Category: South West

Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Lagos State, Princess Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf has commiserated with the family of the 22-year-old fashion designer, Bamise Ayanwole, who was found dead in Lagos after boarding a Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, bus heading to Oshodi from Chevron bus stop, Lekki.

Speaking during a visit to the bereaved mother of the deceased at the family house in Ayobo area of Alimosho Local Government, the commissioner said she was concerned and touched by the unfortunate death of Bamise.

Akinbile-Yussuf said: ” As a mother, I was disturbed by the death of your daughter. I have therefore come here to commiserate with you on the unfortunate death of your industrious and loving daughter.

”I never knew that Bamise’s lives in my local government until this morning.  I share in your grief at this moment and pray that God gives you the fortitude to bear this loss and prevent its recurrence in your family.”

Responding, Bamise’s mother thanked the commissioner for the visit, stressing that what the family wants was not only justice for Bamise, but to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

The students of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, have given the LAUTECH chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) 72 hours to withdraw from the ongoing strike.

The ultimatum is contained in a statement jointly signed by the Students Union President, Anuoluwa Adeboye, and Public Relations Officer, Gabriel Michael.

The union, in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Ibadan, urged the lecturers to toe the path of lecturers at the Kwara State University (KWASU) who opted out of the strike.

ASUU had commenced a nationwide strike due to disagreements between it and the Federal Government.

The LAUTECH students’ body said that it would see ASUU in the institution as saboteurs and resort to confrontation, if it fails to withdraw from the action.

“We are giving the leadership of ASUU LAUTECH 72 hours to borrow a leaf from ASUU KWASU that wrote a special letter to the National ASUU based on peculiarity in their institution.

“LAUTECH ASUU should opt out of this ongoing strike or else the students’ union will be left with no choice than to see ASUU LAUTECH as saboteurs to the progress of LAUTECH.

“They are doing these for their selfish interests and total confrontation will commence after the 72 hours ultimatum,” it said.

It said that they had on Monday, March 14, reached out to the leadership of ASUU in the institution to ensure sanity and bridge the communication gap.

The union said that they refused to grant their request for an open dialogue on flimsy excuses.

“ASUU LAUTECH, up to date has refused to grant this sane request but gave excuses of no convenient time due to tensile loads on them.

“Yet they have the time to mobilise other ASUU Chapters to LAUTECH for reasons which only favours their interest.

“Is it not now crystal clear that ASUU LAUTECH is only fighting for their sole interest at the expense of students? it asked.

It said that they are aware of the crippling effects of the incessant strike on their prestigious institution in the time past as well as the sores and lesions which still ooze till today.

The union said that regardless of the impasse between the Federal Government and ASUU, the involvement of LAUTECH ASUU in the ongoing strike is questionable.

“The involvement of ASUU LAUTECH is not only dangerous for the students but also horrendous for the University system.

“As a student body, we are poised towards the rectification of our prestigious institution and a better educational system,” it said.

It said that it is extremely exigent for ASUU LAUTECH to openly address the students on why they joined the national strike at the expense of the smooth running of the academic calendar in “the best state University in Nigeria”.

According to the union, the students’ last semester results are currently withheld and the final-year students are delayed by precarious strikes in the past.

“Also delayed is their mobilisation for the NYSC by the four-week warning strike which was extended by eight weeks.

“Another disaster looms around the comer if the prevalent maladies are not immediately curbed.”

A Lagos-based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, on Friday asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to restrain transport unions in Lagos from collecting dues and levies from non-union members.

He also prayed the court to restrain the Lagos State Government from further enforcing an N800.00 transport union levy on transporters and commercial vehicles in the state.

Ogungbeji listed the suspended Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of NURTW, Musilu Akinsanya, a.k.a. MC Oluomo; Lagos State Government; Attorney-General of Lagos State; and seven others as respondents in the suit marked FHC/L/CS/224/2022.

The seven are NURTW’s Registered Trustees; Registered Trustees Of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN); Registered Trustees Of Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO); Alhaji Lawal Yusuf Othman; Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and Director of State Security Service (SSS).

The lawyer filed the suit for himself and on behalf of a new transport union, Transport Union Society of Nigeria (TUSON), under Sections 33, 36, 40, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution as well as Order 4, Rules 3; 4(4)(5) and 11 of the fundamental rights enforcement procedure rules, 2009.

He supported his motion exparte with a 34-paragraph affidavit that he deposed to.

