Oduduwa News

The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Thursday denied claims that two students were arrested for protesting the presence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on the campus.

According to report x Wike was delivering the Distinguished Personality Lecture at the university’s Oduduwa Hall on the topic, “Nigeria of Our Dreams.”

It was, however, gathered that the two students, Oladepo Joshua and Ejike Kelechi, raised placards inside the hall calling out the minister to “compensate those that you demolished their houses.”

In a video seen by newsmen, the duo was subsequently whisked out of the hall by security officials while the minister was speaking.

Multiple sources on the campus told Punch that the students were taken to the security base of the institution known as ‘Floor 0’ in the Senate Building of the school.

“They were in Oduduwa Hall for the event Wike came for. We presently don’t know their whereabouts,” a student who gave her name simply as Gift for fear of victimisation, said.

“I’m just getting to Floor 0. They were taken to Floor 0 together with security details attached to Wike. They wanted to take them away. But I learnt security operatives appealed to Wike’s security officials not to take them away,” another source said.

The Education Rights Campaign’s National Mobilisation Officer, Adaramoye Michael, also said “the arrest of these two student activists is condemnable, and it shows the despotism obtainable in tertiaryE institutions today.

The Students’ Union at the university said it had yet to get full details of the incident.

“As of this time, I just heard rumours. At this particular event, I was not in attendance, and I don’t have any detailed report yet,” the union’s spokesperson, Aka Daniel, said in a chat with our correspondent

Thousands of pilgrims, including Nigerians, have defied the heat wave and stormed mount Arafat for prayer and reflection for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.

Saudi Arabia’s minister of Hajj had issued an advisory for pilgrims to stay in their tents between 10am and 4pm today, warning of the heat exhaustion when thousands scale the sacred hill.

On Sunday, the Saudi National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) had issued heatwave warnings for Hajj 2025, urging pilgrims to take precautions amid soaring daytime temperatures between 40°C and 47°C.

The NCM forecasted challenging weather, including high temperatures, potential thunderstorms, and reduced visibility.

However, pilgrims, men and women, have trekked a long distance and ascended the top of Mount Arafat, praying and reflecting.

Speaking to our correspondent, one of the pilgrims from Nigeria, Yusuf Hassan, said he’s aware of the advisory but couldn’t suppress his desire to see and climb the ‘mount of mercy’.

“I promised myself that I will climb Mount Arafat and pray whenever Allah (SWT) gives me the opportunity to come. So, for me, it’s a promise fulfilled,” he said.

Our correspondent also reports that the majority of pilgrims heed to the advisory, and engaged in Quranic recitation and prayers within their tents.

He also reported that Helicopters were seen hovering over the sky, while police and other security operatives were strategically stationed and patrolling streets, guiding pilgrims on how to abide by their country’s law.

“A visit to Mount Arafat is something great that every able Muslim should not miss. It is the best day for Muslims during the year, and the best feeling that anyone can experience,” said Hazaifa Sani, a Nigerian pilgrim.

Also, many pilgrims were seen outside the tent, raising their hands in worship with tears streaming down their faces.

Another pilgrim, Muhammed Sheriff, said he feels honored to be part of the 2025 Hajj and to participate in the Arafat,

“It’s a great feeling for me and the best place for anyone hoping to be here on this day and at this moment,” he said.

Mount Arafat has a great significance in Islam as Prophet Mohammed gave his farewell sermon at the location.

They will also spend the night in Muzdalifah, pick pebbles, and head for Mina for the stoning of the devil after a Subh (dawn) prayer.

At a media briefing held yesterday, the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources declared a firm stance: the era of environmental indiscipline is over.

Effective July 1, the state will begin full enforcement of the ban on Single Use Plastics, marking a bold step towards a cleaner, safer Lagos. Offenders who flout environmental laws, whether by dumping refuse illegally, littering streets, or defacing public space, will face hefty penalties of up to ₦250,000 or 3 months imprisonment.

