WahidSakaBlog

Osun PCRC Advocates Support for Police in Combating Crimes By Waheed Adekunle, Osogbo

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 10:53:00 +0000

Chairman, Osun State Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, Comrade Amitolu Shittu has implored members of the public to extend their sincere supports and cooperation towards enhancing the security in the state.

Comrade Amitolu who attributed policing as a duty of all said it would be erroneous for anyone to restrict it into the hands of security agents.

The PCRC Chairman stated this during a Stakeholders advocacy tour to Ilesa Area Command Headquarters of Nigeria Police Force.

Comrade Amitolu said the issue of security in the country has gotten to a stage where collective efforts are required to combat the rate of all forms of criminality in the state.

The Human Rights Activist maintained that the State PCRC was ready to give needed support and cooperation to the State Police Command by serving as helping hands in stemming the tide of insecurity and other forms of illegality.

Comrade Amitolu reassured to double the efforts of the organization in working side-by-side with the police so as to protect the society and enhance the spate of security.

Speaking on the roles of PCRC, Comrade Amitolu said the primary duty of the organization was to partner with the police by providing useful information that will help them combating crimes in the society and as well strengthen the security in the state.

He therefore called on Nigerians to join hands in keeping the society free from any act capable of undermining the existing peace, integrity of police or tarnishing their competence in fighting against anti-human behaviours in the state.

Comrade Amitolu who described police as closest man's friends said, the PCRC was institutionalized into the limelight so as to serve as an intermediary between the people and the society especially in the area of security tips.

He regarded community policing as the better way of combating illegality, criminality and lawlessness at the grassroots, saying the state chapter of PCRC would not rest on its oars to ensure that the society sleeps with two eyes closed.

Comrade Amitolu therefore admonished the police to continuously adhere to the ethics and tenets of their profession so as entrench the confidence reposed in them by the people in the society.

He stressed further,"we believe that the issue of security needs prompt information and on our side, we are ever ready to champion this by ensuring that we work hands-in-hands with police to sanitize our society and ensure safety for all.

"In our quest to achieve this lofty task, we have intensified strategic plans to spread the gospel of security consciousness in the nooks and crannies of our state by reaching out to the people at the grassroots on the need to be more security conscious and serve as supportive and collaborative agents to aid the police for the betterment of all.

Earlier in his remarks, the Area Commander, Ilesa Area Command of Nigeria Police Force, ACP, Akin Faderin commended the leadership and members of the State PCRC for their unflinching support and collaboration towards enhancing adequate security services in the state.

ACP Faderin who described PCRC as non-uniformed police said the roles being played by the members of the organization can never be undermined as they have really assisted the command in its fight against crimes and other related offences.

ACP Faderin also applauded the members of the state PCRC for strengthen the existing peace in the state, saying their impact towards peaceful cohabitation between and among the people in the state has reduced the burden of police.

He requested for further assistance from the state PCRC at ensuring that the state is placed at the forefront of crime free society in Nigeria.

ACP Faderin also implored the citizens to be more security conscious and report anything capable of threatening the proliferated peace being enjoyed in the state.

"PCRC in Osun has proven its weights as a formidable instrument and reliable helping hand towards general protection of lives and property.

"The impacts of the State PCRC has been greatly felt in and out of this state and this selfless service to humanity would be continuously commended by Nigeria Police.

"On our part, we shall continue to render our constitutional duties diligently and ensure that our state is totally free from all forms of criminality.

"We shall also continue to portray ourselves as friends of the people and societies in such a way that everyone would be confident and freed to give any tangible security information that will aid our activities.

"In view of this, I want our people to be more security conscious and report any strange exposition observed to the police for prompt security intervention", he said.

Meanwhile, the train of the advocacy tour of the state PCRC paid a courtesy call to the Palace of Owa Adimula of Ijesaland, Oba Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran and International Breweries PlC, Ilesa respectively.

I remain in the PDP to play the opposition role - Fayose, Yoruba race remains United-Aregbesola

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 20:59:00 +0000

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his Ekiti State counterpart, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose have called for the unity of Yoruba nation to enhance meaningful development.

The duo also identified the need for State Governors to collectively address the nation's dwindling economy so as to savage Nigerians from the hardship of the current economic situation.

In their separate remarks, Governor Fayose who was on a visit to Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State said his visit was aimed to deliberate with his brother (Governor Aregbesola) on the need to join hands with other Governors in Nigeria by intensifying holistic and realistic economic plans that would totally bailed out the country especially the states from their current plethora of challenges orchestrated by the dipping price of the crude oil in the global market.

Governor Fayose lamented over what he attributed as unprecedented economic hardship occasioned with the continuous fall in the oil revenue said the only realizable means for Nigeria and Nigerians was to shift attention to non-oil resources for maximized revenues.

He described the revenues to the states from the Federation Account as peanut that could not be relied upon in meeting the constitutional obligations of the states, saying the continued fall in the price of crude oil at the international market remains a signal for any serious government to reawaken the already slumbered potentials in other sectors of the economy.

Governor Fayose also charged the government at different levels to tap, explore and exploit the economic opportunities and benefits embedded in agriculture, solid mineral resources and technology to boost and enhance the general well being of their people.

He revealed that the time has come for all Nigerians to think beyond the box and reason intellectually on the need to opt out from the current economic mess by jettisoning all forms of socio-political, cultural, religious and economic differences in a bid to pave way for a formidable and united Nigeria which the country deserves.

Governor Fayose elucidated that no country would attain greatness in an atmosphere being attracted to hatred, disunity and reflective disintegration, adding that Nigeria has a widen greater chance to be more economically prosperous and blossom once the our differences were placed behind one another.

Speaking on the purpose of his visit, Governor Fayose said his visit to the state was about the future of Yoruba nation and the state of the nation's economy, saying Yorubas must ensure adequate peace and unity as efforts of past Yoruba leaders should not be in vain

According to him, the visit of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi to the Alaafin Of Oyo more than a week ago sends a strong signal on the need for unity and cooperation not only in Yorubaland but in the entire country.

Governor Fayose said, " the time is now for we Governors to look beyond political parties and politics for proper development of our societies, states and the entire country as this remains the purpose of being in government.

"We Governors should not relent in our efforts to demonstrate to the whole world our capability to steer the affairs of our states by tapping from available opportunities in Agriculture to reduce economic problem in our respective states.

Governor Fayose who described political parties as only platforms for election contests admonished politicians to see beyond their noses and relate to one another irrespective of their political affiliations.

Governor reaffirmed that he has no intention whatsoever to dump Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for any other party in Nigeria, saying he remains in PDP in order to play a significant opposition role towards the nation's politics and governance.

He therefore appealed to politicians not to sow the seed of discord or heating up the polity all in the interest of selfishness and futile governance.

"Those promoting dictatorship in a democracy will end up in the stomarch of the dictator.

"I remain in the PDP to play the opposition role. Without opposition in a democracy, there will be dictatorship", Fayose said.

Responding, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who commended Governor Fayose for the visit stressed the need to create economic bond that would rescue Nigeri,ans from level of poverty, unemployment, insecurity among others.

Governor Aregbesola who also lamented on the adverse effects of the dwindling economy said the situation could only be managed if Nigerians especially the youths appreciate the countless potentials in the non-oil resources most importantly agriculture.

Governor Aregbesola said for any government to successfully manage the affairs of the state at this current economic complications, there is a need to source for realistic and reliable means to make life more meaningful, useful, prosperous and worthwhile for the citizenry.

He noted that since oil had lost its position as the biggest source of revenue generation for the country, therefore there is the need to shift attention to non-oil sectors like agriculture, miningn solid mineral resources, industrialization, science and technology, among others.

In the realization of these prosperous economic projections, Governor Aregbesola disclosed that Southwestern part of Nigeria had concluded plans to reposition Odu'a Investment Company Limited Conglomerate as the engine room of Yoruba economy.

He said the company has restrategized its plans to improve the socio-economic well being of the yorubas, saying the era unending peaceful coexistence has begun in the region.

Governor Aregbesola who described peace and unity as indispensable instrument to greatness, success and progress said it is time for Yorubas to strengthen the existing peace for all round development.

He called on the leadership of yoruba nation to strengthen the existing peace and unity being enjoyed by all in the region for better development and advanced regional integration.

Aregbesola opined, "I am honoured to play host to my friend and brother, the executive Governor of Ekiti State. His visit shows that though we differ politically but the Yoruba race remains united.

"We will continue to work together for the success of our race and Nigeria at large to better the life of the average Yoruba man.

Aregbesola, Fayose Call for Unity Among Yorubas... Charge Colleagues on real Economic Diversification

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 17:46:00 +0000

Ekiti State Governor, Mr, Ayodele Fayose today called for the unity of Yoruba nation for meaningful development. He also identified the need for State Governors to collectively address the nation's dwindling economy.Governor Fayose stated this in Osogbo when he paid a visit to his counterpart in Osun State,Mr Rauf Aregbesola.The Governor who said his visit to the state was about the future of Yoruba nation maintained that efforts of past Yoruba leaders must not be in vain.

According to him, the visit of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi to the Alaafin Of Oyo more than a week ago sends a strong signal on the need for unity and cooperation. He remarked that Governors should also look beyond political parties and politics for proper development of the region.

Governor Fayose equally stressed that governors should tap from available opportunities from Agriculture to reduce economic problem in their respective states. On weither Fayose would quit PDP he noted that "I won't quit but time will tell if PDP is dead or not'.

Responding, Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who commended Governor Fayose for the visit stressed the need to create economic bond that would rescue people from level of poverty and live a modern life.

He noted that since oil had lost its position as the biggest source of revenue generation for the country, said there is the need to shift attention to Agriculture.

Aregbesola added that Governors in the southwestern part of Nigeria had concluded plans to reposition Oodua Investment Company Limited conglomerate as the engine room of Yoruba economy.

Where is President Goodluck Jonathan? – By @DeleMomodu

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 21:40:00 +0000

Fellow Nigerians, I’m surprised that no one has asked about the wellbeing, welfare and whereabouts of our dear former President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan. Are we so wicked and uncaring that we have forgotten the gentleman who brought us fresh air so soon? Do we truly suffer from “collective amnesia” (apologies Wole Soyinka) that no one is coming up in defence of the man who brought FaceBook to Africa’s biggest nation? Where are all those acolytes who were falling all over themselves this time last year during the Presidential campaigns? Where are the royal fathers from different parts of Nigeria who were decorating our President with all kinds of esoteric Chieftaincy titles?

Where are the experts who were churning out endless statistics about how God had blessed us with the greatest President Nigeria ever knew? What happened to all the economic magicians who claimed that former President Jonathan had propelled us to the pinnacle of the temple and proclaimed that in consequence we were Africa’s numero uno economy? Where are the priests, pastors, alfas, Imams, marabouts, traditional worshippers, and all manner of religious personages who trumpeted that Ebele Goodluck Jonathan was the anointed of God at the 2015 Presidential elections? Where are the 14 million farmers who were connected by mobile phones in our season of unprecedented Agricultural Revolution? Where are the plentiful loaves of cassava bread and the myriad of rice pyramids that we were told littered everywhere? Where are the ultra-modern air-conditioned trains that we were told travelled from Lagos to Kafanchan, to Kano and Enugu? Where is the second Niger Bridge; and the strategic East-West road?

I have too many questions begging for answers but I will limit myself to only that relating to former President Goodluck Jonathan. I’m just trying to imagine the state of his mind at this terrible moment. I’m not a psychologist but I can attempt to play the role of one by doing some psychoanalysis of the man who left power under one year ago only to witness that things have literally fallen apart with his legacy completely obliterated in the twinkle of an eye. In case you think I’m mucking around and mocking our former President, please perish the thought. I’m more of a sympathiser who would wish to draw sumptuous lessons from the tragedy that befell our former leader. From what I can see so far, President Jonathan as a person is a good man who was fortunate to have been able to effortlessly navigate and meander his way through the murky waters of Nigerian politics to arrive at the topmost position in Nigeria. He was obviously ill-prepared for power and governance and when it landed on his laps he hardly knew what to do with it. He was like a student who was too favoured and over-pampered by his lecturers until he had to write external exams and get exposed to the real world.

I’m certain, President Jonathan could not have bargained for the hurricane that has hit him. When he conceded and congratulated the then President-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, he must have looked forward to a life of bliss in retirement. But what is happening now is the worst nightmare for a man who had been compared to Mahatma Ghandi, Lee Kuan Yew and Nelson Mandela.

I don’t know how this cacophony of allegations and babel of counter-allegations would end or subside but I am convinced President Goodluck Jonathan would have to speak up sooner than later. The reason is simple. I expect his embattled foot-soldiers to put all the blame on him as the one who authorised the disbursement of our common wealth by the most generous government in human history. As to the sharing of the bazaar, let’s be fair, how many people are there who would have been paid those stupendous sums and would reject the money or ask where it was coming from.

At the end of the day, the former President would have to bear his own cross and come out clean and accept the blame. As the saying goes the buck stops at number one! I’m not sure apologies would suffice at the stage things have reached especially if the Buhari government is determined and ready to take its pound of flesh. In my view, it would be difficult to jail the messengers and let the master who sent them on irrational errands go scot free. That is the dilemma President Buhari would have to grapple with in the not too distant future. Would Buhari in good conscience be able to jail a former Nigerian President if indeed there was an agreement not to probe and punish the man? Will he be able to ignore the fact that this was a man who, uncharacteristically, voluntarily relinquished power after losing an election and was heralded by the whole world as an apostle of peaceful and democratic change in Africa? It is a tough question that only President Buhari can answer.

