The Nation Newspaper

Category: South West

  • Lagos debunks video insinuating ethnic attack

    Lagos debunks video insinuating ethnic attack

    The Lagos State government yesterday said that its planned remodelling of Alaba-Rago market is not an attack on any ethnic group.

    A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, said ‘any insinuation towards any ethnic attack is a lie and purveyors of such are mischievous’.

    The government’s response followed a video showing officials of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) at Alaba-Rago Market. But it was accompanied with the voice of a blogger, who deliberately peddled misinformation.

    The statement reads: “The video is accompanied by a voice, which is not that of any official of the two agencies. The voice is that of a faceless blogger trying to whip up ethnic and political sentiments over the planned relocation of traders for the remodelling of Alaba Rago Market.

    “The video is authentic because the RRS Commander, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, and Chairman of the Task Force CSP Shola Jejeloye, were in Alaba Rago last Thursday to brief the traders on the planned relocation. The traders have 14 days to vacate the area to pave way for the re-modelling.

    “Alaba Rago is occupied by traders from many parts of Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries. Any insinuation towards any ethnic attack is a lie and purveyors of such are mischievous. It is a devious attempt to cause trouble among peaceful traders. Such actions should be disregarded. Engagements are ongoing towards a hitch-free temporary relocation of the traders.

    “The planned relocation is part of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s Urban Renewal Programme. The government and the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing have just demolished market stalls under Apongbon Bridge ahead of the reconstruction of the bridge which got burnt. It is illegal to bring ethnic, religious or political colourations to such an exercise, which is designed to ensure development and better security in our communities.

    “The discovery of some locally-made shotguns by the police in Ojo Division, a few weeks ago, was part of many other reports that prompted the government to expedite action on the remodelling of the market.

    “About 4am on April 3, RRS officials intercepted a busload of illicit drugs at Mile 2 enroute Mushin. The suspects confessed that the consignments were loaded at night in Alaba Rago. The Lagos-Badagry Expressway is an international route, it will be insensitive of the government not to redevelop an unplanned and filthy market, such as Alaba Rago, with many shanties lined up on such an international route.

    “Besides, Alaba Rago is directly opposite the Lagos State University, Ojo Campus, keeping a very busy market like that directly opposite a reputable institution of learning is not right.”

  • Tegbe, Ilaka pick Oyo PDP senatorial tickets

    Tegbe, Ilaka pick Oyo PDP senatorial tickets

    The three Senatorial and 14 House of Representatives candidates of the Oyo state People’s Democratic Party(PDP) for the 2023 National Assembly elections have emerged.

    The candidates emerged after a thrilling and dramatic primaries,which held from Sunday to Monday.

    Although the primary for the House of Representatives flag bearers was slated for Sunday, some constituencies had to wait till Monday for the candidates to emerge following intense power play.

    The primary for the senatorial districts was not also without some fun.

    Heavy security presence was noticed at some of the venues visited.

    After a thrilling exercise, Mogaji Joseph Tegbe a new entrant into PDP from the APC won the Oyo South ticket at a primary conducted at Tafo Event Centre, Ijokodo, Ibadan.

    Although, Tegbe contested the election unoppotssed after other aspirants were convinced to step down for him, he still polled 296 votes as an affirmation of the earlier decision.

    Chief Bisi Ilaka won the ticket for Oyo central with 322 votes.

    Akinwale Akinwole aka Wolekanle won the Oyo North ticket.

    He polled 414 votes out of a total of 415 delegates. The primary held in Iseyin.

    The three Senatorial candidates are favorites of Governor Seyi Makinde.

    The story however was slightly different with the House of Representatives primaries as some favoured candidates of the Governor lost out.

    The primary was keenly contested in most Federal Constituencies despite the initial decision of the Governor and party leaders to adopt candidates who would only be affirmed at the primary.

    In Ibadan North Federal Constituency, 13 aspirants obtained expression of interest form and nomination form but Mr Lanre Sarumi defeated Hon Dada Awoleye, a two- term Reps member and others to clinch the ticket.

    In Lagelu Akinyele Federal Constituency, Abideen Adeaga defeated Mr Kunle Yusuf, a former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

    Some aspirants vowed to challenge the result of the elections in court citing irregularities and use of force.

    Other candidates that emerged at the end of the HoR primaries which held across the State include: Lanre Salami (Ibadan North Federal Constituency); Abdulmojeed Mogbanjubola (Oluyole), Abideen Adeaga (Akinyele/Lagelu); Hussain Yusuf Ijaban (Irepo, Oorelope, Olorunsogo) and Dr Lukma Adisa Salami (Saki East, Saki West, Atisbo).

