Confirming the sad incident in a terse statement on its X page, the state government noted that security agencies are investigating the source of the explosion.
The statement reads, “The Oyo State Government is aware of reports of an explosion in Ibadan.
“Residents are urged to remain calm as security agencies are investigating this to determine the source and cause of the incident.”
Oyo State Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, on Monday, January 8, warned principals, heads of schools, and teachers to desist from collecting illegal fees from students and parents, reiterating that education is free from primary to secondary schools in the state.
He described the level of compliance of teachers and students in resumption to the second term school calendar in the state as impressive.
The commissioner spoke while monitoring the resumption of the schools for the second term academic activities in the Ibadan metropolis.
Adelabu, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Adeniyi Olusanjo, and directors from the ministry, encouraged students to face their studies squarely while charging teachers to act professionally by bringing creativity and innovation into their teaching methods.
He explained that principals and teachers in all schools monitored were actively on the ground for academic activities.
He urged parents who are yet to release their wards to quickly release them as academic activities have begun in earnest, saying that keeping them back home will put them at a disadvantaged position among their colleagues.
The commissioner said: “Today is the first day of resumption in our public primary and secondary schools in Oyo state.
“The enthusiasm of the teachers and students is very okay; luckily enough, based on what I have seen, not less than 70 percent of our students resumed and almost 97 percent of the staff are in the schools.
“With the morale of teachers and students, the second will be a fruitful section for both the students and the teachers.
“I will encourage the students to sit tight and face their studies squarely, and the Teachers should act professionally by bringing creativity and innovation into their teaching methods.
“I want to warn the teachers that never must they charge the students and parents because education is free in Oyo state, also to the parents whose children are yet to come, should allow them to come to school as teachings and learning have commenced in the schools.”
Schools monitored by the Commissioner and his team included: Oba Akibiyi Model School, Mokola, St. Louis Grammar School, Mokola, Government Secondary School, Orita-Aperin, Ibadan, and a host of others.
Oyo state government has declared that violators of Environmental laws would have to N110,000 to government coffers as fines or serve a month of community service.
The commissioner for environment and natural resources, Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola made the disclosure shortly after an arrest and prosecution of 19 environmental polluters in Alakia, and Iwo road areas, within the Ibadan metropolis.
He said the Ministry’s Environmental Task Force will henceforth embark on weekly exercises, adding that the fine will be fully enforced.
He said: “The rule of law in oyo state would no longer tolerate arbitrary refuse dumping in all the nooks and crannies of the state.
“It is a big offence to drop refuse on road medians in Oyo State. People are creating a lot of bad spots for us and it has been a terrible headache, especially, throughout the festive periods…we won’t take this again.”
Mogbonjubola, while appreciating well-meaning residents for showing understanding and compliance in making the state a clean and safe abode, affirmed that all environmental offenders would be prosecuted.
He assured of the government’s commitment towards ensuring a safe and conducive environment, for the good people of the state, residents, investors and tourists.
Oyo State Government says it is still studying the ruling of an Abuja Federal High Court that ordered the freezing of 10 of its bank accounts, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr. Sulaiman Olanrewaju, has said.
It will be recalled that Justice A.O. Ebong had, on Dec. 15, 2023, issued an order attaching the state government’s accounts in 10 commercial banks in the country.
Ebong gave the order while ruling on a garnishee proceeding initiated by the local government chairmen who were sacked by Governor Seyi Makinde on May 29, 2019.
The Supreme Court had, on May 7, 2021, nullified the sack of the chairmen and councilors, as pronounced by the governor on the day of his inauguration for his first term in office in 2019.
The sacked council chairmen had gotten a N4,874,889,425.60 judgment against Makinde and other officials and agencies of the state, of which N1.5 billion had been paid, leaving a balance of N3.5 billion.
But, the special adviser, while speaking with NAN, said that the court ruling was still being studied by the office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
He said that after the ruling had been properly studied, the state government would now come up with its position on the issue at stake.
“You will agree with me that it is a sensitive matter. So the ruling needs to be properly studied after which government will now come up with its position,” Sulaiman said.
The economic empowerment programme, according to Mrs Tinubu, was borne out of a steadfast commitment to well-being of elderly citizens, saying it marked significant stride in collective pursuit of more inclusive and compassionate society.
