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Why Laolu Martins, Bukka Hut Executive Director, Committed Suicide

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Laolu Martins commits suicide

By Adesina Soyooye

Everybody thought he was doing well. In deed, he was. An upwardly mobile man, he had the world before him, and he grabbed it with two hands.

After years of working in the Coporate world, including 12  years as a banker, Laolu Martins struck out and started his own business.

He and his business partner, Rasheed Jayeola,  co-founded  the Bukka Hut, a high profile restaurant which became an instant hit

Recently, they opened the 15th branch in Ikorodu Lagos.

But in the uncivilised hours of Tuesday, September 27, 2022, Martins decided to end it all. At about 3.00 am when men and women of goodwill were asleep, Martins, allegedly, took his own life.

He, allegedly, committed suicide. And left his family devastated and shattered.

Nobody has been able to put a finger on why he decided to exit the world in a most painful manner. The story out there is that he had been battling with depression.

The family has not confirmed that, but it has confirmed his sudden death, and asked for privacy, in their mourning, and prayers for strength.

Said the family in a statement:

“We hereby solicit the support and understanding of everyone as the family grieves the loss of our beloved Laolu in our privacy.

“Our kind request is that you support the family – wife, children, aged mother and father and his siblings with your prayers at this difficult time.

“Further announcements will be made by the family.”

Martins, a successful man by any standard, was a Chartered stockbroker and a Chartered Accountant. He had a 12-year of experience an  investment banker, corporate banker, stockbroking, asset management and pension fund management.

He began  his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1999, and later joined Investment Banking & Trust Company Plc now Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc. There, he  served in the Financial Control and Trade Finance/Foreign Operations units of the Bank and was seconded to Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Ltd. At  various times at Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Ltd, Martins was Financial Controller, Head Asset Management and, Head Stockbroking.

In 2005 he  joined Shell Nig. CPFA Ltd, the Fund Manager of the Shell Companies in Nigeria Pensions Scheme. He was Head, Investments up till 2008 when he resigned and joined Nigeria International Security Limited, NISL, an independent financial services firm which  specialises in investments within Nigeria.

Uzodinma To ASUU:  Allow Our Children Return To School

By
The Source
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0
Hope Uzodimma with FUTO Governing Council

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State  has pleaded with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to allow our children to go back to school, saying any sacrifice made to achieve that should not be seen to be misplaced.

The Governor made the appeal, Wednesday, when he received in audience members of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), who paid a working visit to him at Government House Owerri.

Governor Uzodimma who appealed specifically to the FUTO branch of ASUU to “allow students studying in the university to go back to school” urged all parties in the ASUU/FG saga to sheathe their sword and allow the sleeping dog lie. 

 Led by the Pro-Chancellor and the Chairman of the Governing Council of FUTO, Senator Jack Tilley-Gyado, the Governor said that “education is the key ingredients for national development, so it is the responsibility of leaders in the country to resolve issues and controversies that tend to impede the academic progress of her youths.”

“What the leaders of Nigeria owe our future generation is to ensure that they are given the opportunity to acquire knowledge and be better citizens in future.”

The Governor who acknowledged that education is an expensive project to acquire said that “when the foundation is laid and infrastructure like that of FUTO is put on ground as a platform, it is the civic responsibility of the leaders to support the institution to maximize their objective.”

He expressed delight receiving the Governing Council and assured the members that he will support FUTO to thrive like her counterparts elsewhere.

On the controversies surrounding land allocation in FUTO, the Governor noted that he has gone the extra miles to investigate the problems and related matters, noting that he believes the problems can be resolved amicably.

He therefore appealed to both the natives and the visitors to the school, the management, staff and students to see the need for the school to operate in a peaceful environment by creating a win-win situation for all interested parties. “This will allow FUTO Community to enjoy the adorable Imo hospitality.”

Governor Uzodimma highlighted the unwarranted traffic that criss-crosses the University premises and expressed the need for it to be stopped.

Reiterating his believe in synergy between the policies of the State and Federal Governments, the Governor said “there is every need to understand that government is one and that is why State Governments always try to domesticate Federal Government policies to ensure that States can synchronize what the Federal is doing to give the citizens a uniform development.”

