President Muhammadu Buhari, has again praised himself, saying that if he had not intervened in Lagos-Ibadan transport projects, “people would’ve been trekking from Lagos to Abuja”.
Buhari who on Tuesday said prioritizing infrastructure projects ameliorated hardship in some parts of the country, particularly the quick intervention on the Lagos-Ibadan route with completion of road and rail lines, which improved the traffic significantly.
“My objective was very clear, despite the dwindling resources, I wanted to deal with infrastructure across the country,’’ the President told a delegation from Kaduna State, led by the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, and Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Hadiza Sabuwa Balaraba at the State House.
“We should look at advancement in of Infrastructure. No country can advance without infrastructure. There used to be railways, especially people from Southern Kaduna will this.
“Which country can really advance without road, rail and power, that’s why I wanted to sort out infrastructure, knowing that Nigerians are competitive by nature, and they will face their businesses when there’s road, rail and power,’’ he added.
The President said the challenge of commuting in the South West had been improved.
“The people from South West can tell better because between Lagos and Ibadan by now, if we hadn’t done what we did, people would have been trekking because the road was not there, the rail was not there and there was so much insecurity.
“But we thank the international community. We thank China and Chinese investors, who came along to the Lagos-Ibadan transport projects,’’ he said.
A statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President, Media & Publicity, had Buhari saying that the construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure will be sustained.
The President commended the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, for the transformation of the state, with growing infrastructure and socio-economic projects, while noting the growing liberality, which welcomes all Nigerians.
“Please extend my gratitude to the Governor for doing so well. I have been living in Kaduna for many years before I came here, but now I will need a modern com to go around because of the transformation,’’ he added
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared that it is ready for the Osun State gubernatorial election slated for July 16, 2022.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in the state, Professor Abdulganiyu Olayinka Raji, said aside election materials, which would be delivered days to the poll, the commission has put everything in place for the gubernatorial election.
Prof Raji made this disclosure on Tuesday during a roundtable discussion with stakeholders in Osogbo.
The INEC boss assured free, fair and credible elections in the Osun State governorship poll saying all hands are on deck.
Speaking during the stakeholders meeting, the INEC boss said, “Aside from the sensitive materials which can’t be delivered except for days to the election, INEC has made provisions for everything, and more by creation of polling units which is tantamount to extension of voters’ access.
“We also make more provisions via technological advances.
“It would be recalled that the last time polling units were created was 1996. INEC had not come to be. It was NEC (National Electoral Commission). Yet there have been increases in the electorate every election year. We thus created 753 more polling units making 3,758 polling units in total.
“Also, our advanced technology can identify features; facial and biometrics, though we have not activated the latter. We will also recruit 25,000 persons to work with us during the gubernatorial election.”
Professor Raji thereafter implored all stakeholders, media professionals, traditional rulers, political leaders and the public to cooperate with the Commission to get desired results.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state Wednesday disclosed that several attempts were made to eliminate him for his forthrightness and unwavering commitment to the safety and wellbeing of Benue people.
He restated that he would not be intimidated and nothing would deter him from speaking out against injustice and the malistration in the country.
The Governor who spoke when he hosted a delegation from the istrative Staff College of Nigeria, ASCON, in Makurdi said he would continue to propagate the principles of equity, fairness and justice and not allow himself to be caged.
He stated that at 61 God had been gracious to him and he should not be scared of death for speaking the truth on issues that bother on the wellbeing of the people.
He said “those who are keeping quiet about what is happening in Nigeria must that they have children because silence is consent.
“Nigerians must resist evil, I am playing my part and I promised myself that I will not be intimidated. So nobody should think that he or she will cage Samuel Ortom because I believe that the God I serve will surely vindicate me.
“Though several attempts have been made to eliminate me, but God has always protected me. That notwithstanding I will continue to fight for equity fairness and justice for the people of Benue state and we remain committed to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
While commending ASCON for offering to train 500 Benue civil servants in Makurdi, the Governor promised that the training programme would be a yearly exercise to improve the capacity and professionalism of civil servants in the state “because that is the engine room of government.”
