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NDDC probe: Gbajabiamila gives Akpabio 48 hours to reveal lawmakers who received contracts

By
Peter Ayoade
-

Peter Ayoade, Ibadan

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has given the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, 48 hours to reveal the lawmakers who received contracts from the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC).

It should be recalled that Akpabio had on Monday while defending the NDDC expenses incurred before a House committee investigating allegations of mismanagement against the commission said that 60 per cent of the contracts awarded by the NDDC was given to lawmakers.

The minister’s claim had generated controversy and questioned the integrity of the committee set up to probe the alleged N81 billion fraud crime by the NDDC.

Addressing the House on Tuesday, however, Gbajabiamila, who has been a federal lawmaker since 2003, stated emphatically that he had never received any NDDC contract before.

He subsequently gave Akpabio 24 to 48 hours to reveal the identities of the lawmakers that received the contracts or face severe sanction.

“This is my 5th term here and I have never for once collected anything from the National Assembly and I know I speak for a great majority of members of this House, a great majority. And because of that, I will take this allegation and accusation very seriously.

“And I will give the minister (Akpabio) 24 to 48 hours. Clerk, I want you to back this up with a letter from this House. Give the minister 24 to 48 hours to publish the names, the contracts so given, the dates because obviously these things will be documented; unveil the companies of the 60 per cent projects that were given to members of the National Assembly.”

Gbajabiamila’s ultimatum received accolades from a large section of the lawmakers.

OPINION : THE FAINTING PROFESSOR, TABLE SHAKING MINISTER AND OTHER FEATURES OF THE NIGERIAN DRAMA _as observed by Ogbeni Labzy_

By
Peter Ayoade
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I am a Nigerian. Our movie industry (Nollywood) is rated as the 2nd or 3rd biggest in the world. I personally think we deserve a better rating, considering the amount of domestic, industrial and political drama we witness. Those who do the ratings obviously limit their scope to home video and exclude other dramatic part of our National Life from our Tertiary Institutions, Government Houses and of course, hallowed chambers. Pollywood (our politics variation of Nollywood) alone has the capacity to overtake Hollywood as the biggest drama industry. Thankfully, the social media makes viewing easier as you need not subscribe to Libra TV or Netflix to enjoy many a drama.

Our politics is particularly dramatic. Hardly will a week pass without the release of a blockbuster! It’s been drama all the way since the time of prisoner that became President (and later letter writer), to the indisposed Commander-in-Chief, the unwilling and indecisive (which some people call clueless) President and now the President with the unique style (apologies to Femi Adesina) of not talking to us. If it’s not Harliburton scandal, it will be P& ID. If it’s not about 1 billion naira for food, it will be about our Boko Haram ‘brothers’ some of who will enjoy foreign education, funded by taxes paid by the same people they terrorised.

From Hushpuppy, to HushPondei and the many Hushes in-between, allegations and counter allegations have become a recurrent part of our National life
Our political drama is not limited to Aso Rock. It is everywhere. The NGF saga was a tale of betrayal and desperation worthy of airtime on M-Net. A new mathematical formula was designed to make 16 greater than 19. (This formula also proves that 5 can be two-thirds of 32). The drama is evident in our various Houses of Assembly. We saw the video of thugs taking over proceeding @ the Oyo State House of Assembly and ‘impeaching’ the Executive governor. That drama could win Oscar Awards. If this was comic, that of Rivers was action packed. Honourable cultists led their ‘Aro mates’ to the House to impeach common sense. They had started by ‘impeaching’ the Speaker. In that process, empty seats voted. After all, the bible says God can raise trees if human do not do the needful. The Governor will have none of it. The five errant members have misbehaved and must be whipped (or maced) in line. No one could do the job better than the Leader of the House, who ‘led by example’. More recently, a Governor, in his own part of the plot, issued a declaration for the inauguration of the House of Assembly without a date or time. Just to have his way of lording the minority over majority, (dis)Honourable members were sneaked into the chambers like thieves in the night, with one of them dressed like he was going to have some green bottles at the roadside bar. Over one year down the line, that joke still stares us in the face. We’d not forget in a hurry the Deputy Governor who proudly decamped to the opposition party to contest against his principal. He holds on to his seat, rubbishing the intentions of the proponents of a joint ticket. Not forgetting the fact that the nation’s anti-corruption Czar whose integrity was trusted above a DSS report is currently being investigated based on the recommendation of the Attorney-General who himself has more damning allegations hanging around his neck.

The National Assembly has never been different. Probes are perceived to tend more to persecution than the intended fact-finding. A number of probe committees set up by the hallowed chambers end up being probed. From the time of cap-banking (which coincidentally happened in the same state as the more recent Babariga banking) and now to the latest ” *Honourable Minister, it’s okay… Honourable Minister, please switch off your mic*”. It’s been unending drama year in, year out

The Distinguished Senators also caught the bug. Recollect the drama on a certain section 29 of the Constitution which was an attempt to align the constitution with the Child Right Act to define who an adult is. Our Senators decision (or indecision) at that time means that our fathers can take a 13 year old as wife, despite the nationwide condemnation. Even though some of our grandmothers married in their teenage years, we have come to believe no enlightened and logical person will give out a teenager in marriage. Now, we have the back and forth over certain provisions of the sexual harassment bill, and how the National Assembly wants to treat kidnapping with insecticides, while treating corruption with deodorants (Apologies to Senator Shehu Sani, who himself is having his day in court over bribery allegations).

