The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southwest

  • Governor abolishes park system 

    Governor abolishes park system 

    With the inauguration of Osun State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), by the National President, Musiliu Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo, the state government yesterday abolished the Park System.

    Governor Ademola Adeleke in January 2023 disbanded NURTW and replaced it with Park Managers headed by Wakeel Nurudeen.

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    Commissioner for Transportation, Sesan Oyedele, said in a statement that the abolishment of Osun Transport Management System (OSTMS) was to ensure peace and unity.

    “The National President of NURTW, Comrade Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo), has expressed his appreciation for Governor Adeleke’s efforts in improving road infrastructure, to drive economic growth.

  • FUOYE denies VC involvement in DSS arrest of journalists

    FUOYE denies VC involvement in DSS arrest of journalists

    Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) said its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, has nothing to do with the recent arrest of the General Manager of Our People’s FM, Dr. Agbeleoba Opeyemi.

    Agbeleoba, the younger brother of Mrs. Folasade Adebayo, a FUOYE worker, who has accused Prof Fasina of sexual harassment, was reportedly arrested by the operatives of Department of State Security (DSS) under unclear circumstances.

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    Social media reports claimed that the VC orchestrated the arrest to suppress alleged audio recording that purportedly implicated him in the harassment case.

    But FUOYE’s Registrar, Mr. Mufutau Ibrahim, in a statement, described the allegations as “false and misleading, urging the public to disregard the claim, which was aimed at maligning the VC’s hard earned reputation and integrity.

  • Osun monarchs demand 2026 governorship ticket for Osun West

    Osun monarchs demand 2026 governorship ticket for Osun West

    …say no monarch will support guber candidate outside West zone

    No fewer than 70 traditional rulers in Osun State have called on political parties to zone their 2026 governorship tickets to the Osun West Senatorial District.

    Led by the Akire of Ikire-Ile, Oba Abdulazeez Adebamiji, the monarchs made the appeal in a communique issued after their meeting in Iwo on Wednesday.

    Citing justice and equity, they argued that Osun West has been politically marginalized since the state’s creation.

    “We implore all political parties in the state to select their governorship candidates from Osun West in the forthcoming 2026 election,” Oba Adebamiji stated while reading the communique.

    “We are blessed with capable, qualified, and mentally stable individuals across the 10 local government areas that make up Osun West that can successfully steer the ship of the State.”

    He stressed: “Anything short of this is clear in consideration, injustice, and marginalization of Osun West and its people.”

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    “They noted that they are not opposed to Governor Ademola Adeleke, hence they applauded his developmental strides in the state.”

    It added: “However, so as not to be seen as being biased and antagonistic, we implore every registered political party in the state to shop for their gubernatorial candidates from Osun West only.

    Adebamiji disclosed: “We have resolved that no Royal Father from Osun West will mobilize his subjects for any gubernatorial candidate picked outside Osun West. This is not an empty decision. We mean what we say.”

  • Valentine Day: Oyo govt reiterates safety guidelines for celebrations

    Valentine Day: Oyo govt reiterates safety guidelines for celebrations

    Oyo state government has reiterated mandatory safety guidelines to corporate bodies, event planners, and individuals organizing Valentine’s Day celebrations, emphasizing that the day should be observed safely and responsibly.

    The government also warned that failure to comply with the directives will result in severe consequences under the law.

    In a statement by the commissioner for information, Prince Dotun Oyelade said the move is in response to the anticipated increase in social gatherings during the Valentine’s celebrations.

    The commissioner emphasised the importance of involving security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun, and Operation Burst, in the planning process.

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    He stated that their involvement is crucial to ensuring comprehensive logistics and security measures are in place for safe gatherings.

    The commissioner also noted the importance of maintaining health protocols, such as good hygiene, proper ventilation, and staying updated on health advisories.

    He noted that event planners must also reach a consensus with both security and medical personnel regarding venue selection.

    He said the State Ministry of Health and the Hospitals Management Board, along with private hospitals when necessary, must be engaged to guarantee sufficient medical support during events.

  • Okpebholo gets kudos for promoting health care

    Okpebholo gets kudos for promoting health care

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the visionary leadership of Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, for reviving and promoting health care in the state.

    The President, yesterday in Benin, said Okpebholo was ensuring that residents had the best health care.

