Category: South West

As of December 31, 2020 Osun state loan repayment gulped N21.06bn, the state also had the highest total debt per capita of N32,710.

The States debt-to-revenue ratio in the last four years is pegged at 178% (2018), 184.27%(2019), 191%(2020), and 228%(2021).

This is according to civic-tech organisation BudgIt who disclosed in their website that the State’s per capita debt was one of the highest in the year.

It stated, “Speaking of debt burdens and sustainability, With a total debt burden of N174.94bn as of December 31, 2020, Osun had one of the highest total debt per capita of N32,710, significantly higher than the country average of N27,316 per citizen.

“A quick look at the debt-to-revenue ratio in the last 4 years pegged it at 178% (2018), 184.27%(2019), 191%(2020), and 228%(2021). Recall that the @DMONigeria recommends that the debt-to-revenue ratio shouldn’t be more than 200%. Osun exceeded this threshold by 28% in 2021.

“This means future debt servicing and repayment obligations would continue to drown out a sizable component of the state’s future revenue. For example, loan repayments gulped N21.06bn in 2020, the third largest loan repayment made by any state in Nigeria.”

BudgIT is also set to unveil its maiden humanitarian Active Citizens award.

BudgIT’s Global Director, Oluseun Onigbinde said the awards is one of BudgIT’s signature initiatives and efforts to spotlight and recognise personalities, organisations and agencies that are championing causes, programs and initiatives.

He said, “ On Thursday, July 14, 2022, BudgIT, a foremost civic-tech organisation leading the advocacy for accountability, transparency and effective service delivery in Nigeria and four other African countries, officially announced the maiden edition of its Active Citizens Award. This event which is scheduled to hold on September 10, 2022, at the Civic Centre, Lagos, seeks to promote and recognise individuals and organisations doing tremendous humanitarian work in Nigeria.

“According to Oluseun Onigbinde, BudgIT’s Global Director, the awards is one of BudgIT’s signature initiatives and efforts to spotlight and recognise personalities, organisations and agencies that are championing causes, programs and initiatives that have positively influenced women’s rights, community service, disability rights and inclusion, political activism, civic engagement and action, journalism, human rights, effective service delivery and other gains of social activism in Nigeria.

“The awards will feature ten (10) categories, including the Oby Ezekwesili Award for Women Advocacy, Award for Community Service, Disability Rights Advocacy or Empowerment Award, Award for Institutional Transparency, Art for Activism and many more.”

Ahead of the 2023 general election scores of loyalists of former governor   Ibikunle Amosun left him for governor Dapo Abiodun’s camp,  pledging their allegiance to the governor.

The former loyalists of Senator Amosun who are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state, were received by the Senior Special Adviser on Political Affairs to Governor Abiodun, Samson Tunji Egbetokun, on Friday evening.

Addressing the politicians, Egbetokun commended them for their decision to join the mainstream of the APC in the state and team up with the governor ahead of the general poll next year.

“You have got it right by taking this bold step in the sense that one cannot say because  of sympathy you continue to stay with somebody and become useless. You should know what you want, where to get it and how to get it.

“We have a governor who is passionate with inclusiveness, justice and fairness. You can see that even if you join the party today, he takes and recognizes you as someone who had been with the party from the inception. Politics is parochial, it is how to better your life and that of others. You cannot do politics with emotions. I want to welcome you to Dapo Abiodun’s family and since you are not strangers, you will be promptly integrated,” Egbetokun stated.

While assuring them that their interest would be taken into consideration as they have taken the best political decision, the SSA noted that they were grassroots politicians with great mobilisation skills, noting “this is the right time for you to have retraced their steps especially now that elections are fast approaching”.

Speaking on behalf of the APC members, Femi Akinbile explained that their action was merely retracing their steps back to where they belonged.

He lauded Governor Abiodun for his leadership style and efforts at bringing the desired development to every part of the state.

EdTech start-up Teesas has launched the Teesas Donate Program to support underprivileged and out-of-school children in attaining academic excellence. The initiative was launched at the Little Saint’s Orphanage (Abule Egba Home) in Lagos yesterday is targeted at children aged 3 – 11 years.

