODBPP and Multi-Lateral Relations Agency, completion of the Accountant-General Headquarters Complex, the construction of a modern office for the Ondo State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme is in the pipeline.
“Restructuring of the Governor’s Office area within the Complex to make for a befitting office for the Governor and his immediate aides.
“We shall continue to focus on our core mandate and promises for the good people of Ondo State, hoping for grace and capacity to do more,” the Governor concluded.
Yoruba Nation: Ignore Utterances Of Contemptible Interlopers, Soyinka Distances Self From Agitators
Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka has distanced himself from statements making the rounds on social media, suggesting that he supports the agitation for the Yoruba Nation.
In a statement seen on Thursday, the laureate urged the general public to ignore the utterances of those he described as “contemptible interlopers” who lack the courage of their conviction and thus take to Identity Theft for the furtherance of their views.
The statement added that Professor Soyinka does not express his opinions on national issues on social media except through print media.
“For a start, Wole Soyinka does not participate in Facebook, Tweet, Blog, WhatsApp, or other offerings of Social Media. Any views that he wishes to express on national and other issues routinely go through the print media,” the statement partly reads.
Marginalization of the South-West
Sunday Igboho, a self-acclaimed activist, and Ayo Adebanjo, one of the leaders of the Afenifere socio-political organization recently came up with the push for the Yoruba Nation.
According to the activists, this political ideology seeks to liberate and make sovereign the Yoruba tribe from Nigeria where the activists believe the Odua people have continued to be marginalized.
This opinion, however, has not sat well with many political leaders within the region and several statesmen have kicked against the move, asking instead that the citizens do more to accommodate all Nigerians regardless of tribe and religion.
Staff, Students Scamper For Safety As Sporadic Gunshots Recorded At DS Adegbenro Poly, Ogun State
Both the teaching and non-teaching staff of the D. S Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic, Itori, Ewekoro, Ogun State on Thursday, scampered for safety following the sporadic gunshots in the premises.
Our correspondent gathered that the sound of gunshots was heard shortly after the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Ogun State chapter gained entry into the premises of the institution.
It was gathered that the incident rekindled the last year assassination of one of the lecturers in the school which happened at the gate.
The incident happened 24 hours after students blocked the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway to protest against the management over examination matters.
A video that had gone viral showed how the protesters humiliated the Special Assistant to the State Governor on Students Matters, Azeez Adeyemi during the protest.
It was learnt that NANS had been factionalised into two groups with Adeyemi leading one of the factions.
Further findings revealed that the visit of NANS loyal to Adeyemi was seen as an attempt to launch a reprisal attack on the other faction.
A source told our correspondent that both teaching and non-teaching staff became agitated following the sound of gunshots and scampered for safety.
According to the source, “Nobody knows what is going to happen next to any staff in the institution as the situation is getting serious by the day.”
The NANS leaders reportedly stormed the institution in a tinted Jeep with NASS number plate.
They allegedly blocked a gate that led to the entrance of the Rector’s office.
Gunshot rocks Ogun poly, lecturers fleeWhen contacted, NANS chairman, Damilola Simeon denied knowing anything about the shooting.
He confirmed that there was sound of gunshots shortly after he and his team arrived at the campus.
Explaining the rationale behind the visit, he said he was in the school at the invitation of the Acting Rector, Job-Kehinde Olatunji.
Nigeria Is Dripping With Bitterness And Sadness In The Face Of Socio-Economic Challenges – Obasanjo
Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo says Nigeria is dripping with bitterness and sadness in the face of the current socio-economic and political challenges facing the country.
According to Obasanjo, the current challenges besetting the nation run contrary to the dreams and aspirations of the founding fathers and what God destined the country to be.
He made the assertion on Thursday at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State’s capital, when he was presented with a book titled “The Man, The General, and The President,” written by Femmy Carrena.
Obasanjo said, “My prayer is that all of us will have something to contribute to making this country what God has created it to be – a land flowing with milk and honey.
“Right now, it is a land flowing with bitterness and sadness, that is not what God wants this country to be.
“We must change the narrative, we must talk to ourselves in the civilized language.
“There is nowhere you go in this country that you will not see geniuses in any section of the country. So, why should we look down on ourselves?”
Speaking on how to set Nigeria on the right track, the former President said education must take the forefront and must be accorded its rightful position to reduce the numbers of out-of-school pupils which at the moment is put at about 14 million.
Benue Gov, Ortom Lauds Makinde As Moniya/Iseyin Road Commissioned
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, was on Thursday, joined by his Benue State counterpart, Governor Samuel Ortom, to commission the 65 kilometres Moniya-Ojutaye-Ijaiye-Iseyin Road.
Ortom, who was the soecial guest of honour at the event, commended Makinde for delivering such a massive road project, among many others, despite economic challenges and other odds that have befallen the nation.
He congratulated Makinde for standing firm with his people, saying Governor’s of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are living up to expectations of the people.
The Benue governor equally lauded the people of the state for supporting Makinde, noting that evidence around have shown that while the All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed the leadership test across different spheres of life, PDP governors the are doing very well.
Ortom also charged the APC-led Federal Government to ensure security of lives and property and enhance justice in the land.
Governor Makinde, while speaking at the official commissioning ceremony held at the Akinyele Local Government Secretariat, Moniya, Ibadan, maintained that the Moniya-Ijaiye-Iseyin road will enhance the socio-economic development of the state and play a major role in engineering a modern Oyo State.
He added that the project aligns with his administration’s focus to lift the people of the state from poverty to prosperity, noting that the government has, in the last two years, embarked on reducing the infrastructure deficit in the state and building infrastructure that target the economy.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the road was revoked and re-awarded by the Makinde government on November 5, 2019, after the contractor engaged by the previous government demonstrated lack of capacity.