The citizens are no different. Young people will rather argue about the propriety of Pastor Adeboye’s birthday message to his wife of over almost 5 decades than pay attention to the Constituency projects due for their LGs which have been paid for but poorly executed. From the debates about some philandering Pastors to the favourite housemate in Big Brother Nigeria, many are easily distracted while the real reality show features Country mates like a Professor of Medicine who will rather ‘faint’ than answer questions about the sleaze he supervised and a Minister who’d rather tell us how an unqualified headed a prime agency, than respond to allegations about how he was slapped for attempting to manipulate, blackmail and sexually harass a public servant. (probably took the fact that she was supposed to work under him too literarily)
#NotTooYoungToRun hasn’t changed the fact that many young people shy from responsibility. They still want Wole Soyinka, who recently turned 86 to continue engaging government the way he did when he was 35.

As usual, every Tom, Dick and Harry became a public commentator. Even those who do not know the colour of the 1999 constitution often present ‘informed’ position. This arrogant ignorance is worrisome. Many of our Leaders and emergency activists need to bow their heads in shame for being ignorant (or pretending to be) of how dire the situation.

Many Constitution review processes present opportunities to address certain knotty legal issues inhibiting good governance, but we are often carried away with provisions like ‘Not Too Young To Run’ which end up as tokenism. However, it’s better late than never. As we converge and sign the many petitions, we must ensure that our laws expressly address govenance issues like budget efficiency, Local Government Autonomy open governance among others. We must also address socio-cultural issues like Universal Basic Education, sexual harassment by both gender, marital rape, age of consent and minimum age at which a girl can be given out in marriage, so we can protect our sisters, future wives and daughters from the likes of a former Governor who was in the Senate.

However, we must must not limit the scope of our struggles to occasional anger which fades away fast. The energy and airtime we spend criticizing Presidents from Tafawa Balewa to Buhari can address legal and political impediments to social justice and good governance. Let’s push the National Assembly to pass the relevant laws that will guarantee development. Let’s push our governors to allow local governments deliver dividends of democracy. Let us promote and force political change to put an halt to the mediocrity in governance. We shouldn’t let the fire in us die. The time for justice is always right NOW

_this piece was adapted from an article first written by the same author in 2013_

IBRAHIM CHATTA: The Resurrection of Stanislavski   [A MOVIE Review by TOLA ADENIYI]

By
Peter Ayoade
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Not since the display of energy and passion by Duro Ladipo as Sango at Koso, Kola Ogunmola as Lanke Omu in Palmwine Drinkard, Sonni Otti as Danda in Danda, Jimi Solanke as Overamwhen Nogbaisi in Overamwhen Nogbaisi or Columbus Irosanga [not in his role as powerful chief priest Igbudu in the 2003 Nollywood blockbuster movie Issakkaaba but the young Irosanga who almost set both the stage and audience ablaze with his act in Port Harcourt in 1975] have I been literally thrown off my seat by Ibrahim Chatta last week.

Covid-19 had locked me down and locked me up with the Nollywood series on GoTV and for several hours each passing day, it was a switch between movies and the news channels. My eyes have been entertained with the best and the worst in Nigerian movies and also pissed off with several nauseating shades of bleached skins that made me to wonder once a while whether I was seeing double in Coca-cola bodies carrying Fanta faces!

Chatta sent me to memory lane of my younger days as Macbeth in Macbeth, Mr. Sipo of Sipo Amalgamated in Dinner for Promotion, Smirnov ‘the Bear’ in Chekov’s The Bear and the sweet Prince of Aragon in Merchant of Venice among several others. What a huge loss Movie Industry has inflicted on Stage Drama!

The star-studded movie which provoked this review is titled Ofin Ilu Wa which celebrates some of the leading giants in Nollywood such as Odunlade Adekola as Chief Diviner [ Babalawo] of Ilu Ayero, Saidi Balogun as Oba Adeoti, Bukky Wright as his Olori la’afin, Segun Ogungbe as Akanji Anikinnikun, Sola Kosoko, daughter of Grandmaster Jide Kosoko, as Atoke Orodoyin, Muphy Afolabi as Deputy to Chief Diviner, Faosat Balogun as Mama Agba, Ajidara as Oba Adeoti’s father, Afeez Abiodun as Oloye and Amusan, Mr. Latin a palace courtier and many more.

A grade A movie, OFIN ILU WA, with script written by Dare Ogungbe, has all the essential qualities of the best in film production. The script, theme, message, moral, location, casting, costume, scenic sequence and flawless flow, make-up, special effects and spectacular grandeur are simply beyond words. It certainly is not a low budget enterprise. The movie will dignify the screen of any cinema house anywhere in the world.

