Kwara: Gov Abdulrasaq, Emir Of Ilorin React To Death Of First Professor Of Geology In Africa

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May 23, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq, has reacted to the death of Africa’s first Professor of Geology, Jamiu Oyawoye, that passed on Monday.

In a condolence message signed by his spokesman, Rafiu Ajakaye, described Oyawoye’s death as a huge national loss.

The governor said the death of Africa’s first professor of geology was the end of a great era in academic accomplishments, dedication to community service, and statesmanship.

“My heartfelt condolences go to the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, the Olofa-In-Council, the Muslim community in Kwara State for whom he was the Baba Adini, and the Oyawoyes on this sad development.

“Prof. Oyawoye was in a class of his own in philanthropy, academic accomplishments, community service, leadership, and support for national development.

“He was one of the last men standing, and his death represents a huge void in everything he represented for Offa people, Kwara State, and Nigeria.

“We find comfort in his fine legacies as the father of Geology in Africa, a powerful Crown Prince of Offa, and a statesman who wielded so much influence and deployed the same for public good.

“We beseech Allah to forgive his shortcomings, grant him Al-jannah Firdaus, and keep his family on the right path.”

On his part, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari CFR, described late Oyawoye as a “God fearing scholar who lived his life with full commitment and dedication to the propagation of Islam.”

In a condolence message issued by his spokesman, Abdulazeez Arowona, the Emir said, “He was as a kind-hearted and loving man of integrity and father to all and sundry.

“The late don raised the bar and promoted the images of Offa community, Kwara State and Nigeria at large with outstanding scholarship and reliable mentoring of generations.”

Also, the Olofa of Ofa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Eswuoye II, in a condolence message said the deceased led a fulfilled life.

Accordng to him, in a statement signed by his Principal Private Secretary, Olayinka Kadri, the deceased led a fulfilled life which has left behind a rich and enduring legacy, one that will inspire generations to come and that will continue to shape the future of humanity, science, and geology in Africa and beyond.

“Dear all, let us take a moment to honour his memory, to reflect on his life and his achievements, and to draw strength from his example.

“Let us continue the work that he began, and let us strive to make the world a better place, just as he did.

“In doing so, we will honor his memory and keep his legacy alive for generations to come.”

Oyawoye’s dead was confirmed by his son, Prince Olukitibi Oyawoye, on Monday evening. He was 96 years of age.

Born in Offa in Kwara state on August 12, 1927, Prince Oyawoye, the Aremo of Offa, served as a lecturer at the University of Ibadan between 1960 and 1977.

He was appointed a professor in 1966 at the age of 39 and became the first Professor of Geology in Africa.

Togolese Strangulates Landlady To Death In Attempt To R3pe Her – Ondo Police Command

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Ayodele Oni

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May 23, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Two Persons, including a Togolese have been arrested by men of Ondo State Police Command for allegedly r3ping two women to death in Akure and Ore area of the State.

They include one 27year-old farm labourer, Mr Mima Chinecherem from Ebonyi state, nabbed in connection with the killing of an 80year-old grandmother, Madam Felicia Aderibigbe, at her Ore farm in Odigbo Local Government Area.

Also, a 29year-old Togolese national who is also a labourer, Mr Gbegele Mustapha murdered his 58year-old landlady and housewife, Mrs Adijat Olaoye in an attempt to rape her at her room in Fanibi area of Akure, the state capital.

Parading 18 suspects who allegedly involved in different crimes, the state Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Jesubiyi said the two suspected murderers would be prosecuted in line with relevant laws.

It was reported that late Aderibigbe was murdered at the weekend in her farm located in the Constain area of Ore town.

It was learnt that the old woman, who had left home for farming, had been missing for some days before her corpse was finally found by a search party at the edge of the farm.

One of the neighbours who joined the search party, Adekunle, said the suspects must have raped Madam Aderibigbe to death due to the position her corpse was found inside the farm.

On Tuesday 22nd, 2023, the Commissioner represented by the command’s public relations officer, Mrs Funmi Odunlami said seven suspected cultists were also arrested in connection with recent Owo cult killings that occurred recently.

Jesubiyi said, “On 18th of May, 2023, a case of murder was reported at Otu divisional Headquarters.

“Late Mrs Aderibigbe Felicia aged 80years left for farm on the 17th of May and did not return, all efforts to find her in the farm proved abortive until one Mima Chinecherem aged 27years who specializes in Banga cutting at night pegged a palm frond in front of deceased house.

“This arose the suspicion of the deceased children who apprehended the suspect and was immediately searched, the mobile phone of the old woman was recovered from him.

“He was handed over to the police and during interrogation, he claimed he saw the cutlass, bucket and mask at the boundary of the deceased farm.

“When asked the reason for the palm frond, he said it was the deceased children who cut and dropped it on their mother’s farmland, so he decided to take it to their house around 10pm and told them they would understand the meaning the next day.

“In the same vein, on the 17th of May a case of attempted rape was reported at Fanibi Division against one Gbegele Mustapha aged 29 years, a Togolese nationale who is a labourer.

“He broke into the room of one Mrs Adijat OLaoye ‘f’ aged 58years with intent to rape her, while struggling with the woman (now late) she hit head on the floor.

“The neighbours who heard the noise rushed into her room and saw her bleeding, she was taken to the hospital while the suspects was arrested.

“The woman later died in the hospital. The suspect during interrogation claimed he was under the influence of the indian hemp he took that day.”

On the arrested cultists, the Police Commissioner said, “Base on dreadful activities of cultist in Owo and its environs, the command organized raids of affected areas, led by Area commander Owo. The teams which included all tactical teams busted their hideouts where following suspects were arrested.

