Nothing But Fact
There has been fresh indication that the Nigerian Union of Teachers NUT Oyo State Chapter has directed its members to join the Nationwide strike action set to commence tommorow teachers in compliance with NLC and TUC directives
The teachers in Oyo State held congress said they are joining the nationwide strike in strict compliance with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) directives to workers, unions and public.
Oyo State Government has reviewed attendance for both public and private schools in Oyo State. This was contained in a statement signed and released by the State Commissioner for Education, Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye to the newsmen today as attached below:
Osa of Iwo, Chief Yekeen Bello, who is the leader of Iwo kingmakers and one of those seeking the dethronement of the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi has revealed about the generation of the disagreement they have with their king.
The leader of the kingmakers while addressing newsmen said: “The petition was written because of his behaviour and attitude. You can always see that on social media and comments by the public about him are usually very bad. His behaviour is negatively affecting Iwo, Osun State, and even Nigeria in general. If an Oba conducts himself properly, nobody will say no to that. If a king does not respect us, his chiefs and elders in the community, what do you think will happen?
We have tried to condone those things, but we cannot continue like this. He is a disgrace to the community. Many times, we have sat down and talked about it. We have advised him, but still he would not listen. I’m sorry for Alli Ibrahim, Press Secretary to Oluwo, who said we received a large amount of money from somebody or people to remove Oluwo. That is a blatant lie. If we had taken that route, everything would have been over by now. We are also seeking help.”
When asked if the petition has affected the relationship between the kingmakers and the Oluwo, the Osa of Iwo said: “Our relationship is not cordial. If it had been cordial, you wouldn’t have seen the petition. He called for us last Sunday; we went and told him we could not be bribed. Unfortunately, he told us to find jobs that we would be doing. He said the allocation coming from the government is meant for the Oba alone and not the chiefs. I just laughed. He thought we did not know anything. If you investigate, you will know the allocation is for the Oba, chiefs and bales (community heads). He thought we were uncivilised. We are fighting for our rights. He will have to give us our rights. For a chief to be going home with about N4,000 or N3,000 per month is ridiculous. I am sorry to say this. You know, I am second in command to him.”
When further asked if there wasn’t an investigation that was done before Oba Akanbi was selected, he said: “One, he didn’t live in Iwo. Two, Yoruba people would say you can only help a man find a job; you won’t do the job for the person. You see, if I want to get something from you, I will be behaving like a saint but immediately I get what I want from you, I will show my true character. That’s what it is. Nobody thought he would behave like this; I am sorry to say this. I like him, because his father was my close friend and I supported him.
“When this Oluwo wanted to be the king, I had about 3,700 blocks I wanted to use to build a house. In the course of supporting him, I spent the money I had planned to spend on the project on something else. Eventually, the blocks were wasted. But we did not write the petition because of that. It is for the community and all the chiefs, not just about kingmakers. It is just that the kingmakers are expected to lead. I’m regarded as his number one enemy; he does not want to see me at all.”
While reacting to the allegation that someone is paying kingmakers to remove Oluwo, Chief Bello stated: “Look, it is a lie. I already told you that if that were true, everything would have been over. We thought we could sit with him, one-on-one, but now he is taking the matter beyond that. We have given Oluwo’s Press Secretary seven days to mention the man or woman that gave us money to remove Oluwo. If he is unable to do that, he will meet us in court. You know that’s defamation of character. He has to tell us the name of the person and the amount we collected from them.
“We should be 14 but one of us is dead. The 13th man, we didn’t inform him about it because of some reasons best known to us.”
When asked how the problem can be solved, he said: It is very simple; we have not gone on air, but he is already on air. His press secretary has already spoken. What do you want us to do? If he hadn’t spoken to newsmen, things would have been different. I would not have granted you this interview. That’s how it is. Iwo is disintegrated now. Olaoluwa gone, Ayedire gone. The Council of Obas has suspended him. If we are to take that one up, it will be very serious. We are not kids at all, but we have to play it cool, not because of him but because of the Iwo community.
“The Council of Obas has already suspended him. We are not going back (on that). We still stand by our position that he should go because he is not ready for amicable settlement of the issues; instead, he is going on air, damaging our names and characters.”
The Minister of State for Niger/Delta Affairs, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, on Monday, added a new twist to the electioneering campaign as the governorship election in Ondo State gathers momentum.
The Minister, a native of Iju/Itaogbolu in Akure North Local Government Area(LGAs) of the state, declared, amidst applause from his kinsmen, that the candidate of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, is merely wasting his time, boasting that the incumbent Governor and the Candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, is the candidate to beat in Akure North and South LGAs.
