The Nation Newspaper

Tag: kwara

  • Buhari’s trust in God gave him victory, says ex-NYSC DG

    Ex-director general of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Col Peter Obasa (retired) Thursday attributed President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory in the recently concluded election to his reliance on God and his belief in his mission.

    The retired army officer added that “no doubts, he has won God’s favour. He battled through the turbulent period of the early years of his presidency, a period during which most Nigerians wrote him off.”

    Col Obasa made a passionate appeal to President Buhari to pay his gratuity and pension, 35 years after he was compulsorily retired by the military.

    The 81-year old retired military spoke with reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.

    The former NYSC boss, who served between 1979 and 1984, said that he had received no letter of dismissal from the Army to have informed nonpayment of his entitlement.

    “I make my appeal to Mr. President, in the name of Almighty God, in the names of all that are holy, in the names of all that are good, true, and are just, to give me justice of the type that will attract the approval of God”, he said.

    The octogenarian, who presented a book, titled, House of Exile, during the press conference, chronicled his experiences in 1984, his prison accounts, the nation’s democracy, and judiciary.

    “The Federal Republic of Nigeria official gazette, No 56 of November 6, 1986, under Ministry of Defence, Nigerian Army officers, voluntary/compulsory and dismissal page 1340 declares that I was compulsorily retired from the army. Under that condition, I should be entitled to my gratuity and pension. The Army has denied me both.

    “They claim that I was dismissed. If that was the case, a letter to that effect would have been served on me, and the army would have withdrawn my officer’s sword, ceremonial dress, mess jacket and service suit. I received no letter, and am still in possession of the items mentioned above.

    “Like President Buhari, I am favoured by God. I fought through the tumultuous and terrifying period of my trial and more than seven years in incarceration, and I am here by the special grace of God to ask for true justice. The world wrote me off, some claiming that I would not exit the jail house. How wrong they are. God Almighty fights for the innocent”, he said.

    Retired Colonel Obasa described his trial by the Supreme Military Council (SMC), headed by General Muhammadu Buhari, as illegalities of 1984, saying that the SMC promulgated decrees that had retroactive effect.

    He said: “The laws were backdated by three years. This is immoral and illegal. The God of creation made laws which he handed over to Moses. Those laws became effective from the time they were read to the Israelites.

    “The SMC took over the roles of the executive, legislative and judiciary, the accuser, the prosecutor and the judge. This is illegal. The Nigerian Bar Association condemned this and prohibited its members from appearing before the tribunals to defend accused persons.

    “The process of trial was gravely flawed. Trials were in secret. The public was denied access to the tribunals and it was only when judgements were passed that the world became informed of the verdict.

    “All statements from suspects were extracted under duress. This is illegal

    “Accused persons were compelled long before trial began to sign away the contents of their accounts under duress by the same characters that came to testify at the tribunal that the accused willingly signed away everything. This is illegal.

    “Falsified documents (as exhibits) were brought into the tribunal by the Special Investigation Panel. This too is illegal.

    “Accused people were incarcerated in solitary confinement, denied access to their family and prevented from reaching anything that would enhance their defence. This is illegal.

    “They made it impossible for accused persons to explain clearly how they came about what they had. Everything went under the label of “kickback”. This is illegal.

    “False witnesses were press-ganged to testify against accused persons. This is illegal.

    “From the beginning to the end in my case, the truth was undermined and justice was perverted. This too is illegal”.

  • Mob burns suspected criminal to death in Kwara

    Irate mob on Wednesday burnt to death notorious criminal suspect in Oro, Irepodun local government area of Kwara state.

    The suspect was said to have been involved in serial criminal activities in the area.

    It was gathered that the irate mob had besieged the Oro police station early yesterday morning demanding for the release of the alleged criminal simply identified as Femi for “proper judgement”.

    It was also gathered that the suspect had always been in and out of police detention for several criminal offences in the past.

    READ ALSO: Bricklayer cut-off woman’s hand with cutlass in Kwara

    Eyewitness accounts said that failure of the police to accede to their demand, resulted in melee.

    The police thereafter shot into the air to scare and disperse the growing number of unruly people.

    The police action, it was gathered, infuriated the people in the community, as they descended on the police station, destroying everything on sight.

    It was reported that the situation became uncontrollable for the policemen as the people later took out the suspect, set him ablaze and also burnt the police station.

    The action of the irate mob, it was gathered, emanated from death a motorcycle operator on Tuesday.