The story is set in a rustic village where the passing Oba called up his heir to the throne and admonished him never to get drunk with power and to always remember that laws [Ofin Ilu Wa] are made for man and not the other way round. The supposed heir to the throne was not actually entitled to the throne but was rigged in by manipulation. Hence everything went wrong on his assumption to the throne.

Chief Diviner told the King that human sacrifice must be made to appease the gods. In such situations there is always a curfew and whoever broke the curfew would be the cursed sacrificial lamb. Unfortunately the daughter of Chief Priest, the Abore, whose duty it was to carry out the execution dreamt that her father was in an imminent danger and therefore travelled out to warn her father but unfortunately arrived the village late in the night and got caught in the web of the curfew enforcers.

Atoke Orodoyin was sacrificed by her father as divined by the gods. Her brother Anikinniku was enraged and was bent on vengeance. He and his militia men gang-raped a village beauty and he alone was sentenced to death. The Abore who had earlier sacrificed his own daughter for the village was enraged and confronted Adeoti the King. Adeoti responded by banishing him or with the option of suicide. Enraged Abore, challenged the King to let go his [Abore’s] son and daughter in the palace, whereas unknown to the Oba, the two children born by Olori were actually fathered by the Abore.

The dénouement was the suicide of both the Olori and the King and scrapping of the village as Abore in powerful invocations led the whole village out [obviously to found a new town!]

The whole drama starts on high pitch note. Saidi Balogun as the Oba, dramatizes his love for power drunkenness ignoring his Olori Bukky Wright’s intermittent warning that his excesses would have dire consequences.

As expected of star studded movies, all the actors in the movie proved their mettle. But Ibrahim Chatta was simply mesmerizing. He gave his body, soul, spirit and voice to Atanda Aworo’sa the revered Abore [Chief Priest] of Ilu Ayero. He became Aworo’sa personified. When it dawned on him that his daughter was the victim caught that night, he displayed unusual equanimity and stoicism which left the entire village dumbfounded. And as he moved to the scene and spot of the sacrifice, the spectators in the movie as well as the viewers in my living room were drowned in tears…first class character acting. Konstantin Stanislvski rose from his grave and became whole!

At the point Aworo challenged the King to release his two children, Chatta’s voice and looks were no longer his. And when Aworo was summoning all the villagers to move en masse in procession out of the vanquished Ayero, Chatta has assumed the aura not just of the Chief Priest but of the Oracle himself! Chatta transformed from humanity to the gods and effortlessly elevated himself to pantheon of gods!

Full of electrifying invocations and evocations of magical proportions, Chatta gave his face and eyes to Sango, the dreaded Yoruba God of Thunder, and replaced them with Sango’s. His voice rang out to thev skies and not ball the ground shook, but heavens echoed.

In fitful feat of frightening fury, the energy burst of Ogunmola, Duro Ladipo, Isoronga and Sonni Otti grabbed Ibrahim Chatta’s face, voice and limbs while he repeatedly lashes the ground with a bewitching chain. And the villagers trooped out in unquestioning obeisance.

Chatta, the Chaka of Drama and theatricalities henceforth resided in the body and soul of Konstantini Stanislavsky.

In years to come, Ibrahim Chatta’s tremendous energy, dexterity, versatility and inimitable character interpretation will be high in the curriculum of Acting Classes.

…Tola Adeniyi is Chairman TOLA ADENIYI FOUNDATION FOR THEATRE AND THE ARTS [TAFTA} 

ALGON vs OYSG: Sacked Council Officials We’ll get justice at Supreme Court – Alao-Akala

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

Former Governor and Chairman Reconciliation Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala has said the judgment of the Court of Appeal in favour of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led State Government does not vitiate or detract from the fact that the sacked council chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors were validly elected by the people.

Alao-Akala in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday said the Appeal Court in its judgment decided to discount the merit of the case.

The statement in part read: ”The outcome of Federal Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan came as a rude shock to both the APC family and the people of Oyo State who massively voted for the illegally sacked council chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors. The judgment will be a major setback to our democratic process if left unchallenged.

“I strongly enjoin our teeming members not to feel disappointed with the yesterday’s judgement. To me, it was a temporary setback. We have a good case; therefore we shall rally all the necessary supports for Oyo ALGON to proceed to the Supreme court to seek redress and achieve victory for our party.”

“Based on the merit of the case and the precedent rulings, I’m confident that the Supreme court will reverse the miscarriage of justice delivered at the Ibadan appellate court”

Otunba Alao-Akala concluded the statement by saying Oyo APC will be reunited and repositioned with a view to coasting home victories in the 2023 general elections”.

We find it very difficult to believe Tolu Arotile was accidentally killed – Yoruba group

By
Peter Ayoade
-

Peter Ayoade, Ibadan

Yoruba group, Apapo O’odua Koya (AOKOYA), has reacted that the Nigerian first female combat helicopter pilot, the late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, may have been murdered.

