Category: South West

Pan Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere has expressed support for the position of Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) on the need for power to shift to the South in 2023, as reiterated by its Chairman, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, while hosting members of the “Power Shift Movement”, who visited him in his office in Akure.

The Movement was led to the governor by its leader, Dr. Pogu Bitrus and co-chair, General Collins Ihekire (rtd).

The stand was contained in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Jare Ajayi, following the criticism of Akeredolu by Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG).

Akeredolu had reiterated the position of the Southern governors that the presidency must shift to the southern part of the country in 2023.

He said that any party that fielded a northern candidate for the poll would fail.

Spokesmen for ACF and CNG, Messrs. Emmanuel Yawe and Abul-Azeez Suleiman, however, descended heavily on the governor in their separate statements on Wednesday. The Coalition of Northern Group even insinuated alleged hatred for the North.

But Ajayi dismissed ACF’s and CNG’s vilifications, saying the governor’s position was in line with that of the ethnic nationalities, particularly in the four zones in the country, namely Southwest, Middle Belt, South East and Southsouth.

Kwara State Government has said that more than a cumulative sum of N5 billion of public funds and loans secured with the government as guarantor was sunk into the Shonga Farms agricultural project by past administrations, with no traces of any dividends to the people of the state.

It added that the state had been fraudulently negotiated into underwriting the debts incurred by the former administrations in the name of Shonga Farm.

Shonga Farm is a venture that was funded 100 per cent at inception with taxpayers’ money without any gain accruing to the people of the state under whatever guise.

The state government told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, to explain the recent takeover of two Kwara properties by Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) owing to about N1.7 billion debts of the farm.

The news briefing was addressed by Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Salman Jawondo (SAN); Commissioner for Communication Hon. Bode Towoju; Special Adviser to the Governor of Political Matters Lateef Alakawa; Special Adviser to the Governor of Political Communication Bashir Adigun; and Group Managing Director of Harmony Holdings Abdullahi AbdulMajeed.

The government said of the 13 autonomous farms set up with public funds, nine had been sold out with no kobo paid to the public coffers, even when the government is supposed to hold a paltry 10% equity in each of the farms.

It explained that the reason AMCON took over the Kwara properties in Abuja is to recover the bad loans that the Farm owes a consortium of banks that invested in it dating back to 2007 because the Shonga Farm Holdings could not pay back on the agreed timeline.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday screened the three Osun State governorship aspirants seeking the party’s ticket at the February 19 primary election.

Those screened included Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Yusuff  Lasun and ex-Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, who recently returned to the ruling APC from the Action Democratic Party (ADP).

Oyetola and Adeoti were accompanied by many supporters, while Lasun appeared for the screening with three of his supporters.

The aspirants were screened by the Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu-led seven-man committee at the APC national secretariat in Abuja.

Addressing reporters after the exercise, Oyetola said his performance was enough for him to win the primary and also the July 16 governorship poll.

He said: “Let me say this, my performance in office as I speak today is enough for me to win the primary and also win the election in all areas of endeavour, in the area of infrastructure, health, education, security and economy.

“That means by every standard, we have done well. So, given the fact that within the last three and a half years, I have been able to justify the confidence reposed in me by the people.

“I have been very much involved in the party, right from the time of AD to date. I’m not a novice when it comes to the issue of party. If my performance speaks for me that is good and fine.”

Asked how prepared he was for the shadow election, the governor said: “I have been going round to talk to members of the party in the local governments. As at yesterday, of the 30 local governments, we have visited about 18. We will continue with the strategic engagements starting from tomorrow (today). This is to show you that I don’t want to take anything for granted.

“This is an election that is among members of the party. So, I will need their endorsement to fly the party’s flag. I have been going around to ask for the support of members in all the local governments. So I’m prepared.”

As part of the statewide reach out to Iwo town on Monday, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, urged the people to vote for Governor Oyetola.

