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OPINION: The North And Tinubu’s Appointments

September 26, 2023

By Lasisi Olagunju

President Bola Tinubu gave our country’s Minister of Defence and Minister of State, Defence to the North; he gave the North Minister of Police Affairs and Minister of State, Police Affairs; he gave the North Minister of Education and Minister of State, Education; he gave the North Minister of Agriculture and Food Security and Minister of State, Agriculture and Food Security. Again; he gave the North the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare plus Minister of Steel Development and Minister of State, Steel Development. To the North, again, Tinubu gave Minister of Water Resources and Minister of State, Water Resources. I can go on and on and add the Minister of Housing and Urban Development and Minister of State, Housing and Urban Development. No part of the South has that privilege of having ‘couplet’ ministers managing key sectors. It is double, double blessing for the North. I don’t think any president has ever done that – not even the insular nepotist, Muhammadu Buhari, did. But why did Tinubu do that? Sacrifice, obedience and gratitude for favours. Sacrifice (libation) to power timekeepers, obedience to janitors of politics, and gratitude to regime makers. “O Lord that lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness!” (William Shakespeare in Henry VI).

But my people say it is impossible to get it right if you are asked to sweep the compound of the witch. If you do it well, she will accuse you of overdoing it; if you do not do it well enough, she will accuse you of not doing it at all. The North is like Hades. In the pantheon of the Greek, Hades is that greedy god who wants more of everything and who shares what he has with none. The Yoruba have Esu which takes everything wholly and completely. Those who know who Esu is know how fatally wrong it could be to appease him with one hand; he demands your two hands and ten fingers (owo meweewa) to deliver his offerings. Yet, whether at home or at the crossroads or even in palaces, Esu takes; he does not give; and when he takes, he offers neither thanks nor thankfulness. Those who know his oríkì say he is the master of the marketplace who buys without paying; the one who ensures that nothing is bought and nothing is sold unless it is nightfall – and on his own terms. For their way to be free of trouble, all other deities worship and propitiate him. That is northern Nigeria; it is not enough that it has all the above. It wants more, and maybe all.

The North is complaining. Its elites say they made this president, now the supposed side chick is ‘forming’ independence; he is neither singing their song nor dancing to their beats – the right way. I have a sultry parallel to draw here: The bed is made, the room is scented with the fragrance of desire, the groom is unknotting his boxers, yet the bride is complaining that her husband is not paying enough attention to her needs. What does the hot bride want to eat that is not yet on fire?

I do not belong to the Tinubu orchestra; what I sing here is my own chord. We may complain about the quality of some of the Tinubu appointees but the justice of the spread between the north and the south no one should. The cluster structure of the appointments would be seen by critics as the president zoning and centralizing prebendal privileges in the hands of regional power lords. His friends and fans would argue that the cluster pattern is the president’s way of ticking problems and attaching them to localised solutions. If the North has Defence Minister and the defence ministry’s Minister of State; if it has Police Affairs Minister and the ministry’s minister of state in addition to the National Security Adviser and the Chief of Defence Staff, should it still have the mouth to complain of lack of official attention to its endemic insecurity? If the North has the Minister of Education and the ministry’s Minister of State, should it still rummage for policies that will wean it of the blight of mass illiteracy and of having uncountable millions of out-of-school-children? If the North has the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, should we ever hear it lament high incidences of child and maternal mortality and epidemics of preventable diseases? The whole of the agriculture ministry is ceded to the North; the entire Water Resources ministry belongs to the North. We wait to see how it will use these to feed its dying, hungry poor – more than eighty percent of its population. It is like now that the South-East has the Minister of Works, we wait to see who that zone will blame if the East-West Road remains unbuilt at the end of Tinubu’s reign. And, if the management of the economy is in the hands of the Lagos-Yoruba, the country knows who to attack now that a dollar is selling for a thousand naira.

