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Armed men wanted to assasinate gov Oyetola at protest ground -Commissioner

There was an attempt Saturday on the life of the Governor of the State of Osun, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola. Armed with guns, cutlasses, hoodlums swooped on the Governor at Olaiya junction, while he was addressing the #EndSARS protesters at the state capital.

Governor Oyetola had joined protesters in the walk from Alekuwodo area to Olaiya junction, singing with them and promising them that their demands would be looked into. He assured them of his support, saying peaceful agitations were a part of the democratic process.

However, while still addressing the youths, the armed men and women started shooting, hurling stones at the Governor’s car.

Speaking about the incident, the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode, who was also at the site of the incident, said the attack was beyond the #EndSARS protest, but a premeditated attempt to take the governor out.

According to her: “It was an assassination attempt. This was certainly beyond the #EndSARS protest. The people who launched the attack were not protesters at all.

“Protests have been going on in the State for some days now, and there had been no attack on any government official since the beginning of the protest.

“However, today’s attack changed the narrative. It was not a spontaneous attempt. The attackers had it all planned. They had guns and other weapons. In fact, it was a woman who smashed the windscreen of the vehicle of the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji where I was.

“It is really sad that these people infiltrated the ranks of the peaceful protesters and took advantage of the Governor’s walk with the youths to execute their sinister intentions.

“It was simply a street coup to take out the Governor, his Deputy and the Secretary to the State Government, all of whom were exposed during the protest and had to be smuggled into vehicles when the attack was launched”, Egbemode stated.

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Two protesters killed as angry youths attack Oyetola’s convoy

OduduwaNews has just gathered that at least two protesters have been killed by armed thugs who attacked Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s convoy in Osogbo, Osun State, during the #EndSARS protest on Saturday, witnesses said.

Three witnesses who spoke with our correspondent said the killing occurred in Ayepe area of Osogbo some minutes past 4 p.m.

Pictures and videos showing the victims are also trending on social media, particularly, Twitter.

The incident happened when Mr Oyetola convoy was attacked in the state capital. The attackers were armed with cutlass, broken bottles and all sorts of weapons.

This incident occurred as the governor addressed protesters.

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#EndSARS: Ogun govt sets up Victim Support Fund, Judicial Panel of Investigation

The Ogun State Government has set up committees on Victim Support Fund and Judicial Panel of Investigation among others.

This was contained in a statement released today by Ogun State Governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun via his official Twitter handle which reads in part:

“Impressive results have emerged from our #EndPoliceBrutality agitations following the resolutions of the virtual National Economic Council, NEC meeting held yesterday.

“Ogun State will be setting up one each of a support fund, panel, committee, and office.

“The first, Victim Support Fund, will enable monetary compensation to deserving victims of Police brutality from the now allocated, start-up 50million Naira.

“The panel, Judicial Panel of Investigation, to be chaired by Hon. Justice Solomon Olugbemi (Rtd) with members from Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, youth and student populations, Human Right Commission, NHRC, State Attorney General’s Office and retired Police league, will act upon complaints of Police brutality.

“The Special Security and Human Rights Committee, which I will chair, will monitor the conduct and excesses of any special or tactical unit that may be set up in Ogun State by the Nigeria Police, with membership of the heads of such a unit and other security agencies, youths, and CSOs.

“The Human Rights Complaints Office, with Mr Joseph Ogunniyi, Esq as Chairman, will facilitate easy access of complainants to assistance via modern technology channels, and give regular reports to the Special Security and Human Rights Committee for action.

“While we are setting up, in addition to these, a Forensics Laboratory to aid crime investigation, we will provide the Ogun State Human Rights Complaints Reporting Portal, via which Ogun State citizens can upload documentary, video or audio evidence of abuse.

“This transformation will make a significant difference, and this Administration will not relent in representing the interests of the people who voted her in.

“I therefore call on all protesters to bring an end to the demonstrations, while the joint initiatives of the Federal and Ogun State Governments are implemented for practical change”.

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Fuel tanker explodes on Otedola Bridge, Lagos

OduduwaNews has just gathered that a fuel tanker exploded on Otedola Bridge early morning of Saturday.

Confirming the development, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said the incident occurred around 2.00 am involving a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit and a truck carrying other goods.

The Director-General of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyitolu, said both trucks were out-bound Lagos for delivery.

“The Agency promptly responded to a fire outbreak after several distress calls were received from the control room at the above-mentioned address at around 0200hrs,” Oke-Osanyitolu said.

“On arrival at the incident scene, it was discovered that a 40fit containerized Truck loaded with fabric had a brake failure while moving inward Berger.

“It then collided with a tanker loaded with 33000 litres of PMS. The impact of the collision resulted in fire outbreak.”

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Alado condoles with Makinde over mother’s death

The Alado of Ado-Awaye Kingdom and the Paramount traditional ruler in Araromi LCDA, Oyo State, Oba Revd. Ademola Olugbile Folakanmi, Makuledoye 11, Iludero 1 has sent condolence message to His Excellency Engr. Oluseyi Makinde FNSE, the Executive Governor of Oyo state over the sudden death of his mother which occurred in the early hours of Thursday, 15 October, 2020 at a ripe age of 80.

