Category: South West

Oyo State Governor ‘Seyi Makinde yesterday donated Thirty-Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N32.5m) to the families of the 13 Amotekun operatives who lost their lives within the first one year of the outfit.

The governor made the donation at the first anniversary of the Oyo State Security Network Agency code-named Amotekun Corps, and the inauguration of the ultra-modern state headquarters of the outfit.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, said that the event, held at the Agbaakin, Moniya, Ibadan, had the Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan and an array of government officials in attendance.

The statement quoted the governor as saying that Amotekun has served Oyo State diligently and productively.

He said that Amotekun Corps member had become so integrated in the state’s internal security system, adding that some of the operatives had even paid the supreme price in a bid to secure lives and property.

The governor said his administration will continue to invest in security to ensure that security challenges do not disrupt the economic prosperity of the state.

The Chairman, Oyo State Amotekun Corps, Brig.-Gen. Kunle Togun (rtd), lauded the efforts of the governor to set up the state security outfit with a view to tackling insecurity plaguing the SouthWest.

He noted that Oyo State has the highest number of the operation’s intakes in western region, adding that Governor Makinde has supported the corps in the realisation of having its headquarters.

The commander, rtd Colonel Olayinka Olayanju, said the operationalisation of Amotekun was a clear commitment to deal with the threat of crimes and law- breaking in our state.

He hinted that in the last one year, the corps has lost 13 personnel in action, while 32 are nursing various degrees of injuries from gunshot wounds and fractured bones.

He added that 37 personnel have been summarily dismissed for various offences ranging from extortion to illegal activities, extra judicial killings, theft and insubordination in the last one year.

The management of Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has called for calm.

The institution said yesterday in a statement by the Media Director, Damilola Fadare: “The attention of the management of Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has been drawn to news making the rounds in the mainstream as well as online media platforms, calling for a boycott of Oduduwa University by some individuals and/or groups. This is as a result of the alleged incident, which occurred at Hilton Hotels, Ile-Ife.

“The management of Oduduwa University, at this time, wishes to inform the public that Oduduwa University is an institution that is operated by its Governing Council, although it is one of the businesses under the conglomerate of Dr. Ramon Adegoke Adedoyin.

“Oduduwa University has operated for over 12 years under a serene, peaceful and exciting environment without any form of interruption on its academic calendars and activities.  We wish to state further that Oduduwa University, over these past 12 years and still counting, has produced role models who are flourishing in their areas of endeavours.

“We unequivocally wish to state that the safety of workers and students of this noble institution remains paramount to us and at no time has Oduduwa University been linked to any nefarious act.

”Nevertheless, the management sympathises with the bereaved family. We, however, appeal to the public to restrain from comments targeted at tarnishing the good image of our university and to allow the ongoing investigation by the law enforcement agents on the matter.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will begin the sale of nomination forms from November 22 to December 10 for the Osun State governorship election billed to hold on July 16, 2022.

Under the revised timetable for activities leading to the primary election as approved by the National Working Committee (NWC), the last day for submission of nomination forms has been fixed for December 17.

A statement yesterday by the National Organising Secretary of the PDP, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), said the screening of aspirants would take place on January 11, 2022 at the party’s national secretariat.

The statement added that appeals on screening would hold on January 26, 2022.

“Ward congresses to elect a three-man ad hoc delegates have been fixed for February 16 and 17, 2022, while Local Government Congress for election of one national delegate and one person living with disability per local government has been scheduled for February 26, 2022.

“The publication of delegates’ list has been scheduled for March 5, 2022, while the governorship primary for the election is scheduled for March 7, 2022. Appeals on the governorship primaries will be taken on March 10, 2022.

“Critical stakeholders, intending aspirants, leaders and members of our party in Osun State are to note and be guided accordingly,” the statement said.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has approved the appointment of a caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the Lagos State chapter of the party.

The party said the decision was pursuant to the power of the NWC under sections 29(2)(b) and 31(2)(e) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended).

A statement yesterday by the National Organising Secretary of the PDP, Austin Akobundu, listed the names of the nine-member caretaker committee.

