By Oluwakemi Ishola 

Gospel Tungba crooner, Dr. Yinka Ayefele, last Sunday donated a N50 million Vicarage to ‘Our Saviours Anglican Church’, Ipoti Ekiti.

The Vicarage, according to Ayefele, was just his own humble contribution to the growth of the Church.

He said the donation was also in fulfilment of his promise to the Church when he buried his Dad, six years ago.

“This Vicarage is built in memory of my late father who died on his birthday on 12th October, 2014 and to the glory of God, I want the Vicar in Charge of this Church to enjoy what others in his level are also enjoying”

At the dedication of the Vicarage in Ipoti Ekiti on Sunday, the Bishop of Ekiti West Anglican Diocese, Revd Rufus Adepoju extolled the virtues of the late Chief Joshua Taiwo Ayefele which he said was exemplified in the personality of his son, Dr. Yinka Ayefele.

In his speech, the Vicar in Charge of the Church, Venerable Adubiesu said he was touched by the donation. “Dr. Ayefele had shown exemplary character in giving to the Lord’s vineyard, we thank God for his life”, he said.

The Vicarage, a six-bedroom flat with two living rooms, private quarters is tastefully furnished, cost the talented musician, ace broadcaster and media owner a princely N50 million.

Following a motion moves by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai of Oyo North Senatorial district, the Nigerian Senate, on Tuesday, observed one minute for silence in honour of late Jimoh Isiaka who was killed during #ENDSARS protest in Ogbomoso last Saturday.

Senate President, Dr.Ahmad Lawan, during the plenary said, “The conduct of SARS was not acceptable and will remain in that part of our history. The entire essence of the Nigerian Police Force is to ensure there is law and other and when SARS turned against the people, it was right for the people to protest”.

He sais protest has yielded the desired result so far and there won’t be need to continue the protest again when SARS has been disbanded and those culprits who are involved in the killings should be brought to book.

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, in his reaction, cited Order 43 to Commend the Inspector General of Police for his timely intervention in disbanding the SARS Unit while Senator Rochas Okorocha cited Order 43 to seek the leave of the Senate to request the immediate release of all the young people arrested as a result of the #EndSARS protest to allow for peace between the government and the governed.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde on Tuesday, approved N100million for the renovation of the vandalised palace of Soun of Ogbomoso Palace.

Makinde made the announcement during his visit to the ancient to pay a condolence visit to the family of Jimoh Isiaq who fell to police bullets during #ENDSARS protest last Saturday. The governor also paid a sympathy visit to the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade III.

The Pacesetter News reported that the invasion and vandalism of the Soun’s palace, on Sunday, by some irate youths in the ancient town was a fallout of the alleged killing of an undergraduate of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) by a yet-to-be identified policeman during the #ENDSARS protest in Ogbomoso on Saturday.

The Pacesetter News reliably gathered that the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, was the prime target of the attack. Sources told our correspondent that the protesters demanded the audience of the federal Minister but were turned down.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

Over 73,000 Nigerians have signed a petition, requesting the International Criminal Court (ICC) to arrest Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu for committing crimes against humanity, following the killing of #EndSars protesters by police officers in at least three states in Nigeria.

The petitionraised by Amadi Chima stated that the Nigerian Police under the leadership of the IG of Police has unleashed war against defenseless and innocent Nigerian youths whose only crime was demanding an end to extortions, harassments, illegal arrests, detentions, and wanton killings by the rogue police unit, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS),” the petition reads in part.

The ICC is the first and only permanent international court with jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for the international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.

As of Monday, over a dozen protesters includingJimoh Isiaq, a young Nigerian from Ogbomoso, Oyo State had either been reported shot or killed by men of the Nigerian Police Force during the ENDSARS protest.

Police fired tear gas and water cannons at protesters in Abuja, the nation’s capital Sunday evening, while the protesters continued with their demand which has transformed from ENDSARS  to a call to an end of police brutality in the country.

