Category: South West

The newly installed monarch of Itele, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, Musliu Ademola Eletu-Asorota has lauded Governor Dapo Abiodun for approving his selection and appointment as a traditional ruler.

He said: ‘’ I want to thank the Governor of Ogun state, Prince Dapo Abiodun, his deputy and my sister, Engineer Noimot Salako Oyedele; Olota of Ota (Awori kingdom) Oba (Prof) Abdul Kabir Adeyemi Obalanlege; my cousin and progressive partner, the Seriki of Ota, High Chief Olanrewaju Bashorun, and all the Itele council of Chiefs and Baale as well as Itele families and residents’’

The monarch said that despite the prolonged tussle for the stool with other contestants, there is neither a victor nor a vanquished.

He said:  Itele Otta kingship is not a small chieftaincy, the stool is a very ancient stool, a permanent member of the Ogun State Council of Obas, a member of Egba traditional council and a very highly rated stool among the Awori Obas, so the journey to the throne is bound to be very competitive and even let’s say fiercely. but in all, we thank God that after many years of praying,  begging, and all we finally have a king at Itele. No Victor no Vanquish. We all at Itele community are winners. ‘’

The monarch urged the state government to see to the infrastructural development of his domain saying’’ the problems facing Itele are all evident, neglect of almost 30 years of no clear leadership(monarch)  No single motorable road here in Itele-Otta, a town highly populated because of her proximity to Lagos, no health centers and even the school here has even been left to rot away.

‘’Anyway knowing the antecedent of our present Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, and his team, especially the governor being a successful businessman, I am sure he would quickly realise the comparative advantage of Itele in terms of the benefits of Ota-Itele-Ayobo road to the second largest industrial estate in the southwest of Nigeria and am very sure Our Governor will soon pay some attention to our road and follow it up with other social infrastructures.

Kwara state Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ilorin yesterday remanded three suspected armed robbers in prison custody.

The suspects, Isiaka Sabi, Hassan Bature and Ardo Umaru on June 29th this year allegedly conspired and killed one Jamiu Ibrahim (45) of Idofin Odo-Ashe, Oke-Ero Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that Isiaka Sabi was an employee of the deceased.

Police First Information Report (FIR)  stated that the “case was transferred from Oke Ero Divisional Police Headquarters, Ilofa Kwara state to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Ilorin, for discreet investigation on July 7th.”

The FIR added that one Jamiu Abdulrauf of Ita Asalapa Isale

Banni Aioore, Ilorin reported the case at the Oke-Ero police station.

The police report reads: “That on the same date at about five unknown gunmen invaded into Asalapa farm settlement via Idofin Odo-Ashe and took his brother one Jamiu Ibrahim ‘m aged 45years out of his room into a guinea corn farm behind his house where he was fired with a gun and abandoned to die in the poo! of his blood.

The concerted effort of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) Oke Ero led

to the arrest of one Isiaka Sabi, Bature Hassan, and Umaru Ardo of different farm settlements in Idofin Odo Ashe who were fingered in the killing of Jamiu Ibrahim.

During a discreet investigation conducted at SCID Ilorin, it was revealed that Sabi Isiaka, who was a labourer working for the deceased invited Hassan Bature and Umaru Ardo of different farm settlements and planned to rob Ibrahim Jamiu on July 26th.

”During the discreet investigation, Sabi Isiaka confessed to having conspired with one Bature Hassan, Umaru Ardo, Janyo Dogo, and Ahiyah (at large) to rob the deceased.”

The police report said that the defendants and the two at large attacked the deceased with guns and cutlasses.

FIR report revealed that the suspects killed Ibrahim Jamiu for refusing to give them money.

At the hearing of the case, Police Prosecutor Thomas Adebayo urged the court to remand the suspects in prison for 21 days pending the outcome of their investigation.

He said: “We are still investigating the case. Efforts are still on towards arresting the remaining suspects at large by the police authorities.

‘’However, we pray the court to remand the defendants in Oke-Kura Correctional Facility.

“Our prayers are in line with Section 299 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Kwara state 2018. We have nine grounds to support our application, supported also by nine paragraphs affidavit dated July 22nd, 2022, and deposed to by Inspector Mohammed Kamaldeen of the state CID, Ilorin, Kwara state.

