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Kopek says Moniya-Iseyin road ready in January

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Adams Akorede

Kopek Construction Company, the contractor handling the reconstruction of 65km Moniya-Iseyin road, in Oyo State has said that the road would be ready for commissioning in January, 2021.

The leading firm told journalists who were on the spot assessment of the road on Wednesday that it was ready to deliver in accordance with the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation (BEME) in line with the contractual agreement signed with the State Government.

Kopek also said it would not compromise quality and standard to get the job done.

It assured that it would also maintain the road 12 months after its commissioning to ensure its durability.

Addressing journalists during an inspection tour of the road project, the Project Manager, Engr. Paul Chamoun assured that despite COVID-19 impact and the unfavorable weather due to rains, work was progressing at the project site.

He maintained that the project which was awarded in January,  2020 is billed for completion in twelve months without compromising its quality.

Reacting to the effects of COVID-19 on the ongoing road project, Chamoun lamented, “‘truly, COVID-19 deadly pandemic has disturbed our planning for sure just like everybody in all the world. 4-5 weeks that we stopped, the problem was that it was in the dry season, so if you want to count it per day (5weeks), we say its only like 40days. But, 40 days or 30 days in dry season, its not like the 40 days in the rainy season; because what we can achieve in 40 days that we stopped, you can consider it as 2 months during the rainy season.

“You know we cannot work everyday with the same pace of work that will be achieved on a daily basis  as planned because of the rain. And, as everybody knows, we are concern with the quality, we are not going to compromise with the quality. So, if there is rain and there are some jobs or activities that cannot be done because it will affect the quality, we will not do it.

“Before COVID-19,  my target was to finish as planned,  based on that, we have mobilised. With this our plan, we will finish in twelve months. You know that the job is 65km, it is not a small job at all.  COVID-19 came, it was unplanned and unexpected, we have lost more than one month and after that, the rainy season, who knows later on what will happen? Now, I have doubled my efforts to compensate the days that were lost”.

He continued, “you know the percentage can be varied. If you want to take it as money or you want to take it as completion of works because there are some items  that will take too much time like the concretes. It is less in money than the asphalt.

“The asphalt is very fast and the money is more. We are working on items that will take time and the other one will be more easy for us. Now, we are at 38% of completion of works and by God’s grace, we will reach 40% next week (July Ending)”.

The Project Manager, however informed that Kopek will be responsible for the maintenance of the road, at least for twelve months, after commissioning.

“God forbid, if something happen, it will show on the road, during this one year of maintenance, and we will fix it. Almost six months of rainy season, six months of dry season, all the possible cars and transport will pass on this road. As everybody knows, Kopek will not compromise with the quality. At the end of the day, we are taking care of the maintenance for one year, so its not nice to compromise now and repeat the job again”, he explained.

JUST IN: Minister Akpabio Makes U-turn, – “I didn’t say Lawmakers got 60% of NDDC contracts

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has denied accusing members of the National Assembly of collecting 60 percent of the contracts at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Akpabio, in a letter read on the floor of the House during Plenary by the Speaker on Thursday said the only reference he made to 60 percent during his presentation before the NDDC committee on Monday was in response to a question by a member of the committee.

He said the member had sought to know whether a Medical Director can serve as an Executive Director Project, to which he responded by saying that since 50 to 60 percent of NDDC contracts were medical related, there was nothing wrong in a Medical Director serving in that capacity.

He also said that the Executive Director Project of the NDDC forwarded to him a list of 19 owed contracts which the Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC insisted must be paid before the 2020 budget of the commission is passed.

He also said that the NDDC has jot executed any contract under the 2020 budget since it has not been passed, while the 2019 budget was passed in April and has not been implemented.

The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila however referred the letter to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

JUST IN: [NDDC Probe] Fresh Trouble for Akpabio as Gbajabiamila Wants him Jailed for Perjury

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

More than two days after Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila gave the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, 48 hours to publish the names of lawmakers who were awarded contracts by Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as well as the details of the contracts, the Speaker has commended the process of charging the minister to court for lying under oath.

Gbajabiamila had said on Tuesday, that should the Akpabio failed to publish the names of lawmakers who got contracts from NDDC, the House will employ the full wrath to ensure he does so.

