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Tag: OSUN

  • Adeleke: Osun sets up inquest

    Adeleke: Osun sets up inquest

    An inquest into the death of Osun State’s first civilian governor, Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke, was announced yesterday.

    A “special statement” by the state government said the move became imperative to put the record straight, following the disruption of the burial arrangements by some “miscreants masquerading as mourners”.

    The statement alleged that the unruly behaviour of the self-acclaimed mourners stopped friends and political associates from paying their last respects to the late Adeleke, who until his death at 62 on April 23, was the Senator representing Osun West District.

    The statement reads: “We are still in shock and great pain over the transition of our friend, associate and brother, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke.  He was a prominent son of our state and its first democratically elected governor.

    “Until his death, he was the senator representing Osun West in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He was an astute and colourful politician and a generous personality. He was gregarious, enthusiastic and full of life and zest. His death is therefore shocking and totally unexpected.

    “The State Government of Osun had intended to give him a befitting state burial which he rightly deserved and which the state had prepared to undertake.

    “Regrettably, however, the enemies of the state, through brigandage, violence and evil machinations, created an atmosphere of fear and terror in the minds of our citizenry and friends throughout the federation.

    “Immediately the news of his demise filtered in, a band of vagabonds, crying more than the bereaved, took to the streets, looting and wreaking havoc. Journalists were roughened and their equipment damaged. Important dignitaries that came for the burial were equally molested by these thugs.

    “Senator Adeleke was a man of peace. He preached peace and lived it through his life. He left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because he could not stand violence. This was after he was beaten up by some leaders of the PDP during a meeting in a hotel in Osogbo.

    “It is a profound irony and most unfortunate therefore that a few disgruntled elements purporting to protest his death desecrated his funeral with violence and attacks on innocent persons. They dishonoured him and did his memory a great disservice by keeping his friends, political associates and well-wishers away from his burial.

    “In the light of this, the State Government of Osun, using the instrumentality of the law, is setting up an inquest to unravel the circumstances of this unfortunate and sad incident, in order to put the record straight on his death.

    “We continue to mourn the untimely death of Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke. He is irreplaceable in our hearts.  We commiserate with his family, the good people of Ede, associates, friends, constituents and generality of our peopleon the passage of this patriot. As we pray for the repose of his soul, we equally pray for the strength to bear this heavy loss.”

  • Osun APC: Yusuf’s claim of death threat unfounded

    Osun APC: Yusuf’s claim of death threat unfounded

    Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC) has said House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Lasun Yusuf’s claim of threat to his life ahead of next year’s governorship election in the state is unfounded.

    In a statement by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi, the party said the allegation that some APC leaders in Osun State were after Yusuf’s life was baseless.

    It denied Yusuf’s claim, through one of his aides, Dr Remi Ajala, that he and late Senator Isiaka Adeleke were singled out and warned not to contest in next year’s governorship poll.

    The statement said: “The attention of the leadership of APC in the State of Osun has been drawn to a release issued by Dr Aderemi Suleiman Ajala on behalf of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Lasun Yusuf, on the threat to his life, among all other allegations which are unfounded and baseless; they are of no security concern, to say the least.

    “We hereby state unequivocally that the Deputy Speaker and his band of delusional propagandists are mere opportunists clustering to the death of our late party leader and illustrious son of Ede, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, to make smokescreen names and score undue political relevance for themselves.

    “To all intent and purposes, the deputy speaker has once again demonstrated to the teeming populace that he is a mischievous and a mere opportunist, who lacks the deserving respect for the dead and cannot stand by the etiquette and traditional norms of our rich cultural heritage as Yoruba-speaking people.

    “Setting the records straight: the executive of the Osun State APC, in line with the tenets of democratic principles entrenched in the ideology of our great party and in order not to distract the business of developmental governance and fulfilment of our electioneering promises, as contained in our manifesto, issued an advisory notice to all intending governorship aspirants for the 2018 election to wait until there are clear guidelines and directives by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). As such, the claim by Yusuf, that himself and the late Adeleke were singled out and warned, is a blatant lie and a template to deceit.

    “Without searching further, Yusuf has shown to us that he is the chief sponsor and promoter of the irritating blackmail against the government of the state of Osun, that the late senator of Osun West Senatorial District was poisoned, which he said caused his death. This is illogical and irresponsible.

    “It is quite unfortunate that someone who rode on the popularity and acceptability of our party to get to National Assembly could fabricate tissues of lies against the government and leadership of the party. We only wish to advise the lawmaker to simply retrace his steps, if truly he is still a member of the Osun APC.”

     

  • Four suspects held in Osun

    The policemen in Osun State yesterday paraded a four-man gang of suspected kidnappers in Osogbo, the state capital.
    The command said they were arrested in the early hours of “today (yesterday) while going for their illegal business”.
    Police spokesperson Sade Odoro, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the suspects engaged the police in a gun duel.
    She said: “The (suspected) kidnappers met their waterloo when a team of policemen waylaid them while on their way for an operation. The suspects were pursued by the police and apprehended after an exchange of gunfire between them and the police.”
    According to her, the police had been on the trail of the gang.
    Odoro said one of the suspects escaped.
    The spokesman said the gang abducted a seven-year-old girl and demanded N250,000 ransom from her parents during their last operation.
    She said: “One seven-year-old child and her mother were kidnapped at Dada Estate in Osogbo while the victims packed to buy some items. But later, the mother was dropped on the expressway by the kidnappers. The suspects demanded N250,000 ransom from the parents of the victim and, after the money was paid, the little girl was freed.”