This was as the group, in a statement, called for independent enquiry into the death of the late female pilot who was reportedly killed in an auto accident at the Nigerian Airforce Base, Kaduna, on Tuesday.

Until her mysterious death, the late Arotile, who hailed from Iffe in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, was the youngest and only female combat helicopter pilot.

She completed her training in South Africa and was winged as a combat helicopter pilot, last year. She carried out successful area battles against armed bandits and suspected terrorists.

Her last operation, tagged “Operation GAMA AIKI”, was in Minna, Niger State where despite rockets fired at her, she succeeded in killing many bandits and fundamentalists.

AOKOYA, in the statement signed by its officials, Captain Abigo Oritsebugbemi (rtd) and its Middle Belt coordinator, Akeem Meduna, alleged that there was a rancor between the late Arotile and some top military commanders before her death.

The Airforce authorities ascribed her death to an accident that reportedly occurred when her excited ex-schoolmate was reversing to greet her, but AOKOYA suspected foul play and asked the international community to conduct an investigation into the circumstances of her death.

“We have very strong reasons to assume that Tolulope Arotile was murdered. We are aware she had altercations with top military commanders before her death and some hated her to a tilt for her brilliance and exploit against Boko Haram and bandits,” it said.

The group said the theory that Arotile died in a motor accident inside the Airforce Base was a cock and bull story and very doubtful.

“We want full investigation into this suspicious death. We find it difficult to believe the story based on the information at our disposal.

“How can she have died in a traffic accident right inside the Airforce Base in Kaduna? We have made preliminary findings and all officers who spoke to us could not understand how that could have happened. One officer, her colleague in Kaduna specifically said the case of murder was the strongest motive”.

“There must be an independent enquiry for anyone to be convinced Tolulope Arotile was not murdered. The Fulani hegenomy hated bright officers of southern origin. Tolu was exceptional and her brilliance was a threat to the establishment,” it said.

The group recalled that a Yoruba chief of Airforce, Shittu Alao, was murdered in 1969, adding that Dr Ademola Adetokunbo, who carried out an autopsy on the Airforce chief, was also murdered.

“The Commandant of Nigerian Naval School, Mrs J.O Ogundana was murdered few months ago. Her body was mutilated and packed in a Ghana Must Go bag.

In the same manner, Dr Yomi Oniororo, a 29-year-old officer of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA), was murdered in Abuja, 2002.! His body was mutilated. Dare, a senior police officer investigating the murder of Dele Giwa, was also assassinated. His senior brother is the popular journalist, Professor Olatunji Dare.

“We are taking records. At the last count, some 413 Yoruba junior and senior officers have been murdered. Many of them were killed in a ‘neat job’ that looked like an accident.

“We have been reliably informed how Arotile led major onslaughts against bandits and armed Islamic fundamentalist. Her sorties led to deaths of several militants and bandits. We have been informed that their agents and supporters in the military marked her and only succeeded in setting a trap for her.

“The Nigerian authorities are shedding crocodile tears on the murder of Arotile. We promise her murderers that the several cases of murder of Yoruba officers in the Army, Navy or Airforce are being compiled. At the right time when the Yoruba Nation emerges, the murderers will face the full weight of the law,” the group said.

Return All Government Properties In Your Custody, Oyo Assembly Tells Sacked Algon Chairmen

By
Peter Ayoade
-

The Oyo State House of Assembly has urged all the sacked Chairmen of the 33 Local Governments and 35 Local Council Development Areas in the state to return all Government properties in their custody to their respective councils.

The declaration came on Thursday during a matter of urgent public importance brought before Oyo State House of Assembly by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon Sanjo Adedoyin representing Ogbomoso South.

The House noted that the declaration became imperative inorder to ensure accountability and continuity of governance in all the LGs and LCDAs in the State.

It urged the Oyo State Commissioner of Police and other Security Agencies to intervene and ensure all Government properties movable or unmovable allegedly taken away by the embattled ALGON Chairmen are returned to the various councils.

The House further directed all the Transition Chairmen to take proper inventory of all missing properties in their Councils and forward the details to the Oyo State House of Assembly.

It will be recalled that, a Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan on Wednesday ruled in favor of the Oyo State Government declaring that the sacked Chairmen failed to prove their case beyond all reasonable doubts.

The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin while ruling on the motion said the properties especially vehicles allegedly taken away by the sacked Chairmen are Government properties which were not acquired by the said persons legally.

“If it was on record that those properties were acquired through or auction or other legal means then the 9th Oyo State House of Assembly will not intervene and will not question such action. However, the properties were not rightfully acquired by the said Chairmen. They can’t continue to keep Government properties in their possession. That could amount to theft of Government properties.”

In their comments, Hon. Abidoye Bamigboye representing Oriire Local Government and Hon. Isiaka Tunde (Oyo East, Oyo West) had urged the House not to rule on the motion as according to them the sacked Chairmen have promised to head to the Supreme Court which is the Apex court in the country and as such the action of the House may be sub judicial.