He then challenged the FUTO Governing Council to “think out of the box and see the university as a business school that will be able to fund itself and even make profit so that the reliance on Federal allocation or subsidy will be far reduced.”

Governor Uzodimma described FUTO as one of Imo State, South East and Nigeria’s most cherished Universities and declared his government’s willingness to support the university to succeed.

In his remarks, Senator Tilley-Gyado said they come on the visit as a “mark of respect and protocol to the landlord and to assure him that FUTO will work in synergy with the Government and people of Imo State under the present Governing Council.”

The Chairman noted: “That there is need to end the land crisis in FUTO, ensure security and remove all distractive atmosphere of uncertainty enveloping the university that have hindered both local and foreign investments in the school.”

He appealed, on behalf of the Council, to the Governor to help them in settling the issue of land once and for all “by giving them a certified Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of the FUTO lands.”

Sen. Tilley-Gyado thanked the Governor for gettng the Federal Government to approve Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri as a part of the Faculty of Medicine and Clinical Training of FUTO. 

He expressed their sincere gratitude to the Governor and the President Muhammadu Buhari for the gesture.

Sen. Tilley-Gyado took time to laud the Governor on the landmark achievements associated with his government, particularly on road infrastructure,  describing the two Federal roads commissioned by Mr. President recently as “one of the best in Nigeria today.”

“This is in addition to the foresight of the Governor in developing the balloon technology that has gone a long way in controlling flood in the State capital,” he said and appealed to the Governor to avail him the opportunity of the technology to be replicated in his State.

Senator Tilley-Gyado who described Governor Uzodimma as a “gift to Imo State and Igbo race” said that “Igbos have a special role to play in Nigeria when they listen and adhere to the advice of people like Hope Uzodimma.”

Thanking the Governor for giving them the opportunity to visit, he commended him for his efforts in making Sam Mbakwe Cargo airport a true International Airport with night-landing facilities.

The Deputy Governor,  Prof. Placid Njoku, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie and other members of the State expanded Exco joined the Governor to receive his visitors.

The 17- member Governing Council, both external and internal was led by Senator Tilley-Gyado and Prof. (Mrs.) Nnenna Otti the Vice Chancellor of FUTO.

“It Is A Lie, I Neither Talked Down On Obi, Or Called His Followers Saboteurs” – Ihedioha

By
The Source
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0
Emeka Ihedioha
Emeka Ihedioha

By Charles Igbo

The bar of the bitter politics of hatred in Imo State which has seen to the reign of fabricated stories and utter lies, including fake press releases falsely attributed to political aides or their principals, was raised on Tuesday when stories, suddenly, emerged that former Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, had taken on the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

Ihedioha, a staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party, and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, was quoted as dismissing both the LP and Obi, as inconsequential in the race to 2023. He said, allegedly, that there were only two Political Parties in Nigeria, the PDP and the All Progressives Congress, APC.

To worsen it, Ihedioha was, also, quoted as saying that any South-easterner supporting Obi is a saboteur.

He was said to have made these comments in Accra, Ghana, where he went, on invitation, to celebrate the Mbaise New Yam Festival.

Since the news hit the headlines, Ihedioha has come under fire by not a few people, many of them, very angry with him.

But in a Press Release on Wednesday, signed by his Media Aide, Chibuike Onyeukwu, Ihedioha said nothing could be further from the truth. He denied talking down on Obi, or calling his supporters in the South-east saboteurs.

Said the statement: “For clarity purposes, His Excellency, neither referred to members of any other political party, especially the Labour Party as saboteurs. He only spoke in the context of the PDP and the emphasis was on the need for members of his party to remain consistent and committed.”

Following is the full text of the statement.

IHEDIOHA RESPECTS PLURALITY OF OPINION AND CHOICES

Few days ago, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON, on the invitation of his kinsmen, was in Accra, Ghana to celebrate this year’s Iri Ji festival with the Mbaise community in that country.

As a founding member and one of the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, he seized the opportunity of that visit to address PDP issues nationally but particularly in Imo State and assuage the anxiety of the members his party who have been apprehensive of the developments within the party.

In doing so, he decried what at best is the insouciant attitude and worse, the outright sabotage of some acclaimed party leaders who are engaging in acts that are inimical to the success of the PDP, especially in the Southeast by working in cahoots with the other parties. He was only talking about members of his own political party.

