Nigeria loses Young Tech Entrepreneur

Tributes have been pouring in for David Ntekim-Rex, a 22-year-old tech entrepreneur in Lagos who was shot dead by robbers in Jibowu axis of Yaba area.
Co-founder of an immigration tech firm Tunde Omotoye said David was recently employed to head a unit of his company before his death.

“This is so sad and I am actually speechless,” Omotoye tweeted. “I got introduced to David just on Tuesday. He joined a startup team I belong to as Head, Product Design.

“The system has indeed failed David. It has failed him & his family totally. I pray his family finds the strength for this loss.”

David is one of the two Nigerians that won at the annual Master the Mainframe competition organized by AngelHack, a global hackathon company and the IBM Z Academic Initiative in March 2018.

How ‘we’ lost David
David, according to a Twitter user Roy Mustang, was on his way home from work on Friday night when the robbers attacked and shot him dead.

Mustang said the police were called to the scene while David was gasping for breath but could not aid his transfer to a nearby hospital.

“The Nigerian police stood and watched as he gasped for air,” Mustang tweeted. “They took pictures instead, and were more concerned with why he – a tech guy- was carrying a laptop.”

He explained that David was taken to the “military hospital around the area, the nurses ignored him. The doctor came around and kept asking who they all were. It took a senior nurse to come out and start checking for a pulse.” Mustang claimed that David had lost a lot of blood at this point.

“The police then took David and his family to Sabo, where they looked for the laptop that he had on him instead of giving them a police report. He was finally released to his family, and they got to LUTH around 12:30 am.

“David wasn’t attended to by the doctors at LUTH. He was there till the family was convinced he couldn’t be alive because he had no pulse. The doctors refused to administer any test to see if he was alive.”

David’s death like many others that happened in the country could be attributed to the failed security structure. Many helpless Nigerians like David are left to deal with the effects of a poor policing system and government policies that make the environment unsafe.

2023: Use wisdom not power, Ooni urges Tinubu campaigners

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, on Monday urged politicians promoting the presidential ambition of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to deploy wisdom and avoid arbitrary use of power.

The Ooni who doubles as the Spiritual Head of the Oduduwa Race worldwide explained this while receiving organizers of the South West Agenda (SWAGA); a political group projecting the ambition of Senator Tinubu.

Ooni Ogunwusi who explained that the reported ambition of the former Lagos State Governor is a good signal for the Yoruba race, added that such lofty dream could only be realized through unity.

“Asiwaju Tinubu is a very great descendant of Oduduwa. He’s such a unique Yoruba son and we are always proud of him. He is popular and known for uprightness.

“But first, I want to challenge all politicians here this afternoon to first go and work on yourselves, you must be United if you are indeed for the Yoruba race. It is you people that form political parties, change from one party to another among other things.

“With all that said, I want you to know that many will rise with similar interest and it is allowed. I implore you and your principal to deploy wisdom not power so that we will all be on the same page.

“We Yorubas are Omoluabis and I want you all to know that everything is not politics. With these in mind, it shall be well with us and we are good to go.” The Ooni admonished.

Earlier in his address, the Chairman for the South West Agenda (SWAGA), Senator Dayo Adeyeye, explained that the visit was to seek the spiritual blessings of the Co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN) in recognition of his status as the head of the Yoruba race worldwide.

“Baba, this is the highest throne in Yorubaland and Ile-Ife is the town that gave birth to all the entire Yoruba race. We have come here today seek your blessings and support towards the actualization of having a Yoruba man as the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023. In this quest, we have found Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu worthy and that is why we have embarked on this assignment even without being sent.

“We Yorubas must unite ourselves to realize this and not make ourselves tools in the hands of those who might be willing to divide use against ourselves. SWAGA is well known to almost everyone in the country including those from other parts who have declared support for the movement.”

In the same vein, Osun State coordinator of the group, Hon. (Mrs) Ayo Omidiran, noted that they are always in touch with the Ooni and will always keep him informed on all activities.

The event which was spiced with several traditional performances was well attended by top politicians across the country including Hon. Ajibola Famurewa, Hon. Rotimi Makinde, Hon. Bisi Odewumi, Tilewa Sijuwade among others.

N1bn Vehicle: Oyo House Followed Due Process, Allegation Fictitious, Says House Spokesperson


…says alleged petitioner working for vested interests.

    Oyo Assembly

The Oyo State House of Assembly has described as fictitious and misleading allegations of scam in the purchase of official vehicles for members of the Assembly.

This is just as the State Legislature maintained that necessary due process was followed in the purchase of the said vehicles.

The Chairman House Committee on Information, Hon Kazeem Olayanju while reacting to a petition allegedly forwarded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC by a former Prosecutor with the Special Presidential Panel on Recovery of Public Property , Tosin Ojaomo said that the House could not have executed such a project without following due process in line with the official procedures.