    Tinubu spoke through the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Ishaq Salako, when he led a delegation to the Government House, Benin to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the take-off of a National Obstetrics Fistula Centre in the Edo State capital.

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    The centre is expected to treat cases of Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF).

    Salako noted that in May 2023, just before President Tinubu assumed office, the National Obstetrics Fistula Centre was established in Benin.

  • Bill for Research Trust Fund scales second reading at Lagos Assembly

    Bill for Research Trust Fund scales second reading at Lagos Assembly

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mojisola Meranda has committed a bill to establish the state’s research trust fund to a sub-committee of the house.

    She emphasised the need for tertiary institutions to partake in effective research work for the benefit of the state.

    The bill sponsored by a member of the assembly, Gbolahan Yishawu, scaled second reading.

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    The proposed law is aimed at creating a state research trust fund for the allocation, management and administration of the trust fund and for connected purposes.

    Supporting the bill, lawmakers praised the sponsor and noted that it would help advance the state.

    Yishawu told his colleagues that the bill was important, as it would help drive innovation, economic growth and technological advancement.

  • It’s Afijio’s turn to produce Oyo Federal Rep, says group

    It’s Afijio’s turn to produce Oyo Federal Rep, says group

    A non-political group, Concerned Afijio Youths (CAY), has charged party leaders across political parties in Oyo Federal constituency to narrow nomination of House of Representatives candidates to Afijio local government area of Oyo State.

    A communique by the group at the end of its meeting at Jobele, headquarters of Afijio local government, unanimously resolved that parties must produce credible consensus candidates to contest the next election meant to fill the seat at the House of Representatives. 

    The communique, signed by the Youth Forum’s chairman, Aluko Abiodun, stated Afijio and Atiba local government areas are one and share common goals, aspirations, and virtues.

    According to him, Atiba local government having had third successive terms in the House of Representatives, should relinquish the seat voluntarily through popular decision to Afijio people.

    He said the gesture would foster mutual respect and understanding, stressing that it would equally strengthen development in the area. 

    The forum urged all youths from Afijio to prosecute the agitation peacefully and constructively, noting that they are optimistic to reach amicable resolution devoid of rancour.

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    It said: “Oyo Federal Constituency has been one of the strong federal constituencies representing Oyo State in the Federal House of  Representatives. But representatives have been emerging from Oyo town without opening the door of the Green Chamber for the people from Afijio Local Government Area to represent the Constituency at the Second House of Law in Abuja.

    “Without mincing words, as we approach 2027, there is a lot to start asking the People of Oyo Federal Constituency, as to see the reason to consider Afijio as a part of the Federal Constituency, by giving the area an opportunity to produce a Candidate for the House of Representatives beyond the fixed limit of highest determiners.

    “Nonetheless, no candidate from Afijio Local Government can represent Oyo Federal Constituency at the Lower Chamber without a strong support of people of Oyo town, which has the highest voters with three out of four Local Government Areas under Oyo Federal Constituency.

    “However, Afijio, Atiba, Oyo East, and Oyo West are Four Local Government Areas that form the Oyo Federal Constituency. Since 1999, Oyo has been the only one producing the Rep Members representing our Constituency.

    “Adopting zoning in the Oyo Federal Constituency to Afijio by Political Parties can primarily pave the way for transparency and fairness which can yield to better representative.”

    It urged stakeholders to emulate Oyo Central Senatorial District, where the zoning system is being used to create an equitable distribution of political power through the electoral process.

  • Shari’ah Courts not an Islamization agenda, Southwest Muslim clerics assure Nigerians

    Shari’ah Courts not an Islamization agenda, Southwest Muslim clerics assure Nigerians

    Muslim clerics and scholars in the Southwest have reassured Nigerians, particularly non-Muslims, that the establishment of Shari’ah courts in the region is not an attempt to Islamize the country.

    Speaking at a press conference in Ibadan, the President of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria, Sheikh AbdurRasheed Hadiyatullahi, and the Chairman of Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars in Nigeria, Sheikh Abdurrasheed Mayaleeke, clarified that Shari’ah courts and their rulings are exclusively for Muslims and those who voluntarily seek adjudication under Islamic principles.

    They emphasized that Shari’ah law is not binding on non-Muslims and should not be perceived as a threat to their rights.