The other poser is, how much of the wasted or looted funds can be recovered? I think from the experience of the past, it may not amount to much after all. The litigations are going to go on ad infinitum and some of the alleged culprits may actually escape punishment on technical and other grounds. The EFCC under the energetic and passionate Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was faced with such frustration. There is no other way to punish anyone under the law without going to court. That is the democratic way. It is the democratic way that former President Jonathan embraced, leading him to loosen his hold on power. And it is the democratic way that brought this our new President Buhari to power. There is thus no other way but to follow the judicial process and the principles of natural justice that flow therefrom. Those campaigning for extra-judicial prosecution and conviction may soon reach a cul-de-sac. You can keep the guys indefinitely in detention but how will that bring back the money. The truth is that the worst form of corruption is abuse of office and the impunity that it begets. That was the basis of the unbridled corruption that enveloped the Jonathan administration. If it remains unchecked, it will not be long before this present government also succumbs and becomes engulfed by the corruption it is professing to fight. Then we would have come full circle without anything to show for it, not even a wee part of our plundered wealth.

I think the biggest mistake of this government was the policy of saying people should not pay foreign currencies into their accounts. This has deprived the government of springing a surprise on those who would have kept their loot in Nigeria. It is now too late to expect those people to pay these foreign currencies into their accounts because of the policy reversal apparently foisted upon us by the visit of the IMF team. I am certain most of those monies have escaped our shores and no matter the anti- money laundering agreements we sign, those foreign countries are not likely to repatriate the funds at a time the world economy is almost comatose. This is another example of the need by all spheres of government to think through policies before they are announced. There have been too many policy somersaults by our apex financial regulatory bodies in recent time to augur well for our ailing economy. Negative signals have been sent by government to investors and citizens both at home and abroad and this has further increased the pain and burden of Nigerians.

My personal advice is for government to work harder at getting back most of the money that has been stolen or misappropriated, as a matter of top priority. President Buhari may have to enter into unpleasant compromises to achieve this, but such is life. There is no point wasting the little resources now available to us on prosecuting and jailing criminals without getting something substantial out of the exercise.

I pray and wish that President Goodluck Jonathan can redeem his erstwhile government a bit by appealing to his men and women and convincing them to return the atrocious sums of money which they stole without the fear of God. He should save Nigeria from this unnecessary ordeal of trying to compel refund of the filthy lucre and allow this government to settle down and concentrate on the serious business of governance.

THANK YOU, LT. GENERAL T. Y. DANJUMA

I know this would come as a surprise to one of Nigeria’s most respected and respectable retired army Generals but I believe we must always show gratitude to those who touch our lives hoping that others would emulate such acts of selflessness. Let me go straight to my gist.

I had called Senator Mrs Daisy Danjuma sometime last year seeking an appointment with her husband, Lt. General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma. My mission was simple but not seemingly so easy to achieve. I wanted “General” as we all call him to write a foreword to my forthcoming book titled PENDULUM: A Book of Prophecies. “Aunty Daisy” as we call the amiable Senator told me the General was in Abuja but should be back the following day. I promised to drop one of the special draft copies for the General. Indeed, I had presented one copy to President Muhammadu Buhari when he invited me to the Presidential villa in Abuja.

I went to the Danjumas hoping to drop the book and run but Aunty Daisy said the General just returned from Abuja and would like to see me briefly before retiring upstairs. I entered the house and personally handed him my book. He told me it might take him a few months to read and then decide whether he would pen the foreword or not. The General has never been known to hide words under the tongue; he is very blunt and straight-forward. I told him I would wait patiently for his decision. He said he had many books to read and that he had just bought President Olusegun Obasanjo’s latest books to add to his reading list, that very day. I saw a man who relished knowledge and reading and I knew I had come to the right person.

I had good reason to choose the General. I had previously identified him as an intellectual and avid reader of my column. He had surprised me on one occasion when I attended his annual birthday celebration on December 9, in Victoria Island, Lagos. In the middle of the merriment, General pulled me aside and said: “I’m a great fan of your column because you write so well and logically… I think I missed the last two and I’ve just told my wife to make sure she gets it from you…” I was deeply touched by the compliment.

I have been a family friend of the Danjumas for about 15 years and Senator Danjuma has become my big sister to the extent that I am invited to and welcomed in their homes in Abuja, Lagos, Surrey and Marbella at any time. It has been a privilege knowing the man of few words who retired from the military with a glowing record and high esteem. Since then, he has taken to the boardroom with consummate ease and has remained one of the most astute financial players in Africa. What is more, the General has committed a substantial chunk of his immense fortune acquired from his numerous businesses to charity. He is a man of impeccable taste and academic nobility. He reads voraciously and his libraries are well-stocked. His selection, and collection, of world music is amazing. He carries himself with so much grace and panache.

My patience in relation to the foreword to my book eventually paid off two weeks ago when I suddenly got a call from Senator Daisy Danjuma after I had almost given up. She said the General would like to speak with me and put him on the line. The General told me that he had read the book and he had found it so “fantastic” that he had agreed to author the foreword. There was only one word he wants me to change.

I was very grateful and excited. I have since picked up the work from his Lagos home and, by the grace of God, the book should be ready for publication and circulation shortly. There are a few other books that are almost ready and we should celebrate a festival of books from me this year.

Exciting times are coming.

I am not running a failed govt-Aregbesola...Says Osun is drifting towards economic prosperity

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 05:22:00 +0000

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has reassured the citizens of the state of his government's commitment to position the state towards socio-economic and political advancement and prosperity.

Governor Aregbesola said the central point of his administration's agenda is to steer the affairs of the state in a right direction that will continuously bring genuine succor and dividends of democracy to the good people of the state, saying he is determined to place the state to a prosperous economic vantage that has never known in history.

Aregbesola made the statement while addressing people at a conference organized in honour of a veteran activist, Professor Biodun Jeyifo at Conference Centre, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, State of Osun.

Governor Aregbesola who flayed at the way and manner at which one of a section of the press reported his statement where he was quoted to have said he wanted to apply the civil service rule against some of the state health workers, admonished journalists to always verify and scrutinize any information before it being reported.

Aregbesola also frowned at the industrial action embarked upon by a section of the state health workers, saying their action has caused unnecessary damages and irreparable loss to the sector.

He said "It is unfortunate that a section of media portrayed Osun as a failed state and that we were unable to pay salaries but I challenged whoever sponsors that to come out with fact. We are the only state at the best of time that implemented 13 month salary across the length and breath of civil service.

"In the first instance not all doctors in the state are on strike. It is only a section of about 200 doctors that resident in Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital and some doctors at the state hospital that refused to work.

" All the doctors at our primary healthcare centre at the local level are fully operational and other health workers in all our health facilities both primary and secondary are working.

"All the consultants in our secondary health facilities are on duty.

"Before it became practically impossible for us to meet our salaries obligations to our workers, we invited the workers to tell them that in sixty days time the state might not be able to pay salaries and we later to be paying inaccordance with whatever we receives as we have been doing.

"So, since July 2013 our allocation has been short by N2billion. But since then the state has been coping based on our initiative to raise the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) until last year when the shortfall started to be on a free fall which later snowballed into the present economic situation.

He call called on the striking health practitioners to jettison their differences with government in the interest of the state as well as the people.

Governor Aregbesola who further lamented over the continued dwindling revenues to the state said the time has come for everybody to be more innovative, productive and creative.

According to him, unless we see the need to work harder and remain productive individually and collectively by contributing our quota through tax payment for the development of our state, there is no other option to avert this economic menace.

He said Nigerians must equally embrace, resuscitate and explore the potentials embedded in the long-abandoned agriculture, solid mineral resources and industrialization.

Aregbesola added, "the solution to this abnormal economy is for us to be concerned and interested in production. We must be creative, innovative and as well ready to work and work.

"The era of free crude oil has gone and there is no sign of it coming back again, while the season of free money from the Federation Accounts has also gone.

"Agricultural production is the best solution to this economic insurgency and I implore all the intellectuals to join others to ensure that the nation is rescued from this menace.

"We must refocus our attention to enhancing the productivity of Nigerian people in a way that we no longer depend on a commodity that has already faded out.

"To avoid being remained in a huge economic mess which the reality of the current economic situation has posed on us, we must as urgently as possible genuinely diversify our economy in consonance with the present economic reality for the greater socio-political and economic development of our state.

"All hands must be on deck to develop our state at this period of economic hardship.

Osun Restructures Ministries into 12 to Reduce Cost of Governance, Notifies House of Assembly

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 18:23:00 +0000

The Governor Of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has notified the State House of Assembly of the restructuring of the state’s machinery of government reducing the state’s ministries to 12 in the process.

It has also announced the creation of a new ministry while merging some existing ones.

In a letter of notification forwarded to the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Najeem Folasayo Salaam, Governor Aregbesola stated that while there will be 12 ministries, 9 agencies and bureaus will be under his office for direct supervision.

The Governor stated in his letter which was dated January 21 that the decision to restructure was arrived at after a reappraisal of the machinery of government.

The letter titled: “Notification of the Restructuring of Some Existing Ministries and Creation of a New Ministry in the State of Osun”

The 12 ministries listed in the letter to the House of Assembly are: Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Youths Engagement; Ministry of Industries, Commerce, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget and Development, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ministry of Environment, Sanitation and Physical Planning, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health.

Others are; .Ministry of Information, Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, Water Resources, and Community Affairs, Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Affairs and Ministry of Works and Transport

The letter also listed nine agencies and bureaus that will be operating directly under the office of the Governor. The agencies are: Office of Regional Integration, State of Osun Sports Council, Department of Social and Grassroots, Mobilization and Guidance, Office of Policy Coordination, Osun Job Centre, Bureau of Lands, Pilgrims Welfare Board (Christian Wing), Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing) and Office of Forestry, Natural and Mineral Resources

The governor while urging the Speaker to communicate the development to members of the House, also explained that the decision was taken to reduce the cost of governance as well as enhance service delivery.

Lassa Fever: 55 placed under surveillance in Osun -Govt.

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Fri, 22 Jan 2016 00:28:00 +0000

State Government of Osun yesterday said 55 contacts traced to the index case of Lassa Fever in the state have been placed under surveillance.

Addressing newsmen in Osogbo, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Temitope Oladele, said the state could not be said to have recorded case of Lassa fever, because the confirmatory test that would have confirmed that the index case died of the disease, could not be run.

He explained that, so far, none of those being monitored have shown symptoms of the disease, adding that the state is in contact with the hospital where the doctor died to be abreast of new development on the matter.

According to him, the 33-year-old doctor that died in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, OAUTHC, on Monday, whose blood sample proved positive in first test, lived in an unnamed neighboring state and only came to Osun on visit.

He added that second sample that should have been used for confirmatory test could not be taken from the index case before he died.

But in preparation for any eventuality, Oladele said monitoring room has been set up in the state ministry of health with mobile lines giving out to people to report any suspicious case.

He added that doctors working in all local government areas in the state have been put on red alert, while other health practitioners have been mobilised to prepare ground in case any incident of Lassa is reported.

Oladele further averred that massive sensitisation is being embarked upon by government for people, especially in the grassroots on how the disease can be contacted.

AMBODE DIRECTS CONTRACTORS TO COMMENCE WORK ON AJASA-COMMAND, ABESAN ROADS IN TWO WEEKS ...Says Projects To Come With Walkways, Drainage, Street Lights

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 17:26:00 +0000

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday expressed displeasure on the state of Ajasa-Command and Abesan roads, just as he assured residents that work would commence on the roads within the next two weeks.

Governor Ambode, who spoke during an inspection tour of the areas, expressed displeasure at the deplorable condition of the roads, saying such was unacceptable in the State.

The Governor assured that work would commence on the Ajasa-Command axis, after Ile-Iwe junction, where the previous road construction stopped, explaining that the project will accommodate walkways, street lights and drainage systems.

At the Command Military School, the Deputy Director in the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engr Rasheed Akindele who briefed the Governor on the current state of the road, said the project was undertaken by the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) around 2011/2012, but the Ministry of Works took the project further to the Command Bridge and then to Ipaja axis.

According to him, due to the volume of vehicular movement in the area as residents prefer to link Ipaja and Ayobo through the axis from Alagbado, the road deteriorated due to neglect.

Also, a community leader in the area, Alhaji Abdulrazak Olajide, told the Governor and his entourage, that the people have been suffering a lot in the axis due to lack of road, pipe-borne water, health facility, electricity and schools.

While addressing a large crowd that trooped out to see him, Governor Ambode said as a responsive and responsible government, work would commence on the road within the next two weeks.

He said: "I felt sad when I got here to see the state of the roads in this area. It is so displeasing, it is disheartening and it is totally unacceptable to me. I have been reading about the state of this area from several letters written to me by residents and that was what made me to decide to come and see the state of things for myself.

"I will start from where they stopped work previously at Ekoro Road and we will fix the drainage from there to Ajasa here within the next two weeks. We will not stop at that, we will fix the roads also. We are going to fix this road from Command Bridge down to Command and Ikola.

"In addition to that, I have listened to one of the leaders in this community. We are bringing schools into this community. One of our priorities for 2016 which we have stated in our budget tagged 'The People's Budget' is to provide schools and health centres for all our communities and we will make sure that this part of Lagos is well represented in that provision.

"I just want you to be patient and cooperate with the contractors and when we do the road, we are also going to do street lights. Above all, when we do all these, you also make sure that you pay your taxes,” Governor Ambode said.

At Abesan, Governor Ambode, who trekked about 900 meters from Church Road down to Giwa Street to inspect the Abesan link road, equally promised that work would commence on the road within the next two to three weeks.

Addressing the people of the area, Governor Ambode said: "We are here in Ipaja and we have moved from the junction at Ekoro road joining from Church Street up to this point in Giwa. We have seen that the roads here are in very deplorable state. The best option for us is to commence this project immediately. We are going to construct from Church road down to Aboru and then do the bridge that will link this Giwa Street to Abesan Estate and also down to Iyana Ipaja.

"We will do the drainage, street light and then walkway also. What I just want to tell all the people in Aboru is to be patient with us. The contractor will move to site within the next two to three weeks. We have also told the contractor to employ people from this area to do the job. All you need to do is to cooperate with government and the contractor. Before the end of this year, the project must have been completed and we will be back to walk on the roads together”, he said.

Responding on behalf of the community, a resident, Pa Samuel Babatope, said they were elated to see the Governor in their community, expressing optimism that the visit of the Governor was a confirmation of the fact that the roads will be fixed.

