Category: South West

The Interim Management Committee of Association of Local Government of Nigeria has commended  the Federal Government for its transparency in handling the approval   to consultants and contractors for the roles they played in the Paris Club refund received by its administration.

The National President ALGON-IMC Abdullahi Shaibu Maje, in a statement, said the IMC has filed a suit filed in the Federal High Court dated 1st September 2021 via motion of notice in suit no M/5474/2021 and also Writ of Summon in suit no CV/2185/2021, challenging FG, Attorney General of the Federation, the Minister of Justice, DMO, AGF, EFCC and the Chief Registrar of the High Court for their involvement in approving promissory notes of payments in the sum of US$142,028,941.95, US$ 1,219,440.45, US$ 215, 195.36, RIOK Nigeria Ltd, Prince Nwafor Orizu, Barr. Olaitan Bello, respectively

It was alleged that the Ministry of Finance was said to have directed the Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO) to issue Promissory Notes 12th August, 2021 in favour of the consultants and contractors.

However, in the fresh suit filed the ALGON-IMC, asking the court to grant an order to dissuade the  Ministry of Finance, the debt management office, the accountant general of the federation and the chief registrar of the high court from issuing, handing over or releasing any promissory note or banking instrument of transfer to the consultants and contractors.

The IMC questioned the basis for the approval of payments, demanded that the contractors should provide proofs of the allegedly executed projects, contracts in any of the 774 local government areas to back up their claims to such enormous amount of monies. It also alleged that the consultants having succeeded in fraudulently obtainment of court judgement in suit No FCT/HC/CV/2129/201, to divert common wealth belonging to the 774 local government areas for themselves their families and cronies alone.

It said: “The IMC cannot sit down and watch constant extortion being perpetrated in the name and with the name of the association, the situation at hand is very germane and requires immediate attention, hence the purpose for this address. The current approval by the president, others to issue promissory notes of payment to the six consultants without due diligence, is fraudulent and has a tarnishing impact on the association as those involved did not execute any of the alleged projects and does not deserve to receive the rights of payment.

“The President should not water down his fight against corruption by not following due process to seek documented evidences/proofs of the projects, contracts allegedly executed by these consultants. Also let us not us not rob peter to pay Paul by standing with our hands folded watching these men of greedy stance deprive people in the grassroots level, monies that should be used to enhance and effect development and growth.

“We heavily frown at the stance of the president approving payments for underperforming self-made consultants, this action if honoured will cause irreparable damage to the third tier of government. It is on this premise that we dare those involved to provide proofs of the projects executed while laying claims to such amounts as mentioned in the order of which a promissory note was issued.”

 

 

King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA) has announced the celebration of the 112th anniversary of the college.

The association’s Anniversary Committee Chairman, Chuma Anosike, said the celebration with the theme: ‘Unity in diversity…Stronger together!’ would start on Friday with a Jumat Service at the college’s mosque, followed by a symposium the following day at the school hall. On Sunday, there will be service at Trinity House, Victoria Island. The events will be rounded off with the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).

On the choice of the theme, a member of the committee, Mr. Rotimi Aladesanmi, said it was “informed by the current realities facing our country, which is a source of grave concern to Kingsmen. It is pertinent to note that the college was originally established to groom leaders for our dear country Nigeria and that vision remains relevant in 2021.”

He said the theme of the Kingsweek would be discussed by a high-profile delegation, led by the Speaker of the House of

Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, as a keynote speaker, and the Director-General, World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi

Okonjo-Iweala, as guest speaker.

Read Also: Osinbajo, Obasanjo, governors attend funeral service of Gov. Abiodun’s father

Members of the panel include former Anambra State governor Mr. Peter Obi; Secretary, Northern Elders Forum, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed and former Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bagudu Hirse.

He added: “We are, particularly, excited about the coming year, as the association has as one of its top priorities for the year- the

engagement of the Federal Government on an improved management structure for the college.”

He recalled that deliberations had been holding on public-private partnership (PPP) as an elixir for funding education and the

association had set up two endowment funds – the Floreat Fund and the KC Education Trust, to ensure a proper and sustainable funding structure for the college, under the proposed arrangement.

“Education is inevitably the sine qua non for national development and we must take deliberate steps towards developing our nation,’’ he said.