In a statement signed and sent to OduduwaNews today by his Principal Secretary, Prince ‘Niyi Okunade-Maku.

In his condolence message, Oba Folakanmi described the demise of Governor’s mother as a peaceful exit of a glorious and loving mother and an invitation to eternity.

His Royal Majesty stated further that though “death is an inevitable end of every mortal regardless of status on this cosmos. But “mama” left when His Excellency and entire people of Oyo State needed her most”. The vacuum she left will be difficult to fill at this time”, he concluded.

Kabiyesi prayed that, God will give His Excellency and the entire Makinde family members the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

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Buhari condoles with Makinde over passing of Mother, Mrs. Abigail Makinde

President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and his entire family over the passing of their mother, Mrs Abigail Makinde.

This was contained in a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Femi Adesina which reads in part:

“The President sends condolences to friends, family and associates of the matriarch, whose testimony of love and kind heartedness continues to be shared, particularly her warmth to the poor and less privileged.
“President Buhari urges friends and family members to find solace in the good works of the governor’s mother, who invested heavily in fear of God, love and hard work, and ensured her children and grandchildren followed same training of diligence, discipline and charity.
The President prays the Almighty God will receive the soul of the departed, and comfort the family.

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Sanwo-Olu sets up judicial panel to investigate SARS brutality, human rights violations

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, raised a seven-man Judicial Panel of Enquiry and Restitution to investigate cases of brutality and human rights violations committed by operatives of the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the State.

The move is part of the steps being taken by Lagos Government to address the five-point demands of the youth demonstrating against SARS brutality.

Sanwo-Olu made the announcement during a live address held at the State House, Marina.

The panel, which is being headed by retired Justice Doris Okuwobi, will sit for six months and is mandated to thoroughly investigate all verifiable claims of abuses and fatalities arising from SARS engagement in the State, with the objective to bring erring officers to justice and get compensation for the victims.

The panel members has three individuals representing Civil Society, one person representing security agency and one person representing the Government. Human Rights Commission and protesters are also expected to nominate their representatives, before the panel commences sitting next week.

The Governor also set aside N200 million Trust Fund for the compensation of victims and families of those who died in the course of SARS’ activities.

The developments, Sanwo-Olu said, were part of the agreements reached at the Thursday meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) presided over by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and which had all Governors in attendance.

The Governor said: “I attended a National Economic Council Sub-Committee Meeting in which the major focus was the ongoing EndSARS protests and the necessary steps to take to assuage the feelings of the protesters. In line with the five-point demands of the protesters, we unanimously decided to inaugurate a panel of investigation into human rights abuses.

“A seven-member Judicial Panel of Enquiry and Restitution for victims of SARS-related abuses in Lagos State is now being constituted. This panel will ensure that all those with verifiable cases of SARS brutality or fatality get justice and receive compensation. The panel will be chaired by retired Justice Doris Okuwobi.

“Other panel members are Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN (representing the Civil Society), Taiwo Lakanu (a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police), Ms Patience Udoh (representing the Civil Society), Mr. Segun Awosanya (Human Rights Activist), Mrs. Olutoyin Odusanya (Director, Lagos Citizens Mediation Center), as well as a representative of the youth-led protest and a representative of the Human Rights Commission.”

The State Government, Sanwo-Olu said, has set up a help desk for the public complaints and petitions to the panel. Lagos residents, who have petitions against SARS, can reach the help desk on the numbers: 0901 051 3203, 0901 051 3204 and 0901 051 3205.

The Governor said his Government frowned at police misconduct seriously and would continue to respect the rights of the citizens to demonstrate peacefully. He condemned the violence that marred the EndSARS protest in Surulere on Monday.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed all the four erring police officers who fired live ammunition at peaceful protesters in Area C Police Command in Surulere had been identified and currently facing an orderly room trial that is being monitored by the Government.

He gave the names of the erring officers to include: Inspector Bagou Michael, Inspector Ekpoudom Etop, Sergeant Nnamdi Majura and Sergeant Akinyemi Benson.

While making reference to the Thursday skirmish at the protest ground in Alausa, the Governor sent strong warning to hoodlums who may want to harass the protesters to desist from the act. He stressed that the full wrath of the law would be brought on anyone apprehended for such act.

Sanwo-Olu, however, appealed to the protesters to acknowledge the progress being made on their demands and respond in good faith. He said the State had started to record incidents of breakdown of law and order as a result of the unabated protest.

He bemoaned the collateral impacts of the protest on the wellbeing of businesses and residents, pointing out that Lagos had recorded fatal medical evacuations as a result of blockage of key roads and gridlock occasioned by the protests.