  • Ex-Osun State Governor Isiaka Adeleke dies at 62

    Ex-Osun State Governor Isiaka Adeleke dies at 62

    ISIAKA Adetunji Adeleke, first civilian governor of Osun State, senator and philanthropist, is dead.

    He died early yesterday at Biket Medical Centre, Osogbo, the state capital, where he was rushed to after complaining of stomach upset. He was 62.

    His death, coming less than 24 hours after attending a social function at Kuta, Ile-Ogbo in the Ayedire Local Government Area of the state, sparked protests by some youths, who alleged that no food poisoned.

    A family source said the Ede-born senator complained of serious stomach upset and asked one of his aides to fetch his younger sister, Dupe.

    A domestic staff told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Adeleke attended a meeting till 2am yesterday before retiring to bed.

    The source further explained that the deceased attended burial and wedding ceremonies in Guta and Iwo on Saturday.

    His doctor was said to have been invited early in the morning when Adeleke complained of leg pains.

    According to the source, the doctor gave him an injection and left only to be called back after the senator complained of stomach ache.

    The town’s youths took to the streets in protest of the sudden death of former governor, blocking the Osogbo-Gbongan Road through Akoda/Sekona. Motorists were stuck in the traffic congestion.

    The youths claimed that the senator representing Osun West was poisoned at the social function he attended the previous day.

    Some motorists were forced to hang leaves on their vehicles as a mark of solidarity with the youths to escape being assaulted.

    The protesters went to Owode Market, about 10 kilometres from Ede, home town of the late politician, where they attacked traders and shoppers.

    At Adeleke’s Ede country home, family members, friends and political associates were in tears.

    At exactly 1.00pm, his body was brought to his home in a wine Toyota Sienna bus. But, it was learnt that his younger brother, Deji, who was not around, directed that the body should be returned to the hospital for an autopsy.

    Based on the instruction, the body was taken to Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

    Adeleke, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progresives Congress (APC) in 2014 to become a senator for the third time.

    A family source said he was complaining of stomach upset.

    Besides, he was said to be complaining of pains in one of his legs. He was rushed to the hospital at 6.00am and died few hours after admission.

    Adeleke was governor on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) between 1992 and 1993. He was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from 2003 to 2011.

    He attempted to run for governor on the platform of the PDP in 2014 but was stopped in controversial circumstances by the party.

    Adeleke defected to the APC where he was given the ticket to run for Senate in 2105.

  • Youths protest Adeleke’s death, allege poisoning

    Youths protest Adeleke’s death, allege poisoning

    The youths of Ede in Osun State on Sunday took to the streets to protest the sudden death of former governor of the state, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke.

    The protesters went to Owode Market, which is about ten kilometers from Ede, home town of the late politicians to attack traders and those who had come to buy goods from the market.

    People were reportedly assaulted for patronising the market when Adeleke had been announced dead.

    Many were said to have run inside the bush and churches around the market to escape beating from the hoodlums.

    Travellers along Osogbo-Gbongan high way via Akoda/Sekona were held up in a heavy traffic caused by the irate youths claiming that the maevric politician was poisoned at a social function he attended in Kuta-Ogbo in Ayedire Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.

    Some motorists were forced to stick leaf on their vehicles in solidarity and to escape assault from the irate youths.

    At Adeleke’s Ede country home, family members, family friends and political associates were in tears mourning his loss.

    At exactly 1.00 p.m. his remains arrived his Ede home in a wine Sienna bus but it was learnt that his younger brother, Deji, who was not aroind gave an instruction that his corpse should be returned to the hospital for an authopsy before burial.

    Based on the instruction, his body was taken back to Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

    The first civilian governor of Osun State died in the early hours of yesterday at the age of 62.

  • Adeleke’s death shocking, sad – Ajimobi

    Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State  has described the death of the first civilian governor of Osun  and serving senator, Isiaka Adeleke, as shocking, disheartening and sad.

    In a statement issued on Sunday in Ibadan by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr  Yomi Layinka, the governor said he received the news of Adeleke’s sudden death with shock and disbelief.

    Adeleke  died in the early hours of Sunday at a private hospital in Osogbo after succumbing to a protracted ailment.

    The governor described the late senator as a celebrated and committed politician, distinguished senator, grassroots mobiliser, socialite and great philanthropist.

    Ajimobi said:  “When the news filtered in that Sen.  Adeleke was dead, l was extremely shocked and amazed.

    “  I found it very difficult to believe, because he was bubbling with life when l saw him last.

    “Sen.  Adeleke was one person l admired for being a fine politician who committed his life to the service of humanity and his native Ede land.

