Category: South West

By Kunle Akinrinade

Oodua Peoples’ Congress Reformed (OPC-R) has urged the Federal Government to allow states to control the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT).

In a statement issued in Lagos, President of OPC-R, Comrade Dare Adesope argued that states should be allowed to collect their VAT and retain the revenue accruing from the tax.

‘’The Value Added Tax on every commodity bought in every region should remain in that region. I wonder why the Northerners are sharing VAT accruing from alcohol when their Sharia law barred its consumption in their domain.

Read Also: Southern Govs confused on VAT, Northern counterparts declare

‘’It is high time our representatives(in the federal legislative houses) fought for the interest of their region because the reason for rejecting restructuring all this while is now unfolding itself. How can a region say no to a source of funding and be benefiting from such? It is just like a bird that hates excreta but feeds on maggots. With their Sharia law, alcohol is forbidden, but they are ready to share the fund generated from the sales of alcohol,’’ he said.

He added: ‘’I have been observing the issue of VAT for a while now, expecting protest against this but unfortunately nothing has happened which means that we are used to what the late legendary Afrobeat singer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti  in one of his songs called “Suffering and Smiling.”  Songs

Ogun State Government has flagged off another allocation of cassava farmland to Batch C beneficiaries of Anchor Borrowers’ Programme(ABP) at Ikenne Dairy Farm, Ikenne Local Government Area.

Speaking during the flag-off on Friday, Commissioner for Agriculture, Adeola Odedina stated that the ABP on cassava in Ogun State was one of the largest in the country with over 7,000 interested youths that have registered for the programme in various commodities, apart from over 12,000 registered under Value-chain Development Programme (VCDP).

Read Also: Farmers, others seek rejig of anchor borrowers’ programme

Dr. Odedina said the state government has kept its promise of reviving the state economy through agricultural developmental projects, one of which is the ABP which has 25,000 candidates who have indicated an interest in the cassava value chain alone.

In her goodwill message, the Senior Special Assistant on Agriculture to the Ogun State Government, Mrs. Angel Adelaja-kuye, noted that the current administration in the state was poised at ensuring dividends of democracy cut across the board..

By Emmanuel Oladesu

No fewer than 1,079 beneficiaries of the Senator Tokunbo Abiru COVID-19 Financial Assistance have received cash gifts in the last nine months.

Those who received credit alerts in their respective bank accounts cut across 98 wards of the 16 Local Governments and the Local Council Development Areas in the district.

Those that benefitted last month belong to the Batch A category. Over a thousand beneficiaries in category B will receive support next month.

The COVID-19 support scheme, which kicked off in January 2021, was in fulfilment of the promise made by the distinguished Senator during the electioneering to assist the poorest of the poor across the Lagos East Senatorial District.

Read Also: PDP: Atiku, Tambuwal, Saraki push for national chair from South

Selected beneficiaries have been getting N5000 assistance bimonthly (i.e once in two months) since the beginning of the year and it will run through the year by way of direct credit to their bank accounts.

Beneficiaries include physically challenged persons, aged, unemployed youth, widows, and other vulnerable people in the senatorial district.

Concerned about the plight of constituents and other road users plying Ikorodu/Sagamu Road and Ikorodu/Itoikin/Epe Epe Road, the distinguished Senator moved a motion calling on the Federal Government to urgently intervene on the two critical roads.

Following the motion, contractors have since moved to the site on Ikorodu Sagamu Road.

By Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Gunmen yesterday allegedly attacked Oro Ago community of Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State and killed one herdsman simply known as lbrahim.

Ibrahim was said to have been gruesomely murdered. It was gathered that the gunmen are at large.

Confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Kwsrs state Command, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Babawale Afolabi said the attack took place on Thursday night as the gunmen in their large number stormed the premises of the cattle rearer and left him in the pool of his blood.

Babawale added that the deceased lost his brother early this year in a similar fashion at Ajegunle area of Ago Are, Ifelodun Local Government Area.

Read Also: Igala apex body raises security concerns in Kogi East

He said: “Yes, we got the report on Friday through our divisional officer in the town, Najimu Lawal, about another attack in Ago Are. This time around a herdsman simply known as Ibrahim or lbro was attacked and hacked to death.

He added: “Manhunt has been launched for perpetrators of the criminal act and NSCDC and other security agents will leave no stone unturned in order to bring the assailants to justice.

“The fresh incident has been also reported at the divisional police station  and we are all working together to arrest the perpetrators and also  prevent a further attack in the town.”

 

By Toba Adedeji, Osogbo

Authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, on Friday announced the closure of the school following violent protest by students who blocked the Ibadan/Ife expressway and Ede road over the death of a 400-level student, Wumi Adesina.

The Nation learnt that the deceased who was a student in the Department of Foreign Languages was rushed to the school Health Centre for treatment but was later referred to a hospital outside the school premises where she was certified dead on Thursday night.

A release by the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Abiodun Olanrewaju stated that ‘’on Tuesday, 28th September 2021 Wumi Adesina, a 24-year old, female, Part 4 student of the Department of Foreign Languages reported to the Health Centre with signs and symptoms of a severe infection. She was promptly treated with some drugs prescribed and asked to report back as an out-patient.

