Oduduwa News

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has insisted that there is no increment in the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit also known as petrol this month despite a template released by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency that the new price of petrol has reached N212.6 per litre.

The ex-depot price is the price at which the product is sold by the NNPC to marketers at the depots.

The NNPC ruled out any increment in the ex-depot price on Friday in a terse tweet via its verified Twitter handle, @NNPCgroup.

“#NNPC Insists No Increase in Ex-Depot Price of PMS in March,” it tweeted hours after the PPPRA released the template.

According to the template which the PPPRA released midnight, petrol is expected to sell at a lower retail price of N209.61 and at an upper retail price of N212.61. Nigerian marketers usually use the upper band for pump price.

The expected ex-depot price, as seen in the template, is N206.42, while the landing cost is N189.61.

With ex-depot price standing at N206.42 per litre, the March template shows that the landing cost for petrol per litre is N189.61.

President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the death of an Emeritus Professor of Law, David Ijalaye, who passed away at the age of 91.
Buhari mourned the death of the law scholar in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Femi Adesina, on Thursday night.

He condoled with the academia, the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and National Judicial Council (NJC) over the passing of the professor.

The statement reads: “President Buhari commiserates with family, friends and associates of Prof. Ijalaye, who devoted his life to the teaching and practice of law, putting in more than 34 years in service before his retirement in 1998, and devoting the rest of his life to consulting, counselling and service of humanity.

The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Central Business Districts, Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde, has called on traditional rulers to protect and take ownership of public infrastructure sited within their domains.

Oyerinde made the call during a courtesy visit to the Palace of the Obanikoro of Lagos, Chief Ajayi Bembe, in the Enu-Owa area of Lagos Island.

Represented by the Director, Admin and Human Resources, Mr. Babatunde Lawrence, the Special Adviser called on the White Cap Chief to use his vast knowledge to influence and prevent vandalisation of public amenities provided by the government within his domain.

While conducting the Chief and some of his subjects round the Ago Tower edifice under reconstruction in Idumota, Lagos Island, Oyerinde reiterated the call on illegal traders and squatters within and around the axis to relocate immediately or risk prosecution.

He noted that when completed, the Ago Tower will boast tourism and enhance the aesthetic value of the area.

“As a traditional ruler who plays useful roles in mediating between the people and the government, as well as resolving conflicts amongst the citizenry, I want you to prevail on your subjects, especially the youths, to stop the increasing spate of attacks on CBD personnel on lawful duties within the Lagos Island Business District,” Oyerinde said.

On his part, the Obanikoro of Lagos, Chief Ajayi Bembe expressed his happiness with the beautification and reconstruction of the Ago Tower, calling on the State Government to involve the youths in the running and management of the tourist centre when completed.

He also warned traders operating illegally within and around the tourist centre to relocate immediately or face the wrath of government.

The Ago Tower is one of the cultural landmarks located within the Idumota area of Lagos Island.

There has been indication that the earlier pronouncement by NNPC that the petrol would be selling at N100 per litre might have been short-lived as the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency just revealed in a new monthly template that the price of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, has reached N212.6 per litre.

According to the template which the PPPRA released midnight, petrol is expected to sell at a lower retail price of N209.61 and at an upper retail price of N212.61. Nigerian marketers usually use the upper band for pump price.

The expected ex-depot price, as seen in the template, is N206.42, while the landing cost is N189.61.

With ex-depot price standing at N206.42 per litre, the March template shows that the landing cost for petrol per litre is N189.61.
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This is despite the Nigerian Petroleum Corporation saying there won’t be any change in the price of PMS in the month of March.

The NNPC had promised that petrol price would remain static in March to allow smooth negotiations between the government and labour unions, but the PPPRA template follows the increasing price of crude at the international market as well as instability in exchange rate.

The government of Oyo State, on Thursday, confirmed the receipt of 127, 740 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA), Abuja.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the vaccines were received in Ibadan by the Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, on Thursday.