Earlier the Director-General of ASCON, Mrs Cecelia Gayya, commended the Governor for approving the training of 500 civil servants in the state, in one go, saying the decision would positively impact service delivery in the service.
Represented by the Director of istration, Mr Goodluck Audu, the Director General noted that the training was key to optimum performance in the service saying “infrastructural development without capacity development could lead to istrative crisis; and if you do not train them, you do not blame them.”
Tension has taken over the Obibi- Uratta autonomous community in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo state, after two traditional rulers emerged as a result of Imo state Governor Hope Uzodimma giving a Staff of Office to another traditional ruler, named Bon Ariri, last Friday in a community where Eze Professor, Amobi Uwaleke is the traditional ruler.
Speaking to newsmen on Tuesday at his palace in Obibi-Uratta, about the controversy, Eze Uwaleke, said it’s not acceptable to have two monarchs in a community.
Uwaleke argued that he was surprised that there was no allegation of corruption brought against him, no plebiscite conducted in his community on whether he should continue as the traditional ruler of the community but was angry that all of sudden, he had a rumour of staff of office was given to another person as a traditional ruler of the community.
According to him, “The govt has not sent people to call me that I am no more the Eze, or written any letter that I am not the Eze of my community, whether the govt has the right to tell me I am no more the Eze is a matter for further discussion. I know the governor is knowledgeable for the govt to say an Eze is removed without following the guidelines they know the implication.
“In a case of there is any corruption, they could have set up a committee to look into any allegations or set up a plebiscite for the community to come out and decide if they still want me to continue to be their Eze.
“Eze is made by the people and for the people. The community select their Eze and govt does not make an Eze, what the government does is issue a certificate of recognition and the govt may issue a letter of recognition and possibly staff of office that is what the constitution says.”
He added: “In the case of my community, we follow our tradition in the making of the Eze. When our people want to select their Eze, it went through the Oha Supreme council after they confirmed before you will start going to the local level and the state level. So, somebody cannot come and claim to be the Eze of a community. So, the letter of recognition was for me came on the 14 of August 2018.”
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, on Tuesday, said he would no longer tolerate a smear campaign against IPOB and the legal team.
The IPOB lead Counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, disclosed this in a statement to newsmen in Owerri, after they had visited Kanu, at the detention facility of the Department of State Security, DSS, in Abuja, last Monday.
Kanu said those behind the smear campaign should be seen as traitors.
Ejiofor while quoting Kanu, he said: “Consistent with the subsisting order of the court, we, paid our routine visit on Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. We availed ourselves of the opportunity afforded by the visit to brief Onyendu on several issues.
“First, we acquainted him with the level of preparedness for the preliminary skirmishes that will take place in court in the criminal charge preferred against him. As you all know, proceedings in the criminal charge will resume on the 16th instant.
“Second, we briefed him on the smear campaign orchestrated against my good self by traitors and desperate enemies of the struggle, aimed at causing disharmony within the fold and needlessly generating ill feelings.
“Onyendu was thoroughly ashamed by the utter infantile mendacity inherent in the smear campaign and the unimpressive, unintelligent, wobbling, and poorly thought out strategy that informed the whole endeavour. He advised that I should quickly ignore and consign the halfhearted attempt of such a despicable lot to the garbage bin and resist every attempt by them to distract me. He was not at all rattled or perturbed by the news of the smear campaign but rather re-emphasised the unshaken trust and confidence he has always reposed in me.”
“He observed that any true son or daughter of Igbo land that opts to take the pleasure of making derogatory or disparaging publications against my good self or any of his other lawyers is guilty of cheap blackmail and must be pitied for condescending to an abysmal level. Such a person must be seen, not only as a contemptuous slave but also as an irredeemable traitor to the entire Igbo race.