The Inspector-General of Police had on Sunday announced the disbandment of the dreaded SARS unit, noting that the decision was taken to satisfy the yearnings of Nigerians and observers.

“The SARS is hereby dissolved across all formations in 36 states, police commands and the FCT where they currently exist. All officers currently serving in the unit are to be deployed with immediate effects,” Adamu said during a briefing in Abuja.

Reacting to the disbandment of Sars, Catriona Laing, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, in a tweet described the decision as a very important first step but urged the government to respect the rights of the citizens to protest peacefully.

“The IGP’s commitment to ensure accountability for human rights violations is essential to restoring public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.

“Hearing reports of violence affecting ongoing protests. Urge authorities to respect the right to protest and protestors to remain peaceful,” she tweeted.

Nigerians on their part have expressed dissatisfaction over the announcement, demanding transparency and concrete evidence that the rogue police unit has indeed been dissolved.

Meanwhile, Joe Abah, a former Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reform (BPSR)advocated that members of the disbanded  Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the Nigeria Police Force should undergo a psychological evaluation.

“Now SARS has been dissolved and the first stage of #EndSARS achieved, we can now discuss reforms,” Abah wrote on Twitter.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Monday, said that the state was partnering with the French Government in order to broaden the state’s economy and ensure better life for its people.

Governor Makinde, who stated this while receiving a delegation of the French Government led by the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jerome Pasquier, at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan, said that the partnership has yielded positive results for the state’s economic expansion agenda, while also broadening the state’s economic landscape.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as saying that part of the positive results being recorded in the state’s economic expansion efforts was the 26.4 per cent growth in its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the first half of 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statement said that the governor expressed delight at the close relationship between the state, the French Embassy and Government of France, adding that his government is open to collaborating with France on several projects in  areas such as education, agriculture, security and economic expansion.

He said: “We are happy to have this close relationship with the French Embassy and the Government of France. I am quite happy with the relationship. I have a very good memory of what is going on in France right now.

“Since the last time we visited together, there have been positive changes in the economic landscape of Oyo State. For example, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Oyo State still witnessed 26.4 per cent growth in our IGR. We have also been addressing the infrastructural deficit of the state and that has been helping us to actually boost the economy.”

Governor Makinde stated that he is ready to seek help where necessary to turn around the economy of Oyo State, adding that the state is ready and open to businesses that can bring development and growth to its economy.

“Like the Ambassador mentioned, we are collaborating on several fronts and projects right now. And we want to thank you, the French Government, for your contribution to the RAAMP project. I know it is yet to take off fully but we are ready. All the necessary committees to drive it have been put in place and they are ready.

“Also, the Farmers’ Wholesale Market that we are trying to set up at Akufo, it will interest you to know that from Apete, we are fixing the road all the way to Akufo.

“Work is really going on there. We are excited because it is supposed to be the largest such market in South-West, Nigeria. So, we thank you for your support on that and we hope to still work collaboratively on it.

“Oyo State is ready for business and we have tried as much as possible to be open because we believe transparency is very key. We believe there are programmes we can tailor to fit what we need.”

He added that the state has put in serious commitments and investments into creating a secure and conducive environment for businesses to grow.

“I also want to let you know that we have made so much progress in terms of security as well, because we believe that all of the investments drive and the good things we want to do can only take place in a safe and secure environment.

“So, we are investing quite a huge amount to ensure that when people come to Ibadan and Oyo State in general, they don’t have to think twice on whether they are safe or not.”

The governor, therefore, appealed to the French Delegation to assist the state in the Occupational and Educational Programme that can boost the state’s education system.

He said: “Finally, I know that there is this occupational and education programme. We started a similar collaboration with the IITA called the STEP programme. They picked one school at Fashola. We have since expanded the programme. We now have schools picked from various geopolitical zones in the state and we will appreciate the inclusion in the similar programme of the French Government, as that can even help us expand the programme further.”

