Oduduwa News

The Lagos State Government has arraigned a reckless driver, Sunday Okodo (M/38yrs) of Alose Close, Bony Crescent Apapa, at Bolade Oshodi Magisterial Court on Friday, for injuring a Policeman attached to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), on Apakun Bridge in Oshodi.

The General Manager, LASTMA, Mr. Olajide Oduyoye, who spoke on the incident, said that the suspect hit the Policeman with his vehicle while trying to evade arrest, explaining that he was charged to court for driving against traffic (one way), resisting arrest, reckless and dangerous driving, driving without a valid drivers licence, assaulting a police officer and attempted murder.

Oduyoye added that the suspect was not allowed to take a plea on the attempted murder charge because the court has no jurisdiction on the matter, noting, however, that the accused pleaded guilty to all the other five-count charges necessitating the adjournment of the case to Friday, 26th March 2021 for the commencement of trial.

While stressing that the culprit has been remanded in prison with no option of bail and would also be charged separately for attempted murder at the High Court at a later date, Oduyoye enjoined motorists to always abide by the traffic law or else those caught would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

The Department of State Services has claimed that its operatives did not make an attempt to arrest Yoruba rights activist , Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, on Friday .
The denial is coming a few hours after reports that a joint team of policemen and the Department of State Services attempted to arrest Sunday Igboho along Lagos- Ibadan Expressway.
DSS made the denial in a statement by its Public Relations Officer , National Headquarters , Abuja, Dr Peter Afunanya , titled , ‘ DSS did not attempt to arrest Sunday Igboho’.

In a viral video , Igboho, who was not putting on any top, had dared security operatives to “do their worst ” before they drove off .
However, DSS in the terse statement did not give details of security operatives ’ encounter with Sunday Igboho on the Lagos- Ibadan Expressway.
“The Department of State Services wishes to refute the news that it attempted to arrest one Sunday Igboho , today , at Ibadan, Oyo State. The said news is misinforming and should be taken as fake and therefore be disregarded, ” the statement read.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday said cryptocurrencies should be regulated in Nigeria instead of “killing” it.

He made the remarks during a keynote at the CBN/Bankers Committee’s Initiative for Economic Growth.

The CBN had recently reaffirmed its oppositional stance towards cryptocurrencies, placing huge restrictions on its trade within Nigeria.

However, Osinbajo believes the CBN and other oversight agencies should consider regulating the financial technology rather than totally shut it down.

“It is clear to the government that we must find a way of moving the Nigerian digital economy into overdrive,” he said.

“First is that there is no question that blockchain technology generally and cryptocurrencies, in particular, will in the coming years challenge traditional banking, including reserve banking, in ways that we cannot yet imagine so we need to be prepared for that seismic shift.

“Clearly the future of money and finance, especially for traditional banking, must be as exciting as it is frightening. But as we have seen in many other sectors disruption makes room for efficiency and progress.

“Secondly, I fully appreciate the strong position of the CBN, SEC, and some of the anti-corruption agencies on the possible abuses of cryptocurrencies and their other well-articulated concerns, but I believe that their position should be the subject of further reflection.

“There is a role for regulation here. And it is in the place of both our monetary authorities and SEC to provide a robust regulatory regime that addresses these serious concerns without killing the goose that might lay the golden eggs.”

It has just been confirmed to Oduduwa News that men of Department for State Security, DSS and Police Force attempted to arrest Ibadan-born Socialite, Chief Sunday Igboho on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Details later.

Members of the National Assembly from Lagos State will continue to contribute their quota and complement the state government towards the development of the state, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said.

Gbajabiamila said “Lagos remains the centre of innovation, the preferred destination for investment and home to more Nigerians than anywhere else in the country,” hence the need for all Lagosians to continue to work assiduously to make the state better.

Speaking at the 16th Executive/Legislative Parley of Lagos State with the theme ‘A Consensus Agenda for Rebuilding Lagos,’ on Friday, the Speaker commended the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for the excellent leadership he has been demonstrating since he came on board.

He said Lagos has “faced a public health crisis, unlike anything that has ever come before. For weeks, Lagos was the arena for protests against police abuse of power. We experienced an explosion of violence that caused the destruction of public and private properties and the unfortunate loss of lives.

“But as the poet wrote, the storm passed through us and around us, it has gone, but we remain. Surviving challenges and marching on towards progress and prosperity is the story of Lagos state.

“Amid a global pandemic, despite the protests and upheavals, and all the other varied challenges, Lagos remains the centre of innovation, the preferred destination for investment and home to more Nigerians than anywhere else in the country.”

