Oduduwa News

ODUDUWA NEWS has just gathered that there was a robbery incident at Agbowo area of Ibadan early hours of Saturday which claimed one life and left many injured.

It was learnt that the armed robbers armed to teeth invaded the area at exactly 2am, midnight of Saturday 20th March, 2021 and carted away many valuable properties.

One man was reportedly killed and several others injured while the robbers were carrying out their operation in the said area.

As at the time of filing this report, Oyo Police Command has not made known to the public its official statement regarding the incident.

The crisis rocking PDP in Ogun State might have been finally laid to rest owing to the recent steps taken by the Reconciliation Cmmittee constituted to find a lasting solution to the lingering crisis in the State.

The Chairman of the Committee, erstwhile Senate President of Nigeria, Senator Bukola Saraki while addressing newsmen said its committee has brought the aggrieved parties together and that they have all agreed to sheathe their swords and allow peace to reign in the party.

Shortly after the address, the official PDP tweeted the resolution of the committee which reads in part:

” Today, the PDP Reconciliation & Strategy Committee successfully resolved the decade-long crisis in the Ogun State Chapter of the PDP.

“This crisis that has lingered on for the past ten years between the groups led by late Buruji Kashamu and Hon. Ladi Adebutu — has had each of them instituting different court cases, obtaining injunctions and dissolving executive committees.

“These actions have combined to weaken the party in the state and made many people to believe that the differences would never be resolved. As a matter of fact, the crisis is responsible for the loss of the PDP in the state during the past three general elections.

“Today, both parties have resolved to work together and withdraw all pending court cases. They agree that PDP remains the best umbrella under which the unity and development of Nigeria can be achieved, sustained and guaranteed. They have all signed an agreement to that effect.

“We appreciate the magnanimity, maturity, patriotism and the give-and-take spirit displayed by both parties — as well as other leaders in the resolution of this issue. Now, PDP is set to re-establish itself as the party that will take control of Ogun State from 2023.

“We are inspired that if, with the support of Almighty God, we have achieved success in Ogun PDP — which was one of the most difficult and complex — then, as we move from state to state, we will continue to make tangible progress”.

Owing to the state of insecurity in Yorubaland, occasioned by the menace of banditry, kidnapping and other vices, the popular Yoruba warlord, Chief Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as “Sunday Igboho” on Thursday, 18 March 2021 paid a courtesy visit to the Paramount Traditional ruler of Ado-Awaye, Oba Revd. Ademola Olugbile Folakanmi, Makuledoye 11, Soludero 1 in his palace.

Chief Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho) on his arrival had a closed door meeting with Kabiyesi Alado and the Chiefs over the state of insecurity in Oodua land which has been fueled by the Fulani herdsmen and indiscriminate kidnapping of the innocent people by men of the underworld who have taken Yoruba land as their safe haven to perpetrate their evils, and to find possible ways of curbing the menace, thereby ensuring safety of lives and properties of our kinmen in Yoruba region.

Though, details of the meeting was not disclosed publicly, but a sign of mutual agreement between the two parties was evidently perceived.

Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi speaks during an interview on Channels TV’s Hard Copy in Abuja on March 19.

Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has said that more information is needed to justify the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery.

The Federal Executive Council had on March 17 approved $1.5 billion for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery which is said to commence immediately.

Timpre Sylva, the Minister of State for Petroleum had told journalists in Abuja that the first phase will be completed in 18 months which takes the refinery to a production of 90 per cent of its capacity, the second phase will be completed in 24months, while the final phase will be completed in 44months.

But Fayemi who spoke on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Hard Copy, faulted the planned project, noting that a private refinery built by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote is underway.

“I wouldn’t have taken that decision given the fact that we know that a big refinery, private-sector driven is coming on stream but I don’t have the information that led to that decision at first,” he stated.

“When you are outside a decision-making frame, there is some information that may not be available to you if you look at it at the pure face value. It may not be justifiable but we don’t have all the information responsible for that decision.”

The contractor approved by the Federal Government to repair tha ailing refinery is an Italian E and EPC company who won the bid to handle the rehabilitation project.

Channels Television gathered that the maintenance which is a recurring challenge for the nation’s refineries was elaborately discussed in the Federal Executive Council two days ago as the Federal Government intends employing a professional to manage the refinery after the rehabilitation.

The family of slain Akeem Olalekan Ibitoye who was allegedly murdered on April 25th, 2017 by some police officers have berated the Osun Police Command and the management of the State Specialist Hospital, Osogbo, for their refusal to release Akeem’s corpse.

The family registered their grievances on Friday while fielding questions from journalists at the resumed hearing of the case by the State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality, Human Rights Violations and Related Extra Judicial Killings sitting in Osogbo, the State capital.

The Panel had at its sitting last week Friday ordered the immediate release of the corpse of the slain man by the concerned authorities.

At the resumption of the case on Friday, the counsel to the petitioners, Barrister Kehinde Adesiyan, informed the Panel that the corpse had not been released.

