The Nation Newspaper

Tag: OSUN

  • Osun monarch seeks security surveillance over herdsmen invasion

    Osun monarch seeks security surveillance over herdsmen invasion

    An Osun state monarch, Owa Miran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, has appealed to the state government for special security surveillance in his community to prevent herders’ invasion.

    Oba Adediran, the monarch of a border community in Obokun local government area, Osun state, ahead of the influx of herders in search of pasture during the dry season, made the appeal.

    The monarch during a programme organised by a non-government organization, Edward Omotoso Foundation to distribute grants to 106 businesswomen in the community, said: “The government knows the best thing to do ahead of the dry season when herdsmen will be invading our community, it has been affecting us yearly, the farmers are not happy to farm again, people are not ready to struggle again to get food, so we have been starving.

    Read Also: I’m a comedian in Nigeria, professor in United States – Helen Paul

    “The government should help us by trying whatever they can do to prevent insecurity in the community ahead of the dry season. The government should help us to have a special patrol that will see to this. Government can do this.”

    Speaking about the programme, he commended the organiser of the programme Barrister Edward for alleviating poverty in his community and helping students of the community to secure scholarships.

    Earlier, the organizer of the empowerment programme, Edward Omotoso who was represented by Mr. Joshua Babajide said 106 businesswomen were carefully selected in the community for the grant, noting that “businesswomen are selected because they are the ones that hold homes and families together by ensuring that the children are well fed among others. I urge you to make judicious use of the grants.”

  • Osun youths warn against misinformation about Oyetola

    Osun youths warn against misinformation about Oyetola

    Youths of the Iragbiji community, the headquarters of Boripe local government areas of Osun state, have issued a stern warning to traducers of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

    The youths under the aegis of Iragbiji Youths Association led by its president, Prince Adekunle Oyediran, and the secretary, Comrade Adeshina Babatunde, in a release on Sunday, November 12, also urged members of the community to remain steadfast and pray for the success of the Osun ex-governor at the ministry he was assigned to by President Bola Tinubu.

    The statement was made ahead of the 2023 Iragbiji celebration, saying that under his administration as the Osun state governor, Oyetola demonstrated his commitment to the community by ensuring the inclusion of Iragbiji indigenes in his cabinets and as an aide in various agencies.

    Read Also: I’m a comedian in Nigeria, professor in United States – Helen Paul

    It said: “We applaud his efforts in facilitating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) projects for Iragbiji land, showcasing his commitment to the town. Notably, the appointments and projects reflect his vision for an inclusive and prosperous Iragbiji. In his current role as the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola has continued to prioritize the welfare of Iragbiji youths.

    “We appeal to all Iragbiji youths to remain calm and resilient, standing firm against any attempt by detractors to sow seeds of discord. Let us not be swayed by misinformation, for Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola. We warn those doing that to desist.”

    It added that Oyetola rectified the misuse of road funds by an Iragbiji-born Senator who failed to complete vital infrastructure in the town, saying, “Oyetola completed Osogbo-Kelebe- Iragbiji road in record time to correct the mistake of the past.”

  • Herbalist, community leaders get five years for defrauding Osun ex-speaker

    Herbalist, community leaders get five years for defrauding Osun ex-speaker

    A Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo has sentenced a herbalist, a community leader, a prince and others to five years imprisonment each for publishing nude video of ex-Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoye, on the internet and defrauding him of N38million.

    A 13-second video of Owoeye had gone viral in 2018 where he appeared unclad, bathing in a market area. It was alleged that the speaker was performing ritual to avert death when he was accosted by community members of Osunjela in Osun State.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Court sentences herbalist, five others to five-year imprisonment for defrauding Osun ex-speaker N38m

    Subsequently, Kazeem Agbabiaka, Femi Oyebode, Abdul-Rasheed Ojonla, Babatunde Oluajo, Adebiyi Kehinde, Oyebanji Oyeniyi and Ismaila Azeez were arraigned at a magistrates’ court after which they were transferred to the Federal High Court on October 19, 2018.

    During the trial, the prosecution counsel led by the Assistant Director, Public Prosecution, Moses Faremi, told the court that the accused committed the offence of fraud, conspiracy and cyber-stalking between April and July 2018.

  • JUST IN: Court sentences herbalist, five others to five-year imprisonment for defrauding Osun ex-speaker N38m

    JUST IN: Court sentences herbalist, five others to five-year imprisonment for defrauding Osun ex-speaker N38m

    A Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo has sentenced six individuals including a herbalist, to five years imprisonment each for publishing a nude video of ex-speaker of Osun Assembly, Timothy Owoye on the internet after defrauding him of N38million.

    The Nation recalled that a 13-second video of Timothy Owoeye had gone viral in 2018 where he appeared unclad and bathing in a market area.