    The sources said that the deceased motorcycle operator (okada) had been tricked by some hoodlums, believed to include Femi, into a bush, collected his motorcycle and later killed him.

    Spokesperson of the state police command, Ajayi Okasanmi could not confirm the incident.

  • Emir of Patigi is dead

    The Emir of Patigi in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara, Alhaji Ibrahim Chatta Umar,  is dead.

    Umar reportedly died in Abuja on Tuesday night after a brief illness.

    The report of the emir’s death was contained in a message by Muritala
    Raheem, Personal Assistant to the Emir of Ilorin and the Chairman of the state’s  Council of Emirs and Obas.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that until his death, the deceased
    was the vice chairman of the state’s  traditional council.

    The remains of the first class traditional ruler would be buried on
    Wednesday in Patigi by 2pm.

    Meanwhile, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari,  has expressed shock at  the death of the emir.

    Sulu-Gambari  described  the late monarch as highly respected, adding that his demise was a colossal loss to humanity.

    The emir in his condolence message signed by the National Secretary of Shehu Alimi Foundation for Peace and Development, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, said that Umar was a true epitome of peace and symbol of unity to the entire Nupe speaking tribes in Kwara and beyond.

    According to him, his death will no doubt create a wide vacuum which cannot be forgotten so soon.

    He further noted that late  Umar was until his death the vice chairman of the Kwara State Traditional Council and had  used his wealth of experience to promote the council through his numerous outstanding contributions.

    “I received the news of his death with rude shock. Etsu Chatta Umar was
    a peace loving monarch whose penchant for the growth and development of the emirate and state at large knows no bound. We will surely miss him.

    “I pray that Almighty Allah will forgive his shortcomings, admit him into Al-Janatul Firdaos and give the family and the entire people of Patigi Emirate Council the fortitude to bear the great loss,’’ he said. (NAN)

  • Kwara debt portfolio hits N30.2b

    The Kwara state government on Tuesday put its current debt profile at N30.2 billion. It added that the debt has a monthly repayment of N496.3 million.

    The Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Demola Banu said the debt stood at N31.5 billion in 2017 and N30.8 billion at the end of 2018 as opposed to social media speculation of N50.2 billion.

    Giving a breakdown of the current indebtedness, Banu explained the N30.2 billion includes N15.3 billion as the balance of the Federal Government restructured loan, N4, 003 billion as salary bail out, excess crude account loan outstanding of N9.3 billion and vehicle loan balance of N128.9 million.

    READ ALSO: Polls: Activists urge EFCC to probe Kwara govt over alleged N1b loan

    Others are the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS) and Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) agriculture scheme with respective balances of N646.2 million and N679.2 million as well as International Aviation College loan balance of N96.1 million.

    He clarified the repayment of N496.4 million is deducted from the state’s monthly federal allocation.

    Banu added the figure includes a monthly deduction of N39.6 million as repayment for foreign loans obtained by the government in the 1970s.

    Giving a further breakdown,  Banu explained that the federal government restructured the state government’s short- and long-term bank loans to reduce monthly repayment, while the state also benefited from N5b salary bailout loan in 2015.

    The commissioner stated the excess crude account loans were federal government-backed bank facilities, which served as seed money for the Kwara State Infrastructure Development Fund (IF-K) and payment for ongoing projects in the state while CACS and ABP are state-government guaranteed Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) loans to farmers in the state.

  • Reps skip day of tributes for Sugar

    For the first time in a long while, the leadership of the House of Representatives has refused to accord a member, Hon. Temitope Olatoye Sugar, the usual valedictory session.

    Though, no reason was adduced for skipping tributes for the lawmaker who represents Lagelu /Akinyele federal constituency in Oyo state, a lot of eyebrows were raised on Tuesday.

    READ ALSO: Late Sugar: family petitions UCH for sharing gory photos on social media

    Traditionally, a day of tributes is usually set aside by the Green Chamber after both chambers would have adjourned for 24 after the death of a member.

    It was held for Hon. Ayeola Abiodun, who represented Ibeju-Lekki Federal constituency of Lagos and Hon. Funke Adedoyin who represented Irepodun/Isin/Ekiti/Oke-Ero federal constituency in Kwara State.

    The lawmaker was shot dead in Oyo State on March 9 during the governorship and state House of Assembly.

    However, terrible tales had trailed the personality of the lawmaker after his death.

