The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ogun state

  • Two die in auto-crash on Sallah day

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Ogun has confirmed that two persons died on Tuesday when a commercial bus  somersaulted on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

    The FRSC Sector Commander, Mr Clement Oladele, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abeokuta on Wednesday that the accident occurred at about 5 pm at Lamona Park on the expressway.

    Oladele said the Volkswagen commercial bus marked LSR 971 XG had 28 passengers, including 16 females and 12 males as well as three children, on board.

    Read Also: FRSC cautions motorists on Lagos-Ibadan road over tanker accident

    He said the accident was caused by a tyre burst which resulted in the vehicle somersaulting.

    “Two people died in the accident and their corpses have been deposited at Isara mortuary while the injured were taken to Isara Hospital, Ogere,’’ he said.

    He advised motorists to obey traffic regulations and follow instructions from FRSC patrol teams and other sister traffic agencies.

    Oladele also urged motorists driving into construction areas to obey the maximum speed limit of 50km per hour stipulated on road signs along the corridors and avoid overtaking.

  • Buhari to inaugurate $250 million brewery in Ogun

    President Muhammadu Buhari is set to inaugurate $ 250 million dollars new brewery, International Breweries PLC (IB Plc), sited at Flowergate Industrial Scheme, Sagamu-Abeokuta Expressway, Ogun State.

    IB Plc which is part of the AB InBev group, the world’s largest brewer has Trophy, Hero, Betamalt, Grandmalt, Castle lite and Eagle lager as its products line. It also recently launched a global brand, Budweiser.

    The plant is the company’s fourth brewery in Nigeria, after those in Ilesa, Onitsha, and Port-Harcourt, demonstrating the country’s capacity to attract foreign direct investment to drive socio-economic growth and development.

    The Plant Manager, Mr. Tony Agah, who made this known to reporters at the at brewer’s state – of – the – art facility on Monday, said it will be the Company’s largest plant within the group in Africa, outside of South Africa.

    Agah added that it will also significantly engenders multiplier impact on the value chain within Ogun State, its environs as well as provides direct and indirect employment.

    According to him, other dignitaries expected to join President Buhari to perform the commissioning of the facility on August 28, include Minister for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah, Minster for Budget and Planning, Mr. Udo Udoma, President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyeama, the global Chief Executive Officer of AB InBev, Mr. Carlos Britowill.

    Read Also: Buhari  marks Eid -El-Adha with prayers, 800 metres walk

    Also, the Company’s Managing Director, Annabelle Degroot, described the plant as a major step towards the company’s strategic goal of producing high-quality drinks locally.

    Degroot said “International Breweries Plc is a brand that places a premium on quality.”

    Degroot assured that Nigerians will be treated to the best traditions in brewing, with outstanding recipes, superior ingredients, innovation and world-class techniques and provide a great opportunity to engage qualified locals.

    “One of the objectives of the company is to create job opportunities for the people of Ogun state as well as Nigerians in general.

    “The plant will also be instrumental in empowering farmers as most of the raw materials required will be sourced locally. This will, in turn, contribute to the economic development of the country,” she said.

    On his part, Otunba Michael Daramola, the Corporate Affairs Director said that establishment of the plant in Nigeria is in further recognition of the corollary between having prestigious brands and a befitting world-class setting.

  • Ijebu Ode wearing festive look ahead of Eid-el-Kabir festival

    Few hours to the celebration of the Eid-el-Kabir and few days to the celebration of the annual “Ojude-Oba’’ Festival, scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 23, enthusiasm is at a fever-pitch in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

    Socioeconomic activities in Ijebu-Ode where the “Ojude-Oba’’ Festival is celebrated annually have continued to witnesses positive spikes as one enters the ancient town.

     Both the indigenes as well as visitors, tourists and dealers in souvenirs have begun to arrive the state for the annual carnival-like “Ojude-Oba’’ Festival which holds on Aug.23 with the theme: Ojude-Oba: Celebration of Rich Cultural Heritage.

    The “Ojude-Oba’’ Festival is an annual reunion of sons and daughters of Ijebu-Ode, their in-laws, and invited guests usually held two days after the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

    Our reporters observed a beehive of activities by residents who had their rams and other livestock tied within their compounds for the celebrations of both festivals.

     Also, it was observed that hotels in the town and its environs had been fully booked while operators of outdoor bars, tricycles, motorcycles and relaxation spots had begun to count their gains.

