The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Oyo state

  • NLC directs Oyo workers to proceed on indefinite strike

    The National Headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) in conjunction with the Oyo State Chapter on Monday have ordered workers in the state to begin an indefinite strike‎ from Tuesday.

    The NLC led by Mr Solomon Adelegan, the union’s National Vice-Chairman gave the directive after a congress held at the labour secretariat in Ibadan shortly after the seven labour leaders detained since Friday regained their freedom Monday.

    Adelegan said that the strike action would continue until the underlistd demands are met.‎

    Their listed demands includes:,” Immediate withdrawal of all trump-up charges leveled against the incarcerated labour leaders, Government must rescind its decision to sell-off any public schools in the state, Proper and adequate funding of the education sector including payment of living wages and other incentive for educational workers and Immediate Payment of 6 months outstanding salaries and all pension arrears‎ withdrawal of all trump-up charges leveled against the incarcerated labour leaders.”

    “The National Secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, is quick to bring to the notice of the general public of how the Oyo government went ahead early hour Monday 6th June, 2016 to mobilise hundreds of armed thugs  to Iyaganku magistrate court with a directive  to allegedly  attack innocent and law abiding workers whom are expected to be at the same magistrate court this morning to ensure the adequate perfection of bail conditions given towards the release of  the labour leaders who  had been incarcerated since Friday 3rd of June 2016 at Agodi prison, in Ibadan.

    Consequently, our members were beaten, harassed and intimated by these gangs of armed thugs.

    “This is a deliberate attempt to scare the workers away from the court premises with a view to frustrate the perfection of the bail conditions and ensure that our leaders continue to be incarcerated. It is also disheartening to state that students who also stormed the court premises in a protest against an attempt to sell off their schools to a handful of capitalist profiteers in the state were also tear gas by members of the Nigeria Police force.

    ‎We of the NLC, Oyo State council absolutely condemned this dastard and uncivilised approach of Senator Abiola-led government, at the same time, remain undaunted and no amount of persecution and intimidation is capable to deter us in the struggle to resist the sale of any of the public schools in the state.

    “Therefore, we call on the general public not to hesitate to hold Senator Ajimobi solely responsible should Oyo State be plunged into a state of uncontrollable anarchy as a result of his crude and uncivilised method of mobilising thugs and use of military force to silence the opposition voice against the anti-people plan to sell some leading secondary schools in the state under the pretence of private public partnership, PPP.,” he said

    Speaking after his release, Olojede said that the struggle continue, saying that their action was in support of the pronouncement of Education International, which orders that education was a social responsibility of government.

    He said that it is unfortunate that Gov. Abiola Ajimobi was planning to sell-off their schools to the political class, who had during their own time benefitted the free education initiated by late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    Olojede cautioned the prospective buyers of the school not to waste their money, calling on market women and men to join in the struggle against the selling of schools in the state.

    He urged the general public to always be wary of those to be elected in position of authority, so that they would not wake up one and find the entire state sold.

    The union leader urged workers in the state to comply with the sit at home until the union demands are met.

  • Herdsmen attacks: Lawmaker backs Ajimobi on ‘no free land’ declaration

    Herdsmen attacks: Lawmaker backs Ajimobi on ‘no free land’ declaration

    The senator representing Oyo South District, Adesoji Akanbi, Thursday lent support to the declaration by Governor Abiola Ajimobi that there was as no free land for grazing ranches in Oyo State.

    Akanbi, who condemned the attack by suspected herdsmen in Enugu on Monday, told The Nation that the activities of herdsmen across the country have become worrisome and need urgent attention.

    He punctured the proposal to set up grazing ranches in various communities across the country, saying it is not acceptable in Oyo State because of ownership of lands by the people of the state.

    Akanbi, who hailed President Buhari’s order to security chiefs to bring perpetrators of the Enugu attacks to book and prevent a recurrence, said the security of every Nigerian is the duty of the government.

    The senator said: “The attack on Enugu community is highly condemnable. But President Buhari’s order to arrest the perpetrators is also commendable. Yet, in Oyo State, our people are not ready to freely give their land for setting up of grazing ranches. Let the government find a suitable lasting solution to this menace; and the time is now. This was how Boko Haram started gradually. The government at all levels must be proactive in tackling this for citizens to live in safety in all nooks and crannies of Nigeria. It is their rights.”