    It was alleged that the speaker was performing a ritual to avert death when he was accosted by community members of the Osunjela area of Osun State.

    Subsequently, the convicts; Kazeem Agbabiaka, Femi Oyebode, Abdul-Rasheed Ojonla, Babatunde Oluajo, Adebiyi Kehinde, Oyebanji Oyeniyi and Ismaila Azeez were arraigned before a Magistrate court before they were transferred to Federal High court on October 19, 2018.

    During the trial, the prosecution counsel led by the Assistant Director of Public Prosecution, Moses Faremi tendered 57 exhibits which included bank statements of three commercial banks where the money of fraud was received, a flash drive, a compact disc, a wooden box, $100, gun among others before the court.

    Similarly, six witnesses testified against the convicts including the ex-speaker, Timothy Owoeye, an Investigating Police Officer and four bankers.

    While delivering his judgement on Tuesday, November 7, Justice Emmanuel Ayoola convicted six of them over the alleged offences bothering on bordering on conspiracy, advance-free fraud, and cyberstalking among others.

    Read Also: FULL LIST: Seven lawmakers sacked by Appeal Court

    Agbabiaka (herbalist), Oyebode (community leader), Ojonla (community leader) and Babatunde (Prince) were convicted of conspiracy and advance-free fraud while Adebiyi was convicted of cyberstalking.

    However, Justice Ayoola discharged Oyeniyi on the case of conspiracy levelled against him.

    Justice Ayoola established that the convicts swindled the ex-speaker of N38 million and also posted his nude video on the internet which caused him (Owoeye) to ridicule.

    While giving allocutus, the legal counsel to the convicts pleaded with the judge to tamper justice with mercy on the ground that they were first-time offenders and family men.

    Justice Ayoola later sentenced all the convicts to 5 years imprisonment each.

  • Osun govt, PDP’s affairs conducted in private residence, says Babayemi

    Osun govt, PDP’s affairs conducted in private residence, says Babayemi

    Dotun Babayemi, a former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed his concerns about the governance of Osun State and the party being managed from a private residence located outside the state capital, Osogbo.

    Babayemi, who is one of the foremost leaders of PDP, also urged the current government to acknowledge Osogbo as the state capital by relocating government activities to the official governor’s office and residence within the city.

    The PDP chieftain, while featuring on a private radio, Diamond FM in Ilesa, Osun State monitored by our correspondent on Wednesday held that, “The way they run PDP affairs in Osun is not good enough. When some aggrieved members of the PDP wanted to protest against an appointment, they protested at a private residence where the affairs of the party were being run.

    “Those who are aggrieved are the people who are against the bad way of how the party is been run. They are only carrying a few people along in the running of the party in a private residence.

    He stated: “It is almost a year now, I don’t think they are making any decisions in the government house and office, we want the government to come to Osogbo which is the capital.

    Read Also: Babayemi’s faction laments victimisation in Osun PDP 

    “I urge Governor Ademola Adeleke to seek advice from the party elders, he should bring everybody together in the party and state. In PDP, six people from Osun are members of the Board Trustees which are: ex-governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Shuibu Oyedokun, Senator Olu Alabi, Tajudeen Oladipo, Erelu Olusola Obada…What is the contribution of these elders to this government? They can’t be part of this government and things are going the way it is in the party today.”

    Babayemi affirmed that he is still a member of the party but berated the leadership of the party for shutting out people from the party.

    However, when the Chairman of PDP, Sunday Bisi was contacted for a reaction, he did not respond to his call as the phone rang out of time. He did not respond to text messages put forward to his line.

  • Osun retirees slump at staff audit

    Osun retirees slump at staff audit

    Three Osun State pensioners yesterday slumped during the ongoing staff audit ordered by the state government. 

    Our reporter, who was at the Centre for Black Culture, Osogbo, venue of the exercise, observed that about 1,500  pensioners were on the premises. 

    The aged pensioners were under the scorching sun to wait for their turn when officials would call them for registration.

    Read Also: Two dead, four injured as church collapses in Osun

    During the exercise, the retirees lamented that the exercise was slow and the process subjected them to hardship. Three of the pensioners slumped during the staff audit. 

    However, the state medical team under the services of Osun Ambulance revived the pensioners and stabilised them. 

    Contacted, the state Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Dele Aina, said he had been informed of the incident, adding: “I am going to see the affected pensioners.”

  • Two dead, four injured as church collapses in Osun

    Two dead, four injured as church collapses in Osun

    Two persons have been killed, while four others were injured as a church building collapsed in Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government of Osun State.

    It was gathered that the owner of the building was among the two people that died during the collapse at Eweta area of Ikirun around 6:45pm on Wednesday. 