    Ijebu-Ode, a town predominantly occupied by Muslims, comes alive every Eid-el-Kabir alongside the age-old “Ojude-Oba’’, which is celebrated to honour the Awujale of Ijebuland.

    Several corporate organisations had displayed their advert billboards as a way of participating in the celebration of the two festivals.

    Ishola Fatungase, a resident of the town and a paint dealer, said that they were looking forward to a memorable celebration of the “Ojude-Oba’’ Festival.

    Read Also: Eid-el-Kabir: Ambode urges Muslims to embrace love, unity

    He, however, appealed to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), in charge of power distribution in the area, to make the event memorable through uninterrupted power supply.

    “The icing on the cake for us will be full-scale-power supply throughout the period of the sallah to make it lively for us as well as being able to preserve our drinks and consumables. 

    “For me as a Muslim, it is the only time of the year I get to see most of my  family members as they are  located in different parts of the country and outside the country,” he said. 

    Another respondent, Gbenga Otukoya, a civil servant, lamented the high cost of rams this year as compared to the same period last year.

    “I just returned from Imowo Eleran market, where livestock is considerably sold cheaply. Yet, I could not afford the type of ram I wanted due to the high price.

    “A medium-sized ram, sold last year for N60, 000 is now N85, 000 at the market, while cows sell for between N120, 000 and N180, 000 or even higher depending on the quality. 

    “A large ram is going for between N120, 000 and N150, 000.

    “We are in a joyful mood as expected but the only downturn is that most people are not as buoyant financially to celebrate the sallah and Ojude-Oba as expected,” Otukoya said.

    Mr Dare Odusanya, a car dealer based in Chicago, USA, said he arrived in the country two weeks ago to have ample time to savour the holiday mood in the town alongside his other family members.

    “The high point for me apart from the sallah break is the Ojude-Oba festival which is celebrated with so much pomp and pageantry.

     “The festival is colourful and unique as it’s a spectacle to behold given the magnitude of attractions and displays that grace the occasion. 

    “I strategically fix my vacation to correspond with this occasion and also invite my white friends to Nigeria just to grace the grandeur of the “Ojude-Oba’’ Festival,” Odusanya said.

    The Chairman of the Ojude Oba Planning Committee, Otunba Wahab Osinusi had previously assured participants coming to witness it of maximum security and safety.

    “The festival is not only about equestrian display, parade of culture and tradition, merry-making and funfair.

    “It is also to boost commerce and trade in its entirety as commercial and trading activities are at their peak before, during and after the festival.

    “All the facilities; hotels, restaurants, artisans, craftsmen, transporters, professionals, market men and women, among others are fully engaged with several multiplier corporate effects,” Osinusi said.

    He assured intending visitors and guests coming for the event of adequate medical services, security and traffic management saying all security agencies were working assiduously to ensure a hitch free celebration.

    Several hundreds of thousands of people including visitors and guests from diverse cultures and nationalities are expected to grace the 2018 edition of the Ojude-Oba Festival that began over 100 years ago. 

  • Photos: Saraki visits Obasanjo’s presidential Library

    The Senate President Bukola Saraki on Monday visited the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta Ogun State.

    During his visit, former president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and the Deputy Chief Co-ordinator (OOPL), Mr. Ayodele Aderinwale took him round and showed him old materials documented in the library.

     

  • Bus carrying 37 NYSC members crashes in Ogun

    A vehicle conveying 37 members of the National Youths Service Corps ( NYSC ) has crashed on Monday at the Danco filling station corridor of the Lagos – Ibadan expressway, leaving 19 of them with grave injuries.

    The Youths Corps members were going to Sango Otta, Ogun State, shortly after passing out from their three weeks drills and exercise at the Ogun State NYSC Orientation Camp, Sagamu, when the accident around 3:16pm.

    The Corps members were travelling in unmarked Coaster bus after their orientation camp which ended on Monday.

    In a release by the Route Commander, Florence Okpe, Public Education Officer of the Ogun State Sector Command, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), she quoted the Sector Commander, Mr. Clement Oladele, as describing the accident as “serious,” and blamed “speed violation (SPV) and loss of control (LOC)” for the cause.

    She added the victims comprising nine males and 10 females were evacuated to FRSC Accident Emergency Clinic at Sagamu while four of the Corps members having more serious injuries were referred for further medical treatment at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu.

    The Command advised Corps members to always caution their drivers especially during this raining season and where such drivers refused to heed caution, they should call FRSC toll free number 122 for necessary disciplinary action against such erring drivers.