  • Nigeria’s most insecure food zone

    The South West geopolitical zone of Nigeria is increasingly becoming the most insecure food zone of the country, Professor Akinwumi Omotayo, Director, Institute of Food Security, Environmental Resources and Agricultural Research (IFSERAR), at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, has said.

    Professor Omotayo disclosed this in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Tuesday in a keynote address at the 29th South West Zonal Workshop on Research-Extension-Farmers Input Linkage System (REFILS) of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Moor Plantation, Ibadan.

    In a thought-provoking lecture entitled “Repositioning Agricultural Extension for Sustainable Food Security in Nigeria”, he expressed grave concern over South West Nigeria’s continued dependence on imported food items and food from other regions of the country.

    While noting that a comprehensive analysis of the state of food insecurity and dependency in South Western Nigeria “portrays an extremely gloomy picture,” the Agric expert gave a vivid illustration of the estimated dependency levels with some major food commodities.

    The chart below is according to Prof Omotayo:

    The Prof said: “In the South Western part of Nigeria in particular, indigenous farmers are gradually disappearing, food production is declining rapidly, those once classified as migrant labourers are taking over farms and becoming landlords, wetlands are being taken over and farmed for huge profits by migrants particularly from Northern Nigeria.
    Young people are becoming increasingly apathetic and demonstrating complete lack of interest in farming.
    The South Western part of Nigeria continues to depend increasingly on imported food items and food from other regions of Nigeria.
    Consequently, the South West is increasingly becoming more vulnerable to food insecurity than other parts of Nigeria.”

    Shedding light on other factors inhibiting agricultural development in the South West, Professor Omotayo said: “Forests are being converted to non-food production systems, water resources are becoming scarcer, and climate change plus shrinking biodiversity is threatening the viability of farming communities.

    “Not much consideration has been given to how to safeguard biodiversity for food and agriculture for future generations as well as maintain a broad gene pool which ensures ecosystem’s resilience.”

    Speaking earlier, the Director of IAR&T, Professor James Adediran noted with delight that proven technologies from the Institute and other collaborating centres had been transferred to the extension of Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs) in the various states through the Monthly Technology Review Meetings.

    Professor Adediran however, called for increased funding for research activities in the on-going efforts to boost agricultural extension.

  • Kudos to Oyo State but…

    Kudos to Oyo State but…

    Whoever amongst you sees something wrong should endeavour to correct it with his hand (by removing it). If he is incapable of correcting it with his hand, let him correct it with his tongue (by condemning it). If he is still incapable of doing so let him effect the correction with his mind (by praying for its stoppage). However, the last option is the weakest of all.”

    Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

     

    Preamble

    Oyo State has proved to be Nigeria’s Pacesetter State indeed by introducing a bill to formally prohibit kidnapping in the State and to prescribe the commensurate penalty for any culprit.

    The bill which prescribes death sentence or life imprisonment for anybody who engages in kidnapping has been signed into law by Governor Ishak Abiola Ajimobi.

    The law also prescribes various jail terms for anybody found to be an accomplice directly or indirectly in the crime. The law is a bold step in stemming kidnapping as a crime in Oyo State.

    ‘The Message’ hereby joins millions of Nigerians to congratulate Oyo State government on this laudable step wishing the governor a successful implementation of the law.

     

    The need for amendment

    Pleasant as the law against kidnapping is, however, there may be need for an amendment to that law. There is another crime that is a deadly as kidnapping in our society today which ought to have been taken along in that law. That crime is rape.

    Looking at it from any angle, rape is like a scar which no dermatologist can obliterate from anybody’s skin. It is only those who experience it that can feel its impact.

    The rate of rape in Nigeria today is amazingly disturbing enough to warrant a law prohibiting it and prescribing a penalty for it similar to that of kidnapping.

    For those who have fallen victim of it, rape is an everlasting agony affecting both the mental being and the state of mind in terms of dignity.

    This is particularly true of innocent juvenile girls who are reportedly defiled in various parts of the country. While praising Oyo State government for championing the war against crimes, ‘The Message’ column hereby implores the Pacesetter State to please take a further by adding rape to it so that other states in the federation may follow suit. Kidnapping and rape are two of a kind in the realm of crimes.