“Further, Onyendu warned that he will not tolerate any form of distraction, division or in-fighting in his peaceful movement. He commended the dedicated officials at the helm of affairs of the movement for living up to expectation,” IPOB said.
It’s dream come true— Madam Rose. We waited for years for this moment—Amos
Yenagoa-Oporoma Road to connect 100 agrarian, fishing settlements in Sagbama LGA
By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa“Unspeakable delight
ANGIAMA- THE quiet riverside town of Angiama in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State came alive last week, when for the first time in its existence, a convoy of Sport Utility Vehicles (Jeeps) drove into the community th rough a land route.
Construction of the ongoing Yenagoa-Oporoma Road by the Bayelsa State Government, which has reached the riverside settlement tucked away in the deep swamp of the council, blessed with vast clusters of crude oil and gas resources, made the entrance possible.
The joy of the locals was indescribable since the only means of transportation in the area over the years, has been boats and other water crafts.
Natives croon
Jubilant natives came out in their numbers to welcome Governor Douye Diri and his team that arrived in their community in the SUVs on inspection.
Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, is expected to flag-off a bridge project across River Nun at Angiama linking Oporoma, headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, before long.
The people could not hold back their joy on seeing the governor and his convoy and showered praises on him for the Yenagoa-Oporoma Road project, which was inherited from the immediate past istration in the state.
Elated natives of Angiama, among them women and children, sang Aro wo ama lade, meaning cars have reached our community.
Designed to link 100 agricultural, fishing communities
The project, which is in Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, is one of the federal projects in the state that had been on the drawing board for over 50 years before the state government took over its construction. The other federal projects are the Nembe-Brass and Sagbama-Ekeremor roads.
It is designed to link over 100 agrarian and fishing settlements in the predominantly riverine council area, which is one of the biggest local government areas in the federation and projected to unlock the untapped potentials of the area and boost the local economy of the people.
Dream come true— Madam Rose
An aged woman simply identified as Madam Rose, expressed gratitude to Governor Diri for his commitment to the road project, saying: “This is a dream come true for us here, you can imagine the joy in the atmosphere when those cars drove into our community for the first time. Some of us have not seen a car until last week.”
“Many of our people are farmers and it will be easy to convey their farm produce to the big cities and make more profit as against the practice whereby some middlemen comes around to buy them cheap.
“My prayer is that all the communities in Southern Ijaw local government area will be linked by road and save us the anguish of transporting our loved ones with emergency cases to hospitals in Yenagoa, the state capital on the turbulent waters,” she said.“
We‘ve waited for years for this moment —Amos, resident
Another resident, Clinton Amos, said now that vehicles can access the community, they were more than confident that the road would be completed, especially with anticipated flagging off of the bridge to connect Oporoma, the council headquarters by Vice-President Osinbajo next week, as part of activities to commemorate the second anniversary of the Diri-led istration.
“For years, we have waited for the day we can drive to our community. We thank God for our governor, who has made this possible for us. We are a predominantly fishing and farming settlement and for long, we have relied on middle men from the city, who come here to buy our harvest at cheap price because of their perishable nature.
“Most of our people cannot afford the high cost of river transportation. My own parents never saw a car in their lifetime because they never had the opportunity to travel to the city,” he added, beaming with smile.
Diri impressed
Governor Diri, who commended his Works Commissioner for his efforts, asserted: “What I have seen is quite commendable. You know I have a very capable hand in the Ministry of Works and very competent monitors. I have been receiving reports. I came myself to confirm the reports that I have received so far. What we have seen is very commendable and we are sure that the targets will be met.”
The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) has said that the refusal of the Lagos State Government to issue a circular on the usage of hijab is to blame for the crisis in the state.
The female president of the Lagos chapter of the society in Lagos, Basheerah Majekodunmi, made this disclosure while addressing a press conference on Tuesday.