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    The clerics explained that after unsuccessful attempts to establish Shari’ah Courts of Appeal in Southwest states, Muslim communities introduced Independent Shari’ah Panels as alternative dispute resolution platforms to address Muslim-related cases within the framework of Islamic law.

    “The establishment of Sharia courts is exclusively meant for the Muslims and parties who wish to be adjudicated according to the Sharia principles, and its establishment should not be misconstrued as a prejudice to the rights of non-Muslims or an agenda to Islamize Nigeria.

    “That the Sharī’ah arbitration being exercised by the existing Independent Sharī’ah Panels in Yorubaland is undoubtedly one of the recognised alternative dispute resolution methods in Nigeria.

    “The Supreme Court of Nigeria in Agu v. Ikewibe has upheld the validity of such informal arbitrations. Also, S. 277 of the constitution recognises the jurisdiction of Sharī’ah as a source of law.

    “It was after all attempts to convince the Southwestern states to establish Sharī’ah Courts of Appeal has failed that the Muslim Community of each state started to launch ADR platforms named “Independent Sharī’ah Panel” in order to adjudicate on Muslim disputes according to the Sharī’ah, and to fill the lacuna in the judiciary of their various states, as there are no courts of competent jurisdiction to handle matters related disputes related to Islamic personal law in these states, neither the High Court nor the Customary Court. (the Supreme Court has ousted the jurisdiction of both courts on civil matters of Islamic personal law in Alkamawa v. Bello and Usman v. Umaru).”

    At the gathering was former Executive Secretary of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, MUSWEN, Professor Daud Noibi, Executive Director of Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, Professor Isiaq Akintola and General Secretary of Concerned Yoruba Muslim Scholars in Nigeria, Professor Abideen Olaiya.

  • Adeleke decries poor sports infrastructure, flags off Osogbo stadium remodeling

    Adeleke decries poor sports infrastructure, flags off Osogbo stadium remodeling

    Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Tuesday expressed concern over the poor state of sports infrastructure in the state.

    Speaking at the flag-off ceremony for the remodeling of Osogbo Stadium, Adeleke emphasized his administration’s commitment to revitalizing sports, stating that the stadium’s transformation would be completed within 12 months.

    According to him “When I came in as the governor of the state, this stadium was in terrible condition. The state of sport in Osun was appalling. We therefore decided to do some remarkable things that can boost the development of Sports in the State.”

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    “This project is not mere renovation but re-development and remodeling of the state sports Stadium to attain global standard. We have a big vision of Osun state with the best sporting facilities in the country.

    “By the time we finish this development, the stadium will be a beautiful edifice to behold. Our dream is to build a stadium with capacity to host various sporting events such as the National sports Festival, National Youth Games and more importantly to host some of our national teams including Super Eagles in their various continental and International matches.”

    Highlighting the specifications of the remodelling, he said the Osogbo stadium will have major pitches of International standard including including Volleyball, Swimming, Handball, Hockey, Basketball and a host of other. 

    He added: “The remodeling will also include a befitting indoor sports hall, hostels for the athletes and a state-of-art 4-star hotel.”

    He promised that the government will build revenue generation into the entire project to ensure sustainability and short and long term viability. 

    Adeleke disclosed that he has finalised the legal framework for creation of Osun Sports Commission, stressing that, “This is to enhance harmonious development and administration of all games in the state.”

  • Ondo monarch dispels death rumours

    Ondo monarch dispels death rumours

    Oba Frederick Enitiolorunda Akinruntan, Okoro Ajija 1, the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, has dispelled rumours of his purported death.

    The news of his death was published by some online media platforms.

    However, Oba Akinruntan, who spoke to journalists in Akure through the phone of  his lawyer, Chief Sola Ebiseni, said news of his death was a blessing for long life.

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    He said: “I am hale and hearty. I have received several phone calls all over the world, particularly from Ondo State of my death. I was advised by my lawyer on the need to speak to you people to dispel the wicked rumour. Of course I travelled for a short vacation and will be home soon”. In Yoruba land such rumour is a blessing for long life. Olugbo is alive and well”.

    His son, Prince Akinfemiwa Akinruntan, had earlier said his father was alive and healthy.

    He said in a statement, “I want to address the recent misinformation regarding my father.

    “Contrary to what has been reported, he is alive and in good health, currently enjoying a vacation. We urge everyone to refrain from spreading false information and respect our family’s privacy during this time.”