Category: South West

VICE-CHANCELLOR of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, yesterday bowed out of office following the expiration of his 5-year tenure.

He assumed office in November 2017 as the twelfth substantive Vice- Chancellor of the institution.

Speaking at a press briefing to mark the end of his tenure, Ogundipe noted that  the university enjoyed unprecedented industrial harmony despite the series of strikes that rocked the nation’s university system between 2017 when he assumed office and 2022.

He said: “Despite the series of strikes that affected the  Nigeria university system between 2017 and now, at UNILAG we  never had any dispute with our internal unions. We  enjoyed unprecedented industrial harmony.”

He said UNILAG had  recorded significant progress in all ramifications.

“Today, the University of Lagos has grown in leaps and bounds, management under my watch transcended the threshold we set for ourselves as excellence. Our results speak for us such that even in the eye of the storm, we kept our peace and so our focus did not shift. We pushed through and today, I can confidently say I am leaving UNILAG a happy man,” he said.

He explained that in the last five years, the university improved in global rankings.

According to the outgone VC, under his watch, UNILAG staff attracted local and international research grants of N19 billion to strengthen the university’s  top-class research mission.

THE people of Ilobu town in Osun State have appealed to the state government to fix the Laaro Bridge which is on the verge of collapse.

The President of Ilobu-Asake Development Union (IDU), Pastor Olufemi Salako, made the appeal on behalf of the people of the town during a press conference heralding the Ilobu Day Celebration.

Salako lamented that the Laaro Bridge had become a death trap and almost impassable, cutting off many communities from the Ilobu township.

He also appealed to the Federal Government to ensure the completion of the new Ojutu Bridge which has just been opened for vehicular traffic.

He said the Ilobu Day Celebration was designed to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the ancient town and chart a new course for the development of the town and its people.

He said IDU would organize a free healthcare programme that will include medical treatment and surgical operations, saying that 100 indigenes have registered for the free healthcare programme.

He lauded the administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola for rehabilitating the Ilobu-Osogbo road.

According to him, “while we greatly commend the Osun State government for the reconstruction of our roads, we want to call on the State government to urgently attend to the Laaro Bridge that has become a death trap and impassable.”

IT was a gathering of crème de la crème in Nigeria as the remains of the late Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Funminiyi Afuye were on Friday laid to rest after a funeral service.

Among the dignitaries that graced the funeral were Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, his Ondo counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, represented by his Deputy, Lucky Ayedatiwa, Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo former Governor, Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Bisi.

Others include Minister of Science and Technology, Olorunnibe Mamora, former Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo, Prof. Tale Omole, Senators Opeyemi Bamidele, Olubunmi Adetumbi, Dayo Adeyeye, Hon. Femi Bamisile, politicians, and distinguished academia, among others.

Afuye, who presided over the assembly for three and half years, died of a heart attack  on October 19, 2022, at the age of 66.

The late Speaker was brought into the church in a white casket at about 9.56 am and was accompanied by his Wife, Mrs. Titilayo, children, and family members.

The motorcade conveying the corpse began the procession with a long convoy of vehicles, at his residence located along Ikere-Ise road, which caused traffic snarl along Ado-Ikere-Akure way for over one hour.

The men of the Nigerian police Force and Federal Road Safety Corps, had a hectic day in controlling the vehicles due to the gridlock along that route.

Delivering his homily at the Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Oke’kere, Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Anglican Communion, Most Rev Olusola Ajayi, said Afuye lived a fulfilled life.

GOVERNOR Seyi Makinde and other top politicians, family and friends on Friday extolled the virtues of the late governor of Oyo State. Alhaji Lam Adesina.

They eulogized him at the 10th memorial lecture which was held at Jogor Centre, Ibadan.

Adesina, who governed the state from 1999 to 2003, died on November 11, 2012.

Makinde, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Adebayo Lawal, said the late governor, who was popularly known as Great Lam, was a great man in every sense as he lived for the masses.

He said: “Lam was a great man, a great politician, a great community leader, and a leader of thought. He fought for the masses. That was why he became a prisoner of war.

Former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, recalled the virtue of contentment that stood Lam out among his peers.