Samuel Butler, author of ‘The Way of All Flesh’, warns that what is golden is tact, not silence. Although my fish does not swim in Tinubu’s river, I join this ‘noise’ because of the hypocrisy of those involved. New groups are being formed and old hacks are being activated to compose complaints. One of them is the Arewa Economic Forum (AEF) which recently accused Tinubu of what it termed ‘Yorubanisation’ and ‘Lagoslisation’ of his appointments in the economic and finance sectors. Chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Dandakata, at a press conference in Abuja said the North was not happy that it was being left out “in the Finance and ICT sectors.” Voices from outside the North are also being borrowed the perfect way slave owners deploy their bondmen to battle. There is an Ile Ife man whose business name is MURIC; he joined the orchestra from his Lagos base and wrapped the nepotism charge with boubou of religion: “All five key appointments made by President Tinubu to revive the economy were given to Christians and Yorubas mainly. These new appointees include the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; the newly nominated CBN Governor, Dr. Michael Cardoso; Hon. Zacch Adedeji, acting chairman, FIRS; the chairman, Tax Reforms Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, and Mr. Tope Fasua, Special Adviser on Economic Affairs,” MURIC’s promoter, Ishaq Akintola, said in a statement. The MURIC man’s puppeteers did not tell him or he forgot to remind them that an Atiku Bagudu from Kebbi State is the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning. Ishaq Akintola is Yoruba, he is attacking the Yoruba; he is Muslim; he accused his Muslim-Muslim presidency of marginalization of Muslims. Perfect isé erú (slave job) delivered the erú way. In folklore, we tell the hunter to use the sword of Tortoise to kill Tortoise (idà ahun la fií pa ahun). One of the best newspaper articles I read on Nigeria’s north-south relations was written in the early 1980s by Banji Kuroloja, editor of the Nigerian Tribune from 1984 to 1988. Because the title of the piece came very simple and catchy, I will remember it forever: “Singing Their Songs.” I can’t forget. I also can’t forget the takeaway from it: “The ubiquitous North has a way of making others sing their songs.” Forty years plus after that article was published, nothing has changed; the falconer still holds the falcon by the throat, making it say what it is told to say. We’ve seen how abjectly the MURIC man recited his verse, shedding blood when the owner of the problem was shedding tears.

Even the National Publicity Secretary of the North’s apex organization, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, joined the discourse. In a newspaper interview, he accused Tinubu of giving sensitive and lucrative appointments to persons from his ethnic Yoruba stock. He said Tinubu should not be doing what he is doing “in a deeply fractious federation like ours.” He remembered that “a part of the constitution directs that… appointments must reflect the social diversity of the country in terms of balancing, of place of origin, indigeneship, ethnicity, religion, etc.” Muhammad-Baba and his ACF did not remember the existence of this constitutional provision throughout the eight years of imperial Buhari, Bayajjida II of the kingdom of Northern Nigeria. “Few love to hear the sins they love to act.” That is how William Shakespeare, in his ‘Pericles, Prince of Tyre’, elegantly explains what hypocrisy does to people’s sense of shame.

Not knowing when to complain is a problem. That the North believes it has the moral right to talk at all is because it thinks itself senior in the Nigerian arrangement. But I know that the greedy is red-eyed twice: when he eats his yam alone and when his neighbours converge to eat their pounded yam. For eight years, Muhammadu Buhari dared the other parts of Nigeria outside his north and fed àdí (palm kernel oil) to Èsù with his provocative nepotism. He did it without personal consequences because he stood on very firm grounds of regional supremacy. While he wantonly shredded Nigeria’s garment of diversity, today’s noisemakers (and their slaves) egged him on with claps of endorsement. They okayed Buhari’s cronyism and hollered that the spread of the appointments was not necessary but that what mattered were competence and performance. They felt (and feel) no shame that at the end of their Buhari’s eight years, what was harvested from their farm of ‘competence’ and ‘performance’ was mass hunger and mass misery.

I know that there are certain All Progressives Congress (APC) masquerades who wear costumes of region and religion to complain about their not having posts (yet). If they are in the cold, whose fault should that be? Tinubu’s is a government of libation, everyone who has sense knows. But when you refuse to offer prayers in the right temple and drop sacrifices in the proper shrines, expect disappointments. There is a Festus Keyamo whose ministerial dream suffered reluctance of nomination and controversy of clearance. But, apparently because he knew in what river to wash his hands, his troubles eased off with apologies in sherds of remorse. There is, on the other hand, the petite Nasir El Rufai who went through the examination process supervised by prayerful Godwin Akpabio but had his result withheld by those who held the yam and the knife. What else is there to say when a pupil finds their report card in the mouth of the headmaster’s goat? Yet, there are some who got what they wanted because of the good boy and good girl they had been to the new powers in town. If you keep your palms clean, it is not every time you pour libation to dispensers of favours. And, I have here Ezeulu in Chinua Achebe’s ‘Arrow of God’. The old priest is full of apologies for not setting before his guests “even a pot of palm wine.” The response he gets is to the effect that “when a father calls his children together, he should not worry about placing palm wine before them” (page 143). But that is a father that has paid his dues and has not taken more than he has put down.