  • Expulsion: PDP writes INEC, DSS, Police over Kashamu, others

    …As Senator rejects expulsion from party
    The National Headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Department of State Security Service (DSS) and the Police Command in Ogun State, notifying each of them of the expulsion of Senator Buruji Kashamu and three others from the party.
    Senator Kashamu representing Ogun East Senatorial district at the Senate, factional Chairman of PDP in Ogun State, Engr. Bayo Dayo,  and two others were expelled from the party weeks  ago by the PDP National leadership for alleged anti – party activities but Kashamu and Dayo rejected the expulsion, dismissing it last Thursday as a ruse and illegality that shall not stand.
    The Senator and Dayo Bayo insisted that they remained full – ledge member of PDP, saying a subsisting court order protects their membership.
    However, in a letter  by the PDP National Legal Adviser, Emmanuel Enoidem,  dated August 1 and addressed separately to the trio of the  Resident Electoral Commissioner, the State Director of DSS and the Commissioner of Police in the state, the party said the expelled persons have ceased to be members of PDP.
    In the said letter, the party recalled that the National Executive Committee (NEC) at its 80th meeting held on July 23, expelled the quartet of Kashamu, the factional state chairman and secretary, Bayo Dayo and Semiu Sodipo, respectively and Segun Seriki, for “various infractions and violations of express provisions of the constitution of the party 2017 (as amended).”

    Read also:Kashamu holds Mega rally, rejects expulsion by PDP

     “Grateful, we write to bring to your notice and information that on July 23, 2018, the 80th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC)  of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expelled Senator Buruji Kashamu, Mr.  Semiu Sodipo,  Engr. Bayo Dayo and Segun Seriki, from the party for various infractions  and violations of express provisions of the Constitution of the party 2017 (as amended).
    “Accordingly, they have ceased to be members of our party forthwith and lost all rights and or privileges, to act or represent the party in any capacity whatsoever. The extract of the 80th meeting of the NEC is attached for your perusal,” the letter reads.

  • Expulsion: PDP formally writes INEC, DSS, Police over Kashamu, others

    …As Senator rejects expulsion from party

     

    The National Headquarters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has formally written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Department of State Security Service (DSS) and the Police Command in Ogun State, notifying each of them of the expulsion of Senator Buruji Kashamu and three others from the party.

    Senator Kashamu representing Ogun East Senatorial district at the Senate, factional Chairman of PDP in Ogun State, Engr. Bayo Dayo,  and two others were expelled from the party weeks  ago by the PDP National leadership for alleged anti-party activities but Kashamu and Dayo rejected the expulsion, dismissing it last Thursday as a ruse and illegality that shall not stand.

    Read Also:Kashamu rejects expulsion by PDP leadership

    The Senator and Dayo Bayo insisted that they remained full – ledge member of PDP, saying a subsisting court order protects their membership.

    However, in a letter by the PDP National Legal Adviser, Emmanuel Enoidem, dated August 1 and addressed separately to the trio of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, the State Director of DSS and the Commissioner of Police in the state, the party said the expelled persons have ceased to be members of PDP.

    In the said letter, the party recalled that the National Executive Committee (NEC) at its 80th meeting held on July 23, expelled the quartet of Kashamu, the factional state chairman and secretary, Bayo Dayo and Semiu Sodipo, respectively and Segun Seriki, for “various infractions and violations of express provisions of the constitution of the party 2017 (as amended).”

    “Grateful, we write to bring to your notice and information that on July 23, 2018, the 80th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) expelled Senator Buruji Kashamu, Mr.  Semiu Sodipo, Engr. Bayo Dayo and Segun Seriki, from the party for various infractions and violations of express provisions of the Constitution of the party 2017 (as amended).

    “Accordingly, they have ceased to be members of our party forthwith and lost all rights and or privileges, to act or represent the party in any capacity whatsoever. The extract of the 80th meeting of the NEC is attached for your perusal,” the letter reads.

  • Two die, two other injured in Ogun road accidents

    Two persons, including a woman, died on Wednesday in accidents that occurred separately on roads in Ogun state.

    The first accident which occurred in Owode – Ijako corridor of the old Lagos – Abeokuta road, left a motorcyclist dead when a hit – and – run vehicle knocked him down atop his Boxer motorcycle with registration number QS291AGL.

    It was learnt that the remains of the motorcyclist have been kept at the morgue of the State Hospital, Ifo.