He said his position as an ardent follower of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo remained unfilled. “Lam remains fully recognized in the circle of followers of Awolowo’s legacy. I am so happy today, believing that he’s smiling as he stirs at us today.” Osoba said.

He urged Lam’s followers to sustain his legacies.

A former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Pa Abiodun Ogunleye, also described the deceased as a forthright man who fought for the emancipation of the people. “Today’s gathering confirms that he didn’t labour in vain,” he submitted.

In his own short goodwill message, the APC governorship candidate in the state, Sen. Teslim Folarin, said Lam loved and believed in the people. He recalled that his meeting with him during the 2011 election exposed him a lot to how Lam thought.

Lam’s deputy, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, described the good attendance at the lecture as a testimony of Lam’s worthy legacy, stressing that he deserved to be celebrated.

Speaking on the topic: “Identity Politics in Lam Adesina’s Political Writings: Implications for 2023 General Elections,” the guest lecturer Prof. Lai Olurode analyzed Lam’s column in the Nigerian Tribune Newspaper. He pointed out that his writings showed that he believed in the rotational presidency, emancipation of the masses, and unity of Nigeria but where every citizen is treated equally.

THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said it has commenced tracking 33 constituency projects facilitated by some elected Senators and House of Reps members from the State.

It said its purpose was to investigate fraudulent procurement practices in the award of contracts for selected projects across the state.

Assistant Chief Superintendent Investigation, ICPC, Mr. Osove Andrew, who spoke to journalists in Akure, said the exercise was to ensure that all government-funded projects were executed fully to their specifications as well as make recoveries where the project costs were inflated by contractors or poorly executed.

Osove said the exercise took his team to Ile-Oluji, Ikare-Akoko, and Oka-Akoko in Ondo South and Ondo North Senatorial districts.

According to him, “The first project we visited at Ile-Oluji was an empowerment project that has already been done. To capture that kind of project is not that very easy but the list of registers showed 124 people took the motorcycles. We can actually call them to ascertain, to make sure that they actually took the delivery of the motorcycles.

“Also the second project we visited was the construction of a fence of Muslim Primary School Ilepa, Ikare-Akoko while the third project was the construction of kilometers of road in Oka-Akoko. The road is still under construction.

“One of the things that are of concern is that the contractor has overshot its expected date of completion. But from the information we’ve gotten from the agency supervising the project, they told us that he had remobilised to the site last month and we are hoping that they will continue and complete the job.

“The essence of this exercise is basically to ensure that federal government projects assigned to communities have value for money.”

•Osinbajo, Tinubu, govs, others to attend burial

THERE is heavy security in Owo, Owo Local Government Area, Ondo State, ahead of the burial activities of the late Evangelist Grace Akeredolu, mother of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

Evangelist Akeredolu died in her sleep on September 15.

She is to be interred in Owo, the hometown of the governor.

Several formations made up of the Department of the State Security (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Amotekun Corps, the Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Police Force, were seen patrolling major streets leading in and outside of Owo.

Commander of Ondo Amotekun Corps, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, who spoke in Akure while parading suspects arrested in its ‘Operation Gba’le Gba’ko,’ said the heavy security presence was to ensure visitors coming for the burial are not molested.

Adeleye said security would also be beefed up in other parts of the state to ensure no security gaps were created.

Adeleye stated that over 100 suspects were arrested one week after the launch of ‘Operation ‘Gba’le Gba’ko’

He said the suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, stealing and a syndicate specialised in vandalising power mast.

The Ondo Amotekun boss said some kidnap suspects were arrested with huge sums of money in an area where ransom payment was made.

According to him, “During this yuletide period, there is zero tolerance to criminal activities in Ondo. We have about 300 men on all major roads leading in and out of the state. We have patrol vehicles. This is to ensure people can sleep with their two eyes closed.

“We encourage residents to see something and say something. We assure 24 hours coverage of the expressway and around the town. The army, police, and Amotekun are in constant patrol of roads linking all border towns.

