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CCII: For Our Votes, Adelabu, Makinde, Lanlehin, Alli, Akala, Others Must have Ibadan Agenda

By
Peter Ayoade
-
By Adams Akorede

THE Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) has said that all aspiring candidates of various political parties wishing to succeed the incumbent Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi in 2019 must come before it and explain the agenda he or she has for the development of Ibadan, the state capital.

The President of the body, Chief Yemi Soladoye at a press conference during the week, said Ibadan with voting population of about 54% of the entire state, deserves to scrutinize all candidates aspiring for the 2019 to ascertain the one with the best blueprint on how to further develop the city.
 
Soladoye said the CCII had indeed sent out invitation letters to the candidates to come before it and “analyse his or her Ibadan Agenda to us”.
Prominent among the 37 gubernatorial candidates ahead of the said election are those of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Chief Bayo Adelabu, Engr. Seyi Makinde, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, Chief Sharafadeen Alli and Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala respectively.
 
Only Alao-Akala who ruled the state between 2007-2011 is from Ogbomoso zone while others are ‘shon of the soil’ -Ibadans.
The CCII which reeled out special packages including a foundation for advanced democracy and book launch titled Koseleri (unimaginable) in honour of Governor Ajimobi celebrating his last birthday as the state helmsman on December 16.
Ajimobi, the 41st ruler of the city from the time of Sir John Rankin, according to the CCII, did not only break the elusive second term of office but equally returned normalcy to Ibadan, which hitherto was notorious for the death of a number of Nigerian citizens like Suliat Adedeji, Ajibola Ige, Layi Balogun, Ademola Oyadeyi, Lateef Eleweomo, among other killings of the past.
Soladoye said Ibadan Foundation for Advanced Democracy (IFAD) would be instituted in honour of Ajimobi’s many giant strides in governance because the largest and many landmark dividends of democracy in Nigeria are on the soil of Ibadan -The WNTV/WNBS, the Cocoa house, Liberty stadium, and many other 1sts in Africa.
He said that “Almost all politicians of note in South west Nigeria are nurtured on the soil of Ibadan -Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Ladoke Akintola, Chief Adisa Akinloye, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu and up to the likes of Alhaji Busari Adelakun (Eruobodo).”
Inaugurating the committee headed by a former labour leader, Chief Olu Abiala, the CCII president said Ajimobi’s birthday holds on Sunday 16th December, 2018 at the International Conference Centre, to serve “as reference point for attitudinal re-orientation for our people, warning to our politicians that “the Big Brother is watching” and that Ibadan will henceforth hold her political office holders accountable.”
The President General of CCII then disclosed that part of the promises Governor Ajimobi made and fulfilled are:  zero tolerance for political
violence and destruction of lives and properties in Ibadanland, success on construction of Olubandan palace project and commencement of Ibadan circular road.

According to him, “Ibadan is one people occupying one city, 21 towns and 1,681 villages in South-West Nigeria but the spirit of oneness and gratitude is largely compromised. The deeper reason for the ‘Thank You birthday’ is in fact to halt the drift whereby the patriotism to serve Ibadanland has become a thankless and regrettable adventure to many of us, Many Ibadan indigenes who entered into business with themselves or
stuck out their necks to help motherland have had their fingers burnt.

 

The net loss to us is absence of political unity, denial of Ibadan of Ibadan state, etc. Any bad thing you hear about one Ibadan man is fabricated and spread by another man.
“Despite the facts and justification for us as rational human beings to thank Governor Abiola Ajimobi for fulfilling some of his promises to us, our people have started saying we are APC or this is about his senatorial ambition. He became a senator in 2003 without our birthday celebration for him.

“CCII did not organise any ceremony for him before becoming governor in 2011 and before he had a second term in 2015. We are only showing appreciation and setting the pace for the next governor in Oyo state that he must have Ibadan agenda and the agenda must be fulfilled.

 

In fact, the CCII has invited each gubernatorial and senatorial party candidates in Oyo state, including Governor Ajimobi to come and analyse his/her Ibadan agenda to us.”