It added that the fact that the road was completed in 18 months despite the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic and economic recession, which affected activities around the world, showed the administration’s commitment to keeping its promises.
While addressing those in attendance at the official commissioning of the road project, including the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and other notable traditional rulers, especially from the Oke Ogun zone of the state, Governor Makinde said that the delivery of the road project is another promise kept.
The governor added that the project is one of many projects that will play a major role in engineering “a modern Oyo State where the prosperity of the people through economic integration serves as the fulcrum of government’s decisions.”
He said: “First, let me appreciate my brother, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State for travelling down to be with us on this happy occasion. I want to use this opportunity to convey the deepest sympathies of myself, my family and the good people of Oyo State to you over the death of your Senior Special Assistant on Security, Christopher Dega. May God grant you and his friends and family the strength to bear the loss.
“I am sure I speak for myself, the people of Iseyin in particular and the good people of Oyo State when I say, we are delighted that you could be here today at the commissioning of the 65-kilometres Moniya-Ijaiye-Iseyin Road.
“This road remained in a deplorable state for several years. I remember that immediately after I became governor, I began to receive SOS messages regarding this road. I remember this particular request on social media from someone who said some parents have had to withdraw their children from school because of their inability to navigate this road to get to school.
“The state of this road also kept people away from going from Moniya to Iseyin. On a good day, they would spend three hours out here. You can then imagine what it would be like on a bad day when perhaps a truck has broken down at one of the terrible spots.
“Although a contract for the rehabilitation of this road was awarded by the previous administration, our initial inspection visits in 2019 revealed that the contractors had not even done 5 per cent of the work here before abandoning it. We therefore had to revoke and re-award the contract.
“I always say that whatever decisions we make at any point in this administration will be based on science, data and logic. So, we factored in that we wanted this road to be top grade and last at least 10 years before any rehabilitations.
“For this reason, we decided to increase the stubbing course from about 150mm to about 200mm, and we also changed the asphaltic wearing course from 40mm to 50mm. Looking at the initial design, we also realised that there was inadequate provision for drainage. So, we had to remedy that too.
“More importantly, the original contract was for what they called, “limited rehabilitation.” This is just a fancy way of saying they would patch the road. They would look at those areas that they felt were bad and do some rehabilitation works.
“For us, this was flawed logic. We knew this would only amount to kicking the ball forward. In a year or so, we would be back to doing major rehabilitations.
“So, with all the available data, we decided that the more logical thing to do would be to increase the contract sum by about 2.9 billion Naira and deliver the quality of road that our people deserved.
21 Rams, 13 Goats, Others Confiscated As Lagos Govt Dislodges Illegal Slaughter Slabs
The Lagos State Government has dislodged 10 more illegal slaughter slabs and animal markets at Ayobo, Ipaja; Oko Filling, Ikorodu; Odoguyan Road, Ikorodu and Mangoro, Old Abeokuta Expressway axis of the State.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, who made this known today, explained that the exercise was in continuation of the sanitisation and reform of the red meat value chain with a goal of producing wholesome meat for the consumption of the citizenry.
She disclosed that during the exercise, which was carried out by men of the Monitoring, Enforcement and Compliance Team of her Ministry, no fewer than 21 live rams, 13 live goats and 4.5 tonnes of meat carcass were confiscated.
Olusanya added that the confiscated meat carcass was subsequently donated to the Bab-Es-Salam Home, GRA, Ikeja; the Real Woman Foundation, Magodo and the Love Home Orphanage, CMD Road, Magodo Shangisha.
Noting that confiscated live animals would be auctioned at the Mobile Court of the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit with all offenders duly prosecuted, Ms. Olusanya stressed that there would be no option of fine in order to serve as a deterrent to others.
In her words, “The officials of the Monitoring, Enforcement and Compliance Team (MEC) of the State, during the week dislodged four illegal slaughter slabs and animal markets at Ayobo-Ipaja, Odogunyan and Maya in Ikorodu, and Mangoro, Old Abeokuta Expressway. During the exercise, 21 live rams, 13 live goats and well over 4.5 tonnes of meat carcass were confiscated; after being certified safe for consumption the meat was donated to orphanages and correctional homes”.
“It has been observed that the animals slaughtered at these illegal slaughter slabs are not inspected by veterinary officials, as a result, the wholesomeness cannot be vouched for, hence the need for officials of the MEC Team to continue the dislodgement exercise”, she added.
The Commissioner also enjoined those who breed animals within their residences to restrain and prevent their pets from roaming the streets as these animals not only constitute a nuisance to public health, but also destroy the aesthetics created by the State Government to beautify the city, adding that any stray animal confiscated by the MEC Team would be auctioned.
Olusanya, therefore, urged all animal health practitioners, cold room operators and meat shop operators in the State to ensure registration with the Veterinary Services Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and obtain appropriate license to operate, stressing that quackery would no longer be tolerated.
Crime Alert: Fresh FM, Others Suspended By NBC From Running Money-Making Adverts
The National Broadcasting Corporation, NBC has announced that all radio stations using their platforms to aide money-making adverts in Ibadan should suspend such forthwith following the recent arrest of the founder of Crime Alert for allegedly defrauding people of about N128 million.
ODUDUWA NEWS had earlier reported how founder of Crime Alert, Amos was arrested by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC Ibadan Chapter on the allegation that he had duped many residents of Ibadan having been misled by radio advert on how to make their money work for them. The advert was given wide coverage which made many people to fall for the scam.
In a letter from NBC to the chief executive officer of all radio stations in Ibadan got by ODUDUWA NEWS, it described the recent occurrence as worrisome and concerning.