“The function of bringing dignitaries to Owo is being taken care of security-wise by all security agencies in the state. A joint patrol team comprises men of the NSCDC, DSS, Amotekun, army, and the police on the ground. We are to ensure visitors can come in and out without being molested. We will not create any security gaps in the towns.”

Osinbajo, Tinubu, govs, others to grace burial ceremony in Owo

Meanwhile, dignitaries across all walks of life are expected to storm the ancient town of Owo today to join Governor Akeredolu in the celebration of life of his late mother.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC),  Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors, ministers, members of the National Assembly and leaders of the APC and friends of the governor across political parties as well as members of the inner and outer Bar are all expected to grace the ceremony.

 The week long burial event commenced in Owo on Wednesday with the Ajabue traditional procession round the ancient town.

Akeredolu immediate younger brother, Professor Wole Akeredolu and his sibling, Femi Akeredolu led the people of Owo at the Ajabue procession.

The burial arrangements continued on Thursday with the Service of Songs which was held simultaneously at both Jacob and Grace Chapel of the All Saints’ Church, Ido- Ibadan and St. Matthias Anglican Church, Orogun, Ibadan.

Yesterday, a commendation service was held for the late Grace Akeredolu at Diocese of Ibadan (Anglican Communion), St Anne’s Church, Molete, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

It was followed by another Service of Song at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Imola Street, Owo. The Christian Wake was held at the Jacob and Grace family residence in Oke-Ogun, Owo.

•Mum’s funeral rites begin

Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu yesterday performed the Ajabue traditional procession in Owo, Owo Local Government, to mark the beginning of the funeral rites of his mother, Evangelist Grace Akeredolu.

The Ajabue traditional procession involved Governor Akeredolu leading his siblings to dance round Owo town.

Evangelist Akeredolu died in her sleep in September at the age of 90.

Service of Songs will hold today at St. Matthias Anglican Church, Orogun, Ibadan, while burial service will hold on Saturday at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Imola, Owo.

Governor Akeredolu said his mother would be interred in Owo.

•Visits traders

Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has visited the shops razed by fire at Oja-Oba area of Osogbo and commiserated with the victims.

The Nation reports that the fire razed nine herb shops, destroying over N100 million goods.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Oyetola, Ismail Omipidan, confirmed the visit.

The statement said Oyetola, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, alongside his Chief of Staff, Dr. Charles ‘Diji Akinola and exco members, described the incident as unfortunate.

Speaking with the victims, Oyebamiji said: “Governor Oyetola is not around now, but he has requested that a powerful delegation must come to commiserate with the victims, most importantly the Iyaloja and Babaloja of this market. This is why we are here.

“Mr. Governor sympathises with the victims and prays that an incident of such will not reoccur. As you all know, our governor is always concerned about the welfare and comfort of the citizens. As soon as he returns, he will make a statement.

“So, on behalf of the governor and the good people of Osun, I commiserate with the victims and the entire members of the market community.”

Lagos State House of Assembly workers yesterday held a special thanksgiving service to celebrate the Speaker, Mr.  Mudashiru Obasa, in commemoration of his upcoming 50th birthday anniversary.

The speaker will turn 50 tomorrow.

The Clerk of the assembly, Mr Lekan Onafeko while speaking at the event, said they were celebrating the ‘speaking speaker’ who had for seven years been speaking for the people.

The clerk said Obasa remained a leader who had improved legislative activities in the house in terms of prompt passage of bills that would benefit the people of the state.

He said the assembly did not have anything to give the speaker, but to celebrate God on his behalf for sparing his life to witness his golden jubilee.

“On behalf of members of staff of the Lagos State House of Assembly, I want to thank Almighty God for giving us a selfless and passionate speaker to speak on behalf of the people of the state.

“May God Almighty continue to be with you, give you good health and guide and enable you to rule this house again in the 10th assembly in 2023,” the clerk said.

Responding, the speaker urged Nigerians not to despair but be thankful to God for His grace in spite of the challenges they were going through.

Obasa thanked the lawmakers and assembly workers for honouring and celebrating with him in commemoration of his 50th birthday, scheduled for tomorrow.

He urged Nigerians to vote massively for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in the 2023 general elections.