“We have been hearing that our road will be fixed, but we used to think it is one of those lies from politicians. We are happy that it is now a reality that our road will be fixed. I thank the Governor and his team and pray that God will continue to help them to deliver on their promises and make life easy for residents,” Babatope said.

ILE OODUA MOURNS OLUBADAN

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 11:32:00 +0000

Ooni of Ife and Arole Oodua, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, received the death of Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Samuel Odulana, Odugade I, with a rude shock.

In a statement signed by Comrade Moses Olafare, the Director of Media and Public Affairs to Ooni, the departed Olubadan left this world when the entire Yoruba race needed him the most, especially now that the long over due unification of the Yoruba traditional rulers and the race in general is gradually gaining momentum.

The departed Olubadan has indeed secured God's heart while on earth for he lived substantial part of his life serving the good people of Ibadan, Yoruba land, Oodua race, Nigeria and humanity in general.

As a public servant, Ibadan traditional chief, Yoruba leader of thought and finally as the revered king of Ibadan which remains a pride of House of Oduduwa, Oba Odulana was exemplary and he distinctly raised the bar of good leadership among his subjects.

Quoting the Ooni, the statement stated "I will personally miss him and he would have played host to Ooni and his entourage; during my unity tour to all Yoruba Obas and leaders of thought which I commenced a couple of days ago with the visit to Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.

Ile-Oodua will miss him for his love, respect and support he always demonstrated to us in Ile-Ife. Yoruba race will miss him for his unquantifiable contributions while serving as a senior public servant of the then Western Region and he will surely be greatly missed as a thorough bred descendant of Oduduwa. May his departed soul rest with the King of kings."

UniAbuja VC Lauds Aregbesola's Undaunting Commitment to Education...By Waheed Adekunle, Osogbo

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 11:20:00 +0000

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Micheal Adikwu has commended the Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for his untiring commitment and passion towards the provision of an improved, quality and functional education.

Professor Adikwu also commended the State Government for remain focused and determined in spite the present enormity of economic challenges facing the entire country.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution gave the commendation while addressing people during a courtesy visit to the Governor in his office by the management team of the university.

Professor Adikwu who was represented by his Deputy on Administration, Professor Sanni Mashi said the current government in the state has displayed a genuine commitment towards the promotion of modern public education with prompt financial interventions and provision of needed facilities aimed at aiding the teaching and learning process.

Professor Mashi said the State has placed itself at the front burner of quality and effective education thus earned the state several commendations, accolades and encomiums and as well made it the model among its peers in the country, africa and the entire world, saying the state education's policy had been found worthy and copied by government at various levels locally and internationally.

He disclosed that the management and staff of the university in line with the constitution guiding the activities of Nigerian University deemed it fit to establish its Distance Learning Education in Osun which according to him if completed will be the first in the entire Southwestern region.

Professor Mashi stressed that the centre for Distance Learning and Continuing Education of the University was established in its continuous efforts to reach out to the teeming population of Nigerians to have the opportunity of formal education.

Professor Mashi said, "the aim of Distance Education is to increase access to education to a large number of citizens interested in furthering their education.

"Unlike the formal systems, however, Distance Education is designed to democratize and liberalize education to facilitate the pursuit of knowledge without sacrificing ones career.

"It also enables studies to be combined with work by those that are interested in involving themselves.

"One of the objectives of the system is to make life-long education the hallmark of Nigeria's educational policy.

"Osun is the first state in the Southwest zone where the Centre wishes to establish its presence.

Professor Mashi who also attributed the visit of the management of the institution to the state to what he described as timely educational partnership and projection, said the establishment of the Distance Learning in the state will add more value to the education strides of the current government and as well boost its economic potentials.

"Our visit to Osun is to intimate Mr. Governor of our decision to establish a Distance Learning in Iragberi, Egbedore, Local Government area of the state.

"Our University has expressed its commitment to Distance Learning Education through involvement in the activities of the National Universities Commission and other strategic partnership dedicated solely to Open and Distance education advancement in the Commonwealth and Africa", Professor Mashi stated.

Professor Mashi who extolled the administrative acumen of Governor Aregbesola, however vowed to give the current administration the necessary supports and collaboration.

"While we appreciate the enormity of the problems which government at all levels face these days, we equally demand for your support to enable us take off successfully in the state.

"To be specific we need an office space and facilities where preliminary work of the service centre will commence.

"We promise and assure that the activities of the centre in the state will impact positively on a large number of people in the state and contiguous states especially the youths and public servants.

"We wish your administration a successful accomplishment in your efforts to reposition the state as we look forward to partner with your government in the development of education sector in the state", he said.

In his remarks, Governor Rauf Aregbesola commended the management of the institution for counting the state worthy of hosting such academic centre and for situating first of its kind in the state.

He added, "We appreciate the authority of UniAbuja for deeming it fit to pursue a cause that was almost dead and for building this monumental edifice in our state.

"Our state will continue to appreciate the economic benefits of this kind gesture, as host community will in no doubt be forever grateful to this.

Analyzing his commitment towards education, Governor Aregbesola said his administration prioritized education having understood the fact that education is the only heritage that one could live on and be so sure of, saying it is also the only patrimony that can never be joked with.

"To understand education both in philosophical and practical essence, education is beyond secondary level because it is the greatest tool for the advancement of every human community, society and organization.

"Therefore the difference between developed and under developed nations, is the degree of application of knowledge.

"No efforts should be spared in getting education to be properly disseminated and passed on.

"Though we are constrained with the economic tragedy that has befallen our nation by the phenomenal decline in our oil revenues which unfortunately is the mainstay of the economy, but we will do everything within the limit of our resources to support this project and ensure its success and realization", Aregbesola stated.

He therefore urged the institution to support the state by situating science related courses that will meet the needs of the state, saying Information and Communication Technology ICT is the major area where the state needed most in energizing the youths towards the realization of independent life.

He said, "ICT is the tool for rapid transformation of any society, for this reason, our government needs university knowledge to advance our society in the area of ICT, sciences, administration and management.

Nigeria's Economy is at the State of Dilemma-Aregbesola...Denounces the Allegation of Financial Reckless By Waheed Adekunle, Osogbo

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 11:16:00 +0000

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has decried the continuous fall in the global prices of the crude oil which had orchestrated a continued dwindling in the revenues accruable to Nigeria and other oil producing state.

Governor Aregbesola who attributed the current economic imbroglio in the states of the federation to what he regarded as the adverse effect of the present economic downturn in the oil sector across the world.

Governor Aregbesola made the statement while addressing the people during the 2nd Guest Personality Lecture organized by the Law Students of Osun State University, College of Law, at Ifetedo Campus.

Governor Aregbesola said Nigeria's economy has gotten to the state of dilemma, saying efforts should be urgently intensified all and sundry to rescue the nation from the bring of collapse.

Analyzing the causes of the current economic challenges, Aregbesola said the nation wouldn't have been entangled if the past administrations especially the administration of the erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan was not characterized with palpable corruption.

Governor Aregbesola who lamented over the way and manner at which the nation's treasury and fortunes were being managed in the past said monumental corruption has been the bane of socio-political and economic retrogression in the country.

He said, "it is unfortunate that our leaders in the past led us to this economic mess due to their deliberate insensibility and corruption.

"It is also regrettable and disheartening that we have experienced the worst economic situation in history due to present huge fall in the oil prices which adverse effects had been spread across government at all levels.

"Our administration was the first in Nigeria to cry out on the economic effects of the alleged oil theft during the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan which later snowballed into the continuous depreciation in the prices of crude oil at the international market.

"Specifically, in July 2013, we decried the incessant oil theft being allegedly proclaimed by the immediate past administration, as we brilliantly told Nigerians to rise to our call and seek for transparency in the management of the oil sector.

"So incredible, we were misinterpreted and viewed as critiques, but now we have been vindicated as what we were fighting against later appeared openly to all.

"Without any sense of doubt, if truly that Nigeria's economy would definitely experience this economic impasse and our call was heeded to the letter and supported with relevant economic panacea, the country would have been prevented from the gigantic effects occasioned by the nation's mainstay commodity.

Governor Aregbesola however declared as unfounded and mischievous the allegation that his administration is being tormented with effects of the current economic crisis due to his over-ambition to development.

He said his administration was aware of an allegation purportedly credited to the members of the opposition and enemies of his government who according to him attributed his inability to pay the full salaries of some sections of the state workforce to over-zealousness for transformation.

"It is unfortunate that some people do not reflect on the circumstances that led to the current economic situation in Nigeria.

"But the real fact is that, our economy has been seriously bastardized by the leadership of the main opposition party that led the country for sixteen years.

"These mischievous people have forgotten that our administration in spite the current economic situation has never abdicated its responsibilities in providing the basic amenities to its citizens as well as the payment of workers agreed salaries.

"They have forgotten that all the projects being implemented were mostly needed by the state, even as I speak to you, we still have a lots to do in order to develop and transform our state.

"In view of this, our government is not over-ambitious to development but rather providing the needful needs aimed at developing and transforming the state and the citizens.

"If we have failed to executive all the projects we have done and still doing, the state might not be able to regain such huge transformation as being prioritized by our government.

"So for this reason alone, it is shameful for anybody to think or accuse us of being over-ambitious to development because it is only the enemy of progress that will reason in such an irrational manner", Aregbesola affirmed.

Governor Aregbesola therefore called on the people to support his administration in its bid of finding workable alternative to chusion the effects of the current economic crisis.

Aregbesola advocated for massive particiaption in agriculture, saying it is the only surviving sector that can bailout the country from her present economic situation.

Earlier in his lecture, the guest lecturer and human rights activist, Barrister Femi Falana who spoke on a topic titled: “Justifiability of Social and Economic Rights in Nigeria” lamented over what he regarded as infinitesimal economic policy in Nigeria, saying the nation's fortunes had been selfishly mismanaged by the governments at various levels.

The legal luminary who bemoaned the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan for being insensitive, reckless and corrupt said the current corruption charges leveled against some of the people who worked with the erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan was a clear signal to his claims.

Mr. Falana accused members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as the brain behind the Nigeria economic woes, saying it was unfortunate that the Party (PDP) and its loyalists could siphoned billions of naira purportedly voted for arms procurement.

He called for a genuine and transparent anti-graft war in Nigeria, stressing that the time has come for all Nigerians to form a united front against corruption which he described as a common enemy of Nigeria and Nigerians.

Barrister Falana who called for a speedy and an accelerated prosecution of those facing trial of corruption charges in Nigeria, saying whoever found guilty or being convicted should be given a capital punishment.

Mr. Falana however charged the Federal Government to establish a Special Court for anti-corruption crusade, saying it is the only way to reduce the congestion of trials and prosecutions of corruption cases in the country.

Mr. Falana enjoined the present government to be more vigilant and conversant on the hypocritical attitude of those who appear saintly but behave otherwise.

"Our economy as a nation is totally troubled due to corruption, selfishness, nepotism and political chauvinism that have proliferated in all facets of our national life.

"Our people have been economically damaged and disorientated simply because we are running an infinitesimal policy where the rich become richer and the poor become poorer.

"This is the time for President Muhamadu Buhari to rededicate and restrategize his policies towards his widely acceptable anti-corruption war and fight against insurgency, so that anyone found guilty of corruption would be held thoroughly dealt with and made as a deterrent to others.

"The Federal Government must also as a matter of urgency establish a Special Court to fight against corruption, drug trafficking and human trafficking in order to create a new, saver and better Nigeria that we all desired", Mr. Falana stated.

Lead by Example, Foster Unity, Avoid Self-aggradizement, Aregbesola Charges New Oluwo...As he presents him Staff of Office By Waheed Adekunle, Osogbo

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 19:42:00 +0000

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has charged the new Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi on the need to jettison self-aggradisement, primitive and insatiable appetite for wealth accumulation and as well explore his coveted position to entrench unity among yorubas as he begins to pilot the affairs of the ancient town.

Governor Aregbesola admonished the new monarch to lead by example and explore every opportunity and privilege at his disposal to bring in all round development.

Governor Aregbesola gave the admonition while presenting the Staff of Office and Instrument of Appointment to the newly installed Oluwo of Iwoland at the coronation ceremony in the ancient town.

The ancient town was however stood still for hours as the sons and daughters of the town enthusiastically trooped out en masse and besieged the venue where the coronation took place.

Addressing the residents of the town, Governor Aregbesola who titled his speech "A new dawn in Iwoland" commended the people of the town especially the kingmakers and the princes of all the ruling houses for embracing peace, unity and cohesion before, during and after the installation of their new monarch.

Aregbesola who implored the new traditional ruler to see monarchy and kingship as a thing that naturally comes from God with certain privileges, saying a good monarch must rule with the fear of God, wisdom and as well convert privileges to resources of governance.

He enjoined the monarch to avoid the pitfall of turning privileges into avenues for self-aggradizement, adding that a good monarch must also be a unifying person and must never constitute a divisive agent.

Governor Aregbesola advocated for peace and unity among yorubas, saying the time has come for all the yoruba traditional rulers to extend love and compassion to one another and as well promote the peaceful co-habitation among the yorubas home and abroad.

He said, "The coming of His Royal Highness, Oba Akanbi, is at a time of renewed drive at Yoruba unity, solidarity and development.

"This has become a strong rallying cry since the enthronement of the Ooni of Ife, more than a month ago. It is my sincere wish that you take a front seat on this train.

"Occupying a position of leadership is God-ordained and carries a great responsibility with it. People look up to the leader for direction, protection and sustenance.

"You must provide these for them. More importantly, you must lead by example. Leadership naturally comes with certain privileges, but a good leader must convert privileges to resources of governance.

"You must therefore avoid the pitfall of turning privileges into avenues for self-aggrandisement and primitive accumulation.

"You must rule with wisdom and fear of God. The people over whom you preside are diverse politically, ideologically, temperamentally, socially and by moral disposition.