Already, over 3,000 environmental offenders have been arrested, as the government intensifies both surveillance and public advocacy.

Existing bans on cart pushing, public defecation, and illegal street trading remain in full force.

The tragic incident occured on Monday when the news broke out that one young guy suddenly fell from the 26th floor of Cocoa House, the tallest building in Oyo State.

It was however gathered that the identity of the victim who was pronounced as brought in dead at the hospital was a fresh graduate of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State (ABUAD), and was undergoing training in cybersecurity at a company based on the eighth floor of the building.

The deceased, known as Feranmi Akin-Akinye, the 22-year-old graduate who fell from the 26th floor of the iconic Cocoa House building in Ibadan, Oyo State, has been finally buried.

A neighbour of the deceased, who pleaded for anonymity, said on Wednesday that Akin-Akinye lived with his mother in the Meridian area of Apata, Ibadan, while his father was reportedly based in the United States.

The source alleged that the young man was instructed by the company he worked for to mount a large wall banner at the top of Cocoa House, a task typically reserved for professionals equipped with the proper tools and machineries.

“I blame the company for his death. He came from a good home, he was very humble and respectful. He had a car his parents gave him, but you’d never know from the way he carried himself.

“They asked him to mount a giant banner meant for professionals, and because of his humility, he complied,” the neighbour said.

The neighbour also claimed that following the incident, the company attempted to downplay the tragedy.

“They said he was taken to the emergency ward even though he had already died. His mother wasn’t even contacted by the company, it was a random person who called her.

“When 32 FM, which operates within Cocoa House, tried to take photos, they were prevented. His body was quickly covered with a cloth. I heard his body was badly mang!3d,”the neighbour added.

Akin-Akinye was buried on Tuesday by his church, Winners Chapel.

It was learnt that his father’s siblings were considering legal action against the company for alleged negligence.

A group of elderly women working as street sweepers under the Oyo State Waste Management Authority (OYWMA) faced a challenging situation as most of them find it difficult to feed themselves due to the 5-month wages owed them.

The group of elderly women have on several occasions registered their displeasure against the continuing delay of their monthly emolument.

In an investigative report by Oduduwa News, the elderly women had worked for several months and are being subjected to untold hardship having been denied of their monthly emolument.

The stipend usually given to these women ranges from 10,000 to 15,000 has not been paid to them, piling up for several months amid the prevailing economic hardship in the country.

One will wonder that the meagre amount of money usually given to these group of women would be disbursed to them as at when due but reverse has always been the case, leaving the women to wallow in suffering and pains despite working all round the clock to tidy up the environment in Ibadan metropolis.

According to an anonymous source, it was gathered that the contractor handling the waste management in Oyo State has been shortchanging these women for a very long period of time while the women have been left to carry their cross without anybody coming to their aide.

Recall, these women had faced similar situation in the past when they were owed several months by a private contractor, West AfricaENRG contracted by Oyo State Government but later dismissed due to issue related to payment delays and record keeping discrepancies.

One would have thought that Oyo State Government would have found a lasting solution to the starvation and hunger facing these elderly women due to unnecessary delay in their monthly emolument.

The affected workers, many of whom are elderly rely on these wages for their livelihood despite the fact that they have been finding it difficult to cope with harsh economic environment.

This continuous delay in payment of contract staff underscores the challenges that can arise when public services are outsourced to private contractors without stringent oversight. It also highlights the importance of transparent record-keeping and the need for the government accountability to protect the rights and welfare of vulnerable workers.

The Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has approved the constitution of a new board for the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission with the appointment of chairperson and members.

According to a letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, those appointed are:

1. Mrs. Olubukola Oladipo Chairperson
2. Mr. Banji Ranmi Ogungbaro Member
3. Mrs. Oluwatoyin Ajibola Member
4. Mrs. Ariyo Ameenat Ayokunnu Member
5. Afolabi Olusola Joshua Member
6. Rasaq Mustapha Member
7. Mr. Olalekan Akeem Jimoh Member

The governor, while congratulating the new appointees, counseled them to see their appointment as a call to service.
The appointments are with immediate effect.