He said despite the upheavals, Governor, Sanwo-Olu “picked up the pieces and is gradually taking the state out of the ruins of those dark moments. The Governor, his cabinet members and other arms of the state government are not alone in this rebuilding process. You have the unwavering support of members of the National Assembly from this state.”

The Speaker added that Lagos state is a trust placed in the hands all of Lagosians who serve in government, saying they must show that they are worthy of the responsibility to honour and preserve that trust.

“This gathering is an opportunity for an honest appraisal of where we are and what we need to do to recover what is lost.

“I urge us all to make the most of it.
We need unity across the arms of government. This unity does not mean subservience and is not a justification for failure to hold each other to the highest standards.

“The way the Lagos state government has come together to seek solutions to problems, confront and overcome challenges jointly is a testimony to what can be achieved when we are together. Nation-building is a joint task, as is the pursuit of excellence.

“We must do everything within our collective power to defend this state from those who will seek to turn our differences against us and cause our strength of unity and tolerance to become our weakness.

“It is pleasing to inform you that as your elected representatives in the National Assembly, we have exercised our privileges in attracting more federal presence to our various constituencies and senatorial districts.

“From my own constituency in Surulere to Epe, Ikorodu, Ikeja and many other parts, you will see us complementing the efforts of the Lagos State Government. None of these projects could have been achieved without the support of Ministries and Parastatals of the state government.

“We need each other to succeed in fulfilling our electoral promises to our people. The recent events have placed higher responsibilities on every one of us seated here. I am confident every one of us will work together for a greater Lagos.”

There has been indication that the prices of foodstuffs have surged and will go higher if the strike embarked upon by food and cattle dealers under the umbrella of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria on Thursday is sustained for long.

According to the Union, the strike will halt the flow of food and cattle from the North to the South until the Federal Government addresses their concerns.

Below are some of their demands and reasons for embarking on strike:

1. President of the union, Muhammad Tahir, said dealers suffer intimidation, humiliation and destruction of their goods.
2. The union said that it lost 151 members during the #EndSARS protests last October and another 100 during the Shasha market crisis in Ibadan weeks back.
3. Members of the union said they were subjected to illegal roadblocks on the highways.
4. They are demanding N450 billion compensation from the government for the losses suffered by union members
5. An agreement between state governments and the union that members will not be attacked during violent episodes in states.

Suspected fulani gun men have kidnapped two fufu seller in Ayetoro- Olorunda road, Imala, Abeokuta North L.G.

Our correspondent gathered that the abductors had demanded the sum of N5million ransom each from the victims.

Dailypost reported that the abductors had waylaid the traders on Saturday, at about 4:45 am in Iwofin, an area around Olorunda, kidnapping about five people including the driver of the vehicle, one Kamorudeen Olateju, and the traders.

The driver was reportedly abducted alongside one Ms Saidat Adediran and three other passengers.

The incident was said to have been reported at the Imala police divisional headquarters by two relatives of the abductees, Abubakar Olateju of Emado quarters and Kehinde Adediran, residing at Obon Oselu, all in Ayetoro.

A source said that the gunmen accosted the driver, who is also known as Charger, and whisked him away with the passengers.

Explaining further, the source said the two fufu traders produced the goods in wholesale and supply retailers at the market every market day.
According to the source, the kidnappers took advantage of the failed portion on the road as they emerged from the bush and took the two traders away.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, on Sunday, confirmed the incident but said only two people were abducted.
Oyeyemi said the officers of the command had arrested one of the kidnappers.

When asked if the abductors were Fulani herdsmen, Oyeyemi said the suspect in the police custody “is a Fulani man.”

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Thursday unveiled series of traditional medicines made from local herbs for boosting human’s immune system against infectious diseases, including the rampaging Coronavirus disease.

The products launched were Verozil – an immune booster, Bitter Leaf Capsule – specially researched and produced to attack diabetes and high blood pressure, Vision Pro – an herbal product that tackles eye problems and Rio Capsule – which regulates men’s sexual disorder.

The product launch which held at the Ile-Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife, was done through a platform called Herbal Remedies International with the Ooni as its Chairman, in partnership with the ace traditionalist; Dr. Akintunde Ayeni, C.E.O./Chairman, YEMKEM International LTD.

Addressing newsmen, Ooni Ogunwusi who wondered why the African continent inports medicines and other medical ingredients from developed countries, explained that it is a proven fact which is equally established by the World Health Organization that Africa and indeed Nigeria have the best herbs which could be used for vaccine production.