The Teesas Donate Program encourages the public to donate old or faulty tablets towards the initiative. Firstly, donors signify interest by filling out a form on the company’s website after which they drop off the devices at any of the nine Imose Technologies service centres nationwide or the Teesas team will pick up the smart devices. Imose Technologies, a sister company of Teesas, then refurbishes the tablets and installs the Teesas Education App that contains curriculum-aligned educational videos and ebooks.

To guarantee the sustainability of the initiative, for a start, a router with a one-year data subscription will be provided to every beneficiary home to ensure that the children can access the educational videos via the internet. Teesas tutors will also volunteer their time to visit the underserved communities to monitor the children’s academic progress and provide free tutoring support, and faulty tablets will be repaired for free by Imose Technologies.

Osayi Izedonmwen, founder and chief executive officer, Teesas, said that the Teesas Donate Program is a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative that aligns with the company’s mission to liberalise access to education in Africa.

Responding to the gesture, founder of Little Saints Orphanage, Rev. Mrs George stated that the Teesas Donate Program was appropriately timed as the orphanage home had just equipped its library with computers to facilitate digital learning among the children.

All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Senator Tokunbo Abiru  has felicitated with a Lagos party elder, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya.

The Lagos East senator described the former Commissioner for Agriculture as a leader and an illustrious son of Ikorodu, a thoroughbred administrator, political strategist and educationist of repute.

Abiru said in a statement that Olusanya’s immense contributions to the advancement and development of Lagos and APC are well acknowledged.

He said:”Asipa, you are a huge political and intellectual asset to the progressives and Lagos State. We are proud of your sterling achievements in public service, party administration and in your private endeavours.

“You left indelible footprints of performance and excellence while you served Lagos as the Honourable Commissioner of Agriculture and Cooperatives. You displayed the same capacity and excellence when the lot fell on you to serve our party as the Vice-Chairman, Lagos East Senatorial District.

“I particularly commend your investments in the educational sector. It takes a man who places a huge premium on human capital development to have the vision and foresight to expand the frontiers of knowledge in this state the way you have done.”

Abiru added:”I also use this auspicious ocassion to acknowledge and thank you for the pivotal role you played as the Director General of my campaign directorate in 2020. No doubt, your political astuteness and the resourcefulness of our party leaders and loyal members gave us resounding victory at the polls.

“Asipa, on  this milestone,  I join your family, associates and well wishers to sincerely pray that God grants you your heart desires and give you good health and vitality as you age gracefully.”

Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos (ISCL) is charging all Presidential Candidates to be committed to free and fair political/electoral process, as well as protection of lives of Nigerians by engaging all security agencies on election days.

Speaking at a press conference held at Surulere in Lagos state, the President of Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos, High Chief Cyril Sunday Eze said this.

According to Eze, candidates should also ensure that their supporters are law abiding and comply with the rules of engagement.

Eze who spoke on the theme “Nigeria at Crossroads: Getting it Right for a Peaceful and United Country” said Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also need to demonstrate responsibility and efficiency by ensuring that those who registered for their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) are issued their cards to enable them vote in the coming elections

”ISCL having been in existence in Lagos for over 40 years is out to foster unity, encourage peaceful coexistence with other ethnic nationalities in Lagos as well as protect business and well being of her people in the state.

Eze urged State and federal govt. to rejig and strengthen our security strategy and system. Eze  also revealed the readiness of ISCL to vote in the coming elections having done a lot in broad based mobilization for citizens to register and get their PVC. “Our evaluation shows that our campaign have yielded tremendous results especially in markets, communities development association and town unions” said Eze.

Speaking on his stand on Igbo Presidency in Nigeria, Eze said “As an Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos, for now we don’t have any Candidate to support. So long as he is ready to meet all our demands which is not money”.

According to the State Woman Leader, Igbo Speaking Community, Lagos State, Chief Mrs Gloria Amaizu, such Presidential Candidate must be ready to provide jobs for our unemployed youths who are so many.