    “Right from his days as the first elected governor of Osun State up till his death, he never wavered in stretching his helping hands to the poor and the needy.

    “His role in the dominance of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, from when he decided to team up with the progressives, till death, is noteworthy.

    “ Sen.  Adeleke was an asset to our party. He will be greatly missed.”

    Ajimobi also commended the late senator’s contributions to debates on the floor of the Upper Chamber, which, he said, contributed immensely to quality legislation by the National Assembly.

    The governor expressed the regret that Adeleke died  at a time  when  his wealth of experience was needed to salvage the country from its current socio-political challenges.

    “His sudden death is even more regrettable because the people of Osun State, members of the APC nationwide and indeed all Nigerians will henceforth miss his gregarious personality, his zeal for development as well as his great mobilisation skills,’’ he said.

    Ajimobi also prayed God to grant the soul of the late senator Aljanah firdous and the bereaved family and  friends the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • Adeleke epitomised unbridled patriotism- Buhari

    Adeleke epitomised unbridled patriotism- Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with Osun State Government and members of the National Assembly on the passing away of Senator Isiaka Adeleke on Sunday.
    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, sent his condolences to the family and friends of Adeleke.
    He noted that the gentle and kind hearted former Governor of Osun State had passionately and relentlessly championed the cause of the less privileged and most vulnerable in Nigeria.
    The President believed the sudden loss of the legislator will create a gap in the hallowed red chamber as Adeleke had always epitomized unbridled patriotism, maturity and experience, especially with his recent interest in the protection of whistle blowers.
    The President affirmed that Adeleke’s contribution to his state, as first elected governor, and the country will always be remembered by posterity.
    He prayed that the Almighty God will grant the soul of the departed eternal rest, and comfort the family.

  • APC mourns Adeleke, says he lived accomplished, impactful life

    APC mourns Adeleke, says he lived accomplished, impactful life

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has mourned the sudden death of the first civilian governor of Osun State and the party’s Senator representing Osun West Senatorial Zone, Alhaji Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke.

    In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party expressed deep sympathies to the immediate family, people and government of Osun State over late Adeleke’s death.

    APC said the late two-time Senator who served in the present 8th Senate as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market was a detrabalised Nigerian, a democrat, an astute grassroots politician and philanthropist who distinguished himself in all positions of service he occupied.

    ” The history of Osun State would be incomplete without copious reference to late Adeleke’s contributions to the State’s social, political and economic development as its first elected Governor.

    ” The Party recall with pride that the establishment of a polytechnic at Iree, a College of Technology at Esa-Oke and the completion of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) are some of the notable legacies the late Adeleke’s administration bequeathed during his short stint as governor of the then newly-created Osun State.

    ” He was exemplary as Chairman, Governing Council, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, University of Calabar, Nigeria as well as in several strategic Senate committees, viz: Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Integration and Cooperation, Housing and Air Force where he served as member. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the late Adeleke’s efforts at electoral reforms are noteworthy.

    “With the death of Senator Adeleke, Nigeria has indeed lost an illustrious son whose wealth of experience was still needed as the present APC-led administration works to restore the country to path of progress.

    “The Party is however consoled by the fact that the late Adeleke lived an accomplished and impactful life. May the Almighty God give the late Adeleke eternal rest and the family, the strength to bear the great loss,” Abdullahi stated.

  • Southwest governors set to tackle militants

    Southwest governors set to tackle militants

    SOUTHWEST governors are set to tackle militants who have made seaside communities unsafe.

    The governors of the six Southwest States of Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti are to meet in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital next Monday.

    They are to deliberate on measures to tackle the increasing challenges posed by the militants.

    According to the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, some of the thematic areas to be discussed include: “export development initiatives for the Western region, security, in view of the current contemporary unwholesome activities of some criminal elements parading themselves as militants now ravaging parts of the region.”

    The meeting, being convened under aegis of the South West Governors’ Forum, would also afford the governors opportunity to discuss the security of the zone “in view of the current contemporary unwholesome activities of some criminal elements parading themselves as militants now ravaging parts of the region.”

    In a statement, the SSG stated that the meeting would also evaluate the key areas of cooperation for the unity, progress and development of the region as well as collaboration that would engender good governance.

  • Osun govt. to provide farmers with cocoa seedlings

    The Osun Government has pledged to provide cocoa farmers in the state with 200,000 cocoa seedlings this year.

    The Coordinating Director, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Youth Engagement, Dr Bukola Aluko made the promise on Thursday, while speaking with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo.

    He said that the state government would also provide farmers with extension services and other facilities that would support and boost their productivity.
    “In helping to improve cocoa production in plantations across the state, the state government plans to provide farmers with 200,000 cocoa seedlings.
    “The process of making the seedlings available is ongoing and when the seedlings are ready, we will call on our farmers to come pick them at highly subsidised rates,” he said.
    Aluko also said that the state government had been allotting lands to farmers and individuals who were interested in farming so as to boost agriculture in the state.
    He said that the state government had set up some agencies to oversee land allocation processes and provide land to those who would use it purely for agricultural purposes.