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  • 11 young presidents in the world and their countries

    11 young presidents in the world and their countries

    Delving into the world’s youngest presidents and their nations, these youthful leaders have defied the conventional norms by assuming the highest political office at an early age, with some being below 40.

    Regarded as symbols of change and modernity, these young leaders have taken on the mantle of presidents, heads of state, and/or monarchs in their countries, bringing fresh perspectives and youthful vigour to the political arena.

    The focus of this article is on young presidents from various parts of the world who have emerged as icons of a fresh wave of leadership, epitomizing the hopes and dreams of a younger generation.

    Below is a list of young presidents, their ages, and countries.

    Emmanuel Macron (France)

    Born December 21, 1977, in Amiens, France, Emmanuel Jean-Michel Macron is a French politician serving as the president of France. Macron, who once served as the Minister of Economics, Industry, and Digital Affairs became president in 2017. He was reelected for a second term as president in 2022.

    Volodymyr Zelensky (Ukraine)

    A former comedian and actor, Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelensky, is the president of Ukraine. Born on January 25, 1978, Zelensky assumed office in 2019. He also has a law degree from the Kyiv National Economic University.

    Vjosa Osmani (Kosovo)

    Vjosa Osmani, a woman serving as the 5th President of Kosovo was born on the 17th of May, 1982. Being elected President at age 38, Osmani was once a political activist who studied law at the University of Pristina and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Upon her election in April 2021, Osmani became the second woman to assume that position as well as the first person to serve as both acting and president of Kosovo.

    Irakli Garibashvili (Georgia)

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    Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili of Georgia, born 28 June 1982 is a former business executive who assumed office in February 2021. Aged 31 at the time of assuming office, Garibashvili was the youngest person to hold the position of Prime Ministerial Office.

    Nayib Bukele (El Salvador)

     President Nayib Bukele, a Salvadoran politician and businessman, assumed office on June 1, 2019. Born on 24th July 1981, Bukele became the 43rd president of El Salvador after winning the election with 53 percent of the votes.

    Xavier Espot Zamora (Andorra)

    Former justice minister Xavier Espot Zamora became the head of government of the small territory between France and Spain in May 2019. Born in October 1979, Zamora, who assumed office at the age of 39, has a degree and master’s degree in Law from the Faculty of the Superior School of Business Administration and Management.

    Leo Varadkar (Ireland)

    Leo Varadkar became the Taoiseach – a title for head of government or prime Minister – at the age of 43. Born in 1979, Varadkar assumed office in December 2022.

    Kim Jong Un (North Korea)

    Supreme leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, assumed office in December 2011 after his father, Kim Jong II, passed. He holds the titles of General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of State Affairs. Kim, who rules North Korea as a totalitarian state, was born in January 1982 or 1983.

    Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno (Chad)

    Serving as the Transitional President of Chad and born in April 1984, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, assumed office in 2021 after his father, Chadian President Idriss Deby died in action.

    Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (Qatar)

    Becoming the Emir of Qatar in 2013, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has reigned for 10 years. Born in 1980, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who is the fourth son of Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani became heir apparent in August 2003 after his older brother Sheikh Jassim renounced his claim on the throne.

    Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (Bhutan)

    Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck rose to the throne in 2006 at the age of 26 and is still reigning the kingdom of Bhutan in 2023. Born in February 1980 and a public coronation ceremony, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was crowned in 2008 a year that marked 100 years of monarchy in Bhutan.

  • NSCDC decorates 1,000 newly promoted officers in FCT

    NSCDC decorates 1,000 newly promoted officers in FCT

    The Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has decorated about 1,000 Officers of the Corps who were recently promoted by the federal government.

    About 21,000 personnel and officers of the Corps were promoted across the country by the federal government out of the 29,000 who wrote promotion examinations in 2023.

    They were promoted across various ranks and cadres in the Service.