For clarity purposes, His Excellency, neither referred to members of any other political party, especially the Labour Party as saboteurs. He only spoke in the context of the PDP and the emphasis was on the need for members of his party to remain consistent and committed.

It is inconceivable that he will refer to anybody who is supporting Mr. Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, his long time friend, with whom he shares close political affinity and has utmost respect for, as a saboteur.

It is unfortunate that his well-intentioned speech which addressed the specific issue of happenings within his own political party was, again, manipulated by fifth columnists to suit their mischievous scheme of bringing him on a collision with Mr. Peter Obi, whose unwavering political philosophy of “Taking Back Nigeria” from the draconian stranglehold of the failed ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, he wholeheartedly shares.

His Excellency respects the aspirations and passion of members of other political parties, even as he remains committed to the cause of his own political party and it is not in his character to cast aspersions on those who hold contrary political opinion.”

Sterling Bank To Expand With Holding Structure

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

Sterling Bank Plc has received unanimous support from shareholders to transform into a holding company to be known as Sterling Financial Holdings Company.

The bank said the transformation is aimed at expanding its financial services footprint from traditional banking to deliver more value to its teeming shareholders and customers.

According to the bank’s filings to the Nigerian Exchange Limited, NGX, the lender said upon final ratification by the regulators, the commercial banking subsidiary of the holding company, Sterling Bank, will continue to operate with its current name as a limited liability company, with shares transferred from the publicly traded company to the newly formed Sterling Financial Holdings Company.

At a recently held court-ordered meeting where the resolution was approved by the bank’s shareholders, the chairman of the bank’s board, Asue Ighodalo, said, “Following the implementation of the scheme, shareholders will exchange their shares in the Bank for shares in HoldCo in the same proportion as their current holdings in the Bank, which will be a regulated entity for CBN purposes.”

Ighodalo added that the scheme would provide several benefits to the shareholders of the Bank, some of which include facilitating diversification into other permissible business lines, thereby promoting growth and enhancing shareholder value and facilitation of a consolidated financial strength of the group, which will improve access and ability to raise capital.

On his part, the chief executive of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman, said the advantages of the newly formed holding company include value creation to maximise earnings through new businesses, agility to optimise for opportunities and adapt to a rapidly changing market, maximise current and future talent potential with opportunities within the group and subsidiaries to nurture and engage its wealth of young and innovative talent.

The holding company, the bank also said, will afford Sterling another opportunity to leverage its successful HEART strategy, which has seen the bank make consolidated investments in the Health, Education, Agriculture, Renewable Energy and Transportation sectors, growing the company’s year-on-year profits to record highs despite strong economic headwinds

With the adoption of a Holdco structure, Sterling now possesses the latitude to make inroads into other sectors within financial services, such as pensions, asset management, payment services, real estate, and different verticals, along with the current banking licenses held by the commercial and non-interest banking subsidiaries, Sterling Bank and The Alternative Bank.

The commercial bank has doubled down on digitisation with specialised products through the development and introduction of Specta, OneBank, I-invest, Gazelle and Omni X to fulfil the market’s needs for innovative retail and commercial banking solutions.

Security Challenges Compel State To Insist On Armed Corps – Akeredolu; Says Garba Shehu Ignorant Of Situation

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Chairman, Southern Governors Forum and Ondo state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has reacted to statement created to presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu on the position of federal government on carrying arms by state security outfits.

To Governor Akeredolu, “The reasons adduced by Garba Shehu in his Press statement for the continued refusal to approve of the use of sophisticated weapons by state security outfits can no longer be plausible in the face of increasing security challenges being faced by the people.”

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Richard Olatunde in a statement on Wednesday maintained that “The assertion of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity on the use of automatic weapons by State Security outfits betrays the current realities across the country.

“His attempt to justify the use of AK47 by the Vigilantes of Katsina State for training stands logic on it head.

“The report by the TVC News that went viral showed the Kastina State Vigilante training with AK47. This is the same weapon which approval has vehemently been refused  for the use of Amotekun Corps and other State Security Outfits.

“The questions Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, asks are: Where did the guns come from? Who approved their use?Were the guns returned to the armoury after use?