Speaking in Ibadan at the maiden edition of RHIESS, Oyo chapter, the First Lady, who was represented by wife of Oyo Governor, Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde, said the scheme was to support 250 vulnerable citizens from 65 and above in all 36 States of the Federation, the Federal Capital Territory and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA).
She stated that selected beneficiaries will receive N100,000 each to cushion effect of economic situation and alleviate their burdens during this festive period.
She said: “The total sum to be disbursed is Nine Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N950,000,000) as approved by the Governing Board of the Renewed Hope Initiative.
“Each state of the Federation will receive the sum of N25m. We are committed to ensuring that each state receives this gesture, without discrimination.
“As we approach the festive season, it becomes very important to emphasize the significance of prioritizing our elderly citizens in our initiatives, by reaching out to the elderly this festive period, we not only honour their contributions but also acknowledge the unique encounters they face.
“To our senior citizens, I urge you to embrace life to the fullest, prioritize your health, nurture your minds, and strengthen your bonds with loved ones and with God, these are the keys to a rich and fulfilling life in your golden years.
“I equally extend my heartfelt appreciation to all your Excellencies, state coordinators of RHI, and partners who have supported with free medical screening and the distribution of other sundry items to the beneficiaries as the case may be, in ensuring the success of this programme.
“This period should be a time of joy and comfort for all, even as we hope for a greater Nigeria, in security, education, health, employment and business opportunities for all, we seek your continued support and prayers for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, as we look forward to better days ahead.”
She however said the programme would serve as beacon of renewed hope, dignity and prosperity for elders across the nation.
A traditional ruler in Saki, Oyo state, the baale of Ilua Kilani Azeez has been remanded along with five others for assaulting a lawyer, Waheed Lawal over issues surrounding mining in the community.
The six persons were arraigned and charged with felony and assault at a Magistrate Court in Saki on Thursday.
Lawal was said to have been beaten by the accused on November 13 in the community.
The Nation learnt that the assault was connected with certain legal advice given by the lawyer over mining activities in the community.
The charge sheet read: “That you RASHEED RAHEEM M’, SAMAD SAKARIYAU ‘M’, ALIU ASIMIYU ‘M, KILANI AZEEZ AJANI ‘M’, YUSUF NAFIU ‘M’, SULEIMAN JIMOH ‘M’ and others now at large, on the 13th day of November, 2023, between the hours of 8:00pm and 11:00pm, at Iware junction, Ilua, Saki in the Saki Magisterial district did Conspire with one another to commit felony to wit: Assault Occasioning Harm and thereby committed an offence Contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, vol. 11, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.
“COUNT II: That you RASHEED RAHEEM ‘M, SAMAD SAKARIYAU ‘M’, ALIU ASIMIYU ‘M’, KILANI AZEEZ AJANI M’, YUSUF NAFIU M, SULEIMAN JIMOH ‘M’ and others now at large, on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial district did unlawfully assault one Waheed Lawal Esq. by beating him with your fist all over his body and thereby committed an offence Contrary to Section 252 and punishable under Section 351 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, vol. 11, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.”
They all pleaded ‘Not guilty’ to the charges when arraigned.
Counsel to the accused, Babakebe, applied for bail which the magistrate granted.
She admitted them to bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety each who must be a responsible community leader with evidence of identification.
They were released on Friday after meeting the bail conditions.
Lawal was represented by a team of 12 lawyers led by Mr S. A. Abdul Lateef.
The magistrate Mrs Aderounmu adjourned the case to January 18, 2024.
Oyo State Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, has said his administration will create a different state where citizens are law-abiding despite the many challenges they are faced with.
The governor also said the state would soon come up with a legislation to restore order and sanity in the society.
He said these during the inauguration of the Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN-led Oyo State Advisory Council, held at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Members of the State Advisory Council inaugurated by the governor are: Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN (Chairman); Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; Senator Hosea Agboola; Senator Gbenga Babalola; Senator Kamorudeen Adedibu; Hon. Babatunde Oduyoye; Mr Michael Lana and Alhaji Bashiru Ajibade.
The governor also inaugurated the Governing Council of the Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, chaired by an indigene of Oyo town, Prof Ayoade Ogunkunle, in an event held earlier in the same Chambers.
