The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • I accept to lead Yoruba, says Akintoye

    Second Republic member of the Senate and historian, Prof. Banji Akintoye, on Thursday formally accepted the position of Yoruba leader.

    He promised to work toward unity of all groups and politicians for the unity of Southwest.

    Speaking at Lagos Airport Hotel in Ikeja, during a news conference attended by the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) chieftain, Dr. Amos Akingba and veteran journalist, Chief Tola Adeniyi, among others, Prof. Akintoye said he would commit himself to continuing as resolutely non-partisan as he has been for decades toward the enhanced progress, prosperity and the right destiny for the Yoruba nation.

    Akintoye was elected as Yoruba leader on August 22 by many Yoruba organisations that met in Ibadan.

    Prof. Akintoye said he was humbled that he was so highly regarded as the new Yoruba leader by those who assembled at the Ibadan meeting, although he was not present and was not party to their meeting.

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    “I hereby humbly respond yes to your call, fully and gratefully confident that you all will rise and work dedicatedly and faithfully with me in all efforts to advance the best prospects, the best achievements and the right destiny for Yoruba nation,” he said.

    With his acceptance, the Yoruba now have a leader to succeed Senator Abraham Adesanya, who was the last elected Yoruba leader. Since his demise, the Yoruba have never had a unifying leader.

    The new Yoruba leader faulted the claims in some quarters that Yoruba leader has never emerged through election, noting that the late sage and former Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and former Afenifere leader, Senator Abraham Adesanya, were both elected at different times by people at a specific meeting as Yoruba leaders during their life.

    The Yoruba leader assured all Yoruba at home and in the diaspora that he and those who will work with him will in all things, uphold and showcase the Awolowo legacy as the noblest and proudest modern legacy of the Yoruba nation.

    “We commit ourselves to relating and interacting positively without discrimination with the Yoruba politician, the elected Yoruba public official and professional bureaucrat at every level of government in Nigeria, the governments of all Yoruba states and the governments of our local government areas, all to the end that they will all consciously employ their positions, power and influence for uplifting, uniting, empowering and enriching our Yoruba nation.

    “Our whole perception of the leadership of today’s Yoruba nation shall be that it does not interfere with partisan politics and politicians but that it encourages our whole nation and its leading citizens to strive bravely for excellence, prosperity and power, and towards the true national destiny of our nation,” the Yoruba leader said.

  • Group honours four Akure indigenes

    A group, the Akure Division Unity Forum (ADUF), covering four local government areas of Ifedore, Akure South, Idanre and Akure North, led by the Ojomu of Idanre, Aare Agboola Akintan, has honoured four distinguished indigenes of Akure community.

    A statement by the Secretary, Prof. Olu Aboluwoye, said the exemplary leadership award was in appreciation of the outstanding achievements and contributions of the awardees to the human capacity development in the division.

    The beneficiaries are the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, the lawmaker representing Ondo Central District, Senator Ayo Akinyelure (All Over), the lawmaker representing Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, Alhaji Tajudeen Atenidegbe and the Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun,  representing Ifedore Constituency.

    The chairman urged them to be good ambassadors of the division and remain steadfast in the development of the area.

  • I will recover looted funds, says Makinde

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has wooed banks’ executives to assist the government in ensuring that looted funds are recovered.

    He said the funds would be used for development.

    The governor vowed to recover looted funds, saying they should be kept in a special bank account for the use of the state.

    He spoke when he hosted the management of Unity Bank Plc at the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan.

    According to him, the account will be made open to everybody to prevent the recovered money from being looted again.

    The Managing Director of the bank, Mrs. Toyin Somefun, said the purpose of the visit was to request for partnership with the new administration under Governor Makinde.

    Read Also: Makinde to verify number of state workforce

    Relief yesterday came the way of thousands of people who had expressed concern about the future of the first Technical University (Tech-U) in Ibadan, Oyo State, as Governor Makinde assured of his support to the institution.

    The university was established by the former Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration, but some of his legacies are being cancelled or altered by the new government.

    Tech-U is a fee-paying institution, but with scholarship offered by the state government and other funders.

    Makinde said his administration would support the institution.

    He spoke when members of the Governing Council of the university visited him.

    The governor, who received the team led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe, noted that he was impressed with the calibre of professionals, who constituted the council.

    He said: “Looking at the composition of the Council, I can say you are men and women of great accomplishment that is beyond the ordinary. You are some of the best we can get around.

    “When we were dissolving boards, we made an exception to Tech-U, because we looked at the profile of the people involved and we were convinced that you are there on merit.

    “If I were to choose members of the Council, I would have also chosen the majority of you. We gave exception for Tech-U because of the work you’re doing for Oyo State.”