“She reported back to the Health Centre in the morning of Thursday, 30th September 2021. Upon examination, she was referred to the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital for further management where she regrettably died on Thursday 30th September 2021.

Read Also: Nigerian wins global pharmaceutical fellowship

“The Management understands the grief resulting from this untimely death within the community and sympathises with the parents, friends, colleagues, and the entire students of the University on this sad loss, and prays for the repose of her soul.

”However, Management condemns in strong terms the continuous and uncontrolled protests by the students culminating in unbridled brigandage, blocking the Ife/Ibadan and Ife/Ede highways and other adjoining roads that could be used as alternative routes, and engaging in other acts that are detrimental to their health and the safety of the generality of the people.

Therefore, having exhausted all necessary avenues to call the students to order and allow normalcy to return to the Campus and its environs, the authorities of  Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, have accordingly closed down the school until further notice. This is to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

“In view of this, all students are hereby directed to vacate their halls of residence and the Campus latest by noon on Saturday, 2nd October 2021.

“Consequently, the swearing-in of the newly elected Students’ Union officials has been put on hold, pending a review of the situation.

“In the meantime, the University management has put in place the machinery to unravel the circumstances surrounding the immediate and remote cause of the crisis.”

 

Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu yesterday swore in Justice Williams Akintoroye as the substantive Chief Judge of the state.

This is contained in a statement by Mr Richard Olatunde, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

The statement said Akeredolu also swore in the first female Prof. of Law to become a judge in Nigeria, Justice Alero Akeredolu, as a Judge of the State High Court and Justice Orimisan Okorisa as Justice of the State Customary Court of Appeal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akintoroye served the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in many capacities, including being the Vice Chairman and Chairman, Ondo NBA branch.

The statement quoted Akeredolu at the ceremony held at the Governor’s Office, Akure, as describing the new Chief Judge as well reputed, forthright and decent.

“He joined the Bench in 2002 as an experienced Bar man. He had seen it all before his appointment as a judge in Ondo State. He is, therefore, a personality not expected to descend into an arena of conflict to satiate pettiness, malice, partisanship and/or greed.

“He has availed himself, creditably, in these past years. He has earned his respect from his colleagues, staff and litigants,” the governor said.

Akeredolu, who said the other two new judges were fit and proper persons to be elevated to the bench, added that their appointments, as recommended by the National Judicial Council, were based on merit.

“My Lord, Honourable Justice (Prof.) Alero Akeredolu, has engaged the profession on three flanks, namely, private practice, law reporting and academics.

“It is imperative that we also mention the tireless efforts of this passionate advocate on continuing education and mentoring of young lawyers.

“This erudite scholar, until now, was also an active Bar personality at the Premier Bar, Ibadan, in the last 33 years since she became a lawyer at the age of 20 years. She is the first female Professor of Law to become a judge in the country.

“Humble, decent, intelligent, industrious and honest, Justice Alero Akeredolu will make any decent shortlist where merit is the basic yardstick. I am proud of this unassuming lady of uncommon patriotism and dedication to duty. The state stands to benefit from her industry, “ he said.

The governor also said that the Hon Justice Okorisa had practised law from the day of Call to Bar till his appointment as a judge.

He said Okorisa was an effective advocate in the South Senatorial District of Ondo State where he handled many cases for the people, earning him the advocate of the masses in the area.

“He was passionate about his practice. He established an impressive private office at Igbokoda. Though still young, he has recorded remarkable achievements in advocacy since 2004 when he became a lawyer.

“The state is eager to reap, bountifully from his ebullience and appreciable knowledge of law,” he said.

The governor urged the new judges to discharge their responsibilities as judicial officers without let or hindrance, saying that they must justify the sacred trust reposed in them by the people of the state.

“It is our fervent hope that all the newly sworn-in judges will justify the trust reposed in them. We, on our part, are prepared to support the judiciary as we have been doing since we assumed leadership in the state.

“This administration has never interfered in the affairs of the judiciary in the state. It does not intend to do so till the expiration of its tenure.

“It will, however, not fail to challenge any act, administrative or judicial decision, which bears the unmistakable imprint of manifest malice, bias, partisanship and/or injustice,” Akeredolu said.

 

 

The death has occurred of Madam Matilda Atinuke Omisore (JP). She died on August 26. She was 99.

A statement on behalf of the family by Chief Adetunji Omiwole Omisore said there would be a service of songs and a Christian wake at Ibadan Recreation Club Playing Ground on October 7, from 5pm to 6pm.

The statement said funeral service would be held at St. Anne’s Church, Molete, Ibadan on October 8, at noon, while interment follows immediately.

The deceased is survived by Chief Adetunji, Chief Lola Omisore, Olanrewaju Omisore, Adedeji Omisore, Oluseye Omisore, Rosemond Omisore, Bolanle Oniwinde, Taiwo Oniwinde, Wuraola Ojewale and others.