“The state attorney general is fully aware of the case because the duplicate of the case file had been forwarded to the justice ministry via a letter dated July 22nd, 2022.

“The receipt copy from the letter is evident having formed part of the evidence in this case. We have not in any way infringed on the fundamental human rights of the defendants.”

Counsel to the complainant Shuaib Oniye aligned with the prosecution.

In her ruling Magistrate Mogaji said in line with “the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of the state, I hereby order that the suspect be remanded in Oke-Kura Correctional Facility.”

She then adjourned the case to September 1st, 2022 for mention.

A young man identified as Vincent has been arrested by men of the Ondo State Police Command for allegedly killing his grandmother, Florence Olaloye, in the Sabo area of Ondo town, Ondo West Local Government Area.

The body of the woman who was allegedly hacked by the suspect was found in her room by one of her grandsons, Pelumi.

Pelumi was sent to buy snails but returned to find the woman in the pool of her blood.

He raised the alarm and the case was reported at the Fagun police station in the area.

Pelumi said: “As I was about to leave the house, my brother, Vincent came in and said he wanted to iron his clothes. I went inside the room and gave him the iron and I left to get the snail.

“When I came back, my brother was still in the room with my grandmother. After, he asked me to bring firewood. When I came back, I met grandma on the floor in the pool of her blood.

“Grandmother and my brother were not in good term on the issue that my brother smokes marijuana. On the fateful day, a fight erupted between them before I left the house because my brother did not do the work grandmother gave to him” he explained.

But Vincent who spoke before his arrest said he also found his grandmother dead in the room

“ I came home, I later went to Orimolade where I saw my friend. He later followed me home to drink garri. On getting home, my mother was sleeping. I went to my grandmother’s house where I met her  body on the floor.”

Ondo Police spokesman, SP Funmi Odunlami, said investigations has commenced into the incident.

She said a grandchild of the victim and one of his friends have been arrested in connection to the killing.

Lagos State Government has announced a seven-hour traffic diversion on Sunday, as the Lagos State Public Works Corporation schedule a planned rehabilitation of a failed portion of the Third Mainland Bridge.

The rehabilitation is slated for between 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sunday. Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde explained that traffic will be diverted from one lane to another, at the identified failed asphaltic sections on the Bridge.

He stressed that this was expedient to solve tailbacks along the bridge during the peak periods as a result of the failed sections.

Oladeinde assured that the State’s Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA would be on the ground to direct traffic to ameliorate the inconveniences.

The statement implored motorists to be patient as the measures taken are aimed at providing quality and safe road infrastructure for everyone.

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Similarly, the state government has announced a traffic diversion on the Akin Adesola Junction to Lekki Roe Expressway from Monday, July 15, 2022, for the third phase of repair works on Adeyemo Alakija Street and its environs.

Oladeinde, who disclosed this on Friday, said the second phase of the repair had been completed and that it was expedient to commence the third phase immediately.

Oladeinde explained that traffic heading towards Ozumba Mbadiwe from Akin Adesola will be diverted to Adeyemo Alakija inbound Idowu Taylor Street to link Adeola Hopewell/ Akinbo Savage Street, for a U-turn on Adetokunbo Ademola Street, to access Ozumba Mbadiwe or Lekki Expressway.

He further stated that Traffic inbound Adeyemo Alakija from  Ozumba Mbadiwe or Lekki Expressway will have to make a turn left into Adetokunbo Ademola Idowu Taylor to link Akinbo Savage Street, Adeola Hopewell, and Idowu Taylor to access their desired destinations.

A 12-year-old boy, Al-Ameen Jimoh, who is currently battling a scary scar, has cried out for help.

It was learnt that the boy was barely four months old when sore-like measles was discovered on his body.

It was said that his mother made futile efforts to get both orthodox and alternative remedies for Al-Ameen’s deteriorating health as the measles started spreading to other parts of his body.

A statement issued by his family said: ‘’In no distance time all his body was covered by the offensive sours. Alas, in her quest to get lasting solution for her son’s pitiable conditions, Al-Ameen’s mother died suddenly and little boy was left in care of his 90 years old grandmother who could not do anything to save the young boy due to her advance in age.

‘’The boy was growing with the scary sore and his condition getting worse day by day, he was a shadow of himself and everybody in his community kept a long distance from him for fear of being infected by the sore.’’

