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93-Year-Old Adebanjo Weeps, As Gbajabiamila, Sanwo-Olu, Ex-Governors, Others Pay Tributes To Late Afenifere Spokesman

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has charged politicians and members of the Civil Society Organisations, to uphold the legacy and struggle of the late Yinka Odumakin, former National Publicity Secretary of pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere.

Speaking at the lying-in-state, day of tributes and service of songs held on Thursday at Police College, Ikeja as parts of the funeral rites for the late human rights activist, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged ‘comrades of like minds’ not to abruptly end what Yinka Odumakin believed, stood and worked for during his life time.

The Governor also charged them to keep working hard for a Nigeria that will be land of justice, fairness and where equity would become the watchword and reflect true federalism.

He said: “Yinka was one-half of the most formidable couple that we have seen in our history and the other half is his beloved wife, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, who now sadly has to continue this struggle without her husband, fellow comrade and big friend that I know he is to her. My sister, you will continue to push on strongly in the trenches.

“We are passionate about what he believed in and what he stood for. He wanted the best for Nigeria. He wanted the best for his Yoruba nation but he was completely detribalised and he used his voice to advance the cause and the needs of the voiceless. Until the very end, he kept going.

“He kept speaking up, he kept working hard for a Nigeria that we all can be truly proud of. A

Nigeria that will be land of justice, a Nigeria that will be fair, a Nigeria where equity would become the watchword and a Nigeria that will truly reflect true modern federalism.

But the Almighty God who we cannot query did not allow Yinka to finish. As some people have said, he was a fighter who fell in his prime.

“At a time like this, we are all short of words but we will continue to hold on to the legacy and what he believed and lived for. All comrades of like minds should ensure that they don’t abruptly end what Yinka Odumakin stood for, what he believed in and what he had worked for. That is a charge for each and every one of us.”

Speaking at the event, Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who shed tears uncontrollably while paying tributes to his organisation’s spokesman said ĺOdumakin is an irreplaceable material.

Adebanjo, who broke the barrier of culture to attend the funeral rites, urged human rights activists to continue in the spirit Yinka Odumakin, by being courageous and fearless if they truly love the deceased.

“I am not God, I am a human being. There is nothing impossible for God to do but as a human being, I will say it will be difficult to replace Yinka. Where can we find a young man of his age, not materialistic pursuing a cause he believes in selflessly, courageously, relentlessly and consistently? Yinka, God knows you are a blessing to Nigeria,” he said.

Speaking in tears, Adebanjo said: “It is not easy to talk about Yinka. Yinka is an irreplaceable material. Why should I be here? You can’t question him, leaving a man of 93 to take a man of 55-years. God, you are omnipotent, please replace him quickly for us.”

Also speaking, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila said he left the Green chamber where he was presiding to pay last respect to the late Odumakin, who he described as “a man of courage, integrity, true democrat and a man who stood for truth and nothing else”

The Speaker therefore charged Nigerians to make positive impact during their lifetime by rendering service to humanity so that they can be remembered after their demise.

The widow of the late Afenifere spokesman, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, who described her husband as “encyclopedia of positive activism” said the tributes by Nigerians will continue to embolden her to do more by continuing what her husband fought and stood for.

“One thing that will never make me break down are that his ideals will live forever; his legacy will remain. All that he has lived for remain. Yinka, you are not dead; you are alive, you will continue to live in our unconsciousness. And to live in the unconsciousness of the people, is to live forever. Yinka Odumakin, my comrade lives on,” she said.

The lying-in-state, day of tributes and service of songs was attended by Mr. Tayo Ayinde, the Chief of Staff to Governor Sanwo-Olu; former governors –Mr. Peter Obi (Anambra), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo) and Senator Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), ex-Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele; Pastor Ituah Ighadalo of Trinity House Church, Afenifere chieftains, politicians and human rights activists among others.

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My Tenderness Not A Sign of Weakness, I Don’t Rule With Force – Gov. Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Governor’Seyi Makinde has said that his tenderness and kindness should not be interpreted as a sign of weakness, adding that he is not a leader who leads with force, neither is he a superman who knows all.

The Governor made this statement while addressing Muslim faithful at the 7th Omi Tuntun Ramadan Public Lecture held on Wednesday at the Government House Arcade, Agodi, Ibadan.

Gov. Makinde in his address noted that the fact that he is the Governor of Oyo State today is by God’s power and the power of the people of Oyo State, both Muslims and Christians alike. He added that because of this, he is compelled to do what is right for the people irrespective of religious or political leanings.

In his words, “Being the governor of Oyo state today, is by God’s power and the power of the people of Oyo State both Muslims and Christians alike.