    Also, the second accident which involved  a Hyundai car marked  KJA 256 CK  and a parked truck with registration number FST 202 XT) resulted in the death of a woman and injury to two other persons.

    Read Also: Four die in Ogun road accidents

    The Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps(TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi,  who confirmed the separate accidents, said while first accident was the result of reckless driving by a hit – and – run vehicle, the second one followed a “loss of control.”

    According to Akinbiyi, the “Hyundai car ran into a parked truck after losing control” of the wheel.

    He said the remains of the dead have been taken to the State General Hospital, Isara, while the accident vehicles were towed to Ode – Remo Police station, Ogun State.

  • 2019: ‘Ogun APC should let people pick governorship candidate’

    Former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Senator Gbenga Kaka, on Monday appealed to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to give the people free hands to decide who should fly the party’s governorship ticket in 2019.

    Kaka said that a free and fair primaries where party members enjoyed the freedom to select a formidable, popular and strong governorship candidate that could  match the opposition, would ensure the victory of APC  and its governorship candidate in 2919 governorship race in the state.

    The Senator who represented the Ogun East at the Senate from 2011 – 2015, made this known while addressing reporters  at the Abeokuta Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, advising that the choice of who becomes the party’s governorship candidate must not a product of bedrooms decision or one restricted to zoning formula.

    According to him, the process must give room for an all inclusive decision so as not to shut out the best man for the job.

    Kaka stated this to declare his ambition to run for the governorship of the state in 2019.

    He pleaded with  the party leadership in the state not to allow any part feel inferior as every section of Ogun State is well endowed and has all it takes to rule the state.

    Read Also: Kwara APC stakeholders seek dissolution of excos

    “If it has been by zoning, I am sure Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo with all his celebrated legacies across the South West would never have made it. In any case, I am not aware of any zoning because the national body of our party is yet to release the guidelines for the election. So, when we get to the bridge, we shall cross it,” he said.

    He denied being sponsored for the governorship ambition for political negotiations by the former governor of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, saying  his desire to be next governor of the state was not a do or die affair and that it is an ambition being purely driven by overwhelming need to harness the potentials of the state for its further growth and development.

    He promised to run a government that will assiduously work to defeat poverty among the people, restore hope to the hopeless in the society, pay the workers and pensioners as and when due, equip the schools with cutting edge facilities, provide affordable qualitative health care services as well as development of the agricultural sector among others.

  • I wear white hijab to kill targets, says 20-year-old cultist

    Admits four murders, earns N10,000 for each

     

    A 20-year-old woman, Mariam Abiola, arrested by police operatives attached to Ilasa Division, Lagos, on Monday said she killed four people between December last year and last week.

    Abiola, who said she joined the Eiye confraternity after fleeing from her parent’s home at Abeokuta, Ogun State, told reporters she usually wore wore Jalabilia and hijab to assassinate her targets to cover the gun.

    According to her, she was an armourer for the cult group as well as an execution, adding that they usually gave her the picture of a target and identify the person’s house.

    Abiola said she was paid N10,000 for each of the four persons she killed for her group at Ilasa, adding that one Sadiq, taught her how to shoot a gun.

    She said:  ”I ran away from my house in Lafenwa Abeokuta to Lagos to look for work. I met one Mr. Sodiq when I got to Lagos. He took me to his house at Ilasamaja and initiated me into Eiye cult group.

    “He took me to an herbalist, who gave me a black substance to eat. He told me that their work was about killing people. He gave me a gun and taught me how to shoot. I learnt how to shoot by shooting on the wall.

    “I shot on the wall three times before I learnt how to shoot. Brother Sodiq gave three of us guns and pictures of persons to kill. He trained three of us. Two boys and myself.

    Read Also: Eight nabbed as suspected cultists clash

    “I have killed four persons. Each time that I want to go for the killing, I usually wear a white gown and a white veil (Hijab). Brother Sodiq usually showed us the target’s house.

    “We go to the house at night. The two boys will scale the fence and open the gate for me. We go straight to the apartment and shoot at the target at close range. None of our targets survived. I killed one guy at Fadeyi area of Lagos, another one at Hassan in Ilasa, one at Ajeh. “Each time we killed someone, brother Sodiq would pay me N10,000 but he would pay the others N20,000 each. I do not feel bad after killing anyone because I see it as a job I paid to do. ”

    Parading the suspect, Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal advised parents to monitor their wards.

    He said: “It is worrisome. Her confessions are startling, chronicling the number of killings. Apart from being an assassin, she was also an armourer for the gang.”