Tag: ibadan

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the upgrade of Ladoke Akintola Airport, formerly called Ibadan Airport, Alakia, Ibadan, to international facility.

The approval follows the request of Governor Seyi Makinde to the Federal Government in his bid to change the status of the Ibadan facility to a global status.

The governor made this known yesterday while receiving the Chief of Air Staff of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Marshall Hassan Abubakar, who visited him at the Governor’s Office, State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

He said the upgrade would begin in the next three weeks.

The project, according to the governor, would include the building of a terminal, runway and other structural features.

He said it would be handled by experts and delivered to standard.

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Makinde said his administration had spent the last five years turning around the state’s economy and had identified the need for the upgrade of the Ibadan Airport as being central to its economic expansion agenda.

He said his government’s resolve to build infrastructure that targets the economic expansion agenda has also seen it investing resources in the 110 kilometres Ibadan Circular Road, noting that the administration would consider the Air Force’s request for land for its post-retirement housing scheme on the Circular Road corridor.

Makinde said: “Since I came into office, this administration has focused on education, agriculture, health and expansion of our economy.

“We have been talking to the Presidency and we got a response from them early this week that the President has approved my request for Ibadan Airport to be upgraded.

“I will be in Abuja soon to get the documents relating to the approval. And within three weeks, we will start the project. We will expand the runway and build a new terminal.”

Dignitaries from various sectors have gathered at the Oluyole residence of the late former Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, for the fourth annual memorial fidau prayer.

Among those in attendance are Dr. Florence Ajimobi, the widow of the deceased, his younger brother Wasiu Ajimobi, former deputy governors Alake Adeyemo and Rauf Olaniyan, Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Zacheus Adelabu, Oyo APC governorship candidate Senator Teslim Folarin, and Senators Sharafadeen Alli, Fatai Buhari, and Yunus Akintunde representing Oyo South, Oyo North, and Oyo Central respectively.

Also present are former Sports Minister Chief Sunday Dare, Professor Adeola Akande, former Oyo APC chairman Chief Akin Oke, Akeem Agbaje, former health commissioner Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, former ALGON Oyo chairmen Prince Abass Aleshinloye, Yekeen Popoola, Kolapo Kola Daisi, Bisoye Fagade, Seyi Adisa, Kehinde Subair, Azeez Bolaji, Olayemi Ariba, and Olatunji Olawale.

Read Also: Residents protest years of blackout in Ibadan

The list also includes party chieftains, traditional rulers, former political appointees, former aides, family, friends, political associates, and religious leaders, among others…

Details shortly…

Residents of communities along the Ibadan – Iwo Road on Monday, June 24, staged a peaceful protest at the Monatan office of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) against what they described as poor power supply.

Residents of the affected communities include: Olodo, Monatan, Alabebe, Iyana Church, Lalupon, Ejioku, Iyana Offa, Adeleye, Lagun, Adewumi, Trailer Park, Erunmu, Fatumo, Atari and Ile-Igbon

Others are: Olufon, Olukunle, Sulekokoko, Oganla, Pagun, Olubonku, Jehovah Witness, Adeleye, Ilegbon, Sukuru, Ofa Igbo and Apatere.

The residents stormed the IBEDC office located in the Alabebe area to press home their demands carrying placards and singing solidarity songs.

They said the protest was staged against the erratic supply of electricity to their communities which has run into several years.

The protest which started early Monday morning saw hundreds of the residents walking the long route from the various communities and later converged at the IBEDC office.

The protesters also blocked part of Ibadan – Iwo Road to call the attention of the relevant stakeholders to their plight.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards, mostly written in Yoruba language read “Light Up Iwo-Lalupon, we reject darkness”, “Who did we offend? What is our offence? Are we not part of Ibadan?”, “Darkness of ten years is enough”, among others.

The situation, however, forced the workers and staff of the Distribution Company to immediately shut down the Monatan office to forestall a breakdown of law and order and a possible attack by the protesters.

Reacting when contacted, IBEDC said the 33KV substation project in Lalupon, funded by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is part of the IBEDC-PIP CBN CAPEX PROJECTS – 2023.

Speaking in a statement, the company lamented that despite the contract award in December 2023, the project is pending due to the awaited CBN financial intervention.

The statement reads in part: “The 33KV substation project in Lalupon, funded by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as part of the IBEDC-PIP CBN CAPEX PROJECTS – 2023, is integral to our plans.