However, in their swift reactions, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Mohammed Fadeyi, Hon. Francis Adetunji (Oluyole), Hon Olusola Owolabi (Ib North East 2) and Hon. Adeola Bamidele (Iseyin/Itesiwaju) countered the comment of the opposition party and urged the House to rule on the motion by directing the sacked Chairmen to return all Government properties in their possession without further delay.

BREAKING: Makinde appoints Titilola-Sodo, Oyo NLC Chairman as Permanent Secretary

By
Peter Ayoade
-
By Adams Akorede
The Oyo State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Bayo Titilola-Sodo was on Wednesday appointed as a Permanent Secretary in the State Civil Service.
Titilola-Sodo, was until his appointment as Permanent Secretary, the Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) in Atiba local government, was the immediate past President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the State.
A thoroughbred union activist and highly influential labour leader, Titilola-Sodo topped his educational career with a law degree programme few years ago.
An Igboho Oke-Ogun born civil servant, Titilola-Sodo is a man with midas touch who has contributed to the growth of local government administration in the State.
In his congratulatory message to the new Permanent Secretary, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in the State, Comrade Ademola Babalola described the elevation of Titilola-Sodo as a welcome development.
Babalola said, “the elevation of our distinguished NLC Chairman, Comrade Bayo Titilola-Sodo is a welcome development especially if we are to go by the exploits of the labour leader in the local government administration.
“It is a thing of joy that the labour of our heroes are no longer in vain. Titilola-Sodo is a man imbued with character of Omoluabism.
“He has weathered the storm and deserves all the accolades one can muster. A great thinker and highly disciplined Union leader, Comrade Titilola-Sodo is a selfless and wonderful personality whose love for fellow workers attest to why he was elected twice as NULGE President and recently as NLC Chairman.
“On behalf of all journalists in the State, I, Ademola Babalola, Chairman of NUJ in the State, celebrate an achiever and great citizen of the State. May God guide, guard and protect you to excel in this onerous task.
“We also commend Mr. Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for appointing a thoroughbred professional as a Permanent Secretary in the service of our dear State,” Babalola added.

REVEALED: Nigeria’s First female combat helicopter pilot was killed by a reversing car – NAF

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) authority has officially narrated the circumstances that led to the death of the country ’s first female combat helicopter pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile.

The young officer reportedly died on July 14, as a result of head injuries sustained from a road traffic accident at NAF Base Kaduna.‬

However, in a detailed release by the NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, the late Arotile was killed by a reversing car.

The Statement reads: “Flying Officer Arotile died on 14 July 2020 at the age of 24, when she was inadvertently hit by the reversing vehicle of an excited former Air Force Secondary School classmate while trying to greet her.

“Flying Officer Arotile joined the Nigerian Air Force out of passion for the job. In her words “I joined the military simply out of passion for it. Being a military personnel has been a long time ambition, the carriage and what it stands for are simply exceptional”.

Giving her profile, the Air Force Spokesman said, before her untimely death, Flying Officer Arotile made significant and outstanding contributions to the war against terrorism, armed banditry and other forms of criminality in the Country, flying several combat missions.

“Born on 13 December 1995 to the family of Mr and Mrs Akintunde Arotile in Kaduna, Flying Officer Tolulope Oluwatoyin Sarah Arotile, hails from Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. She attended Air Force Primary School, Kaduna from 2000 – 2005 and Air Force Secondary School, Kaduna from 2006 – 2011 before she later gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna as a member of 64 Regular Course on 22 September 2012.

“Flying Officer Arotile was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a Pilot Officer on 16 September 2017 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the Nigerian Defence Academy.

“Flying Officer Arotile was winged as the first ever female combat helicopter pilot in the Nigerian Air Force on 15 October 2019, after completing her flying training in South Africa. She holds a commercial pilot license and also underwent tactical flying training on the Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter in Italy.

“Incidentally, she introduced the newly acquired Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, during the induction ceremony at Eagle Square in Abuja on 6 February 2020.

“The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on behalf officers, airmen, airwomen and civilian staff of the Service, consoles with the family of late ‪Flying Officer Arotile‬ over this irreparable loss. May her gentle soul continue to Rest In Peace,” the statement concluded.

Ajanaku condoles Olubadan, NUJ over Bode Oyewole’s passing

By
Peter Ayoade
-

Debo Adeoye, Ibadan

The Asiwaju Odo O’odua, Asiwaju Rotimi Ajanaku has sent a condolence message to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the family of late Elder Bode Oyewole.

Speaking through his media aide, Debo Adeoye on Wednesday in Ibadan, Ajanaku described the deaths of prominent sons of Ibadanland as most shocking, heartbroken, and very disturbing. He prayed for the family of the deceased.

“I was shocked to hear of the death of another illustrious son of Ibadanland, in person of Elder Bode Oyewole. It got me sick and disturbed. We have lost quite a number of our elders, leaders, fathers in the last few weeks. This is too much for us to bear in Ibadan.

“I wouldn’t know what we have done in this land that brought in frequent visitation of deaths to our great city.

“It’s a great tragedy for Ibadan to be loosing its prominent sons not through the natural passage of time but through brute ugliness of poor health or strange illnesses.

