Oduduwa News

State chairmen of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West have warned the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde to stop insulting and threatening the party and its National Working Committee (NWC), saying; “the PDP existed before he returned from his political sojourn in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and if he chooses to leave now as he has always done, the party will still exist and strongly too.”

Governor makinde had threatened that there will be dire consequences should the South-West zonal congress of the party be postponed in obedience to an order of the court.

Responding, Chairman of the State Chairmen, Dr Sikirulai Ogundele, said it was shocking that a man who called himself a governor could insult and threaten the custodians of the party just because they choose to obey an order of the court.

Sikirulai, who spoke on behalf of the PDP chairmen in Ekiti, Lagos and Osun States, Otunba Bisi Kolawole, Engr Adedeji Doherty and Hon Sunday Bisi respectively, said they were not surprised “because Governor Makinde has never for once been stable in the party, being a serial decampee, who only returned to the party in 2018.”

The statement read; “We read with disgust, the statement credited to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, warning leaders and member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“We would have ignored his ranting as it did not come to us as a surprise because we are aware of his negotiations with the All Progressives Congress (APC) as made public by leaders of the party in Oyo State.

“We are not equally surprised because Governor Makinde has never for once been stable in the party, being a serial decampee.

“There is a general saying that if there is peace in a household, it is because the bastard among the family members has not grown to adulthood.

“We are however shocked that a man who calls himself a governor is insulting and threatening the custodians of the party just because they choose to obey an order of the court.

“We dare him to sustain his threat.

“When he said no one is bigger than the party, he actually directed at himself because his governorship of Oyo State does not qualify him as Governor General of PDP. In other words, Governor Seyi Makinde is not bigger than the PDP.

“The Working Committee of this party was duly elected just like the governor and as stakeholders, we all have our own roles to play.

“More so that he is only the governor of Oyo State by providence and not the Governor General of the South-West. Even in Oyo State, the governor is not the only stakeholder of the PDP there.

“To us, threatening that there will be consequences if the party obeys court order concerning the South-West Congress is the height of political rascality and it should be made clear to all lovers of PDP that nothing will be worse than what he has done before by jumping from one political bed to another. It is on record that in 2015, he was persuaded to accept senatorial ticket, yet, he left PDP for SDP.

“Who cares if he chooses to leave PDP this time too? Is he not even already a sinking ship in Oyo State, placing members of the SDP and ADC over and above those of the PDP?

“This is a man that has just exhibited crass indiscipline and disloyalty to the PDP by hand picking Chairmanship and Councillorship candidates, who are not registered members of the party, contrary to the PDP Constitution and Guidelines for the Primaries to strengthen the PDP internal democracy. He has virtually destroyed the PDP in his Oyo State and he is struggling in vain to compromise the NWC not to right the wrongs on these primaries.

“Without apologies, Governor Makinde can do his worse. He should stop threatening the party because he is not more a loyal and committed member of the party than people like us who stood by the party when he left.

“The PDP existed before he returned from his political sojourn in SDP and if he chooses to leave now as he has always done, the party will still exist and strongly too.

“Lastly, Governor Makinde’s vituperation has clearly exposed him as the greatest enemy of rule of law and democracy by his attempt to blackmail and castigate the NWC for upholding the basic element of the rule of law that court orders must be obeyed.

“The NWC should totally disregard his infantile and undemocratic statement.”

Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi has assured the three indigenes of the State that received the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Presidential Award of Excellence and Remarkable Achievement of government’s support.

Dr Fayemi made this known in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday when he received the award winners in his office in Ado-Ekiti. He remarked that they have been able to demonstrate leadership and compassion in their various Places of Primary Assignment (PPA) during their service year which was the major criteria for their consideration for the Presidential honour.

The award winners: Kolawole Toba, Ayodele Olubusayo and Seriki Adetututu who served in Adamawa, Bauchi and Oyo States respectively were commended by the Governor for doing Ekiti proud and for being good representatives of their families, State and the values that are associated with Ekiti.

