The senior special assistant to Hon. Segun Odebunmi has berated the Caretaker Chairman, Surulere North LCDA, Hon. Sarafadeen Olatunji Mohammed for arrogating the success of an undertaking he knew nothing about to himself.The Senior Special Assistant Alhaji Al-Maruff Ajibolu, cautioned Sarafadeen Olatunji Mohammed from presenting itself as the initiator of the recent interventions/relief programs donated to affected communities within the council area by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in the usual PDP Gestapo manner of reaping where they did not sow which has now become their brand identity in Oyo state. Ajibolu noted that the intervention program was driven to the council area by Hon. Dokun Odebunmi, who used his goodwill and tenacious representive prowess to attract and commit NEMA to the affected communities within the council area.

Ajibolu reckoned that Olatunji seems to be fond of creating good impression about his performances in office to cover up his failures and inability to deliver on the legitimate expectations of the people. Unfortunately, capacity is everything. You cannot give what you did not have.

“It is shameful that the PDP government at the state level who recently went about re-commissioning projects that were already completed by his immediate predecessor and waiting handover, has now knavishly institutionalized such practise and Roguish tendency within their party that PDP appointees like Olatunji now scandalously adopt without remorse all in a bid to deceive the people. It is even most unfortunate, that this comes from a Chairman that is foisted on the people against all known laws governing the administration of Local Government in Nigeria.

Ajibolu stated this while reacting to a report that Mohammed facilitated relief materials worth Millions of Naira to victims of rainstorm which affected about 250 households in 10 communities in April.

Ajibolu said “The council chairman knew nothing about how representatives of National Emergency Management Agency got to know about the incident let alone coming down to the affected communities to assess the extent of damages, only for him to be claiming the glory when they brought the item. It is grossly incredible”.

To put the record straight, My Principal Hon. Segun Dokun Odebunmi facilitated the materials and this was made possible due to the existing harmonious relationship he enjoys with NEMA that antedate even the present government in Oyo state. It is a long term relationship which the people of Surulere and Ogo Oluwa have hugely benefited from for almost half a decade. So one man, who has rarely been to the capital city let alone being aware of the road to NEMA office cannot just come and claim such glory.

He added that “Immediately the incident was reported , Hon Odebunmi in his usual character acted out of duty and wrote a letter to the Headquarters of NEMA after which they stormed the scene immediately. He followed up on this thoroughly till they brought the first batch of the items , only for us to see the council chairman and his stooges spreading it across different media platforms that they have fulfilled promise’.

Meanwhile, He called on the Council boss to instead of progressing in error to ugently liase with the Governor and the Oyo-State Emergency Management Agency to emulate Hon Odebunmi(BUNVIC) by contributing their quota in ameliorating the plight of the victims instead of using same for fake political grandstanding.

Ajibolu aslo commended Mr President and the DG NEMA for assuring the Relief materials are been released on time.

What exactly will I write about the phenomenon, Her Excellency, Erelu Bisi Fayemi? What words can l use to celebrate this rare gem? I ruminated about this quintessential woman of many parts, I couldn’t still find the best words to describe her. I resolved that, the best way to describe her is the way you see her and feel her impactful touches on all, either the known or the unknown.

Erelu is a mother in the real sense of it. A mother who is God-sent to back all the “children” including me. If you call her a Fertilizer, she is. A booster, an encourager, you are not missing it. Call her a Trailblazer, truly she is. Describe her as a Stabilizer, sincerely you are correct. See her as an Iconic Feminist, you are on the track. Tag her as a Painstaker, you are still not wrong. Are you seeing her as an Enhancer? Yes, she is one. Call her a Bridge builder, yes, you are on point. Organiser of note. A Strategist, she is too. A Pillar of support? All join.

Her Excellency is an epitome of good vibes. A supporter and promoter of talents. A developer of skills. A fertilizer for the weak people. A Counsellor, a Teacher, a Guidance, a Philanthropist, an Exemplar, a Rolemodel, a Mentor, a Kind and Humane leader, an Administrator per excellence etc.

