Oduduwa News

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.

At early hours of Thursday, it was gathered that some groups of beggars numbering about 250 staged a peaceful protest against low patronage by members of the public owing to a recent rumour that some rich men usually ‘buy’ money from them for fetish purposes.

The report, according to the spokesperson for the destitute, Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, Serikin Hausawa of Hausawa Community, Oja’ba, Ibadan, had created deep hatred for his people.

“The reports that some wealthy people are buying money from beggars, including the physically-challenged people, for money rituals is not true. As a result of the claim that some ritualists do buy money from these beggars, there has been public resentment against these innocent people.

What we know is that traders, hawkers and commercial drivers do come to these beggars who are mainly blind and lame people, to change money (get smaller denominations). We need to clear our names so that people will not be punishing us for offences we don’t know anything about,” he said.

ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that Bodija rice traders embarked on protest this afternoon to express their displeasure on sudden invasion of their shops and stores by men of Customs who were alleged to have carted away imported rice costing several millions of Naira.

The protesters stormed State Secretariat, Agodi carrying placards with various inscriptions.

Details later.