    The Commandant General of the Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi had pushed for the promotion of the personnel before the Board, arguing that many of the Corps’ personnel had been stagnated for years.

    But the Board, Chaired by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo approved 21,000 after their examinations.

    The Managing Editor of Northern Operations of The Nation Newspaper, Alhaji Yusuf Alli, was among the dignitaries who performed the decoration of the newly promoted officers at the Headquarters of the Command at Wuse, zone 5, Abuja.

    Read Also: Pipeline vandals responsible for explosion in Rivers, says NSCDC  

    Other dignitaries who performed decoration were the Representatives of the Commandant-General, the FCT Director of the Department of States, DSS, the Director of FCT Fire Service Command, the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, FCT Command and House of Representatives members from the FCT.

    Alhaji Alli urged the beneficiaries to appreciate their promotion by re-dedicating themselves to the Service of the country, saying the promotion should be followed immediately with more hard work.

    The Commandant of the FCT Command, Olusola Odumosu in his remarks commended the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and the Commandant-General of the Corps, Dr Ahmed Audi for the massive promotion under the present dispensation.

    Odumosu urged the newly decorated personnel to be diligent while discharging their duties.

    He said those who could not benefit from the exercise should not lose hope as the authorities are already aware of the need to clear the backlogs of promotion which the Commandant-General had made a cardinal point of his welfare policy in the Service.

    Five senior Officers were promoted from Assistant Commandant to Deputy Commandant in the FCT Command, while over 20 Officers were promoted from Chief Superintendents of the Corps to Assistant Commandants. 

  • Capital importation declines to $654.65m, says NBS

    Capital importation declines to $654.65m, says NBS

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Friday, December 29, said Nigeria’s capital importation dipped by 43.55% to $654.65 million in the third quarter of 2023 (Q3 2023).

    This was contained in the Bureau’s report titled: “Nigeria Capital Importation Q3 2023,” which noted that the capital importation declined from the $1,159.67% recorded in Q3 2022.

    NBS said: “In Q3 2023, total capital importation into Nigeria stood at US$654.65 million, lower than US$1.159.67 billion recorded in Q3 2022, indicating a decline of 43.55%.”

    The report also noted that in comparison to the preceding quarter, capital importation fell by 36.45% from US$1.030.21 billion in Q2 2023.

    Read Also: Kerosene price soars by 18.78% in 12 months, says NBS

    NBS noted that other Investments ranked top accounting for 77.56% (US$507.77 million) of total capital importation in Q3 2023, followed by Portfolio Investment with 13.31% (US$87.11 million) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) with 9.13% (US$59.77 million).

    The report added that the production/manufacturing sector recorded the highest inflow with US$279.51 million, representing 42.70% of total capital imported in Q3 2023, followed by the financing sector, valued at US$127.93 million (19.54%), and Shares with US$85.49 million (13.06%).

    NBS said capital Importation during the reference period originated largely from the Netherlands with US$175.62 million and recorded a 26.83% share. This was followed by Singapore with US$79.15 million (12.09%) and the United States with US$67.04 million (10.24%).

    According to the data, Lagos state remained the top destination in Q3 2023 with US$308.83 million, accounting for 47.18% of total capital importation, followed by Abuja (FCT) with US$194.66 million (29.73%) and Abia state with US$150.09 million (22.93%).

    NBS noted that Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc received the highest capital importation into Nigeria in Q3 2023 with US$222.84 million (34.04%), followed by Citibank Nigeria Limited with US$190.03 million (29.03%) and Zenith Bank Plc with US$83.04 (12.68%). 

  • Ondo: Who emerges Aiyedatiwa’s deputy?

    Ondo: Who emerges Aiyedatiwa’s deputy?

    Several interest groups within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state have begun lobbying to ensure their preferred candidate emerges as deputy to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

    The race to emerge Deputy Governor is due to next year’s governorship election.