According to Hon Olayanju, quotations were received from three companies for the supply of the vehicles in line with the House rules , and the tender adjudged as the best and most satisfying was eventually picked and awarded the contract to supply the cars.

He noted that there was a glaring element of bias in the petition as the writer claimed that ” the contract was fraudulently arranged to favor the Contractor instead of Elizade Motors and Mandilas Motors which also tendered quotations. “

Hon Olayanju maintained that it was inconceivable that the petitioner was making a case for a dealer and suggesting that the contract should have been given to one contractor or the other.

” Why would the petitioner be talking about the interest of one contractor or the other and not the interest of the State and the Legislature?
Oyo Assembly as far as we are concerned followed due process in the purchase of the cars. I can say without mincing words that the petition did not emanate from any of the Lawmakers. It was a calculated attempt by some busy bodies who are seeking to see Oyo State plunged into imaginary crisis.
Some of these paid agents are equally seeking to cause disaffection amongst the Lawmakers when indeed all the cars have been supplied and delivered and are being used by the lawmakers and the staff, ” Olagunju added.

The Chairman House Committee on Information who also dismissed as a mere conjecture the allegation that the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker connived with the company that got the contract to divert the sum of #1.03billion meant for the official vehicles stated further that the rumour that refurbished cars were supplied is incorrect and impossible.

Self Imposed Popularity, Oyo APC Accuses Gov. Makinde

The All Progressives Congress in Oyo state has charged Governor Seyi Makinde to accept the reality of his unpopularity and lack of promise on account of poor performance in office after spending about 20 months in the saddle with no concrete achievements.

Governor Makinde was recorded to have claimed that he was still popular among residents of the state against the background of increased criticisms from political watchers and stakeholders who felt his administration had a long way to go if it planned to deliver on its pre-election promises of 2018/2019. The governor, at the weekend, reportedly challenged his critics to an ‘open credibility’ contest on the streets of the popular Oje market in Ibadan, the state capital.

While reacting to Gov. Makinde’s claims through a statement issued on Monday and made available to newsmen in Ibadan by its interim Assistant Publicity Secretary, Prince Ayobami Adejumo, Oyo APC submitted that the PDP governor was still living in fools’ paradise if he could boast of being popular without any proof of outstanding performance in office.

“The worst thing to have happened to Oyo state since its creation in 1976 is an executive governor still basking in the euphoria of winning an election two years after. Rather sit down to work for the state, Gov. Makinde wakes up every morning to take a joyful look at the result sheet of the 2019 poll which brought him to power. As a result of this, he does not care to appreciate what is expected of him in a tenure of four years.

“It is highly unfortunate for the good people of the state who had desired continuity of good governance after the expiration of the eventful and glorious two terms of late Senator Abiola Ajimobi to be faced with the tribulation of another PDP occupants in the Agodi Government House especially as the Makinde administration has turned out to be a disappointment for all and sundry.

“To address the question of delusional popularity claims, we would like to ask Gov. Makinde what he has in the last 20 months to better the lot of the state. Can a governor who recently promised to start performing in this 2021 still claim to have merited popularity? Where, in the whole world, does a governor challenge individual critics to a road show contest in his locality if not a man who has chosen idleness in power?

“Does Gov. Makinde he could still be.popular when it is clear he gave false hope to mislead unsuspecting voters? Can a Chief Security Officer of a state claim to be popular when he has failed to save his people from insecurity even as his ceaseless error continue to cost them their lives and property everyday? Can a governor in a state like Oyo who has failed to work with all relevant stakeholders be said to be popular? As at today, Gov. Makinde is not even popular within his government as virtually all his appointees groan because he runs a one-man show.

“Is Gov. Makinde thinking that everything ends with his induced popularity among givers of fraudulent loans, imposed Park Managers and aliens currently sleeping and feeding fat at the Government House. How can a governor who failed to justify the poor management of huge financial resources accrued to him through monthly allocations from Abuja, billions of naira from monthly internationally generated revenues, over 100 billion naira loans, grants and subventions from known and undisclosed sources in the last 20 months as well as proceeds from sales of government properties lay claim to any popularity among his victims?

“Since his access to state funds would afford him the opportunity to rent a crowd of cheer-givers and sycophants at will, Gov. Makinde cannot understand the enormity of hatred he has in the hearts of Oyo PDP leaders and members, not to talk about most members of the coalition group who helped him in 2019, as he continues to punish them unjustifiably. The only state with a record of frosty relationship with the Federal Government is Oyo and as if this was not enough, Gov. Makinde has decided to ostracize the Police and other federal security agencies in his state.
“However, if ‘street credibility’ is all what Gov. Makinde craved for during and after his four-year tenure of office, we would have to appeal to those expecting him to add value to governance to tarry a while and redirect their expectations while the good people of Oyo state warm up to correct the mistake of 2019 by voting for the candidate of the APC in 2023 to enable have a full dose of good governance and responsible leadership as it was the case between 2011 and 2019.” Oyo APC submitted.