The monarch, who advised his subjects not to waste their resources and energy working against the re-election bid of the governor, said only those who were not interested in the growth and development of the town in particular and Osun State in general, would want to run against Oyetola.

Adeoti, who hails from Iwo, left the party for ADP in the wake of the 2018 election and returned to the party recently, vowing not to leave the party even if defeated at the primaries

Said he: “I won’t leave APC. I was the party chairman in AD and later in ACN till 2010 before I was appointed as the SSG. I left then because of what they did to me as a foremost chieftain of the party not just in Osun, but also in the entire Southwest.”

Adeoti, however, said he had petitioned the party over the change of date of the primary election and the eligibility of Oyetola to contest the election.

Lasun failed to address reporters, as he hurriedly left the party secretariat after going through the rigours and questioning of the Ize Iyamu screening committee.

The funeral of the matriarch of Ogunjimi family of Shaki, Oyo State, Madam Marian Bilewomo Ogunjimi (nee Iwintona), begins today with a wake at Oke Oro Baptist Church, Shaki, Oyo State.

Madam Ogunjimi died on October 21, last year.  She was 93.

Funeral Service holds tomorrow at Baptist Church, Oke-Oro, Shaki at 10am.

The late Madam Ogunjimi is survived by Mrs Omobonike Olusanya; Mrs Adebimpe Agunloye, Dr Aderonke Ogunleye (Deacon); Mr Eyitayo Ogunjimi; Ayodeji Ogunjimi; an architect; Dr Adebisi Ogunjimi (Deacon) and many grandchildren.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has congratulated Dr. Oluyomi Finnih on the occasion of his 80th birthday

The eminent doctor is a member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the apex leadership body of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State.

Sanwo-Olu described the renowned obstetrician and gynaecologist as one of the few medical practitioners who have used their wealth of experience to make a mark in the private and public health sectors during their active service.

He said Finnih, a great Lagosian, has impeccable record in medical practice.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, described the celebrator as an epitome of honesty, dedication and service.

He said the GAC member has used his positions as a doctor and political leader for the betterment of the people by contributing to the public health sector not only in Lagos State, but also the entire country.

“On behalf of my family, the good people of Lagos State and members of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), I heartily congratulate our father, leader and member of the Governor’s Advisory Council, Dr. Oluyomi Finnih, on the occasion of his 80 years birthday.

“Dr. Finnih is an epitome of dedication and selflessness in public and private service. His contributions in the field of medical practice have helped with the development of the health sector at the state and national levels.

“He served in the Lagos State Ministry of Health and worked as a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital for many years before going into private practice as a Medical Director/Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Finnih Medical Centre, Ikeja.

“Dr. Finnih, as a member of the GAC, has displayed exemplary leadership in Lagos politics, especially in the APC, where he has been working for many years as a member of the progressive camp to ensure our party remains the ruling party in Lagos State in the last 22 years.

“As Dr. Finnih celebrates a major milestone by joining the league of octogenarians, we pray that the Almighty God will increase him in good health and grant him fruitful years to enable him render more service to our party, Lagos State and humanity,” the statement said.

Scores of youths yesterday protested at Oke-Onigbin, in Isin Local Government of Kwara State over the death of an Okada rider.

The deceased, Isah Bayo, was said to have been killed by unknown persons at Owode in Ifelodun Local Government on Monday night.

The youth were said to have burnt tyres and blocked Oke-Onigbin/Ijara junction.

Police spokesperson Ajayi Okasanmi said the command had sent operatives to the area.

Okasanmi said:  “On receipt of the information, the Commissioner of Police, Tuesday Assayomo, dispatched teams of policemen to the scene for possible arrest of the culprits for prosecution. However, investigation into the matter is on.

“With the intervention of the chairman of the local government and the police, calm was fully restored.”

Residents are going about their activities without any fear of attack.