Earlier, the leader of the French delegation, Ambassador Pasquier, said that there were a lot of things that the French government could do with Oyo State, expressing the willingness of his country’s government to work with the state in agriculture, tourism, health and developing strong links that could help tertiary education in the state.

He appreciated the governor for the hospitality accorded him and his entourage through the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism since they arrived in the state, pledging that bilateral relationship between French Government and the Oyo State Government will continue.

The event was attended by top government officials, including the Deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan; Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun; Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka; Head of Service, Mrs. Ololade Agboola; Commissioners; chairman of the House of Assembly Committee on Culture and Tourism, Hon. Isiaka Tunde Kazeem, and other House of Assembly members.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance and Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, that the country will explore every opportunity and deploy its entire energy to ensure that she becomes the next Director-General of World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Okonjo-Iweala is one of two candidates contesting for the top position of the multilnational institution.

Buhari, who received the former Managing Director (Operations) of the World Bank at the Presidential Villa, said she deserved more support to get the top job because of her profile and diligence in serving the country and the world.

The President in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, assured Okonjo-Iweala that he will make more phone calls, and send letters to some world leaders for more support.

In her remarks, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, a renowned Development Economist, thanked the President and his Ministers, particularly the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and Ministers of Industry, Trade and Investment for supporting her staunchly.

The former Minister of Finance also appreciated ECOWAS leaders for their endorsement, mentioning in particular, the outstanding contributions of President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger Republic and immediate past Chairman of ECOWAS as well as President Alhassan Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire.

She asked the President to “make one final push within the week to beat the Koreans and bring this to Nigeria by sending a few letters and placing telephone calls to some world leaders, and also thank others for their support.’’

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has said that SARS disbandment is the first step to Federal Government’s commitment to the reform in the police.

Osinbajo, on Monday a statement by his spokesman Laolu Akande, said that government is not only committed to full-scale police reform but also ensuring that wrongful acts are duly investigated and prosecuted.

“The disbandment of SARS is the first step in our commitment to extensive police reforms in order to ensure that the primary duty of the police and other law enforcement agencies remains the protection of lives and livelihood of our people.

“The President also spoke, a few minutes ago, about the prosecution of all those (law enforcement agents) who have committed wrongful acts. I think, all these are commitments that have been made. But we must also understand that it is a process. It is not an event. Reform is a process. We must show commitment. Everyone must be interested, and we must stay focussed on the issues.”

On the issue of the ongoing protests nationwide, he said “I think the clear message is that there is a government commitment to ensuring that the process of reform is done and those who have committed wrongful acts are duly investigated and prosecuted. And whatever replaces SARS is something that is acceptable, first of all, in its compliance to all the tenets of the rule of law and human rights.

“These are all issues that we are very deeply worried about. All of us are deeply concerned about it. Many young people have complained to me. I have also been involved in many cases trying to resolve these kinds of conduct.”

“I think it is a very good moment for the Police Force, a good moment for law enforcement and for all of us. This is the time for reform, a time for change and we are all committed to it.

“Everyone is committed to seeing a Police Force and also Law Enforcement that will meet the expectations of the Nigerian people. The purpose of law enforcement, the purpose of policing, is for the safety of lives and livelihoods of Nigerians. So, we are all committed to that, and I think that everyone is committed, we are all very committed to it”, he added.

Osinbajo further noted that the IGP is committed to ensuring that the unit is not only disbanded but will involve groups and civil society in the participation of the reform.

“The most important thing is that SARS has been disbanded and the IGP has committed to ensuring not only that it is disbanded but also that whatever takes its place has the full participation of civil society groups and all other stakeholders.”

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, announced on Monday that security agencies in the state have been deployed to maintain law and order as well as secure lives and property.

The governor also declared that protesters who are championing the #ENDSARS protest must remain peaceful so as not to negatively affect the peace of the state.

Governor Makinde made the declarations in a state broadcast aired by the network service of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Monday afternoon.

