Category: South West

The Chairman of Osun Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC), Mr. Segun Oladitan, has cried out that some people are threatening him over plans to conduct the local government election.

He told reporters yesterday at the commission’s office in Osogbo that the poll had been fixed for October 15.

Oladitan said: “The House of Assembly recently enacted Osun State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2022, which has been assented to by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola. As at today, the inhibiting factors and circumstances have been ameliorated, thereby making the coast clear for the commission to conduct local government election. Previous laws on local government elections in the state have been repealed.

“The commission is happy to inform you and the public that the local government election in Osun State shall be conducted on October 15.”

Speaking about the modalities to be adopted for the poll, Oladitan said: “You will kindly recollect that when this commission conducted election in January 2018, it was based on parliamentary system. I have the pleasure to inform you that the election we are conducting this 2022 shall be on presidential system, whereby chairmen of local government councils shall be elected directly and the ward councillors shall be elected separately.”

He added that the commission had been making contacts with stakeholders and carrying out in-house preparations for the conduct of the local government election.

Oladitan raised the alarm over people threatening his life with death and arrest.

Said he: “I appeal to the people of Osun State that there’s no need for us to heat up the polity. I’m aware of cases in court. People have been threatening me that they are going to arrest me. That they are going to imprison me and so on.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has filed a suit before a Federal High Court in Osogbo to stop the conduct of the local government election.

A former Commander of the Western fringe of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and Niger Delta leader, High Chief Bibopere Ajube, has accused the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) of neglecting riverine areas in Ondo State.

Ajube, popularly called ‘Shoot at Sight’, said the riverine communities were the mandate areas of the NDDC and not other areas that had no link with the Niger Delta.

He accused the management of the NDDC and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on NDDC, Bunmi Tunji Ojo, of diverting amenities meant for the Ondo State mandate areas to Akoko areas of the state.

In a statement in Akure yesterday, Ajube said it was disturbing that benefits that should accrue to the people of Ilaje and Ese-Odo local governments were enjoyed by those in the northern senatorial district, especially Akoko.

He urged stakeholders in the Niger Delta to close ranks and call the NDDC management and Ojo to order.

Ajube’s statement is not unconnected to the disclosure by the NDDC that it approved the resumption of bursary payment to students in the oil rich region a few day after Ojo announced N50million scholarship to 1,000 Akoko students.

The statement said: “We suspect that someone is trying to play on the intelligence of the good people of Ilaje and Ese-Odo that fall within the mandate areas of the NDDC. Over time, we have watched how benefits that should be extended to the people of the mandate areas are diverted to Akoko.

“Without any grudge against anyone, we are, however, amazed that this development has relegated our people to the background as they are now like beggars who have to prostrate to derive benefits from those holding in to the patronage.

“The most recent ugly development is the noise about the scholarship reportedly approved by Ojo to Akoko students. There is more to this because as the report came without any of our students from Ilaje and Ese-Odo, the NDDC came out to announce that it had approved the resumption of bursary payment. So who is fooling who, we ask?

“I therefore call on the NDDC management as well Ojo to reconsider their anti-people stance against the good people of Ilaje/Ese-Odo by including them in their programmes, rather than alienating the riverine areas of Ondo State.”

Mr. Udengs Eradiri, the Special Adviser on Youths to the NDDC Interim Administrator, Dr. Effiong Akwa, said the bursary payment was part of the ongoing Niger Delta Talent Hunt to discover and empower talented youths in the region.

Ojo could not be reached for comments, as the calls to his phone did not go through.

THE Alhaji Jimoh Adisa Gbadamosi Symposium (JAGAS) Endowment Fund will be launched at EKo FM Multi-Purpose Hall, Ikeja on Thursday.

The Chairman of the organising committee, Mr. Jamiu Ashimi, said in a statement that a former permanent secretary in Lagos State; the Chairman, Nigeria Police Service Commission, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, who is a former Inspector-General of Police; Chairman, Caverton Offshore Support Group, Aderemi Makanjuola; former Solicitor-General, Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN; Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and Justice Ishola Olorunnimbe (rtd) are among the dignitaries expected at the fund raiser conceived by the Old Students Association of Ahmadiyya College Agege, ACAOSA, (now Anwar Ul Islam  Model College Agege), led by Pedro to cater for the bi-yearly symposium and other activities in honour of Alhaji  Gbadamosi, a former principal of the school, who turned 95.

While Smith is the chairman of the event, Makanjuola is the chief launcher.

Other dignitaries and prominent old students of the school expected at the event include former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Otunba Femi Pedro; ex-Minister of Transport, General Tajudeen Olarewaju (rtd), former Minister of Communication, Dapo Sarumi; Senator Kola Bajomo; former Lagos All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Tunde Balogun,  DIG Johnson Kokum, former Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr. Wale Ahmed and Hakeem Ogunniran, chairman, LBIC.