Counsel to Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan of Oyo state, Chief Afolabi Fashanu, SAN has declared as unconstitutional, wrongful and illegal, the decision of the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Munta Abimbola to constitute a seven man panel to investigate Olaniyan of wrong.

The senior legal luminary apparently reacting to the move by the CJ said the decision was made inspite of the clear notice of pending appeal and application for stay of execution.

The Nation reports that Justice Abimbola had on Thursday constituted the panel in response to an earlier directive on him by the State House of Assembly to set up the panel to look into allegations of gross misconduct leveled against the Deputy Governor.

Recall that an Oyo State High Court presided over by Justice Ladiran Akintola on Thursday, July 14 dismissed the suit filed by Olaniyan challenging the propriety of the procedures by the lawmakers.

But, Olaniyan had through his lawyer, Chief Afolabi Fashanu immediately filed a notice of appeal and an application for stay of execution of the judgement at the Appeal court barely an hour after the judgement was delivered.

The investigative panel as constituted by the CJ is to be chaired by Chief Kayode Christopher.

Other members of the panel include: Arc. Adebisi Soyombo, Chief Lawal Adekunle Dauda, Princess Olanike Olusegun, Rev Fr. Patrick Ademola, Chief Mrs Wuraola Adepoju (JP) and Alh. Tirimisiyu Akewusola Badmus.

Apparently disappointed by the CJ’s move, Fashanu said the number one citizen in the state judiciary should have respected the judicial process in his conduct.

Fashanu said “The constitution of the members of the impeachment panel is unconstitutional, wrongful and illegal. It is no longer news that His Lordship went ahead to constitute the panel inspite of the clear notice of pending appeal and application for Stay of Execution.

The Baale of Ogombo land, Baale Ogunbo Abiodun has boasted that the ‘Ita Baale Day’ festival will continue to raise the bar in the tourism sector of Lagos state.

The Baale stated this during the celebration of the third edition of the festival. According to him, the socio-cultural event was conceived to preserve, uphold and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Ogombo.

“‘Ita Baale Day’ aim is to attract the descendants of Ogombo indigenes across the state so that they make their contribution towards the development of this great land. I want to seek your support and cooperation for the continuous success of this festival by ensuring that it gets better and attract tourist to our land. I pray that next year’s celebration will meet us at the next level,” he said

“Today is another mile stone in the history of our great land as we celebrate the 3rd Ita baale day. My address to you will be filled with appreciation and gratitude because it’s all about the good people of Ogombo for the support and prayers over the past 3years.

“Let me use the occasion to thank the Lagos state government headed by our amiable governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwolu AKA ‘Sellable’ and the entire cabinet for their continuous support to Ogombo land , Mr Governor, we are extremely grateful. May God Almighty grant you your heart desires. Under your watch, Lagos will continue to prosper.

“To our amiable Speaker, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa your love for Ogombo is beyond comprehension. To this end, we want to sincerely appreciate your support to the peace progress and development of Ogombo Land . May Almighty Allah continue to bless all that concerns you.

“Permit me to also sincerely thank our amiable son, our very own representative in the Lagos state House of Assembly in whom we are well pleased. Hon Noheem Babatunde Adams for the supportive and selfless roles he has played and he is still playing for the overall good, development and progress of our great land. May Almighty Allah bless you immeasurable. My appreciation also goes to Hon. Samod Ogunbo for the premium he is placing on matters that concerns Ogombo, we are indeed very proud of you while urging you to keep it up.

Abiodun urged the residents especially the youths to embrace peace and shun violence or any form of criminal activity.

“Ogombo is home to all peace-loving people irrespective of race, tribe or religion where everyone lives without any form of fear or intimidation.  In the light of this, I want to assure everyone irrespective of tribe, race or religion that under my reign, no one will be maltreated or unduly harassed.

“I also want to seize this opportunity to implore our youths to shun any form of violence, drug abuse, thuggery as those acts will only soil the name of the community and their families while also leading them to destruction.”

He, however, appealed to the Lagos state government to come to the aid of the community by upgrading infrastructure, public water and electricity in the area.