Three Million Voters to Determine Adelabu, Akala, Makinde, Lanlehin, Alli, Others’ Fate in 2019

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Adams Akorede

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday said about three million registered voters would determine the fate of politicians contesting the 2019 general elections across all elective offices in the 42year-old Pacesetter state of Oyo.
Thirty-seven political parties have presented gubernatorial candidates for the next election, according to the INEC State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Mutiu Agboke.
Prominent among them are the flagbearers of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Chief Bayo Adelabu, Engr. Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala of the Action Democratic Party, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin of the African Democratic Congress and latest entrant, Chief Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli of the Zenith Labour Party, among others.
Speaking at an interactive lecture by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Department of Logistics and Supply who is also the supervising DIG in charge of south west geopolitical zone, Agboola Oshodi-Glover, Agboke disclosed that over 400, 000 new registered voters have made the 2019 election to reach 2, 954,720  as against the 2, 460, 016 registered voters of the 2015 election.
The occasion held at Police Command headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan had in attendance INEC officials, political parties/party chairmen, aspirants, PCRC members and other stakeholders.
Agboke assured that no vehicle of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) would be used to carry sensitive materials for the election, stressing that there was also not going to be fresh registration and transfer of registration by those willing to relocate where they registered to vote in another location.
The INEC Commissioner said the commission still has a subsisting Memorandum of Understanding with leadership of NURTW but such was purely on movements of logistics and not sensitive materials.
He assured all and sundry that INEC would deliver credible election in 2019.
The police DIG had said the interactive was mooted to sensitize members of the public especially the politicians that there would be adequate security for campaigns and political rallies.
Oshodi-Glover appealed to all to play the game according to the rules because police would not be kind to anyone who attempts to circumvent the peaceful conduct of the election.

Against all odds, former CJN predicts woman President for Nigeria

By
Peter Ayoade
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By Adams Akorede
Former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Muktar on Wednesday in Ibadan, Oyo state predicted that one day a woman would become Nigeria’s president.
Justice Muktar expressed this optimism as a special guest of honour at the opening of a three-day 2018 National Women’s Summit, entitled: ‘Against All Odds,’ taking place at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
The ongoing Women Summit, billed to be attended by 12 wives of state Governors, was initiated by wife of Oyo State governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, seven years ago via Oyo State Officials’ Wives Association (OYSOWA).
The first female chief justice who charged hundreds of women at the event to be steadfast and strive to reach the pinnacle of their career as exemplified in her case and many other great women who had made their marks in the sand of time, said there was no limit to what they could become in life.

Justice Mukhtar further urged women to rise up and take their rightful positions in the country. She said she was optimistic that one day a woman would be governor in Nigeria and eventually president of the country, added that women must be hardworking, persevere, be patient and have the fear of God in whatever they do so that they could get to the top.

Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, charged Nigerian women to maintain a healthy balance between pursuing career-success and raising well-adjusted and emotionally-balanced children towards maintaining a happy family.

According to Ajimobi, “It is imperative for our womenfolk to remain committed to the course of building the family and the nation at large, particularly in the face of challenging times.

“The future of a society starts and ends with the family. Women, historically, traditionally and religiously, play the most crucial roles in this regard. We must always remember that our greatest contribution to society may ultimately not be something we did, but someone we raised.

“Our government will continue to support the empowerment of women in our state and the country, because we believe that when you empower a woman, you empower a generation.

“I am confident that this year’s summit, like the previous ones, will succeed in its mandate of effecting favourable changes in the socio-economic, emotional and physical status of parents, families and communities through the empowerment of women in the State and all over the country.”

Wife of Oyo State governor, Mrs. Ajimobi, in her welcome address, enjoined women to realise that “this is an era of women emancipation and liberation. Now is the time to arise and take decisive actions for change against all odds. No longer must we be figure-head,  we must make our voices heard and our impact felt strongly against all odds.

“The challenge we face cannot demoralise us because we are resilient; they are only tests of our superior ability and strength,  and we will overcome them and achieve our dreams and aspirations.”

In attendance at the opening ceremony were the wife of governors of Delta (Mrs. Edith Okowa), Lagos (Bolanle Ambode); Osun (Kafayat Oyetola and so on, including wife of Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, among others.

Large Crowd as ADC Holds Unity Rally in Oyo Federal Constituency

By
Peter Ayoade
-

A large crowd of supporters and party faithful, on Tuesday, graced a unity rally of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the four local government areas in Oyo town constituting Oyo Federal Constituency.

The rally, which was jointly organised by all the four groups that coalesced into ADC in the state as part of the campaign for the party’s National Assembly candidates, took off from Iware town through Fiditi, Jobele, Akinmorin, Awe, Ilora and communities in other local government areas of the constituency.

Present at the rally were the Senator currently representing Oyo Central district, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, who is seeking a re-election and a former member of the House of Representatives and ADC candidate for Oyo Federal Constituency in 2019, Honourable Maroof Akinwande.