    Makinde said he exercised caution on the university because he wanted more information on its ownership profile.

    Noting the dire financial state of the state, he encouraged the university management to embark on a sustainability drive that would sustain the vision for which it was established.

  • Oyetola seeks monarchs’ support on tax payment

    Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has solicited the support and cooperation of traditional rulers on the need to mobilise their subjects to pay their taxes regularly.

    He said the call was necessary to help the administration actualise its dreams of boosting the revenue profile of the state.

    Governor Oyetola spoke on Thursday during the presentation of Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment to the newly appointed Olulamokun of Yakooyo, Oba Meschack Oyewole Oyediran, at Yakooyo in Ife-North Local Government.

    Read Also: Osun and continuity: Aregbesola, Oyetola example

    He said the government would remain faithful to its avowed commitment to make life bearable for citizens.

    The governor urged the monarchs to support the lofty policies and programmes of his administration designed to move the state forward.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, hailed the Oyetola administration for being responsive to the people’s needs.

    He urged the government not to relent in its efforts to take the state to next level of development.

  • Police arrest two students as varsity probes Fayemi’s wife’s attack

    The management of the Federal University of Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has constituted a 12-man investigative panel to unravel the cause of the violent protest, leading to an attack on the convoy of wife of Ekiti State governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi.

    The students on Tuesday staged a violent protest in Oye-Ekiti over incessant power outage in the institution, leading to an attack on Erelu Fayemi while on an empowerment and advocacy tour to engage with women in the local government.

    They were said to have engaged the security operatives detailed with the governor’s wife in a clash, with two persons reportedly killed and several injured. Over a dozen of vehicles were vandalised by the students.

    According to an internal memo signed yesterday by the Director of Administration in the office of the Vice Chancellor, Mr. olatunbosun Odusanya, the panel will be headed by Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina.

    Read Also: FUOYE killings: God will judge Fayemi’s wife – NANS

    The management led by its VC, Prof. Kayode Soremekum, said the step was part of measures to forestall future occurrence and  sanitise the university system.

    The management, according to the memo, gave the panel two weeks to submit its report.

    The Ekiti Police Command has arrested two students of FUOYE in connection with the attack.

    Addressing reporters in Ado- Ekiti on Thursday, Police Commissioner Mr. Asuquo Amba said two of his men were wounded, while two police vans were burnt during the attack.

    “Two persons have been arrested and one of them has confessed to the commission of the crime.

    “When a crime is committed, we don’t fold our arms and watch. Even a civilian can effect arrest if a crime is committed in front of him and hand the suspects over to the police,” the CP said.

    The police boss condemned the attack on the police while performing their constitutional duties.

    “It is sad that the police are being attacked by criminals, and the civilians whom we are protecting are also attacking our people.

    “We won’t rest until the perpetrators of this dastardly attack are arrested and brought to justice,” Amba said.

    He added that the two rifles stolen from the police during the crisis have been retrieved.

    But the lawmaker representing Ekiti North Federal Constituency, Peter Owolabi, has demanded a thorough and full investigation into the matter by the security agencies.

    Owolabi, who condemned the ugly incident, berated fifth columnists for distorting the story for any intended reasons, saying Ekiti people and Nigerians know that Erelu Fayemi is a human rights activist and a social crusader.

    According to a statement signed yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, “it was neither new nor out of place for citizens, especially students, to express their grievances, but such should be done in a civil manner.

    “But it was rather unfortunate that the hijacked protest by hoodlums cost the students the opportunity to meet the governor’s wife, who is a human rights activist and who could have conveyed their message to appropriate quarters.”

    The lawmaker, however, commiserated with the bereaved families.

    He wished those still receiving treatment a speedy recovery.

  • ‘Deplorable roads will soon become things of past’

    Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has assured industrialists of his administration’s readiness to fix deplorable roads affecting manufacturers and other road users.

    He stated this at the 40th celebration of Honda’s existence in Nigeria.

    Abiodun said getting in and out of Ota, Agbara and other places had been a bit challenging, adding that intervention was ongoing.

    The governor spoke through his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele.

    Read Also: Adigbe-Opako bridge ready this week, says Abiodun

    He said his administration would leave no stone unturned to surmount the challenges of road network, stressing that collaborative effort with his counterpart in Lagos State had started, to find a solution.

    “The policies of our administration will enhance and make it easy for companies to practise in the state, especially in the existing industrial areas such as Ota, Agbara and Sagamu. The government is also working with manufacturers to make sure the challenges experienced in the past are solved,” the governor said.

    While congratulating the company for going through turbulent times, he also commended Honda for a good relationship with the host community.