According to the governor, security agencies excluding the Nigerian Police, have been deployed by the state government to take the frontline in securing the #ENDSARS protesters and to maintain the peace.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that Governor Makinde equally assured the state that he will do everything within his powers to ensure “no further lives are lost.”

He further stated that while peaceful protesters must not be hurt in the process, protesters must also remain peaceful as they make their legitimate grievances known to government.

He said: “The past few days have been ones of grief for the people of Oyo State. I cannot imagine the pain and frustration of the parents and families of those who have died or are hospitalised as a result of the actions of the Nigeria Police Force during these End SARS protests.

“As I stated clearly, in my earlier statement, peaceful protests are a legitimate way for citizens to make their grievances known to the government and it is totally unacceptable for anyone to be hurt during such protests.

“Last night, I held an emergency meeting with the heads of the main security agencies in Oyo State. I have again restated my position on the ongoing protests to them. And we have agreed that the police should take a back seat as other security agencies take the frontlines in securing the lives of protesters, at this time.”

The governor stated that as of Sunday, operatives of the state-backed security outfit, Operation Burst, had been deployed to Ogbomoso to keep the peace and ensure that protesters will neither be harassed nor brutalised.

He urged residents of the state to go about their businesses without fear.

He added: “Therefore, we have deployed members of Operation Burst to the hot spots, especially Ogbomoso, to ensure that as people protest, they will not be harassed or brutalised.

“I want to reassure the good people of Oyo State, that I am doing everything within my power, to ensure that no further lives are lost.

“I urge all residents of Oyo State to go about their activities without fear.

“To the protesters, I say, you can please continue to protest peacefully.

“These are trying times for all of us and I pray that God continues to guide us and give us wisdom to navigate through them,” Governor Makinde said.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The discussions between the Federal Government and organised labour over the recent electricity tariff increase seems to be yielding a positive result.

This comes after the Federal Government on Sunday, October 12, 2020, agreed to provide a tariff relief of 10 naira 20 kobo per kilowatt of electricity for Nigerians for the next three months and also massively distribute free meters to electricity consumers.

Festus Keyamo, the minister of state for Labour and Employment, announced this in a communique posted on his twitter handle, following the expiration of the 2-week suspension of the increased electricity tariff yesterday.

He said the Federal Government will use VAT proceeds to temporarily subsidize tariffs while the Adhoc committee will work for two more months to resolve other issues regarding tariff adjustments.

According to the Minister, “other immediate reliefs include the provision of six million free meters to Nigerians, salary protection for electricity workers, a mandatory refund for any overbilling during system transition by the discos, monthly publication by NERC of allowed billing of unmetered customers, etc.”

Mr. Keyamo added that the Adhoc committee set up by the Federal Government and organised labour last month agreed to adopt a two-phase approach to proffer solutions to resolve issues in the sector on a medium-term basis.

Labour had suspended its planned industrial action after the Federal Government suspended the tariff increase pending the outcome of their negotiation.

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), in January approved the immediate review of electricity tariffs across the country.

A review of the new amount to be paid by various categories of electricity consumers indicates an increase that ranges from 59.7 per cent to 77.6 per cent.

Consumers classified as residential (R1) were, however, excluded from the review as the N4 per kWh they pay was left unchanged.

The development affected the 11 Distribution Companies (DISCOs) spread across the country such as Abuja DISCO, Benin DISCO, Enugu DISCO, and Eko DISCO.

Others are Ibadan DISCO, Ikeja DISCO, Jos DISCO, Kaduna DISCO, Kano DISCO, Port Harcourt DISCO, and Yola DISCO.

According to the latest order, the new amount to pay varies among categories of electricity consumers such as residential, commercial, industrial, special, and lighting.

see the resolutions:

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the outcry on the reform of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) promising to extensively reform the Force.

The President Mohammadu Buhari, on Monday, declared that the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is the first step to extensive police reforms by his administration.

He disclosed this while delivering a speech at the launch of the presidential youth empowerment scheme at the State House in Abuja.