Jegede, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN), hails from Akure South.
Addressing a crowd of party supporters in Ogbese and Oba Ile in Akure North on Saturday, Alasoadura said Akeredolu is the prefered candidate of Akure people.
The Minister added that it is not yet the time of Akure ethnic nationality to produce the Governor of Ondo State, stressing that the Northern Senatorial District where Akeredolu hails from should be allowed to complete its two terms of eight years.
“I am an Akure man and I can say very confidently the position of Akure people. Our candidate in Akure Kingdom is Akeredolu because we love justice and equity.
“Akeredolu is from the North. Akure is from the Central. The Central just completed eight years, the North should be allowed to complete their eight years. When next the position comes back to the Central, Akure will take the spot because Mimiko has used the slot of Ondo Kingdom.
“Besides, my brother, Jegede is merely wasting his time. We shall defeat him in the two Local Government in a level playing ground. Akeredolu is the man to beat in the two Local Governments in Akure kingdom.” Alasoadura, said.
The Minister appealed to the traditional rulers and chiefs in Akure Kingdom to mobilise their people to vote en masse for Akeredolu, saying that would enable the governor to fulfill all their heart desires in his second term in office.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, has said that the governor has been fulfilling his electoral promises and building a new Oyo State.
The governor’s aide stated that contrary to criticisms by the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the 2019 election, Mr Adebayo Adelabu that none of the promises Makinde made to the electorate has been fulfilled, the governor has in the last one year and four months, placed the state on a sound footing for economic expansion and put in place policies and programmes that are lifting the people from poverty to prosperity.
A statement by the governor’s Media Aide indicated that Adelabu’s comments are clear indications that he has lost touch with the current reality in Oyo State, having been blinded by unbridled ambition to govern the state.
He said: “Governor Makinde, as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made promises on the campaign train which were later crystalised into the four-point service agenda of his administration including Security, Health, Education and expanded Economy (using the agricultural value chain.)
“14 months into the tenure, notwithstanding the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which rattled the world and slowed down the pace of developmental works, the administration of Engineer Makinde has been busy recording one great landmark achievement after the other.
“Even the blind can see the improvements made to the Health sector; everyone can see that the free and qualitative education is yielding fruits; that the security has been taken a top notch; and that the economy is expanding fast with improved infrastructure and revival of moribund companies that harbour huge revenue potentials,” the statement read in part.
The statement further maintained that thanks to the prudence and ingenuity of the Makinde administration, which recently introduced the Alternative Projects Funding Approach (APFA), the government is presently working on the all-important 67 km Moniya-Iseyin road, to open up the food basket of the state; the 21km Ajia-Airport road; remodeling the Adamasingba Stadium, as well as fixing the abandoned Agbowo shopping complex, Ibadan.
The statement indicated that Makinde’s achievements in 14 months have already outclassed the returns of the eight year tenure of the immediate past APC administration in the state.
According to the statement, the achievements of the administration in the health sector include the equipment of the Infectious Disease Centre, Olodo, Ibadan; the setting up of Saki Specialist Hospital, Saki and the determination to remodel and equip Grade III Primary Health Centres across each of the electoral wards, which is well on course, saying these are landmarks the APC chieftain won’t acknowledge.
The statement added: “The Oranyan Maternity Centre, Eyin Grammar Comprehensive Health Centre in Ibadan, and Aafin Oyo and Aawe PHCs in Oyo zone are great testaments to Makinde’s revitalization of the Health sector.
“Governor Makinde has also completed the Phase One of the Light-Up Oyo State Project and commenced the second phase. It is to be noted that the Light-Up Project is a multi-purpose project which addresses the security challenges, enhances night life and expands the economy as we drive the state towards a 24-hour economy status.”
The statement added that the Makinde government has embarked on a steady rebuilding of the state’s infrastructure, adding that the administration has also been guiding the state towards a solid economic revival through different policies and initiatives.
According to the statement, the claims by Adelabu that he would remove Makinde from office in 2023 amounted to a wild dream of a man blinded by ambition.
It added that Adelabu lacked the understanding of what the state needed to move forward, since he does not have any form of blueprint to develop the state.
The statement read: “Let it be on record that the people of Oyo State are happy with the deliverables by the administration of Governor Makinde, since he has practically turned the state to a huge construction site. “Everyone is happy that the governor is delivering on his promises.
“But one is in no doubt to state that Adelabu has never read a line of the Roadmap to Accelerated Development of Oyo State 2019-2023, which is the book of government for every step Governor Makinde has taken since May 2019. One is also not in doubt to state that Adelabu does not know that rather than tax the hapless students of Oyo State, Governor Makinde has been paying In excess of N526 million per term to primary and secondary schools in the state to cater for the needs of.their pupils and students as part of his free education policy.”