    A resident of the area simply identified as Dayo said four people, who were site workers, were trapped before some people in the neighbourhood rescued them from the debris and took them to hospital. 

    Read Also: We will deal with any officer linked to illegal oil bunkering, says Rivers NSCDC

    Confirming the incident, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) spokesperson Mrs. Kehinde Adeleke said: “A storey building being used as a church collapsed on Wednesday at exactly 6:45pm. The building is under construction, as workers were working as at the time it collapsed. 

    “Two women died this morning; one of them is the owner of the building. Four persons, who were trapped under the debris, are receiving treatment in hospital. All of them are in critical condition.”

  • Two die, four injured in Osun church collapse

    Two die, four injured in Osun church collapse

    Two people died while four others were critically injured when a church building collapsed in Ikirun, headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State.

    It was gathered the owner of the building was among the deceased.

    The church was said to have collapsed at Eweta area of Ikirun around 6:45pm on Wednesday.

    A resident of the area, Dayo, said that four people identified as site workers were also trapped before some in the neighbourhood rescued them from the debris.

    Read Also: Osun to recruit additional 700 corps into Amotekun

    Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC), Mrs Kehinde Adeleke, said: “A storey building being used as church collapsed on Wednesday at exactly 6:45 PM. The building is still under construction as workers are still working as at the time the building collapsed.

    “Two women died this morning, one them is the owner of the building. Four people who were trapped under the debris are receiving treatment in hospital. All of them are in critical condition.”

  • Osun State’s Courage & Character out

    Osun State’s Courage & Character out

    As Osun State clocks 32 on 27 August, a publishing outfit, The Erudio Alphabet Company, has  released an epochal book on its evolution. Entitled Courage & Character: The Definitive History of Osun State, the 460-page coffee table book recounts the history of the struggle of the people for their state till military president Gen Ibrahim Babangida, acceded in 1991. The book covers the activities of the various administrations, concluding with that of Rauf Aregbesola.

    There are sections on the governments of Col Leo Ajiborisha, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, and the military interregnum featuring Colonel Abel Akale, Navy Captain Anthony Udofia, Lt Col Anthony Obi, Col Theophilus Olufemi Bamigboye. The administration of Chief Bisi Akande brought back the civilians.  The book Courage and Character has extensive documentation on the government of Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Rauf Aregbesola.

    The book is dedicated to “The Omoluabi of Osun” described as “brave hearts, unrelentingly optimistic, and flinty in their determination” and “to the abiding memory of the first executive governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke”.

    Courage & Character is Volume One of the Osun Trilogy. It offers a rich narrative in four parts. President Muhammadu Buhari wrote the foreword, and immediate past governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola authored the preface. Sections include the story of Abdulsalami Agbaje, an Ibadan high chief, described as “the unlikely catalyst” for creating the Oshun Division following a gang-up by the Ibadan nobility in the 1940s. There are accounts of the struggle, the creation of the state, and the highlights of each state administrator or governor from 1991 to 2018.

    According to The CEO of Erudio Alphabet, Temitope Lakisokun, “the Osun story is essentially about a people’s rejection of subjugation and oppression; their quest for independence and sovereignty, and the struggle for survival and relevance.”

  • Communal clash: Osun reduces curfew in two councils to 12 hours 

    Communal clash: Osun reduces curfew in two councils to 12 hours 

    Barely five days after a 24-hour curfew was imposed on Irepodun and Orolu local governments, over the clash between Ilobu and Ifon communities, Osun State Government has adjusted the restrictions to 12 hours. 

    The Nation recalls that communal clashes occurred last Wednesday, which resulted in the killing of eight persons. Houses were razed and belongings worth millions of Naira were destroyed.

    The state government through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, hinged the adjustment of the curfew on the peace that had been recorded so far in the area. 

    He said: “Based on the recent peace agreement signed by Ifon and Ilobu communities of Orolu and Irepodun local governments, the Governor Ademola Adeleke administration is happy to state that the two communities are gradually embracing the need to engender peace and harmony. 

    “Premised on this, Governor Adeleke has relaxed the 24-hour curfew to 12 hours daily, beginning from 6pm to 6am. 

    Read Also: Osun workers demand pay rise from Adeleke after FG’s nod to N35,000 reward

    “The Joint Security Task Force comprising the Army, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agents should, however, continue their 24-hour surveillance of Ifon, Ilobu and Olokanla communities.”

    He noted that the people of the two local governments should go about their activities without any fear, as their security is guaranteed. 

    He said: “Anyone or group of persons found or caught doing or instigating any act knowingly or unknowingly, to mortgage the lasting peace being currently envisioned in the warring communities, would be made to face the music.”