Anosike said the events would be held in compliance with COVID-19 prevention protocols and that as such physical participation would be limited. However, there is room for virtual attendees to link up.

 

A coalition under the aegis of the Yoruba Appraisal Forum (YAF) has cautioned against violence in the country.

It accused a group of planning to instigate violence and cause chaos in Nigeria.

It alleged the violence is planned to start immediately after the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York, United States of America.

The Forum stated that some Yoruba nation agitators were planning to bombard the UN with “fabricated documents and documentaries”.

YAF had in July petitioned the United Nations, its five permanent members, the European Union (EU), the African Union (AU) and other powerful countries across the world over a plan by a group to present a petition against the Federal Government at the 76th General Assembly of the UN.

YAF, which is equally a coalition of Yoruba self-determination groups, said the rationale behind the Yoruba nation agitation to world leaders “is to use the platform of this global body to get undeserved sympathy and secure support from unsuspecting countries across the world, which are largely uninformed about the true situation of things in Nigeria.”

Read Also: No going back on one million protest at UN General Assembly — Yoruba Nation, IPOB, others vow

YAF, in a statement on Monday by its National Coordinator, Adeshina Animashaun, accused forces against Nigeria of stockpiling arms and ammunition to execute its alleged plan to eventually confront the Federal Government in its bid to achieve its “evil objective” of breaking up the Nigerian state under the guise of fighting for an independent Yoruba Nation.

The Forum alleged:”Those dangerous weapons are still in possession of these non-state actors bent on destroying Nigeria. As at the last count, these dangerous groups have killed no fewer than 180 military men, 600 other para-military personnel, including policemen. They are only merely covering up their agenda with the cloak of fighting for Yoruba freedom and self-determination. Their plan now is to take their self-imposed agitation for independence and self-determination to the next level, which would involve outright widespread violence fashioned after what the IPOB/ESN are now doing in the Southeast and Southsouth regions of Nigeria.

“It is very clear that the masterminds of this violence are bent on throwing Nigeria into total chaos to hasten the collapse of governments at both the state and Federal levels to enable them to execute their evil plans for Nigeria, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“They are planning to take advantage of the current security challenges in the country to wreak further havoc, starting with the Southwest and expecting to instigate reprisals against Southerners in the North of Nigeria with the ultimate objective of destabilising the country.”

The Forum added that it’s imperative that the international community join hands with the UN to support the “Nigeria Police and other security agencies to take appropriate actions against these unpatriotic elements.”

YAF also urged the international community “to assist Nigeria’s security agencies to unmask both the local and foreign sponsors of these agents of violence in our midst and punish them accordingly.”

It added that it was imperative for the international community “to assist the Nigerian Federal Government to nip the burgeoning insurrection now threatening to arise from the Southwest under such a smokescreen in the bud. Having another rebellion from the Southwest region would be one crisis too many for a country still fighting the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast, banditry and cattle rustling in the North West and North Central areas as well the current IPOB militancy in the South-East and South-South regions of the country.”

YAF further warned that if the UN and other countries “fail to assist the Federal Government, the Armed Forces and other security agencies to enable them to act appropriately against these unpatriotic elements, everybody in Nigeria and the West African sub-region will suffer for any such inaction. The threat to the Nigerian nation by these unpatriotic elements is real! The nationwide chaos, violence and destruction of property and human lives that would result if their dangerous plot is allowed to crystalise are best imagined than experienced. Something must be urgently done to checkmate the emerging scenario in the Southwest of Nigeria.”

The Forum, therefore, urged the UN “to disregard the disguised antics and plans of these shameless and unpatriotic Nigerians, whose lack of due respect for democracy has never been in doubt. Infact, this group of subversive elements should not even be allowed to attend the UN Assembly in order not to send wrong signals to the rest of the world.

“The truth and reality on the ground is that overwhelming majority of Yoruba and other Nigerians want the country to remain a united entity. Infact, the Yoruba, the same ethnic stock to which we, members of YAF belong, want to remain part and parcel of a united Nigeria at all times. It is an incontrovertible fact that the people of Yorubaland have not at any time sat down with anyone or convene a meeting where they took any decision to secede from the rest of Nigeria.”