The statement particularly frowned on the misguided view of the APC candidate on payment of salaries in the state and what he described as populist programmes, saying that Adelabu’s statement showed clearly that he was happy with the previous administration’s shabby treatment of workers, teachers and pensioners.
“We must equally put on record that the people of Oyo State are not looking for a governor that will refuse to pay their salaries and gratuities; return the pensioners to deadwood, who will only be paid in percentages and owe teachers for years, as his mentor, former Governor Abiola Ajimobi did.
“Adelabu has never missed an opportunity to criticise the effort of the Makinde government to ensure prompt payment of salaries and pensions on or before 25th of every month. “Unfortunately for him, he does not know that by constantly pushing money in excess of N11 billion into the state’s economy every 30 days, Makinde is deliberately reflating Oyo State’s economy and stabilizing the buying power of the people.
“It is to be placed on record as well that since May 29, 2019, Governor Makinde has never missed the payment of salaries/pensions on the 25th. In many instances, the payments have come earlier. In fact, workers received their September salaries on the 24th.
“But that is what Adelabu chose to criticise. The lesson from this is that Adelabu, like his mentor, detests the workforce and pensioners of the state and thinks that they do not deserve to be paid as and when due. The former CBN Deputy Governor criticising Makinde for paying salaries, showed that if ever he gets to govern the state, the welfare of workers and pensioners will not be his priority. Of course, no one would expect anything different,” the statement said.
“Anyway, the statement credited to Adelabu did not throw up a surprise. It is expected that the man, who has been on vacation from politics since he lost the last election, will look for a way to come back to limelight now that the dynamics of politics in his party shows that no one will impose him on the party any longer.
“What is surprising, however, is the fact that Adelabu has allowed his unbridled capitalistic tendencies to blind his eyes to developments in Oyo State, which he sought to govern, to the extent that he could not separate politics from development.
“For one, coming out to say that the administration of Governor Makinde has not done any of the things he promised showed that Adelabu has lost touch with reality; his only reality appears to be how to corner landed properties and build ventures for personal gains. If that is not the situation, one wonders how anyone reasonable would close his eyes to the massive infrastructure development going on in the state.
“Indeed, one would have loved to continue reeling out the achievements of the incumbent government in the state, but it will be needless, knowing that nothing can make Adelabu buy into a reasonable argument.
“We will like to state, however, that Adelabu should not take his arrogance to the point of playing god by claiming to have power to remove Makinde in 2023. No matter what he does, Makinde will not be distracted. The governor has not said anything about 2023, because he is busy delivering on the mandate given to him. When the time comes to talk about 2023, however, it is clear as crystal that the people will not allow charlatans and wicked politicians to take advantage of them. They already know those who are only interested in building capitalistic ventures and milking the people to their bone
marrows.”
OduduwaNews has just gathered that an accident occurred today in Ikoyi, Lagos State where one person was said to have lost his life with several others injured.
According to the spokesperson for the Lagos State Emergency Agency, Nosa Okunbor, the accident occurred around 01.40 am.
Okunbor, who said LASEMA recorded a new Response Time by getting to the scene of the accident in 10 minutes, identified the deceased as an adult male.
He explained that the accident happened around Golden Gate in Ikoyi when two vehicles collided.
He said, “On arrival at the scene, it was discovered that a white, unregistered Ford Ranger Jeep and a white Nissan Jeep with registration number KRD 499 GE, had a head-on collision at the traffic stop junction of the road.
“Further investigation carried out revealed that both vehicles whilst speeding, ran into each other at the intersection of the road.
In continuation of its zero-tolerance for illegal building construction, the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, on Friday, served compliance notices on 42 residential buildings and one hotel, while it also sealed seven buildings in various stages of completion in Lekki Phase 1 for not complying with physical planning laws.
The Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, speaking during a routine compliance monitoring of the area, disclosed that the State Government had warned repeatedly that it will not condone illegal building construction as they are inimical to orderly and sustainable development of the State.
“I wish to emphasise again that owners and developers should make the necessary effort to apply and obtain Planning Permits before construction. They also must endeavour to make recourse to the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) for stage certification in order to certify their building safe, complete and habitable”, he said.
He enjoined Lagosians and professionals in the built environment to appreciate the merit of safety, orderliness and organised setting, in compliance with the Planning Laws of the State, in addition to preventing the menace of building collapse.