Others included Honourable Gbenga Oyekola who is seeking another term from Atiba State Constituency; Honourable Muyideen Olagunju, seeking to be re-elected for Oyo East/Oyo West State Constituency and Honourable Solomon Gbade Adekunle, ADC candidate for Afijio State constituency.

Party leaders across the constituency who attended the rally were led by Mr James Olukunle, who doubles as the Oyo Central Senatorial chairman; Pa Siju Salami; Chief Olaoye; Elder E.O Oluokun; Olori Moji Adeyemi; Alhaji Kareem Gaskiya; Elder Wahab Olubuse; Honourable Sunday Adesiji; Dr Murtala Adejumo; Alhaji Suleiman Ajepe; Alhaji Ademola Romoke; Hon Adeola Oladejo; Mr Gbadebo Isiaka; Pa Opa Oguntude; Alhaji Aji Ajisope; Hon J.O Olanisebe and others.

The leaders as well as ADC candidates, led by Senator Sunmonu, took turn to address the crowd at Methodist Primary School play ground in Apaara, assuring them of the desire of the ADC to bring about real and positive change to the constituency and the state form 2019.

While thanking the people for their support and enthusiasm shown towards the party, they appealed to the people to vote for all the candidates of the party so as to make the desired positive change a reality.

Some of the participants who spoke at the rally expressed joy that ADC emerged as an alternative platform to challenge the All Progressives Congress (APC), which they accused of riding to power on the change mantra but brought undesirable change instead of the expected positive change.

They told the candidates and the leaders that ADC had rekindled hope of a better tomorrow in them, promising to vote all the candidates presented by the party in the 2019 elections.

Senator Sunmonu and Honourable Oyekola were optimistic that ADC would sweep the polls in the federal constituency judging by the support they had received from the people and promise of real change by the party.

Jagaban, Ibadan North Reps Candidate Sues for Peaceful Campaign

By
Peter Ayoade
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By Temitope Yakubu
With the 2019 general elections underway, the Ibadan North Candidate for the Federal House of Representatives on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Musiliu Olaide Akinremi (a.k.a Jagaban) on Tuesday sued for peaceful and issues-based campaigns devoid of acrimony.
Akinremi, in a press statement from his media office and signed by Ayodeji Aremu, said the 2019 general elections would be a referendum on the individual antecedents on service to humanity, political party platform and programmes of all the office seekers.
The APC chief said the party’s brand coupled with Governor Abiola Ajimobi giant strides since 2011 are the much needed factors that candidates of the party at all levels would coast home to victories “because we are the personalities to beat in the forthcoming elections.”
Reminiscing on the ‘wild wild west’ appellation which the city was notoriously known for in the first republic, Akinremi said the era of violence, thuggery and brigandage had gone for good and charged all politicians to play the game according to the rule
by shunning character assassination, since “we are all claiming to serve the people of the state for better democratic dividends”.
The business mogul cum philanthropist said consultations by his team in the last few days are yielding positive results and thanked the ‘good people of Ibadan North Federal constituency for their show of love and support’ in his quest to provide them with quality representation in the green chamber of the National Assembly.
Akinremi, a member of the foremost Ibadan social club, Omo Ajorosun expressed his appreciation to the APC leaders, community elders, Mogajis, youths and women folks from across Ibadan North for their moral support and words of encouragement since the consultations begin last week.
He then assured all and sundry that he  would not let them down when elected as the House of Representatives member of Ibadan North in 2019, adding that, he would not only carry out his primary function of lawmaking business but also use the position to attract federal presence and resources acruable to him, to better the lot of the people in the council area.

Bank Robberies: Oyo Summons Security Chiefs to Emergency Summit

By
Peter Ayoade
-

Stakeholders in security in Oyo State have been summoned to an emergency security summit aimed at nipping in the bud armed robbery attacks and other violent crimes on financial institutions being witnessed in the neighbouring states.

The meeting, which was convened at the behest of the Oyo State Security Trust Fund, was declared opened by the Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo, at the House of Chiefs, State Secretariat, Ibadan, on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by the state command’s Director, Department of State Services, Mr. Abdullahi Kure; Commissioner of Police at the state command, Mr. Abiodun Odude; Garrison Commander, Nigerian Army, 2 Division, Ibadan, Brig.-Gen. Oluyinka Soyele, among other security chiefs.

The deputy governor, who represented the Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, at the event, said that the meeting was convened in reaction to the increase in criminal activities, especially bank robberies, in neighbouring states.

He said that the proactive step was being taken to forestall the incursion of criminal gangs into the state with a view to safeguarding lives and property of the citizens of the state, which, he said, had remained the cardinal objective of the administration since 2011.