It advised the UN to “vehemently resist the manipulation by these unpatriotic elements to gain undeserved sympathy and support as well as score cheap political points with the global body and instigate violence against the Nigerian government to trigger the country’s disintegration. As we stated earlier, these few petition writers are only doing so for their own selfish interest and the pecuniary gains that usually accrue from such an ignoble enterprise. YAF is aware that these groups and individuals have raked into their pockets huge pecuniary gains and have benefitted so much financially over the past few months when they renewed their plan for violent agitation.

“But we, as bonafide Yoruba and Nigerians, are now telling these rabble rousers that enough is enough! They should stop hiding under the banner of agitating for Yoruba freedom and independence to engage in felony and instigate disaffection amongst the citizens of the country.

“Nigeria’s well-being remains an issue of global importance and concern and the international community cannot afford not to continue to make things better for the country and all her citizens.”

By Robert Egbe

Prominent traditional rulers have enjoined all Yoruba sons and daughters to embrace peace and eschew acts that can lead to Nigeria’s disintegration.

The traditional rulers are the Olubadan of Ibadanland in Oyo State, Oba Saliu Adetunji; Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oyo State, Oba Jimoh Oyewunmi Ajagungbade III; Olowo of Owo, Ondo State, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin, Ogunoye III; Oluwo of Iwoland in Osun State, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi; Onisan of Isan-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon Adetila; Olu of Moloko-Asipa, Igbore, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Oba Nureni Nasiru Adesina; and the Elemure of Emure-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Oba Emmanuel Adebowale Adebayo.

They spoke when a delegation of the Yoruba Appraisal Forum (YAF) led by its National Coordinator, Adeshina Animashaun, visited their palaces.

In a statement, YAF quoted the royal fathers as saying the Yoruba race would gain nothing but only lose out in any violent confrontation with the Federal Government and the rest of the country.

The Olubadan said: “I’m happy over your visit to my palace. I can see the wisdom in what you’re doing. So many things are happening at this point in time. I want to assure you that the Yoruba are not sleeping or docile. My prayer is that Yorubaland will not experience any chaos or violence. Before we are all Nigerians, we’re first and foremost Yoruba. We all know our different origins and sources. Nigeria today is divided into six geo-political zones and we’re in the Southwest. We have South-East, South-South, North-Central, North-East and North-West. But if we look very well today, out of all of them, it is the South-West that is most developed. Is it the area of the economy, education, health, road infrastructure and so on? God has been very merciful to us (South-West). God has also blessed Yorubaland with prominent Pastors, Imams and traditional religionists. All these eminent Yoruba sons and daughters are not resting on their oars at all. They hold meetings regularly – the royal fathers, the governors. There is this meeting called South-West Stakeholders Forum.”

Read Also; No going back on one million protest at UN General Assembly — Yoruba Nation, IPOB, others vow

Oba Oyewunmi warned those agitating for a separate Yoruba Nation to perish the thought.

Oba Oyewunmi said: “Which ethnic group in Nigeria is the largest? You’re talking about 2023 elections. I think the majority will always carry the vote. This you should not forget. This is one area you should work on.

“Talking about agitations for secession, where will the Yoruba go to? God created us all to live together. I remember when we had three regions, we had been cooperating and doing things together and there was no problem. When you were all voting then, nobody talked about secession, why should we now be talking about division. If we secede, where do we want to go now?”

The Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, said there was no basis for the agitation for the secession of Yorubaland from the rest of the country.

“If we can return to true Federalism, everything will be fine for Nigeria. For now, there is no basis for agitations for secession. Before independence, the realisation of the fact that we are of different ethnic nationalities necessitated the adoption of true Federalism. May God help us. Yorubaland won’t disintegrate or be destroyed,” the Olowo told the YAF delegation at his palace in Owo, Ondo State.

The Oluwo of Iwoland in Osun State, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi, during the visit to his palace by YAF, expressed his opposition to any plan by the Yoruba to break away from the rest of Nigeria.

Oba Akanbi, who was represented by the Aro of Iwo, Chief Ola IyanuOluwa, said: “War is never predictable, may God save us all. Although we’re not happy, we’re not satisfied with the way things are in Nigeria, we’ve been hearing people talking about secession, Yoruba Nation and all that. We’re praying that God should help rearrange Nigeria. We know the result will be a positive one so long as we all have good intention to make Nigeria better. So, all the actions you’re taking are satisfactory to us and may God grant you success.”