  • Civil Defence inaugurates squad to curb herders/farmers clashes

    Adamawa State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has inaugurated a special squad to tackle clashes between herders and farmers.

    Commandant Nurudeen Abdullahi said at the inauguration of the Agro Rangers Squad that members were trained with additional combat skills to protect grazing reserves.

    He said the NSCDC, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, conceived and developed the idea of the squad to curb clashes between farmers and herders.

    “The idea to form and train the squad is aimed at finding a solution to the farmers/herders crisis. I assure you that with our special squad, farmers/herders conflicts will be over in Adamawa State,” Abdullahi said.

    Read Also: Osinbajo flags off livestock transformation plan in Adamawa

    The inauguration came barely two days after Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo launched the implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) at Gongoshi Grazing Reserve in Mayo-Belwa Local Government, a plan intended to minimise contacts between farmers and herders when fully operational.

    Earlier during the inauguration of the squad, the Permanent Secretary in charge of Security, Ahmadu Baji, who represented Governor Umaru Fintiri, said the recent inauguration of security vehicles, to be distributed to security agencies, was aimed at improving security.

    The Lamido of Adamawa, represented by the Galadima Adamawa, Alhaji Mustpha Aminu, urged the NSCDC to sensitise the people on the operations of the squad.

  • Air Force strikes terrorists’ gun trucks

    The Nigerian Air Force said on Thursday that gun trucks belonging to Boko Haram terrorists have been destroyed through air strikes, while the occupants were neutralised.

    Its spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said in a statement that the gun trucks were laden with weapons and heading towards the northern part of Borno State.

    Daramola said: “The Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has dealt another blow on the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements by completely destroying an ammunition-laden gun truck and immobilising another one belonging to the group at Garunda in the northern part of Borno State.

    “This was achieved on September 10 when a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft on armed reconnaissance mission along the Gudumbali-Zari-Garunda axis spotted two ISWAP gun trucks emerging from Jumaacheri settlement heading towards Garunda.

    “The attack aircraft tracked the two gun trucks as they attempted to evade detection by driving into folliage.

    “The aircraft engaged one of the gun trucks, which was camouflaged under a tree, in successive passes, scoring accurate hits leading to the neutralisation of some of the ISWAP occupants.

    “The gun truck was later seen engulfed in flames as a result of multiple mini-explosions of the on-board ammunition.

    “The other gun truck was also tracked and immobilised after its occupants had abandoned it under another tree in the area. “

  • Troops neutralise three terrorists in Borno

    Troops have neutralised three Boko Haram terrorists during a clearance operation in Kirawa area of Borno State, the Army said on Thursday.

    Its spokesman, Col Sagir Musa, said no soldier was killed, missing in action or injured during the encounter.

    Col Musa said:”In continuation of the clearance operations to get rid of the remnants of terrorists in line with the newly introduced Super Camp Concept of Operation, troops of Special Response Area Pulka, Operation HALAKA Dodo, Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE, in collaboration with the Civilian  Joint Task Force, have conducted a successful raid operation at Kirawa community in Borno State where crouching terrorists reportedly hibernate.

    “The troops came in contact with terrorists, which led to a serious engagement, forcing the criminals to flee in disarray as a result of superior fire power from the troops.

    “Consequently, three terrorists lost their lives during the operation and unconfirmed number were wounded.

    “A cordon and search mission was conducted in the area and the following items were recovered: six bicyles andsome quantities of food items.

    “Investigation revealed that the eliminated terrorists are members of the terrorists’ logistic cell.

    “No soldier was killed, wounded or missing in action during the encounter.

    “Troops will continue to  deny the terrorists freedom of action. Morale and fighting spirit of the soldiers remain high.”

  • IDPs protest govt’s failure to address insecurity

    Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in a temporary camp at Tegina in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State on Thursday marched on the streets.

    They blocked the Tegina-Minna road, protesting the failure of the government to address insecurity.

    The protesters, mostly women and children, accused the government of handling their situation with levity.

    The demonstration occurred less than 24 hours after youths protested over the same issue.

    The protesters said for the past four days after they were sacked from their homes by bandits, they have been living under harsh condition without attention from the government.

    Read Also: Samsung donates to IDPs

    The IDPs rejected government’s intervention in terms of foodstuffs, which were brought to them by Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) Director-General Alhaji Ibrahim Inga.

    They said they need security to return to their homes and not foodstuffs brought by the government, “which will not satisfy us.”

    In the last one week, armed bandits have attacked four communities in Shiroro and Rafi local governments in renewed onslaughts.

    Over 500 persons have been displaced following the attacks.