Oduduwa News

A motorist on Thursday knocked down a police officer off a bridge into a canal while trying to escape arrest in Lagos State.

The incident happened around the army resettlement centre in the Oshodi area of the state.

The driver of the Toyota Highlander was being apprehended by police officers and officials of Lagos Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) for driving against traffic an offence popularly referred to as one way.

Officials of LASTMA confirmed to Channels Television that the policeman broke his arm as a result of the incident and that he is now hospitalised.

The driver has been arrested.

The video of the incident has generated reactions on social media with the Chief Press Secretary to Lagos State Governor, Gboyega Akosile condemning the action of the driver.

THIRD MAINLAND BRIDGE TO SHUT DOWN FOR 24HRS TO REMOVE REHABILITATION EQUIPMENT

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to shut the Third Mainland Bridge from midnight on Friday, 26th to midnight on Saturday, 27th February 2021, for the removal of equipment used for the replacement of expansion joints, among others.

A statement signed by the State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, stated that the total closure of the bridge for 24 hours is to enable the contractors remove all the heavy equipment used during the rehabilitation process and allow the full reopening of the Oworonshoki and Adeniji bound lanes to traffic.

The Commissioner, therefore, advised motorists coming from Ogudu, Alapere and Gbagada to use Ikorodu Road, Jibowu and Yaba as alternative routes, while Iyana Oworoshoki-bound traffic from Lagos-Island, Iddo, Oyingbo, Adekunle and Yaba are enjoined to use Herbert Macaulay Way, Jibowu and Ikorodu Road as alternative routes during the period.

While assuring that Traffic Management Personnel would be deployed along the alternative routes to minimise and address any traffic impediments, Oladeinde commended Lagosians for their cooperation during the prolonged repair works on the Bridge, declaring that the bridge is now safe for use by all and sundry when fully reopened.

The PDP is falling apart in the southwest as the crisis between Fayose and Governor Makinde worsens – Fayose, former Ekiti state governor, has warned the current Oyo state governor that he will work against him if he continues to disrespect him – The former governor boasted that he played a significant role in bringing Makinde to power in 2019.

The crisis between Ayodele Fayose, ex-governor of Ekiti state, and Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, took another twist on Wednesday, February 24, as the former threatened to work against the latter. The Punch reported that Governor Fayose warned Makinde that he will work against him if he does not stop disrespecting him. Former Ekiti governor, Fayose, threatens to work against Governor Makinde of Oyo state if he does not stop “disrespecting” him.

He was quoted to have said: “If Governor Makinde continues to disrespect me, I will work against him.” Being the only governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the southwest, a faction of the party recognised Makinde as the region’s leader. PDP crisis deepens as Makinde, Fayose set to hold parallel zonal congress.

Fayose, who used to be the only PDP governor in the southwest, however, insisted Makinde is not his leader, adding that he played a strong role in his election as Oyo governor in 2019. Makinde who is only serving his first term is constitutionally allowed to run for a second term in the 2023 general elections. The former Ekiti state governor has, however, threatened to work against his re-election if he does not stop disrespecting him. Asked what the problem is between him and Governor Makinde, Fayose said: “He (Makinde) is the one to tell you if there is any bone of contention. In this West, I am his brother, I am his father.” Fayose further boasted that he was the one who presented the PDP’s flag to Makinde in 2019, which, according to him, implies that he is a “senior officer”. The former Ekiti governor said accepting the flag from him indicated that Makinde saw him as a leader at the time.

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has charged the Federal and state governments to direct economic policies and other laudable programmes at the entire citizenry.

Ooni Ogunwusi, the Co-Chairman of National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) gave the charge during the 2021 edition of the annual celebration of Aje Festival at his Ile-Oodua palace, on Monday in Ile-Ife globally accepted ancestral home for Yoruba race and all the descendants of Oduduwa home and abroad. .

The Ooni who lauded Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government over several economic programmes and policies like the, recent employment of 774,000 Nigerians across the country and other interventions also advised the government to do more for the Nigerian masses by using cultural tourism as a veritable means for economic revolution.