"Not all of them will readily agree with you and many of them will say or do things you will consider abhorrent. But they are all your subjects and you are required to preside over them with tact and wisdom in a way that will enable you to get the best out of them.

"A leader must also be a unifying person and must never constitute a divisive agent. There are two kings whose reign the Yoruba never forget. These are the king whose reign is peaceful and the one whose reign is characterized by turmoil and scattering. May your reign be peaceful and usher in prosperity for the people in the realm.

Governor Aregbesola who approved the appointment of Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi as the Oluwo of Iwo on Monday 9th November, 2015, said the stool would have even been filled earlier but for the plethora of court cases on it his administration had to allow the rule to take its normal course.

He stressed further, "it is our believe that closure has been brought to the contest for this stool by the distinguished and honourable princes of Iwo as we have felt the wind of peace and unity with the hope that everyone had allowed the peace to reign.

"Iwo is fortunate to have Oba Akanbi as king. He is young, well-educated and cosmopolitan. He brings with him to the throne a wealth of experience from his many travels and exposure to the world as he had lived in developed and well organised societies in Europe and North America and no doubt will lead Iwo on the path of accelerated development.

"Oba Akanbi will be occupying the throne of a city that has a rich history behind it.

"I congratulate Oba Akanbi and the people of Iwo for a new dawn in this town and environ. It is our collective prayer that the Almighty will grant him long life and his tenure will usher Iwo into renewed wealth, prosperity, multiplication, good health and peace.

Governor Aregbesola used the avenue of the occasion to implore the people of the state to support his administration through prompt tax payment, adding that the primary way a people demonstrate loyalty to the state is by supporting it through payment of tax.

Aregbesola said the era of gigantic revenues from the Federation Accounts has gone, thus calls for the need for all and sundry to rise towards rescuing themselves from the adverse effects of the current economic situation.

The Governor said in view of achieving desired goals and objectives, traditional rulers must be a ready-hands in mobilize the people to participate in their own development by taking every advantage of opportunities that will come from time to time and to support the government by obeying the laws of the land and prompt payment of taxes.

According to him, "Taxation is the heartbeat of any government. The primary way a people demonstrate loyalty to the state is by supporting it through payment of tax.

"Therefore, cardinal objective of our administration is to bring accelerated development to our communities, but to achieve this, the traditional rulers are in a good position to mobilize the people to participate in their own development by taking every advantage of opportunities that will come from time to time and to support the government by obeying the laws of the land and prompt payment of taxes.

"Though we have neglected this in the past largely because we were getting free money from the Federation Account.

"With the precipitous fall in oil price, an end has come to this and by necessity, we must earn our own money, if we must tide over this special and challenging time.

Aregbesola therefore called on the residents especially the youths to be more productive and showcase interest by participating massively in farming, saying agriculture remains the only alternative, sustainable and imperishable means of living.

"Every able-bodied person, most importantly the youths and school leavers, must be productively engaged, especially in farming.

"Our administration is rolling out a new programme with huge incentives for all interested persons to participate in farming, in a way that will make them rich and yield huge revenues to the government", Aregbesola said.

In his address, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Wale Babalakin commended the people of Iwo for allowing peace to reign before, during and after the installation of the new monarch.

Dr. Wale Babalakin who also lauded Governor Aregbesola for climbing the ladder of progress in the discharge of his constitutional responsibilities in the state, said the state government's resolve in choosing Oba Akanbi is a round peg in the round hole.

According to him, Osun is a state being blessed with very notable big cities, though it is great asset but also a great challenge on the state government, traditional rulers and other authorities to utilize their population, strength, wealth, diversity, intellectual capacity at their disposal for the betterment of all.

"I congratulate the people of Iwo for cooperating extensively in installing a new king without any sense of rancour.

"The sons and daughters of this town have chosen their monarch in a very matured way and by extension an excellent, educated, well exposed, illustrious, industrious as a new king.

"There will be challenges before you, but with your resolution and commitment, you shall overcome while this coronation will equally mark the beginning of a great resolution.

"As our king start to pilot the affairs of your native town, God will turn your troubled roads to stopping stones for the attainment of greater heights", Dr. Babalakin stated.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Executive Secretary, Iwo Local Government, Hon. Kamorudeen Olabisi Alao urged the residents of the ancient town to cooperate with the new monarch in order to facilitate rapid socio-economic and infrastructural development of the town.

Hon. Alao who described the occasion as auspicious, momentous and much awaited extolled Governor Aregbesola for his high sense of mediation, wise intervention and prompt leadership action towards traditional institution which resulted to what he called speedy manner in which the candidacy of Prince Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi was approved as the new Oluwo of Iwoland by the state government.

He commended the people of the state on their high sense of maturity being exhibited during the selection process of the new traditional ruler, saying their peaceful conduct and sense of unity would be forever acknowledged.

He said, "the people of Iwo especially princes of the ruling houses have really accorded us wonderful and unprecedented cooperation and this had resulted to seamless selection process.

"Though the contest for the vacant stool was full of many anxious moments for our administration but mercifully, at our behest, all the ruling houses decided to bury their hatchets in order for peace and progress to reign supreme.

In his goodwill message, the Asiwaju of Iwoland, Barrister Adedeji Gbadegesin commended Governor Aregbesola for his timely approval of the appointment of the new Oluwo, saying his noble action has rescued the town from unnecessary protracted royal interregnum.

"I commend our Governor for liberating us out of the royal bondage that would have tormented us for years. The timely approval of the appointment of the new Oluwo of Iwoland, thus saving our people the trauma of having to wait for years as was the case in the past.

He lamented over what he regarded as backwardness in the town, saying Iwo has witnessed a gradual but remarkable slow-down in its march to greatness in the last one hundred years in spite the fact that Iwoland has an enviable record of loyalty and commitment to progressive causes.

He said, "It is in our character in Iwo to always partner with all lawful authorities and progressive causes but it is unfortunate that the town is nearly forgot in the area of development.

"To this regard, the glaring mismatch or disconnect between our loyalty and commitment and the rewards is overdue for reappraisal and redress.

Barrister Gbadegesin therefore advocated for more cooperation with the current governments at local, state and federal for all round development, progress and transformation.

He called on the indigenes of the town to rally round the new monarch for general success, saying no community ever achieves its potentials with the level of division, bile and acrimony.

Barrister Gbadegesin implored the new monarch to see his ascendancy as a challenge to turn around the town for the betterment of all.

"This is the time for all and sundry to demonstrate our unflinching supports, cooperation and love to our new monarch as unity will stand and divided will for.

"To our brand new monarch, your ascent to the throne of your forefathers is a period of challenges and great expectation among our people.

"With love and cooperation in all fronts we hope and pray that your reign will bring the best and brightest of all things positive, peace, prosperity, life more abundant as we fervently believed that your rein would in no doubt go a long way to bring the desired transformation not only to Iwoland but to the State of Osun and Nigeria at large.

In their separate remarks, the President of Iwo Board of Trustees, Otunba Abdulganiy Adebayo Aremu, President of Nigerian Association of Young/Adult in Canada, commended Governor Aregbesola for choosing the right person for the town.

The duo expressed confidence in the new king that his reign will bring the desired peace, unity, peace, security, prosperity and joy which the town has been yearning for over the years.

They charged the new monarch to use the advantage of his position to bringing- in to the town the foreign investors, captain of industries, business men and women, traders, manufacturers among others for sustainable growth and development.

In his congratulatory message, the new Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi expressed profound gratitude to Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Government and people of Osun especially the Iwo Kingmakers for giving him the opportunity to steer the affairs of the ancient town.

The new Oluwo who advocated for the promotion of local products and commodities said his coming to the throne of his forefathers will leave no stone unturned to ensure total reawakening and promotion of local products.

Oba Akanbi who promised to take Iwo to a height never known in history said one of his plans to achieve immense successes would be a greater focus on the promotion of local goods especially the farm produce as the nation is traversing to agriculture.

He said it is misnomer and uncalled for, a situation where a country deems fit to import what it could produce, saying any act of ignoring local products leads to unnecessary inflation which according to him has been the case in Nigeria.

Oba Akanbi further advocated for the official utilization of Adire fabric (batik attire) as school uniforms, police uniforms, soldiers uniforms among others, saying if this is being promoted locally, Nigerian Textile would in no doubt earn huge revenues as this would also be encouraged and exported.

"My advocacy for the return to our roots, is a rationale to the urgent need of improving our economy, social and political well being of our people.

"I am bent to take Iwo to a height never known in history by exploring all our given potentials for the upliftment and betterment of all.

"I will serve my people on the path of righteousness and place Iwo among the community of great cities in the world.

"My dogged pursue of the economic liberation of our people will premise on the massive utilization of our local materials for greater production that will encourage massive exportation.

"I will encourage the use of batik (Adire attire) to promote our culture, values and traditions as yoruba race and as well translate into our economic benefits and advantage.

"I will not stop until this is realizable and the government adopts the use of batik fabric as school uniforms and security uniforms as this will create employment opportunity and wealth generation", Oluwo stated.

Oba Akanbi therefore canvassed for support from all and sundry especially his co-contenders, saying his palace will be always opened for beautiful ideas, brainstorming and deliberation.

He equally called on the people in the town to support the current government by paying their taxes regularly.

Sack Emefiele now to give room for anti-corruption crusade, Human Right Activist tells Buhari...Says Nigerians will not rest until corruption is uprooted

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 19:35:00 +0000

One of the foremost Human Right Activists in Nigeria, Comrade Shittu Amitolu has called for the immediate removal of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.

Comrade Amitolu who charged President Muhammadu Buhari to act as a matter of national call, said part of the steps for Mr. President to win the fight against corruption was for him to urgently dismiss the CBN Governor, in order to rescue the nation from the brink of economic collapse.

The Human Rights Activist gave the charge while addressing journalists at the occasion of his 51st Birthday Anniversary at his residence in Osogbo.

Comrade Amitolu who lamented over what he described as economic shortchanging however called on the Mr. President to direct the appropriate authorities especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to beam its searchlight into the financial engagements perpetrated by the CBN boss.

Comrade Amitolu who also described the continued devaluation of currency and the proposed printing of new N100 note by the current CBN boss as apparent fraudulence, saying the CBN Governor has proved himself as a corrupt economist having understood that the cost of printing a new N100 denomination was more than N100 itself.

The Human Rights Activist said the only realistic way to save Nigeria from the total economic destroy and undue inflation was for Nigerians to rise against the anti-people's policies of the CBN Governor and call for his immediate sack.

Comrade Amitolu alleged the CBN Governor of greediness, ineptitude, lackluster, corruption and convoluted conspiracy with the members of the People's Democratic Party, PDP.

He therefore advised President Buhari to sack and replace Mr. Emefiele with someone who possesses pro-people economic policies that can lead the country to the greater heights of prosperity and economic sustainability.

According to him, "there is no iota of doubt in the fact that the present CBN Governor has chosen to lead Nigeria's economic fortune to the path of total collapse.

"This has been demonstrated by the CBN Governor, Mr. Emefiele whose actions and inactions were characterized by unprecedented corruption in managing the apex bank of our dear country.

"Mr. Emefiele must be probed by the anti-graft agencies to prove and exposure to Nigerians and the entire world his high level of shortchanging and economic hanky panky that has bastardized our collective fortunes over the years.

"The CBN Governor himself knew that he could not be exonerated from the 2.1billion dollars arms fund that was doled out freely like father christmas.

"Nigerians must draw their intellectual senses to the fact this alleged arms fund was released through the gate and office of the CBN Governor, therefore it means that the CBN Governor having released the said fund but failed to monitor the disbursement and spending shows that he was part of the deal.

"Since he could be exonerated from this callous and illegal act, the best to be done by Mr. President is to sack him and replace him with someone of impeccable and disciplined character and integrity.

Comrade Amitolu further charged Nigerians to support the Nigeria Security agencies in their fight against insurgency and other criminality in the country.

The Human Right Crusader submitted that not until the presidency sees the need to remove the CBN boss, its efforts on anti-graft war would amount to futility as the currency would continue to devalue, oil will continue to fall, local markets will be determined by foreign markets and life will continue to be difficult as standard and cost of living will be hiked.

Comrade Amitolu who celebrated his birthday anniversary with beggars, less privileged and destitutes called on the well meaning Nigerians especially the rich to imbibe the spirit of philanthropy and always extend kindness and love to the downtrodden in the society.

He said, "Nigeria would have been a better place if we usually take care of the destitutes, while the downtrodden would have been useful to our society if the system and constitution recognized their existence.

Lagos now Member of Odu'a Investment Company Limited Owner States...As Company Proposes N20b Revenue By Waheed Adekunle, Osogbo

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 19:18:00 +0000

The Oodua Owner States Governors on Tuesday announced the admittance of Lagos state into the Oodua Investement Company Limited just as a new revenue base was proposed for the company from N4billion to N20billion.

Addressing journalists on behalf of other Governors shortly after a closed door meeting of the Owner States Governors at the Cocoa House Ibadan, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state stated that the meeting was aimed at restrategising the activities of the company and take some relevant far-reaching decisions to reposition the Investment and as well boost its economic base in line with the global economic trends.

He disclosed that the five Owner States Governors have approved a five year strategic economic plan to grow the revenue base of the company from N4billion to N20billion.

According to him, "we owner States Governors of Osun, Oyo, Ondo, Ogun and Ekiti state have met with the board and management of Odu'a Investment Company on the need to improve our activities as regards revenue base.

"We have deliberated comprehensively on the need to improve our revenue base, economic activities and the implementation of new economic strategies in line with the best global economic trends.

"We have also taken far-reaching economic decisions to reposition the investment as the engine room of economic growth in the Southwest.

"To achieve all these, we owner States Governors have therefore approved a five year strategic plan to grow and increase tremendously the revenue base of the company from N4billion to N20billion.

Governor Mimiko further revealed that the Owner States Governors have also agreed on the principle to include Lagos State as part of the Odu'a Investment Company Limited, saying the economic strategy is a five-year plan aimed at increasing the revenue base of the company from its present N4billion to 20billiion and as well improve the economic activities of the investment for the general benefits of the owner states.