     

    Animal Farm

    Here is the moment in the life of a country when any responsible newspaper    columnist must fall into a dilemma. A Yoruba (Apala) music maestro of late memory, Haruna Isola, once released a philosophical lyric in which he described the modern world as “tiptoeing on one of its two legs while the other (leg) remains hanging and virtually redundant”.

    That is the current situation of life in Nigeria where, like George Owens’s ‘Animal Farm’, the strong devours the weak with reckless impunity.

    “What can we say of a man who fixes his eyes on the sun but does not see it? He rather sees a chorus of flaming seraphim announcing a paroxysm of despair”. That is the parable of the country called Nigeria.

    Like the Israelites of yore, Nigerians of today have become gypsies wandering aimlessly in the wilderness of despair while wallowing helplessly in abject poverty and squalour even in the midst of abundance. This situation has catapulted the thought of crimes as a bailout to the front burner of our social life in many youths.

    Of the overwhelming crimes in Nigeria today, three are outstanding. The first is insurgency. The second is rape. The third is kidnapping. All of these are products of corruption, a canker-worm that has eaten very deeply into the fabric of Nigerian culture. Every criminal in the above itemised spheres is capitalising on the unbridled corruption in the land to engage in his or her branch of crime. But the focus here is rape.

    The dilemma of

    a columnist

    Today, so many disturbing issues are floating in the horizon to confirm an era of unbridled sadism in today’s Nigeria where religion and cultural pedigrees do not have any meaning any more. Thus, the thoughts and ideas of writing on current issues have become so clumsy that a columnist must fall into a dilemma.

    Nigerians of the present generation seem to be bent on interpolating their lifestyle with that of wild animals a euphemism for seeking ruins. In what looks like an animal zoo where no shame is reckoned with and no dignity is valued, crimes seem to have become the rule by which Nigerians of today live on a daily basis.

     

    Societal conspiracy

    The seeming indifference of the public to those crimes, especially the rampant rape of underage girls in the society, is suggestive of a tacit societal conspiracy.

    Even animals, whether domestic or wild, still maintain some level of morality in their relationship with one another. We may not know the details of the rule of engagement in the wild life but through our little familiarity with domestic animals, we can confirm that the adult ones among them do not rape the juvenile ones.

    Any good observer among men will notice that the lion or any carnivorous animal for that matter preys on a victim only in time of hunger. And as soon as it becomes satisfied, all other potential victims can move around freely without being preyed upon or harassed. This is not the case with human beings, especially those of Nigerian origin.

    An average Nigerian does not only greedily amass wealth for himself illegally. He also amasses wealth for his children and even, grand children as a provision for future comfort against imaginary poverty.

    This terrible greed has been carried into other spheres of life, including rape. Thus, some married men of advanced age believe that the only way of having a sexual taste of virginity is to rape innocent female juveniles since they had missed that opportunity in their wives. Some others satanically believe that virginity is a source of wealth which can be facilitated through the ritual means.

     

    Cases of rape

    Last week, the media was awash with the news of the arrest of 35-year-old Badmos Olajuwon, a fashion designer and husband of two wives, for allegedly raping an eight-year-old girl.

    The unfortunate incident, according to reports, occurred in Somolu area of Lagos State where the man was alleged to have forcefully defiled the innocent girl on her grandmother’s bed.

    Even an animal, no matter how wild, will not descend so low to do that. The unanswered question is this: what could have led a man of that age to think of raping a girl of that age where sanity still holds sway? Until the answer to this question is provided by the Nigerian society it may be difficult to believe that Nigeria remains a member of the civilised comity of nations.

     

    More examples

    Incidentally, last Wednesday again, another breaking news captured the vintage pages of national newspapers with the report of a 30-year-old truck pusher, Nurudeen Owolabi, who allegedly raped a 12-year-old girl in Bariga area also of Lagos State. Both Olajuwon and Owolabi have, as usual, blamed the devil for their devilish acts.

    There are thousands of similar cases reported and not reported in various parts of the country. The incidents of rape have become so rampant in Nigeria today that most people do not see them as an aberration while those crimes are being virtually accepted as a part of societal norm.