“For us to progress as a country, we must ensure that our wealth goes round especially to the poor and other vulnerable members of the society. We cannot keep having strikingly rich few Nigerians and uncountable ones wallowing in abject poverty. To do this, the government must look at cultural tourism as a veritable tool for revolutionizing the economy before its too late. The Ooni decried.

While explaining the basis for the Aje Festival celebrations, the African foremost monarch who is also the Natural overall father for the Oodua race worldwide explained that it is a unique way through which the Yoruba people globally remember the deity which is known for wealth and riches.

“Aje is a deity which is known for wealth and riches. Its annual celebration as you have witnessed today is to acknowledge its relevance to us as people, especially its indispensable nature to us.

“Did you see the struggle for it during the procession to and from the Aje temple? That is the spirit of Aje, all of us are not rich because it is not easy to accumulate wealth.

“We are not devaluing the currency by spraying it to our people, we only do it on a special day like this to spread happiness. In the olden days, it was cowries, sometimes ago it was coins, nowadays it is naira notes and we hold it in a very high esteem.” The Ooni noted.

Coordinator of the annual Aje Festival, Princess(Dr) Oluwatoyin Kolade expressed happiness for the massive turnout of participants from within and outside Nigeria without even pre publicity. Toyin Kolade, the Ilesa born international trader and great philanthropist gave all credit to Ooni Ogunwusi for the opportunity given her to contribute to cultural development of the Oodua race, pledging her continued loyalty and commitment to the development of the prestigious Yoruba cultural heritage.

“My father the Ooni is loaded with productive dynamism and great innovations for our race and African continent as a whole, especially in the area of cultural tourism revolution. He appointed me as his cultural ambassador in charge of Aje festival 4 years ago and with his unflinching support I have so far enjoyed, this Aje festival which was merely a local affair before 5 years ago has today become one of the important Nigeria cultural festivals with participants from all over the world. This Ooni is God sent, Wallahi!! “. Toyin Kolade said.

The Oore of Otun-Ekiti & Paramount Ruler of Mobaland, Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, the Obaro of Kabba Oba Joseph and Onisale of Isale who led the delegation from Republic of Benin were among the traditional rulers joined other dignitaries including Nollywood stars like, Iya Rainbow, Lanre Hassan (Iya Awero) and others to witness the event while the Fuji music maestro, Abass Akande (Obesere) thrilled the guests.

AJE OLOKUN the goddess of wealth is among the loved ones out of the 401 deities(Irunmoles) that formed the first dynasty of mankind known as Ife Oodaye. These deities are still being celebrated in lle-lfe and globally till date.

The main capacity and strength of the goddess of wealth is to provide sufficient wealth and greater economic benefits for whoever worships the Almighty God through her.

AJE can be found everywhere; waters, air, land, trees, fire, etc. It is a deity synonymous with cowries which were being spent globally before the advent of present currencies.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has reinstated the erstwhile cancelled Hijrah holiday and pledged that during his administration, Oyo State will celebrate the Mawlid al-Nabawi holiday (birth of Prophet Mohammed SAW) alongside the rest of the world.

Speaking earlier today at the Mawlid al-Nabawi celebration held at the Government House Arcade, Agodi, Ibadan, the Governor said, “Last year, due to the pandemic and other issues, we were unable to celebrate the Mawlid al-Nabawi as expected.

“So, this year when the S.A Islamic affairs reached out to me concerning the Mawlid celebration, he proposed a big gathering and I agreed.

“Now, we know what is right and I am pledging that from this day forward, we will hold the Mawlid celebration together with the whole world.”

”Also, by popular demand from the Clerics including the Chief Imam and the people of Oyo State represented here today, we are reinstating the Hijirah holiday.

“We will also observe Hijrah as a public holiday here in Oyo State.”

Meanwhile, Gov Makinde debunked rumours that the government prevents Muslim girls from wearing hijabs in schools.

He said, “Some people have questioned why I didn’t allow girls to use hijabs in school. I am here to say that since I took over as the governor of the state, there has been no government policy that prevents girls from using hijabs.”