He therefore submitted that the owner States Governors have decided to meet with board and management of the Company quarterly.

"As we have agreed to reposition the company economically, we also implemented principles to admit Lagos State as part of the Odu'a Investment Company Limited with a view to reshape the revenue base of the company.

"In a bid to achieve greater improvement and effective management, we have agreed to be meeting with board and management of the company on quarterly basis", Governor Mimiko disclosed.

Meanwhile, the meeting was attended by the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, his counterparts in Ogun and Ondo States, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Oyo State Deputy Governor, Otunba Moses Alade Adeyemo, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kolapo Olusola, Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Dr. (Mrs) Modupe Alade, Secretary to Oyo State Government, Mr. Olalekan Ali, Group Managing Director, Odu'a Investment Company Limited, Mr. Adewale Raji, Directors of the five owner States of Odu'a Investment Company Limited, among other dignitaries and political functionaries.

OONI TAKES UNITY VISIT TO ALAAFIN. AS ALAAFIN CELEBRATES 45TH CORONATION

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 18:27:00 +0000

His Imperial majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi today laid an unprecedented achievement in the history of Yoruba race as he paid an unscheduled visit to Alaafin Of Oyo, Oba Olayiwola Adeyemi at his palace to join him in celebrating his 45th coronation anniversary on the throne.

Speaking at the thanksgiving service to commemorate the anniversary, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi though uninvited emphasized that is upmost agenda as he enthroned the seat of his forefathers is to unify all Yoruba sons and daughters across the nation all over the world.

Oba Enitan in his quest to unite Yoruba nations said in his words, “I am here today though not invited but as the Arole Oduduwa, the onus is on me to felicitate with all sons and daughters wherever they are and to show my solidarity for any of them”.

”I am ready to damn any consequences or insinuations from anywhere; my mission here is to preach peace among nations of Yoruba both home and abroad and I am ready to work with Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Olayiwola Adeyemi to project the unity and love which we believe is existing in days of our forefathers.” Ooni said.

Ooni of Ife who was accompanied to the 45th thanksgiving service of Alaafin by over 100 monarchs across all Yoruba land believes that with the support of all Obas in Yoruba land, there will be unity in Nigeria and by extension their will be unity and peace all over the world. “Oduduwa is father of all nations and his spirit abides by all us as the symbol of thie progenitor.

Earlier in his speech, Oba Olayiwola Adeyemi expresses joy with the presence of Ooni and all Obas in yorubaland, maintained that if every monarch in the Yoruba unite , there will be a tremendous progress in Nigeria.

“This special visit was done last in March 1937, that was the first time the kings in Yorubaland met in Oyo town and today history was made with the visit of Arole Oodua Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II and I feel delighted to host you and to reassure you that I will be ready to work with you”.

“I have a tight relationship with Ooni Adesoji Aderemi and I did not want to relent my bound with any Ooni of Ife that assumed the post but everybody has his own little differences”.

Rt, Rev, Titus Ilori Omoniyi, the bishop of Oyo Diocese emphasized that the unity among Yoruba nation will bring progress and development and this will lead to unprecedented progress to all nations.

“Ooni has made an unforgettable visit in history of yorubaland and I laud your 11 points which centered on youth empowerment programmes and cultural drive and implore all obas to emulate the Arole Oodua, Enitan and drive away poverty and crime”

Earlier in his sermon, Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Methodist Church Nigeria however pray foor Alaafin successful reign in Oyo town and pray for journey mercies to Ooni nof Ife and the over 100 monarchs that followed him to grace Alaafin’s thanksgiving service

He appealed to all the followers to embrace peace as the Lord Jesus Christ symbolizes peace and tranquility.

In his own Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu said he was on shock with the unscheduled visit of Ooni of ife and Arole Oodua. It is a great day for all Yoruba obas and all Yoruba nations”.

This phenomenon is epoch with the presence of all the royal dignitaries in attendance because I have never seen any event where this large number of obas were present at a time”.

The event was later rounded up with a grand reception at the palace of Alaafin of Oyo while the two monarchs went in for a closed door meeting which lasted for about20 minutes and in reciprocating the kind gesture done by Ooni of Ife, Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi escorted the entourage of his august guest to the major express road that links Ibadan and Oyo town.

Among royal fathers who accompanied Arole Oodua includes Orangun of Ila, Ajero of Ijero. Timi Of Ede, Akinrun of Ikinrun, Olu of Yewa, Alara of Aramoko, Oore of Otun, Alayemore of Efon Alaye among others.

ICYMI- What’s Going on in Abuja? - Dele Momodu

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 04:40:00 +0000

Fellow Nigerians, I don’t know how many of you feel the way I feel but some things are not very clear to me. There is so much commotion in the land. It seems like we are still busy campaigning after election.

The two major political parties in Nigeria are permanently at daggers’ drawn. I thought elections were won and lost since March 2015. It would be one year soon in two months’ time. By now the politicians on both sides should have gotten over whatever malice existed then and learn to accept whatever fate befell them, good or bad. Let’s try to examine the causes and sources of friction and irritation. President Muhammadu Buhari’s credentials and antecedents as an anticorruption crusader were always well-known and substantially advertised.

His records as a maximum ruler from 1983-85 remain indelible. Most of his cult-followers have only one principal reason for turning him into some god they worship because they believe he has the capacity, resolve and courage to exterminate all the artful dodgers who stole their country blind and made life so miserable for them. It is my belief therefore, that President Buhari is determined not to let down his devotees. Anything less than chasing the corrupt leaders to the pits of hell would not be acceptable to those people. As a matter of fact, the not so tactful but honest statement by President Buhari that he does not think some of those arrested for economic crimes deserve bail actually resonates with many of those who want corrupt officials summarily dealt it, no matter how incompatible with the tenets of democracy this may be. Sooner than later, we may find ourselves at the crossroads of impunity and freedom.

I do not envy President Buhari at all. In him we find a largely incorruptible leader who requires the lethal powers of a full-blown dictator to operate anyhow he wants but is being bogged down by the demands of equity and justice in a democratic environment. It is indeed a big dilemma and I can’t wait to see how the Buhari government wriggles out of it. Our President is being accused of bad faith for breaching the supposed gentleman’s agreement reached with the immediate past government not to probe its officers, especially the big man himself, President Goodluck Jonathan, and some of his fat cats. Those supporting President Buhari are insisting that promises are meant to be made but not necessarily kept or unbroken. They argue that President Buhari knew things were very bad but didn’t know how horrible and terrible. And that now that he has come face to face with the grim reality he cannot afford to let those guys off the hook. It is such a serious matter that no covenant can stand in way of crime and punishment.

But members of the opposition who were in power for 16 years are kicking and raising a lot of dust. The vocal ones among them such as Governor Ayodele Fayose and Mr Olisa Metuh have not hidden their disdain for President Buhari. In the view of those two, the President is a tyrant who wishes to visit the personal iniquities of the parents on their children up to fourth generation if necessary. They see President Buhari as a vengeful and ruthlessly vindictive man who’s out to take his pound of flesh on those who have injured or offended him in any way in the past. The ding dong arguments go on unabated. Those on Buhari’s side are asking if the allegations against those arrested are true or false! They wonder if it is reasonable and not treasonable that defendants can say their enemies made them to commit fundamental sins. The debate seems very simple on the surface but much of it is still very complicated.

In the meantime, the polity is clearly heated up at the moment. The economy is bleeding dangerously. The crime rate is atrociously high. Unemployment is still incredibly rife. Poverty has not been dented and the populace is miserable. In short, the people are constantly on edge. Many Nigerians expect a miracle from Buhari. They are not ready or willing to accept our endless excuses especially the one about saying the time is too short to judge this government of necessity. Truth is we made promises to the people who thought there was a magic wand in Buhari’s pocket and he would use his talismanic powers to dismiss all our problems in a jiffy. But governance is never that simple. The scenario confronting Buhari is much worse, without trying to make excuses for him. Nigeria is very broke and Nigeria should never find itself in this type of peculiar mess after all the monies made in the past years which were recklessly frittered away. Any leader confronted by such an ugly monster would naturally be uncontrollably angry. And the President betrayed that frustration and anger at his last media chat.

My suggestion is that the anti-corruption war should continue unabated but with more focus on recovering looted funds before retribution and restitution. I do not know how the Judiciary can be of help in the fight but it should be possible to fast-track some of the cases but that may not be too easy knowing the preponderance of pending cases. But I will join those who would say the rights of every citizen must be respected. If I were President Buhari, I will not go against court orders no matter how frivolous those pronouncements can be sometimes.

I will empower the Police and the secret services to operate better surveillance rather than lock up anyone indefinitely. I may not willy nilly allow those under trial to travel abroad but I will allow some measure of movements within our country. If the appropriate safeguards and undertakings are provided and given though, there is no reason why people with established medical ailments should not be permitted to travel abroad. With the co-operation of other nations and international criminal agencies, no country is a safe haven for the corrupt politician or ex government official. Indeed they may meet a greater Nemesis in the foreign climes that they desire to seek medical succour from. I believe the President may have been too hasty in concluding that those given bail to go abroad would necessarily abscond. I like to have a little more faith in our fellow citizens. After all there is nowhere that they can enjoy the trappings, privileges and expansive lifestyle that they relish than Nigeria!

I’ve had this dispute with some top government functionaries in different governments in the past and my usual way of putting it is that we must never set fire to an entire village in order to catch some rats. We must do things methodically, lawfully and reasonably. We must seek and hope to protect the rule of law no matter how anxious we are to get justice and convict rogues. No civilian leader has the power let alone moral right to be the accuser, prosecutor and the Judge simultaneously. No matter the shortcomings of democracy, that’s the system we chose to practise. The President must always remember that it is on the platform of democracy that he came to power. He cannot, having attained the heights that he sought, dump democratic principles and ideals on the altar of expediency. That would be an unmitigated disaster. Democracy must be adequately protected lest we taint the modicum of credibility we’ve gained since this great man returned to power. If care is not taken, the international community may begin to grumble and ultimately give up on supporting a government they hope would restore hope not just to Nigeria, but the continent of Africa as a whole.

I expect the hawks to say who cares but we must care about our global image and how the world perceives us in the comity of nations. We cannot snub the civilised world while still thinking of doing serious business, seeking aid and securing loans that may ultimately take us out of the doldrums. We can fight our battles within the confines of our laws without damaging the innocent alongside the guilty. As the saying goes it is better that 10 felons go free than that one innocent man be hanged. Nothing can compensate the injustice of deliberately incriminating an innocent man who has being criminalised, tried, convicted and sentenced on the pages of newspapers, on radio, television and social media. It is a very heavy price to pay for the prejudice of intolerant politicians and people. May God grant our President more wisdom on how to solve the many intractable problems confronting our dear nation.

Of Davido, Sophia and Imade

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” - Deuteronomy 31: 8 Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. - Isaiah 1: 17 “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.” - Exodus 22: 22-23 These were the Biblical words that flooded to me as the devil tried its best to destroy a relationship of nearly 25 years. There is nothing more devastating than when communication breaks down between very intimate friends, especially male and female.

The once chummy relationship becomes dangerously affected and they rapidly metamorphose into sworn enemies. This is why some marriages collapse within months of consecration. The matter is usually much worse when children are born out of wedlock and there is no legal union between parents. No matter how lovey-dovey they were, once upon a time, the enmity grows at the speed of light. Families often become the biggest casualties as emotions freely run riot. The devil is an expert in the use of hearsay. Hearsay upon hearsay builds mutual distrust and mistrust. Sorry if I’m speaking in tongues and in parables. This is the best way I can describe the conflagration that engulfed the Momodus and the Adelekes which exploded globally on December 29, 2015, and raged all the way to January 7, 2016, when reason finally prevailed on both sides.

It was not an easy battle. It was a sad war. But I believe it was ordained to teach us fresh lessons about life and make us appreciate ourselves more and show the world that friends would always be friends no matter how daunting the challenges we confront. We thank God for good people. We are very blessed with those who intervened positively and ensured that we eventually sat down to talk. It reminded me of that popular advert by British Telecom: It is good to talk. But there are times when talking become impossible because the tongue and the mouth are quarrelling. Outsiders would never understand what went terribly wrong and how God miraculously brought everyone back from the precipice of the abyss. Let the saints say they’ve never been angry. Even Jesus Christ cursed a tree in anger.

The tongue is powerful. Nations have gone to war in anger and still returned to the negotiation table. That is the beauty of being able to bury your differences after a self-immolating fight. Many thanks to our father-figure, Professor Dayo Alao, for ultimately leading the peace initiative. We thank The Timi of Ede Oba Muniru Adesola Lawal Laminisa 1, Oba Adedokun Abolarin Aroyinkeye 1 The Orangun of Oke-Ila, Mr Wale Adeeyo, Mr Ademola Adeleke, Mrs Iyabo Ajibola-Momodu, Sophie Momodu, Mrs Mobolaji Momodu, Mr Dele Adeleke, Prince Adedamola Aderemi, Mr Gbolaga Ajayi, Dr Doyinsola Hamidat Abiola, Mr Femi Otedola, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Mr David Adeleke (aka Davido), The Emirate Airlines and all the government agencies that helped in the resolution process.

Specially the Immigration services at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) Lagos Zone deserve our commendation and gratitude. My star in the whole saga is Dr Adedeji Adeleke for maintaining a cool mien and being reasonable despite great heat and discomfort. But the heroine and only winner is baby Imade Aurora Momodu. To God be the full glory.

There is Good News Out of Nigeria - Dele Momodu

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 04:14:00 +0000

Fellow Nigerians, please, let’s move away from the plethora of bad news today. Everywhere you turn in the world it seems the world would soon come to an end. If it is not some terrorist bombs exploding and floating in the rarefied air like flying saucers it is news of some deranged person spraying bullets at school kids in America. The baddest news for us lately in Nigeria apart from the unending Boko Haram menace is that of the free fall of the Naira like kamikaze divers. I have never seen anything like it. It is big trouble for those who transact most of their businesses in foreign exchange and do importations. If your family lives abroad and you have school fees to pay you are just on your own.