Salako reiterated that it is imperative for all property owners or developers to obtain Planning Permits before construction and conform to the dictates of the Permit during building construction.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Mr. Ganiyu Adele Ayuba, who was also present during the monitoring exercise, stated that members of the public should endeavour to report illegal building construction in their neighbourhoods, adding that doing so is in the best interest of all.
OduduwaNews has just gathered that an Okada man called Ayuba Sarafa committed suicide on Friday in one uncompleted building at Amuloko area of Olorunsogo, Ona Ara Local Government, Ibadan, Oyo State.
His uncle, Kazeem Tijani, said since Ayuba went to work on Thursday mornimg, he didn’t see him till he went to sleep at night.
It was said that Sarafa was seen hanging in an uncompleted building after alot of efforts made by his relatives to ascertain his whereabouts when he could not come home having gone to work since Thursday morning. According to his uncle, he said they got to know that the deceased was inside an uncompleted building when they called his number and discovered that his phone’s ringtone was being heard very close to the said uncompleted building and on hearing the ringtone they decided to venture into action immediately by searching the building thoroughly untill they found him hanging.
OduduwaNews ascertained from naijatodaynews that the two black plastic bags were seen on the ground with his pair of sandals also flung there. According to some residents, items found in the bags included: a white garment (Jalamia), two types of perfume, a new white singlet, chin chin, biscuits and other personal effects. He used a white handkerchief as a face mask.
Asked what he felt could have caused Ayuba’s death, his uncle, a native of Apomu in the Isokan Local Government Area of Osun State, whose business is sale of scraps, said: “Ayuba got the motorcycle on hire purchase basis and he was paying the instalments adequately. He was my brother’s son. He was not indebted to anyone and he was not starving at all. He was not married. He has been living with me for the past two to three years. He was working with me before he got Okada. He was initially a tailor and he was doing fine. We have searched his room but we could not find any note that he could have left, though we could not search his body. I have called our relations in Apomu; they are on their way”.
Speaking with the Chairman of the Okada Riders Association at Amuloko where Ayuba was a member, Mr. Oluwatosin James, described Ayuba as a very cool and easy-going rider. According to him, “The news of Ayuba’s death came to us as a rude shock. It is this morning that we heard of the news at the Park. He was very reticent and would not fight anybody. Once he did his okada business in the morning, he would go and park and go to his uncle’s shop to assist him. Out of N390,000 that he got the Okada on instalment, has paid up to N77,000 that is remaining. There was no issue of threat to him from the person who gave him the okada. In fact, the person is like a brother to him. So, we are confounded over this incident”, he said regrettably.
As at the time of filing this report, the body of Ayuba was still dangling as traditional worshippers were making arrangements to bring it down for sacrifice to be performed lest the death turned a pestilence in the cimmunity.
A police officer from Akanran Division was also on ground to make proper documentation on the incident before burial would take place. Landlords in the area were stunned and many of them were short of words.
…calls for economic diversification through mining.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has called on the Federal Government to site the hub of the nation’s gemstone market in the state in order to boost the mining industry in Nigeria.
The governor, who stated this while receiving the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arch. Olamilekan Adegbite, at the Government House, Agodi Ibadan, also sought for the support of the Federal Government to curb the activities of illegal miners.
He maintained that the state has already been putting some structures in place to enhance the development of its solid mineral development sector and position the state to benefit maximally from the immense opportunities available in the sector.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor added that in line with his promise to build infrastructure that targets the economic expansion agenda of the administration, a number of projects are being put up to support the mining industry.
He said:
“We do have some aspirations, which I think we can collaborate on, especially the gemstone market. It is informal right now but we want to formalise it. I know you are from Ogun State but Abeokuta should not even be in competition with us and I will tell you why. Here, we are putting up a number of projects that we think would support the mining industry, especially in the aspect of the expansion of Ibadan Airport.
“So, quite frankly, if we have the gemstone market, we will basically just take off from there to anywhere in the world and that is what we want to do.
“Ibadan used to be a regional capital and we have a fairly developed infrastructure. So, I think you should just give the gemstone market to us and let us sign it up this evening.
“Also, on the mineral surveillance programme, we were looking at doing that on our own, but we think that if we can collaborate with the Federal Government, that will allow us, from the outset, to key into that programme. One of the things that we always say here is that we are so much in a hurry to get things done and if the bureaucracy at the Federal Level will not allow things to happen as fast as we will love to see, then we can go ahead. But we can have the arrangement for the agreement that when you are indeed ready, we will just match that together.