    On February 17,  a 51-year-old casket maker, Kayode Michael, was caught defiling an eight-year-old girl in Lagos. He is now serving a four-year jail term. His reason for engaging in such a devilish act was as usual, the devil.

    Also in 2015, a 60-year-old man, Edekin Ojaogbe, was paraded by the Edo State Police Command for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old girl. Confessing to the crime, Ojaogbe who disclosed that he was married with three children but his wife had left him said he slept with the teenage girl three times because he loved her. He eventually blamed the evil act on the devil.

     

    Involvement of clerics

    Rape cases, like many other crimes, have transcended cultural or religious borders in Nigeria even as they have betrayed the honour of age and maturity.

    In other words, the supposed messengers have betrayed the message they are expected to preach. But it is understandable that most cases of rape nowadays occur in the urban centers because majority of jobless men and women are resident in cities and towns.

    The satanic vice called rape is not new in any part of the world. If anything is new about it now, it must be its puzzling rising trend that is causing untold agony in many homes.

    Sometime in November 2015, Pastor Fidelis Eze (32) was reported to have defiled and impregnated an 11-year-old girl at Iju Ishaga, Lagos State. The incident became a court case but the innocent girl will live with the mental agony arising from it for the rest of her life. When asked what led him to the act, Eze blamed the act on the devil.

    And just a few days ago, Pastor Ifeanyi Bernard(46) was arrested in Karu, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, for allegedly defiling a 13-year-old girl. He also blamed the devil for that devilish act as he now answers questions in the court of law.

    In November 2015, a 40-year-old Muslim cleric, Alfa Abdullah Omobolaji, was arrested in Agege, Lagos State and charged to court for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl. The case is still on. While some scores of these cases are reported, hundreds of others are not. Yet, the crimes continue unabated.

     

    Other African countries

    In July 2013, a Pastor, Nana Akwesi Angyemang of Ghana, was jailed 15 years for raping eight juvenile girls, including a three year old. All the eight defiled juveniles were children of his church members.

    Also in Zambia, a 61-year-old evangelist, Elvis Katongo, was arrested and charged to court in June 2011 for defiling a teenage girl. In all these, no amount of sanction can compensate for the heinous crime.

    In 2014, a 73-year-old Kenyan Reverend Thomson Njoya was arrested for allegedly defiling his 18-month-old granddaughter.

    Reverend Njoya, who was very vocal in upholding democracy in Kenya in the 1980s and 1990s, confessed to the crime and was charged for the offence and convicted.

    Clerics in any country are supposed to be like salt of the society. Salt is supposed to stop other ingredients like locust beans, onion and pepper from getting spoilt. If salt shows traits of rottenness which other ingredient will be used to stop it from getting spoilt?

     

    People’s Wish

    Starting with Liberian Muslim leadership, many African Muslim communities, including those of Nigeria, have objected to sentencing rapists to just a few years of imprisonment.

    These communities believe that such a paltry sentence is an indirect encouragement for rape. They contend that crimes like rape, kidnapping and sodomy or lesbianism should carry the same penalty which is death or life imprisonment.

    They condemn the nonchalance and hypocritical attitude of some so-called human rights organisations which go about campaigning against death sentence as penalty for any crime.

    Such organisations should be watched very closely, they could be accomplices to the various heinous crimes in the society. ‘The Message’ column cannot agree less.

     

    Conclusion

    With the ongoing trend in crimes, especially with regards to rape and kidnapping, Nigeria as a country may be heading for doom and unless an urgent action is taken to stem that trend, such doom may become inevitable.

    About this, the Qur’an had long warned mankind to “fear a calamity that may descend, not only on those who caused it but also those who remain aloof while such a calamity is being caused. Go and know that Allah’s retribution can be severe”. See Qur’an 8 verse 25.

  • LAUTECH to graduate 10,317, 105 first class, 112 Ph.D

    LAUTECH to graduate 10,317, 105 first class, 112 Ph.D

    The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Oyo State, will on Friday graduate 10,317 students and  conferred first class honours on 105 graduands and 112 doctorate degrees on Post graduates students at its 13th convocation ceremony.

