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Devastated, Yinka Odumakin’s Wife Laments: ‘A Part Of Me Is Gone’ |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Yinka Odumakin and His Wife

By Akinwale Kasali

In her first reaction to the death of her husband, Yinka Odumakin, his activist wife and Comrade- in- arms, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin said a part of her is gone with her husband.

“A part of me is gone. He was my husband and friend. Pray for me that I survive this”, she lamented.

Odumakin died early Saturday morning of complications associated with COVID-19.

Odumakin, it was learnt, died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital isolation centre.

Okei-Odumakin added: “He fought hard at the intensive care unit. Pray for me to survive this. My love is gone.

“He was OK before. Even on March 10 he was still attending meetings. He was recovering yesterday but he died this morning. I am at the intensive care unit. A part of me is gone.”

Keyamo Mourns

Commiserating with the family on the demise of the Afenifere Spokesman, the Minister of State, Youth, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo said:

“Yinka’s death is a personal loss to me. Himself & the wife, Joe, have been my long-time friends & allies. I knew them separately before they met & got married. I just called the wife’s line & they’re still at the hospital. My deepest condolences to Josephine & the Odumakin family”.

Dele Momodu Too

Similarly, Publisher, Ovation Magazine and Veteran Journalist, Dele Momodu wrote on his Twitter page:

“I slept about 5.30am this morning and had to switch off my phones, something I rarely  do… Unknown to me TOKUNBO AFIKUYOMI, a mutual friend of YINKA ODUMAKIN and I was trying frantically to reach me…

“Then I woke up, and my first phone froze bec of endless messages….So Sad”.

Odumakin died at the age of 56.

ACF Mourns Odumakin’s Demise |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed shock over the death of Yinka Odumakin, Afenifere Spokesman.

A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Yawe, stated that “while he was alive, Yinka held on to his views very strongly. We often disagreed with him on many issues.

“Our disagreements were, however, on principle and not personal.

“The fundamental difference is that the AFENIFERE group admits only descendants of Oduduwa as members, while we in the ACF admit even descendants of Oduduwa who are northerners.

“The nature of our membership, accomodating hundreds of ethnic groups has made it very difficult to always agree with a group whose membership is limited to one ethnic group.

“We continue to hope that the AFENIFERE will one day turn a new leaf and see issues not from the narrow and limited perspective of one ethnic group but from the broad perspective of a multi ethnic federal republic.

“We had hoped that Odumakin will live long enough to work for and see the new day.

His death today has robbed us of that opportunity.

“We, however, pray for the CONDOLENCE of his family and his colleagues in AFENIFERE. We shall certainly miss him.”

Odumakin, A Great Loss To Yoruba Race – Gov Akeredolu |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Government has described as a great loss the death of the spokesman of Afenifere socio cultural group, Mr Yinka Odumakin.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Donald Ojogo, stated that the Yoruba Race has lost an enigma in pursuit of a just society.

The Commissioner’s statement reads: “It saddens us as Government and people of Ondo State to be faced with the reality of the demise of Afenifere spokesman, Yinka Odumakin.

“It is heart-aching; it’s one death with many losses to our people.

“He was a true Nationalist who placed Yoruba Race on a pedestal of honour and high regards and quite fearlessly, gave all in his passion-filled struggle for a virile and peaceful Nigeria with fairness, justice, equity and freedom as his beacons.

“His roles in the enthronement of popular democracy as well as his fiery advocacy for the Rule of Law remain undoubtedly legendary.

“We recall his fiery beginning in the struggle as the Publicity Secretary of Obafemi Awolowo University Student Union where he discharged his duties creditably.

“He represented a memorable era having participated actively in the passion and action for a better Nigeria in his lifetime.

“Those left behind will find great inspiration in Yinka’s legacies to continue with the struggle.

“To his immediate family, Yinka created an irreplaceable vacuum; he indeed left an open wound of scary spots for his colleagues with whom shared moments were always with eyes on a United Nigeria of Justice for all.

“Even those who had reasons to disagree with Yinka on issues will feel the absence of intellectual engagements. Countless losses, indeed.

“Along the trajectory of the path to service, Yinka defied his age, incurably in quest for knowledge and more wisdom from older generations to enrich and equip himself. The entire Yoruba race has lost an enigma in pursuit of a just society.

“The Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN on behalf of his family, Government and the good people of Ondo State, expresses his deep and heartfelt condolences to Yinka’s wife, Joe, family, friends, associates and acquaintances over this untimely death. This is a personal loss.