He urged them to continue with the good work with the promise to ensure that he would impress upon the Federal Government to fulfil its promise of granting automatic employment to them. He added that the State would equally grant them monetary rewards and other incentives as a booster to them as well as serve as impetus for others to lift the name of the State wherever they found themselves.

The Governor however enjoined other leaders in the state to join him to mentor them by monitoring their development that would bring more laurels to the state.

According to the Governor, “NYSC started as a vision which has become a reality and the mission continues by integrating opportunity which the institution has created for all of us. I am glad that in your various primary assignment, you’ve been able to demonstrate leadership, you’ve been able to demonstrate compassion because in everything that you described, you helped people.

“I think it speaks to the value restoration agenda that we have always promoted here in Ekiti State because for us when I was returning to office in 2018, I said it was important to restore the values that Ekiti people are known for and wherever you find yourself when you tell people that you are from Ekiti, there are a number of things they automatically associate with Ekiti- integrity, knowledge seeking, determination to succeed, competence and compassion.

“But regardless of whether the Federal Government fulfil their promise, we consider you our own and we also would like to at least show profound appreciation to you for doing Ekiti proud, we would do that via some cash donation to you.”

Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Michael Awopetu noted that Ekiti youths were performing brilliantly well in all facets of life making Ekiti people proud, adding that eight Ekiti youths were among the Presidential awardees in 2019.

The Commissioner encouraged youths to continue to uphold the legacies excellent performance, diligence and compassion wherever they found themselves.

Also at the event were the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Biodun Oyebanji; Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr Olabimpe Aderiye, Special Adviser to the Governor on Governor’s Office Matters, Mr Foluso Daramola, Special Adviser/ DG Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr O’Seun Odewale.

Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi has applauded plans by the Nigeria Military to establish a Defence Space Communication Satellite centre in the state in its drive to ensure adequate security and protection of Nigerians.

Dr Fayemi gave the commendation while receiving the Chief of Defense Space Administration (DSA), Rear Admiral Williams Kayoda, in his office in Ado Ekiti on Thursday.

He said the benefits of the initiative to the State was enormous adding that the state could not afford to miss the opportunity.

The Governor disclosed that his administration had been working on the establishment of the Knowledge Zone where about 1500 Hectares of land was already procured, adding that the proximity of the satellite centre to the knowledge zone is an added advantage.

He also revealed that his administration was almost finalizing arrangement with the office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Chief of Air Staff to secure end-users certificate for Orbital Drones that was procured to strengthen security architecture of the state.

“What I can assure you is that for us, we are absolutely committed to ensuring that this works. Anyone who has seen the benefit to which institutions like NASA had been put to beyond military utilization will understand the reason why the State must embrace the initiative.

“The military had always been a pioneer in scientific development. The internet came from the military and other big time initiatives have always come from the military, so if we have an institution that is dedicated to utilizing information from space in order to aid our security and also research and development, there is no better place to have it than Ekiti.

“At the moment, we are almost finalizing, even for our own security here in Ekiti, we’ve recognized the use of technology and one of the things that we’ve been doing lately with the office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Chief of Air Staff is to get their support for end-users certificate for Orbital Drones we just procured which fits into your initiative and hopefully, our vision is that these drones would be produced locally on the basis of the work that you have already embarked on.

Earlier, the Chief of Defence Space Administration (DSA), Rear Admiral Williams Kayoda said his command was mandated to drive the military aspect of the state requirements to provide space products in support of armed forces of Nigeria operations and other security agencies as well as protect the Nigeria cyber space through the Cyber security Centre.

Rear Admiral Kayoda commended Dr Fayemi for his various efforts aimed at tackling incessant security challenges facing the nation said the peculiarity of Ekiti topography helped in the choice of the state for the project.

According to the Chief of Defence Space Administration, the benefits accruable to the state from the project included employment of over 300 civilians from Ekiti state as well as opportunity for the state to host the dedicated satellite military base which will control all armed forces satellite or orbital presence thereby allowing for more military presence in the state.