Finally, the governor called on residents of the state to contribute their quota to make sure that the peace and security committee that was recently inaugurated works effectively.

He said, “I want to urge everyone present here today to contribute their quota to make sure that the peace and security committee that was recently inaugurated which includes our religious, traditional and political leaders work effectively.

“Whenever a report gets to me from the committee, whatever is necessary and needed will be done.

“Don’t be afraid because the governor is doing everything to ensure the safety of every citizen and resident of Oyo State.

“Let’s cooperate with this administration to work towards the growth and development of the state.”

The Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LSWRC) has sealed some production factories engaged in packaged water production for falling short of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

Executive Secretary of LSWRC, Mrs. Funke Adepoju, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the level of poor and unwholesome practices discovered in some water factories in the State were not only disheartening but frightening.

She said as the regulatory body empowered by law to enforce standards, the LSWRC would not fold its arms and watch some individuals put the lives of residents in jeopardy on account of economic gains, and that every necessary effort would be mustered to protect the people from consuming unwholesome water.

Mrs. Adepoju said, “Yes, we are not all out to hound businesses. On the contrary, we want water producers to do business and thrive. However, in doing business, safety procedures and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) must be strictly observed”.

Disclosing that enforcement operations were carried out at some water production factories in the State with on-site testing kits, the Executive Secretary said the result confirmed that most of them operated far below safety parameters.

“As the regulatory body empowered by Section 313 (h) of the Lagos State Environmental Management Protection Law, 2017, to regulate the activities of those engaged in the provision, consumption, treatment, packaging, sales and supply of bottled drinking water contained in bottles or polythene bags, our principal interest is to ensure acceptable standards”, she stated.

While vowing that the enforcement exercise would be intensified and sustained, Adepoju noted that the Commission is working with relevant stakeholders such as the Association of Water Producers (ATWAP) and Water Producers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN), among others, to enforce standards.

She said the sealed facilities would remain shut until the owners of such factories strictly comply with all safety procedures and duly register for further monitoring in order to facilitate compliance with best practices in future.

Adepoju urged residents to report any water production factory in their neighbourhood that is suspected to engage in unwholesome practices to the Commission for appropriate action, emphasising the need for people to key into the Safe Water Campaign of the Commission and work with the government to protect residents.

“Water producers, beverage producers, bottling companies and operators in the water abstraction and production industry must come to terms with the fact that the LSWRC would not shy away from strictly enforcing regulatory provisions in the bid to ensure residents consume only safe and hygienic water”, the Executive Secretary said.

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, has given reasons why he nominated Taofeek Arapaja, former deputy governor of the state, as nominee for the chairmanship post in the zone, which he said had earlier been zoned to the state.

Speaking at the zonal caucus meeting in Ibadan on Tuesday, said he pitied members of the party who do not align with his faction.

He noted that the name of Arapaja was arrived at after thorough consultations across the state, adding that he was also chosen as the state’s nominee because whoever would be zonal chairman should have depth and experience.

He said: “I want to also urge that, for each of our state, let us ensure there is inclusiveness. All the tendencies in our different states, let us all come together and agree on whoever we want to put in each of those positions so that by the time we get here by March 6th, the exercise will be funfair. That will be my expectation and message to everybody.

“I asked some of our members to go around to consult our leaders and they came back with a feedback message. They said in South-West, we need depth; we need experienced and honest person and the name they gave me was Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja to lead the charge. And I told them we will unveil him at this meeting.

“I also said he will go to all the states to meet with you and tell you his vision and some of the things he wants to do to ensure that South West plays a major and critical role in redeeming this country. I believe the way we have done in Oyo State is what we want replicated in other states of the zone.”

He stated that the meeting heralded a zonal congress that would help put in place a new PDP zonal executive in the South-West region, which, according to him, will help to install a new government at the federal, National Assembly and state levels in 2023.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank the reconciliation committee we set up, ably led by former Governor Oyinlola. He made sure that the necessary things were done to bring everyone together. At the end of the day, I believe we will have a reconciled and united party in Southwest PDP.