But I want us to run away from all that migraine today and celebrate good news. As bad as things may seem, some Nigerians are marching forward, breaking down barriers and conquering territories. This period requires doing things differently. We need men and women of valour. Those who can take on humongous tasks without minding the encumbrances they are likely to encounter along the way. There is so much to learn from such people by many of our youths. Life is never a bed of roses. It is one of the reasons I love reading biographies. I also enjoy conducting interviews or reading those granted by iconic figures. They all have something in common; they had to ride through rough valleys and mountains of trouble to get to the top.

Many of our young ones missed the great businessman and political colossus called Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola. No story was better told than the way he captured his grass to grace trajectory. Chief Abiola was greatly endowed and he was able to display exceptional brilliance early in life. From a poor background, he was able to attain a global status by dint of hard work and remarkable courage. His forays into telecommunications, agriculture, shipping, aviation, books and media at a relatively young age showed a man who was clearly ahead of his time. For him, the money he made was not as fulfilling as how much he contributed to charitable causes. He touched lives everywhere and became a global brand. He invested heavily in educating the poor and elevating them in life. He promoted the development of our youths through sports and became Africa’s Pillar of Sports. You can’t ever be great if you can’t do extraordinary things, Chief Abiola taught his disciples like me. I will recommend the teaching of Chief Abiola’s life in our school.

In my adult years, I have been privileged to meet and study the lives of many great Africans. I discovered nothing good comes easy. Everyone knows and talks about the Chairman of Globacom Dr Michael Adeniyi Agbolade Isola Adenuga today but they are not likely to know that the secret of his uncommon accomplishments is that of guts, hard work and tenacity. I remember one of the rarest interviews he granted Newswatch when his Consolidated Oil became the first indigenous company to strike oil in commercial quantity. The Newswatch scoop gave an insight into a man who took a risk too big for the faint-hearted. Those who should know knew that oil exploration was a most risky business but Dr Adenuga was undaunted. He had the agility of a bull. He had started business right from the time he was schooling in the United States of America and the Ijebu blood in him prepared him for the long voyage in business.
Dr Adenuga went into banking and single-handedly owned two prominent brands, DEVCOM Merchant Bank and Equitorial Trust Bank.

He went into telecommunications and changed the landscape spectacularly. He made the impossible possible by empowering the poor and the rich alike. We often forget where we were at some point in time but some of us cannot forget those giant strides so quickly. Dr Adenuga did not stop there; he laid submarine cables from Europe to Africa to ensure a blistering internet speed. He ventured out and landed in Benin Republic and Ghana. He united Africa through football and entertainment. He supported our stars to live like their counterparts in Europe and America. There are endless testimonies to his generosity. It is painful when we don’t teach our youths about the pains that come with seeking greatness.

Barely eleven years ago, there was no Nigerian Bank in Ghana. The story we were told was that none could pass the stringent conditions laid down by the Bank of Ghana. What was more, Nigerians were largely perceived as fraudsters and harbingers of bad manners generally. But one man dared to be different and this banker Mr Tony Elumelu scaled all the huddles and the bank he led then, Standard Trust Bank became the first Nigerian financial institution to be licensed. Not just that, the much smaller bank soon acquired the powerful bank UBA and the rest is history. Today UBA has solid presence in about 19 African countries as well as Europe and America. Mr Elumelu also founded Heirs Holdings and has his fingers in many pies including power projects and hospitality business. The iconic banker has made spectacular impact as a philanthropist who has chosen to build a new crop of youthful entrepreneurs in Africa.

Permit me to give one more example of how Nigerians are performing wonders at home and abroad. My last but certainly not the least is the one and only Alhaji Aliko Dangote who has exploded on the world scene in the last couple of years. From doing commodities and making stupendous money he has become Africa’s leading industrialist with Dangote Cement becoming a major force on the African continent. There is no doubt that Dangote Cement will soon become number one in the whole of Africa and one of the largest in the world. Say what you will, this could not have been an easy feat. My mission is to encourage our young ones to grumble less and emulate these inspirational leaders. Alhaji Dangote at great risk has penetrated about 14 or more African countries and I have had the privilege of visiting some of his eye-popping plants. Nothing could be more daring than his refinery project I watched on television just days ago. By the time it is ready, Alhaji Dangote would have positioned himself as one of the most influential Africans ever.

What gladdens my heart today is that there are new Adenugas, Dangotes and Elumelus emerging and doing outstandingly well. I’m writing this piece in Cotonou, Benin Republic where a group of young Nigerians are set to build one of the biggest power plants for that small but ambitious country. Thanks to the opening up of the country to transparent investors by President Yayi Boni, Genesis Energy, led by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Akinwole Omoboriowo, has signed a Concession Agreement to execute a 360MW capacity Gas Powered Projects in the Republic of Benin. This agreement empowers Genesis Energy to “construct, own, operate, maintain and supply electricity to the national grid of the country.”

The projects are to be delivered in phases. The first phase of 120MW will be operated on a fast track basis from Maria Gleta through a piped gas to be supplied by the Nigerian Gas Company. The Power Purchase Agreement for duration of 20 years was signed between Genesis and the Benin Electric Power Corporation for the 120MW Power Project. The key partners in the project include General Electric, Engro Powergen Limited, Cummins Cogeneration (UK) Limited and Genesis.

According to Genesis, “The power project will provide on completion over 30% of Benin’s current electricity demand.” It is good to see Nigerian companies spreading its wings everywhere and showing the world our capabilities. This Genesis has been doing for some time without making any noise about its achievement. A look at its projects portfolios is impressive. As far back as 2006, it did project in Guinea Bissau, a co-development of 50MW Emergency Power project in Ghana (2007), on grid generation in Sao Tome and Principe, off grid Distributed Power Project at NNPC’s Port Harcourt Refinery, name-plate power generation in Banana Island, Lagos; Calabar Free Zone off-grid project; multiple embedded generation for the Eko Electricity Distribution, etc.

As the former Governor of Oklahoma attested at a dinner in Cotonou days ago, the success of Genesis is rested mainly on its integrity and the rock-solid determination of its team. It is so wonderful to have such wonderful news come from non-Nigerians about Nigerians. It is only a matter of time before greater things begin to happen to us after all the bad stories we’ve had to endure over time.

Culled from ThisDay

Osun Police Nab Eight Robbery Suspects

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 18:56:00 +0000

Osun State Police Command has nabbed eight robbery suspects who murdered a university teacher, Dr. Adedeji Adejobi.

Adejobi a lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State and senior brother to Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ademuyiwa Adejobi.

Osun State Police Commissioner, Kola Sodipo made the disclosure at a press briefing held in Osogbo yesterday. Dr. Adedeji was murdered on July 14th, 2015 in Ile-Ife.

Those arrested are: Abiodun Damilola Jawefa, Adegoke Adeolu, who pulled the trigger, Sunday Okoro , Abiodun Ayeni, Faisal Musa, Bilkiaminu Alasan, Sule Victor and Bobby Eric.

Sodipo said when the suspects were interrogated, they all confessed that the Berretta pistol which was used to kill Dr. Adedeji Adejobi belong to Abiodun Damilola Jawefa and Anthony Okoro who is now at large.

He added that during the operation, Okoro now at large used his locally made cut to size barrel gun to kill the night guard security man at the house of the lecturer.

The Polic Commissioner said further that before the gang killed the university lecturer that day, they had earlier robbed a man of his Toyota Corolla car at Ilesa, which they latter used to trail Dr. Adejobi to his residence at Ile-Ife and robbed him of the following: Toyota Venza, NhP Laptop Computer, Blackberry handsets and cash, before eventually shot him to death.

He said that the police had recovered the following from one of the suspects: Laptop Computer, Plasma Television , two locally made cut size single barrel guns, one live and 3 expended cartridges, and one empty shell of 9mm Pistol ammunition.

Commissioner Sodipo said that the suspects have been arraigned in court and effort is ongoing to arrest the run away Anthony Okoro.

The State Commissioner of Police also stated that the command has arrested four robbery suspects and large cache of arms from them.

The suspects are Ifedayo Adeniyi, Semiu Taofeeq, Ogunwale Afolabi and Mukaila Oyeleke.

He posited that the suspects were arrested when they attacked and robbed one Fabiyi Adebayo of his Lexus Jep RX 300 at gun point.

He added that during the arrest, one locally made double barrel pistol with one live cartridge and cutlasses was recovered from them.

Commissioner of Police also disclosed that one Bamitale Fisayo who broke into a house and carted away sum of N30,130, one Acer laptop, two Infinix handset,one Blackberry touch handset, one Itel phone, one Nokia phone, one power bank with charger and other items was arrested, and has been charged to court .

The Commissioner said that eighteen vehicles and eight motorcycles were recovered by the command from various suspects from September to December 2015.

ARMS PROBE :ARE YOU STILL DEFENDING DASUKI & CO? PLEASE READ

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 18:39:00 +0000

PRESIDENT BUHARI ORDERS EFCC TO INVESTIGATE FORMER CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF, CHIEFS OF AIR STAFF, OTHERS OVER CORRUPTION IN MILITARY PROCUREMENTS

On the recommendation of the committee established to audit the procurement of arms and equipment in the Armed Forces and Defence sector from 2007 to 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to carry out further investigation into the misconduct established against the following retired and serving officers of the Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Army:

(1)Air Chief Marshal AS Badeh (Rtd)

(2)Air Marshal MD Umar (Rtd)

(3)Air Marshal AN Amosu (Rtd)

(4) Maj-Gen. ER Chioba (Rtd)

(5)AVM IA Balogun (Rtd)

(6)AVM AG Tsakr (Rtd)

(7)AVM AG Idowu (Rtd)

(8)AVM AM Mamu

(9)AVM OT Oguntoyinbo

(10)AVM T Omenyi

(11)AVM JB Adigun

(12)AVM RA Ojuawo

(13)AVM JA Kayode-Beckley

(12)Air Cdre SA Yushau (Rtd)

(13)Air Cdre AO Ogunjobi

(14)Air Cdre GMD Gwani

(15)Air Cdre SO Makinde

(16)Air Cdre AY Lassa

(16)Col N Ashinze

(17)Lt Col. MS Dasuki (Rtd)

Following the submission of the audit committee's second interim report, President Buhari has directed the EFCC to investigate the roles of the officers and the following companies and their directors in fundamental breaches associated with the procurements by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

(1)Messrs Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux

(2) Himma Aboubakar

(3)Aeronautical Engineering and Technical Services Limited

(4)Messrs Syrius Technologies

(5) Dr Theresa A. Ittu

(6)Sky Experts Nig Ltd

(7)Omenyi Ifeanyi Tony

(8)Huzee Nig Ltd

(9)GAT Techno Dynamics Ltd

(10) Gbujie Peter Obie

(11) Onuri Samuel Ugochukwu

(12)Spacewebs Interservices Ltd

(13)Oguntoyinbo Tayo

(14) Oguntoyinbo Funmi.

(15) Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd

(16)Chief Jacobs Bola

(17)Mono Marine Corporation Nig Ltd

(18)Geonel Intergrated Services Ltd

(20)Sachi Felicia

(20) Mudaki Polycarp

(21)Wolfgang Reinl.

The breaches identified by the Audit Committee include non-specification of procurement costs, absence of contract agreements, award of contracts beyond authorised thresholds, transfer of public funds for unidentified purposes and general non-adherence to provisions of the Public Procurement Act.

Furthermore, the procurement processes were arbitrarily carried out and generally characterized by irregularities and fraud. In many cases, the procured items failed to meet the purposes they were procured for, especially the counter insurgency efforts in the North East.

A major procurement activity undertaken by ONSA for NAF was that concerning the contracts awarded to Societe D’ Equipment Internationaux (SEI) Nig Ltd.

Between January 2014 and February 2015, NAF awarded 10 contracts totalling Nine Hundred and Thirty Million, Five Hundred Thousand, Six Hundred and Ninety US Dollars ($930,500,690.00) to SEI Nig Ltd.

Letters of award and End User Certificates for all the contracts issued by NAF and ONSA respectively did not reflect the contract sums.

Rather, these were only found in the vendor’s invoices, all dated 19 March 2015. Additionally, some of the award letters contained misleading delivery dates suggesting fraudulent intent in the award process. The observed discrepancies are in clear contravention of extant procurement regulations.

The SEI contracts included procurement of two used Mi-24V Helicopters instead of the recommended Mi-35M series at the cost of One Hundred and Thirty Six Million, Nine Hundred and Forty Four Thousand US Dollars ($136,944,000.00).

However, it was confirmed that the helicopters were excessively priced and not operationally air worthy at the time of delivery. A brand new unit of such helicopters goes for about Thirty Million US Dollars ($30m). Furthermore, the helicopters were delivered without rotor blades and upgrade accessories.

Additionally, the helicopters were undergoing upgrade while being deployed for operation in the North East without proper documentation. It was further established that as at date, only one of the helicopters is in service while the other crashed and claimed the lives of two NAF personnel.

The Committee established that ONSA also funded the procurement of 4 used Alpha-Jets for the NAF at the cost of Seven Million, One Hundred and Eighty Thousand US Dollars ($7,180,000.00). However, it was confirmed that only 2 of the Alpha-Jet aircraft were ferried to Nigeria after cannibalization of engines from NAF fleet.

This is contrary to the written assertion of the former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal AN Amosu to the former NSA that all the 4 procured Alpha-Jets aircraft were delivered to the NAF.

The non-militarisation of the Alpha-Jets made them unsuitable for deployment to the North East and they are currently deployed only for training at NAF Kainji.

Furthermore, the procurement of the Alpha-Jets was contrary to the recommendation of the assessment team. The Committee found that the conduct of Air Marshal Amosu was deliberately misleading and unpatriotic.

The contract for the procurement of 36D6 Low Level Air Defence Radar for the NAF was awarded to GAT Techno Dynamics Ltd in April 2014 at the cost of Thirty Three Million US Dollars ($33m) and was funded by ONSA.