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It was said that a community leader and Islamic cleric, Imam  Tajudeen Arisekola, a media practitioner, Mr. Sodik Ayodeji, and a popular Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Olarenwaju Anyfulani brought Al-Ameen’s condition to the public following which substantial amount was donated for his initial treatment at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) where he was admitted for some months.

The boy has since been discharged and returned to his family house at Orile- Iganmu area of Lagos, to face isolation and discrimination from both his peers and other residents.

Imam Aniwofose said ‘’the boy’s condition is getting worse every day, people have helped us with money but we want the government to assist us in rehabilitating him, he is always alone no one wants to move closer to him. Government should help us on this little boy.’’

Al-Ameen can be reached on 0803 648 1556.

There was a large turnout of worshippers, tourists, and traditionalists at the grand finale of the 2022 Osun Osogbo Festival, on Friday.

The festival which started with spiritual cleansing called ‘Iwopo’ ended on Friday with the procession of the maiden virgin with mystical calabash to the sacred grove.

She carried the calabash from the Osun shrine at the palace to the grove which is about 1.5KM around 11:45 AM. Adherents from all parts of Nigeria and foreign tourists graced the festival.

The Osun priestess poured libations for the goddess as worshipers prayed for themselves and the country.

Speaking at the event, the renowned Ifa priest and Araba of Osogbo, Chief Ifayemi Elebuibon reiterated the need for Government at various levels to ensure adequate security in the country to attract tourists and investment.

He said: “This festival should be a major source of revenue for the government. Government must make tourist sites across the country more secure for foreign tourists as well as promotion of cultural and national heritage. It will encourage Nigerians in the diaspora to want to come and participate in their culture.

“Muslims go to Mecca; Christians go to Israel, the traditionalists globally should come to Osun-Osogbo festival. But that can be possible if they are assured of adequate security. Government and Nigerians would benefit more from it.”

Similarly, the Aare On Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams said the Yoruba race has allowed civilisation to erode the rich cultural heritage of the race, saying it is the reason the people suddenly became afraid of menaces such as kidnapping and banditry.

He added that festival like Osun-Osogbo is not just a means of celebrating culture but a major economic boost for the people.

He tasked traditional rulers in the region to revive various festivals in their domain in the interest of their people and the country as a whole.

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji said government will continue to ensure adequate security at all tourist centres in the state, especially Osun-Osogbo which is a UNESCO recognised festival.

He said: “In the last three and a half years Governor Adeboyega Oyetola has left no stone unturned to ensure the security and welfare for the whole state. If you look at this environment everywhere you can see that it is heavily fortified with security to protect lives and properties.

“This is an international festival recognised by UNESCO and as a government, we have the responsibility to ensure the safety of those coming from all over the universe for this event”, added.

The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji prayed for the gathering to be part of the festival again next year, seeking the god’s protection over the state, Nigeria, and the world from all evils.

Governor Dapo Abiodun has said that no fewer than 50,000 women have been lifted out of poverty through the financial empowerment scheme tagged ‘Oko’wo Dapo’

The governor explained that the scheme was conceived by his administration in a bid to help improve the standard of living of women.

A statement issued by Abiodun’s Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin said the governor made the disclosure during the validation exercise of ward facilitators of the scheme, held at the Oba’s Complex, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, on Friday.

The governor also disclosed that over N500m has been saved via contributions by the beneficiaries in three local government areas of the state.

‘’Abiodun charged the ward facilitators to advertise the benefits of the scheme to their fellow women, saying he expected that the number of the participants should have increased to over two hundred thousand across the state.

”In three local governments, we have over fifty thousand women participating in this scheme, they have saved over five hundred million naira. The three local government areas are Odeda, Ijebu North East, and Yewa North. We just started the one for Ikenne.

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”Our ward facilitators should go all out to advertise this programme, and educate more women about the benefit of this programme, I am confident that in the next three to four months, we would have had over two hundred thousand women in this programme across the state,” he said.

The governor noted that the scheme wasn’t different from a cooperative scheme, adding that his administration would give a loan to each participant fourfold of whatever she might have contributed in four weeks.

“This is not different from your various contributions, it is a cooperative scheme. Our ward facilitators will go all out and bring together those women who will be part of the scheme, about twenty or twenty-five women in each group, and start contributing.