STATEMENT BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, REP. FEMI GBAJABIAMILA IN RESPONSE TO THE FAILURE BY THE MINSTER OF NIGER DELTA AFFAIRS TO SUBSTANTIATE ALLEGATIONS MADE AGAINST THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN RESPECT OF CONTRACTS AWARDED BY THE NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (NDDC).

Last Tuesday I issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to substantiate his allegation that over 60% (sixty per cent) of contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) went to members of the National Assembly. I said then that the Honourable Minister owed it to himself and the country to provide evidence to support these serious allegations.

The Honourable Minister has failed to respond to my request. Therefore, I must conclude that his statement intended solely to gaslight the nation to avoid accountability for the evident maladministration and malfeasance in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
In my time in the House of Representatives, I have held every leadership position from Minority Whip, through to Minority Leader, Leader of the House and now Speaker.

I recognise that the House has not always lived up to the high expectations of the Nigerian people. As much as we still have a lot to do in that regard, I refuse to sit here in good conscience and allow anyone to assassinate the character of the House in an attempt to deflect accountability for their conduct in office. Such mendacity as was witnessed at the public hearing will not be tolerated from anybody no matter how highly placed.

This morning, I asked the Clerk of the House of Representatives to engage the services of legal counsel, and instruct them to initiate a criminal complaint of perjury against the Minister. At the same time, we will instruct counsel to explore the possibility of a civil defamation suit against the Minister.

The House of Representatives is a public trust placed in our care for the duration of our term in office. We must prove ourselves worthy of this public trust or risk the censure of history. Therefore, we will resist every attempt to undermine this institution, whether such attempts come from within or from outside. This House will live up to the highest expectations of the Nigerian people. This is our commitment, and we will not fail.

Thank you. God bless you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Folarin Pens Birthday Tribute to his wife – Barr. Angela

By
Peter Ayoade
-

It’s just a simple phrase, yet it is a loving expression, celebrating your caring, pleasant and most specially your understanding ways.

The thoughtful things you do are reasons why this wish is made specifically for you.
You are the most special person to my life. The love we share has made my life a pleasant experience.

Your birthday special. The day the special person created just for me is celebrated.
I cannot express sufficiently in words how you make me feel. You are a rousing symphony orchestra, expressing emotions that can never be said in words.

Every single day with you as your husband, I realize how lucky I am to have such an amazing wife. You are even more beautiful than you were when I first laid eyes on you eighteen years ago. Your intelligence and organisational skills added immeasurable value to my life. Your make me feel young, alive and focused. You complete me.

I just love looking at you sleeping peacefully by my side. It gives me the utmost joy and happiness. Our life has been roller coaster ride, and I’ve enjoyed every moment . I confidently face any situation with you beside me… my wonder woman.

Meeting you was fate, becoming your friend was a choice, falling in love with you was beyond my control and being your beloved husband has been the best decision I ever made! If I had to make a choice a million times, I will pick you as my wife.

You are my best friend, my lover, my mother, my confidant, my soul mate, my awesome wife.
I love you more today and I will love you even more tomorrow. Thank you for the boys and all you have done to make our home the most pleasant place to be.

Happy birthday Angie.

Oloye

Again, Adegboyega Adegoke gifted 200 people with working tools, cash supports to be job creators

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

As part of efforts aimed at reducing poverty, unemployment and social vices in the country, a non-governmental organisation, Adegboyega Adegoke Resource Centre (AARC) in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital has trained and empowered over 200 youths with requisite entrepreneurial skills to be self-reliance.

As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman, AARC, Oloye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke declared that the only way to minimize poverty and curb social vices among youths in the country is the human development through vocational training and entrepreneurial skills.

Adegoke, who is the Executive Director Finance and Chief Financial Officer of OES Energy Services made the declaration while speaking with Journalists during the graduation and distribution of working tools to young people who have undergone several forms of vocational training at AARC.

He said the training and empowerment will go a long way in reducing poverty, joblessness and the attendant crimes among the youths in the society.

Adegoke, who is also the Ajia Balogun Olubadan of Ibadanland, stressed that when youths are engaged and impacted with Knowledge through vocational training and studies, social vices and poverty would be reduced to the bearest minimal.

Adegoke, while urging states and federal government to invest more on
vocational studies, he insisted that government can reduce social vices among the youths through handiwork rather than focusing alone on white collar jobs

According to him, “There is poverty and unemployment in the land coupled with the consequences such as social vices, which we can reduce drastically if the government, corporate bodies, foundation and individual philanthropist can invest in vocational studies, by doing so many youths will be engaged and they will be far away from social vices, that can dent their image and that of their families.