The guest speaker of the symposium is the former Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Murtala Bidmus, who is expected to speak on the topic: ‘The role of education in nation building,’ while Dr. Mayowa Fasona of the Department of Geography, UNILAG will speak on the topic: ‘Climate Change: Educating tomorrow’s leaders for a better environment of the future.’

Discussants include Prof Bidemi Lafiaji-Okunneye, the Acting Vice  Chancellor, Lagos State University of Education;  Prof Wahab Elias, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Lagos State University; Prof K. Adekoya of the University of Lagos and Dr. Ola Ogunjobi, the Provost, African Church College of Education.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State says it has displayed the register of newly registered voters for claims and objections from the public.

Resident Electoral Commissioner Mr. Olusegun Agbaje made this known last night in a statement by the commission’s Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Adenike Oriowo.

“This is to inform the public that the Independent National Electoral Commission, Lagos State has begun the preliminary display of the voters register for claims and objections, in line with Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2022.

“This display will be on from August 15 to 20 at the 20 local government area offices of the commission in Lagos State,” Agbaje said.

He urged registered voters to check through for any omission, correction and objection to any information on the register during the period.

“The commission is poised to ensure a credible voter register for a successful electioneering process, particularly the forthcoming 2023 general election.

“The commission is committed to making all votes count, to consolidate our democracy,” Agbaje said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the display is part of efforts to clean up voter register after the completion of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) on July 31, before the printing of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will receive 10, 000 members of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) into its fold in Ekiti State today.

The former SDP members will be received by the National Chairman of the PDP, Iyiocha Ayu; vice presidential candidate of the party, Ifeanyi Okowa; Senate Minority Leader Philip Aduda; spokesperson for Atiku Campaign Council Senator Dino Melaye; a chieftain of the PDP, Chief Raymond Dokpesi; and a member of the House of Representatives, Henrich Akomolafe.

It was gathered that the Ekiti Progressives also intends to unveil its support for the Atiku Abubakar and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa presidency.

“Members believe the choice of Atiku and Okowa for the 2023 presidency will help in repositioning the country to a better and more functional economy among the comity of nations.

“The PDP in Ekiti State has continued to canvass support for elective positions for the 2023 elections. This will be an added achievements with the defection of 10,000 strong SDP candidates to the party,” the state chapter of the party said.

Osun State Government says the claim by ex-Finance Commissioner Dr. Wale Bolunduro regarding the finances of the state under Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, is a misrepresentation of facts and lies against the person of the governor and the government.

The government, while insisting that Osun under the Oyetola administration was not a spendthrift, challenged the ex-commissioner to be courageous enough to tell the whole world the truth about his inglorious years in Osun where one-month salary was paid four times at intervals.

In a statement, signed by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, titled: ‘Wale Bolorunduro: An asset or complete liability?’ the government said: “To begin with, his claim to have used his contacts to raise funds to modernise Osun is not only false, but also ridiculous.

“For God’s sake, how can a member of a state exco under the leadership of a governor arrogate such glory to himself? For instance, he claimed to have used his relationship with the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) (‘my former boss’, he said) to facilitate a two billion naira revolving fund for micro, small and medium farmers, traders and artisans ‘without issuing an ISPO, for any monthly deductions from FAAC…’

“Nothing can be farther from the truth. The said amount was disbursed by the Federal Government through the CBN to all the states of the federation under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Fund (MSMEDF).

“For clarity purpose, the referenced fund was actually put in place by the Federal Government to galvanise entrepreneurship activities across all the states in the country! In Osun, in line with the requirements of the fund, Osun Micro Credit Agency (OMCA) was employed as a vehicle to access the loan in 2014.

“Contrary to Bolorunduro’s claim however, an ISPO was actually issued by him on the state’s local government’s accounts, and the referenced funding was further supported by a bank guarantee among other comforts. The former commissioner was simply struggling to sidestep the fact that the state’s finance was in a very precarious situation such that the required ISPO could not be accommodated on the state’s statutory account.”

“Bolorunduro needs to be reminded further of the bad condition he left the state’s finances due to his many bad financial decisions and unwholesome practices leading to unsustainable level of debts in the state at that time.

“To date, the state is still missing opportunities particularly from development partners on the account of the bad position of the state’s finance arising from Bolorunduro’s unpopular stewardship.”

Criticisms have trailed the Twitter post of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State on its students that graduated from the College of Health Sciences, for mocking students affected by the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike.

The post on verified account of Bowen University read: “This is what finishing four years in four calendar years in a Nigerian university looks like. You should be here too.”

The text was accompanied by the photograph of the students of the institution, who stood by the signpost of College of Health Sciences (COHES).