  • Group tasks Kwara Gov-elect on good governance, accountability

    A group in Kwara, Elites Network for Sustainable Development (ENetSuD) has called on the Governor-elect, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq,  to make good governance, transparency and accountability the hallmarks of his administration

    The Coordinator of the group, Dr Alagbonsi Abdullateef,  made the call on Sunday in Ilorin in the congratulatory message to the governor-elect and all the elected members of the National Assembly and State Assembly in Kwara.

    “Elites Network for Sustainable Development wishes to congratulate APC, the new Governor elect, and all the newly elected members of the State and National Assemblies.

    “We hope and urge that good governance, transparency and accountability, prompt payment of salaries, and human and infrastructure development be the hallmarks of the new government,” Abdullateef added.

    The group said  like many other concerned Kwarans,  it would be monitoring the federal and state budgets to ensure that monies are used only for what they are budgeted for.

    “The account of our monitoring activities will be made available to the public and some appropriate authorities, if necessary, in order to ensure that government do not waver in its duties to the people.

    The group expressed hope that the election of Abdulrazaq as a governor would mark the continuation of good and sustainable development in the state.

    “ENetSuD equally appreciates the electorate for the peaceful manner in which they conducted themselves during and after the elections,” he said.

    The group also commended the spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by the opposition parties, which he said had greatly promoted harmony in the state after the election. (NAN)

  • Bricklayer cut-off woman’s hand with cutlass in Kwara

    Tragedy struck in Omu-Aran, Kwara on Saturday when a middle-age bricklayer, simply identified as Lukman, allegedly attacked and cut off the hand of a 60-year-old woman, Muibat Abifarin, with a cutlass.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the attacker, who was said to be showing traits of insanity, also attacked two of his co-tenants in a bungalow at Orolodo Area, beside the Olomu’s palace in Omu-Aran.

    Abifarin, who had her left hand severed from her body, was said to have been rushed to Ajisafe Hospital in the community while the other two victims with varying degree of injuries were also been treated at Omu-Aran General Hospital.

    A NAN correspondent, who was at the private hospital on Sunday, reports that no visitor was allowed access to Abifarin by the hospital management as she was said to be recovering from the surgery performed on her hand.

    A nurse in the hospital, who preferred anonymity, told NAN that visitors could only be allowed around 6 p.m. when she might have fully recovered from the effect of the surgery.

    She, however, described her condition as stable and that she was responding to treatment.

    An eyewitness account by Azeez Abifarin, a student and son of the victim, said the incident happened around 10 p.m on Saturday as the family was about going to sleep.

    “I think there was a kind of argument between Abeeb, my senior brother and Lukman over a dead goat been roasted by Lukman outside the compound which later degenerated and Abeeb was attacked with a cutlass.

    “It was the gory sight of Abeeb’s condition that prompted my mother, who was about sleeping, to rush out and confronted Lukman over the motive of the attack on Abeeb.

    “It was in the process that Lukman again raised the cutlass against my mother’s head and she quickly defended herself with her left hand before the hand was cut off,” he said.

    The father of the attacker, who preferred anonymity, told NAN at the private hospital where Abifarin was receiving treatment that he was informed of the incident on phone immediately after his morning prayer.

    “I was shocked when I saw the extent of the attack on the victims after I was informed on phone and I rushed to the scene of the incident.

    “He (Lukman) was with me in my house a day before the incident and did not show any sign of somebody harbouring any evil plans,” he said.

    NAN gathered that Lukman was promptly arrested and detained at the Omu-Aran Police Command.

    The Divisional Police Officer was not available when NAN visited the station and calls to his line were not going through.

    An officer in the command, who preferred anonymity, however, confirmed Lukman’s arrest, adding that investigation into the case had commenced. (NAN)

  • EFCC arraigns suspected internet fraudster in Kwara

    Economic and Financial Crime Commission ( EFCC ) Wednesday arraigned one Ajayi Temitope Charles in a Kwara state High Court sitting in Ilorin, the state capital for alleged internet fraud.

    EFCC arraigned the suspect on a five count charge.

    The accused person, who pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against him, was allegedly caught with document in his possession with intent to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

    In the first count against the accused person, who is also known as Teresa Simon, it was said that, on February 28, 2019 in Ilorin, he had in his possession document in his gmail account containing false
    pretence in his gmail account, with intent to defraud, and thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 6, and 8 (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences.

    It was also said that the accused person in the second and third count had in his possession document titled, Hangout with Rodney Dean, and Hangout with Paul Thompson, respectively, adding that he printed out the document from his gmail account.

    Temitope Charles said in his statement that the male adult finder site on his system was meant to appear as woman to find friends and nothing more.