Mr. Julius Akinsola was named as chairman of the committee. Members include Mr. Ademola Oyedede, Dr. Babs Akinlolu, Nuru Abiodun Lawal, Mrs. Babs Olorunkemi, Chief Alani, Mrs. Olabisi Odunsi and Alhaji Bode Oladehinde. Mr. Ade Adeniyi is the secretary of the committee.

The statement said the caretaker committee will be responsible for the running of the affairs of the party in Lagos State for a period not exceeding 90 days, pending the election of a new executive committee.

“All critical stakeholders, leaders and members of our great party in Lagos State and other parts of the country should be guided accordingly,” the statement said.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has picked a former chairman of the party in Osun State, Soji Adagunodo, as its new Southwest zonal chairman.

His nomination was announced yesterday in a communiqué by the Southwest zonal executive after its meeting at its zonal secretariat in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Signed by the Zonal Publicity Secretary, Chief Sanya Atofarati, the communiqué indicated that Adagunodo’s nomination was unanimously adopted.

It said: “The meeting deliberated extensively on issues that bother on development and cohesiveness of the party in the region. These included the vacant position of the National Vice Chairman (NVC) and the coming elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

“Upon the vacuum created by the election of Amb. Taofeek Arapaja as the Deputy National Chairman (DNC), it has become expedient for the Southwest zone to make a replacement for the vacant position of the Vice National Chairman (VNC).

“Pursuant to Section 47(6) of PDP constitution (As Amended in 2017), and after a critical deliberation by the 22 members of the zonal executive, the nomination of Olasoji Clement Adagunodo from Osun State was, however, adopted unanimously.”

Arapaja, a former deputy governor of Oyo State, was elected as the National Vice Chairman (Southwest) in a keenly contested election in April in Osogbo, the Osun State capital. He contested again and won as the Deputy National President (South) at the just concluded national convention of the party.

Lagos State will host the 2nd International Twins Day Festival next month.

A statement by the Festival Director, Kehinde Oluwafunso and Festival Coordinator, Taiwo Adeyemo, said the festival is the most prestigious and largest cultural festival of twins in Africa.

It will be held on December 5 at the Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos Island by 11am.

The festival was instituted in conformity with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO’s) culture of peace, with the belief that in transforming the society, culture cannot be ignored.

The annual gathering, which will celebrate the uniqueness of twins through art and culture, will establish the truth about the history of African twins and promote the rich cultural heritage and relevance of twins in the state.

The festival will showcase the uniqueness of twins through crafts, pictures, folklore music, objects, oriki-ibeji, twins’ local food, performances and exhibition of colourful clothing materials.

Twins from states across the country are expected to attend the programme, which will increase the commerce and traffic of tourists in Lagos State.

A rainstorm that lasted about one hour, has wreaked havoc at Oba Akoko in Akoko Southwest Local Government of Ondo State.

The incident occurred on Tuesday.

The rainstorm blew off many rooftops and also caused the death of a woman returning from farm.

Sources said the woman, Titilayo Adewale, was killed when a coconut tree uprooted by the wind fell on her and she died instantly on the spot.

The buildings affected included churches, houses and schools.

A community leader, Chief Tairu Ajana, said the incident was surprising as it occurred in the middle of November when the dry season had set in.

He said many affected individuals would find it difficult to replace their rooftops owing to high cost of goods in the country.

The Oloba of Oba Akoko, Oba Nurudeen Adegoroye, urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Ondo State Government to assist the victims to enable them return to their homes.

Lagos State Government will divert traffic at Akowonjo/Egbeda Road, Jimoh and Akinremi streets from 11pm on Friday till Sunday midnight, to de-flood the drainage on the axis of accumulated storm water.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, in a statement, said that Akowonjo Road would be cordoned-off by Jimoh/Akinremi junction for drainage works, adding that the process would eliminate flooding of Akowonjo Road.

Highlighting the diversion plan, Oladeinde said alternative routes had been mapped out for motorists to utilise during the maintenance works.

He advised motorists outbound Egbeda to go through Vulcanizer bus stop and make a right turn into Church Street, to access Shasha Traffic Signal Light area, to reach their destination.