“If people say that my family is of a Muslim background, they are correct. The man who bears the name Makinde that is my surname is a Muslim.

“So, it is a given that I must do what is right irrespective of religious leanings or political leaning.

“You would notice that the topic of discussion today is Unity in diversity.

“How do we get united in our state and the nation at large, even though we might have different leanings or inclinations through religion or politics?

“Some people came to me to say that this person needs to be punished by the government, my final word on that is that tenderness and kindness are not a sign of weakness. In fact, some people have approached me to say that Oyo state needs someone who can rule with iron hands.

“I apologise, but I don’t lead with force because I believe that if we apply calmness and gentle reasoning to every challenge we encounter, it is actually a manifestation of strength and resolution and that is the only way that what belongs to each and every one of us will get to us.

“Anyone who is angry or feels offended that Seyi Makinde is not a superman should know that I’m only human. I also sleep like everyone else, even though it might be late and for few hours.”

The Governor also responded to criticism from various quarters alleging that the Seyi Makinde-led administration was not doing anything new but just completing projects started by the past administration.

Gov Makinde said, “I don’t want anyone to greet me, to start with, that, we did this or that, because it is not Seyi Makinde’s money that is being used in facilitating those projects.

“We are spending the money that belongs to the people of Oyo State.

“If we are in power and you are comparing us with our predecessors to try to determine what we are doing and you keep mentioning that this project or that project was started by past administrations.

“I and a former Governor who happens to be a father to me visited the site of one of the projects he started while in power, the Ijaye Asphalt Plant. The project was abandoned by his successors but the project was initiated by the funds from the state coffers. So, if we already spent Oyo state money, we must try to get value for the people of Oyo State and that is exactly how we will continue to run this administration.

“And the person who said this administration will spend 8 years, only God can say how many years anyone would spend on earth not to talk of in governance.

“So, let’s keep praying and seeking the mercy of God towards all our endeavours. We want the will of God to be fulfilled.”

The Governor also expressed appreciation for the support shown to his administration, noting that this, along with the amicable relationship among the people of the state are the major reasons why Oyo state is peaceful.

He said, “Of course, our county is faced with all kinds of challenges particularly in the area of security and ethnic/religious crisis. We experience issues with farmers and herders almost on a daily basis and people are clamoring that the Northerners should leave the South-West, which is not the solution to the challenge we are facing.

“But, I appreciate the people of Oyo State because you do not allow everything happening to affect our relationship with our fellows and that is one of the major reasons why Oyo state keeps being peaceful till today.

“So, I implore you to keep praying because our prayers are being answered.

“I am also using this opportunity to appreciate everyone for their support for this administration. It is the people’s government and we appreciate and value your support which has been a great source of strength to us.”

He finally implored participants at the lecture to show mercy to everyone around in this month of Ramadan while promising that in subsequent lectures there would be more emphasis placed on spiritual growth and less on politics.

He said, “This Ramadan lecture is meant to be a session of spiritual nourishing for our people so I will discuss further will the guest lecturer because if I come for a lecture like this, I want to go home as a better person who has gained something tangible. I don’t want to take requests or political issues home. I want to take home with me something that will stay with me till I meet my Maker. So, I assure you that in subsequent lectures, we will ensure that spiritual things are being taught and spoken on.

Finally, in this month of Ramadan, it is a month of mercy, let us show mercy to those that are near us. May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be with us all.”

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Oyo Police Parades 4 Suspects Linked To Kidnapping In Ibarapa

Oyo State Police Command on Thursday paraded four suspected kidnappers terrorising Ibarapa, Igboora and Eruwa areas of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 33 other suspects were also paraded for offences ranging from alleged sodomy to car snatching and pick pockecting.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ngozi Onadeko, paraded the suspects on Thursday at the Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.

Onadeko said three of the kidnap suspects abducted their victim on April 7 around Ayete in Ibarapa area of the state and collected ransom before releasing him.

She said the victim, Yami Kereku, was able to identify one of the kidnappers, while working in the community and alerted the police.

The police boss said the arrested suspect led to the arrest of other kidnapping suspects.

She said the victim was macheted and shot, but failed to penetrate into the victim’s body.

Onadeko further said the other kidnapping suspect was arrested in Eruwa area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police said the other 30 suspects, who were arrested for alleged pick pockecting, were apprehended in a hotel where they lodged.

She said the suspects came from Lagos State, thinking Oyo State would be easier for them to operate.

Onadeko said Oyo State was not a hiding place for criminals and that the men and officers of the command are ever ready to ensure that the state was free of crime and criminality.

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Constitution Review: Nigeria’s Speaker, Gbajabiamila advocates level playing ground for women, men

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has advocated the inclusion of provisions in the country’s constitution to guarantee a “more equal” society where both men and women could contribute to development.