Gov. Akeredolu gives 7-day ultimatum to herdsmen to vacate Ondo Forest Reserves, bans night-grazing

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has given 7-day utlitmatum to herdsmen to vacate all forest reserves in the State.

This was contained in a statement personally released by him today via his official Twitter handle which reads in part:

“We have taken major steps at addressing the root cause of kidnapping, in particular, and other nefarious activities detailed and documented in security reports, the press and debriefings from victims of kidnap cases in Ondo State.

“These unfortunate incidents are traceable to the activities of some bad elements masquerading as herdsmen. These felons have turned our forest reserves into hideouts for keeping victims of kidnapping, negotiating for ransom and carrying out other criminal activities.

“As the Chief Law and Security Officer of the State, it is my constitutional obligation to do everything lawful to protect the lives and property of all residents of the State. In light of the foregoing, the following orders are hereby issued:

  1. All Forest Reserves in the State are to be vacated by herdsmen within the next 7 days with effect from today, Monday 18th January, 2021.
  2. Night-grazing is banned with immediate effect because most farm destruction takes place at night.
  3. Movement of cattle within cities and highways is prohibited.
  4. Under-aged grazing of cattle is outlawed.

“In its usual magnanimity, our administration will give a grace period of seven days for those who wish to carry on with their cattle-rearing business to register with appropriate authorities. Our resolution to guarantee safety of lives and property within the State shall remain utmost as security agencies have been directed to enforce the ban”.

Production of fake Amotekun uniform, plot by APC to discredit Makinde’s Govt – Oyo PDP

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Oyo state chapter, has said that its suspicion of opposition parties in the state having connection with the imbroglio surrounding production of fake Amotekun corps uniforms for sponsored hoodlums to cause mayhem in the state with the aim of blackmailing the Makinde led administration was already justified by capturing some of the producers of the fake uniforms.

The ruling party maintained that nothing could have emboldened any resident in the state to venture into such crime of sewing fake Amotekun corps uniforms for anyone if not backed by some groups and individuals with untamed desperation to discredit the hard earned reputation of this present administration through commitment, dedication, and consistent delivery of good governance making any other political party’s chance of wrestling power from Makinde come 2023 a near impossible adventure.

Oyo PDP State Publicity Secretary, Engr Akeem Olatunji, who made this known in a statement he signed on Monday 18th January, 2021, explained that the ruling party was seriously appalled by the unfolding development of unbridled hunger for power and an untamed despiraion by the opposition in Oyo state to deploy all available means to discredit Governor Seyi Makinde’s giant strides and efforts in the war against crime within the state.

The statement reads, “It was another great achievement for the state and the Amotekun corps to have discovered and apprehend one of the agents of darkness in our dear state who have perhaps been recruited by opposition of our government in Oyo state to heighten insecurity and create an atmosphere of chaos so that the foiled and failed agenda they have been pursuing since the inception of this administration could materialize.

“It is not a news anymore to all residents in Oyo state that a the Oyo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has deployed all forms of evil machinations, treachery, and malicious propaganda against the PDP government under the able leadership of His Excellency, Engr Seyi Makinde, since he assumed office as the executive governor.

“In fact, one of their serving Senators once boldly told the world in a show of untamed desperation and hunger for power that the Makinde led government could not escape all three traps his party had set for Governor Seyi Makinde in a battle to steal Oyo people’s mandate through the backdoor using federal might, a move which not only failed woefully but further exposed them and their evil agenda to the world.

“Governor Seyi Makinde has consistently said that the present administration is open to constructive criticism and useful suggestions on ways to make the state a much more better place for all to live but what we have continued to witness from our opposition in Oyo state is nothing near constructive criticism but deliberate attacks and well orchestrated plan by the Oyo APC to bring down this government at all cost using insecurity which is part of their evil agenda as excuse to advance whatever script they are executing.

“How else do we rationalize the shocking development that Amotekun corps which was created to complement mainstream security outfits in Nigeria to provide adequate security for the people of Oyo state was already being sabotaged, or was Amotekun corps created to provide security for PDP members in the state?

“We wish to state categorically for the sake of record, that Governor Seyi Makinde is among the very few Governors who have invested heavily on security since assumption of office. It is also on record that he has invested in the security architecture of the state more than the immediate past APC government despite only been in office as the Executive Governor in less than two years, but since our detractors who have continued to meet shame and disappointments at the end of each executed agenda will neither rest nor desist, we as the party in government will always be at alert and remain unfazed because light will always prevail over darkness.