The commissioner said motorists outbound Akowonjo could make a right turn after Sobo bus stop (by Tastee Fried Chicken/Mega Vision Plaza) into Lambe Kudaisi Street, to link Alh. Olumide inwards Oni Street and access Fajumobi Street, to connect Odebunmi/Miccom axis, to proceed with their journey.

He said officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) would be on ground to manage movement during the maintenance works and appealed to motorists to cooperate with LASTMA operatives to minimise inconveniences.

The government appealed to the public to obey traffic laws.

House of Representatives member Prince Rotimi Agunsoye yesterday advised youths to desist from using their knowledge of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to perpetrate fraud.

He urged them to use ICT knowledge and skills for the advancement of learning and entrepreneurship.

Agunsoye spoke at the ‘ICT Training Empowerment for Youths and Women’, at Ojota, in Kosofe Constituency of Lagos State, sponsored by him in partnership with the National Human Rights Commission.

No fewer than 70 youths and women received laptops at the training from the lawmaker.

He said the training would make the youths employable, promote ICT integration into formal and informal daily experience and strengthen human capacity development.

The lawmaker, who thanked the constituents for giving him the mandate to represent them, promised to offer quality representation in the Lower Chamber.

He said there was no greater investment than more investments in youth development to foster productivity, peace and progress in the society.

Agunsoye advised the youth to shun fraudulent tendencies, particularly internet fraud, warning that indulgence in ‘yahoo yahoo’ could lead to doom.

He said why it is true that the future belongs to youths, the younger generation should also act as initiators and communicators of value.

Agunsoye said the training would assist beneficiaries to acquire skills that would make them to compete in the labour market and engage in meaningful career.

He said: “As participants, who have been adequately equipped with the knowledge and skills required to chart a career path for yourselves, it is my hope that this knowledge and training will be the springboard you need to launch your dreams and achieve the greatness you desire.”

The lawmaker said if used wisely, the advantages of ICT knowledge outweighed its demerits.

He said only youths who are productive can have a hallowed place in the modern society of the future, enjoining them to be sensitive to their roles in nation building.

Agunsoye stressed the need for technological adaptation by youths, noting that there is no aspect of life that is complete without the effective use of computer for communication.

He added: “More than before, it has become imperative to promote digital inclusion to the undeserved of our constituency and further the globalisation phenomenon of building digitalised solutions.”

Lagos State Government has moved closer to attaining its smart city status by inaugurating a multi-storey facility at Onikan, Lagos Island.

The unveiling of the massive project with 384 parking lots will stop indiscriminate parking of cars and other vehicles on Lagos Island, the government said.

Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser on Works & Infrastructure to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Aramide Adeyoye, said that the construction, which began in June 2013, was an affirmation of the current administration’s desire to ensure the completion of inherited projects that fitted into the THEMES Agenda.

She said the completed project would promote economic development across Lagos and grow the economy through robust infrastructure portfolio.

Adeyoye, an engineer, said: “ For emphasis, the scope of work for the project include but not limited to the following; five numbers car parking floors with a capacity for 384 vehicles with offices for tickets and rest rooms on each floor. The 6th floor is designated as multi-purpose mixed use consisting of a club house, two banquet rooms with sitting capacity of 1,400 guests, among other facilities.”

The Founder, H&Y Furniture Manufacturers, Mrs. Feyisola Abiru, who is the wife of Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, on Monday showed her company’s products to President Muhammadu Buhari at her stand at the AFREXIM Intra-African Trade Fair 2021 in Durban, South Africa.

H&Y Furniture Manufacturers is a lifestyle design and space enhancement company dedicated to improving the lives of people wherever they live, work or play.

As a full service furniture, the company specialises in designing, manufacturing and installing modular furniture for all kinds of spaces – business, educational and residential projects.

Mrs. Abiru, a seasoned entrepreneur and industrialist, founded the company in 1994.

The furniture manufacturing factory is located in the industrial part of Akinsanya Estate in Ikorodu, Lagos State, with state of the art showroom located at Plot 46b, Admiralty Road, Lekki Phase 1.

The company that has a staff strength of highly skilled 70 employees, has eminent people like Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, OFR,CON as Board Advisory chair and Engineer A Ipaye.