“Our collective strength remains the unshakable faith in God to Whom we are all indebted. He giveth and taketh; His actions, inactions only confirm and give credence to His infallibility. He is the Unquestionable.

“Thus, notwithstanding the pains, ours is to pray that

our departed brother, colleague and associate finds comfort in the bosom of his creator until the resurrection day.”

Odumakin died Saturday morning at the Lagos State University  Hospital, LASUTH of complications associated with COVID-19.

How Yinka Odumakin, 56, Died of COVID |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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Yinka Odumakin
Yinka Odumakin

By Ayodele Oni

Yinka Odumakin, for about a month, battled ill-health. A known diabetic patient, he had been in and out of crisis associated with diabetes.

The most serious was when, on a visit to the Governor of Osun State Gboyega Oyetola, he suddenly fell ill.

The Governor had to quickly rally to his rescue.

A man of courage, he had been at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, for about three weeks battling COVID-19 and its related complications. The deadly Virus is a deadly enemy to diabetics. Odumakin was not an exception.

Not a few people wondered why he had been quiet over serious National issues. Indeed, his wife, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, too.

Sources say he had, allegedly, told Journalists, whose great friend he was that he would not be able to pick his phone for about two weeks, and directed them to a stand-in  Yet, his silence was still felt. His fans  especially, missed his weekly column in the Vanguard Newspaper.

Now, they know why he and his wife had been missing in action. He was at LASUTH battling COVID-19, while his loving wife  stood by him,  worried and keeping watch.

A week ago, he had made sufficient improvement to give his wife hope, and cause for cheer. But the Virus added one of it’s most deadly complications – respiratory difficulties.

According to his wife, he battled it like a lion at the Intensive Care Unit of LASUTH. But, Saturday morning, the courageous Odumakin, the very effective Spokesman of Afenifere gave up, another high profile victim of COVID-19.

His dead is a tragedy for the pan Yoruba socio cultural organization. And to many who knew him.

He was many things rolled in one – Politician. Activist. Columnist. Administrator.

According to report, the activist had been on ventilator at LASUTH for some days.

“He had lung surgery before he was put on a ventilator. His case took a turn for the worse last week, with doctors concluding he had few days left,” the source added.

He died at the age of 56.

Missing Jet: NAF Debunks Boko Haram’s Claim Of Downing Jet; Dismisses Video As False |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Boko Haram video of Crashed NAF Jet

By Akinwale Kasali

Contrary to claims by Terrorist Group, Boko Haram, that it gunned down the Nigeria Airforce’s NAF’s Alpha Jet, which disappeared from radar on Wednesday, March 31 in a viral video, the NAF says the claim is false.

NAF’s  Director of  Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the viral video could be clips from a previous incident, but certainly not for the missing Alpha Jet as claimed by the insurgent Group.

Gabkwet insisted that the video was fraught with inconsistencies that established it was fake, adding that the lush vegetation in one of the videos suggest it was not in the Northeast.

“We have seen some videos, but there is nothing that has proven that the aircraft in those clips belongs to us, or have you seen a Nigerian Air Force aircraft number or the body of Air Force pilot, or have you seen any Air Force uniform? Until we get all these details strengthened out, we are not going to go into speculation.

“That video could have been shot somewhere. I have seen four videos so far, one of them has lush vegetation in the background, and I wonder where they have such vegetation in the Northeast. Unless they did something and they are releasing the clips bit by bit, we are waiting.

“Except we have evidence, because like I said, these persons have families and you cannot go their wives, parents or wards, you must bring concrete evidence. There must be something to show”.

The Jet disappeared while on a mission to the North East. The names of the crew members were given as Flight Lt. John Abolarinwa and Flight Lt. Ebiakpo Chapele, Pilot and Co-Pilot respectively.

NAF confirms the jet has crashed, and its wreckage found at ABBA-Jille in Konduga LGA. But there is no word yet on the whereabouts of the two pilots – whether they were able to parachute to safety, captured by insurgents, or perished in the presumed crash.No bodies have been found.

This will be the second NAF aircraft lost within weeks. The first crashed close to the tarmac at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport,  Abuja, on its way to Minna to locate bandits who had abducted students in Niger State. The crew members, seven in all, perished in the crash.

Doctor’s Strike: FG Set To Wield Big Stick; Says No Work, No Pay |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Chris Ngige

By Akinwale Kasali

The Federal Government has sternly warned the striking National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, to resume work, or face the wrath of the law.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, who issued the warning on behalf of the Federal Government on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, said that the FG will have no choice than to implement the ‘No Work, No Pay’ strategy.