The Committee established that the radars were excessively priced as a complete set of such radars (comprising 6 radars including the Control Centre) goes for Six Million US Dollars ($6m) averagely. The Committee observed that the radars were delivered without the vital component of Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) that distinguishes between own and adversary aircraft, which has significantly degraded the operational capabilities of the NAF in the North East.

It was further observed that the sum of Three Million, Three Hundred Thousand US Dollars ($3.3m) was fraudulently included in the contract agreement as VAT and With Holding Tax and subsequently paid into the bank accounts of Spacewebs Interservices Ltd and Delfina Oil and Gas Ltd.

The Committee further established that Two Million US Dollars ($2m) from the proceeds was transferred to Mono Marine Corporation Nig Ltd, which is jointly owned by principal characters in this deal. The Committee opined that the infractions of extant regulations by these companies were clearly intended to defraud.

It was established that between September 2009 and May 2015, the NAF expended about Fifteen Billion Naira (N15bn) on the maintenance of its Alpha-Jets, C-130H aircraft and Mi-24V/35P helicopters. Out of this amount, Four Billion, Four Hundred and Two Million, Six Hundred and Eighty Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty Nine Naira, Forty One Kobo (N4,402,687,569.41) was paid out for contracts not executed.

It was also observed that in carrying out these maintenance activities, contracts worth over Two Billion, Five Hundred Million Naira (N2.5bn) were awarded to Syrius Technologies, a Ukrainian company that was not registered in Nigeria. Regrettably, in spite of these expenditures, the status of NAF fleet remained operationally appalling as only 3 Alpha-Jets, 2 C-130H and one each of Mi-24V and Mi-35P were serviceable as at 28 May 15.

In October 2013, NAF awarded contracts to DICON for the supply of weapons and ammunition at the cost of Five Hundred and Ninety Nine Million, One Hundred and Eighteen Thousand Naira (N599,118,000.00). However, only 2 of the 7 items contracted were delivered to NAF while the outstanding 5 items remained undelivered despite repeated requests to DICON.

The Committee also found that the delivered ammunition were about 40 years old, thereby casting doubts on their shelf life. The failure of DICON to fully execute the contract and the delivery of aged ammunition diminished the capacity of the NAF in North East operation.

The Committe uncovered insider dealings by military officers in procurement activities undertaken by ONSA and the NAF. The officers were found to have misused or abused their offices for personal gains by influencing award of contracts to private companies in which they have substantial interests.

For instance, an officer serving in the ONSA used his office to secure 2 contracts for his company, Geonel Integrated Services Ltd, for the protection of 20 Dams and Presidential Air Fleet security at the cost of Six Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N6,250,000,000.00) and Five Million US Dollars ($5m) respectively.

Furthermore, some NAF officers used their companies to collect VAT and With Holding Tax that were never remitted to FIRS while another officer was found to have cross transferred about Five Hundred Million Naira (N500m) between a NAF company, Aeronautical Engineering and Technical Services Limited, SkyExperts Nig Ltd and Huzee Nig Ltd, companies in which he had personal interests.

It would be recalled that in its First Interim Report, the Committee on Audit of Defence Equipment established that the sum of Six Hundred and Forty Three Billion Naira (N643bn) and Two Billion, One Hundred Million US Dollars ($2.1bn) interventions were received for defence procurements by DHQ and the Services between 2007 and 2015.

In continuation of its assignment, the Committee has so far established that the nation spent about Twenty Nine Billion Naira (N29bn) and Two Billion US Dollars ($2bn) on NAF procurement activities alone.

Garba Shehu

SSA to the President

(Media & Publicity)

January 15, 2016

WORK TOWARDS NATION’S UNITY, AMBODE URGES NIGERIANS

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 14:26:00 +0000

…Advocates Support For Buhari’s Developmental Agenda

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Friday urged Nigerians to support the sincere efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari to develop the country on all fronts, just as he said that no meaningful development can take place without unity and cohesion.

Governor Ambode, who spoke shortly after performing the laying of wreath ceremony as part of activities marking the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, said it was important for all Nigerians to rededicate their lives in a manner that would always promote unity of the country as exemplified by the supreme sacrifices paid by the fallen heroes.

The Governor said without the sacrifices paid by men and officers of the Armed Forces, there would not have been a country called Nigeria today, and as such it was important for the people to always refrain from actions that are inimical to the peace, unity and oneness of the nation.

According to Governor Ambode, the current administration of President Buhari has so far displayed his passion for the development of the country, but it was important for all to support the President in his quest to massively develop the country.

Speaking on the significance of the remembrance service, Governor Ambode said: “If you look at the history of Nigeria, today we remember our fallen heroes. Without them there will be no Nigeria as we speak and so it is very important that beyond even remembering them, we should also rededicate our lives in a manner that we will always remember that the cohesion of Nigeria is so significant and that it important for all of us to hold Nigeria together and that is really the significance of this event.”

When asked on pockets of threats to national security in some sections of the country, Governor Ambode said: “They are really not threats because they are being fully combated by the Federal Government and as you can see, we are making progress and we are having improvement on security of the country.

“So, I just want to advise Nigerians that the unity of Nigeria is more important than anything you can think of. It is only when we are united that we can make progress. You know the present administration is so particular about the development of the country. Nigeria is bigger than any individual and so we advise all Nigerians to know that the cohesion and unity of Nigeria is what is paramount to this government,” the Governor said.

Also speaking at the event, Oba Akiolu prayed for the families left behind by the fallen heroes, and urged Nigerians to be disciplined and commit to do the will of God.

He said all that the fallen heroes fought for revolved around having a united, peaceful and disciplined nation.

Other dignitaries who performed the laying of wreath at the event held at the Remembrance Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos include the Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade; Commander 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Bulama Biu; Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft, Apapa, Navy Commodore Abraham Adaji; Commander, 435 Base Service Group, Ikeja, Air Commodore Danladi Santa Bausa; Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni; Oba of Lagos, HRM Rilwan Akiolu, among others.

Aregbesola Advocates a Full Week for Armed Forces Remembrance Celebrations...Condemns Embezzlement of Arms Funds By Waheed Adekunle,Osogbo

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 13:53:00 +0000

Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has advocated for a full week to be set aside annually for the celebration of Nigeria's fallen soldiers while also soliciting for the week to be called "Armed Forces Remembrance Week" instead of "Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebrations" as it is usually called.

The governor stated this while speaking at the annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations held at the newly constructed Military Cenotaph situated at the entrance of the State House of Assembly.

The Governor who explained that the fallen heroes deserve a whole week for their remembrance emphasized that the country ought to recognize the patriotism and commitment of the fallen soldiers who accepted to die for the survival of the country, the people and the resources therein.

Ogbeni Aregbesola declared that it takes certain exceptional qualities to take up a vocation that makes someone to be a target for elimination by the enemies.

According to him" We must not just limit our recognition of the armed forces to the remembrance of the fallen heroes alone, I suggest that a whole week should be devoted every year to the armed forces and this should be called the armed forces week. A day in that week should also be set aside to honour the significance of those who have laid down their lives for the unity and existence of our nation.

"We can never overlook the fact that for anybody to enlist into the army and be ready to cross the enemy line and face death is a high measure of patriotism, commitment and high level of sacrifice.

"Of course, soldiery is a calling, just like any divine calling. Certain individuals must be imbued with certain qualities like courage, selflessness, protective instinct and a disposition to taking high risk, to be able to naturally take to soldiery.

"Humans naturally follow the least line of resistance and would take great effort at self-preservation. It takes certain qualities therefore to take up a vocation that instantly makes one a legitimate target of elimination by the enemy.

"So rather than just limit it to just those who have fallen, let ua also recognize the patriotism, commitment and dedication of all who have volunteered to die in the defence of our nation"

Governor therefore called on the appropriate authorities on the need to change the week for remembrance of the fallen heroes to armed week, while a day in that week will be set aside for remembrance nationwide.

Governor Aregbesola who commended the gallantry of nation's security agencies, said the roles being played by the men of Nigerian Army, Navy, Immigration, Customs, Department of State Services, Police among others could not be over emphasized.

Aregbesola who described the plethora of challenges facing Nigerian security agencies especially Nigerian Soldiers as uncalled for, said the nation has grown to the stage of giving the due recognition, dignity, respect and honour to the people who laid their precious lives to savage the entire nation.

He lamented over what he regarded as undeserved maltreatment of Nigerian security agents, saying the best way to combat insecurity challenges was to put utmost smile in the faces of those who have already volunteered themselves for the service of their fatherland

Aregbesola said the present fight against insurgency has been a onerous task on the military, stressing that the only way to totally eradicate any form of insurgency was for Nigerians to support the current template of "fight against insurgency" being orchestrated by the present government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He called on the Federal Government and other appropriate military authorities to strengthen the nation's security agencies especially in fighting Boko Haram which he regarded as monsters that must be totally uprooted and eliminated.

He said further, "Nigerians fought brilliantly to keep the world safe in the First and Second World Wars. They also fought a very bloody civil war to keep Nigeria one. They have been involved also in peace keep missions in the troubled parts of the world and have been instrumental to supporting democracies in Africa.

"These are missions in which precious lives have been lost and in which many returned home wounded and incapacitated.

"Nigerian soldiers have been involved in defending the homeland against foreign incursions by soldiers and rebels from our neighbours and are currently engaging insurgents in especially North Eastern part of the country.

"The evil insurgents which our soldiers are facing are barbaric and nihilistic elements pretending to be fighting a religious war.

"They represents nothing but a deranged ideology of hate and a cult of death that projects nothing but the worst in humans.

"They materialize like shadows to attack communities. They will not even spare the aged, women, children, animals and crops in their barbaric assault, before they dematerialise and varnish into thin air.

"It is disconcerting therefore that our soldiers were deployed to fight these monsters without proper equipment.

The number one citizen in the state also used the occasion to bemoan the financial misappropriation of the fund set aside to procure arms for the Nigerian army in the fight against the insurgents in the North-east, saying it is an act of wickedness and gross indiscipline for anybody to engage in such gruesome act.

Aregbesola said, "My heart bleeds each time I read the report that the insurgents had ambushed our soldiers or that our military base had been attacked.

"These soldiers were deliberately put in harm’s way and practically sent on suicide missions.

"It is even a monumental scandal of unimaginable proportion that funds meant for procuring arms for soldiers are shared among members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) without the least compunction.

Governor Aregbesola who commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his brilliant moves to unravel the heinous crime being perpetrated by those who seem to be above the board in the sector.

Aregbesola held that it is ridiculous and lugubrious for anybody to desecrate blasphemously the ethics and tradition of the military, not to talk of deliberately ambushing the gallant officers.

"I commend the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in unravelling this heinous crime and I sincerely hope that all those involved will receive full retribution.

"Some of the soldiers caught in the maelstrom and indicted have been pardoned but some have lost their commission while others face uncertain future.

"Considering the circumstances of this unusual event, it is pertinent that a fresh inquiry be set up so that justice will be given to all those involved and our gallant soldiers will not be punished unjustly.

Governor Aregbesola therefore advocated for prompt payment of the salary arrears of Nigerian security agents, saying it unforgivable sin for a country to owe the people who chose to protect the lives and property of their fatherland.

"Serving and retired officers’ salaries and other emoluments should be paid promptly. It is an unforgivable sin for a country to owe its veterans.

"The practice of retired soldiers blocking streets and engaging in demonstrations before getting paid is shameful.

"With computerisation, the process should be seamless and soldiers should not have any cause to sweat before collecting their entitlements. As we remember our deceased soldiers, let us remember their surviving families and the welfare of the veterans.

"Many of them need decent accommodation and medical attention. Do not let them regret choosing to defend the country to some other vocations where their welfare could have been better taken care of.

"I am also calling on the soldiers not to lose their discipline after service by engaging in self-defeating acts and criminal behaviours incompatible with fine soldiery.

"More importantly, the able-bodied among them should strive to find a gainful engagement. They should find civilian use for some of the skills they have acquired while in service. We are in a new era where every citizen must be productive and contribute to the commonwealth", Aregbesola added.

Group petitions EFCC over NASS alleged money laundering

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 09:58:00 +0000

A coalition, Civil Society Network against Corruption (CSNAC), has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over an alleged case of money laundering in the banking transaction involving the National Assembly between 2009 and 2015.

In the petition, signed by CSNAC chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the coalition stated that the federal legislature led by the Clerk, Salisu Maikasuwa, his predecessor, Yemi Ogunyomi, and their representatives, extensively violated the Money Laundering Act (2004, 2011) in banking transactions leading to the withdrawals of about N42 billion of public funds.

Taking its cue from a report published by an online Newspaper, Premium Times, dated 30th December, 2015, Suraju noted that it is unfortunate that lawmakers and the parliament, paid billions of naira from the nation’s resources as remuneration for law making.

Quoting the report, CSNAC said, “the excessive cash withdrawals spanned the tenures of three Clerks to the National Assembly — Nasiru Arab, Yemi Ogunyomi and the incumbent, Mr. Maikasuwa — with the largest withdrawals made during the reign of the last two.

“Between 2009 and 2015, MessersArab, Ogunyomi and Maikasuwa, listed as permanent secretary/clerk in the withdrawal documents, withdrew a total of N6.37 billion from GTB and UBA. While the sum of N4.78 billion was withdrawn by both men from GTB between September 9, 2009 and August 14, 2015, a total of N1.59 billion was withdrawn from the UBA between January 1, 2011 and August 8, 2015 by Mr. Maikasuwa.

“Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and 49 others who were members of the Senate Committee on the review of the 1999 constitution also made large withdrawals. . The committee made two transfers from the UBA account – N1.75 billion on November 17, 2014 and N878.6m on February 2, 2015. This does not violate the Money Laundering Act but the purpose of the withdrawals remained unclear.

“Senators Ayogu Eze(Enugu), Eyinnaya Abaribe (Abia), Anthony Manze and Umaru Dahiru (Sokoto) were also beneficiaries of the withdrawals by the committee. However their transactions did not violate the Act but smack of corruption.