“We will not urge them to stop because the good people of Oyo state already know them for what they are and what their party represents but we will continue to stay ahead of them and their evil agenda because we know their may be other recruits by these evil party elsewhere producing such fake uniforms to perpetrate, aid, and albeit crime with the aim of creating tension and apprehension within the state but just like this one, we assure them that they will be caught and severely dealth with according to the law.

“God has blown away the I’ll wind of untold hardship, hunger, modern day slavery by government, which characterized the entire 8 years of APC administration in Oyo state and the good people of the state can now attest to the difference between false propaganda and practical delivery of good governance therefore, all attempts by the agents of darkness to return Oyo state to the dark era between (2011-2019) shall be resisted either through the backdoor or through election poll by the people again and again.

“We urge the good people of Oyo state whose trust in governor Seyi Makinde and the PDP has birthed a new dawn of prosperity under safe and secured Oyo state to be on alert and continue to support the present government to succeed even more, because it is now clear that these agents of darkness in their desperate hunger for power are waging a war to steal their mandate freely given to governor Makinde who has only the masses as his godfather, through the backdoor at all cost.”

Ogun Police advises owners of lost vehicles to report to State CID for identification and claims

The Ogun State Police Command has advised the general public especially those who lost their vehicles/motorcycles to thieves or abandoned to report at State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for identification and claims.

The vehicles and motorcycles are: one Honda car with Reg. No: EY 93 LND 22; one unregistered Toyota Avensis; one Toyota Highlander with Reg. No: JJJ 588 D 32; one unregistered Pathfinder Jeep; one Toyota Previa with Reg. No: EKY 267 EE 34; one Nissan Sunny with Reg. No: KTU 967 BV; one unregistered Mitsubishi; one unregistered Nissan Quest; one Vento with Reg. No: TRE 222 XA; one OPEL Omega with Reg. No: EPE 402 DU; one unregistered Honda Jeep CRV and one unregistered Golf car.

Others are one OPEL Vectra with Reg. No: EP 402 DV; One unregistered Nissan Primera; one Nissan car with Reg. No: FA 882 LND; one Nissan Quest; one Honda Accord with Reg. No: SM 33 KJA; one Nissan Sienna with Reg. No: FV 15 LSR; one Volkswagen Bus with Reg. No: 439 AAA; one Nissan Sunny with Reg. No: AGL 200 CZ and one unregistered Mazda Taxi.

The motorcycles are: one Jincheng motorcycle with Reg. No: QC 799 JGB; three unregistered Bajaj Boxer; one TVS motorcycle with reg. no: JGB 405 VL; one LIFAN with Reg. No: ABG 531 QC; one Boxer with Reg. No: AYE 624 QC; one Boxer Bajaj with Reg. No: QY 723 AAA; one Jincheng with Reg. No: QR 192 AKD and one Boxer with Reg. No: NND 433 QA.

Others are one Boxer Bajaj with Reg. No: QW 521 MUS; one Bajaj Boxer with Reg. No: SGM 139 WN; one Bajaj Boxer with Reg. No: JGB 059 WQ and one Bajaj Boxer with Reg. No: JGB 549 VE.

My street credibility intact, let’s test our popularity in Oje — Makinde tells opponents

Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, says he won’t stay in the gutters with his detractors.

Makinde stated this in a recent interview with newsmen.

While arguing that his street credibility is still intact, he maintained that he can volunteer to walk the street of Oje with anybody to test it.

“From my experience in public service, which basically is 18 months now, I know people will try all their best to distract you but you need to stay focused. Otherwise, we will lose the people we are supposed to serve and deliver value to. So, I have chosen not to stay in the gutters with those folks trying to distract us; leave them to whatever it is they are doing. I am glad that we do have street credibility.

“If they think we don’t, I will volunteer to walk on the street of Oje with any of them and we will see who has the credibility. So, the people are appreciative of what we are doing and they know precisely what is going on,”he said

Oyo Loses Former Sport Chairman

The former Chairman, Oyo State Amateur Boxing Association, Mr. Akintunde Opaleye is dead.

He died on Sunday at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, according to a report by DailyPost.
Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in Oyo State, Mr. Adeniyi Alebiosu confirmed the death of the deceased.
Alebiosu expressed deep sadness at the demise of the boxing promoter.

Alebiosu added that Opalaye gave up the ghost on Sunday morning at the University College Hospital Ibadan, where he had been receiving treatments for an ailment.

He lamented that the death of Opaleye has robbed sportswriters in Oyo State of a big brother, reliable friend and great supporter.

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