Adeyemo said, “This meeting has been convened in reaction to the noticeable increase in the activities of criminals in neighbouring states, especially attacks on banks. The state government believes that an anticipatory approach like this is needed to forestall such.

“It is with pride that I inform this meeting that there has been no successful armed robbery incident in any bank in Oyo State since we assumed office and we are determined to keep the status quo.

“In the furtherance of our agenda on safety and security, we embraced the Safe City project, which utilizes cutting-edge technology to nip crime and criminality in the bud. May I inform you that the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed in black spots and business districts in the city to monitor activities of criminals are now operational.”

He urged stakeholders in security to continue to support the government in its efforts to rid the state of criminality, which, he said, would go a long way to make the state investors-friendly and enhance its economy.

In his address, the Special Adviser on Security to the governor, Mr Segun Abolarinwa, said that the second phase of the safe city project, which would concentrate on industrial areas and banks in major towns like Oyo, Ogbomoso, Iseyin and Saki, was underway.

With hindsight, he said that banks outside the cities were more prone to attacks, which, he said, informed the decision by the government to shift attention outside Ibadan, especially to build on the success of the first phase of the project.

Ogun PDP: Adebutu Wins Round One as Appeal Court Okays Hearing against Kashamu’s Plea

By
Peter Ayoade
-
By Adams Akorede
The Buruji Kashamu and Bayo Dayo-led faction of the Ogun state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday lost an attempt to push the appellate court hearing till January 2019, thus paving way for the hearing of the appeal on the controversial gubernatorial candidate of the party.
Accordingly, the appellate court fixed the commencement of hearing to determine the true candidates of the party, contesting the 2019 elective offices in the umbrella party, within the next two weeks.
To this end, a statement by Dayo Rufai, Associate Media Head to Ladi Adebutu Campaign Organization said in view of the abridged time, the application for stay of execution has been withdrawn by the appellants.
The appellants have one day to file their brief of arguments while the respondents have 14 days to file their own brief of arguments.
Also, in addition the appellants have one day to file appellants reply brief of arguments. The court is expected to give a date for the hearing of the appeal.
According to the statement, in the opinion of the court and considering the nature of the instant case, it would be in the interest of justice to conclude this matter before the Christmas holiday.
While proving the stand of the appellant, Emeka Etiaba, SAN said Sikirulai Ogundele and Ladi Adebutu are still in charge and at the winning end of the case. He revealed that both Kashamu and Dayo had plans to extend the hearing till next year, but met the stiff rejection of the court of appeal.
“What happened in court today (Monday) is that parties appeared before the court of appeal and we had some applications, we had applications for stay of execution, and final proceedings at the lower court. We also had applications for abridgement of time, we also had another motion for amendment.
“We ’ve filed a new fresh appeal. We urged the court that since both parties are agreeable to an abridgement of time, which is an application we brought, the Buruji Kashamu respondent said three days were insufficient for them, so we conceded to 14 days. Within the next 16 days, both parties would have filed their brief and we’ll come here to adopt, thereafter we’ll hear the judgement of the court,” the appellant added.

Ladoja Accuses Unity Forum of Changing Template to Win 2019 Elections

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Adams Akorede

A former Governor Rashidi Ladoja of Oyo state and one of the leaders of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged a group within the party, Unity Forum of altering the template designed to win the 2019 general elections in the state.

Pacesetter News recalls that Unity Forum is a breakaway faction of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The former Governor in a chat with a group of journalists on Sunday evening gave the party 48hours to change the name of the gubernatorial running mate of Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, Mr. Saheed Alaran.

Should the group fails to accede to his request within the stipulated time frame, Ladoja promised to make public his position on the happenings in the party.

Ladoja said he had no personal grudges with the said Alaran, a former council caretaker chairman from Iseyin, upper area of Oke Ogun becoming deputy governor but the party would suffer from the votes of the region if the ‘mistake by a group within ADC is allowed to go unchallenged’.

The former governor said for instance, Mr. Alaran hails from Iseyin, the same local government where the Federal lawmaker in Iseyin/kajola/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa constituency who got automatic ticket hails from, and the state house of assembly member to represent Iseyin/Itesiwaju constituency, also an Iseyin man. He said other local governments in the zone and by extension, entire Oke Ogun would feel cheated and may end up punishing the party by denying it their votes in the general elections.

He painted similar scenario in Ibarapa zone where selection of candidates for both the House of Representatives and state assembly ran contrary to an all-inclusive, sense of belonging and much needed ‘federal character’ arrangement

He argued that unlike Ibadan which was more cosmopolitan and politically advanced, the affected region and communities vote based on indigeneship ‘(omo ilu).