He noted that doing so was the only way Nigeria could achieve the success it desired, adding that women in particular should be free to “pursue their highest aspirations and achieve their maximum potential.”

Gbajabiamila spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the opening of a two-day retreat on ‘Achieving Gender Equity in the Constitution Review Process.’

The event, an initiative of the Office of the Speaker and the House Committee on Women Affairs, was organised in collaboration with the National Democratic Institute.

The speaker stated that there was no better time to push for the protection of the rights of women than now that the National Assembly was reviewing the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act.

Gbajabiamila explained that such practical steps must include giving girls and women more access to education, healthcare, commerce and participation in politics.

“To achieve such a society, we have to make sure that girls across the country have access to education and healthcare.

“We have to create opportunities for women to thrive in politics and commerce, and we must make sure that the laws of our land do not take away the rights of Nigerian women to participate fully in every sector of our national life”, he told the session.

The speaker asked participants to use the opportunity of the retreat to dissect the Electoral Act and the constitution to identify for excision, “any discriminatory provisions that might exist”, so that actions would be taken to “include provisions that guarantee a more equal society for all.”

He commended the timing of the retreat, coming at a period of increased awareness in the country that gender equity was no longer a women’s issue, but something that would guarantee peace and justice for all Nigerians.

Gbajabiamila assured women that the 9th House under his leadership would act on the recommendations of the retreat, as he told the organisers that he eagerly awaited the report.

The Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, Rep. Onanuga Adewunmi Oriyomi, in her welcome address, said both the constitution and the Electoral Act needed “reengineering to reflect equity.”

She added, “This, among other things, is the crux of this retreat.

“It is my hope that this event inspires ideas and discussions around ways to improve gender integration mechanisms and systems that can be adopted into the amendment of both the Nigerian constitution and the Electoral Act.”

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, observed that Nigeria, the ‘Giant of Africa’, appeared left behind in recognising and granting equal opportunities to women to participate in governance.

She cited the case of the 3.8% representation of women in all the legislative houses in Nigeria, which she said was not good enough.

The minister said the demand of women in Nigeria remained 35% representation in elective and appointive positions.

The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, and the Country Representative, UN Women, Comfort Lamtey, delivered goodwill messages at the occasion, supporting the call for gender equity in Nigeria.

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Final Year Student of LAUTECH Dies After Falling Into Soak-Away

In what could be termed as mysterious death, a final year student of Ladoke Akintola University LAUTECH has been reportedly died after falling into a soak-away.

ODUDUWA WAS gathered that life of the slain student, identified as Nifemi Asefon would have been saved if not for the failure of the staff of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital to give him quick medical attention he needed before he finally gave up the ghost.

It was learnt that the incident occurred at his hostel along 1500lth in school area when he wanted to switch electricity and got paralyzed.

An eyewitness who spoke with media immediately after the incident explained that Nifemi was rushed to LAUTECH teaching hospital and wasn’t attended to.

He said: Staffs at the hospital said they have to get a call from the Dean of Students Affairs before attending to him and they had to take him to Bowen, unfortunately before getting there he is already dead.

Nifemi’s death has made some aggrieved students to threaten total shutdown at the Teaching hospital. They are protesting that their colleague could have been saved if the health institution had taken the case as an emergency and gave him the necessary treatment before asking of details like the DSA.

The health institution on the other hand are claiming that their request of the DSA was to relate the news of the passing away to an elderly person, that the student was brought in dead.

Meanwhile, efforts to speak with the Dean of Students affairs proved abortive as calls and texts sent to him were unreturned at the time of filling this reports.

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Alado Visits Aare Ona Kakanfo, Seeks Partnership on Ado-Awaye Tourism Development

In what could be described as visible determination to develop Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage, His Royal Majesty, Oba Revd. Ademola Olugbile Folakanmi, Makuledoye II, Soludero 1, the ALADO of Ado-Awaye and the Chairman, Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage Development Initiative (ATHID) has visited Iba Gani Abiodun Adams, the Aare-Ona Kakanfo and the Generalismo of Yoruba land in his Lagos residential home on Wednesday 21 April, 2021.

While giving the reasons behind his scheduled visit, Oba Folakanmi appreciated Iba Gani Adams for his key roles in preserving and developing Yoruba culture and tourism heritage and most importantly, for welcoming him and his entourage to his home. Kabiyesi said, “we are visiting you today to appoint you formally as the life Patron of Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage Development Initiative (ATHID) and more importantly to seek for your public endorsement of our various activities on our tourism heritage site at Ado-Awaye. This to us would serve as a marketing strategy to promoting the image of our cherished heritage to the attraction of the whole world for international recognition so as to compete with other tourism destinations in the country”

Speaking further, Chairman of Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage Development Initiative, Oba Folakanmi mentioned some of the various tourism destinations on Ado-Awaye hill to Aare Ona-Kakanfo which include the popular Iyake Natural suspended lake; newly discovered Ladeebo ancient cave; elephant tree; sacred and adventurous forest; Ishage hill; feet of elders; verge of death; Iya-Alaro lake for swimming and aquatic purpose among others.