    Aiyedatiwa is not perceived as a politician and he is expected to pick somebody who would help him unite the fractured party due to the imbroglio over the death of former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    Governor Aiyedatiwa hails from Ondo South and the speaker of the Ondo Assembly, Olajidi Olamide, hails from Ondo Central, he is expected to pick his deputy from Ondo North where Akeredolu hails from for balance of power.

    Those who have been tipped to likely emerge as deputy are the immediate past minister of state for transport, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, a former Secretary to the State Government, Ifedayo Abegunde, Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Rasaq Obe, the chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Victor Olabimtan, Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ale and a son of the leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

    A chieftain of the APC who pleaded anonymity said the issue of deputy governor would be discussed after the three days mourning period for Akeredolu.

    He said: “There is supposed to be a stakeholder’s meeting after the mourning period. We cannot talk about it while the mourning is still on.”

    Read Also: Tinubu to Aiyedatiwa: take charge, mobilise people to move Ondo forward

    President Bola Tinubu has tasked Governor Aiyedatiwa to unite the party and the first step, according to a party leader, would be the extent of consultation before he picked his deputy.

    An APC chieftain said: “It is the prerogative of the governor to pick his deputy. The consultation will be a mere formality because he has a bigger task of winning the primary.

    “Many of these people being paraded are not in the book. Obe is not a politician. He cannot give Aiyedatiwa the political leverage he badly needs now. What Aiyedatiwa needs is a politician because he is not a politician.

    “The party is not united. He has been told to bring everybody together. His manner of consultation before picking his deputy would determine how far he is willing to go to ensure party unity.”

    It was gathered that Aiyedatiwa might pick his deputy from Owo to appease the kinsmen of Akeredolu. Many loyalists of Akeredolu have already resigned from Aiyedatiwa’s administration.

    Another permutation is that he might move to have his trusted men in key positions by picking his deputy from Akure thereby paving the way for the removal of speaker Oladiji and a new speaker to emerge from Ondo North.

    The choice of Akure, according to a source, is because of the huge voting population.

  • Police arrest seven notorious ‘one chance’ syndicates in Abuja

    Police arrest seven notorious ‘one chance’ syndicates in Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command on Friday, December 29, paraded seven notorious ‘one chance’ syndicates who have been terrorizing residents of the nation’s capital.

    The seven suspected criminals are Rita Geoffrey, Musa Bashiru, Ruth Friday, Isa Paul Abdulateef, Murtala Olawale, and Loveth Amos.

    While briefing reporters, the Commissioner of Police (CP), FCT Command, Haruna Garba said upon interrogation, Rita Geoffrey voluntarily confessed that she was involved in a series of ‘one chance’ activities within the FCT in the last three years in which one of their victims, a lady was murdered by their gang.

    Their confession led to the arrest of one Mohammed Aliyu Lawal, a POS operator that they usually patronize to withdraw money using the victim’s ATM cards.

    The suspects, he said will be charged to court after investigations.

    The CP said: “Between 1st of December till date, the anti-one chance clearance squad of the Command while clamping down on one chance elements impounded seventeen (17) vehicles without number plates and with tinted glasses.

    “The operators of these vehicles are currently being interrogated to determine their culpability in the one-chance activities, those found culpable at the end of the investigation will be charged to court.

    “You will recall that on 28th November, 2023 which is exactly one (1) month today. The Command recorded the following successes; 

    Total No. of one chance suspects arrested -11

    Total No. of suspected Kidnappers/Informants arrested      -7                       

    Total No. of stolen vehicles recovered                  -3

    Total No. of firearms recovered.                                 -5                   

    Read Also: We arrested 207 suspected robbers, recovered 108 firearms in 2023 – Oyo Police

     Total No. of ammunitions recovered.                          -30

    Total No. of kidnappers neutralized -1

    Total No. of suspects paraded.                                   -43

    “While from the 1st of December till date, the Command recorded the following;

     Total No. of one chance suspects arrested      -9

     Total No. of stolen vehicles recovered.               -5

    Total No. of firearms recovered      -5

    Total No. of armed robbery suspects arrested.     -12

    Total No. of Rape suspects      -2                 

     Total No. of ammunitions recovered.                  -12

     Total No. of suspects paraded.                          -23.