Ladoja reiterated his love and preference for the flagbearer, Lanlehin but regretted that he (gubernatorial candidate) was equally not carried along like other party leader, Chief Michael Koleoso, in the selection of the party’s running mate.

According to him, automatic tickets given to serving lawmakers at both the state and national assembly levels among Oyo ADC members altered the political equation and permutations being worked for the emergence of candidates ahead of the 2019 general elections.

He, therefore, gave two-day ultimatum for all the contending issues to be resolved as the windows for substitution close soon.

Of recent, there was widespread reports and insinuations that Ladoja may dump ADC for the Zenith Labour Party, allegedly being financed and supported by his cronies who are feeling disenchanted with the crisis in Oyo ADC culminating in series of court litigation instituted by a group of 12 gubernatorial aspirants who are challenging the manner of emergence of Lanlehin.

Metele Boko Haram Attack: SERAP Writes Buhari, Seeks Probe of Military Spending

By
Peter Ayoade
-

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari requesting him to use his “good offices and leadership position to urgently set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the spending of defence and military budgets between 1999 and 2018 in order to promote transparency and accountability in the sector.”

SERAP said the probe would: “ensure that the funds meant for military operation are spent for that purpose and end the vulnerability and killings of Nigerian soldiers such as the reported death of several Nigerian soldiers in the recent Metele Boko Haram attack.”

The organization also urged President Buhari to: “immediately refer to the International Criminal Court (ICC) pursuant to article 13 of the Rome Statute, all allegations of corruption in the spending of funds meant to purchase arms to empower Nigerian soldiers to fight Boko Haram, including the apparent diversion and sharing of the over $2 billion under the former government of President Goodluck Jonathan and approved spending by your own government.”

In the letter dated 23 November 2018 and signed by SERAP senior legal adviserBamisope Adeyanju, the organization said: “We believe that referral of the cases to the ICC would serve as a deterrent and ensure that Nigerians, particularly those in the Northeast of the country whose human rights including to life, to human dignity, and to an adequate standard of living have been violated are not denied justice and effective remedies.”

The organization expressed “concern that several billions of naira allocated to the military to defend the country have neither contributed to improving the ability of Nigerian soldiers to fight Boko Haram and other armed groups nor provided the much-needed security especially for Nigerians in the North-east of the country.”

The organization urged Buhari to: “move swiftly to implement these recommendations as a way of demonstrating your government’s commitment to end the perception of lack of transparency and accountability in the spending of military budgets in the context of the conflict in the Northeast and to ensure the safety and security of our solders and all Nigerians in that part of the country.”

The letter read in part: “The military’s inability to respond adequately to the Boko Haram insurgency suggests among other things a mismanagement in the spending of the country’s defence budgets. Establishing a commission of inquiry to investigate how defence and military budgets have been spent since 29 May 1999 would help Nigerians to know if the funds meant to defend the country and forpurchase of arms to empower Nigerian soldiers to fight Boko Haram have been transparently and accountably spent.”

“The proposed commission should be led by a retired justice of the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The activities of the commission must be open to the public and all those who have been responsible for the spending of the country’s defence and military budgets should be summoned to give a public account of how the money was spent.”

“Testimonies should be taken in a way that ensures that specific military operations are not disclosed and national security not compromised. The commission should make recommendations including on the prosecution of those found to have mismanaged and/or stolen public funds meant to fight Boko Haram.”

“SERAP is concerned that many cases of those alleged to have diverted and shared funds meant to purchase arms to empower Nigerian soldiers to fight Boko Haram have stalled. Given the continuing delay in the prosecution of such cases, and the need to send a strong message that corruption in the spending of funds meant to fight Boko Haram insurgents will not be tolerated, we urge you to immediately refer all such cases for investigation and prosecution by the ICC.”

“SERAP notes that article 13(a) of the Rome Statute of the ICC provides a basic right to states parties including Nigeria to refer to the ICC prosecutor cases such as those involving mismanagement and/or stealing of funds meant to purchase arms to empower Nigerian soldiers to fight Boko Haram.”

“Opacity and deficiencies in the way arms purchases are decided and controlled if not urgently addressed would continue to expose our soldiers to risk of attacks and killings; displace people and destroy their means of livelihoods and render them homeless, thereby undermining human rights, including the right to life, right to personal security, right to education and right to livelihood.”

“Nigeria is a state party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and a range of international human rights treaties and therefore has a duty to respect and protect human rights including a duty to protect people against human rights abuses by third parties.”