A yet-to-be-identified man has reportedly fallen from one of the top floors of the 26-storey Cocoa House building in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The incident, which threw the entire business community into panic, occurred in the early hours of Monday.

One of the eyewitnesses said, “When the incident happened, I initially thought it was a large bird falling from the sky.

“It was only when the person landed that I realised it was a human being.

“I had my phone with me but I couldn’t even record anything because I was completely shocked.”

Another eyewitness said, “The victim first hit a roof beside the security post of the building before landing on the ground. It was a terrifying sight.”

As at press time, the circumstances behind the unfortunate incident were still sketchy as investigation continues.

Meanwhile, a statement released by Odu’a Investment Company Limited, the firm managing Cocoa House, on Tuesday, in Ibadan, the state capital, confirmed the incident.

The Head of Branding and Communication of the company, Victor Ayetoro, who authorised the statement, said, “The individual involved was swiftly attended to by the emergency response team and taken to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, for urgent medical attention.

“The company expressed deep concerns over the development and assured the public of its full cooperation with authorities investigating the cause of the fall,” he added.

In a bold statement marking two years of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) has accused the President of marginalizing Yoruba Muslims in federal appointments.

The statement, jointly signed by Rasaki Oladejo (President) and Prof. Musliu ‘Tayo Yahya (Executive Secretary/CEO), was issued to the press on Tuesday. While commending Tinubu’s achievements in areas like economic reforms, infrastructure, and national security, MUSWEN strongly expressed concern that South West Muslims are being sidelined.

“The representation of South West Muslims in key federal positions does not reflect the region’s demographic and intellectual weight, nor does it align with the principles of fairness, equity, and inclusivity as enshrined in Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution,” the group stated.

The Islamic body noted that despite the Yoruba Muslims’ significant population and intellectual contributions, they remain absent from the corridors of federal power, a development MUSWEN views as both unjust and unconstitutional.

MUSWEN is now calling on Tinubu to take deliberate steps to correct the imbalance, urging him to ensure that appointments moving forward are reflective of the religious and regional diversity within the South West.

This development adds to growing concerns over equity and inclusiveness under Tinubu’s leadership, especially within his home region. Will the President respond to the outcry of his kinsmen? The nation watches.

Following the assault on the Vice Principal of Complete Child Development Centre Akure, the Ondo State Police Command has arrested Mrs. Dorcas Asije and four other accomplices.

Acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) led a tactical team to ensure their swift arrest.

The case has been transferred to SCID and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.

The public is advised to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activity to the nearest police station.

For any inquiries, please contact:

DSP AYANLADE OLAYINKA OLUSHOLA
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO)
Ondo State Police Command
For: – Commissioner of Police, Ondo State.

A clash between two rival cult groups at Oke Ola area in Osogbo has consumed one person, before arrival of police team that went to the scene of the incident that restored normalcy in the area on Sunday.

Oduduwa News reports that Osun State Police Command Public Relations Officer Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the incident explaining that it took the intervention of the police to quell the bloody clash.

“It was the police team that went to the scene of the incident that restored normalcy in the area. At the moment, we are on the trail of the culprits (the cult members), and they will be made to face the law when arrested’, he said.

Oduduwa News further reports that an eyewitness said that the clash, which occurred at about 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, snowballed into a gun battle, adding that one of the cult members was shot in the head and died on the spot.

The sources added that fracas ensued when some suspected members of a cult group in Osogbo, who were part of a masquerade’s procession, entered the territory of a rival cult group.

Meanwhile Ojelabi appealed to residents of the state to always report any breach of the law or suspected criminal activities to the police promptly, and released contacts of Police Control Room and Complaint Response Unit which include 08039537995/08123823981 and 08035143235/08066286549/08030732461 to make reports.