He explained the stress undergone by the family of the deceased to secure the corpse, saying all efforts to take custody of the body had been frustrated by the hospital management.

According to him, the hospital authorities refused to release the corpse on the pretense that there was no written statement to that effect from the Police who deposited the corpse.

Reacting to the matter, Mr. Teslim Ibitoye, an elder brother to the deceased, said the action of the Police not to ensure the immediate release of the corpse as directed by the panel was a gross defiance to constituted authorities.

The petitioner who claimed to have suffered serious injuries from the incident, stated that he still lives with the gun pellets stucked in his body since 2017.

He lamented the rigour and suffering that the family had gone through at the hands of the Police since the incident occurred.

Ibitoye who narrated how he and his late younger brother were gruesomely brutalised on the fateful day by the police who shot at them where they were, said, “If not by God, I would have been dead just as my brother died immediately gunshots were fired at us.”

He appealed to the panel to grant all their prayers as presented in the petition, saying the release of the corpse of his brother remained first priority.

Ibitoye stated further that the family had approached the Panel to seek payment of N50million as compensation and prevail on the Police and other concerned authorities to take care of his medical treatment abroad which requires him to undergo surgical operation to remove the gun pellets out of his body.

Ruling on the case, the Chairman of the Panel, Justice Akin Oladimeji (rtd.), directed the Police authorities to follow the petitioners and their counsel to the hospital to secure the release of the corpse to the family.

He thereafter adjourned the case to Friday, March 26th, 2021 for adoption of the final written addresses of both counsels.

Buttressing the position of the Panel on the case during an interview session with journalists, Justice Oladimeji said it was unfortunate that the concerned authorities undermined the powers of the Panel.

“It is rather unfortunate that the Panel of Inquiry will give an order for the release of a corpse by a hospital authority and they refused it. They must have done that out of error, out of lack of understanding of the powers of the Panel.

“We have however directed the Police to follow the petitioners and their counsel to go to the hospital and get the corpse released to the family. It is unfortunate that the corpse has been there since 2017,” Oladimeji added.

Meanwhile, the Panel also heard the petition filed by one Mr. Adeola Paul Sunday, which was adjourned last week for further hearing today.

Mr Sunday had through his petition claimed to have been defrauded of N36million by a syndicate members who he engaged to supply him electrical installations worth N36million.

The Counsel to the petitioner, Barrister Kayode Adebisi, alleged the Police of connivance to defraud his client.

He said the Police connived with the syndicate fraudsters to compromise the investigation which would have helped the petitioner to retrieve his money.

A witness to the respondent, Inspector Alayande Muritala, while being cross- examined to give credence to the case, refuted all the allegations leveled against him and his colleagues.

The case was adjourned to next week for further hearing.

The Panel also adopted the final written addresses in the cases filed by Alhaji Ayo Dauda Adigun &1OR versus Osun Commissioner of Police; Azeez Oderinde versus Osun Commissioner of Police; and Olaide Olaosebikan 1OR versus Osun Commissioner of Police.

ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that the the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC ) has announced its readiness to engage members of the public with proven integrity to serve in various capacities as adhoc staff of the commission towards successful conduct of Local Government Council Elections scheduled for 15th May, 2021.

The Commission Chairman, Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, SAN, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Ibadan and made available to journalists.

According to the statement, “the commission is set to recruit interested and qualified individuals for the position of Returning Officers, Electoral Officers and Assistant Electoral Officers. Other positions are Presiding Officers , Poll Clerks and Poll Orderlies”.

The statement also indicated that applications should be submitted by interested individuals at OYSIEC office , Ibadan , the state capital or sent by email
to :oysiec01.gov@gmail.com not later than 26th March, 2021.

Aare Olagunju noted that the commission would intensify efforts on voters education to enhance massive participation.

Commercial operations at the Lekki Deep Seaport in Lagos Free Zone (LFZ) will begin in the first quarter of 2023, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, got the assurance from Tolaram Group – the frontline investor handling the project.

The Governor and members of the State’s cabinet are currently on a two-day working tour of the three free trade zones established in Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos.

The port, which is being constructed by China Habour Engineering firm, is occupying 90 hectares in the entire 830 hectares of land carved out for the Lagos Free Zone, created in 2012 to enhance economic position of Lagos as manufacturing and logistics hub in West Africa.

The first phase of the seaport project, which is being financed by $629 million facility from China Development Bank (CDB), is at 48 per cent completion.

After going through the project master plan, Sanwo-Olu said his administration remained committed to delivering project, stressing that the deep seaport and other investments happening in the corridor had the potential to increase the State’s GDP in multiple folds.

He said: “Given the report I got and what I have seen here, I can say that Lagos Free Zone has made tremendous improvement. We have seen the level of partnership Tolaram Group is bringing in terms of international investment and local brands on this corridor.

“I commend all stakeholders that are with us on this journey we have found ourselves. With the level of work we have seen, I’m truly excited. It is more gratifying that, we are taking up this assignment with all energies required and we all can see what we can achieve when we work together.