Other members of the University’s Governing Council are: Prof. Josiah Olusegun Ajiboye; Professor Abass Aderemi Adedibu; Chief Isaac Aderibigbe Koleoso and Hon. (Mrs) Funmilayo Okikiola Orisadeyi.
Speaking shortly before the inauguration of the Advisory Council, Governor Makinde said the Council is a sort of feedback mechanism for the administration.
Awards 84.75km Ibadan township roads for rehabilitation
Oyo State Government wants public primary schools across the state to strictly adhere to the laid-down unified examination timetable, an official said yesterday in Ibadan.
The Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB), Dr. Nureni Adeniran, disclosed this during a monitoring of first term unified examination in some schools.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that first term unified examination in public primary schools began yesterday and is expected to end on Friday.
Adeniran said the motive was to ensure the simultaneous participation of all schools in the examination.
OYOSUBEB chairman warned against all forms of malpractices, saying “excuses will not be accepted from any school teacher caught in the act of aiding examination malpractices”.
He said: “We have gone round some schools, and we appeal to school head teachers to ensure adherence to the timetable given to them by the state government.”
While inspecting schools in Ibadan North-East and Ibadan South-West local governments, Adeniran noted that the level of preparedness of schools and students was quite impressive.
The state government has awarded 84.75 kilometres Ibadan township roads for rehabilitation and asphaltic improvement.
Commissioner for Public Works, Prof. Daud Sangodoyin, made this known yesterday in Ibadan while briefing reporters on the outcome of the weekly State Executive Council meeting.
According to Sangodoyin, the 84.75 kilometers is made up of 12 roads under lots one and two.
“Lot one, comprising 10 roads, with a total of 70.45 kilometres, is awarded to Kopek Construction Company at a sum of N24.8 billion, for a duration of 12 months to complete the job.
“Lot two, which has two roads, with 14.30 kilometres, is awarded to RATCON Construction Company at a contract sum of N1.88 billion, for a six-month completion period,” he said.
A firm, Rokswood Energy, has urged residents of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital to embrace cleaner energy, saying it remained future of the nation.
Its said with cleaner energy through the use of gas, life of generations yet unborn is secure and better.
Speaking during “Advocate for Clean Energy Walk for Rokswood Gas Product launch, the Group Managing Director of the company, Iroko Gideon, stated that there is need to accommodate new trends, adding that the initiative is more saver and user-friendly.
He lamented that climate change has been problem of the country over the years, saying people need to make it better for generations to come.
According to him: “We are all working for better environment, better natural habitat, and better health, carbon is everywhere causing a lot of diseases like cancer and other diseases, we intend to better life of Nigerians.
“This walk is to preach and encourage people to move towards cleaner energy (gas), some people still use firewood and all sort of energy, this is just to preach to the people to move to cleaner energy.”
“We are in partnership with various government agencies and parastatal, we are also here to launch a product, it is just a prepaid system of using your gas, we are giving you seamless supply of gas at affordable rate anytime and anywhere.”
Residents of Oriire local government in Oyo State have been thrown into mourning over the death of the three monarchs from the area on Friday night.
They died in an auto crash involving Benz E230 with registration number OLODOGBO and a commercial Scania Truck with registration number 301 XF at Aje Iye in Oriire local government area.
Two of the affected monarchs died on the spot while the third one died few hours later at the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital where he was undergoing treatment.
Six passengers were involved in the crash but the three survivors are undergoing treatment at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital.
They were going for a social function at the nearby community when the accident occured.
The affected monarchs, as reliably informed are: OLODOGBO of Odogbo, Onibowula of Bowula and Alayetoro of Ayetoro in Oriire local government area
Confirming the road mishaps, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Joshua Adekanye, said it was a head-on collision involving a private and commercial vehicles along Ogbomoso-Oyo expressway.
He said the survivors are undergoing treatment at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital while the corpse of the victims have been deposited at the morgue of the same hospital.
In another development, Adekanye said nine out of 13 passengers suffered varies degree of burnt when DAF brand of a Truck caught fire along Ogbomoso-Oyo expressway on the same day
He added that no life was lost but the injured ones are receiving treatment in the hospital.