     

    The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Adeniyi Gbadegesin disclosed this while addressing journalists at press conference held at the newly built TETFUND hall, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, on Wednesday.

     

    Gbadegin disclosed that this year’s convocation ceremony commenced on April 15 and will end on Saturday April 23, with the university conferring honours on a total of 10,317 first degrees on persons for the award of degrees in both 2013/2014 and 2014 and 2014/2015 academic sessions.

     

    According to him, 105 make first class honours; 50 student’s in 2013/14 and 55 students in 2014/15 academic sessions, while for the first time LAUTECH crossed the 100 landmark for doctorate degrees with 112 students for Ph.D.

     

    Other categories  Gbadegesin said  includes; 2,434 students in the second class upper division, 5,527 students in Second class Lower Division, 1,692 in the Third Class Division, 122 in the Third Class Division and 437 in the unclassified category.

     

    The university don also disclosed  that Ige Olufemi Elijah of the Department of Mathematics and Sanni Saidat Abidemi of the department of Statistics emerged best graduating students for 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 respectively.

     

    Ige emerged with 4.85 Cumulative Grade Point of Average (CGPA), while Saidat emerged over all best student of the institution this session with 4.88 CGPA.

     

    Furthermore, the institution will also graduates a total of 14,349 individuals in postgraduates degrees on Saturday, April 23.

     

    On Thursday, April 21, the institution will hold its Convocation titled “Maintaining quality University of Technology in the 21st century: Leveraging globalisation, sustainability and technology” by an erudite Professor and Dean of the College of Management, University of Wisconsin-Stout, USA, Professor Abel Femi Adekola.

     

    He promised that the institution will not rest on its oars, that LAUTECH is not just creating the best in academics but the very best in our chosen specialisation of thinking for our nation.

     

    “As a University of Technology, the onus is on us to continue to develop ideas and systems that would steadily propel the country to greatness to such an extent that we will become self sustaining in food production, technological advancement and whatever other thing that enlists us among the comity of developed countries of the world.

     

    “More than anything else, we are believers in the “can do right” and are emboldened to rededicate ourselves to further drive the vision that will re-position our University as ‘primus inter pares’.”

     

    Gbadegesin further informed that the university has also “sought and got the approval of the National University Commission (NUC) for a licence for the Opena nd Distance Learning. The NUC, having been convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the University has the capacity to run the programme, granted the approval to enable us run Bachelor of Science Degree (B.Sc) programme in computer science through Open and Distance Learning while approval for other degree programme is being processed.”

  • Assault on doctor: UCH resident doctors demand justice

    The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), University College Hospital Branch, on Monday in Ibadan demanded justice from the hospital management in the case of assault of a resident doctor by a laboratory scientist.

    The doctors made the call in a statement, a copy of which was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    The statement was signed by Dr Luqman Ogunjimi and Dr Olusegun Olaopa, the association’s President and General Secretary respectively.

    It noted that it was not the first time a resident doctor would be assaulted by a laboratory scientist in the hospital.

    “On Friday March 18, 2016, a laboratory scientist at the Heamatology Department of UCH reportedly assaulted a resident doctor of the same department.

    “She was trying to retrieve from her a slide for a review for the treatment of a cancer patient,’’ the statement said.

    It added that the matter was immediately brought to the attention of the head of the department, who quickly referred it to the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee.

    “Accordingly, Dr Adefemi Afolabi, the CMAC, directed the Chief Security Officer of UCH to look into the matter.’’

    The association warned that the issue should not be swept under the carpet as it was done in the past.

    It added:“It is high time this aggression and undue violence against resident doctors and doctors in general at the UCH is fully addressed by management.’’

    NAN reports that in 2014 the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) said allegation of harassment and assault by the Medical and Dental Consultants Association (MDCAN) was unfounded.

    “ Medical laboratory scientists have always exercised restraint, show discipline and have approached the law courts for redress whenever they have are denied their rights.’’

     

  • Students protest as cultists clash at LAUTECH

    Students protest as cultists clash at LAUTECH

    Five months after the doom effect of the Three MOPOLS loom, on the student community of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomosho, Oyo state, another calamity befell the student community of the institution in just three days of resumption for a new academic session.