“Our elders, fathers in Ibadanland are torchbearers, blessed with wealth of skills and experiences of life, they have lived through situations others cannot even imagine. They are pioneers to the young generation. So, we can’t fold arms nor feel unconcerned watching  them dying one after the other.

“We should remember that a city without prominent sons and daughters, great and illustrious leaders isn’t a city, but just a factory floor, a place where you work and shop, with no history, no past or future, just an endless present tense in pursuit of money. I pray this would not be the portion of our great Ibadan city.

“My appeal goes to all political leaders, leadership of professional bodies, labour and trade unions in Oyo State to join hands with the religious leaders for special prayer in Ibadanland, Oyo State, Nigeria and wherever Ibadan Indigenes are sojourning on the planet earth.

“I believe God will hear our voices and drive the spirit of death away from our lands,” Ajanaku prayed.

BREAKING: Oyo ALGON Loses to OYSG at Appeal Court

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Federal Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, has ruled against the sacked local Government council chairmen and councillors in Oyo State.

The judgement was delivered few minutes ago.

DETAILS LATER

Oyo SWAN Mourns Ex 3SC Boss

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Oyo State chapter has commiserated with the family of a football administrator and former Chairman of Shooting Stars Sports Club(3SC), Chief Bode Oyewole who died on Tuesday 14th of July 2020.

The Association, in a condolence message signed by its Chairman, Niyi Alebiosu and Secretary Adewale Tijani, also condole with the management and supporters of 3SC over the demise of their former Chairman.

Oyo SWAN recalled the administrative shrewdness and ingenuity of the departed football administrator, which the Association noted, was responsible for the remarkable success recorded by 3SC during his time as the club’s chairman.

Chief Oyewole was the Chairman of 3SC when the club won double titles – the domestic league and the West African Football Union, in 1998.

Oyo SWAN prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased, and that God should grant his family the fortitude to bear this great loss.

The former football administrator was also a seasoned journalist who served as the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oyo State Council, between 1978 and 1980.

Chief Oyewole is survived by his wife and children.

Oyo NUJ mourns the demise of another former union Chairman, Bode Oyewole

By
Peter Ayoade
-

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council on Tuesday mourned the passing of another former Chairman of the union, Elder Bode Oyewole.

Oyewole was Chairman of the union between 1978 to 1980.

He was later Chairman of the Oluyole warriors, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan.

Oyewole recently spoke with the incumbent, Ademola Babalola on July 3rd, 2020 following the news of the demise of one of his sucessors in office, Joe Abiola (a.k.a. Atumah).

Abiola, who also died about three weeks ago, took over from Oyewole and was NUJ Chairman for two terms, spanning between 1981 to 1985.

Oyewole had assured Babalola through phone call that he would grace the burial of Abiola in the special tributes being planned in honour of the deceased by NUJ that will come up this Thursday at 2pm in Iyaganku press centre.

Expressing grief over the death of the erstwhile union leader, Babalola in a statement signed by the Secretary of NUJ, Comrade Sola Oladapo, described Oyewole’s passing as “shocking, devastating, unexpected, sad and one that caught the Union unawares”, because of the outstanding career of the erstwhile Chairman.

Oladapo said the news came when the executive was planning a special programme in honour of Abiola, saying, “the news of his demise came at a time when his wise counsel, experience and charismatic attributes as a father figure in NUJ and the society in general are much needed.”

The NUJ prays for the forgiveness of Oyewole’s shortcomings popularly called Uncle B.O, and grant him eternal rest.

It sympathizes with the family especially the wife, Mrs. Bose Oyewole, the children and the veteran journalists in the State and pray God to give them the fortitude to bear his irreplaceable loss.

The Sociology of Nigerian Hushpuppism | Oludayo Tade

By
Peter Ayoade
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The arrest of Nigerian-born Ramoni Abass, with Hushpuppi social media identity and his gang in DUBAI over alleged transnational cybercrime during which nearly 2million were ripped off, unveils how deceitful living is ubiquitous, celebrated and elevated above moral uprightness in Nigeria.

‘Hushpuppism’ is a survivalist strategy which deliberately distorts reality in relation to what is earned, how it is earned and the revealed identity. The revealed identity has two parts: the actual and the framed identity. In relation to the former, only the acting individual and the gang keep this close to their heart. The framed identity is that part of human life that is portrayed to outsiders as the actual. To break this down, there are many contemporary politicians in Nigeria who portray themselves as followers of late Sage, Obafemi Awolowo’s ideology but their actual realities have betrayed them. Just as the followers of Awolowo’s political ideology call themselves Awoists and dress alike those who believe in hushpuppism as ideology of living are ‘hushpuppies’. How can sociology help to unpack how our collective negligence birthed and nurture hushpuppism from pre-colonial to a more daring and endemic dimension in 2020 Nigeria?