    “On 03/12/2023 at about 2345hrs, police operatives from Dops State Headquarters on pin-down and stop and search at Power House roundabout Asokoro arrested three suspects namely; Abubakar Aliyu 19 yrs, Bashir Musa 19yrs and Abba Jafaru 20 yrs all males of Uke Village, Nasarawa state.

    “During the search, a Baretta pistol was recovered from them. During interrogation, suspects confessed to have burgled so many houses. Suspects will be charged to court at the conclusion of the investigation”.

    He went further that: “On 15/12/2023 at about 1800hrs, acting on credible intelligence, that one chance syndicate were all out and planning on how to carry out their criminal activities.

    “Police operatives from Galadima Division swooped on them and arrested two (2) suspected one chance operators namely Humphrey Peter and Patrick Onomuoder, while three others escaped. During interrogation, suspects freely confessed to being part of the criminal elements that terrorize the Life-Camp, Karmo, and Gwarimpa axis. Their operational vehicle, a Toyota Carina E without a registration number was recovered from them. Suspects are cooperating with the police to arrest other members of their gang on the run”.

    Garba said police operatives from Wuse division on a Pin-down/Stop and Search operation along Herbert Macauley way flagged down a Nissan Altima Saloon car with Reg. No. BWR 488 SV driven by one Najibu Abdullahi ‘M.

    During the stop and search, the CP said was 5 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, a military jungle hat, Naval rank, and buttons were recovered from him. Hence he was promptly arrested. He is presently in custody undergoing interrogation.

    He added: “Going by the above analysis, you will agree with me that the crime rate in the Federal Capital Territory has dropped immensely.

    “I wish to bring to the attention of the general public that, there are some mischief-makers out there posting items on social media that the FCT is not safe, that one-chance operators have taken over the FCT. This is not true. I can say without any fear of contradiction that FCT is the safest city in Nigeria. Many Nigerians are coming in droves to FCT to reside and do businesses due to prevailing peace and security in the city.”

    The police boss said that Christmas was celebrated peacefully without any serious security breach.

    The Millennium Park, Magic Land (Amusement Park), and other recreational facilities, places of worship, and other key/vulnerable points were, Garba added adequately protected.

    He confirmed that there was no single incident of any kind reported.

    He assured that the same strategies that were put in place during the Christmas period will be replicated during the New Year festival. 

  • We arrested 207 suspected robbers, recovered 108 firearms in 2023 – Oyo Police

    We arrested 207 suspected robbers, recovered 108 firearms in 2023 – Oyo Police

    The Oyo State Police Command on Friday, December 29, said it arrested two hundred and seven armed robbery suspects and recovered fifty stolen vehicles and forty-six motorcycles/tricycles since January till date.

    The police also said one hundred and eight firearms and seven hundred and twenty-one rounds of various calibres of ammunition were also retrieved from the possession of criminals.

    Speaking while parading suspected criminals at the Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan, the spokesman of the Command, Adewale Osifeso said the Command adopted a holistic approach in tackling security challenges in the state.

    He noted that the Command’s security architecture was enhanced to accommodate clampdown on criminal elements through the adoption of a strategic 4-Point Action Plan which includes purposeful inter-agency collaborations, enhanced community policing engagements, advanced intelligence-led Policing, and improved organisational competencies of officers through effective training and retraining.

    He said despite gigantic land mass, exponential industrialization pace, and geometric population increase in the state, officers and men of the Command still stamped their feet on the ground to assert professionalism, strength, and courage in the fight against crime across the state.

    Earlier, the Command in a way of raising security awareness ahead of the New Year celebration toured some parts of Ibadan.