Ngige: “By Tuesday, I will invite them back. If they become recalcitrant, there are other things I can do. There are weapons in the Labour Laws, I will invoke them. There is no work, no pay.

“Their employers have a role also to keep their business afloat, to keep patients alive. They can employ local doctors. We won’t get there but if we are going to get there, we will use that stick.”

Ngige stressed that the current hazard allowance of ₦5,000 for doctors was fixed in 1992, noting that it was fair and just.

He also noted that when the former President of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Dr Francis Adedayo Faduyile, drew the attention of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, he described the figure as criminal, but promised that the Federal Government would review the amount in five weeks’ time, although he didn’t disclose the proposed figure.

“It is the last NMA President Faduyile that called my attention that the hazard (allowance) was ₦5,000. I raised it with the Finance Minister and the Vice President in the Economic Sustainability Meeting. In fact, to use the words of the Vice President, he said it is criminal, that it shouldn’t happen.

“The new hazard allowance will be done in the next five weeks. It is in the Memorandum of Action that we signed. Immediately after the Easter break, I will convene a meeting to look at it holistically,” he added.

It will be recalled that the resident doctors had on Thursday, April 1, 2021, embarked on an indefinite strike to protest alleged failure by the Federal Government to fulfil its obligations to them.

They  met with the Federal Government’s team on Wednesday over their grievances, but rejected the proposals put forward by the Government on how to make up for the shortcomings in the implementation of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between both parties, which has been the bone of contention.

Imo Demolishes Top Govt. Official’s Property; People Applaud |The Source

By
The Source
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Owerri Capital Development Authority

*Amadi Confirms Fraudulent Acquisition During Okorocha’s Era

*More High Profile Demolitions    On The Way

By Charles Igbo

The Imo State Government has demolished the property  of one of its top and influential officers. The property was located in Owerri, Owerri, the Imo State  capital.

The Government, this magazine was told, did this to put aright the Owerri masterplan which has been badly distorted and abused.

The ante of the distortion and abuse was raised during the administration of former Governor Rochas Okorocha.

The demolition of the, almost, completed property was carried out by the Owerri Capital Development Authority, OCDA. The sprawling premises belonged to the Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodinma on Special Duties, Nze Chinasa Nwaneri.

OCDA said the property was in breach of the Owerri Master Plan.

Recall that Nwaneri was the one who bravely confronted Okorocha when, ill-advisedly,  the former Governor went to unseal the multi-billion Naira Royal Palm Hotels and Apartments, a property acquired by Nkechi, wife of the former, while her husband was in office, which was sealed and seized by the Government.

“Who are you?”, Nwaneri, famously, asked Okorocha who had earlier asked him same question, while on his much condemned mission to unseal a property sealed by the Government.

The demolition of Nwaneri’s property has been applauded by most people who saw it as a sign of a Government which wants to serve by example. “If the Government can demolish the property of one of its own, it is a signal that nobody’s property will be spared. What the Governor Hope Uzodinma has done, in this instance is to show that nobody is above the law, and that it is a serious Government”, said an elderly man who stood-by, watching the exercise.

The elderly man is correct.

This demolition was carried out on the heels of the setting up of a Committee by the Government to implement, to the letter, the Whitepaper on the recommendations of the Judicial Panel On Lands and Other Related Matters.

The Panel, set up by former Governor Emeka Ihedioha was, to the excitement of most Imo citizens, sustained  by Governor Uzodinma when he assumed office. The Governor  had resisted all pressure and blackmail to disband the Judicial Panels and Commissions set up by the Ihedioha administration. Uzodinma’s standard response  was: “I am an Imo son. I am interested in knowing what happened to our collective patrimony”

One of the recommendations of the Panel is for the Government to, quickly, restore the Owerri masterplan badly upturned by successive administrations, especially, Okorocha’s.

Uzodinma had assured Imo people that he would implement the Whitepaper, no matter whose ox is gored and, by so doing, restore the status and pride of the distorted masterplan.

The demolition of Nwaneri’s property is a good start, if only to confirm that the Governor meant to keep his promise to Imolites.

A reliable source told this magazine that this is “a kick-off as many high profile properties which ran foul of the law will follow.”

Speculations are that a number of properties belonging to Okorocha, his family, and cronies will be next on the line.