“I sincerely thank our representative in the Lagos state House of Assembly in whom we are well pleased,Hon Noheem Babatunde Adams for the supportive and selfless roles he has played’.

Two suspected internet fraudsters have been convicted and another one remanded by a State High Court and a Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The accused persons, Ogunlana Charles Tolulope and Amoo Emmanuel Abiodun were convicted following their prosecution for cybercrime by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

They were arraigned on separate count charges before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, sitting in Ibadan, and Justice Bayo Taiwo of the State High Court, Ibadan, Oyo.

The convicts were arrested by the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC in 2021 for cyber-fraud-related activities in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The charge against Ogunlana reads: “That you,  Ogunlana Charles Tolulope ‘M’(aka Brandon Oliver) on or about the 8th of September, 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonate one Brandon Oliver, a male citizen of the United States of America via your Google Hangouts brandonoliver101@gmail.com and oliverb909@gmail.com with intent to gain monetary advantage for yourself, the pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section 22 (3) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.”

The charge against Amoo reads: “That you, Amoo Emmanuel Abiodun on or about 29th October, 2021, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, impersonated Clifford Smith, a white man from the United States of America and thereby committed an offence of Impersonation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.”

According to a statement by the Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, the duo pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them by the Commission.

The statement reads in part “Consequently, Justice Agomoh convicted and sentenced Ogunlana to one-year imprisonment and ordered him to restitute the sum of N1.6million domiciled in his bank account to his victim and forfeit one Camry car to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

Similarly, Justice Taiwo convicted and sentenced Amoo to six months of community service and ordered that the convict pay the sum of $1,300USD  in restitution and forfeit one iPhone 11 mobile phone to the Federal Government.

Also, the Ibadan Zonal Command arraigned one Sotunde Bashir Abiola before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, on one count charge bordering on fraudulent impersonation.

The charge reads: “That you, Sotunde Bashir Abiola ‘M’ sometimes in March, 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud aided and abetted one Ashefon Daniel Kayode who fraudulently impersonated one Robbin Stephen with intent to gain advantage for himself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act.”

He pleaded not guilty to the charge when read to him before the court.

Justice Agomoh, ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Agodi Correctional facility and adjourned till November 2, 2022, for the commencement of trial.

Chairman, Board of Directors, Radio Kwara, Kayode Adeyipo has urged media practitioners in the country to dwell on issues that would unite the nation rather than divisive ones ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Adeyipo said: “I want to further advise that as the 2023 general elections approach, the media generally should focus on issues and the factors that unite us rather than on issues that would divide us on ethnic, religious, and cultural inclinations.”

He hailed Kwara state Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration’s timely intervention in saving the state-owned media outfits, particularly Radio Kwara and Kwara Television stations from total collapse.

It will be recalled that the state-owned media outfits were on the verge of collapse, with poor and outdated equipment, and strike, while backlogs of staff salaries and allowances remained unpaid until Governor AbdulRazaq took over the mantle of leadership in 2019.

Adeyipo, a veteran journalist, made the commendation during an interactive session with journalists in Ilorin, the state capital.

He added that under the current administration, the media houses have received adequate attention which have in turn propelled the stations to function and perform at optimal level.

Adeyipo cited the recent procurement of two brand new 100-KVA generators for the two electronic media outfits to cater for the epileptic power supply in the stations despite the diesel crisis in the country as a proof of the Governor’s determination to put the two stations in a state where they could perform optimally.

He said: “Never in the history of Kwara state has so much resources been devoted to the development and modernisation of public media houses, which was a sign of Governor AbdulRazaq’s firm belief in free flow of information which is a necessary and vital ingredient in a democracy.”

The chairman also commended the governor for the approval given for the establishment of two additional radio stations in the state, describing it as a remarkable step in the right direction and a sign of the importance attached to effective communication by the AbdulRazaq administration.

He, therefore, urged the entire workforce in the government-owned media houses to reciprocate the governor’s gesture by being totally devoted to duty to enable their stations to act as an effective link and feedback mechanism between the government and the governed.