    Read Also: Police rescue abducted lecturer in Nasarawa

    The police convoy took off from the state police command in Eleyele and moved through the challenge en route to Lagos Ibadan Toll Gate, then back through Molete, Oke-Ado axis, Aleshinloye via G-Allen and terminated at the state command.

    A chairman of one of the garages visited under Oyo Park Management System (PMS) at Challenge, Mr Mayowa Famuyide, told journalists that the relationship between PMS and the police has been cordial and impressive culminating in the improved security and safety of of commuters in and outside of Ibadan, the state capital.

    Meanwhile, a statement by Osifeso said: “As we gradually bid 2023 farewell, the CP has ordered that all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Heads of Department/formations and Tactical Commanders deploy adequate personnel and resources throughout the length and breadth of Oyo State, particularly at all critical infrastructures, recreational facilities, Media Houses, Banks, Correctional centres, Public Spaces, Places of Worship and all adjoining highways and routes within and outside Oyo State.”

    “Similarly, the CP has directed that all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Commanders should increase layers of supervision around their subordinates particularly men on the field who daily interface with commuters and other civilian populations while the Command’s Monitoring and X-squad units have been tasked to deal decisively with any officer whose actions or inactions bring about embarrassment to the Command and by extension the Police Force through extortion, incivilities, and other professional misconducts.”

    “In furtherance of the above, the Oyo State Police Command is pleased to inform residents that within the past five (5) months, it has recorded significant successes in reducing crime rates across the state. This was attained through a combination of intelligence-led operations, community engagements, and proactive policing.”

    “The Commissioner of Police, however, assured residents to go about their lawful duties and also enjoy the Yuletide season without tolerating any form of fear.”

  • Tinubu observes Jummah prayers at Lagos Central Mosque

    Tinubu observes Jummah prayers at Lagos Central Mosque

    President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, December 28, joined other Muslim faithful to observe the Jummah prayers at the Lagos Central Mosque on Nnamdi Azikiwe Street in Lagos Island.

    President Tinubu was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamilla, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and other senior government officials, to the mosque.

    During the sermon, the Chief Imam of Lagos Central Mosque, Sheikh Suleiman Abu Na’Allah, urged the faithful to exhibit kindness to both Muslims and non-Muslims.

    He emphasized the need for Muslims to emulate the Prophet’s good character, highlighting the Prophet’s impartial treatment of individuals regardless of their status, religion, or tribe.

    The Chief Imam also stressed the importance of maintaining law and order, advocating for passion and discipline in the country.

    Prayers were offered to President Tinubu, members of his cabinet, and the nation, seeking Allah’s blessings for peace and tranquility.

    Read Also: Tinubu hosts son’s family, bonds with grandchildren in Lagos

    After the prayers, Alhaji Sikiru Alabi Macfoy, Bashorun Musulumi of Lagos, and the Vice Executive Chairman of Lagos Central Mosque appealed to the President to direct the authorities in Dodan Barracks to grant unrestricted access to the Obalende Eid Prayer Ground for the Jama’atul Muslimeen Council of the Lagos Central Mosque.

    Alabi-Macfoy recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari had established a Special Committee to investigate and address conflicts between the Lagos Muslim Community and federal government agencies, particularly those stationed at Dodan Barracks, concerning the management and control of the land.

    The committee, led by Professor Ibrahim Gambari, concluded its assignment with a presidential directive recognizing that the Obalende Eid Prayer Ground legally belongs to the Jama’atul Muslimeen Council of the Lagos Central Mosque.

    Former President Buhari also directed an end to the desecration of the Obalende Eid Prayer Ground, stopping its profane use as a dump site, and ordering the removal of all containers and debris from the prayer ground.

    Acknowledging President Tinubu’s role in resolving the matter during the immediate past administration, Bashorun Musulumi of Lagos appealed for the President’s intervention to ensure that Jama’atul Muslimeen Council has full access to the prayer ground.