Your multiple, useful and colourful wrappers are there for everybody. You have always been the hope of the hopeless, the companion of the dejected, the strength of the feeble, the shoulder that many people lean on and your prompt intervention has on many occasions prevented many from committing suicide. Helping people is your Calling and thank God you are doing it as sent. May you never tired of doing it Ma.
YE, I appreciate you for who you are. No doubt, you are the Angel sent by God to us in Ekiti State, Nigeria, Africa and the World over. I pray that you will continue to live long.
Happy Birthday Your Excellency.

–OLAWALE ASAKE
Executive Assistant to the Governor on Policy and Speeches

By Oluwakemi Ishola

Oyo State recorded no fresh case of COVID-19 on Wednesday, which means the total number of confirmed cases in the state remain 398. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced that 409 new confirmed cases and 17 deaths were recorded in Nigeria

Till date, 13,873 cases have been confirmed, 4,351 cases have been discharged and 382 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory

The 409 new cases are reported from 16 states- Lagos (201), FCT (85), Delta (22), Edo (16), Nasarawa (14), Borno (14), Kaduna (14), Bauchi (10), Rivers (9), Enugu (5), Kano (5), Ogun (4), Ondo (4), Baylesa (2), Kebbi (2), Plateau (2)

By Oluwakemi Ishola

Oyo State on Tuesday recorded 11 fresh cases of coronavirus to take the state’s confirmed cases to 398. Despite the spike, the state retains its 7th position on the national COVID-19 log.

The new active cases were revealed in the routine update released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) late Tuesday. The Pacesetter Newsunderstands that the iSON Xperiences, which is the epicenter of the novel coronavirus in Oyo State has lion share of the fresh cases.

Till date, 13464 cases have been confirmed, 4206 cases have been discharged and 365 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory

Here is the breakdown of 663 new cases of #COVID19;

The 663 new cases are reported from 26 states- Lagos (170), Ogun (108), Bauchi (69), Ebonyi (49), Edo (33), Rivers (30), FCT (26), Jigawa (26), Delta (20), Anambra (17), Gombe (16), Kano (16), Imo (15), Abia (14), Borno (11), Oyo (11), Plateau (8), Kebbi (6), Kaduna (6), Ondo (4), Niger (2), Katsina (2), Osun (1), Ekiti (1), Kwara (1), Nasarawa (1)

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

The Chairman, All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Chief Akin Oke has lamented the death of his predecessor and one of the eminent leaders of the APC, Pa Samuel Farinu, as a great loss to the Progressive family of polical players across the nation.

Speaking on Tuesday at the home of the deceased in Oke Oroki Quarters, Oyo, Chief Oke, who led a delegation of the Party’s State Executive Committee, described late Chief Farinu as a strong pillar of progressivism who was not only loyal to the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, but also worked with others to facilitate good governance which had always been the hallmark of the reign of political parties with progressive ideology.

“We received the news of the death of Baba Farinu with a great shock because we would have loved to continue deriving maximum benefits from his wealth of experience, wisdom and guidance as a thorough-bred progressive politician, referred leader and patriot. But we found succour in the fact that he died a fulfilled man at the ripe age of 93 years.

“Chief Farinu took us through the thick and thin as progressive politicians in those years when some anti democratic forces confined us to the dustbin of opposition in the state and the country at large. He held sway until 2010 when I emerged his successor and after then, he never abandoned the Progressive family. He was always there for consultation and support up till the moment he breathed his last.

“But for the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, we would have been here in multitude from across the state to underscore the fact Baba Farinu is valued as our father and leader even in death. We come with a special condolence message from our principal and leader, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who is unavoidably absent in the state at the moment.

“It is our sincere prayer that by the time the final burial would take place, the global pandemic would have been over completely so as to afford us the opportunity to be part of the befitting burial programme which Baba deserves. However, we pray God almighty to grant him eternal rest and also give the families (including all of us in the APC) the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.” Chief Oke said.