    Others are Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin (Ibadan South East, North East); Oyejide Oyesina (Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Kajola, Iwajowa); Hon Stanley Olajide popularly known as OdidiOmo (Ibadan North West, Southwest); and Olufemi Onireti (Ogbomoso North, South, Oriire).

    Other candidates are: Hon Yemi Taiwo (Ido, Ibarapa East); Hon Busari Olayemi (Egbada, Ona Ara); Dr Adepoju Anthony (Ibarapa North, Ibarapa Central) ; Ojo Sunday Makanjuola (Ogo Oluwa, Surulere); and Mudashiru Kamil Akinlabi (Oyo East, Oyo West, Atiba).

  • Why I resigned as Ondo SDP chairman, by Ogunbameru

    Why I resigned as Ondo SDP chairman, by Ogunbameru

    Immediate past Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo State, Prince Dele Ogunbameru, has said he resigned his position to foster unity in the party.

    Ogunbameru announced his resignation during the May 16 party congress.

    In an interview yesterday in Akure, Ogunbameru said: “We have witnessed a lot of bickering in the party, our primary goal should be how to reconcile warring groups; the party must move forward. We had a peaceful congress where factions were reconciled after a long time.

    “The congress was in line with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) directive and I, as state chairman of the recognised SDP, voluntarily resigned. A new chairman, Dele Thomas, and new executives have emerged, so there is no more faction in Ondo State SDP.

    “I thank a former chairman, Chief Korede Duyile, and other stakeholders, for their faith in the party and their determination to work for its success in the elections.”

    Ogunbameru urged the new executives to reconcile aggrieved members and ensure the party’s victory in the 2023 elections.

    Thomas was elected state Chairman at the congress; while Tope Bambo and Sola Agboola emerged as Deputy Chairman and Secretary. Mrs. Rachael Ajayi emerged as the Treasurer, while a veteran journalist, Remi Olayiwola was elected Publicity Secretary.

    Thomas, while addressing the congress, promised a level-playing ground for all aspirants, and assured members they would be carried along in the running of the party. He appreciated the party elders for always cooperating and ensuring that the factional crisis was resolved.

  • Court lifts ex parte orders on Aeroland Travels, others

    Court lifts ex parte orders on Aeroland Travels, others

    The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State has discharged ex parte orders it made against Aeroland Travels and other properties said to belong to a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Segun Adewale

    Justice Daniel Osiagor vacated the orders following Adewale’s application through his lawyer, Tope Alabi.

    The judge, in February 7, 2022, made the ex parte order in favour of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in a suit marked FHC/L/CS/AMC/154/2021,

    Following the orders, AMCON sealed Adewale’s firm and other properties.

    They are Plot 4 & 4B Block 66 Magodo Scheme, Lagos State; Plot 9, Block 44c, Adetoro Adelaja Street, Magodo Lagos; No. 4C Maye Ogundana Street, Magodo Lagos; No. 10, Oluyomi Oshinkoya Street, Magodo Residential Scheme, Lagos; Plot 8, Block 66, Residential Scheme, Shangisha, Lagos; No. 2A, John Olugbo Street, Ikeja, Lagos; No. 2 Fadeyi Street, off Awolowo way, Ikeja, Lagos; No. 8 Surulere Alelor Street, Millenium, Gbagada; and No. 14 Jerry Iriabe Street, off Bashorun Okunsanya, off Admiralty Road, Lekki Penisula.”

    But dissatisfied, Adewale challenged the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the matter or make the ex-parte orders, and asked the court to discharge the order, on the ground, among others, that the underlying matter amounted to a gross abuse of court process.

    He also prayed for an order directing the AMCON to indemnify him for damages suffered as a result of the ex parte orders.

    According to him, AMCON “materially misrepresented to and concealed material facts from this Honourable Court and also engaged in deliberate suppression of facts.”

    Justice Osiagor, after hearing Alabi and AMCON’s counsel, Chief Aloy Ezenduka on Friday, ruled in Adewale’s favour

    Justice Osiagor, in particular, ordered that all the properties affected by the February 7, 2022, ex parte order be unsealed.

  • Lagos insists on EIA approval for projects

    Lagos insists on EIA approval for projects

    By Adeyinka Aderibigbe and Oyebola Owolabi

    Lagos State has mandated individuals, public and private project owners/developers to subject all projects to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and obtain EIA approval before implementation or face the full weight of the Law.

    Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tunji Bello, in a statement, said it has become necessary for all projects to be subjected to EIA at the conception stage because of its multifarious benefits.