Now, is it not a shame that the complaints we hear from the North are about elite privileges and not about the hardship in town? Think about the existential struggles of an average Nigerian and what interests the political class. Like an exasperated friend said on Friday, inflation is hitting the roof, the naira is sinking, market capitalisation at the Nigerian stock market is tumbling, people are dying, yet what interests the elite is what appointees come from their bedrooms. Instead of the northern elites complaining about the ethnic origin of those managing the economy, they should be worried about the calamity of their own failure as leaders and the collapse of all humanity in their region. On the streets of Ibadan, we encounter, daily, beggars from the North with heart-rending stories. This last Saturday, one of them, Harira Muhammadu, told the Saturday Tribune that she left her husband, aged father and children behind in Kano to face a “life of uncertainty” begging on the streets of Ibadan. She said she had no other choice than to beg because the North had collapsed and she could not afford to watch her children starve. “If things were easy and sweet for us back home, we would not come here to live this life of uncertainty. I have some children with me and I do not have anything to feed them with and it is a lot of work…I remember when I first came here many years ago, I did not know where to go or what to do and I was afraid and all. I would cry and wipe my tears. Sometimes, the children would cry with me but I endured because I knew that if I returned home (to the North) the suffering would be more severe,” she said.

There is no southern town or city without sad stories such as that of the beggar above. Yet, check all conferences, read books, monographs and pamphlets from the North, the poor perennially have no space there. There is never a conversation there on the imperative of finding a cure for the pandemic of poverty in that region. The North’s eunuch stands erect (or has an erection) only when there is a South to intimidate. Everything is about power and elite comfort carefully packaged as regional nationalism and/or duty imposed by religion. The elites of the North won’t keep quiet until they are back in power to ride roughshod on the other parts of Nigeria. Check how to deal with bullies. Stand up to them.

Dr Olagunju, a Columnist for Nigeria Tribune wrote this on 25th September, 2023

Tinubu Backs Dredging Of Oguta/Orashi River …As Uzodimma Receives Survey Report From Navy

The Source

September 26, 2023

Indications that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has bought into the dredging of the Oguta/Orashi River up to the Atlantic Ocean emerged on Monday when Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State who initiated the project received the hydrographic and comprehensive bathymetric/ investigation survey report from the leadership of the Nigerian Navy.

Rear Admiral Hassan Kaoje, the Group Managing Director (GMD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nigerian Hydrological Agency led a team of top Naval officers to submit the report to Governor Uzodimma at the Government House Owerri.

The dredging of the Oguta Lake to Orashi River and to the Atlantic Ocean was flagged off by former President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by his deputy, former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osibanjo on May 12, 2023.

Receiving the report at the New Executive Council Chambers Government House Owerri on Monday, September 25, 2023 Governor Uzodimma expressed delight receiving the report and described the project as very dear to him.

Governor Uzodimma who thanked former President Buhari and the former Chief of Naval Staff for approving and flagging off the project, also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the current Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, “for buying into the project which is expected to form the future economic hub of Imo State, South East and Nigeria in general.”

Governor Uzodimma recalled that at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) many had thought it will not be possible to realise the project.

He therefore expressed delight that the first stage which is the survey has been completed and “the State is ready for the second stage with the continued support of the Navy and the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

The Governor who said that “water is wealth in strong economy and other maritime nations,” noted that “most world powers and world economies are boosted through water and sea businesses.”

He acknowledged that with the completion of the Hydrographic and Comprehensive Bathymetric/Investigative Survey Report of Charting of the Oguta Lake to the Atlantic Ocean, and the necessary recommendations, “the State will embark on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and other necessary arrangements that will lead into the dredging proper.”

The Governor reiterated that the project was started to encourage gas optimisation in Imo State in particular and the South East in general and as an area suitable for Gas Industrial Cluster, Petrochemical Plant as well as Fertilizer Plant.

He reminded all well-meaning Nigerians that the need to create a sustainable economy in Imo State and by extension, the entire nation cannot be left to the Federal Government alone.

Furthermore, Governor Uzodimma noted that his administration and the government of Imo State are already considering Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the Maritime business from China and France to key into the project.

He said he is confident that the dredging of Oguta Lake to the Atlantic Ocean will create jobs, eliminate oil theft and help in the harnessing of the abundant gas deposit and other natural resources at the coast of Oguta Lake and Atlantic Ocean.

“This will be the future economic life-wire of the State.”

He assured that with the submission of the report and advantages that will accrue from the dredging, “the 3R government will provide every possible thing required to achieve the project.”

The Governor said he is expectant of the day the Oguta/Orashi route to the Atlantic will be realised, hence he urged the Navy and the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as Imo people, to continue to sustain their support and partnership toward the success of the project.

Governor Uzodimma explained that the State has embarked on the project at a highly conservative and subsidized cost and that talks are ongoing with a foreign outfit that will participate in the dredging with their sophisticated dredging equipment still at a subsidised cost.