According to the statement, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr. Muideen Olatunji, who confirmed the development said that 127,740 doses of the vaccines were received by the state government as part of the first phase of vaccine distribution.

Dr. Olatunji maintained that the state government has commenced the training of health workers who would apply the vaccines, adding that the medical workers will also be trained at the local government levels.

Olatunji said that “the state has received 127, 740 COVID-19 vaccines dispatched from Abuja by the NPHDA on behalf of the Federal Government,” stating that the vaccines were received in good condition and that they have also been kept in appropriate cold rooms.

According to him, the state government has commenced the training of health professionals who will administer the vaccines to residents of Oyo State.

Dr. Olatunji said: “I can confirm to you that the Oyo State government has received a total of 127, 740 AstraZeneca vaccines from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency. The vaccines are in good order and we have warehoused them in appropriate cold rooms.

“We have very strong cold rooms and we cannot even use up to one-third of the capacity in the state.

“We have already commenced the training of health workers, who will administer the vaccines. Next week, we will equally conduct the training at the local government levels.

“We will push the vaccines to the 33 local governments where they will be kept under appropriate conditions.”

OONI CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WITH PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY, TRAINS 100 WOMEN IN TIE & DYE FABRICS

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Monday in his unique gesture spent the day which was for the commemoration of the International Women’s Day, 2021 with persons with disability, during which he gave them moral and material supports.

The persons who have different challenges including those who could not see, walk and hear among others stormed the ancient Ile Oodua Palace of Ile-Ife to attend the event tagged ‘Ability in Disability’ which the Ooni executed THROUGH a Toronto Canada based NGO, Hope4Sure Foundation.

During the day-long event, several activities including talent displays during which the persons showcased their potentials which included singing, dancing, choreography, graphics designs, paintings and many more to the admiration of the hosting Ooni and the happy crowd.

Addressing the audience, Ooni Ogunwusi who is Co-chairman, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) thanked the women particularly mothers of physically challenged children for the works towards the proper upbringing and upkeep of their children.

“These children and special, not disabled in any form they are special persons who should be accorded with necessary care and not sympathy.

“I wish to tell our wothers and women globally who have these children to keep considering them as God’s gift and God’s gifts will continue to multiply in their lives.” The Ooni said.

Similarly, the convener of Hope4Sure Foundation, Peju Oke, explained that the potentials of persons with physical challenges is the motivation behind the dedication of the programme to them.

“This is not the first time Hope4Sure Foundation will be holding a humanitarian event in collaboration with the Ooni of Ife, we have paid hospital bills and school fees of of the poor and other vulnerable persons in our society but we chose to do this for our children who have physical challenges to show them love.

“I sincerely thank our father the Ooni for making this a reality and all those who supported us. We won’t stop with this, we shall continue in humanitarian activities like this towards making life better for all.” Peju Oke stated.

Earlier in the day, about one hundred women were trained freely in tie and dye better known as Adire fabrics aimed by the Ooni to give them financial independence.

Speaking on behalf of during during the start of the training program held at the Adire African Textile Hub, located inside the Ife Grand Resorts, Ile-Ife, CEO of the textile hub, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, explained that the one-day training was structured by the Ooni to expose women and young girls to opportunities in the textile industry commemorating the International Women’s Day.

“We designed this to inform and train them because the Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula Olofin Adimula believes that information is power. They are going to learn basics that with which they can start up something to support their families while they can also apply to learn further after today to know more.” Princess Ronke said.

It will be recalled that Ooni Ogunwusi, who is the natural leader of the entire Oodua Race worldwide had during the last Aje festival launched the Adire textile production hub; a cultural centre built on a 30,000 square meters of land with a vision to empower the youths through the revival of local fabrics.

Some Philadelphic Nigerians were given awards of excellence while prizes were won by outstanding talented women in disability who participated in the he event at the Ile Oodua Palace of The Ooni of Ife on Monday.