I had gone to Bodija market in Ibadan to buy beans. The woman bean seller fixed her price per kongo (the measuring container) at N400 and was not ready to reduce to my offer of N350. As I made to leave to try my luck elsewhere she called me that I should come and pay. While she was measuring I realised she changed the kongo to a smaller one that would make me lose some cups. I challenged her for using a fraudulent measurement for me. She said that she would not allow me to go and buy it elsewhere since I insisted on paying N350. She then said in Yoruba “mo jewo otito fun yin nitori Jesu o nii pe de” (I confessed to you because Jesus will soon come). This ‘heavenly’ candidate rips customers off everyday but wanted me to see her as a child of God through confession yet, she failed to change the measuring plastic. On another day at Eleyele, I had packed to buy vegetable from the road side sold for fifty naira. I deliberately gave the seller hundred naira and waited for balance. She pretended as if she was waiting for me to ask for another item. I strolled away but she failed to call me back for my balance. She made extra N50 through deceit. We complain about those leading the country as wicked but the masses are wickeder. These are people on the lowest rung of the ladder victimising another person to enrich themselves. This is the character of the Nigerian social institutions which nurture variants of ‘hushpuppic’ norms and values.

From the family, parents nurture their children to lie. When driving with children inside the car, they drive against traffic while the wife smiles that her husband is smart. They go ahead to arrange special centers for exams, pay for examination questions, buy admission space in the universities and continue to lobby for their children to graduate. The person who has never been socialised to follow normative standards cannot get to the position of authority and behave well against others. This births the corruption relay race where the next is waiting for the baton holder to handover to him/her to continue the looting. In the school, money rules how the teacher relates with pupils. No sound moral teachings. Parents won’t allow punishment of their children. They induce poorly paid teachers to tinker with marks. Their kids progress in life in error. They are socialised to take shortcut to achieve their goals. After all, Falz song says eni to mo way lomo iwe (those who understand how to scheme their ways to success in school are the bookworm). In the University they can’t be different. They arrange with their corrupt lecturers in a transactional dealing to award marks instead of reading to pass.

The political institution inherits these bad apples. Their campaigns are founded and erected on lies. Since they are in a familiar terrain, they buy their way to power. Once in power, they begin to run government of the few, for the few, enthroned by the deceived majority. They award fat salaries and allowances to themselves and watch the civil servants dwell in the dungeon of hopelessness. It does not matter the slogan, whether change begins with me, or rebranding, fleecing of the common patrimony is a shared norm. They would deceive labour Unions into signing agreements that would not be honoured yet they expect the youth to behave honourably. The doctors, nurses, scientists and researchers who are being called upon to rescue the nation from COVID-19 are among the neo-colonial slaves battling for independence. You then wonder why the best would leave our system while those who lack interest of the system are emplaced. This again nurtures hushpuppic culture.

Religious institutions also get their leadership from this structure. Not many wait for God to call them again; they would rather pick their phone to call God. After all, did Adekunle Gold not sing Baba God pick up the call? As a product of a deceptive foundation, they nurture accumulation of wealth by deception through their preaching and use the proceeds of deceit and looting to erect cathedrals and Mosques and acquire conspicuous consumption. Religious leaders have lost their voices to fight ills in the society; rather, they encourage cutting corners through their unending levies on members. They provide special seat for fraudsters. A ‘philanthropist’ receives greater attention while the source of money does not matter to them. They pray that the source will not run dry yet we wonder why corruption is becoming endemic. The congregation also wants to dress and ride luxury cars used by clergymen. They also go into the world, con people, short-change the system and return to the spiritual centers with money from questionable sources.

It is in this country where first class graduates are relegated that those with questionable degrees are paid millions! Since pensioners are punished in Nigeria, those still in service find time to take enough for post service life. Many even have actual and official age due to uncertainties. A value explains what is desirable and worth pursuing. I often ask students to tell me the value of Nigeria. They tell me Corruption is our value. They see political party admits those derided for stealing and call them saints. As they lay the fruits of deceit, lies and disloyalty crowned with mindless looting, the incoming ‘dealers’ of the 5-generation (5G) moves at higher speed.

This hushpuppic thinking is what produces new generation of pilferers.
Some criminologists believe that all criminals are rational to the extent that they weigh the benefit and cost of their actions. They will commit crime if benefit outweighs the cost. While some others argue that crime is caused by the social structure of the society which makes deviance and crime possible, others talk about the behaviour of the criminal law. Taken together, understanding the sociology of deceitful living, which I have carefully tagged hushpuppism is important to see how the culture of deceitful leaving is caused by the society. It also unpacks the role of all of us in this dubiousness and the rationalising of filthy behaviour. To turn the tide, parents must stop circumventing the system for their children, schools must insist on merit and government must address systemic injustices. That is when we can win some souls away from the rampaging kingdom of hushpuppism.

Oyo Assembly Reshuffles House Standing Committees

By
Peter Ayoade
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Peter Ayoade

The Oyo State House of Assembly has reshuffled its standing committees for more effective oversight functions.

The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin during plenary on Tuesday announced the reshuffling of the 27 house standing Committees.

Hon. Ogundoyin encouraged members of the standing Committees to take their oversight functions seriously as this will further help in presenting the 9th Oyo Assembly as a vibrant and focused house.