Specifically, Ogungbeje prayed for an order restraining the Respondents from “forceful imposition, collection, extortion of any transport union levies. dues, fees, or monies from any person, commercial vehicle diver, and or transporter that is not a member of the respondents pending the hearing and determination of the substantive originating motion filed before the court.

He also asked the court for an order restraining all the respondents from “arresting, detaining, harassing, embarrassing, humiliating, inviting, seizing and confiscating any commercial vehicle, disturbing and or interfering with the lawful Transport Business operations of the Applicant and its transport union members in connection with the facts of the case pending the determination of the substantive originating motion.

Justice Peter Lifu, after hearing Ogungbeje, directed the respondents to show cause within seven days why the orders should not be granted.

He adjourned till May 24 for further hearing.

Master Abdulazeez Abdulrahmon of Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu, has won this year’s Spelling Bee Competition, organised by the Office of Education Quality Assurance, Lagos State Ministry of Education.

The final took place yesterday at the Adeyemi Bero Hall, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

Abdulrahmon will act as the One Day Governor of Lagos State at a date to be decided by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

He also won a cash prize of N250,000 and other exciting prizes.

Master Oki Coordinator, a pupil of Ansar-ud-deen Junior Grammar School in Badagry, emerged as the second prize winner, while Miss Saheed Alimot of Jubilee Model Senior Secondary School, Coker-Aguda came third.

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, said the annual competition, started by Senator Oluremi Tinubu when she was the governor’s wife, showed that Lagos schools did not lack  quality.

Baptist High School (BHS), Iwo, Old Students Association has concluded plans to hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) tomorrow.

The association, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, said the meeting would begin at noon on the school premises at Adeke, Iwo, Osun State.

It urged members across the country and in the diaspora to attend physically and virtually, as crucial matters affecting the development of the school would be discussed.

Stressing the need for all hands to be on deck to lift the school, the statement said members should be mindful of COVID-19 protocols, which would be observed.

A cleric, Rev James Owoyemi, yesterday urged Christians, particularly members of his congregation, to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), ahead of 2023 general election.

He said PVC remained one of the weapons to fight for their rights.

Owoyemi, the President, United Apostolic Church of Christ (UACC) Worldwide, said Christians should not be left behind in the coming elections, adding that 2023 is another opportunity for them to take their position by electing the right person to be at the helm.

Speaking in Ibadan during the ‘World Interactive Session’, which was part of the 57th Annual Pastors Conference of UACC Worldwide, with the theme: ‘God, Good news and Mercy’, Owoyemi advised Christians to get registered so as to collect their PVCs and stop saying their votes would not count.

He said whoever is elected affects the fortune of Christians.

“If we want good government, born again Christians need to join politics and participate so that we can have a God-fearing President in 2023.

“Some Nigerian leaders are self-centred. They are only concerned about their own interest, instead of the interest of the masses. Things will improve if a God-fearing person becomes the president in 2023.

“UACC has over 200 churches across the world. Our primary assignment is to propagate the gospel of Christ and bring more souls to Christ,” Owoyemi said.

Other officers of the church in attendance include: the Admin Secretary, Pastor Joseph Oluwatuwase, General Evangelist, Evang. Idowu Gabriel, General Superintendent, Pastor Oluwaremilekun Ogunlade and the Media Director, Paul Erakhifu, among others.

Sanctions await violators of consumer rights in Lagos State, the government has warned.

Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs. Lola Akande, gave the warning at an event to mark the 2022 World Consumer Rights Day, organised by the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA).  The theme is: ‘Fair Digital Finance’.

The Consumer Rights Day is celebrated every March 15 to raise awareness on consumer rights and needs.

Akande said consumers have a right to safety, healthy environment, seek redress, to basic needs and others. She, however, said most people did not know these, promising that the government would work to ensure people’s rights were protected.

The commissioner said: “We will ensure consumers’ rights are protected and, if need be, sanctions will be meted out to those who violate these rights, be it companies, banks or law enforcement agents.

“I urge LASCOPA to keep sensitising the people to know their rights and the government will play its part.”

The Board Chairman of LASCOPA, Mrs. Funmi Falana, represented by Mrs. Lekan Rotimi, said consumers’ rights must be protected so that abuses and injustice could be addressed under the law.

She advised the people to untie to build a digital financial market space that was safe, protected and sustainable for everyone.

“Consumers must get maximum benefit from digital financial services and be comfortable that their money and data are secure and accessible,” she added.