“We have seen cobalt here and we have also seen ledium here and when I looked at the quality, I think they told me it was about 70 per cent purity, when the entire world is looking for something around 40 per cent. So, for me, even though you classified it as something for the future, I think it is happening right now. Those are opportunities that we really want to wrap our fingers around in Oyo state. I also believe we do have challenges with the illegal miners. Not just here, I believe it is all over the country, but I believe it has to be sorted.”
Governor Makinde admonished the Federal Government to diversify the economy of the country by tapping into the economic benefits available in the mining industry.
“The fact that we have oil and gas reserves in abundance still should not preclude seriousness on our part to develop the solid mineral sector. If you have a little bit of unclarity with what people should do, how people should operate, that clarity has to be around the programme and so the local people can invest massively.”
The governor maintained as part of moves that can demonstrate the seriousness of the Federal Government in exploring the opportunities in the mining sector, the minister should encourage it to become active as part of the board of the Nigerian Marble Mining Company, Igbeti, which the state recently constituted in line with its commitment to expand its economy using mineral development as one of the core areas of focus.
“In Oyo State, we have the Igbeti Marble Mining Company and the Federal Government owns 20 per cent of that. We have seen people but when we came in, we did not meet anybody there. The Board was not in place for so long but when we came in, we started putting things together. We inaugurated the Board a few weeks back but we want the representative of the FG on that Board to be active. We also want the FG, through your ministry, to be active. We want to achieve and align on certain things.”
Earlier, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Adegbite, said the essence of the visit was to spread the gospel of mining to Oyo State and all over Nigeria.
He said: “We are in Oyo State essentially to spread the gospel of mining all over Nigeria. President Buhari, since assumption of office, has tried so much to diversify the economy, especially through the mining sector and agriculture. We have relied so much on oil and gas and whenever the vagaries of the oil prices happen in the international market, Nigeria catches the cold; our economy is in tatters. But to avoid that, there is massive injection of efforts and campaigns into agriculture, which has started yielding results.
“If not for the effort of the past four years, I think this pandemic would have caught us in more situations. But because we achieved some certain level of adequacy like feeding ourselves, that is why the strength of the pandemic was not so bad on our people. It could have been worse.
“We are in Oyo State to bring awareness and to let people know more about what we are doing in the sector. At the same time, we have been doing a lot of international road shows. We go there and publicise mining in Nigeria. Nigeria is known for oil and gas and it is very difficult to convince people otherwise that mining can thrive in Nigeria. But we are getting some tractions because of the investment that has been put into the exploration of minerals in that sector.”
The minister, who stated that his Ministry has had good cooperation with the present administration in Oyo State, said he has been convinced on why the gems market should be in Ibadan, where he said seems to be the centre for the products, though informal.
“We have had a good cooperation with the Oyo State government, particularly this current government. I have had delegation from my office. They talk about mining in Oyo State, especially the gems market. Oyo State, particularly Ibadan here, seems to be the centre for the gems market, though the market is a bit informal because a lot of them don’t know the value of what they mine.
“The focus primarily is on the minerals but not the gemstones. But now, we are beginning to organise that sector as well to make sure that we regulate the gemstones market. Ibadan and Abeokuta were in competition for that but I have been convinced to bring the market to Ibadan. The market exists already but all we need is to develop a fund and organise the market so that people can derive value for what they have laboured for.
“Government can realise revenue from this market in terms of royalty and everybody will be happy about it. This is part of what we are doing and proclaiming all over the country,” Adegbite said.
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has been warned to stay away from the Ondo State governorship election scheduled for October 10th.
The warning was given by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State against the backdrop of Wike’s declaration on Friday that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, would win the guber poll.
Wike stated this on Friday when he featured on Channel Television’s Sunrise Daily.
He had, during the programme, alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was mounting pressure on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to win the poll for Akeredolu, following the victory of PDP in Edo State.
But, Akeredolu fired back at Wike, saying the Rivers governor would not have any room to influence the process at the poll.
The Ondo governor spoke through his Commissioner for Information, Mr Donald Ojogor.
Akeredolu said: “In all aspects, Governor Wike deserves respect not just as governor but as a critical stakeholder in the democratic journey. He has his inalienable rights as a citizen to express his mind and make comments about whatever he feels strongly about.
“However, what amuses us is his imperious attitude and recourse to spurious allegations just because of an election. He should know that the people of the Ondo State who have a history of rejecting external influence and domination, will resist his attempt to play the role of a godfather in Ondo state. Ondo is not Rivers.
“The man ought to know that utterances of public office holders must be measured and their delivery ought to be in line with the mood of the people. The people of the state will resist Wike here even if he had roared elsewhere successfully. For emphasis, his imperialistic approach is most unfortunate and very unbecoming.”
You cannot copy content of this page