While also receiving the YAF team at his palace in Isa-Ekiti in Ekiti State, the Onisan of Isan-Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Ayodele Adejuwon Adetila, Ilufemiloye I, said it was impossible for Yorubaland to secede from Nigeria.

Oba Adetila said: “We must follow the right path to ensure unity and peace. What has been militating against unity in Yorubaland is personal interests of the individuals. Everybody is fighting and struggling to achieve his political aim. If we are talking about Oodua Nation, it’s a good thing but it can still exist within a united Nigeria.”

The Elemure of Emure-Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebowale Adebayo, who also hosted the YAF delegation in his palace in Emure-Ekiti, Ekiti State, warned Yoruba youths not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to foment trouble under the guise of agitating for Yoruba nation.

“Nobody should be thinking of fighting any war. Whoever wants to fight war should withdraw all his children in America and UK back home to fight. How many of our politicians’ children are part of all these troubles? They should bring their own children back home and make them the captains of the battalions, which they won’t be ready to do,” Oba Adebayo said.

While welcoming the YAF delegation to his palace in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the Olu of Moloku-Asipa, Igbore, Abeokuta, Oba Nureni Nasiru Adesina, said the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, had always insisted on peaceful co-existence throughout his domain and Nigeria at large.

Oba Adesina advised parents to warn their children against being used by anyone as political thugs.

Agency Reporter

Ogun State Police Command on Sunday arrested an ex-convict, Segun Ogundeji, who impersonated as a soldier at Sango-Ota Police Divisional Headquarters in Ogun.

Police spokesman in Ogun, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, made the declaration in a statement issued in Ota.

Oyeyemi stated that Ogundeji was arrested when he went to Sango-Ota Divisional Headquarters, fully dressed in army camouflage to solicit for the release of a suspect.

Read Also: Customs to investigate murder of officer in Ogun

“On getting to the station, Ogundeji met an Air Force man, one Cpl. John Temitope, who accused him of failure to give him official compliment, as a result of which a quarrel ensued between them.

“It was the quarrel that led the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Sango-Ota, CSP Godwin Idehai, to interrogate them. It was during the interrogation that the police discovered that Ogundeji is not a military man.

“It was also discovered that a court once convicted Ogundeji for impersonation,’’ he stated.

Commissioner of Police, CP Edward Ajogun, has ordered a full investigation into the past activities of the Ogundeji. (NAN)

Agency Reporter

Osun State government on Sunday in Iwo urged residents to be alive to their responsibilities in the prevention and management of flood.

Mr Rufus Oyegbile, Special Adviser to Gov. Gboyega Oyetola on Environment and Sanitation, gave the charge at the inauguration of the dredging of rivers and waterways in Iwo Local Government Area of the state.

He said the charge was in response to warning by the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) and the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) on flood prevention.

He added that a forecast by NIHSA and NIMET that the state was highly probable to flood prompted the state government to embark on intensive flood control to protect lives and property of its citizens.

He assured that government would not relent in its efforts to avert environmental disaster in the state.

Read Also: Customs to investigate murder of officer in Ogun

“We have it on record that in the last two years, the government has done a lot on dredging of rivers and waterways across the length and breadth of the state.

“Although our efforts had been challenged by the recent flooding in some parts of the state, the situation calls for urgent action by government and by all other critical stakeholders,’’ he said.

Also, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, Special Adviser to the governor on Civic Engagement, noted that awareness on flood preparedness was imperative owing to its devastating effect.

Oyintiloye appealed to community leaders, especially at the grassroots to continue sensitising people in their domains against dumping of refuse and erecting structures on water channels to prevent flooding.

The special adviser said community leaders must support government in re-awakening the consciousness of the people towards community service, such as clearing of drainages and waterways.

He noted that such actions were part of the social responsibilities of citizens, particularly those in flood prone areas. (NAN)

•Victims relive ordeal

By Osagie Otabor, Akure

Three persons have been  rescued from kidnappers den by men of the Ondo State Security Network codenamed Amotekun Corps. The victims were travelling to Lagos from Ifira-Akoko in Akoko South-East Local Government Area of the state when they were kidnapped by gunmen.