Thanking the Navy for a thorough job and for the submission, he said “the dredging is the kind of things I expect politicians to discuss, an idea that will enhance the future of Imo State because ideas rule the world, not those fouling the environment with talks of I will make Imo safe again when they have no manifesto.”

Finally, Governor Uzodimma thanked President Tinubu for supporting the project and assured that his administration will work with the Navy and all stakeholders to achieve a win-win situation.

Earlier at the submission, Rear Admiral Kaoje expressed the gratitude of the Chief of Naval Staff and the entire Navy towards the support and cooperation that exists between them, the Government and the people of Imo State.

He informed that the Navy does not only have the report on the pre-dredging survey of Oguta Lake and Orashi River to the Atlantic Ocean ready, but expressed their readiness to continue to partner with the State to realise the project.

In his presentation, the Navy Hydrographer of the Federation, Rear Admiral Ayo Olugbode said that “the Government of Imo State provided the funding and all the support that made it possible to start and complete the first stage of the project.”

He described the achievement as a significant one, noting that “the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma is the first Governor to ever embark on such a project in the history of Nigeria.”

Olugbode pointed out that the dredging embarked upon by the Governor has brought to the fore the fact that the same route was used for trading in the Colonial days, up to 1854. This means that “Governor Uzodimma is bringing back to life what was used as trade route long ago.”

He acknowledged that Imo State has the highest natural gas deposits in Nigeria and that water transport is the biggest access route, especially in the movement of oil and gas and the creating of huge revenue.

He recommended the need for environmental impact assessment, further dredging/canalisation of recommended sea access route from Orashi River up to Bonny River via Onne for navigation by bigger platforms, the installation and maintenance of standard IALA buoys and other aids to navigation, among others.

Adding their voices, Rear Admiral S S Lassa and Rear Admiral CE Okafor, both retired former Navy Hydrographers, expressed their gratitude to the Governor for initiating the project and his contributions in supporting the Navy in security operations.

While Admiral Lassa prayed that Imo people will re-elect Governor Uzodimma to enable him complete the project, Admiral Okafor assured that the Navy is poised for the next stage of the project, pledging their availability to assist in actualising the project.

Present at the presentation were the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof. Placid Njoku, the Chief of Staff, Bar. Nnamdi Anyaehie, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Bar COC Akaolisa, the Chairman of Civil Service Commission, Imo State, Dr (Mrs) Julie Onyeukwu, members of the State’s Expanded Executive Council and the Imo State All Progressives Congress Deputy Governorship candidate, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru and her husband.

Obaseki: “I Will Not Forgive Deputy Shaibu’s Sins Until He Denounces Governorship Ambition”; Vows To Deal With Him

Ayodele Oni

September 25, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, just back from vacation abroad, has insisted that he has no business with his estranged deputy, Philip Shuaibu, until he proves absolute loyalty to him.

The Governor also gave only a condition to accept the public apology tendered by Shaibu, which is denouncing his Governorship ambition.

The Governor equally threatened to further withdraw other entitlements from the Deputy governor if he fails to show sign of remorse.

Obaseki, before arrival from abroad, had sent messages to all members of state Executive Council to assemble in Lagos for a two-day meeting with him. He exempted the Deputy.

He insisted that the Deputy Governor should not be invited or informed of the meeting. The meeting was termed “Exco retreat with Mr. Governor”.

Before the meeting, Obaseki reportedly told members of his kitchen cabinet in Lagos that for him to forgive his Deputy, the latter must publicly withdraw from the Governorship race.

Obaseki added that if the Deputy dares to participate in the forthcoming primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), his security vote will be stopped and he will be excluded from all Government activities, including meetings of the Edo State Executive Council.

As a prelude to making good his threat, the State Executive Council meeting for this week took place in Lagos on, Monday without Shaibu.

Last week the Deputy Governor was locked out from his office in Government House, Benin City, on the orders of the Governor.

It was this particular incident that made the Deputy Governor to publicly apologize to the Governor, who in the last one month has refused to communicate with him.

63rd Independence: FG Plans Low Key Celebration

Ayodele Oni

September 25, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal Government has adduced reasons why it is opting for a low key celebration to mark Nigeria’s 63rd independence anniversary.

Six days to the celebration, it has unveiled the programme of events for the Anniversary celebration, themed “Nigeria @ 63, Renewed Hope for Unity and Prosperity.”

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, led the unveiling event of the programmes in Abuja on Monday.

He emphasized that due to the current economic realities, President Bola Tinubu has sanctioned a modest celebration this year.