Falana enjoined consumers to guard against online activities that could expose them to fraudsters.

The General Manager of LASCOPA, Afolabi Solebo, urged the people to tap into opportunities offered by the agency.

He admonished consumers to get familiar with the digital space, saying “consumers are an essential part of a safe and secure financial system. However, consumers should be able to understand the financial system and the choices they can make. Over 3 billion or 40 per cent of the world’s population is now online, compared to the one per cent in 1995, with all projections suggesting that the number will continue to rise. The financial system we will see in five or 10 years will be different from the one we have today.

“The financial system is changing, and it’s changing rapidly. So, we need to be ready to shape the changes ahead, and not be overwhelmed by them.”

Solebo urged service providers to treat their customers well, knowing that without customers/consumers, they wouldn’t be in business.

The Osi-Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja, yesterday visited the new Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, at his palace, a few days after his coronation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit of Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo State, who is the next in line to the Olubadan throne, lasted for about 30 minutes.

Although Ladoja refused to make public the purpose of his visit when accosted by reporters, sources close to the meeting, however, said he came to pay homage to the traditional ruler.

The source quoted the former governor as dismissing the rumoured rift between him and the new Olubadan, describing it as the figment of the imagination of those peddling it.

Ladoja was said to have recalled how he flatly prostrated for Oba Balogun during his coronation on March 11 as a mark of his absolute loyalty and reverence to his person and the throne.

NAN reports that two other members of the Olubadan-in-Council, High Chiefs Owolabi Olakulehin and Gbadamosi Adebimpe also joined the meeting, with the Ekarun Olubadan, Chief Hamidu Ajibade, also in attendance.

NAN also reports that Oba Balogun was, on March 11, installed as the new Olubadan of Ibadan land at the popular Mapo Hall in the heart of the state capital.

The staff of office was presented to the traditional ruler by Governor Seyi Makinde at the ceremony witnessed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, governors, traditional rulers and other personalities.

Oyo State Governor ‘Seyi Makinde said yesterday that his administration would continue to fulfil its mandate to the people.

He said part of the mandate was the ongoing massive infrastructure revolution.

The governor said his administration was embarking on the delivery of massive road infrastructure across the state, to expand its economy.

He spoke at the Asipa Junction, behind the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, in Atiba Local Government, before the inauguration of the 5.25 kilometres Gedu-Oroki-Sabo-Asipa Road.

He said the government was also building good road networks and inter-connectivity outside Ibadan, the state capital, to stem the tide of rural-urban migration.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that Makinde was joined by his Bauchi State counterpart, Governor Bala Mohammed, to inaugurate the 5.25km road project.

Ile-Ife indigenes yesterday protested the appointment of Prof. Adebayo Bamire as the 12th Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The youth said they protested because the management of the institution did not appoint an indigene of the town as the VC.

They said it rather appointed former Deputy VC (Academics) to fill the vacant post.

The Nation recalled that the elders and youths of Ile-Ife had urged the Federal Government to appoint a qualified indigene of the town as the VC, following the expiration of the tenure of Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede.

The protesters attempted to enter the ICT auditorium where the name of the VC was announced, but they were denied entry.

After the name was announced, they trooped to the main gate to mount a roadblock, making it difficult for students and workers of the university to leave the campus.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, OAU, Ile-Ife, Owelle Udoji, had earlier announced the appointment Prof. Bamire at a news conference held at the ICT auditorium.

He said the post of the VC would be vacant by June 7, following the expiration of the tenure of Prof. Ogunbodede.

Udoji said the council, at its meeting held on December 7 last year, began the processes for the appointment of a new vice chancellor, who is expected to assume duty on June 7.

In line with the approval of the council, the vacancy was widely advertised, in compliance with relevant statutes and acts guiding appointment to the position.

Udoji said: “At a special meeting on February 14, the council perused the curriculum vitae of the 20 applicants, who indicated interest in the position. At the end of the exercise, 16 of them were shortlisted, having met the advertised criteria.

“The interaction with the candidates began on March 14 and ended on March 16. The 16 candidates appeared before the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board, with 15 of them present physically and one, at his request, virtually. The board examined the curriculum vitae, interacted with each candidate and scored them according to stipulated criteria.

“The three highest-scoring candidates were presented to the council for further consideration, as provided by the law. The exercise of the Joint Selection Board was witnessed by the representatives of the Federal Character Commission, who confirmed that the exercise was fair and transparent and carried out in full compliance with the provisions of the Federal Character Commission Act.”