  • Ondo Assembly hiked 2024 budget with N10bn

    Ondo Assembly hiked 2024 budget with N10bn

    The Ondo state House of Assembly has passed a hiked 2024 appropriation bill into law.

    It increased the budget proposal by over N10,734,000,000.

    Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had presented a budget proposal of N385bm which comprised capital expenditure of N222,259,827,500.00 and recurrent expenditure of N172,997,172,500.00

    But the Assembly passed a budget of N395,257,000,000 after it adopted the report of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, presented by its chairman, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi.

    Ogunmolasuyi explained that the committee hiked the budget after an interface with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

    Read Also: Ondo Assembly may hike 2024 budget

    He appealed to the executive to ensure internally generated revenue is sustained and improved for the budget to meet the needs of the people

    Speaker of the Assembly, Oladiji Olamide, said the bill would trigger development and growth if signed into law.

    Oladiji prayed to God to grant the Aiyedatiwa the wisdom and wherewithal to steer the state to a destination of fulfillment.

    The Ondo Assembly also passed the 2024 N6bn Appropriation Bill for the services of the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS).

    It comprised N5, 468,791,588.00 for recurrent expenditure while N855,451,755.00 for the capital expenditure.

  • BREAKING: Tragedy as family of eight die in Imo motor accident

    BREAKING: Tragedy as family of eight die in Imo motor accident

    Eight people travelling home in a Sienna car for the New Year celebration died in an auto crash at the Amanwozuzu junction in the Ikeduru local government area of Imo State.

    The incident, which happened around 3 pm on Friday, December 29, became a source of sadness in the area as the deceased were said to be members of one family.

    Eyewitnesses at the scene of the accident said that the father of the family who was conveying his wife and children in a Sienna car ran into a stationary truck carrying rods.

    It was a horrifying sight as the rods pierced the bodies of the victims and all of them died on the spot, said an eyewitness.

    According to the eyewitness, policemen and indigenes broke the vehicle in tears to bring out the lifeless bodies of the family members.

    Read Also: Plateau killings: I wish religion, tribalism could be erased from Nigeria – Diane laments

    As of the time of filing this report, policemen from the Ikeduru local government area police division had deposited the bodies in a morgue.

    The Divisional Police Officer in charge of the Ikeduru LGA, Lucky Ahiole, a Chief Superintendent of Police, told newsmen that the stationary truck was parked at the roadside when the driver of the Sienna vehicle rammed into it.

    He said: “It is horrifying. Eight died and we have taken them to a morgue. We had to break the Sienna vehicle to bring out the dead bodies. The rod pierced their eyes and bodies and even the children died.”

    However, passersby have called on the police to probe the owner or driver of the stationary truck carrying rods to know why he was blocking the road.

    They said that the tragedy could have been averted if the truck driver did not park on the road.

  • BREAKING: Southwest governors to collaborate with Akeredolu’s family to give ex-Ondo gov befitting burial

    BREAKING: Southwest governors to collaborate with Akeredolu’s family to give ex-Ondo gov befitting burial

    Governors of the six states of the southwest of the country including, Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, and Ekiti under the aegis of Southwest Governors Forum will be collaborating with their Ondo state counterpart to give the late governor of the state, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu a befitting burial.

    The Forum said it has communicated the same to the family of the late governor, adding that a joint committee will be set up to achieve the cause.

    The governors spoke through the governor of Ogun state, Dapo Abiodun on Friday, December 29, when he led three other governors of the southwestern state on a condolence visit to the family of the late governor at their Jericho, Ibadan residence.

    Other governors in the company of the Ogun governor include Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Abiodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), and Oyo state deputy governor, Bayo Lawal who represented Governor Seyi Makinde.

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was said to have missed the trip with the other governors due to flight delay.

    Makinde is currently out of the country on holiday.