“SERAP notes that in 2014 about N340billion (US$1.7billion) was allocated to the military.  Also, a number of offices had budgets allocated to them in relation to the Boko Haram conflict. The military received the largest funds in the federal budget in 2014. In October 2014, the National Assembly approved a request to borrow US$1billion as an additional amount for purchase of military equipment. In 2015, about N375billion (US$1.8billion) was allocated to the military in the federal budget.”

“The same year, an interim report of the presidential investigations committee on arms procurement under the former president Goodluck Jonathan administration revealed an extra-budgetary spending to the tune of N643.8 billion and an additional spending of about $2.1 billion under the Goodluck Jonathan administration.”

“SERAP also notes that Nigeria is a key member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which has ‘accountability, economic and social justice’ as part of the fundamental principles contained in its Revised Treaty. Nigeria is a member of the Commonwealth, which has as its core principles ‘transparency, accountability, legitimacy, and responsiveness.’”

“Article 1(c) of the UN Convention against Corruption which Nigeria has ratified states the purpose of the treaty as including: ‘to promote integrity, accountability and proper management of public affairs and public property.’”

“According to reports, at least 118 soldiers and officers were killed when the terrorist Boko Haram sect attacked Nigeria’s 157 Task Force Battalion in Metele village of Borno State on November 18. 153 soldiers reportedly remained missing in action. Nigerian troops fighting on the frontline of the Boko Haram conflict have also reportedly deplored the poor state of their equipment, including outdated vehicles.”

“More than 27,000 people are reported to have been killed in the many years of Islamist insurgency in the North-east of the country that has triggered a humanitarian crisis and left 1.8 million people without homes.”

Bimbo Akintola, 9ice, Saka, Sanyeri, Obesere, Others for Oyo Indigenes PERA Awards

By
Peter Ayoade
-

By Adams Akorede

About 30 indigenes and residents of Oyo State will be honoured at the second edition of Pace Setter Recognition and Entertainment Awards (PERA) holding on December 9, 2018.

PERA, a collaborative award between the Oyo State Government through the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and C.O.K Media, is established to acknowledge, encourage and celebrate excellence amongst indigenes and residents of Oyo state who have made an indelible mark in their chosen careers.

The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun said that PERA, holding at the Jogor Centre Ibadan, is part of the State Government’s commitment to promote and reward excellence in the state’s media and cultural tourism sectors, stressing that the government recognizes the vital role of entertainment and show business within the creative economy of the state.

Arulogun stated that 30 awards are in contention with several other special recognition awards for citizens and residents of the state who are making their marks in various fields of showbiz and entertainment endeavours.

The government spokesman applauded C.O.K Media for the PERA initiative and the success of the first edition, noting that PERA is not only creating an avenue to celebrate indigenes and residents, but also sustaining the positive socio cultural legacy from Oyo State to Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world.

On his part, the C.E.O of C.O.K MEDIA and the Chairman of the Organizing Committee,  Mr. Rotimi Martins also known as Alariwo of Africa assured that PERA will be the largest coming together of Oyo state biggest and brightest entertainment as well as business stakeholders.

Martins said that the award will serve as an exposé for citizens of the state to recognize their own shining stars in the entertainment industry; such as the Veteran Actress Bimbo Akintola the brand ambassador for the award, 9ice, Saheed Osupa, Aramide, Sanyeri, Okunu, Akin Alabi, Saka, Obesere and a host of others.

He said that the PERA nominees and winners who must be based in Oyo State are chosen and voted for online by residents and indigenes of Oyo State in various categories including: Most popular Radio Station, Best Radio Presenter, Best Live Band, Best Comedian, Event of the year, Online Influencer of the Year.

He stated that last year’s winners include Muyiwa Ademola as the Best Actor, Aisha Lawal as the Best Actress, Beat FM as the Most Popular Radio Station of the Year, LAFF Up as the Comedian of the Year, Mutiu Adepoju as the Sports Personality of the Year amongst others, stressing that the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi was given a special recognition award for her Outstanding Contribution in Humanitarian Services and Chief Adebayo Akande for his Outstanding Contribution in Media and Humanitarian Services.

Mr. Martins said that the second edition of PERA will be anchored by Femi Adebayo and Mercy Aigbe.