The President’s reaction is coming hours after the Inspector General of Police (IGP) announced the dissolving of SARS operations. The IGP made the announcement on Sunday following protests across the country protesting police brutality and harassment of youths by the SARS operatives.

“I will like to use this opportunity to say a word on the recent genuine concerns and agitations by Nigerians about the excessive use of force and in some cases extra-judicial killings and wrongful conduct of the men of the Nigerian Police Force.

”We will also ensure that all those responsible for misconduct or wrongful acts are brought to justice.

”We deeply regret the loss of life of the young man in Oyo State during the recent demonstrations.

“The disbanding of SARS is only the first step in our commitment to extensive police reforms in order to ensure that the primary duty of the police and other law enforcement agencies remains the protection of lives and livelihood of our people,” President Buhari said.

He also promised to ensure that all those who are responsible for the misconduct or wrongful acts are brought to justice.

The protests, however, continued across the nation on Monday with the campaigners demanding the mmediate release of all arrested protesters; justice for deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families; setting up an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct among others.

Read President Buhari’s FULL STATEMENT:

PRESIDENT BUHARI: DISBANDING OF SARS FIRST STEP TO EXTENSIVE POLICE REFORMS

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Abuja declared that disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is the first step to extensive police reforms by his administration.

Speaking at the launch of the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme (P-YES), aimed at creating 774,000 jobs across the Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the country, President Buhari also directed that all those responsible for misconduct or wrongful acts be brought to justice.

‘I will like to use this opportunity to say a word on the recent genuine concerns and agitations by Nigerians about the excessive use of force and in some cases extra-judicial killings and wrongful conduct of the men of the Nigerian Police Force,’’ President Buhari said during the launch of the P-YES programme, attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State and Engineer Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State.

He continued: ”The disbanding of SARS is only the first step in our commitment to extensive police reforms in order to ensure that the primary duty of the police and other law enforcement agencies remains the protection of lives and livelihood of our people.

”We will also ensure that all those responsible for misconduct or wrongful acts are brought to justice.

”We deeply regret the loss of life of the young man in Oyo State during the recent demonstrations.

”I have directed that the circumstances of his death should be thoroughly investigated.

”Meanwhile, it is important to recognise that the vast majority of men and women of the police force are hardworking and diligent in performing their duties.

”The few bad eggs should not be allowed to tarnish the image and reputation of the force.”

On the empowerment programme, the President while restating his administration’s commitment to youth development and poverty alleviation pledged that the Federal Government policies of social protection and people empowerment would continue on track, despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic.

The President, who described P-YES as a cornerstone of his administration’s social and economic development strategies, said it was part of the overall policy of ensuring that 100 million Nigerians were lifted out of poverty in ten years.

”The P-YES is also part of the plan that we adopted in 2016 in which we empowered One hundred youths from each of the 774 Local Government Areas with the necessary tools to acquire skills and establish small businesses.

”Given the success of that initiative, we are now committed to creating 774,000 jobs across all the LGAs, through the P-YES programme,” he said.

President Buhari, who took a tour of P-YES tools and equipment displayed at the forecourt of Presidential Villa, expressed delight that the materials showcased represent the fruits of the initiatives embarked upon by his administration in 2016.

”All the tools, machines and equipment that are exhibited here, are products of the efforts of these empowered youth entrepreneurs.

”I note with particular pleasure that they were all fabricated in Nigeria by Nigerian youths using locally sourced materials. This is a wonderful and uplifting achievement.

”As an entrepreneurship empowerment project, the P-YES programme aims to address the needs of unskilled and less educated youth.

”It targets key areas of activities that are of practical importance and are essential to every aspect of our economy.

”These include areas such as agriculture and food processing, restaurant and catering, tailoring and fashion design, technical skills such as in the Information and Communications Technology sector, artisanship, welding, carpentry and joinery, other small businesses and activities associated with the microeconomic sector of this economy,” he said.