Omisakin Samson, 18-year old man who before his arrest specialized in hacking people’s accounts through stolen SIM cards has confessed in Akure, the Ondo state capital that he felt offended anytime he spends money stolen from his victims.

Police detectives said the teenage suspect specialised in stealing money from bank account using stolen SIMs cards. Omisakin was arrested by police detectives after stealing N44k from a victim’s bank account using a stolen SIM card.

In an interview when he was paraded by the Ondo state police command with 14 other criminals in Akure, the suspects said he received 18 SIM cards from some armed robbers but could only withdraw money from some of the cards.

He gave the names of the armed robbers as Isaac Monday and Ajilogba Wande. The suspect said he attended the Polytechnic, lbadan but couldn’t further his education because of lack of fund.

” l took to yahoo yahoo business to survive. My mother has stroke and my father is no longer taking care of me. I started with Yahoo and I did it regularly. I studied computer engineering where I learnt about hacking. I used applications to run victims sim card. I used the SIM to withdraw the cash through POS or used it to buy cards.

I collected 18 SIMs from them but many of them were not useful while some were useful. The one that brought me here was the one I collected N44,000 from. I took N4000 cash and used the rest to buy goods.

I withdraw the cash online. In this case I used somebody account and it was traced to us. When I see my victims now, I will beg them and tell them l will not do it again. I feel bad when spending their money,” he said.

Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has addressed the issues surrounding the strike action by some state-owned tertiary institutions, declaring that the state will resolve the matter within this month.

The governor, however, explained that the decision to engage Platinum Consultants, which is the crux of the matter between the state and some of the institutions, became imperative to ensure transparency and accountability in the system.

According to the governor, his administration’s desire to improve the quality of education in the state had led to its scaling up the subventions to tertiary institutions up to 100 per cent from the 50 per cent, which the last administration raised it in the last days of the government.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor, who spoke shortly after inaugurating the Governing Council of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, said that the government had to engage Platinum Consultants to look into the Internally Generated Revenue activities in the tertiary institutions.

The governor maintained that the government resorted to hiring consultants because financial activities in the institutions were opaque and that the institutions were not ready to embrace transparency in their transactions.

He said: “Let me also use this opportunity to talk about the lingering crisis at The Polytechnic Ibadan. Though most of the other tertiary institutions that embarked on the strike action have backed off, it is remaining only The Polytechnic Ibadan.

“The students were at the Secretariat the other day to make their grievances known and we listened to them. But I must make this very clear; we would not have got into this situation if those schools’ governing councils did their jobs transparently and honestly.

“What were the issues they were talking about? They were saying they don’t want Platinum Consultants and other things. But we had to resort to hiring consultants because of the opacity of their transactions.

“The day before the previous administration left, they moved the higher institutions’ subvention from 25 per cent to 50 per cent and from that 50 per cent, we moved it to 100 per cent. We said we would take it on because education is one of the major pillars of this administration.

“But I said to them that if we are moving on with 100 per cent subventions, you should also be open with your IGR. We watched the situation for several months and we did not hear anything about the IGR. As a result of that, we hired a consultant.”

Governor Makinde, who assured students and stakeholders in the state that the government would take the decision that will be in the best interest of all stakeholders and the progress of the state, charged the managements of tertiary institutions to accept that the old order of lack of transparency in the financial activities of institutions has gone for good.

“We know that they [the institutions] are unwilling to accept that the old order of things is gone, but it is gone really. Well, we will be making a decision about the next steps this month but I believe anyone protesting has the right to do so. But it must be done with the future of the students of those institutions in mind because time is money. If they keep wasting their time, courses that they are supposed to finish in two years, because they are spending a lot of time protesting and disrupting academic activities, they (the students) will bear the brunt.

“We are here to work together; to resolve this problem. So, we should be making a decision within this month. Let me reassure the students and all well-meaning stakeholders that whatever decision we take will be in the interest of progress and they also need to know that sometimes, we need to make sacrifices so that future generations may benefit,” the governor added.