‘Babalakin Plans Own Varsity, Can’t Resolve FG/ASUU Impasse’

By
Peter Ayoade
-
By Adams Akorede
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said that the ongoing strike by the union will continue until the federal government resolve all the issues in contention.
This stance is coming as the Union maintained that the first meeting held with the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige has yet to go into substantive issues which led to the strike.
The Union had declared total, indefinite and comprehensive strike over failure of the Buhari-led federal government to fulfill the content of the Memorandum of Action it signed with the Union in 2017 bothering on Revatilisation and funding of universities, unpaid accumulated earned academic earned allowances, release of University staff pension company license among other issues.
While speaking to newsmen after the Congress of the Union, chairman ASUU, University of Ibadan, Dr Deji Omole said ASUU members will not allow the ruling elite to destroy the heritage of the poor which is qualitative public varsity education.
According to Omole, Wale Babalakin who is the leader of Federal Government team is being rejected by the Union because he is an interested party pursuing a private university license and will do everything to jeopardize public education funding.
Omole noted that a situation whereby two members in the FG team are pursuing their private university licenses indicate they will not favour funding of public education.
The ASUU boss maintained that the three-week old ASUU  strike is borne out of genuine and patriotic commitment to ensure a better future for children of the masses and that of Nigeria.
He therefore dismissed the allegation being bandied by the government that the strike was political.
“How can our strike be political when there are matters that you as government signed into and you failed to fulfill your promises? To us, it is the Federal government that is being political with the truth by becoming untrustworthy. How can the President and his Vice be asking Nigerian universities to become one of the leading universities of the world without making the same commitments responsive and responsible governments in the world are making to Education? Our leadership have shown consistent disrespect for agreements and this is why they can no longer be trusted by our Union.”

Convention: In Difficult Times, Jehovah Witnesses Urge All to be Courageous

By
Peter Ayoade
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A worldwide religious  organization, Jehovah’s Witnesses has stressed the importance of courage in a world full of distresses and calamities, and the need to develop faith to cope with the difficulties of modern day living.

Thousands of delegates from three states in the South West ; Oyo, Ogun and Osun attended the seventh week of the 9 series of the annual convention of the Witnesses, which ended on Sunday, November 18 , 2018.

Many matured and seasoned speakers who spoke on various bible based topics underscored the need for God fearing servants to develop courage now before the coming tribulation that would characterize the end of the present wicked system of things.

In a statement  issued by the Media Contact, Mr Dada Olayinka and made available to newsmen in Ibadan, honest-hearted people from Oyo, Ogun and Osun states   are  also expected to attend this week’s three day Convention to be conducted  in American Sign Language (ASL) .

He disclosed that the  8th week of the 9 series of Jehovah’s witnesses regional convention for 2018 would commenced on  Friday Nov. 30-Dec. 2,  at Ifatumo village along Lalupon Ejioku road, Ibadan.

According to him, the three -day’s event will feature 54 presentations, each exploring the theme “Be Courageous”.

The statement reads ” When you look at the news today, you can clearly see that people of all ages are dealing with more anxieties and fears than ever before. It takes courage to face these pressures.

” On Saturday, the program will include baptism for those who have dedicated their lives to Jehovah and are determined to be courageous in facing life challenges.

” Each day’s program will start by 8:20am and end on Friday and Saturday by 3:50pm and on Sunday by 2:50pm.

“Admission to each event is free , no collection is taken”.

Ajimobi: Forget ADC, PDP, ADP Rantings, I ‘ll Handover Power to Adelabu, a Competent, Godly Man

By
Peter Ayoade
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By Adams Akorede

Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has said that he would handover the rein of governance to a competent, God-fearing man in person of the candidate of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Adebayo Adelabu.

He disclosed this in his address at this year’s Maulid Nabiyy (celebration of the birth of Holy Prophet Muhammad, SAW), held at the Remembrance Arcade, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, on Tuesday.

In spite of his failings, as common with every mortal, the governor said that God had seen him through good and bad times and had always granted his heart desires.

Against this backdrop, he said he was confident that the ruling APC would retain power in the state, as well as at the federal level in 2019, notwithstanding the desperation of the major opposition parties to unseat the APC.

No fewer than three major opposition political parties; PDP, ADC and ADP are angling to take over from the APC in 2019 general elections.

Ajimobi said, “I cannot thank God enough for helping me and my administration this far. I have no doubts that it has been through the mercy of God that we have recorded our modest unprecedented achievements.

“Breaking the second term jinx was through the mercy of God and the strong backing and support of the stakeholders, including traditional rulers. If you trust in God like I do, nobody can intimidate or threaten your position.

“Before the APC governorship primary I prayed fervently that a God-fearing candidate should emerge and He has given us one. I can confidently say that we have endorsed him (Chief Adebayo Adelabu) and he will win by the grace of God.