    The presiding judge, Justice M. Abdulgafar refused to grant the accused person bail, directing that he should be remanded in prison custody.

    He then adjourned the matter till March 21, 2019 for further hearing.

  • Kwara polls met accepted standards- Observers

    Accredited Election Observers have adjudged the February 23 and March 3rd elections in Kwara state to meet with the accepted standards in line with the Electoral Laws.

    They therefore urged all the candidates and political parties to accept the results as true reflection of the wishes and decisions of the electorates.

    The observers added that the elections took place under a conducive and peaceful atmosphere across the entire state.

    State team leader and secretary of the observers, Richard Adebayo and Olaniyan Matthew hailed the “Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) for considering it necessary to conduct the 16 local government election in the state and providing a level playing ground for all political parties.”

    They recommended “the government and electoral management body should engage committee of civil society groups on intensive civic voter’s education, sensitization and mobilization ahead of every election. This will go a long way to ensuring voters participation in elections.

    “The political parties should engage in civic voter’s mobilization as proactive way of campaign. Priority should be given to the difficult terrains and hard to reach local government areas and communities in the state in terms of distribution of election materials to ensure quick and timely commencement of elections in such areas.

    “Political parties should ensure a wide presence of their party agents in all the polling units for effective party representation during election.”

    The team also applauded the electoral umpire “for wonderful

    preparation in providing all needed logistics and materials on time which actually encouraged the success of the election; the security agents are hereby applauded for providing a secured and peaceful environment for the elections.”

  • ‘APC broom has swept Kwara clean of hegemony politics’

    Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says with the absolute victory of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Feb. 23 and March 9 general elections in Kwara, the party’s broom has swept the state clean of “hegemony politics”.

    The Minister who stated this at a post election news briefing on Monday in Ilorin added that the long battle for the emancipation of Kwara had been attained with the outcome of the polls.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the Kwara APC had a clean sweep of the Presidential poll, as well as elections into the three senatorial and six House of Representative seats held on Feb. 23.

    Also, the party defeated the incumbent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Governorship elections and won all the 24 seats in the Kwara State House of Assembly in the elections held on March 9.

    The major upset was the defeat of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki of the (PDP) in his stronghold, Kwara Central Senatorial zone by the APC candidate, Dr. Ibrahim Oloriegbe.

    Addressing the newsmen, the minister said that with the unprecedented victories, the people could confidently say that “the ‘Berlin Wall’ of Hegemony Politics in Kwara has finally fallen for good”.

    “It is a great victory for all the good people of Kwara and we give all gratitude to God for this victory.

    “It is beyond our power. Then, of course, we thank most sincerely the good people of Kwara.

    “To the long-suffering people of Kwara, this is your victory. You worked hard for it. You made incredible sacrifices, and your efforts paid off.

    READ ALSO: Lai Mohammed: February 23 to be Kwara ‘Day of Liberation’

    “You said ‘O To Ge’ (Enough is Enough) and it came to pass. Thank you to all the good people of Kwara.

    “Never again will anyone enslave you under the guise of dynasty or hegemony politics. Never Again!!!

    The minister thanked the security agencies that provided the conducive atmosphere for the people to exercise their franchise without fear.

    He also thanked the leadership of the party at both the state and national levels and expressed special gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for his unflinching support which propelled the party to victory.

    “Our victory here transcends Kwara State. It is a victory for all advocates of good governance everywhere. It is the triumph of good over evil, no matter how long it takes.

    “It will forever be a reference point in the political history of Nigeria, and a hard blow to those who willfully turn the public treasury into their personal piggy bank,” he said.

    The minister said that with the victories, the real work had just begun for the party because the expectations of the people were very high and they could not afford to disappoint them.

    “We must ride on the wave of their enthusiasm and determination to deliver to them the dividends of democracy, for which they have been yearning.

    “All our leaders, both elected and otherwise, must come together to channel the energy and vibrancy of our people to positive goals,” he said.

    Mohammed recalled that the long battle for the emancipation of the state started on Nov. 17 2018, when the
    party won the by-election for the Ekiti/Oke-ero/Irepodun/Isin federal constituency.

    He urged party members and supporters to be magnanimous in victory, shun vindictiveness or hatred while celebrating.

    “There is no room for violence of any kind. We are all Kwarans. The massive victory in Kwara State came on a
    peaceful note.

    “We must maintain that and banish all the vestiges of violence from our state.

    “It is a new day in Kwara State, and the sun is shining bright and beautiful once again! I thank you all for your kind attention,” he said. (NAN)