As Christians around the world celebrate Easter, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the State of Osun has congratulated Christians in the State, across the country and in the Diaspora on the commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, urging them to emulate His virtues of love, sacrifice, perseverance and humility.

Oyetola in a message released by his spokesman, Ismail Omipidan, on Friday in Osogbo the State capital, described Easter as a special season that marks the salvation of mankind through the suffering of Jesus Christ and His crucifixion to redeem humanity.

The Governor, who urged Christian faithful in the State to continue to live in harmony with believers of other faiths, said that good neighbourliness was among the several lessons Christ taught and exemplified.

While wishing the good people of the State of Osun and indeed all Nigerians a happy Easter celebration, Oyetola charged residents and especially Christians to use the opportunity of the season to engage in more prayers and also in acts of love, especially by reaching out to the less privileged.

He reiterated his administration’s resolve to continue to work tirelessly towards the progress of the State and the wellbeing of the people, especially the less privileged.

He disclosed that on Thursday, he inaugurated the Osun Food Support Scheme to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on 30,000 vulnerable persons across the State.

The Governor added that the initiative was part of his promise to prioritise the welfare and general well-being of the people, noting that the scheme became necessary as available statistics showed that several jobs had been lost with many sources of livelihoods significantly threatened due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oyetola, therefore, charged citizens and residents on the need to abide by all Covid19 safety protocols and guidelines to prevent the spread of the second wave of the virus during the Easter celebration.

He also encouraged them to register and present themselves for vaccination, noting that it is safe.

He said “I congratulate our Christian brothers and sisters in the State of Osun, across the country and in the Diaspora, on the commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“As a people, this season offers us the opportunity to reflect on the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross and his resurrection, and to put into practice the lessons of love, sacrifice, perseverance and humility, which He taught and exemplified.

“We must continue to stand together in peace and unity as one people irrespective of religion or social differences. Let us seize the occasion to be our brother’s keeper by reaching out to the less privileged amongst us.

“As a government, we won’t relent on our oars towards the progress of the State and the wellbeing of our people, especially the less privileged. To further demonstrate that we understand and feel the plight of our people, yesterday, I flagged off the Osun Food Support Scheme, which is part of our response to mitigating the debilitating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our vulnerable citizens.

“Under this Scheme, which will run till the end of our administration, beginning from this month, we will reach out to 30,000 poor and vulnerable citizens, including widows, youths, the aged and people living with disabilities in different parts of the State on a monthly basis.

“This Support Scheme has been carefully calibrated in line with our Government’s policy of promoting Small and medium scale enterprises to boost the local economy. To this end, all food items to be distributed will be sourced locally to further encourage our local farmers and businesses”, Oyetola said.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arrested a total of 34 suspected internet fraudsters, also known as Yahoo Yahoo Boys.

They were apprehended in separate operations in Ibadan, Oyo state and Lagos.

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Twenty four of the suspects, most of whom claimed to be undergraduates, were rounded up today April 1, 2021 at their hideout in Apete area of Ibadan, Oyo State by operatives from the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Commission.

The suspects are, Isiaka Quadri Olawale, Ojubanire Akindimeji Abdulquadri, Shobowale Michael Morenikeji, Adeyemi Yusuf Ekundayo, Alabi Gift Jesse, Owolabi Yakubu Josebh, Olasupo Ogooluwa Ayomide, Emmanuel Segun Omogbolahan, Mufutau Sarafa Adewale, and Adekunle Habeeb Olamilekan.

Others are, Usman Abdullahi Olamilekan, Adurota Emmanuel Tosin, Adekunle Ibrahim Babatunde, Adeyiga Ayobami Emmanuel, Olubanji Remilekun Michael, Ibrahim Damola Iremide, Okunlaja Joshua Opeyemi, Aiyelokun Bolaji Emmanuel, Akintokun Olalekan Ibukunmi, Kehinde Victor Boluwatife, Oni Olanrewaju Gabriel, Shobowale Samuel Durodola, Owolabi Quadri Damilola and Monday Blessing Patrick.