Oyo State former deputy governor and former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Jordan and Iraq, Chief Taofeek Oladejo Arapaja, while speaking with news men on the states of happenings in the the South-West chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and his nomination as the zonal chairman has made it cleared that he is very qualified to lead the party in the region.

The former governor hinted that his loyalty to the party is hundred percent and that as a member of the PDP he has been contributing his own quota to the party. Answering questions regarding the power tussle between one Ekiti state former governor and the current Oyo state governor, Arapaja hinted that the traditionally, the current governor who is also the face of the party in the southwest region is automatically the leader of the party stating that the leadership fight of Mr. Ayodele Fayose is needless and just a chase after the find.

In his words; “I was just doing my own for the party; because whenever I am in a party, I am in a party hundred percent and the face of the party is the governor of Oyo state. That is the tradition of any political party. So, I will not go out and malign my governor and my leader. As far as Oyo State is concerned, the number one man is Engineer Seyi Makinde and that is how God wants it. So, anybody that is going against him is just like fighting God.”

“Based on that, I can be called upon to contribute my own quota, to contribute my service, to the development of my party. I will be ready and I am ready to take up any responsibility as bestowed on my personality by the governor of Oyo state who’s the leader of the party in this state and in South-West. That is the tradition anywhere. So, I am happy that the leader of the party finds me worthy of serving the party. I am available and I will do my utmost best to reposition the party in the South-West and you know that will affect the whole country because there used to be a time when we have like five to six governors in the South-West. Today, we have one. There was a time that the country was in the hand of PDP; it is no more the case. We want to go back to that. If we compare the performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governor and the PDP governor, you will see that it’s all lies and deceit in the former.”

The Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has challenged former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, to produce the real Fulani warlord terrorising the people of Ayete, Igangan and Ibarapa area of Oyo state.

Its Oyo chairman, Comrade Rotimi Oguntade, said the claim of the former Minister that the person arrested by the men of the OPC was not the Isikiku Wakili is not only untrue, misleading but misinformation taken too far.

The OPC chieftain described the former Minister as a spoiler, agent of destruction and political feather weight reputed for changing narratives and misinforming the public.

According to OPC, Fani-Kayode utterances merited no response but because it came at a time when the chief tormentor of Ibarapa people is still in custody, it is reasonable to respond and clear the air on the issue.

Oguntade said: “Fani- Kayode has a reputation for using his social media page to foment trouble and cause disunity in Yorubaland. He had once said that Yoruba language was Anago. How can you take such a person too serious?

“I remembered former President Olusegun Obasanjo had said it once that Fani-Kayode can do anything for money and survival.

“He lives in Abuja, romancing with the North, yet he was the first to refute the claim that the kidnaper was not Wakili. Where did he get his information?

“With his untenable claim, I know and I am sure that the former minister is doing the bid of his paymasters, who are majorly from the North. He is the undisputed spokesperson of any politician that is ready to feather his nest.

“He should be warned to stop drumming the beat of disunity in Yorubaland. Fani-Kayode was one of the few people that called and congratulated our leader, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams on Monday, on the success of the operation of the OPC, and the following day, he twisted the story refuting the claim that the man apprehended wasn’t Wakili.”

…Says govt committed to building Osun on equity, justice

The Governor of the State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Wednesday swore in five High Court Justices.

The new Justices are Adeniji Adedapo Olugbenga, Ganiyat Omobola Lawal, Akande Babafemi Abimbola, Okediya Maurice Olufisayo and Olokede-Obadina Christiana.

He said appointment of more Judges was part of efforts to further strengthen the administration of justice and fortify the State’s strong and viable Bench that has superintended prompt and quality dispensation of justice.

This is even as the Governor said the administration was committed to building the State on the pedestal of equity, fairness and justice as a deliberate strategy to sustain its status as a peaceful State and to ensure that justice reigns in the face of prevailing crises in the nation.

Recall that barely 24 hours after the inauguration of the State Executive Council in 2019, the State government swore in four Justices of the High Court after which other Judges and Justices were equally sworn in in other layers of the State’s courts.