Akume, however, assured Nigerians that the Government is working with relevant stakeholders, including the organized labour to bring succour to all citizens.

Speaking on the programme lined out for the 63rd Independence Day Anniversary, Akume said the events started with the world press conference, a national broadcast by President Tinubu on Sunday, October 1.

“As you are aware, the president has given his approval for this 63rd anniversary to be low-key in line with the present economic realities. The theme of the anniversary is “Nigeria @ 63, Renewed Hope for unity and prosperity.

“In view of the above, the following programmes have been lined up to mark the celebration: World Press Conference on Monday, 26th September at the National Press Center, Radio House Abuja at 11:00 am.

“Anniversary Symposium/Public Lecture, Thursday, 28th September 2023 at State House Conference Center @ 10 am.

“Lecture on Friday, 29th September 2023 National Mosque Conference Center at 10:00 am and Juma’at Prayer at the National Mosque at 1:00 pm.

“Presidential Broadcast, Sunday, 1st October, 2023 at 7:00 am. Inter-Denominational Church Service on Sunday, 1st October, 2023 at the National Christian Center at 10:00 am. Military Parade on Monday, 2nd October, 2023 at the Presidential Villa, at 9:00 am.”

On the economic situation in the country, the SGF said the Tinubu administration is aware of its effects on the citizens, pointing out that the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda is tailored to straighten out the situation.

“The government is fully aware of the economic challenges that Nigerians are confronted with since the removal of the fuel subsidy as well as the impact of the global economic downturn.

“The government is working assiduously to provide the necessary palliatives so as to mitigate such challenges and also the provision of buses to ease hardship on transportation among others.

“At the same time, the government is engaging with Labour in order to address areas of concern for the well-being of all Nigerian workers and Nigerians generally.

“It is for this reason that this government, led by His Excellency, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is anchoring on the Renewed Hope Agenda, which will improve food security; guarantee end to poverty; improve security; economic growth and job creation; access to capital; improve the playing field on which people, and particularly companies, operate; respect for the rule of law; and fight against corruption.”

Highlighting the importance of this year’s celebration, Akume said: “It is particularly important at this time having witnessed an unbroken democratic record since 1999 as well as the seamless, successful, and peaceful Presidential Transition programme from one government to another. Therefore, this calls for celebration and we are thankful to God and Nigerians for making this possible.

“Despite political tremors and a wave of coups in some parts of the ECOWAS sub-region, Nigerians have fully embraced democracy with its core values and practices as the best form of governance.

“Democracy affords the citizens the opportunity, through elective structures and processes, to effectively participate in the affairs of their country.

“The relationship between the people and government in a representative democracy is symbiotic: while the citizens support the government, the government provides security, protects, and enhances their interests.”

Ondo: Governor’s Continued Stay Outside State Not Affecting Governance; Govt Reacts To Allegation By Group

Ayodele Oni

September 25, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

The Ondo Redemption Front (ORF) has observed that the continued absence of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in the State after his return from Medical leave is responsible for the current political crisis which is leading to the impeachment of the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Leaders of the group told journalists in Akure on Monday that “It is no longer news, that the last six months or thereabout, Ondo State has been facing leadership challenges due to the unfortunate ill health of the Governor of the State Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN and as you may be aware as contained in the public domain that the health condition of Mr. Akeredolu led to his departure abroad for medical interventions.

“We should also remind ourselves, that it took the interventions of various stakeholders to prevail on Mr. Akeredolu to transmit power to his deputy Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa in line with the 1999 constitution to act as the Governor of the state while he was to embark on medical trip outside the country.

“It is also important to state that throughout the period Mr. Akeredolu sojourn for medical trip abroad, governance in Ondo State became impossible as a result of individuals who constituted themselves into cabal and claimed to be defending the interest of the ailing governor and in the process, incapacitated the Acting Governor Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa from acting as the governor of the state, a process that led to collapse of governance in Ondo State.

“While Mr. Akeredolu returned to the country, for over two weeks that he returned to Nigeria in controversial manner, he has not been sighted in the state rather, he has been hid somewhere in Ibadan by his cronies where he has been operating through proxies and thereby made governance in the state to be carried out in secrecy.

“Also, worthy of mention is the fact that since the return of Mr. Akeredolu and his refusal to resume at his official duty -post for the governance of the state, a situation that is causing serious apprehension in the state.

Reacting to the allegation, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Richard Olabode maintained that “The location of the Governor isn’t hindering any form of development in the state. In fact, the Governor, upon his return to the country, immediately held meetings with crucial stakeholders to discuss matters of state importance, showcasing his commitment to the state’s development irrespective of his location.