In her response, the widow, Mrs Adetola Farinu, who spoke through Mrs Bola Ekundayo, thanked the delegation for the condolence visit and promised to reach out on the comprehensive burial programme for the deceased as soon as the family met and decided on it.

The delegation later visited the homes of Chief Akin Ojebode and High Chief S. M Akindele to register the Party’s condolences. The team comprised of the Deputy State Chairman, Chief ‘Lekan Adeyemo, State Secretary, Hon. Mojeed Olaoya, Prince Adefisoye Adekanye, Alh. AbdulRasaq Arikewuyo, Alh. Moruff Lamolo, Mrs. Mabel Williams (state woman leader), Barr. K. O Makinde, Hon. Ajibola Areokuta, Hon. Taiwo Ige, Mrs. Abiola Olaniran and Hon. John Fatona.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

Former Asia State Governor and Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, on Tuesday, returned to the Senate after spending six months in jail on allegations of corruption.

Senator Orji arrived at the National Assembly on Tuesday and is attending plenary.

Speaking to journalists before entering the Senate Chamber, the Senator said he was glad to be back to work and that he needs to hit the ground running to cover up for the loss of time to provide quality representation for his constituents in Abia North.

The former governor who was sentenced for a 12-year imprisonment, was released on June 2, 2020, from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja following an order by the Federal High court.

Senator Kalu, a two-term former governor of Abia State, had urged the court to set aside his conviction on December 5, 2019, by Justice Mohammed Idris. He explained that this became necessary since the Supreme Court, in its verdict delivered on May 8, 2020, held that Justice Idris gave the judgment without jurisdiction.

He was convicted for embezzling N7.65 billion belonging to the Abia state government. However, the Supreme Court nullified his conviction and ordered a retrial.

By Oluwakemi Ishola 

Hon Akinwole Akinwale , Wolekanle, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress APC in Oyo state has doled out cash gift and pilgrimage slots to Mecca and Jesuralem to commemorate the 25th Year remembrance of his late father, Emmanuel Akinsami Akinwale

The late legal practitioner was a chief Magistrate in Oyo state during his life time.

Hon Akinwole who is also the initiator of “Ajilete Carnival and proprietor of Ogbomoso United said the decision to hold a low key remembrance for his late father was buoyed by the need to obey social distancing of COVID-19.

“My Dad meant a lot to me and I will continue to celebrate him, despite his short time on earth, his impacts and contributions to humanity cannot be erased and we children have vowed to continue to uphold his legacies”

At the prayer sesion of the late Akinwumi Akinwole’s grave, Wolekanle said;
“My father’s is a principled man but he took delight in making people happy, he is a cheerful giver who doesn’t discriminate or attached conditions before giving, all this we are trying to emulate”

“Though he died 25 year ago but his memory still lingers and we will forever remember him for the eventful and impactful life which he lived and contribution to the legal world especially in Oyo state and Nigeria in particular”

We are relaunching a foundation in his name very soon and the Non Governmental Organization will cater for the less privileged and aged people in the society,.Part of the program will also include educational support programme for the youths and others.

“To commermorate
the demise of my dad, Alfa Sakariyau Issa Alijafariya of Ward 3 Aguodo Masifa will go to the Holy Land of Mecca for Pilgrimage(Hajji) while Alagba Gokus of Osupa Ward 9 will also go to Jerusalem for Prilgrimage’.

Mr Sayo Alagbe, the first clerk that worked with the late Magistrate in his tribute said “Today is exactly 25 years that my former boss, late Emmanuel Akínsanmí Akínwálé, a Lawyer, notary public, Magistrate and bonafide father of a culture personified, football enthusiast and unsparing giver, Akínwálé Akínwálé shed off the toga of immortality for mortality’.

“May his gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace while l pray that God Almighty continue to uphold and bless Wolekanle and other children he left behind”.