    On the 23rd of February, 2016, a bloody cult clash broke out at the Adenike area of the institution which claimed the life of a senior Man ‘O’ War member of the community while others were severely injured following sporadic shootings.

    The student populace of LAUTECH Ogbomosho, that resides at the Adenike Area of the non-residential institution live in fear as the community now turn to be den of cultist where criminal activities are been manifested.

    However, the crisis which started at Adenike area of the university, at quarter past 7 at night started as a simple argument between two cult groups who were identified to be Alora and Aiye confraternity who started attacking each other on the ever-busy street.

    A Man ‘O’ War member known as Issa Olatilewa tried intervening to keep peace unknown to him that they were cultists fighting each other. Together with his two friends Aimashaun Damola student of URP 200L and Oluwagbemiga Adams AERD 400L who were returning from school.

    On the spot, Issa Olatilewa was shot dead by a cultist of the popular (Sealord confraternity) with a pistol gun identified by another student, while Damola Animashaun was shot at the thigh.

    “Actually, I and my friends went to greet one of our bosses, and while coming back around 7.00pm, at a joint at Adenike called skushy joint. We saw some guys harassing a student.

    “As a Man O’ War, we defend students that cannot defend themselves. On the long run, a guy slapped one of my friends, Olatilewa, who is also a Man O War.

    “So, I was like why did you do this to my guy while we are like five then and trying to settle the issue, then the guy brought out a gun; very small and silvery and shot Olatilewa.

    “There was also another guy called Animashahun Damola of URP 200Level, who brought out his own weapon at about 8.00pm and he was going to shoot the guy but the gun was not working.

    “By this time, my friend assumed he could defeat the armed guy, but when he got closer and punched him, the gun exploded immediately and his trousers tore but the bullet did not penetrate.

    “I then tried to help him because he could not walk well again. I was going, Olatilewa could not walk again and very tired on the floor. We were standing opposite LAUTECH security post, and were communicating the security for help with the school van to move him to the hospital but they were busy questioning us and later told us the van was not available.

    “We later got a motorcycle that took us to the junction, then the man at the security post came to help while the guy was losing energy as we are transferring him from one bike to another.

    “It was at this time that the school van joined and helped us to the teaching hospital. In a short time, the SUG President Chief- in- Command LAUTECH Man ‘O’ War arrived and after telling him that one of our men was down, we then returned to arrest the person selling skushy and handed him over to SARS office.

    “We later saw the guys who shot there at myself and friends. Though, it was really dark by then but we could still recognize one of them in the reserve custody and they have confessed that they were the perpetrators,” Adams recounted

    He further noted that he does not know any of the cultists by name or by department.

    Adams then added: “The stands of Man ‘O’ War is to get rid of this people, we cannot cope anymore. This is not their first time, the person that that shot yesterday; this is the third time he will be killing in public”, Adams concluded.

    Following the incidents that led to the death of Olatilewa and others that were injured, all the paramilitary organizations on campus with the Students’ Union, rose up on a protest on Wednesday, hindering academic activities on the university campus.

    Similarly, all the entrances into the university campus were shot, denying the university staffs and other students entrance into the university. This lasted about an hour before the university’s Deputy Vice Chancellor went to plead with the protesters before they agreed to open the gate of the institution.

    The paramilitary organization were then invited for a security brief meeting, where the school’s management assured them that all would be under control as necessary security measures would be put in place soon.

  • Oyo Police arrest 11 robbery suspects, recovers 18 vehicles

    Oyo Police arrest 11 robbery suspects, recovers 18 vehicles

    Eleven suspected armed robbers currently terrorizing the residents of Ibadan and environs have been arrested by the Oyo state Police Command along with eighteen assorted vehicles recovered from armed bandits in different parts of the state.

    The suspects who were paraded before newsmen Monday at the state Police Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan included two ex-convicts who were released from prison few weeks ago.

    Speaking with newsmen Monday, the state Police Commissioner, Mr Leye Oyebade said all the suspects have given confessional statements and they would soon be arraigned in the court of law.

    While warning all criminally minded people to stay away from Oyo state, the state Police boss said the Command would continued to improve on its crime bursting strategies to ensure that the state is crime free , adding that the command has re-engineered and re-invigorated its swift anti-robbery squad for effective crime bursting.