“It’s noteworthy to mention that the Governor has recently signed the Local Council Development Area (LCDA) bill into Law. This is a progressive step towards the development of the state, further reinforcing the fact that the government is operational and effectively functioning.

“In the same vein, the various state ministries are delivering efficiently on their mandates. Specifically, the Ministry of the Budget and Economic Planning recently commenced a series of town hall meetings in preparation for the 2024 budget, demonstrating the government’s dedication to transparent and inclusive governance.

“As of this moment, construction work is in progress at the Onyarubulem-Shagari/Irese flyover, which is a significant landmark as the first flyover in Akure, the state capital, since Ondo State was created.

“This administration also constructed the first flyover in the state at Ore, further emphasizing its commitment to infrastructural development.

“The Governor has continually expressed appreciation to the good people of Ondo State for their unwavering support and prayers during his medical vacation. He issued a personal press statement, expressing his gratitude towards President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, the good people of Ondo State, and other distinguished Nigerians.

“Just last week, the Governor instructed the Ministry of Infrastructure, Lands & Housing to commence the permanent rehabilitation of the Akure-Owena-Ondo Road. This action was taken to prevent unnecessary hardship and loss of lives on the federal highways located within Ondo State territory.

“To alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy removal, the state government, through the palliative committee led by the Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa, is actively distributing palliatives to the state’s residents.

“Moreover, the state’s free school shuttle buses have resumed operations, providing transportation for children to school. Civil servants are also benefiting from special transportation arrangements to and from work.

“Significant progress is being made in the construction of the ultra-modern University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital in Akure. Furthermore, the government ensures the prompt payment of workers’ salaries as and when due.

“The government is not only functional but also actively advancing the state’s development. The location of the Governor, therefore, should not be sensationalized, but rather, the focus should be on the tangible progress being made in the state.”

LAWMA Shuts Oyingbo, Alayabiagba Markets, Over Environmental Nuisance

Akinwale Kasali

September 25, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, wielded the big stick on Oyingbo and Alayabiagba Markets in the State.

LAWMA sealed the markets following series of unheeded warnings to markets in Lagos to shun filth and embrace proper environmental hygiene.

This was what led to the decision of LAWMA to seal Oyingbo and Alayabiagba Markets in Lagos Mainland.

Other markets that risk imminent shut-down for improper waste disposal and sundry environmental infractions includes: Tejuosho Model Market Phase 1, Ladipo Market in Mushin, Anjorin Market, Irewolede Plank Market, Idi-Araba Obele Market, Oni Baba Market, Oba Morufu International Market, formerly known as Ejigbo Market, Ijora 7UP Market, Okeafa Plank Market, Ifelodun Fruit Market, Amukoko, among others.

Commenting on the development, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the Authority’s decision to shut down the markets was arrived at, after several warnings about their noncompliance with the state’s Environmental Protection Laws, which emphasized zero tolerance for environmental offences, such as indiscriminate dumping of refuse, wilful defacing of the environment and refusal to pay for waste services.

He stated: “LAWMA has continued to work relentlessly to improve the environment across the state, particularly commercial facilities, by putting in place several measures aimed at maintaining the cleanliness of the city. However, some individuals and markets are busy undermining our efforts by refusing to abide by the laws and regulations. As the need arises, such individuals, dealers, and markets, will be dealt with, in accordance with the law”.

Gbadegesin cautioned that other markets engaging in irresponsible waste disposal and other environmental violations would face similar harsh consequences, if they refused to turn a new leaf, adding that the executive members of such markets would also be held accountable.

“It is imperative that we hold businesses accountable for their environmental responsibilities. This enforcement action by LAWMA aims to promote a culture of compliance and create a more livable city for all residents. I also want to emphasize that once a market is closed, it would meet all requirements before being reopened for business”, he said.

In a related development, the LAWMA boss has hinted on plans to dislodge illegal market structures sprouting across the metropolis. They include: Fiki Marina fruit market; Victoria Island market by Abraham Adesanya roundabout Ajah; Jakande market by Jakande bus stop; Traders Opposite Oniru Market, Oniru and New Road Market by New Road Bus-stop, which according to him were posing safety hazards and impeding the free flow of traffic, as well as urban planning efforts.

He restated that, “Removing illegal market structures is pivotal for urban planning and development. It allows for proper zoning and allocation of spaces, ensuring a more organised and aesthetically pleasing cityscape.”

He further disclosed that the Authority was seeking collaboration with market associations, local authorities, and relevant stakeholders, to ensure the success of these initiatives, adding that the agency would provide guidance and support to markets, towards establishing efficient waste management systems that comply with established regulations.