The press conference had in attendance Islamic organizations among whom are; Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Al Muminaat (The Believing Women) Organisation, Hijab Rights Advocacy Initiative, Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN Lagos),
Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) and Guild of Muslim Professionals (GMP).
Majekodunmi, while speaking at the press briefing as part of the activities for this year’s World Hijab Day, urged the Lagos State Government to issue a circular reminding school s of the court ruling which allows Muslim students to use the hijab in schools.
Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has imposed a night to dawn curfew on Ife to check the activities of criminals in the town.
It was gathered that some criminals in their numbers sneaked into the town, unleashing mayhem on the community thereby forcing the traditional council and local security to keep vigil in some areas through the night on Friday.
Following the criminal invasion, the Ooni, in a statement through the Lowa of Ife, Chief Abraham Ademola, has ordered restriction of movement in the town between 11pm to 5am daily.
“The Imperial Majesty, Oba Ogunwusi has ordered lockdown from 11 PM to 5 AM in Ife township from today, (Saturday).
“No vigil, no night party, night prayers in all churches and mosques, etc.
“This is because robbers and bandits presence in Ile-Ife is on high which is causing the community sleepless nights.
“The police with the local securities are now in the community to ensure security. Anyone caught in within these hours will be treated as such. The restriction is till further notice”, it reads.
A of inquiry set up by the Oyo State Government to look into allegations of police brutality has submitted its report to the state Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde.
DAILY POST reports that EndSARS protests were staged by angry Nigerians in major cities across the country in October 2020.
The protests were organized in order to kick against incidents of police brutality, victimization of residents, unlawful arrests and detention of innocent citizens by some overzealous policemen, particularly operatives of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
Our correspondent gathered that some governors, shortly after the protests, set up s of inquiries to look into allegations of police brutality.
The set up by Makinde has however submitted its report.
The , led by a former Chief Judge of the state, Badejoko Adeniji, submitted the report to Makinde on Wednesday.
Makinde, who received the report on behalf of the state government, assured that the ’s efforts will not be in vain.
He added that his government will soon implement some of the recommendations.
Makinde while speaking further, explained that the state will provide automatic scholarship to 23-year-old Samuel Ogundeji.
Ogundeji, a 23-year-old man, was falsely accused of stealing a banker’s wallet and brutalised by SARS operatives, resulting in blindness.
“The first step towards solving a problem is to identify that problem, and there is no way you will identify or get to the roots of any situation if we don’t talk about them, ask people to come forward and tell us.
“So, that is exactly what we have done in Oyo State by instituting this of Enquiry.
“Before now, things got swept under the carpet, but people have been able to come forward, they have put facts on the table and it is now left for us to take proper steps out of it and react appropriately.
“A lot of people kept sending messages to me about when the of Enquiry will send their report and I said, for us in Oyo State, we don’t just want to rush to do things. We want to be thorough and ensure that when we say a problem is solved, it is solved,” he said.
“We thank you for your time because this took us more than a year. You have also shown dedication and commitment to our state and country and I want to thank you very much.”
Pandemonium broke out at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Wednesday when engers staged a protest over flight delays by Dana air.
The protesting engers complained that they were not informed about the delay until they began to their grievances.
Dana Manager, Mr Dahiru told DAILY POST that flights to Enugu were not safe at the time of the schedule.
The Manager claimed that Dana was not aware that their planes were not in good shape, hence the late announcement.
When asked to tell the difference between the initial flight time and the rescheduled time, he declined comments, claiming he did not understand the question.
As of the time of filing this report, tension is high at the airport as many engers have now requested a refund.
Some of the engers were said to have lost their items as a result of the protest.
They called on the Nigerian government to immediately act on the incessant and unpredictable issues with Dana air.
The United States Attorney’s Office at the Central District of California says that Ramon Abbas, aka, Hushpuppi, will be sentenced on February 14, 2022.
The court’s Director of Media Relations, Thom Mrozek, said Hushpuppi has been scheduled for sentencing on Valentine’s Day, according to BBC Pidgin.