    Two weeks ago, the state police Command had recovered 20 vehicles and arrested 15 suspected armed robbers.

    Various items recovered from the suspects paraded Monday included one locally made double barrel pistol, seven live cartridges, one Honda Accord car with registration number JJJ 691AX, one Toyota Camry car with registration number AKD 226 DN, A Toyota Camry car with registration number AAA 593 DL, one LG Plasma TV, one Toshihba Plasma TV, one unregistered Toyota Highlander, one green Toyota Highlander with registration number ABJ 42 KU and one ash colored unregistered Toyota Camry amongst others.

    On the armed robbery suspects and serial burglars that have been terrorizing the inhabitants of Ibadan and environs, the Commissioner of Police said the four gang of robbers (Olusola Adenle 37, Rasaq Femi 23, Pul Olaitan 20, and Sani Abdulahi 26) had successfully broke into a dwelling house at Egbeda area of Ibadan and carted away various household items.

    “The armed robbers who were armed to the teeth during the operation had planned to attack their victims who might want to put up resistance. Investigations revealed that the hoodlums who usually came from Ikire, Osun state are responsible for series of burglary and robbery operations in Ibadan and many parts of the state including
    Osun state,” he said.

    One of the arrested armed robbery suspects who was released from prison some weeks ago, Paul Olaitan,  20 years old, said he used to be a Mass Communication student of the Polytechnic Ibadan before he was rusticated and expelled from the school due to bad behaviors.

    Another suspect, also an ex-convict , Femi Rasaq told newsmen that he went into crime because he was fond of it , adding that he is a trained Barber but failed to practice the trade.

    Michael Oladele, 25, who was arrested while trying to sell a Nissan Jeep in Ekiti state, explained that he was forced into car snatching because he wanted to make a living.

    The state Commissioner of Police enjoined members of the public to continue to give useful information that could lead to the arrest of criminal elements still in the state, adding that the Command is determined to fight crime and make the state safe for all.

  • Closeness to God, a way to triumph over tribulations – Adeboye

    Closeness to God, a way to triumph over tribulations – Adeboye

    Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, says closeness to God is the only way for man to triumph over tribulations.

    He spoke at the 2015 Christmas Carol of the Oyo State Government held on Sunday evening at the Agodi Gardens, Ibadan.

    Adeboye said that there was also the need for every living being to secure the love of God to conquer all problems.

    “If the whole world forsakes you and God is on your side, you will always triumph over all tribulations.

    “ If God is against you, then you will experience failure through divine resistance.

    “Holiness, humility, love and obedience are also necessary to secure the love of God to fly higher,’’ he said.

    Adeboye prayed for the people, the state and the nation to overcome the array of problems they all encountered.

    Addressing newsmen after the programme, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State assured the people of the state of better days ahead, especially in the coming year.

    He said that he was optimistic that God would make 2016 a bountiful year, with breakthroughs and resounding successes for all.

    Earlier, Mr Soji Eniade, Head of Service, Oyo State, asked the people to reflect on all they had been through during the year, urging them to rejoice in spite of the circumstances.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme featured special prayer sessions, lessons, special performances, candle lighting/ kingdom brass and fireworks display.

    Many eminent personalities in the state, including the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Michael Adeyemo and the Oyo State APC Chairman, Chief Akin Oke, attended the carol service.

    It also attracted several royal fathers in the state.

  • Tribunal dismisses Ladoja’s petition against Ajimobi

    Tribunal dismisses Ladoja’s petition against Ajimobi

    The Oyo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed the petition filed by the candidate of Accord, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja against the election of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    In the unanimous judgment read by the Chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Mohammed Mayaki, the tribunal holds that Ladoja and Accord “failed woefully” to prove their allegations of rigging, electoral malpractices, violence and non-compliance with the Electoral Act among others, beyond reasonable doubt.

    Delivery of the judgment lasted for four and a half hours.

    The tribunal resolved all the issues determined in favour of Ajimobi.

    It rejected the evidences presented by all Ladoja’s witnesses, saying they were not specific to incidents as claimed as well as failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.

    Consequently, the tribunal upheld the election of the incumbent governor having polled the majority of votes cast in the April 11 election.

    Details later…