“The AK47, as seen from the TVC news report, was about usage. If not, what purpose does training with the guns serve?

“It is rather suspicious that Garba Shehu elected himself as the spokesperson for the Kastina State government. Whereas, the Katsina State has not come out openly to deny the statement of Governor Akeredolu on the use of AK47 by

Vigilantes of Katsina State during training.

“Governor Akeredolu has reiterated that State Security outfits backed by law whether in the Western Nigeria, Katsina, Borno, Benue or any Northern State must have access to the same sophisticated weapons that the criminals have. It is time to face down these enemies of the people.

“It is illogical to continue to fight hardened marauders who bear sophisticated weaponry to kidnap and maim our people with bare hands. We cannot fight armed enemies of the people with our bare hands.

“It is our firm belief that the government has a fundamental duty to protect the people. It is a task that must be accomplished without excuse.

“Governor Akeredolu is determined to spare no efforts in protecting the people. He has vowed to explore every available legal and constitutional means to secure the state and its people.

“The Southern Nigeria Governors Forum has called for the establishment of State Police. The 19 Northern State Governors and Northern Traditional Rulers Council have also supported the call for State Police.

“The call by the sub-national should be heeded and change effected where necessary.

“Every Governor sworn to an oath to protect the state and the people. The sub national must be allowed to put in place security forces as a counter balancing force to face these marauders who have unchecked access to sophisticated weapons.

“It is high time we tackled these conflict entrepreneurs and restore the confidence of the people. We can not do the same thing time and again and expect different result.

“Governor Akeredolu is irrevocably committed to the security of the people, particularly his state. He will continue to speak up in defense of the people.

“He is very much committed to the realization of constitutional amendment to reflect the current realities.”

Lagos Metro Train Services Begins Soon

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Lagos state government has announced the arrival of two trains for its Metro Red Line rail system.

The trains arrived three months ahead of the December deadline set by the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to complete the rail line project embarked upon by the state government.

Governor Sanwo-Olu has set the first quarter of 2023 for the take-off of both the red and Blue Lines of the multi-billion naira rail project started by the administration of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola but was slowed by the Governor Akinwumi Ambode administration.

The rail project received a boost in January this year, after Governor  Sanwo-Olu disclosed that his government has purchased two trains from Talgo, a train manufacturing plant based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S., for the Lagos Metro Rail project.

According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso,  the state government said TALGO SERIES 8 Trains acquired for the Red Line have finally arrived in Lagos, saying “The 2 Nos. Ten and Eleven Car trains which were bought from Milwaukee are here”.

Omotoso explained that it was necessary to decouple the train into 21 individual cars for effective transportation to Lagos, adding that the trains will be recoupled with the help of rolling stock Engineers from Talgo, the company that manufactured the trains in the United State of America.

He said: “The Engineers will also take the opportunity to train our local Engineers whilst they are here to equip our young people with the requisite skills. Once the recoupling is complete, the testing and commissioning will commence followed by full passenger operations in the first quarter of 2023.

“Each train can carry 1500 passengers and is expected to run on the Red Line Rail from Agbado to Oyingbo, with the journey taking less than 30 minutes.”

Meanwhile, transport analysts insist that when completed the rail system will have the capacity to transport millions of people daily, apart from reducing congestion on the ever-busy state roads, as most commuters will now prefer the train services to other modes of transportation.

Court Rules Against Senate President, Ahmed Lawal, Orders APC To Drop Name As Senatorial Candidate

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Ahmad Lawan

By Ayodele Oni

Senate President, Ahmed Lawal’s bid to return to the Senate in 2023 has, again, suffered a setback as the primary election which produced him has been nullified.

A Federal High Court sitting in Damaturu, Yobe state, ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) to submit the name of Bashir Shariff Machina as the authentic candidate for Yobe North Senatorial District.

The court affirmed the 28th May 2022 primary election conducted by the party which produced him.

Justice Fadimatu Murtala, in a judgement delivered on Wednesday in Damaturu, also nullified the parallel primary election of 9th June 2022 that produced President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan.

The end to the case has not come as Counsel to the Senate President Kolawale Balogun, said after the judgement that his client would be appropriately advised on the next move.