Mrozek was, however, yet to respond to an email inquiry by The PUNCH as of the time of filing this report.
In a plea agreement document sighted by The PUNCH, Hushpuppi had pleaded guilty to various offences bordering on internet scam and money laundering, among others.
The document was signed by Hushpuppi; his lawyer, Loius Shapiro; Acting United States Attorney, Tracy Wilkison, amongst others.
It stated that Hushpuppi risks “20 years’ imprisonment; a 3-year period of supervised release; a fine of $500,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss resulting from the offence”.
Also, the court had ordered the Federal Bureau of Investigation to arrest the suspended Head of the Intelligence Response Team, D Abba Kyari, for his alleged role in a $1m scam allegedly perpetrated by Hushpuppi and five others.
However, in December 2021, Mrozek declined comments on the warrant of arrest the court issued months earlier that the FBI should apprehend Kyari and other defendants in the case.
Mrozek, in an earlier email interview with our correspondent on December 13, 2021, had said the sentencing of Hushpuppi was still pending.
The Dubai Police in the United Arab Emirates had in June 2020 arrested Hushpuppi and his gang. They were later extradited to the US for prosecution by the FBI.
The FBI Special Agent, Andrew Innocenti, had alleged that Hushpuppi contracted the services of Kyari after a “co-conspirator,” Chibuzo Vincent, allegedly threatened to expose the alleged $1.1m fraud committed against a Qatari businessman.
Innocenti, who said he obtained voice calls and WhatsApp conversations between Kyari and Hushpuppi, had also alleged that the latter paid the police officer N8m or $20,600 for the arrest and detention of Vincent.
The police boss had on August 2, 2021, constituted the Special Investigation headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department, Joseph Egbunike, to probe the allegations.
Egbunike on August 26, 2021 submitted the ’s report, which he said “is an outcome of a painstaking, transparent and exhaustive investigative process.”
He revealed that the report contained the case file of the probe, evidence and findings as well as testimonies from Kyari and other persons and groups linked to the matter.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, had on September 14, 2021, during a television interview said the findings and recommendations on Kyari had been submitted to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), for “legal opinion” and thereafter for presentation to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), adding that the final decision would be taken by the PSC.
But months later, the PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, told our correspondent that the commission had not received any disciplinary recommendations from the IG through the Force Disciplinary Committee almost four months after the Egbunike submitted its report to the police boss.
The recommendations of the FDC will inform the commission’s decision and also determine Kyari’s future in the force, but the matter is now inconclusive.
All Progressives Congress, APC, Publicity Secretary in Lagos, Seye Oladejo, has described falsification of age, educational qualification and source of wealth allegations against the party’s National Leader and former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu as “unjustifiable.”
There have been series of allegations against Tinubu in the public space after declaration of his ambition to contest in 2023 presidential poll with the plan to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in May 29.
Oladejo, stated this on Tuesday, during a media parley on wide range of issues bordering on Lagos politics as well as APC leaders’ aspirations, held at the party’s Secretariat, Acme, Ikeja.
The APC scribe, who maintained that Tinubu has the right to contest the party’s presidential ticket for the 2023 election, charged those kicking against his presidential ambition to be democratic and provide facts rather than resorting to cheap blackmail.
According to him, “Allegations and blackmail over Asiwaju Tinubu’s source of wealth, education qualification and age, are unjustifiable because they are accusations without substantive facts.
“it is very interesting that those in opposition suddenly have access to Asiwaju’s medical record and they have become the authority on his state of health.
“Tinubu’s movement to different parts of the country in the last few months showed that he is medically fit going by World Health Organisation WHO, which defines good health as a complete state of physical, psychology and social wellbeing.”
Oladejo, stressed that Tinubu should be commended for making his recent knee surgery public despite being a private citizen, adding that “since the APC National Leader returned back from his foreign medical trip, he has been moving across Nigeria, attesting to clearn bill of health.”