Barrister Willie Amadi, an Owerri indigene, and Federal  Commissioner representing Imo State on the Public Complaints Commission, in a post on his Facebook page  gave a background to the demolition of Nze Nwaneri’s property and the frauds associated with the distortion of the Owerri masterplan during the Okorocha administration. He confirmed that most parcels of land were greedily and fraudulently acquired, even though they knew it was against the law.

Barrister Amadi wrote, in the post he aptly titled: Test Of Loyalty And Sacrifice

“I sincerely condole with Nze Chinasa Nwaneri, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties over the demolition of his premises by the Owerri Capital Development Authority [OCDA] for the breach of the Owerri Master Plan.

“I recall in 2015 when my law firm, TIME NOMINEES CHAMBERS, was involved in the partial negotiation of compensation between some of my brothers from Umuonyeche Village. Some of them like incumbent House of Assembly member Hon. Lugard Osuji and his predecessor Hon. Mere, Chief Ben Mere and Barr. Tony Tom-James and Barr. George Adiele whom I visited last Christmas in his pocket layout residence with Eddie Njemanze and Gerald Emenyonu, are all living there.

Nze Chinasa had started construction of his building in late  2016 while we were all in Abuja.

“I want to, authoritatively, confirm  that the entire stretch of land which is a green verge, under the Owerri Master Plan, were greedily and fraudulently converted by that heinous administration just to grab 80% of the land from the purported “public interest” conversation.

“I gave up more tgan 40 plots of ancestral land in that stretch which I bought from ODOR and OGAZI families of Owerri in 2005 when I realized it was a green verge.  I had proposed to the government to use the 40 plots for the establishment of a luxury water from park inconjuction with Landmark. I lost the entire land when Rochas and Uche(Nwosu)as Commissioner for Lands, eventually converted the entire stretch from Holy Ghost Bridge end to Nekede road Bridge end.

“I was not given even one plot of land despite my loss and complaints to the government before the fraudulent conversion and because of that, I brought an action against the State government for restitution and no defence have been filled till date.

“It is interesting that the current administration is using one of their own to show an example of how serious the recovery mantra is being enforced.

“I will urge anyone who will be affected like me by this exercise to bear the loss, as Chinasa too, for the overall benefit of the silent majority.

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO CORRECT A MISTAKE”

For Imolites, interesting days are ahead.

Ekiti To Get Military Communication Sattelite Says Defence Chief |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

A Defence Space Communication Satellite centre is due to be established in Ekiti state, going by the assurance of the Chief of Defence Space Administration, Rear Admiral Williams Kayode.

According to the defence Chief, it is part of the drive to ensure adequate security and protection of Nigerians.

He disclosed this during a courtesy call on the Ekiti state governor, Dr Fayemi in Ado Ekiti on Thursday.

Rear Admiral Kayode pointed out that his Command was mandated to drive the military aspect of the State requirements to provide space products in support of Armed Forces of Nigeria operations and other security agencies as well as protect the Nigeria cyber space through the Cyber security Centre.

Rear Admiral Kayode commended Dr Fayemi for his various efforts aimed at tackling incessant security challenges facing the nation saying the peculiarity of Ekiti topography helped in the choice of the state for the project.

The benefits accruable to the state from the project, he said, included employment of over 300 civilians from Ekiti state as well as opportunity for the state to host the dedicated satellite military base which will control all armed forces satellite or orbital presence thereby allowing for more military presence in the state.

Whole responding, the Governor disclosed that his administration had been working on the establishment of the Knowledge Zone where about 1500 Hectares of land was already procured, adding that the proximity of the satellite centre to the knowledge zone is an added advantage.

He, also, revealed that his administration was almost finalizing arrangement with the office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Chief of Air Staff to secure end-users certificate for Orbital Drones that was procured to strengthen security architecture of the state.

“What I can assure you is that for us, we are absolutely committed to ensuring that this works. Anyone who has seen the benefit to which institutions like NASA had been put to beyond military utilization will understand the reason why the State must embrace the initiative.

“The military had always been a pioneer in scientific development. The internet came from the military and other big time initiatives have always come from the military, so if we have an institution that is dedicated to utilizing information from space in order to aid our security and also research and development, there is no better place to have it than Ekiti.

“At the moment, we are almost finalizing, even for our own security here in Ekiti, we’ve recognized the use of technology and one of the things that we’ve been doing lately with the office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Chief of Air Staff is to get their support for end-users certificate for Orbital Drones we just procured which fits into your initiative and hopefully, our vision is that these drones would be produced locally on the basis of the work that you have already embarked on.”