“The command commiserates with the bereaved family. It assures the good people of Kwara State that it will do everything within the law to keep the people safe.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Woman Leader at Sobe in Owan-West Local Government of Edo State, Mrs. Josephine Uhakheme (nee Oviosun), who died on December 16 last year after a brief illness, will be buried on Saturday at her home town, Sobe.

Her remains will be laid in state at Alele Family House, Osi Quarters, Sobe, on Friday by 6pm for a Christian wake. On Saturday, her body departs for a church service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Market Road, Sobe before interment by 11am. Entertainment of guests will hold at St. Stephen’s Primary School Playground, Sobe.

Mrs. Uhakheme, 66, is survived by her husband, Chief Palmer Uhakheme, children and grandchildren.

The number of Lagos indigenes that have been invited for the second stage of the ongoing Nigeria Police Force (NPF) constable cadre recruitment in Lagos has surpassed 500, The Nation has learnt.

This followed a sensitisation drive by the state government in partnership with the Commissioner representing Lagos State at the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Abdulwasiu Kayode Bawa-Allah.

But only 362 of the invitees have turned up for the screening at the Police College, Ikeja so far.

Of this number, 62 were said to have presented fake recommendation letters from Obas and Baales.

Bawa-Allah; Police Service Commission Assistant Director, Ademola Adetunbi; and Lagos State Assistant Director, Ministry of Special Duties, Ismail Adekunle Allison made the disclosure at the screening venue.

The NPF and the Police Service Commission (PSC) are conducting the exercise nationwide and it is expected to add 10,000 personnel – 10 from each local government- to the Force.

The exercise, which began on February 1, ends today (yesterday), with a mop-up session billed for Wednesday (today).

About 127,491 applicants comprising 104,403 from the North and 23,088 from the South have applied to join the police.

But Lagos is one of the states with the least number of applicants.

Bawa-Allah said FCC’s role includes ensuring that “the process is equitable, just and has spread through the local governments in Lagos State and that participation among our youths is where it is supposed to be.

“The state government and our office have done some groundwork because if you recall some days ago, the PRO of the NPF announced that the registration on their portal by the states in the South was not where it was supposed to be.

“But good enough, we have over 500 applicants that have been invited for the screening. So, that number has grown from the 200 or so that was first reported. Kudos to the Secretary to the State Government and to His Excellency, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“Of course, I would have expected the number to be far more than that, but let’s give credit for what has been done so far. Hopefully, subsequent ones will be better.”

He encouraged more Lagos indigenes to take the opportunity, noting that the police have “many disciplines and require many career scales” that accommodate a variety of disciplines.

“It does not mean that if you come in with your school certificate, you’ll be confined to that level. Many have risen from entering as a school cert holder to becoming an AIG, DIG and possibly IG, if you develop yourself,” he added.

Adetunbi, who coordinates the exercise for the PSC, said things had been smooth, but that “the number of applicants in Lagos is very small. We have less than 550 applicants when other states have over 7,000 applicants, some states even have up to 12,000 applicants.

“Lagos has just 536 or thereabouts, whereas, at the end of the exercise, we are expected to pick 10 (successful applicants) per local government. By the time they (the 536) will go for computer-based tests (CBT), some of them will still drop. I can’t tell the number that will be eligible for the CBT for now, but based on what we have seen on ground, I’m not sure we (Lagos) are going to meet up with the 10 per local government.

“In Lagos Island Local Government, for instance, only 25 people applied and when we attended to the applicants on Saturday, not all of them turned up. In some councils, only five people turned up. Only Badagry Local Government came up with over 160 applicants.”

Allison hoped that if the invited Lagosians show up before the exercise ends, the state can achieve over 500 applicants.

Explaining that his ministry was in charge of issuing certificates of origin to genuine Lagos indigenes, he said 300 Lagos indigenes had been cleared during the screening, while 62 were not yet cleared.

“The 62 are not Lagos indigenes. Some of the 62 came with fake letters from Obas and Baales. They are mostly non-Yoruba,” he added.