“This project involves the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of the Lalupon 1 x 15MVA, 33/11kV Injection Substation.

“Construction of Lalupon 33kV feeder from the Iwo 30/40MVA, 132/33kV, transmission station.

Proposed 33kV T-off from the Lalupon 33kV Feeder to serve as an in-feed to the Lalupon 1 x 15MVA, 33/11kV injection substation, construction and installation of the Lalupon 1 x 15MVA, 33/11kV injection substation with the radiation of 2 No. 11kV feeders.

“Despite the contract award in December 2023, the project is pending due to the awaited CBN financial intervention.”

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The company added that in March 2023 the collapse of the Olodo bridge resulted in the damage to several poles on the network, causing part of the feeder to be isolated due to lack of right of way to re-erect the broken poles and consequently, putting 32 substations out of supply and affecting several communities.

“In March 2023, a bridge collapse in the Olodo area resulted in significant damage to several poles on the network, causing part of the feeder to be isolated due to lack of right of way to re-erect the broken poles. Consequently, 32 substations are out of supply, affecting several communities.

“Currently, 65 percent of customers on the feeder are receiving supply, with 40 transformers on load shedding are exploring options to back feed some of the remaining Distribution Substations (DSS) from an alternative feeder, although this will not cover all affected areas.

“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by these challenges. We assure our customers that every effort is being made to expedite the completion of the 33kV substation project and restore full power supply.

“As a customer-centric company, we are deeply concerned about the supply situation, as such we have held over ten meetings with the leaders of the communities to explain the situation. These meetings with community leaders underscore our commitment to resolving these issues and improving service delivery.

“We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work towards a more reliable and efficient power supply for Lalupon and its environs.”

The Federal Government has called for the collaboration of all stakeholders in the maritime and Blue Sea Economy to ensure the speedy completion of the Ibadan Inland Dry Port.

The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr Pius Akutah made the call after a tour of the facility in Erunmu, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital city.

Addressing stakeholders at an enlarged meeting, Akutah said the facility tour and subsequent meeting was in line with the directive of Mr President to meet all stakeholders in a bid to identifying the challenges and issues affecting the completion of the project.

He said President Tinubu recognised the importance of the Inland Dry Port which necessitated the recent commissioning of Funtua Dry port and the subsequent marching orders on meeting all parties and stakeholders to identify all hindrances and challenges against the projects completion, years after it was flagged off.

According to the ES, the Inland dry ports infrastructure is one of the key infrastructure that will drive the Renewed Hope Agenda for the country, adding that the team was on ground in Ibadan not just to come and watch what is going on and go back but solicit for support of the stakeholders including residents, community leaders, importers, exporters, policy makers, traditional rulers, concessioners among others.

He added that the government needed all hands to be on the deck so that going forward, it can carry out what is expected to make sure that the Ibadan Inland Dry Point comes to fruition.

Akutah said: “This is one of the legacy ports. I am glad that the concessionaires as well as the community are here. You will recall that the Funtua Dry port was recently commissioned by Mr President. 

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“Shortly after that, the Honourable Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola directed that the president has instructed firmly that all the other inland dry ports should quickly be looked into with the aim to facilitating their quick development. 

“That is the major reason we are here today. We are here to take a look at what is happening here and interact with you and the concessionaire and see what actually are the issues that this Inland Dry port has not taken off more than about 20 percent so far and to see what we can do in harmony to quickly facilitate the development of this Inland Dry port in accordance with the marching order of Mr President.

“We understand the importance of Inland Dry Port project. This projects are meant to decongest the seaports and take shipping services closer to shippers in the hinterlands. And we know that this zone is one of the major industrial zones of this country where a lot of activities are going on.”

He added: “So having an Inland Dry Port located here will actually help in decongesting the seaports and bringing about efficiency that this government is looking at. 

“We are here not to speak too much grammar; we are here to see what we can do to carry out the directive of Mr President to ensure that work returns here and these activities go on here to the completion and commissioning of this port. 

“The concessionaires are here; we will talk after we take a brief look at what is put on ground already and we will return to the office and call all of us together to see the way forward, and this will be done in a very short time for us to move on with this project.”

Speaking at the meeting, Alakinyele of Akinyele, Oba James Odeniran spoke on the need for a Federal character representations in areas where lands were being acquired.