Insecurity: Presidency Acknowledges State Owned Security Outfits

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Garba Shehu

By Ayodele Oni

The Presidency has justified move by States to set up security outfit to collaborate with other agencies to tackle insecurity.

It however kicked against attempt to equip personnel of state owned security outfits with sophisticated weapons.

 A statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on media to the president, the power to grant approval for weapons still rests squarely with the presidency.

Reacting to claim that Katsina has been granted permission to arm its security personnel while request by Ondo was not granted, the statement explained that no State is enjoying such priviledge for now.

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu had insisted that state owned personnel of Amotekun security corps will be equipped to fight insecurity.

 According to the Presidency, nobody is allowed to illegally carry AK-47 or any other automatic weapons and that they must surrender them.

The Presidency added that under the existing regulation, only the Office of the National Security Adviser could issue such authorization, upon proper clearance by the President and Commander-in-Chief.

The statement reads, “In the specific Katsina State often cited, the Governor, Aminu Bello Masari wrote to explain that the administration invited the Provost of the Civil Defence Training College in Katsina to train their Vigilantes for a five-day period ‘in the handling and operations of Pump Action Rifles,’ emphasizing that ‘the Vigilantes were not trained to take over the responsibilities of the security agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria but to assist them.’

“As they continue to expand their capabilities as well as their active collaboration with law enforcement agencies of the federation, the joint efforts continue to yield good results, thwarting attempts of terrorists to wreak havoc and destruction on communities.

“The President in particular has expressed happiness that in the last couple of years, security outfits mandated by state governments have been associated with several important initiatives, and reports have reached him of acts of utmost bravery and professionalism.

“He thanks them for their alertness that is helping to defeat nefarious plots against targets at grassroots levels. He, however, cautions against the politicization of security.

“Government at the centre with a national mandate cannot afford to alienate Ondo State or any other state for that matter on the important issue of security and urges leaders at various levels to exercise restraint in their speech, even as we are in a political season.”

Osun State University, Ilesa, Takes Off, Oyetola Signs Bill Into Law

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Amidst opposition by incoming administration and low revenue status of Osun state,  Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, has given go ahead for the take off of the state owned university.

This followed signing into Law the bill seeking to upgrade the Osun State College of Education, Ilesa to a full-fledged University.

The Governor’s assent followed the successful passage of the Executive Bill into Law by the Osun  House of Assembly in August this year.

The present administration is expected to terminate in November with the election of July which was won by Ademola Adeleke, candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP).

The incoming government had protested the hurriedness with which outgoing Governor is carrying out some programmes at the eve of departure.

The state government presently owns a university, located in the state capital.

Speaking shortly after assenting to the law, Governor Oyetola reiterated the fact that the decision of government to upgrade the CoE to a university was “not a product of fanciful effort”, but a “thorough and rigorous interrogation, characteristic of the culture of deep engagement” which his administration is noted for.

He said the proposed university has been carefully conceived as a thoroughly entrepreneurial and innovative institution that would be funded through a mix of sources such as the government, community, industry, and other stakeholders without exerting unnecessary pressure on the finances of the State.

Speaker, of the state Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, while receiving the copies of the University Establishment Law from the Governor after his assent, said, “The signing of this Bill into law is a new dawn in the entire Ijesa land in particular and the State in general.

“This is a huge development for Ijesa people and Osun State. This is what we have been clamouring for, for over 40 years. As a matter of fact, the College which was established in 1979 is more than 40 years now, and thinking to upgrade it to a full-fledged University is a welcome development.

“We commend and appreciate Mr. Governor for his magnanimity and generosity to Ijesa people.

“I want to assure you that the establishment of this University will attract a lot of developments and improve on the socioeconomic activities of Ijesa land.

“It is going to turn Ilesa into a tourist centre as ijesas home and abroad will come to support the government. I can assure you that the government will not regret upgrading the College to a University.”

The Chairman, Implementation Committee of the proposed University, Prof. Olu Aina, applauded the Governor for the swift response, saying the signing will give the Committee enablement to continue to conclude the implementation process.

He described the signing of the Bill by the Governor as a clear testament to his love for education and indeed, the provision of quality, qualitative and functional education since assuming office.

“The work is not yet completed . What we had today is the enablement for us to continue to conclude the work of implementation. I can see three major stages ahead of us.