Real Reasons Blinken Is Not Attending Tinubu’s Inauguration

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James Orji

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May 23, 2023

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It’s now clear that President Joe Biden of the United States, US, will not send his Secretary of State, his top diplomat, to the swearing in ceremony of Nigeria’s President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is billed to become president and Commander-in-Chief on May 29.

Tinubu will succeed the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari who steps down in a few days after eight years in office.

The former Lagos state government who won the Presidential Election on February 25 is expected to become Nigeria’s 16th President, but the social media in the country has been abuzz with worries among not a few Nigerians that the US President has yet to personally congratulate him in line with international diplomacy.

The worry has even become more aggravated now that the President of the most powerful country in the world has chosen not to send his Secretary of State, to represent him at the occasion.

According to a statement released on Monday by the White House, President Biden said Marcia L. Fudge, Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, will lead the delegation to the swearing in.

The statement said, “President Biden Announces Presidential Delegation to the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Attend the Inauguration of His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to attend the Inauguration of His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29, 2023, in Abuja, Nigeria.

“The Honorable Marcia L. Fudge, Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, will lead the delegation.

“Members of the Presidential Delegation:

“Mr. David Greene, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., U.S. Embassy Abuja.

“The Honorable Sydney Kamlager-Dove, United States Representative (D), California.

“The Honorable Marisa Lago, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce.

“General Michael E. Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command.

“The Honorable Enoh T. Ebong, Director, U.S. Trade and Development Agency.

“The Honorable Mary Catherine Phee, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State.

“The Honorable Judd Devermont, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs, National Security Council.

“The Honorable Monde Muyangwa, Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Africa, U.S. Agency for International Development.”

Following the White House statement, not a few Nigerians have been wandering why the US president chose to send ‘low power’ delegation led by Fudge when he could have sent Blinken,the US top diplomat to Nigeria.”

Two things must have been responsible for Biden’s decision, it is strongly speculated.

The US President may have decided not to confer status on the election of Tinubu, due to some complaints among Nigerians that the election was not transparent, fair and credibi9.

Secondly, the US Government is also waiting for the Court’s final decision on the issue before it charts the kind of diplomatic course with the incoming administration,” Dayo James, a public analyst told the magazine on Tuesday.

Tinubu’s highest interaction with any top US diplomat so far since he won the election four months ago, has been from Blinken who called the President-elect last week, while he was in France.

Not a few insist that the US is only playing a cautious diplomacy with Nigeria at the moment until the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal finally decides who won the election.

Crisis: Lagos Community Rejects Physically Challenged Oba – Nominee

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James Orji

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May 23, 2023

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Saheed Momson did not create himself physically challenged. Fate did, and like other persons in this category, he has accepted his condition, living happily with the situation until recently when some people plainly told him that he cannot become the traditional ruler of his community.

As a Prince, Momson has the right to ascend to the stool of his forefathers, but some people in his community are seriously opposed to him becoming the traditional ruler of Igbowa-Ikosi in Ikosi Ejinrin Local Council Development Area, Epe Division in Lagos state.

According to those opposed to him, in a letter sent to the governor of thr state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu the law governing Chieftaincy matters in the state bars a physically challenged from becoming an Oba in the state.

Momson is physically challenged in one of his legs.

His traducers sited Section 16 (2) of Oba and Chief Law of Lagos State which “disqualifies any candidates with serious physical deformity to be Oba.”

They warned the governor to intervene and stop those trying to impose Momson on the community, particularly the Chairman of the LCDA who they said is poised to make Momson the traditional ruler of the area at all cost.

They said they will resist any attept by the chairman to impose him on them contrary to laws governing obas and Chief in the area.

The people of Igbowa-Ikosi in Ikosi Ejinrin Local Council Development Area(LCDA), Epe Division in Lagos State, have appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to reject Saheed Momson as their next Abowa, saying he is physically challenged.

“It is unacceptable enough the council chair unilaterally forwarded Saheed Owolabi Momson’s name in a way that violates our right to choose our leader, but to think also that he undermined extant laws regarding qualifications of persons to occupy the Abowa stool leaves much to be desired,” those opposed to him said in the letter to the governor.

“The people of Igbowa-Ikosi in Ikosi Ejinrin Local Council Development Area(LCDA), Epe Division in Lagos State, have appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to reject Saheed Momson as their next Abowa, saying he is physically challenged.

“As you are aware, Section 16 (2) of Oba and Chief Law of Lagos State disqualifies any candidates with serious physical deformity to be Oba and Chief in Lagos state. However, Saheed Momson is seeking to be imposed on the community with connivance of the council chair despite not having the prerequisite qualification.

“To the knowledge of Agbowa-Ikosi, Saheed Momson suffers from deformity in his right leg and even the kingmakers are aware.”

The questions that have been raised by those watching what is going on is whether beside the fact that he’s physically challenged, Momson has no other qualities that qualify him to become an Oba like other princes from the chiefdom.

Another pivotal question is why the state government decided to make a discriminatory law, when the basic principle of law all over the world is that such should not discriminate; it should be fair and just to all.

That is not the case with what is going on in Agbowa-Ikosi, social analysts say, where somebody is about to be disqualified from becoming a traditional ruler simply because he is physically challenged.

“FDR, the wartime president of the United States of America, USA was crippled in his two legs when he rallied allied forces to defeat Nazi Germany. To be physically challenged should not be the yardstick to judging people of their leadership capacity,” an expert said.

ng Chieftaincy matters in the state bars a physically challenged from becoming an Oba in the state.