    The Nation reports that the late governor Akeredolu, a second-term governor of Ondo state, who died on Wednesday, December 27, is the chairman of both the Southwestern Governors Forum and the Southern Governors Forum.

    Read Also: I am sure Akeredolu is in Heaven – Jimoh Ibrahim

    The governors arrived at the Akeredolu’s residence at about 1:15 pm in a convoy of over 20 cars.

    Journalists were barred from entering the room where the governors were received. A big write-up banning the use of videos, cameras and or recording was pasted on the large expanse door leading into the large room.

    A stern-looking man was also on hand to ensure compliance with the directive as he barked out directives and orders stopping journalists from entering the room and covering the visit.

    However, unlike other times, journalists were allowed to sit inside the compound where a canopy and drinks had been provided for interested visitors.

    While the governors were there, a former Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore arrived at the residence wearing a sombre look with his trademark cap.

    Addressing journalists in the company of the three other governors shortly after the visit to the family, Governor Abiodun said the late Governor Akeredolu will be sorely missed by all of his governor-colleagues, adding that the void he left behind will be very difficult to fill by everyone.

    He said all the governors are still in a state of shock and disbelief at the demise of Akeredolu whom he described as a senior colleague and brother.

    Governor Abiodun said: “We are all here, governors of the southwestern states of Osun, Ekiti, Oyo and Lagos will soon be here, he had some flight issues.

    “We are here to commiserate with the Akeredolu family and also the Ondo state government on the passing of our senior colleague and brother, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who the Lord has called to his side.

    “Without a doubt, we are all still in a state of shock and disbelief. When we heard the news we were shocked and in dismay but we cannot question God. In all things, we are to thank God.

    “We thank God that Governor Akeredolu lived a life of impact on every side. He did well, not just in Ondo state but in the Southwest, the whole South, and the entire country.

    “He was a senior advocate of law and a highly intelligent governor. He played a prominent role in ensuring that the Presidency returned to the South and he stood firm his ground. He worked so hard. He is reliable and dependable and we all feel very hurt at his death.

    “We as the governors of the Southwest have agreed that we will give him a befitting burial and we have people who will work with the family and government of Ondo state for a befitting funeral rites.

    “Governor Akeredolu was the Chairman of the Southwestern Governor’s Forum, he was the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, a position that he held, he led very courageously, very fearlessly. He was a learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a successful second term governor of Ondo state.”

    He said further: “All of us are here on behalf of our families, the entire people of our various states of the Southwest, to commiserate with the family and people and government of Ondo state.

    “Our prayer is that the Almighty God will forgive all his sins and grant the repose of his soul. We also pray that he grants the wife, his children, his family members, the people and the government of Ondo state the heart to bear this very sad and shocking and painful exit.

    “This is a man who was an advocate for the Southern presidency. We recall vividly the reinvigorated Southern Governors Forum meeting in Delta about two and half years ago and he championed that course that the Presidency must come to the South and he stayed with it, among several courses that he championed and fought successfully.

    “Governor Akeredolu will be sorely missed by all of us. The void he left behind will be very difficult to fill by everyone.

    “Collectively, we will be partly, majorly responsible for the funeral rites in according to him a farewell that he deserves. We have expressed that to the family, we will be setting up a joint committee of the Southwestern states to work with the family and collaborate with the government of Ondo state to ensure that we give him a deserving farewell.”

    Earlier before the visit to the Akeredolus’, the Southwest governors had gathered at the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi Ibadan separately.

    On arrival, the governors were ushered into the private chamber of the governor for a closed-door meeting.

    They were received by Makinde’s deputy, Bayo Lawal before going in a convoy on a condolence visit to the Akeredolus’.

    Meanwhile, it was observed on Friday that State flags flew at half-mast at the Oyo state Secretariat in line with the directive of Governor Makinde.

    The Nation reports that Governor Makinde had on Thursday declared a three-day mourning in the state in honour of the late former Ondo governor.