“Since we signed a loan agreement less than 18 months ago, we have demonstrated strong capability in bringing the project to reality. This is the first quarter of 2021 and we have seen the project in about 48 per cent completion. The investors have given us the commitment on first quarter of 2023 completion date. We will fulfill all our parts to make sure this date becomes reality.”

Sanwo-Olu, who noted that he had been part of the conversation for the development of the free zones as a Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in 2006, said his administration had recorded significant progress in bringing the projects to reality.

The Governor said the priority accorded to the construction of complementary infrastructure projects along the corridor was a demonstration of his Government’s fulfillment of its pledge to Lagos residents. He promised the State would work with the timeline to ensure all projects mapped out in the zones are deliver.

Sanwo-Olu said the size of the deep seaport will allow 18,000 TEU capacity vessels, which are four times bigger than the ones berthing at Apapa seaports, thereby scaling down the cost of container transportation from any part of the world.

He said: “The interesting part is that, our youths and young women will be the beneficiaries of this project. The project managers have engaged large number of our citizens in the construction parts of the work; all personnel are not expatriates. All the technical work and technology deployed have local component to it.

“For us a Government, this is the strongest point we have made with the project. I am fully convinced that the delivery of this project will transform commercial architecture of West Africa and bring about quick turnaround time in maritime sector.”

When it is completed, the deep seaport is expected to generate more than 170,000 direct and indirect job opportunities for Lagos residents, and serve as alternative in an effort to decongest the Federal Government-owned seaports in Apapa.

Chief Executive Officer of Lagos Free Zone, Mr. Dinesh Rathi, said Tolaram Group, a Singaporean coy, initiated a $2 billion investment in the Lagos Free Zone, out of which the investor committed $950 million to developing manufacturing hub in the zone.

When the deep seaport is completed, Rathi said the maritime project was expected to generate more than 170,000 direct and indirect job opportunities for Lagos residents, and would serve as alternative in an effort to decongest the Federal Government-owned seaports in Apapa.

Chairman of Lagos Free Zone Development Company, Mr. Biodun Dabiri, hailed the State Government for its commitment towards changing face of commerce in Africa, stressing that all statutory permits, licences and endorsement for the Lekki port project were already secured.

“There is strong guarantee that the port will be delivered before time, going by the inflow of capital investment and technical services,” Dabiri said.

The Governor and his entourage also visited Africa’s second largest manufacturing plant of Kellogg Tolaram, manufacturer of cornflakes, which is built in Lagos Free Zone. The Governor toured the processing unit of the firm and inspected the production chain.

Also joining the Government’s team in the tour are the Chief Executive Officer of Lekki Freeport LFZ, Mr Du Ruogang, and Head of Marketing for LFZ, Ms. Chinju Udora, among others.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Chief Sunday Dare has reacted to the alarm raised by a former Leader of the House of Representatives, Honourable Mulikat Adeola Akande over threats to her life and warned that nothing untoward must happen to her.

Sunday Dare, the new Agbaakin of Ogbomoso land said he felt real disturbed by the distress because Honourable Akande is well known to be a quiet and peace loving politician with no history of frivolities or grandstanding that would be seeking undue attention or cry wolf in the absence of none.

The Minister, in a personally signed statement, therefore tasked the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde as the Chief Security Officer of the state and Leader of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the party Honorable Akande belongs to, to take the matter with all seriousness and ensure all round protection forthe former House of Representatives leader, forthwith.

Chief Sunday Akin Dare also called on all the federal security agencies to rise to the occasion and see that her life is not in danger in anyway.

“This is beyond politics. It is about the security of life and right to life. She is an illustrious daughter of Oyo State and somebody that had served Nigeria at the peak of governance. An alarm of threat to life by such person or any other Nigerian for that matterdeserves to be taken with the utmost earnestness.

“I charge my brother, the Governor of our state, Engineer Seyi Makinde who is also the leader of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mulikat Akande’s party to earnestly ensure that all round protection is provided for her forthwith and guarantee that nothing untoward happens to her.

“I also call on federal and state security agencies to ensure that her life is not in danger in anyway”.

The Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) has given Sunday Igboho a 72-hour ultimatum, to move Yoruba people from the North.

AYA have threatened to take necessary actions, by taking the responsibility of sending them back home.

“We are hereby giving him the ultimatum of 72 hours to move his people out or we will be forced to take necessary actions by personally taking the responsibility of getting his people back home,” the group explained.

Mohammed Salihu Danlami, Speaker, Arewa Youth Assembly, in a statement, noted that the entity of Nigeria is non-negotiable and called on all stakeholders in the country to reject anything that would cause confusion in the land.

He lamented, “One Mr. Sunday Igboho issued a press statement in which he was quoted as saying enough is enough that the time for Yoruba nation is now, they will no longer accommodate and accept the presence of Northerners.”

The group noted, “This is despite the fact that the constitution of the country has made it crystal clear that any Nigerian can live in any part of the country irrespective of his or her religious and tribal placements.”