“In my own little way in contributing to youth development and poverty alleviation, my foundation, Adegboyega Adegoke Resource Centre has device a vocational training for youths in several aspects such as candle and soap making, hairdressing, chalk making, tailoring, computer engineering, POP and others.

“We are presenting working tools to about 75 of them today, out of 200 as first batch to follow Covid-19 protocol, another two batches will follow in the next few weeks time. Parts of what we are distributing include sewing machines, hair dryer, laptops and computers, generators, cash and other working implements.

“We have trained people on how to be self-reliant and to become an entrepreneur. This will help in alleviating the poverty level in the state and country at large, and to generate income for themselves. The way the country is going now, you cannot rely on white collar job.

“We are also orientating the beneficiaries to be self-reliant instead of waiting for white-collar jobs that we all know are not there. They will be taught to have a saving culture.

“This kind of programme will put an end to youth unrest because when youths are gainfully engaged, they would not have time for unproductive activities like engaging in violent acts and all that”.

JUST IN: Oyo Govt Cancels 3rd Term, Directs Students to resume new session on Sep 21

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Oyo State Government on Tuesday announced September 21 as resumption date for the 2020/2021 academic session.

The State Executive Council approved a new  academic calendar to guide resumption of schools and other associated educational activities for all categories of classes.

According to the approved calendar, the first term will run from September 21 to December 18, 2020, while the second term will be from   January  11 to April 9,  2020, and the third term will be from May 3 to  July 30, 2021.

Meanwhile the government has cancelled the third term of 2019/2020 academic session, while promotion of students for all affected classes will now be determined by the first and second term continuous assessment.

It also said PrImary 6, JSS 3 and SSS 3 students will proceed on holiday from July 30 and resume for their examination as follows;


*Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE)-  August  10 -18, 2020
*Competitive Entrance Examination into the Schools of Science-  August 19, 2020
*Placement/Screening Test to JSS1-  August 20, 2020
*Placement Test into Technical Colleges-  August 28, 2020

The government, however, said SSS 3 will resume for their examination as soon as WAEC announce the date.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology enjoins all stakeholders and members of the public to take note of the details of the academic calendar.

Oyo/Osun Customs Command Intercepts 2,054 Bags of Rice, 500 Drums of Petrol, 340 blocks of cannabis

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Oyo/Osun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday disclosed that it intercepted 2,054 bags of 50kg foreign rice and 500 drums of 100 liters Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol), at different points.

Other items seized between 1st of May and 20thvig July 2020, according to the Command, included 320 kegs of 25 liters each of Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol); 340 compressed blocks of cannabis Sativa; one truck-load containing 800 bags of NPK fertiliser with DPV of N18,702,000; 85 bails of second-hand clothing with DPV og N16,680,919; 480 units of used tyres with DPV of N10,428,048.

Means of conveyance, which were also seized by the command included One unit of used Mazda 323 with DPV of N1,158,780; One unit of used Volkswagen Passat with DPV of N724,238; One unit of used Mitsubishi Lancer with DPV of N1,838,017; three units of used Volkswagen Golf with DPV of N3,259,068; One unit of used Volvo car with DPV of N2,896,950; One unit of used Ford Galaxy with DPV of N3,621,188; One unit of used Bedford Pickup with DPV of N1,303,628; and One unit of used DAF Truck with DPV of N10,906,294.

While showcasing the contraband and smuggled goods seized, the Customs Area Comptroller, Hu Ngozi, said the seized Indian Hemp would be handed over to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) while other intercepted items would be auctioned and proceeds would be remitted to the Federal government account.

Mrs. Ngozi therefore warned smugglers and other die-hard dealers to desist from sabotaging the economy of the country or go in for it.

She further added that her command has made a 65.4% increase in revenue generation with a total revenue collection of N32,020,103,911.90 from January to June 2020, out of the N62,848,518,366.93 allotted to the area command for the 2020 fiscal year.

The comptroller hinted that the cumulative Duty paid value for January to July 2020 has risen to the tune of N483, 191, 238 which represents a 170.39% increase. She revealed that the command has made a total of 41 detentions and 48 seizures and vowed to track and prosecute all those who serve as informants to smugglers according to the laws of the land.

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
-

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
-

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
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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
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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
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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
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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.

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