“In the House, some beneficiaries include the current Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, former Majority Leader, MulikatAdeola, Nkeiruka Onyejiocha, Chinyere Igwe, EziucheUbani, Umar Bature, Mohammed Sani Tahir, EhiogieIdahosa-West. The offices of the former Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal and his former deputy, Emeka Ihedioha were also beneficiaries. They were paid N25m and N8.4m, respectively from the Guaranty Trust Bank account.”

Expressing its displeasure on the development, CSNAC said, “It is quite unfortunate that lawmakers and the Parliament, paid billions of naira from the nation’s resources as remuneration for law making, will turn out to be the chief violators of the laws they enacted. It is beyond imagination and heart rendering, reading the gravity of violations and movement of cash by the legislators, some of which were for reasons unknown.

“CSNAC is therefore by this petition demanding that the commission conducts a thorough investigation into the issues raised herein, as well as ensure that the appropriate punishments are meted out to all the perpetrators; including the banks that allowed these infractions continue without reporting to the appropriate authority.”

We are not Imposing Taxes on Religious Institutions-Aregbesola

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 09:53:00 +0000

Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has cleared the air on the lingering rumours making the round that his government was proposing a tax regime on the religious institutions across the state in order to alternate the adverse effects of the dwindling revenues from the Federal Accounts.

Governor Aregbesola who reacted spontaneously on what he described as sponsored venomous antics of the opposition and enemies of his administration, said on no account does he has the intention to neither propose nor impose tax payment on mosques, churches and traditional temples.

Aregbesola made the statement while addressing the muslim faithful during a Jumat service, at Islarudeen Central Mosque, Osogbo.

Governor Aregbesola who frowned at the development said though his government has been looking for every realizable means and alternative to salvage the state from the looming economic crisis, stressing that his government has never intended or resolved on such tax policy.

He disclosed that the economy of the state has not worsen to the stage of taxing religious institutions or collecting offerings and tithes from either mosques churches.

Governor Aregbesola who described tax as a lubricant that greases the wheel of development, growth and transformation, said the time has come for all to support government through regular tax payment especially at the period where nothing comes to the state from the Federation Accounts.

He said the only way for citizens to prove their support and cooperation towards government's efforts is to be obedient and diligent to taxation.

"It is unfortunate that in spite our sincere efforts on the ongoing numerous developmental projects across the state, some detractors could still consume shame by peddling rumours in a bid to frustrate our efforts.

"Our detractors have forgotten that we successfully administered the affairs of the state for five years without a new tax policy.

"Under whatever pressure and inconstructive criticism, our administration would not be distorted or derailed from the paths of progress, development and unparalleled transformation being characterized with.

"We shall continue to maximize our little resources to enhance the general well being of our people who we owe constitutional responsibilities", he affirmed.

Governor Aregbesola further pledged to continuously strengthen religious institutions to promote and engender peace, saying he would not be lured into compromising equity and balance.

He therefore called on religious leaders to seek the face of God in liberating the state and country out of the present economic recession orchestrated by the continued fall in the global prices of crude oil.

He said, "Nigeria needs fervent prayers to get out of the present economic bondage and this is a challenge for Nigerians especially our religious leaders to seek the face of God for quick deliverance

We Have Successfully Prioritized Education Development-Aregbesola... As he Commissions N140m State-of-the-art Elementary School in the State By Waheed Adekunle, Osogbo

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 09:50:00 +0000

The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has reassured the good people of the state of his administration's commitment towards the provision of functional, quality, qualitative and effective education in the state.

In view of the worrisome economic situation in Nigeria and the state in particular, Governor Aregbesola said one of the ways to liberate the nation out of her present situation was to invest its little resources on her citizens through the provision of an interrupted-standard western education as it remains the sustainable legacy for every child.

Governor Aregbesola stated this while commissioning Anthony Udofia Government Elementary School, Osogbo.

The school which was named after the former military administrator, Retired Navy/Captain Anthony Udofia was metarmophosed from Anthony Udofia Model School to Anthony Udofia Government Elementary School.

Governor Aregbesola who described the provision of functional basic education as an unavoidable duty and responsibility owed by every serious government, said his administration has prioritized education based on the premises of its understanding that any child with a good elementary school foundation will have no problem making progress educationally.

Aregbesola expressed satisfaction in the fact that his administration has been able to record tremendous achievements and accolade locally and internationally in educational sector, adding that he had elevated the state to the extent that the state can presently boast of having public schools that can compete with the best in the world.

He said his administration since inception has been putting together necessary efforts towards the actualization and fulfillment of its electoral campaign promises not only on education but in all other sectors of the economy as these notions had been successfully initiated, enunciated and implemented.

Aregbesola said his government having identified basic education as a fundamental and inalienable right of every child, decided to invest huge parts of its resources with the sole foresight that it remains the bedrock for sustainable development.

He stressed further that a good basic education fulfills the definition of literacy as the ability to read and write, saying it remains a solid foundation on which other superstructure of vocational training or higher education can be built upon.

Enumerating his landmark achievements, Governor Aregbesola recounts that his administration has commenced the building of 100 Elementary schools across the state in a bid to domesticate and harmonize elementary public school in every neighbourhood.

He said, "Elementary school is the basic of the basic education. Any child with a good elementary school foundation will have no problem making progress educationally, other things being equal.

"We are building 100 Elementary schools like this across the state; though this is ambitious, the idea behind it is that there should be an elementary public school in every neighbourhood.

Speaking on the amount being expended by his administration on the new edifice, Governor Aregbesola disclosed that his government spent N140 million for the structure, furnishing and landscape, saying his government was satisfied in the fact that "being in this school gives the satisfaction of being in the proper environment of learning.

"We have made education development the priority of our administration. As you are mostly aware, these schools and other innovations are the products of the educational summit we held immediately after my inauguration.

"The complex we are in is a 960-pupil capacity school with 24 classrooms of 40 pupils each, with further capacity for upgrade to 1,000. It has an ICT room, a library, multipurpose hall, 29 toilets, offices for headmaster, facility manager, staff room, food court, sick bay, security/reception office and a water fountain for aesthetics.

"I am happy and fulfilled that we have public schools that can compete with the best in the world and indeed, our new schools are the ones to beat around here.

"All these are in fulfillment of our promise to provide functional basic education for the pupils in the state.

"This stems from our conviction that every child is owed basic education. It is a fundamental and inalienable right of every child.

"A good basic education fulfills the definition of literacy as the ability to read and write and is a solid foundation on which other superstructure of vocational training or higher education can be built upon", Aregbesola stated.

He revealed further, "Indeed, we are constructing 100 brand new state-of-the-art Elementary Schools, 50 Middle Schools and 20 High Schools. Out of these, 14 Elementary Schools, 15 Middle Schools and 11 High Schools, including the one we are commissioning today, have been completed, receiving finishing touches and awaiting commissioning, to the glory of God.

"Fulfilling our commitment to complete these school projects and our other obligations is financially challenging, if not herculean.

Governor Aregbesola who lamented over the current economic challenges occasioned with the effects of continued dwindling revenues from the Federation Accounts, said his administration would not be carried away in its focus to meet its numerous obligations and commitments.

He said, "As at Friday January 8, the new OPEC Reference of 13 Crude Basket which includes Nigeria’s Bonny Light sold for $28.46.

"This is a new low for the cascading price of crude oil, the life line of the nation’s economy, which hit a dazzling height of $140 in 2013.

"It is a crude awakening to the grim fact that any hope of allocation from the Federation Accounts is gone.

"We must therefore face the twin realities of first living within our means and making our own money.

"We must be engaged in productive activities that will lead to job creation, wealth creation and generous taxation to the government.

"Our people must work hard and double their productivity. We must all be engaged in one productive activity or the other.

Governor Aregbesola however implored the people of the state especially the youths to develop interest in agriculture, saying exploring its potentials would bring greater improvement on the state economy.

"The era of free, unearned money is gone. This is not a situation peculiar to Osun alone. Only states that can generate its own revenue will be able to withstand the financial disaster that befell the nation on account of the precipitous slump in oil price.

"The youths, especially fresh graduates and school leavers, must find something to do, especially in agriculture, an area where we have tremendous advantage.

"In addressing this challenge, it is also imperative that we live within our means.

"It is impractical anyway to do otherwise, since states do not print money and you cannot spend what you don’t have.

"The government sits atop society and presides over contending and competing interests therein. It is our duty that no particular interest predominates and asphyxiates other interests and put the survival of the state in danger.

"We must therefore reasonably spread what we have, especially on human development.

"This is why we have been unwavering in our commitment to human development projects like education", he stressed.

Governor Aregbesola who debunked the allegation that his administration was only concentrating the state's resources on the execution of capital development at the expense of state workers, said it was erroneous for any government to spend all its accruable resources on workforce which according to him remains subset of a set and constitutes less than 5 per cent of the entire populace.

"There is this ignorant and unreasonable idea being vigorously promoted by a few disgruntled media organizations and their political sponsors that reduced government to paying salaries alone.

"We are fully conscious of our legal and moral obligations to workers, yet, the truth is that workers are less than five per cent of the population of the state over whom we have responsibilities as a government.

"The idea therefore that all state’s resources must be spent on workers alone is insane, unsustainable and impossible.

"These media organizations have been inciting workers and pensioners to rebellion, subversion and sabotage, with the intent of destabilizing the state and disrupting the peace of our communities.

"In the past, they have made futile attempts to precipitate religious crisis by inciting Christians against Muslims in the state. It did not fly.

"They have also made repeated but failed efforts at inciting Civil Servants against the government. They have failed also. They hunt for crises and where they could not find any, they invent stories and write fiction, thereby putting the noble profession of journalism into disrepute, just because they want to stoke crises in the state.

He therefore commended the state workforce for its understanding, patience and perseverance to the current economic hardship, saying its constant resolute and total resistance of political demagogues and detractors had justified its apolitical stands in the affairs of the state.

Aregbesola said, "I must commend the mainstream Civil Servants for not taking the bait and falling prey to the infernal political schemes of failed politicians whom the people of this state have consistently rejected at the polls and who want to take over the government thorough subterfuge and conspiracy.

"This is why other categories of workers in the state’s employment must see reason and cooperate with government on the need to live within our means.

"This is a very special time that requires faith, understanding, creativity and new thinking. Albert Einstein, the great physicist, once defined insanity as doing the same thing, the same way, all the time and expecting a different result.

"I have the faith that with the various efforts we are making and fresh opportunities we are exploring in agriculture, solid mineral development, tourism and manufacturing, we will surmount the present challenges, create wealth and usher in new round of prosperity and wealth creation.

He therefore congratulate the people of Osogbo, the teachers and staff of this brand new school, its pupils and their parents and those working for the development of education in this state.

Earlier in her remarks, the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye Tomori said the current administration has remained unstoppable in the provision of functional and quality education.

Mrs. Tomori who is also the State Commissioner for Education averred that the giant strides of the present administration in education and other sectors of the economy has elevated the state to the vantage position of being the model for its peers across the world.

She held that countless of the present administrative policies and programmes initiated had been borrowed and domesticated by the local, state, national and international governments across the world.

Mrs. Tomori therefore applauded Governor Aregbesola for his rare commitment to turn around the state and bring the desired light into the educational sector, saying his compassion for education has positively impacted the lives of the pupils and students in the state.

She admonished the pupils who are the beneficiaries of the projects and their teachers to see the edifice as a jewel that must be properly kept and maintained.

"This project is one of the testimonies of a fulfilled vision. It is a testimony of our untiring efforts to turn the education around for good and for the massive benefit of every Osun born citizen.

"The construction of such state-of-the-art school like this indicates our commitment towards functional education and provision conducive environment for teaching and learning processes.

"The building of the state-of-the-art school like this is equipped with modern facilities couples with the architectural masterpiece that eases teaching and learning and this is also the dream of many pupils all over the world", Mrs. Tomori stressed.

in his address, the former Military Administrator in the state whose school was named after, Captain Anthony Udofia, commended the state government for building a solid future for the people of the state through provision of functional education and construction of school buildings with longer lifespan.

Confirming the numerous achievements of the current administration in educational sector, Captain Udofia stressed that no amount of money spends on education goes wasted and that the current government has with five years performed a 50-year development in education.

He said, "it is glaring that this government has been working rigorously to bring us the best in all sectors especially in the area of education which it prioritizes since it assumes office.

"This school and other ongoing ones across the state is a clear manifestation of the rare love, passion and commitment of the current government towards a developed and improved education system.

He therefore expressed gratitude to the Governor, people and government of the state of Osun for deeming it fit to maintain the status and name of the school.

Six Bags Scholarship, as Police promote 7 Officers in Osun By Waheed Adekunle, Osogbo

noreply@blogger.com (Adekunle Waheed Saka) — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 21:16:00 +0000

Osun State Police Command on Tuesday presented scholarship to six pupils of the Police Children School, Osogbo and also announced elevation of 7 Officers from Assistant Superintendent of Police to Deputy Superintendent of Police by the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase.

Announcing the promotion, Commissioner of Police, Kola Sodipo, said the IGP approved the promotion to avoid stagnation which was identified as one of the frustrating indices that engender corruption in the Nigeria Police.

He said "this figure includes personnel who have consistently risked their lives and courageously confronted insurgents in the North East.

Pupils awarded scholarship are: Adebayo David, Ogunjumelo Akinremi, Adewole Deborah, Azeez Rahman, Salaudeen Mubarak and James Solomon.

The CP said the scholarship was aimed at encouraging children of serving officers that exhibit academic excellence, adding "it is also conceptualized as part of the posthumous support scheme for children of our professional colleagues who have gallantly paid the supreme sacrifice in the service of their fatherland.

Sodipo while reviewing the activities of the command in the last quarter of 2015, said that 18 vehicles were recovered from October 2015 to date, noting that crime rate in the state have reduced due to efforts of the police.

He however promised that the command will not relent in its efforts to rid the state of all forms of crime.