Speaking further during the swearing-in ceremony held at the Multi-purpose Hall, Local Government Service Commission, Abere, Osogbo, Oyetola said the quest to fill the vacant positions was in line with the administration’s resolve to build a Judiciary that would build a just and peaceful society and ensure the socio-economic development of the State.

He said the Administration would continue to seek best hands to build the capacity and efficiency of its judicial officers, stressing that no sacrifice was too great to strengthen the Judiciary.

“Osun Judiciary has proved itself as a friend of the people and a principal player in the provision of good governance to the people through delivery of people- and development-oriented verdicts, and cordial but uncompromising relationship with the Executive and the Legislature.

“As a government that rode into office on the strength of the people, we are committed to providing an enabling environment for the Judiciary, including improving their welfare and ensuring their independence to enable them to perform their duties effectively and efficiently as the last hope of the common man.

“It is our resolve to build Osun on equity and justice as a deliberate strategy to sustain its status as a peaceful State and to ensure that justice reigns in the face of prevailing crises in the nation. We are therefore positioning the Judiciary to join other arms of government to perform this role.

“The Judiciary has a duty to continue to build capacity to enable them to function effectively and efficiently in the new normal imposed on their profession by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he added.

The Governor who commended the judiciary for strengthening the Constitution through justice dispensation, expressed satisfaction at the thorough screening process that produced the newly-sworn-in Judges who are no doubt some of the best officers of the law in the state.

He noted that the new Justices brought an aggregate of about 90 years of rich and extensive legal practice in varied areas of the law in the private sector and the public service to their assignments.

According to him, the judges carry along with them results orientation and private sector efficiency to the established quick and impartial administration of justice in the State, saying “I am confident that, by their experience, pedigree and exposure, the new Justices are well equipped to operate efficiently in the new normal required to operate in the post-Covid-19 era.”

Charging the new Judges to discharge their duties faithfully and diligently, Oyetola said it is incumbent on them to use their experience, exposure and pedigree to effect a change in the judicial system in general and administration of justice in particular.

Speaking on behalf of other new judges, Justice Akande Babafemi Abimbola, appreciated Governor Oyetola for counting them worthy to serve the State in high capacity as Justices of the High Court.

He pledged his commitment and those of his colleagues to discharge their duties in accordance with the Constitution without fear or favour, saying, “we shall uphold our oath to the best of our ability.

“We thank Mr. Governor for approving the appointment. This is a testimony to the love that the Governor has for us as he approved the appointment despite the economic circumstance that would have delayed the process.

“So, by filling the existing vacant positions through our appointment, then, Mr Governor has once again displayed his commitment to the welfare of judicial officers and dispensation of justice, ” he added.

The occasion was attended by the First Lady, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola; Deputy Governor, Mr. Benedict Alabi; Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, Chief Judge of Osun, Justice Adepele Ojo; Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Charles ‘Diji Akinola; Deputy Chief of Staff, Prince Abdulah Binuyo; some members of the State Executive Council; legal practitioners; top government functionaries, among others.

The federal government has revealed plan to reduce petrol price below N100 per litre.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger Delta Affairs, Ita Enang, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja.

According to Enang, the federal government has also concluded plans to hold a national conference on integrating artisanal/modular petroleum refinery operations to improve the capacity of the products and bring down prices of petroleum products.

In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the Presidency will hold the conference on March 16 and 17.

Mr. Enang noted that the summit’s outcome would help to crash the country’s prices of petroleum products. According to him, the conference will mobilise all Nigerian assets, including technologists, engineers, and other relevant disciplines, including those producing petroleum products at the creeks.

As the cost of crude goes higher, the price of refined petroleum products goes higher, but if we refine these petroleum products in Nigeria, the cost will be very low.

The intendment of the conference is to mobilise these resources so that we can bring the prices of refined petroleum products down to below N100 per litre.”