Reacting to the post, Twitter users condemned it, tagging the post as ‘insensitive’.

A user, @Lami_Williams, said: “This post is in bad taste. Like people choose not to go to private universities that are ridiculously expensive given what the average Nigerian can afford. They can sell their business without being ‘savage’ to people who can’t ‘be there too’ even if they want to/are desperate to…”

Another, @JohnDeedz, said: “Very insensitive! You don’t have to use the pains of others to advance your good cause or argument. Get a better social media manager!” @responficient11 said:

“Very insensitive and lack of self-awareness…the effects of ASUU strike hits everyone – friends, families. Anyway, a university should be more attractive than “four years in four calendar years”, but this is #Nigeria where the standard is 6ft under the ground.”

However, @The Havilah_ said: ”Bowen is not a charity. They’re in competition with other universities. They can have empathy for those affected by the strike, and still tell prospective Bowen students that they won’t ever have to experience that. Private universities aren’t the reason ASUU is on strike.”

A former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, has advised Ekiti State governor-elect Biodun Oyebanji to build on the legacies of the outgoing Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, in delivering dividends of good governance to the people.

He gave the advice during the thanksgiving service for the late Mrs. Rachael Olufunke Olawumi, mother of a former Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Maj-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, at Araromi Baptist Church, Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Gen. Ihejirika urged Oyebanji to bring his wealth of experience to bear to better the lives of Ekiti people and sustain the legacies of Governor Fayemi, which he said were capable of improving the social and economic well-being of the people.

He cited the new Ado-Iyin road, which was recently built by Governor Fayemi, describing it as a legacy project that should be sustained by the incoming administration.

“While I congratulate the governor-elect, Mr Oyebanji, it is necessary to point out that Ekiti State has always been blessed with good leaders. In recent years, Ekiti has produced performing governors who always leave behind legacy projects. Having been in Iyin before in honour of my brother, Major Gen. Olawumi, I was shocked this time when I left Ado-Ekiti and arrived at the same Iyin under a few minutes on a well tarred, double lane road.

“I give kudos to Governor Fayemi for embarking on such a project because it will go a long way in making life easy for the people of Ekiti State. Therefore, I advise the governor-elect to emulate Governor Fayemi and other wonderful governors before him, who had made the best out of Ekiti,” he said.

Oyebanji hailed Ihejirika and other senior military officers present for standing by Olawumi to celebrate his mother.

He also praised OIawumi for his heart touching tribute in honour of his mother and congratulated the former NYSC boss for being alive to give her the honour she deserved.

The governor-elect assured the ex-COAS that in the spirit of continuity, his administration would continue from where Governor Fayemi stopped.

He said: “I feel so delighted by those good words from our country’s former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ihejirika (rtd.), on Ekiti and the quality of our leaders. What you see on the new Iyin road is a first phase of a road project that was meant to start from Ado and end at Itawure. Our administration will start from where Governor Fayemi ends the road and this will be done on other projects to ensure that none is abandoned.”

Federal Government has begun the construction of 132/33 KV power sub-stations in Ijesa Isu Ekiti and Ilupeju Ekiti, to improve power generation and supply to the people.

Minister of Power Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu described the project as strategic, noting that it would have impact on power transmission in Ekiti and its environs.

Aliyu, represented by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Dr. Sule Abdulaziz, spoke yesterday at the groundbreaking signalling the beginning of construction work on the power substation.

The minister said the project was part of the many projects being undertaken by the TCN in pursuit of grid expansion programme, in line with the mandate of President Muhammadu Buhari for extension of the power sector for sustainable development.

He said when the two power substations at Ijesa Isu and Ilupeju Ekiti were completed, they would relieve the one in Ado-Ekiti of its load and bring better power supply to the hinterland.

Aliyu said: “The TCN is executing substation projects, which are at various stages of completion. This is an indication that the Federal Government is not relenting in ensuring that the nation’s power sector receives the desired boost.”

He said the Ministry of Power would monitor the timeline of the project as contracted, while TCN engineers would ensure effective supervision of the project to ensure that there were no lapses.

Governor Kayode Fayemi, who expressed delight that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the TCN in 2020 resulted in commencement of work, said the project was borne out of the collaboration of his administration with the Federal Government to solve epileptic power supply.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Bisi Egbeyemi, advised the contractor on the need to ensure the construction of quality project, saying: “The people are interested in early completion without compromising standard.”

Fayemi also restated the commitment of his administration to the ongoing work on the Independent Power Project (IPP) aimed at boosting power supply to government offices and facilities in Ado-Ekiti, to generate additional 5 megawatts.

The Commissioner for Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, noted that the project, when completed, would complement plans of the state government to improve the quality of energy supply to the 16 local governments and 19 local council development areas.