“I’m happy to inform the whole people of Oyo State that our state will be left in the hands of a competent man of conscience; a man that also loves peace and above all, a religious man.”

Speaking on the essence of the celebration, the governor urged the people to imbibe the spirit of peaceful co-existence and to be their brother’s keepers, irrespective of their religious affiliation to emulate the Holy Prophet.

As the campaign for the 2019 general election gets underway, he admonished politicians to shun hate speech and violent tendencies, and to always remember that it was only in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility that the country could progress.

The Guest Lecturer, Sheikh Muideen Bello, used the occasion to drum support for the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he said deserved to complete eight years in office like his predecessor.

He also called on the people of Oyo State to support the governorship candidate of the APC in the state in order for him to sustain what he called the good works of Ajimobi.

The popular preacher, however, advised the candidate to constantly seek advice from Ajimobi, whose almost eight years experience as a governor, he said, would be an asset to him as his successor.

In the middle of his sermon, Bello called out Adelabu to clarify his religious affiliation, with Adelabu informing the predominantly Muslim gathering that he “was born a Muslim and has not converted to another religion till date.”

Bello said, “A Christian President (Chief Olusegun Obasanjo) spent eight years in office. Now that it is the turn of Buhari, a Muslim, we should support him for a second term for him to also spend eight years.

“No matter the campaign of calumny against him from the camp of the opposition, the president is trying his best and he deserves another term. Adelabu has confirmed to us that he is a Muslim and this should end the speculation about where he belongs. Let us support him too.”

Ango Abdullahi, Bolanle Awe, Egbokhare, Nwodo, Nwolise for UI Arts Faculty Colloquium

By
Peter Ayoade
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By Adams Akorede

Lecturers in the Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan have said that the Federal Government’s proposed solution to better funding of the nation’s universities by raising money through the capital market amounts to failure of government.

Speaking at a press conference held in the faculty on Monday to herald a one-day colloquium titled “the Nigeria Project and Nationhood”, holding on Wednesday, the lecturers said the option was capable of compromising the university system.

Both Prof Olatunji Oyeshile and Prof Olisa Muojama, the Chairman and the Secretary of the Local Organizing Committee of the colloquium which would have speakers like Prof Francis Egbokhare, Prof Obaro Ikime, Odia Ofeimun, Prof Bolanle Awe, Prof Ango Abdullahi, Prof Banji Akintoye, John Nwodo, Prof Y. K. Yahaya and Prof OBC Nwolise in attendance, said the stakeholders would resist any form of merchandising education.

They recalled that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had in the past gave the government realistic idea on how to get funds for varsity education which eventually berth Tetfund but regretted that it had been bastardized because monies domiciled with the Tetfund are being used to fund private universities belonging to friends of the people in government.

Both Oyeshile and Muojama who said the option was diversionary and misleading, added that it would also cause incalculable damage to the nation’s university education system because institutions would be chasing monies in the capital market and jettison their primary concern of imparting knowledge.

In his press conference address, the Dean of the Faculty, Prof Ademola Dasylva said the colloquium was necessitated because of increasing scepticism about the ability of the ability of the Nigerian state to meet the yearnings of her citizens politically, economically, educationally, security-wise and in sociocultural development.

Dasylva said the Faculty of Arts would use the ongoing 70th anniversary of the university to contribute to reassessing the Nigeria project and nationhood by bringing together distinguished Nigerians from the geopolitical zones of the country to discuss the issue, not as ethnic jingoists but as concerned individuals who could feel the pulse of their people and present perspectives from which the challenges that confront the Nigerian state can be addressed.

Oyo Workers Receive September, October Salaries

By
Peter Ayoade
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By Adams Akorede

Three weeks after Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state approved the payment of September and October salaries of the state civil servants and teachers under its payroll, the workers have started receiving same since last week.

The State commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Toye Arulogun said that the workers received the September salary late last week and the October salary has been paid this week as well.

Arulogun said while the delay was regrettable, it was however inevitable because of the imperative of due diligence in ensuring the accuracy of the actual payment.

The Commissioner noted that the MDAs only prepared the nominal roll for the month of September in anticipation for the one month salary payment but the approval given by Governor Ajimobi led to the urgent preparation of the October nominal roll which passed through several processes.

He said that the leadership of the workers’ unions was updated about the development so as to keep their members abreast of the situation, stressing that the government is working towards ensuring prompt payment of salaries from this month.

Arulogun noted that with this payment, the government has paid all the outstanding salaries of the state civil servants and teachers under the payroll of the state government.

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