He urged markets in the state to support the Authority’s efforts, by following stipulated waste management guidelines, adding that with the agency’s concerted efforts and cooperation of residents, the state would witness significant improvement in waste management, resulting in a cleaner and healthier environment for all.

Ondo Impeachment Saga: Lawmakers Allege Threat To Life, As Fetish Object Placed At Speaker Official Residence

Ayodele Oni

September 25, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Planned impeachment of the deputy governor of Ondo state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa is taken another dimension as the Speaker of the Assembly, Olamide Oladiji alleged threat to his life and other legislators.

Their lives have been under threat since the commencement of the impeachment process against the State’s Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa

Oladiji while speaking with Assembly correspondents on Monday in Akure revealed that “Early this morning, his attention was drawn to a ritual sacrifice placed at front of his official lodge.”

The lodge, which he noted requires renovation is only used sometimes for Parliamentary meetings.

“I have not been using the place except sometimes for parliamentary meetings. At least, we have been there for more than two times for meeting, but I don’t sleep there because the place requires overhauling with its present state.

“Early this morning, we discovered that a sacrifice was placed in the lodge. Aside that, I have been receiving strange calls from strange people threatening my life and other members. There have been a lot of pressure on me.

“I am using the medium to tell the world that my life is under threat. I call on the security operatives to checkmate these people who have been threatening my life and other members.

“This threat started since the day we began the impeachment notice. I have already reported to NSCDC among others security agencies.”

While debunking the rumour going the round that the lawmakers collected N5 million to initiate the impeachment process, the Speaker said that the 10th Assembly under his watch will not compromise.

“Whenever there is an impeachment case like this, people think that the executive must have lured the legislature to begin the process.

“I want to tell the whole world that we did not receive any gratification from anybody or anywhere. We are doing our work as lawmakers.

“We appropriate and at the same time, monitor what we appropriate. Let me tell you, 26 lawmakers have now signed the letter which we will serve the deputy governor today.

“The House will today serve the Deputy Governor of the State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa a letter on the alleged gross misconduct.”

The Speaker noted that the House was unable to serve the Deputy Governor the Notice since the commencement of the process last week.

He, however, said that the house has now secured court affidavit which gives the house a legitimate right to serve the Deputy Governor.

According to the Speaker, the Deputy Governor is expected to reply the house within seven days of notice.

Impeachment: Ondo Deputy Governor Seeks Court Protection

Ayodele Oni

September 25, 2023

Lucky Aiyedatiwa - Deputy Governor of Ondo State

By Ayodele Oni

Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, is clinging to the Judiciary to save his job as he asked the Ondo State High Court to stop the State House of Assembly from proceeding with the impeachment proceedings against him.

This is pending the hearing and determination of the suit that he filed in court.

In Suit No. AK/348/2023 filed at the High Court in Akure on Monday, September 25, 2023, the Deputy Governor is seeking a declaration that the House of Assembly is not competent to proceed on his impeachment in breach of his constitutional and fundamental rights to fair hearing.

He claimed that the sacking of his media aides and subjecting him to the Ministry of Information headed by a Commissioner amounts to a breach of his rights and privileges as a Deputy Governor.

Aiyedatiwa is also seeking a declaration that his office, tenure, status, rights and privileges are protected, guaranteed and secured by the Constitution.

According to him, the declaration that in the determination of his civil rights and obligations as a Deputy Governor of Ondo State by the House of Assembly, he is entitled to a fair hearing and that given the utterances and conduct of the House of Assembly so far, there is likelihood of bias against him in the impeachment process.

“In conducting media trials against him without serving him with any notice of gross misconduct, the House Assembly has constituted itself into accuser, investigator, prosecutor and judge.”

Aiyedatiwa then sought orders of injunction to stop the House of Assembly from initiating, continuing or proceeding with the process of his removal from office as the Deputy Governor of Ondo State.

He also seeks an order to stop the Chief Judge of Ondo State from accepting or acting upon any request from the House of Assembly of Ondo State to set up any panel to investigate any acts of gross misconduct against the Deputy Governor.

Named as defendants in the suit filed by human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN are the Ondo State Government, the Governor of Ondo State, Ondo State House of Assembly, Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Clerk of Ondo State House of Assembly and Chief Judge of Ondo State.

Ooni Backs Tinubu On Pan Africanism, Prays For Economic Growth, Begins Seven-Day Seclusion

Akinwale Kasali

September 25, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

The Ooni of Ife, Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja ll, has started this year’s annual Olojo Festival celebrations by embarking on a Seven Day spiritual seclusion.