Vice President Osinbajo To Flag Off National Sports Festival Tuesday |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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VP Yemi Osinbajo

By Ayodele Oni

The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo is expected to officially declare the 20th edition of the national sports festival open in Benin City, Edo state  on Tuesday.

A few days ago, there were publications to the effect that the  venue of the much awaited 20th Edition of the National Sports Festival had been relocated to Abuja. But before such satanic news could cause any bad blood, Minister for Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare, debunked it. And, finally, it kicked off in the Edo State capital on Saturday.

Already, Benin city is agog as not less than 8,000 athletes are trooping into the state to vie for honours in 40 events.

The festival was initially scheduled for March 20 to April 6, 2020, but was put off as a result of the outbreak of the Corona Virus pandemic.

It again suffered three more postponements in December 2020 as well as in January and February this year, due to paucity of funds, with the Edo State Government saying it lacked the financial strength to host the national event.

The main arena for the festival, the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, has been refurbished to world-class standard, with other centres expected to host various events, also in good shape.

The Deputy Governor of the state and Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the Games, Philip Shaibu, told journalists in Benin City that everything was in place as the state was fully prepared to host a befitting event.

While shedding light on the programme of event, Shaibu explained that the Unity Torch for the Games would arrive Edo on Saturday and would tour the 18 local government areas of the state, before finally arriving at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium main bowl on April 6, where Governor Godwin Obaseki would light it up.

“The Games village opens on Saturday, with athletes and officials expected to present certificates and documentation of COVID-19 tests and vaccination before they are admitted into the facility.

“The visa to be admitted into the Games Village is the evidence that you have taken the COVID-19 vaccine. Athletes at the Games Village will also take the PCR test 72 hours before the commencement of the Games.

“We are not going to compromise on that as we have agreed with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

“As a state, we have been able to flatten the curve of the second wave of the pandemic and will not want to use the hosting of the Games to spark off another wave.

“From about 14,000 athletes that were to compete, we have been able to reduce it to about 8,000 athletes.

“We have a facility prepared for about 18,000 persons, which has now provided opportunity and space for social distancing even in the area of accommodation. We will have a festival that is COVID-19 free.”

The deputy governor also rated some of the equipment at the games centre saying “the idea is not to bring world-class equipment for the National Sports Festival, the idea is to expose our young ones in Edo.

“By the time they get used to this kind of facilities, if any of them is invited for any national or international event or other opportunities to participate in any other event, they won’t be looking too naive because these are facilities they are already used to and we want to give them the best.”

Proposed Ranching Divides Ekiti Traditional Rulers |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Traditional rulers in Ekiti state are presently entangled over the issue of proposed ranching by the federal government in states.

Early in the week, a group of traditional rulers acting under Majority Obas in Ekiti, said they were opposed to any form of ranching in Ekiti state and warned Governor Kayode Fayemi not to cede any part of the state for the project.

However, another group of monarchs, recognized by the state government, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers issued another statement on Thursday to counter the earlier one.

Majority Obas in Ekiti state is led by the Olomuo oke, Oba Vincent Otitoju and Onikun of Ikun Amure, Oba Olatunde Olusola as secretary.

The majority Obas claimed that Governor Kayode Fayemi has concluded arrangement to cede land to some people for cattle ranching or grazing.

Chairman of Ekiti state council of Obas, Oba Ajibade Alabi, in his reaction pointed out that “the allegation was not true as the Governor has no plans to cede an inch of our land to any group of people for ranching.”

Oba Ajibade, the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, who is the Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, made the clarification while reacting to a statement issued by the Olomuo Oke of Omuo Oke , HRM Oba Vincent Otitoju and Secretary, Onikun of Ikun Amure Ekiti Oba Olatunde Olusola and some Obas.

A statement by his media adviser, Chief Ajibade Olubunmi, stated that available information from Government revealed that the news making the round on plans to cede land was “meant to cause disaffection among our people.

“The Chairman of the Traditional Council therefore appealed to monarchs to show some circumspection in reacting to news culled from Social media in this era of misinformation,  disinformation and fake news.”

According to the Alawe, the State Council of Traditional Rulers at its next statutory meeting in April 2021 will be properly briefed by top Government officials on Government policy on Animal Husbandry.

“The Chairman of the State Traditional Council therefore, appealed to all traditional rulers and the various communities in Ekiti State to remain calm adding that there was no need for alarm or tension on ranching as the Governor has made it abundantly clear that no part of our land would be ceded.”

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