“We are on the verge of history. A lot of people may not know but I can give you the assurance that our coming together to put in our executives that will lead our party in the South-West zone is history in the making. This is because there cannot be redemption for our country without the participation of the South-West. And our party will provide right leadership for the country in 2023.

“The journey to install PDP in 2023 is starting now with this zonal congress. So, I can only pity those who are staying outside and throwing stones inside. I want to also state that history will record their position accurately. I will encourage us to urge them to come in. We have the reconciliation committee already. This committee has been trying to reach out to them and they have said they are not ready to participate.

“We will continue to reach out to them because if we are all united, we have the chance to redeem Nigeria,” the governor said.

He added the zone had during the last meeting, zoned out executive positions to the six states.

Makinde also called for inclusiveness in all the six states of the zone, urging leaders to go back home and arrive at amicable arrangement to fill posts zoned to their respective states. He said that his expectation and message to all leaders were that they should peacefully select the candidates for posts zoned to each state as well as the ex-officio members, as, according to him, the election of ex-officios would also take place during the congress.

The governor also urged leaders to pay attention to the party’s directive that 30 per cent of all posts should be conceded to women.

The inauguration ceremony of the Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN as the 6th democratically elected Governor of Ondo State is currently holding.

Details later.

LASTMA TO INVESTIGATE EXTORTION ALLEGATION – GENERAL MANAGER

… Cautions Motorists Against Offering Bribes To Traffic Officers

The General Manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authourity (LASTMA), Mr. Olajide Oduyoye, has disclosed that the Agency will investigate an alleged extortion claim contained in a viral post on Facebook by a Lagos motorist accusing some LASTMA officials of extorting N11,300 from him at one of the zonal commands in Agege.

Oduyoye gave an assurance that the photographic evidence provided by the complainant will be scrutinised and any officer found culpable would be made to face the consequences under the extant rule of the State Civil Service as specified.

While encouraging members of the public to always come forward with their complaints with evidence against corrupt officials, the General Manager, however, pointed out that there are many LASTMA officers that are dedicated, conscientious and professional in carrying out their official functions as observed during the LASTMA CONNECT programme aired on Traffic Radio with many Lagosians acknowledging the good work of traffic-control personnel.

He also advised all road users in Lagos to obey the traffic regulations so as not to run foul of the Law, stressing that some violators are fond of offering traffic personnel bribes to avoid prosecution without realising that the law frowns on both the giver and the taker.

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Monday launched an 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.

While declaring the hub opened within the premises of the Ife Ground Resorts, Ile-Ife, Ooni Ogunwusi revealed that the ancient Adire textile is an agelong tradition of Ife, from where he said it was taken to the Abeokuta by the Egbas and other parts of the world.

“Our vision is to empower our youths because that is the way to go, if we empower them they won’t be interested in protests and other things that might disrupt the system. A lot of them will be productively engaged and I am happy to inform you that we are doing that already.

“We are working with the textile department of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and other tertiary institutions across the country as well as Yoruba speaking countries like Cuba, Brazil, Venezuela among others.

“This innovation is a clear message to all that lots can be achieved through local technology and intelligence. Look at this whole place, it was built and decorated through local intelligence whole these fine touches were done with local fabrics (Adire).

“This is the beginning and I can assure you that we have mapped out plans to take it across the entire country and beyond.” The Ooni said.

Earlier in her address, Co-founder of the textile hub, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi, described the concept as a viable means of youth empowerment, cultural promotion and cultural exchange.

“His Majesty decided that we should launch this production hub during this year’s Aje festival because She is about wealth creation and entrepreneurship and textile hub aims to provide a lot of wealth creation opportunities for the local artisans in Ile-Ife who work with us and the hub will enable them to increase their production capacity and generate sustainable involved for themselves.

“Most important, His Majesty will also want the hub up engage in the use of sustainable practices, including researching and using dyes that are not harmful to the environment. He has emphasized that we make use of Elu leaf in Ile-Ife, which is also known as the indigo leaf as this is a resource that is yet to be tapped and can bring wealth creation to the local community.” Princess Ademiluyi said.