The Seclusion is targeted at seeking the face of Almighty God(Olodumare) and ancestors of the land for the recovery of Nigeria’s economy and unity of the African people for prosperity.

Oba Ogunwusi, speaking at a press briefing shortly before he was escorted on a procession to the ‘ILE MOLE’ ancient cult chamber located on Iremo road in Ile-Ife, commended President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria over his sterling Pan-African speech recently during 78th United Nation, UN, General Assembly in the USA quoting him as saying, “To the rest of the world, I say walk with us as true friends and partners. Africa is not a problem to be avoided nor is it to be pitied. Africa is nothing less than the key to the world’s future.”

He called on the entire African continent people worldwide to unite and be peaceful for the development and desired economic liberation.

He urged relevant stakeholders in Nigeria and Africa as a whole to prioritize the unity of the continent, saying pan Africanism is non-negotiable.

“President Bola Tinubu spoke very creditably well as a true Pan-African leader during the 78 edition of the UN General Assembly. I also respect Presidents Yoweri Museveni and William Ruto of Uganda and Kenya respectively for always consistently standing for Africa. I have met with them and we have always discussed Africa development.

“For the past 8 years that I been on the throne of Oduduwa, anytime I go into seclusion, there is nothing I ask the ancestors that doesn’t come into fulfillment. Therefore, I can rest assured that this time around, the actualization of Pan-Africanism will come to reality. “Ooni said.

Ooni lamented the suffering and hardship in Nigeria said there is a need for the ancestors to step in so that the administration of President Tinubu, will be the renewed hope in terms of friendly economic palliatives for the poor masses, good roads, uninterrupted power supply, affordable education, employment opportunities, and above all, actualization of the ideological oneness that all sundry in Africa have been hoping for.

He charged government at all levels to be more sensitive to the plight of the people, also urging all and sundry to support the president so as to move the nation forward for stable national security and economic advancement.

“I will pray for the unity of Africa. Things are very hard. We all know the economic challenges that people are facing.

“The issue of restiveness of our youths would not go beyond control, before this are sensitive issues that we need to address before it goes out of hand.

“My prayer also would be to pray for divine intervention for the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in order to turn things right because expectations of people are so high”, Ooni stated

The Monarch who is also the Head of the Oduduwa race worldwide, and doubles as Co-chairman, National Council Of Traditional Rulers Of Nigeria (NCTRN) praised President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil for his love for Africa saying the large turnout of the Afro-Brasilians and other diaspora Africans is an attestation that Olojo festival.is indeed a rallying point for connecting the Africans together.

It would be recalled that the Ooni was earlier this year hosted by the Brazilian President to unveil the African Religion ISESE Day in Brasilia, Brazil has also been hosted in recognition of his Pan-African initiative by several African leaders like President John Mahama of Ghana and King of Kumasi, Asantene Osei Tutu in 2016, President Ruto of Kenya in March this year and President Museveni of Uganda barely a month ago.

Benue: Gov Alia Outraged Abduction Of Commissioner, Fmr LG Chairman, Urges Immediate Release

Ayodele Oni

September 25, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has reacted to the abduction of Mr. Matthew Aboh, the Commissioner for Information, culture and Tourism, and former Chairman Ukum Local Government, Mr. Iorwashima Erukaa, describing the act as barbaric.

This is according to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, on Monday in Makurdi.

The Commissioner was reportedly kidnapped in the presence of his wife on Sunday, at his home, while the former Council Chairman, Aboh was taken away by a yet to be identified gunmen last Saturday.

The kidnappers, have made contacts with the family of Erukaa but are yet to make contacts with Abo’s family.

The State Governor, who described the act as barbaric, condemnable and unacceptable, said that security agencies have been alerted to immediately commence operations to ensure their safe release.

The statement added that the Governor has called on the people of the state to remain calm, as his administration will do everything to make the state safe.

The Benue State Commissioner for Culture, Information and Tourism, Mr. Aboh Matthew was kidnapped in his Zakibiam residence, Ukum Local Government Area of the state.

According to information, it was stated that several gunmen stormed the residence of the commissioner and abducted him at about 8pm Sunday evening.

Eyewitness explained that the gunmen came on four motorcycles, ordered everyone in the house including the commissioner’s wife and children to lie face down and took him away to an unknown destination on one of the motorcycles.

Mathew Aboh’s abductors reportedly compelled him at gun point to sit behind the rider of one of the motorcycles while a gunman sandwiched him.

Aboh was sworn in as a member of the Benue State Executive Council on the 29th of August this year and hails from Ukum Local Government Area which has been a major flashpoint of criminal activities with rampant killings and kidnappings in recent times.

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