He said: “We have been getting complaints from Lagosians who are unable to go to their workplaces or earn a legitimate living because of the collateral impact of protest gatherings. We cannot continue this way. What we need now, and ask for, is for the protesters to sheath their swords, and give us a chance, as Federal and State Governments, to consolidate on these actions being promptly taken to address their concerns.

“Even as we affirm the constitutional rights of all protesters to peacefully make their grievances known, it is also our duty as a government to ensure that the exercise of one set of rights by one group of people does not in any way constrain the rights of any other group of people. We now have no choice but to take every necessary step to restore law and order and to minimise the disruptions being experienced by all law-abiding residents of Lagos State.”

The Governor reminded the protesters that Lagos had started to witness an increase in daily caseload of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the last couple of days, stressing that the public demonstration could aggravate the health crisis that had been efficiently managed by the State Government.

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Oyo Assembly approves N100billion prosperity bond, says it’s to finance developmental projects

The Oyo State House of Assembly has approved Oyo N100 billion prosperity bond, describing it as an alternative approach of the present administration to finance infrastructural and developmental projects.

Giving the report of the committee on Public Accounts, Finance and Appropriation on the bond during the house’s Thursday plenary, the Committee Chairman, Hon. Akeem Mustapha noted that the bond was intended by government to finance priority projects in the State for rapid socio-economic development of the State.

The State lawmakers who had earlier organized a day seminar to gather more knowledge on bond issuance, payment and the imperative for domestic borrowing, today listed the Ibadan Dry Port/Rail Corridors, Ibadan Airport Upgrade and Expansion, Construction/Upgrade and Equipping of hospital across the three Senatorial Districts in the State, Circular Ring-road, Ibadan and the Construction of the Iseyin-Ogbomoso Road (about 50km) as five proposed developmental projects to be financed with the bond.

Mustapha said, “the bond is to be raised by the Private Company only that the Government gives support to the investors that are to be involved in the Bond issuance.

“During our workshop, there was a consensus opinion that there was nothing wrong in borrowing or bond issuance but what is important is the judicious utilization of the Bonds for the intended purpose. They are projects that have revenue potentials and capable of generating employment opportunities.

“The process towards the actualization of the proposed N100billion Bond commences November/December, 2020 as the target issuance date. Hence, all the five identified projects will be captured in the 2021 budget of the State.”

In his remarks, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin recalled that a seminar was held to highlight the benefits and challenges of bonds as well as bring to fore the rationale behind the Oyo Prosperity bond at this time.

The Speaker noted that the Seminar made the lawmakers to be better informed on the benefits and challenges of bonds, repayment modes , interest rates , and their expected roles as Lawmakers in ensuring that funds accruable from the bond are expended on projects highlighted by the state government.

He reiterated the resolve of the ninth Oyo State House of Assembly to continue to perform its statutory function of checking the executive arm of Government, curbing executive wastage and reducing government excesses.

He said, “There are needs for Government to seek and explore alternative means of financing its projects adding that borrowing itself was not a bad idea but insisted that money borrowed must be expended on capital projects that will generate revenue for easy and prompt repayment and not on recurrent expenditures.

“The House must be fully briefed on the bond. A committee will be setup in the house with members selected across Political parties irrespective to monitor the bond. It’s not a party affairs but a state business.

“The idea is to tap into our own potential as a state, so we can create our own success stories and commercial hub.” Hon Adebo Ogundoyin said.

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Lagos govt distances itself from alleged attacks on #EndSARS protesters

The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to some unverified reports in the social media alleging that the government-sponsored thugs to disrupt the #EndSARS protest. This is untrue and wicked.

Such wild allegations were obviously concocted by enemies of peace and orderliness to whip up sentiments against the government, which has been doing everything possible to resolve the crisis by identifying with our youths in their efforts towards police reforms.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been preaching peace. So has the Deputy Governor, who addressed the protesters last Friday. The Governor has addressed them twice – at the Lekki Toll Gate and at the House of Assembly. He even carried a placard and marched with the youths after assuring them that he felt their pains and that it was legitimate for them to protest.

Besides, the Governor visited the President to tender their five-point demand. He ensured that all the protesters arrested by the police were released unconditionally.

The enemies of progress, who are not happy that Lagos is not on fire, are the ones fueling the infernal lies that the government was sponsoring thugs to attack our protesting youths. They have been posting on the social media pictures suggesting that a Lagos Bus Service Ltd. (LBSL) vehicle was conveying thugs. The bus in question was on its normal operation when it ran into a group of protesters. The passengers, who felt endangered, rushed out of the bus. They returned to continue their journey after the charging crowd had left.

As a government, we will never encourage thuggery or any act of violence that may put the lives and businesses of Lagosians at risk. We are strongly committed to ensuring that our youths, who have taken to the streets to air their views, are well protected.

This should be a sober time for us all as we struggle to reverse the negative effects of COVID-19 on our economic and social lives, even as the experts are warning that a second wave is likely if we shun the safety guidelines we have all agreed to embrace.

The government seeks the co-operation of all in ensuring that the crisis is put behind us as soon as possible.

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