“We are not doing this in isolation and I am happy to inform you that the National Assembly is currently working on a bill of the Federal Executive Council, on medical research that is alternative to orthodox medicine which is the herbal medicine.

“The Bill is to develop and regulate Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Nigeria. We will endeavor to align with global trends in Traditional Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, there is no doubt that the bill as drafted will greatly enhance the practice of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine and generally facilitate the integration of the practice into the health in Nigeria and capable of contributing to the GDP growth of the country.”

“I am very honoured to be in partnership with the best when it comes to alternative medicine practice in Nigeria, YEMKEM International who has been in the industry for the past 40 years. He owns the largest production plant in Nigeria.

“We have been on this for over one year during which we have worked with various stakeholders in the health sector including the NAFDAC, Federal and Osun State Ministries of Health, Standard Organization of Nigeria and many others who have been so supportive.

“To the glory of God, NAFDAC gave us all the approvals last September but I insisted that the products be packaged properly. To the glory of God, these products have been tested especially on thousands of Covid-19 patients including some in positions of authority who are currently free from the pandemic.”

“Now that we have gotten here, our focus is to employ one hundred thousand (100,000) youths within the next fifteen months. This will be achieved virtually.” The Ooni said.

In his goodwill message, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Job Creation, Mr. Afolabi Imoukhuede, commended the Ooni over the innovation, adding that many youths would be engaged productively through this initiative.

Mr. Afolabi said, “If you study the value chain associated with this innovation right from the cultivation of herbs, production, packaging and distribution, it is obvious that many jobs will be created and countless doors of opportunities will be opened for our youths.

“I am impressed about this and I wish to commend the Ooni who has continued to lead from the front among other frontiers. This shows that he is committed to the development of our dear country and all of us should emulate him.”

In the same vein, Chairman of YEMKEM Int’l LTD. Dr. Akintunde Ayeni, described the development as his greatest achievement since over forty years of practice, explaining that such landmark achievement is more spectacular because it is coming from Ile-Ife; source of mankind and natural headquarters of the Oduduwa Race worldwide.

“It was not easy and I wish to state that the Ooni who conceived the idea, gave us all supports including huge sum of money which made this a great success. In the whole of Nigeria, Kabiyesi (Ooni) is the only traditional ruler who has shown immeasurable commitment to the development of alternative medicine. He has been supportive morally, financially and spiritually and I appeal to other monarchs to emulate these good virtues.” Dr. Ayeni stated.

Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner, Osun State Ministry of Health, Mr. Gbenga Adepoju, pledged government’s support for the products, noting the country has what it takes to solve her problems.

Mr. Adepoju, who is the Director of Public Health in the Ministry, said, “Kabiyesi’s activities in the development of a vaccine against Covid-19 is a huge addition to our efforts as a government. As we keep fighting against this common enemy, I want to implore us to keep observing the Covid-19 protocols including wearing of nose masks, observing social distancing and maintaining personal hygiene.”

In their separate speeches, National Agency for Food, Drugs, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) who was represented by the Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Jimoh Abubakar and the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) represented by Engineer Gideon Amosun, jointly declared their organizations’ support for the innovation, commending the frontline African monarch over the medical breakthrough.

It will be recalled, that Ooni Ogunwusi who is the natural leader of the Yoruba race worldwide had last year proffered African herbal medicine as remedies against the Covid-19 pandemic. The African foremost monarch swiftly assembled a team of professionals including a professor of public health and a WHO consultant, Professor Olapeju Esimai who led the team that distributed motorized fumigators across the 36 states of the federation and Abuja FCT as the Ooni’s contribution in the fight against the pandemic.

The 24-year-old Student of University of Ibadan, known as Ayodeji Emmanuel, was kidnapped, on Monday evening, within his father’s poultry farm at about 5 p.m. was released this evening around 7:15pm.

His release was known through his Twitter handle, he said “I was released at 7:15pm today I am currently with my family.”

…Details later

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has vowed to ensure that all reactionary elements within the rank and file of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Southwest are fought and defeated.

Makinde who is the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Southwest, also warned the National Working Committee of the party against postponing the zonal Congress of the party billed to hold on 6th March, 2021.

Makinde gave the warning during a press briefing held on Thursday at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Makinde noted that the party in the zone will explore all avenues that are legitimate to get everyone to do what is right for the party.

Speaking further, Governor Makinde affirmed that the PDP in the zone is ready to have a Congress that will produce the Zonal Executives that are acceptable to the majority of the people of the Southwest.

He noted that as the only PDP Governor in the zone, he has keen interest in the growth and development of the party. Makinde, however played down the possibility of having a parallel Congress.