”Your oversight functions are to aid the activities of the Oyo State Government hence every member must be actively involved in Committee assignments. It is not to witch hunt anybody but to assist Government in proper implementation and execution of duties and responsibilities. I am convinced the 9th Oyo Assembly has what its takes to enhance governance, promote accountability and serve as watchdogs to other arms of Government including Ministries, Agencies and Parastatals,” Oyo Speaker said.

The Committees as announced by the Speaker have Hon. Akeem Mustapha as the Chairman of Public Accounts, Finance and Appropriation, while Hon. Ademola Olusegun Popoola heads the Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Honors Committee.

Hon Olamide Francis Olagoke is in charge of Inter-Parliamentary Relations just as Hon. Olatunde Taofeeq Kehinde oversees Works and Transport Committee while Hon. Akeem Obadara is the Chairman House Committee on Security and Strategy.

The Chairman House Committee on Information, Media and ICT still remains Hon. Kazeem Olayanju while Hon. Bimbo Oladeji continues as House Committee Chairman on Women Affairs and Community Development among other Committee heads and members.

Banks: Oyo NUJ issues fresh disclaimer on Faniran, put Information Minister, Police, FRCN on red alert

By
Peter Ayoade
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Peter Ayoade

The Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Tuesday warned members of the public to stop dealing with the immediate past Chairman of the union in the state, Adewunmi Faniran who is still parading himself as the chairman of the union in the state.

NUJ said there is need to sensitise the public on the development in the union because the radio station where the former Chairman works, FRCN (Radio Nigeria), has been fouling the air, misrepresenting and peddling lies with fake news to mislead members of the public about the status of Faniran who was voted out of office, seven months ago.

The NUJ calls on the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), the Director General of the FRCN, Mr. Mansur Liman, the Zonal Director of the station, Mr. Mohammed Bello, the President of the NUJ, Comrade Chris Isiguzo, the Minister of the Ministry of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, to rein in, on the station before they cause further damage to the integrity of FRCN nationwide.

The Oyo NUJ threatened that should the station continues to parade Faniran as Chairman of NUJ against the constitution of the body, it would be left with no other option than to publish a disclaimer in three natio national dailies to expose the personality of the erstwhile chairman with his photograph, for unsuspecting members of the public to be weary of him.

This development, according to the NUJ, becomes imperative because Faniran has refused to release the properties of the union in his care which include but not limited to cheque books of the financial transactions of the union domiciled in three banks namely; UBA, Access and FCMB.

The Union in a statement issued by the secretary of the Union in the state, Sola Oladapo on Tuesday commended the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that the items were retrieved from Faniran but became helpless because of the uncompromising stance of the erstwhile Chairman.

The NUJ further said anyone who engages in any deal with Faniran in the name of the NUJ, does so at his or her risk as the man has been voted out of office since December 18th 2019 when members from across the nine of 10 Chapels that make up Oyo NUJ overwhelming elected a new Chairman, Ademola Babalola and his crop of executives.

It would be recalled that the immediate past secretary of the council, Bola Ogunlayi reportedly handed over the union properties in his care, including vehicle number plate for his office to the newly elected secretary of the union, Sola Oladapo while Faniran and Busola Adetunji, the former Treasurer, held on to bank books, fuelling suspicion that nefarious activities might be going on, on the aforementioned bank accounts.

The NUJ has therefore put the union account officials and members of the public on red alert, as it warned them against further dealing with past union officials.

Efforts by the police to retrieve the bank details from them on Monday, were rebuffed as the law enforcement agents advised the NUJ to issue disclaimer in national dailies against the recalcitrant officers.

The police also admonished the NUJ to freeze the bank accounts to ward off shady deals by the defiant erstwhile NUJ Chairman.

Our correspondent gathered that despite several warnings and reminders by the national secretariat of the union and the new executive led by Babalola, Faniran refused to corperate with the union leadership.

Reports say the issue became messier recently when some veterans of the union who are lecturers at the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) approached the current chairman that they could not get their salaries in the last seven months because the outgone chairman refused to handover the union properties which also include signing off, as signatory to the bank account of the school.

The letter signed by the duo of Mr. Ganiyu Waheed (for and on behalf of lecturers) and Mrs. Olawumi Adenubi, the Administrative Officer  said, “seven months ago, the NUJ elected Mr. Ademola Babalola Ismail as the new Chairman to run the NUJ affairs for another three years.

“Unfortunately, his predecessor, Mr. Adewumi Faniran has since then, refused to sign off as a signatory to the IIJ, Ibadan account, to pave way for the new Chairman, Ademola Babalola Ismail to sign the IIJ cheque.

“We are elderly retired journalists serving as lecturers to keep our bodies and souls together and impacting knowledge to upcoming journalists.

“Since the beginning of this year, we are faced with the agony of hunger and starvation. We shall therefore be grateful if you can use your good offices to appeal to Mr. Faniran to sign off for the new Chairman so that we can be paid. We pray we will not starve to death,” they appealed.

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