“First, the constitution of Governing Council and appointment of Principal Officers of the University, and secondly we will start work and, begin to recruit staff and finally we will  open up the classrooms for academic activities. “With this, the government is opening up more opportunities for youths to have and access quality education. This is going to be the first university of its type in Nigeria.”

Group Tackles Buhari On Amotekun, Says President Not Playing Role Of Impartial Father

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Amotekun in Ondo State

By Adesina Soyooye

“As President Muhammadu Buhari navigates the throes of his last leg as leader of this country, justice,equity and balance should be his legacy and not a polarizing tactics that serves to set us apart

A Yoruba Group, Yoruba Global Alliance, has strongly  condemned what it called President Muhammadu Buhari’s double standards in dealing with the South-west Security outfit, Amotekun.

The Group, in a statement signed by its Director of Communications, Taju Tijani, said it was shocked that the President approved the carrying of arms by a similar outfit in Katsina, the President’s home State, but denied Amotekun the same treatment. It accused Buhari of deploying polarisation tactics in his handling of issues in the country, and urged him to desist from doing such.

The Group demanded the immediate issuance of licence to Amotekun to carry arms, as was granted their Katsina counterparts.

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, in an earlier statement on the issue, had strongly condemned the discriminatory action against Amotekun, and said he would arm the outfit.

Following is the statement  by the Yoruba Global Alliance.

Please Stop The Double Standard

We read with shocking dismay the blatant exceptionalism still being displayed by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The president’s claim to integrity and national cohesion without fully living up to these virtues could not be more pronounced in the disturbing revelation that Katsina State Government, the President’s home state, was granted the permission to equip its security outfit with sophisticated arms, including Ak47, while denying same for other states of the federation.

News had it that earlier this month, Katsina State Government announced its plan to recruit 3,000 individuals into its Special Vigilante Corps to combat terrorism in the state.

No fewer than 600 have been trained in the usage of sophisticated weapons including Ak47. We at the Yoruba Global Alliance condemn unequivocally this nepotistic and highly polarizing policy in a nation governed by federalism.

The South Western Security Network, Amotekun, was created to offer security for the Yoruba land. It came into existence due to persistent, reckless, and murderous activities of Fulani herdsmen who have become an existential threat in Yoruba land.

Amotekun opened a Pandora box of deception and the crisis of our coexistence. The South West leaders specifically asked the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to allow Amotekun operatives bear arms but were denied. It became a contentious issue between the Northern Caliphate and the South West.

Till date that outfit is denied that mandatory necessity.

We recall the furore over the creation of Amotekun and the Caliphate’s bulldog reaction to its existence which was a clear demonstration of their unhidden agenda to keep South Western Nigeria under perpetual captivity, slavery and domination.

The brouhaha that trailed Amotekun also brought into sharp focus the polemical resistance to the idea of Yoruba collective security and protection. Amotekun was perceived as disservice to our unity.

We also remember that the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Malam Abubakar Malami, in a moment of kinship loyalty to his Caliphate paymasters, issued a statement that declared Amotekun an illegal security outfit. His rebranding of Amotekun as an illegal structure generated a measure of scorn, anger, and derision worldwide.

The Yoruba Global Alliance therefore condemns President Muhammadu Buhari’s partisan and bigoted politics of allowing identarian right to his home state of Katsina by arming the Special Vigilante Corps with sophisticated weapons but denying the other states of the federation same right.

What is good for the goose should automatically be good for gander.

This self-perpetuating political impunity could lead to other states of the federation arming their security outfits illegally which may lead to uncontrolled arms proliferation in the country. And others may be forced to go underground with its dire consequences.

As President Muhammadu Buhari navigates the throes of his last leg as leader of this country, justice, equity, and balance should be his legacy and not a polarizing tactics that serves to set us apart. We in the Yoruba Global Alliance therefore demand an immediate issuance of licence for Amotekun and other security outfits to bear arms to defend their people as is the case in Katsina State.

And now that all the states of the Federation, all traditional rulers and the National Assembly have in unison agreed on the immediate establishment of state and local government police, it is expected that the president should send a bill to the National Assembly or invoke his Executive Order to get the much-needed Force established without further delay.

Taju Tijani

Director of Communications, Yoruba Global Alliance

26th September 2022.

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