“You will now start to contribute for four weeks, you will attend weekly meetings, after contributing for four weeks, the government will now give you the loan that will amount to fourfold of what you contributed.

“So, if you contribute two thousand weekly and you now have eight thousand Naira in the fourth week, our government will give you thirty-two thousand naira loan. If it is five thousand naira you contribute weekly and you now have twenty thousand at the end of the four weeks, our government will now borrow you eighty thousand Naira,” he said.

Pupils of some public schools in Ondo State have held their audience in awe as they displayed their knowledge of jolly phonics.

Jolly phonics is a synthetic project powered by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) that aims to help children to read and write with ease and confidence.

The pupils displayed their jolly phonics knowledge at a quiz competition organised by the Universal Learning Solutions Initiative (ULSI), in conjunction with the Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (ONSUBEB).

The Chairman of Ondo SUBEB, Victor Olabimtan, hailed the pupils for the knowledge and urged them to focus on their books, instead of watching television or social media.

He said the quiz competition had proved the state government investment in basic education.

The Executive Director, ULSI, Mrs. Naomi Foxfroft, said the quiz competition was an avenue for pupils to showcase their reading prowess and compete with their peers from other schools.

She said knowledge of jolly phonics helped to equip teachers with the expertise and tools required to transform pupils in public primary schools.

The Permanent Secretary, Ondo SUBEB, Mr. Dele Akinnagbe, said the programme was financed by UBEC and the state must monitor to ensure ”we have value for money.”

The Federal High Court in Lagos has authorised an aspirant, Mr. Olasunkanmi Shittu, to serve via substituted means, a suit seeking to disqualify the lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mrs. Mosunmola Sangodara.

Justice Nicolas Oweibo made the order following Shittu’s application filed and argued by his counsel, Dr. Kemi Pinheiro SAN, who led Adebowale Kamoru.

Shittu, the plaintiff in the suit, is praying the court to disqualify Sangodara and declare him as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for next year’s election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Sangodara and the APC are the 1st to 3rd defendants.

At the resumption of proceedings on August 5, Kamoru told the court of the plaintiff’s motion ex parte of August 4, for substituted service.

He prayed for “an order granting leave to the plaintiff to effect service of the writ of summons and statement of claim and other accompanying processes filed or that may be filed in this suit on the 2nd defendant by substituted means to wit, by delivering same to the Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly and/or through her e-mail address; mosun25@gmail.com as indicated in the 2nd defendant’s Form EC9 published and displayed by the 1st defendant.”

Justice Oweibo held: “That order of substituted service is hereby granted, as prayed. The return date shall be the 7th day of September, 2022 for hearing.”

The plaintiff, in his statement of claim, is seeking among others, “A declaration that the information contained in the Affidavit in Support of Personal Particulars (Form EC9) deposed to by the 2nd Defendant and submitted to the 1st Defendant in support of the 2nd Defendant’s nomination to contest the membership of the Lagos State House of Assembly to represent Surulere Constituency 2 in the forthcoming 2023 House of Assembly Election is false.

“An order declaring that Plaintiff, being the candidate with the second highest number of votes at the 3rd Defendant’s primary election, as the candidate of the 3rd Defendant to contest the membership of the Lagos State House of Assembly to represent Surulere Constituency 2 in the forthcoming 2023 House of Assembly Election.

“An order of perpetual injunction mandating the 1st Defendant to remove from its published List of Candidates for the forthcoming 2023 House of Assembly Election, the name of the 2nd Defendant and replace same with the name of the Plaintiff.”

Lagos State Ministry of Transportation has placed an indefinite ban on the operations of its enforcement team tagged M.O.T. Task Force.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation,  Sola Giwa, said the decision was reached after an appraisal and review of the enforcement teams operating under the ministry, which he noted needed to be scaled down.

He said: ”Based on this new directive, the public is hereby enjoined to report the activities of any unauthorised enforcement team disguising to be M.O.T Task Force to the Ministry of Transportation for onward report to the police for possible prosecution.”

Giwa, who explained that the ban had become expedient as part of measures to streamline transportation enforcement in the state for better effectiveness in line with global best practices, said the ban was not an excuse for drivers to disobey traffic laws, as offenders would still be prosecuted.

He appealed to Lagosians to cooperate with the government in its effort to abate the traffic situation.