    According to him, the EIA is a formal process for identifying likely impacts that may arise from a proposed activity of a project on the environment, human health and social economic activities. Bello stressed that EIA helps to identify the likely adverse and beneficial impacts of a project on the host environment, and puts in place measures to mitigate the negative effects.

    “It is also a critical environmental management tool that must be embraced by both private and public sector in order to achieve sustainable development,” he added.

    He noted that Lagos remains the preferred destination for many businesses because of its business-friendly policies to the ever-growing population. Bello explained that the state also provides huge market for goods and services, coupled with the doggedness of the administration to provide necessary infrastructures and enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

    The commissioner said the government has therefore adopted the application of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (EIA) process in ensuring sustainable implementation of development projects in the State in line with global best practices.

    The government has also warned residents against patronising unlicensed e-hailing taxi operators. Commissioner for Transport Frederic Oladeinde said only eight e-hailing taxi operators have been approved to run in the state. He urged residents to be wary of patronising two others which failed to subject themselves to government’s regulation.

    The licensed operators, according to Oladeinde, are: LagRide, Uber, Bolt, Let Me Run, Global Taxi, Zoom Run, Treepz (Plenty Waka) and Shuttlers.

    He added: “These entities are recognised and licensed to carry out lawful e-hailing operations in Lagos. But In-drivers, Rida and others are not licensed. Anyone transacting business with them should be wary as they pose security threats to safety of lives and property.”

    Oladeinde expressed government’s displeasure at the refusal of the App owners and partners (drivers) of the affected firms to comply with the law guiding their operations, despite series of meetings held to ensure compliance.

  • Lagos Arewa community backs okada restriction

    Lagos Arewa community backs okada restriction

    The Arewa Community in Lagos State has supported the ban on okada.

    A statement yesterday by Secretary-General of the Lagos State Arewa Community (LASACOMM), Alhaji Musa Saleh, noted that the ban is not new, and so its members will comply with the directive.

    The statement reads: “The restriction of kada operations in some local government areas in Lagos State is not a new law; it has been in existence for over 10 years. We resolved today unanimously that all our members must comply with the provisions of the laws of Lagos State.

    “We are law abiding and we will continue to intimate our members to operate only within the ambits of the law. We support all measures taken by the Lagos State government towards protecting life and properties of Lagosians.

    Read Also: Okada ban: Police to arrest riders, passengers in Lagos

    “We condemn the activities of all criminal elements, who are mostly foreigners from Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon and other neighbouring countries, who have infiltrated the ranks of those genuine riders and so perpetrate crime.

    “We call on security agencies to identify and arrest those criminals masquerading as okada riders. We also urge the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to step up its actions on the borders in checking the influx of these foreign elements coming into the country without genuine intentions.

    “We call on all well meaning Arewa Community members to comply with our common resolve and avoid Apapa, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Etiosa and Ikeja councils. We will work with the Lagos State government and the Association of Arewa Okada Riders towards the  implementation of extant rules and documentation of all riders in all the councils…”

  • Oyetola: I’m not for fire for fire politics

    Oyetola: I’m not for fire for fire politics

    Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has said he is not ready to engage in ‘fire for fire politics’ which some politicians have declared ahead of the July 16 governorship election.

    Oyetola stressed that decency should be the watchword in political space rather than use of inciting words that can lead to unrest.

    The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, spoke yesterday during an engagement with members of the Young Farmers Association of Nigeria (YFAN). Oyetola said he would rather engage in issue-based discussions regarding his achievements and prospects ahead, rather than involve in campaign of calumny.

    Oyetola added that the continuation of the various development projects he had embarked on since the inception of his administration was the reason for his re-election campaign. He noted that only those who lacked basic knowledge of governance would always see election as a thug of war.

    The governor, however, expressed hope of winning the election, and called for a free and fair poll.

    Chairman of the YFAN Prince Oyekunle Laide hailed the governor for his monumental achievements in infrastructure, health, education and empowerment.

  • Osun 2022: I’m not ‘fire for fire’ – Oyetola

    Osun 2022: I’m not ‘fire for fire’ – Oyetola

    Osun Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has said he is not ready to engage in “fire for fire politics ” that some have declared ahead of the forthcoming July 16 governorship election.

    Oyetola said the desperation of some politicians in their campaign to engage in do-or-die politics was not in his character.

    He said decency should be the watchword in political space rather than use of inciting words that can lead to unrest.

    The Governor said this during an engagement programme with members of Osun Chapter of Young Farmers Association of Nigeria on Sunday in Osogbo.

    Represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the Governor said that he would rather engage in issue-based discussions on his achievements and prospects ahead and will not involve in campaign of calumny.

    Oyetola further said that the continuation of the various developmental projects he had embarked on since inception of his administration was the reason for his re-election campaign.

    He also opined that only those who lacked basic knowledge of governance, would always see election as a thug of war.

    Oyetola, however, said that he was optimistic of winning the election, and called for a free and fair poll.

    Oyetola, who noted that his achievements in all sectors of the state economy would speak for him and ensure his re-election, stressed that the masses were also behind him.

    The Governor said as part his commitment to youths engagement his administration as started a process of enrolling 30,000 vulnerable youths into Health Insurance Scheme(OHIS).

    He also said that government had kick started massive recruitment of youths into Osun Youth Employment Scheme, popularly called (O’YES).

    Read Also: Oyetola wins another Governor of the Year award

    The Governor said the recruitment was part of government’s efforts to maximise the potential embedded in the youths, for them to contribute their quota to the growth and development of the state.

    Oyetola also said that the recently flagged off of N 3.2 billion road rehabilitation in Osogbo, Olorunda, Irepodun/Orolu Federal Constituency and Egbedore Local Government was part of his pledge to deliver good road network across the state to unleash socio-economic development.

    The Governor, who also noted that he had being prioritising workers’ and pensioners welfare, said that he ensure they get their salaries and stipends as at and when due.

    “We ensure payment of gratuity and pensions regularly because we believe that our pensioners deserve to receive their dues after labouring so hard to build our state.

    “We will continue to release funds regularly to take care of the pensions and gratuities, This is my pact with our senior citizens”, he said.

    Oyetola, who commended the young farmers for their involvement in farming, described youth as the most productive, efficient and energetic segment of the population.

    He said his administration has invested tremendously in them as part of efforts to build a virile,sustainable economy and ensure all-round growth and development.

    He said his administration had been engaging youths productively as loans ranging from N500,000 to N 2.5 million were facilitated for 4,650 of them and that efforts were on to increase the number of the beneficiaries.

    The Governor said his administration would continue to encourage young men and women to go into farming and ensure they get patronage.

    He appealed to all registered voters to get their Permanent Voter Cards and support his re-election for the good work to continue.

    Chairman of the association, Prince Oyekunle Laide, hailed the Governor for his monumental achievements in the area of infrastructure, health, education and empowerment.

    Oyekunle then promised that his association would support the governor’s re-election.

  • Man kills friend over girlfriend

    Man kills friend over girlfriend

    A 22-year old man identified as Monday Danladi has allegedly killed his friend, Sunday Babaji, following an argument over a girl.

    Danladi, a farm labourer, stabbed his friend on May 9, 2022 at Badokun Camp via Ode-Aye, Okitipupa Local Government.

    Both of them reportedly engaged in a fight after the suspect claimed that the deceased was going out with his girlfriend and allegedly bragged that he had sexual intercourse with her.

    Danladi was arrested and subsequently arraigned before an Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court on a one count charge of killing by stabbing.

    The offence, according to the prosecutor, Inspector Nelson Akintimehin, contravened section 319(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 37, Vol. 2, Laws of Ondo State, 2016.

    Akintimehin said, “The deceased and the defendant had engaged in a fight because the accused had claimed that the deceased was going out with his girlfriend and that he was also bragging to have had a carnal knowledge of her.”

    “In the process, Danlandi stabbed Babaji with a knife that made him to bleed to death.”

    He urged the court to remand the defendant at the Correctional Centre pending a legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)

    Presiding Magistrate, Musa Al-yunus remanded the accused at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Olokuta.

    The case was adjourned to August 25, 2022 for mentioning.

  • Osun varsity alumni association holds AGM

    Osun varsity alumni association holds AGM

    The Annual General Meeting of the Osun State University Alumni Association will be held on June 4 2022.

    A statement signed by the National General Secretary of the association, Abdulbasit Olalekan Abubakar, the meeting will be held at the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Auditorium, Main Campus, Oke-Baale, Osogbo, by 12 noon.

    At the meeting, the leadership of the association will give an account of its stewardship.

    The alumni association, therefore, enjoined members, both home and the  Diaspora to actively attend the meeting.

    ”Please note that participation is restricted to members who have paid their dues of One Thousand Naira Only, (1,000) for the year 2022, before 30th of May, 2022. Each participant should therefore endeavour to come with their evidence of payment, as this would serve as their entry permit into the meeting premises,” the  statement said.