In addition to this, ALADO of Ado-Awaye requested from Iba Gani Adams to use his personality by calling on the general public such as business tycoons, students populace, public servants and others to be patronising Ado-Awaye tourism destination. Laying emphasis on the forthcoming “Children Day” celebration planned programme slated to hold between 27th and 28th May, 2021; world tourism day-September 2021 and the major Iyake Festival coming up between 1st and 5th December, 2021.

In his conclusion, he used the opportunity to appeal to Aare Ona-Kankanfo to assist him to influence would-be investors to come and invest on the site. He finally submitted a business plan proposal on the development of Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage assuring him of profit making partnership deal amidst guaranteed security.

Responding, the Aare-Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba Land, Iba Gani Abiodun Adams welcomed Oba Folakanmi and his entourage warmly to his castle. Speaking further, Iba said, “I am highly delighted to be honoured and appointed as the life Patron of Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage Development Initiative (ATHID) and to give necessary endorsement in the same manner of appointment to some of the line-up activities towards promoting Ado-Awaye tourism heritage.”

The Yoruba Warlord, Iba Gani Adams said, “I wish to congratulate Ado-Awaye people for having a visionary Oba who is working tiredlessly to develop the town.” He stated clearly that, “Community development is not a sole responsibility of a leader but joint efforts in the right directions.” On this note, he charged all the stakeholders in tourism industry, the government, especially the host council, philanthropist, the business tycoons and the community people to support Kabiyesi in his strong efforts to develop Ado-Awaye tourism heritage via various activities as unveiled in his speech.

He concluded by pledging his unalloyed support in all ramifications as he promised to make himself available in person at the forthcoming “Children Day” celebration slated for 27th and 28th of May, 2021 as part of the line up of activities designed toward promoting Ado-Awaye Tourism Heritage.

On the Alado of Ado-Awaye’s entourage were, Mr Nasiru Oladokun, Chairman, Ado-Awaye Community Development Council, Mr.Gbenga Fatokun, Mr. Azeez Afonja, Mr. Yekeen Asimiyu, Prince Niyi Okunade, Principal Secretary to ALADO of Ado-Awaye among others.

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Ace Nollywood Actor, Baba Ijesa arrested for defiling 14-year old girl

The police in Lagos State have confirmed that popular Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesa, is under investigations for the defilement of a minor.

ODUDUWA NEWS learnt that the actor, who has been in Police detention was accused of defiling a 14-year-old girl and that he started the act since the victim was only seven years old.

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the arrest to Tribune Online in a statement, signed by him, on Thursday.

Adejobi said: “The Lagos State Police Command has arrested one Olarenwaju James ‘m’ 48, aka Baba Ijesha, popular Nollywood actor for defiling a minor.”

The police image maker also said: “The case of defilement was reported on April 19, 2021, by one Princess Adekola Adekanya ‘f’ at Sabo Police Station and transferred to the Gender Unit of the State CID, Panti, Yaba Lagos for proper investigation.”

“Based on preliminary findings, the suspect started sexually assaulting the victim, 14 years, since she was 7 years old.”

He also added that “the suspect confessed to the crime and was also captured by a CCTV camera in the house of the complainant.”

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered for proper investigation as he promised to do justice in the matter.

Nollywood actor, Baba Ijesa, arrested for allegedly defiling 14-year-old girl for seven years.

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JUST IN: Kidnappers on rampage, abduct travellers in Ibarapa

ODUDUWA NEWS has just gathered that some yet to be identified number of travellers have just been kidnapped along Igboora-Eruwa road.

It was learnt that the travellers who were traveling from Abeokuta to Eruwa early hour on Thursday had their vehicle hijacked by the kidnappers along Igboora-Eruwa road, Ibarapa area of Oyo State.

Olayomi Koiki, a Media Aide to Chief Sunday Igboho also confirmed this news to us today via his official social media platform. In the short statement released by Koiki, he said though the hijacked vehicle has been recovered and towed to Eruwa Police Station but the victims are still with the kidnappers.

It was gathered also that one of the victim’s cousin confirmed that the kidnappers had reached out to his family demanding a ransom of N10m before his cousin could be released.

As at the time of filing this report, Oyo State Police Command has not made official statement on the incident.

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