Funmilayo Malumi, Olaperi Onasanya, Bankole Onasanya, Adebayo Oseni, Olayemisi Oseni, Adenrele Oseni, Tomi Oseni, Abayomi Oseni,  Tokunbo Oseni, Olawale Omisore, Folashade Omisore, Ibikunle Oseni and Cora Oseni.

 

 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo will lead personalities tomorrow to witness the induction of retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Adeleye Oyebade, among others, into Owu Kingdom’s roll of honour, at the grand finale of the 2021 Owu Festival (Odun Omo Olowu), in Ogun State.

Also expected at the grand finale of the eight-day programme holding at the Oba Adisa Odeleye Square, Totoro, Abeokuta by 10am, are Southwest governors – Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti),  Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) and the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye.

The honour will be conferred on the recipients by the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Olusanya Adegboyega Dosumu FTA, the Olowu Kangunere, Akobi Oodua, Amororo II. It is regarded as one of the highest individual recognitions to any Owu indigene.

“In recognition of your invaluable contributions to the growth and development of Owu Kingdom, and as a challenge to be more committed, this year’s Odun Omo Olowu Planning Committee, with the directives of the Olowu-in-Council, has deemed it fit to honour you with the award of roll of honour of Owu Kingdom for 2021,” the organisers said in a letter to Oyebade, who is the Chairman/CEO, Rontol Ventures Limited, a conglomerate with interests across agriculture, education, manufacturing and security services.

ty, healthy, portable and conveniently ready-to-cook cassava products.

Highlights of the events will include the conferment of chieftaincy title of Yeye Oge of Owu Kingdom on Yeye Nanafatima Oluwatumininu Martins, at the Olowu Palace, Oke Ago-Owu, Abeokuta.

A statement from the Chairman of the Planning Committee and the Jagunmolu of Owu, Chief Rotimi Olasode Martins, and the Secretary, Chief Johnson Ola Fatoki – the Oganla of Owu Kingdom, said Chief Obasanjo is the chief host of this year’s event.

The ceremonies began on September 26 with youth programmes at Olowu’s Palace. An event tagged: ‘Word Medical’, was held on September 27 and chieftaincy installation on September 30.

There was also a visit to the townships, including Apomu, Erunmu, Olusomi’s Compound, and Amororo’s Compound on September 28; visitation to local governments on September 29, with a Jumat Service slated for today at the Owu Central Mosque. A Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday at the African Church Cathedral, Ita-Iyalode, Abeokuta.

 

By Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta and Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun yesterday signed into law, a Bill to Regulate Animal Grazing and Establishment of Cattle Ranching.

Part of the law prescribes a jail term of not less than three years without an option of fine, including the forfeiture of the herds of cattle or livestock under his/her control to the state government, for anyone who rears, herds or grazes any livestock in any part of the state, except within the permitted ranches or anyone who rears cattle or livestock outside the permitted ranches after the commencement of the law.

Abiodun, who assented to the bill during a Security Council meeting at the state Secretariat, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, urged security agencies to enforce the law.

He said: “This is a subject matter that has been discussed along the length and breadth of the country and which we southern governors have discussed and endorsed.”

Ogun had enjoyed peace among ethnic nationalities until the recent farmer- herder clashes.

Cattle rearers, according to Governor Abiodun, have a six-month period of grace before it becomes illegal for them to occupy unapproved public areas and private land with their livestock for grazing.

The law also prohibits the act of moving cattle around public places by herders.

A committee headed by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina, has been set up to midwife the implementation and enforcement of the law.

The signing of the Anti-Open Grazing Law by the governor followed the decision of the Southern Governors’ Forum in August to set the September deadline to pass the law across member- states.

Crises were witnessed in Ogun as a result of alleged open grazing in Yewa area of the state in April, necessitating the setting up of a peace committee headed by a former House of Representatives member, Mr. Kayode Oladele.

The crises this year pitched Hausa-Fulani settlers against their Yoruba hosts.

It is expected that the Anti-Open Grazing Law will prevent the spread of the menace across the state.

Governor Abiodun said: “By implication, in six months, it will become unlawful to openly graze cattle or other livestock in the state.”

The House of Assembly on July 8 passed the bill.

Speaker Olakunle Oluomo subsequently transmitted a clean copy to Governor Abiodun for assent.

The bill was passed after unanimous votes by the lawmakers at the sitting where the bill was read the third time.

Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa also yesterday signed into law, the Delta State Livestock, Breeding, Rearing and Marketing Regulation Bill, 2021.

He urged the Federal Government to assist interested farmers to establish ranches across the country.

Okowa made this known after assenting to two bills passed by the House of Assembly at the Government House, Asaba.

The bills, which were presented to Okowa for assent by the Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, who was accompanied by his deputy, Chief Christopher Ochor and other principal officers, were the Delta State Urban and Regional Planning Bill 2020 and the Delta State Livestock, Breeding, Rearing and Marketing Regulation Bill, 2021.

The Bill, which was passed by the assembly on September 9, after it went through public hearings, received support from stakeholders.

He said the two laws were important to the state, adding that the Delta State Livestock Breeding, Rearing and Marketing Regulations Law had taken a new life of its own in the country.