President, Oyo State Shippers Council, Mrs Elizabeth Olanrewaju appealed that stakeholders should not be exempted from the the policy making plans but included as it concerns them as well.

An Ibadan Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday remanded 29 suspects for their involvement and roles in the aborted April 13 invasion of the Oyo State Government Secretariat.

They were arraigned on a seven-count charge bordering on treasonable felony, unlawful society, illegal possession of firearm, going armed and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

The offences, according to the Investigative Police Officer, Bakare Rasaq, an Inspector with the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, Ibadan, is contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol.II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.

On Monday, the Oyo State Police Command paraded 21 suspects who were arrested during the invasion. The Command arrested eight more suspects linked to the security breach.

The case, with the charge number Mi/520c/2024 between the Commissioner of Police vs the 29 suspects, came up for mention at Court I before Chief Magistrate, Mrs. O.O. Ogunkanmi.

There was a mild drama in court when one of the defendants collapsed when the charges were being read.

She was attended to and resuscitated by policemen and court officials.

Read Also: Ibadan Invasion: Police arraigns 29 Yoruba Nation agitators in Ibadan

No plea was taking, as the court ordered that the defendants be kept in the Correctional facility.

Chief Magistrate Ogunkanmi adjourned the matter till August 1 for hearing.

The names of the defendants include are: Ayanwale Rofiat ‘F’, 25yrs; Ismaila Adepoju ‘M’, 45yrs; Ayanwale Saburi ‘M’, 28yrs; Adeola Elegbede ‘M’, 27yrs; Fatoki Anthony ‘M’, 34yrs; Olalere Mathew ‘M’, 54yrs; Isaac Friday ‘M’, 27yrs and Ismaila Malomo Peter ‘M’, 65yrs.

Others are: Farumbi Wasiu ‘M’, 30; Muritala Abefe ‘M’, 40; Adeyemo Joseph ‘M’, 29; Adeyemo Peter ‘M’ 75; Adesokan Hameed ‘M’, 37; Adejumo Lateef ‘M’, 60; Ogundeji Alabi ‘M’, 55; Ayoola David ‘M’, 40; Ojo Olufemi ‘M’, 52; Ajani Ezekiel ‘M’, 42 and Amos Oluwaseyi Ogundeji ‘M’, 45.

The list also include: Ademola Adeniyi ‘M’, 29; Salaudeen Wahab ‘M’, 56; Dosumu Toyin ‘F’, 65, Abiona Esther ‘F’, 78; Omoyajowo Funsho ‘F’, 64; Tola Olufemi ‘F’, 60; Oritola Alabi ‘M’, 44; Kayode Fakeye ‘M’ 45; Taiwo Titilayo ‘F’, 58 and Yusuf Adebayo ‘M’, 67.

The charge sheet reads in parts that the defendants “and others now at large, on the 13th of April, 2024, at about 8:30am, at Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan in the Ibadan Magisterial District did conspire with one another to commit felony to wit: treasonable felony, unlawful society, going armed and conduct likely to cause breach of the peace and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.

 “On the same date, time and place in the aforementioned mentioned magisterial district did unlawfully form intention and manifest the intention to forcefully remove the democratically elected Executive Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde during his term of office by invading the State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan with arms and declaring the birth of Yoruba Nation and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishableb under Section 41(b) of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.

“That the defendants and others at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did unlawfully belong to a group of people declaring the birth of Yoruba Nation which is an unlawful society and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 62 and punishable under Section 64 of the Criminal Code Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.

“That the defendants and others at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did unlawfully go armed in the public with guns, cutlasses, charms and knives without lawful occasion in such a manner as to cause terror to Executive Governor of Oyo State Engr. Seyi Makinde and the public and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 80 of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.

“That the defendants and others at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did conduct yourselves in a manner likely to cause breach of then peace by going armed in the public and declaring the Yoruba Nation and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 249 (d) of the Criminal Code, Cap 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo of Nigeria, 2000.

“That the defendants and others at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did conspire with one another to commit felony to wit: unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 6b of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap RII, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That the defendants and others at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned magisterial district did unlawfully have in your possession five English Pump Action guns, three locally made barrel gun, 405 rounds of live cartridges and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 3 of the Robbery and Firearma (Special Provisions) Act, Cap RII, Vol. 14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”