The early morning raid followed actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in internet-related crimes.

The arrest led to the recovery of valuable items, including four exotic cars, mobile phones, laptops, SIM cards and several incriminating documents.

The remaining ten suspects were arrested by Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Office on March 30, 2021at Horizon II Estate, Meadow Hall Way, Lekki, Lagos following credible information on their alleged criminal activities.

The suspects who are allegedly involved in romance scam, unemployment benefits scam, identity theft, and purchase of malicious tools to compromise corporate email accounts and intercept email messages, include: Daniel Udegbe, Taiwo Akintimehin, Abiola Opeyemi, Great Shayo Akintimehin, Dikoyejo Damilola Emmanuel, ibiayinabobo Daso and Toheeb Alhassan.

Others are: Michael Ofoedu Obinna, Sanni Azeez and Ridwan Adeyinka Songonuga.

Items recovered from the suspects include mobile phones and laptop computers.

The suspects have volunteered statements to the Commission and would be charged to Court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Soyinka at the event warned to the newly inaugurated Amotekun corps against abuse of uniforms.

Soyinka threatened that “before Ogun (god of iron) strikes you, we would have dealt with you.”

He said society was watching the Amotekun corps’ performance, warning them not to become a thorn in the flesh of the people.

The literary icon said, “You have been created to assist them (people), to protect them, to be part of them, to live with them, to gather information, to say to the police, the military, we cannot handle this, but we have seen this, would like to take a look and assist.

“So Amotekun, we are watching you, if you abuse your uniform, before Ogun strikes you, we would have dealt with you.”

Soyinka also warned police and other security agencies to eschew “silly competition” with the Amotekun corps.

The Nobel laurel urged the security agencies to cooperate and collaborate among the security outfits towards taming security challenges.

Soyinka also lamented the invasion of his Abeokuta home in the past by burglars, who stole “sensitive materials.”

Soyinka appealed to the state Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, to help him find those behind the many burglary attacks on his home while he was away, as well as help recover his “sensitive materials that were stolen.”

Speaking on behalf of traditional rulers, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, said although Ogun was one of the safest states in the country, much needed to be done to maintain it.

The officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), on Thursday, apprehended the occupants of an unregistered wine coloured Toyota Camry Sedan vehicle at Ikate, Lekki-Ajah axis of the State, who were accused of robbing a lady of her valuables.

According to a statement issued by the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olajide Oduyoye, the LASTMA officers had stopped the car due to the suspicious manner the driver moved against traffic on a one-way road, seeking to find out what was amiss or if the occupants were in need of any assistance.

He explained further that it was while the driver was being interrogated by the officers that a lady raised an alarm about the activities of the occupants, claiming that she was robbed after she boarded the vehicle, which turned out a one-chance vehicle. She narrated how all her valuables, including phone, ATM debit card and some other items, were forcibly taken from her.

Oduyoye disclosed that the revelation led to the subsequent handover of the two occupants of the vehicle, along with the victim, to the officers at Maroko Police Station by the LASTMA officers for further investigation and necessary prosecution of the alleged culprits.

While commending the efforts of the LASTMA officers involved in the heroic act, the General Manager said the mandate of the Agency extends beyond traffic management on Lagos roads to rendering humanitarian services when the occasion arises.

He also recalled a recent incident at Fagba area of Iju-Ishaga axis of the State, where the assistance rendered by some LASTMA officers on duty in the area saved the lives of a pregnant lady and her child who were involved in a commercial motorcycle accident plying a one-way road.

Oduyoye enjoined Lagos residents to always be vigilant when boarding commercial vehicles, by insisting that the drivers obey the Lagos State Traffic Law as promulgated by the Lagos State House of Assembly and generally encourage and support traffic officers while at their duty posts so that they can do more.