The incident occurred at the bad portion of Idoani-Ifira road in Akoko South-East council area. The Amotekun corps had gone after the kidnappers and rescued nine victims on Thursday.

The State Commander of Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye,  yesterday in Akure told newsmen that the remaining three victims are now free.

The victims also recounted their bitter experiences inside the forest.

The kidnapped victims blamed their driver for making their abduction easy.

They said their driver fled after they came down from the bus to enable it move freely at a bad portion of the road in Ifira-Akoko area.

The victims who gave their names as Benjamin Ojoga, Omolara Fajana and Faith Sunday were handed over to their families at the Amotekun’s headquarters in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

Read Also: ‘Banditry, kidnapping, other vices reducing Nigeria’s economic base’

They said the driver drove away after the kidnappers fired gunshots.

The kidnappers attacked them on Wednesday and initially abducted 13 passengers in a Lagos bound bus.

Men of the Ondo Amotekun  Corps rescued nine of the victims few hours later while the remaining three were rescued on Friday night after shootout with the kidnappers.

One of the rescued victims, Benjamin Ojoga, said it was easy for the kidnappers to abduct them because they were not conversant with the terrain.

He said, “It was after the gunshots that the driver of the bus zoomed off which gave the kidnappers opportunity to abduct us.

“I got the injury from the beating the kidnappers gave me. They were saying that I’m a force man and I told them I’m not. But they didn’t believe me.

Ondo Amotekun Commander, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, said efforts were on to apprehend the kidnappers.

By Olaitan Ganiu

Stakeholders in government and private sectors have come to the conclusion that African youth still have the skills to lead the world despite the challenges facing them.

The stakeholders comprising the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Lagos State Government, FATE Foundation, Heritage Bank Plc spoke at the 11th edition of the Leadership Excellence for National Development (LEND) webinar organised by the JCI Nigeria Senate Association.

The event themed: ‘Building emerging leaders for Africa and  Middle East’ took place at Eko Hotel and Suite, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaking on the topic, ‘Leadership, Youth, Entrepreneurship and Regional Cooperation’, Vice President, ECOWAS, Finda Koroma noted that there is an urgent need to create opportunities for youths, to drive inclusive growth and turn Africa’s demographic dividend into an economic opportunity.

Read Also: VAT: Southwest states plan joint action

She said: “It is clear that the challenges that young people of today face are overbearing and intimidating. However, in the midst of these challenges, I believe there is an opportunity to transform youthful energy into value, through commitments that build the capacity of our youth to be useful resources for our continent, especially with the full leverage of contemporary technology and entrepreneurship capacity.”

Charging the youths, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote, said, “the youths constitute more than half of Nigeria’s population and it is important that we develop new strategies to connect with the current set of youths and attract them into the fold of Junior Chambers International.

Other speakers include Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Adebisi Shonubi; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on SDGs and Investments, and  Acting Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Solape Hammond; JCI Nigeria Senate Association Chairperson, Senator, Nneka Itabor; Executive Director FATE Foundation, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi.

By Joseph Okwuofu, Ibadan

A renowned legal luminary , Aare Afe Babalola SAN, has approved the appointment of new Managing Partner and Deputy Managing Partners in the Chambers of Afe Babalola and co.

Afe Babalola and co was founded by Aare Afe Babalola SAN, CON, LLD in 1965.

According to a release issued and signed by a Senior Partner in the Chambers , Mr Adebayo Adenipekun, SAN , Mr Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, a Partner at Abuja office of the firm now becomes the new Managing Partner.

Read Also: IPC calls for thorough investigation into killing of NTA staff member

Other appointments include, Mr Tunde Babalola, SAN, Deputy Managing Partner, Abuja, Mr Peter Olomola, Deputy Managing Partner, Lagos, Mr Sina Ogungbade, Deputy Managing Partner, Ibadan office while Mr Ola Faro is the Deputy Managing Partner, Port harcourt office.

Messrs Adebayo Adenipekun, SAN and Olu Daramola, SAN are now Senior Partners in the firm.

The Chambers has turned out several lawyers including Judges and Justices of various courts, Senior Advocates and captains of industries.