Speaking about the controversy trailing Tinubu’s age from some quarters, Oladejo said nothing has been hidden about the former Lagos State governor’s age, noting that “for over one and half decades, Aswaju has always celebrated his birthday. Come March 29, Asiwaju will be 70 years old. It is as clear as that.”
On Tinubu’s source of wealth, Oladejo stated that “Asiwaju’s wealth cannot be measured in monetary value and in of naira and kobo. His wealth should be measured by the goodwill and image he has built through development of men who are willing to play their parts at a time like this. These men are spread all over Nigeria.”
Oladejo said Tinubu has the required qualifications to be President of Nigeria based on constitutional provisions, that anybody running for the presidency must be 35 years old, be a card-carrying member of a political party and must be sponsored by a political party.
“Tinubu is eminently qualified to be Nigeria’s President because of the confidence people have in him having distinguished himself during his eight years as Governor of Lagos State as well as his contributions to national politics in the last three decades,” Oladejo stated.
According to him, “As at the last count, over 1,800 groups across the country are already clamouring for his candidature.”
“We are excited about Asiwaju’s aspiration. We are excited because for once we have someone who is aspiring, who is a willing aspirant to say. He is not been forced on us and he is not been thrown up by circumstances to run for the office.
As we speak, we have over 1,800 different groups across the country clamouring for Asiwaju Tinubu’s candidature and calling on him to throw his hat into the ring for the presidential election.
“Asiwaju is well-grounded and over time, he has built a whole lot of goodwill and image across the country; across various ethnic nationalities. Asiwaju over time has been a man of the people.
Looking at various issues such as economy, security, education, good health, among others in the country, it is high time for us to have a personality like Asiwaju to run for the presidency and we are very optimistic. The opposition will have their say but people will have their way,” he said.
Oladejo said the decision of Tinubu to contest for the presidency is already giving a lot of people sleepless nights, especially those who are interested in the presidency, but he believed that the APC’s national leader is a democrat who would never stop others from contesting.
He was optimistic of Tinubu defeating aspirants from South-West and other parts of the country during the APC presidential primaries and general elections because overwhelming acceptance and across the country, adding that the clamour for Tinubu’s presidency is also from the North.
“Asiwaju is a democrat, the more the merrier when it comes to the number of aspirants aspiring for the presidency. I am sure with the various people ing Asiwaju, there is no reason for us to lose sleep over anyone’s aspiration, especially someone who has not really made his aspiration clear.
”We should commend Asiwaju for the way he is approaching this race. First, he went to the incumbent president to inform him about his aspiration. He is yet to officially declare interest though,” Oladejo said.
Popular comedian, Joshua Sunday a.k.a D General , who regained his freedom yesterday after he was convicted by Federal High Court in Lagos,has denied being a drug trafficker.
The online comedian was arraigned about two weeks ago by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) alongside his friend, Caleb William, a cinematographer.
The agency accused him of unlawful possession of 14 grams of Tramadol, while Caleb William was accused of unlawful possession of 15 grams of Cannabis Sativa, popularly called Marijuana.
But Justice Daniel ruled that because the volume of substance found in his possession was minimal, he only would convict and caution him and his friend, rather than a sentence.
However, after convicting the defendants, Justice Osiagor warned them to go and sin no more.
Meanwhile, in a short video to celebrate his freedom, which he posted on his Instagram page, D General said he’s not a drug trafficker, rather he trafficks laughter, which is his main business.
“I am alive, I’m healthy and I am back to the house, eating and fleshing up. I just want to let the general public and those of you that were trying to reach out to me that I am fine.”
“I really appreciate your concern a lot. I just want to debunk the news flying around that D’ General is a drug trafficker.
I am not a drug trafficker. If I am a drug trafficker do you think that they would allow me to go home unpunished. I am only trafficking laughter,” he said.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has expressed worry over the killing of the Olu of Agodo in Ewekoro Local Government Area, Oba Ayinde Odetola, on Monday.
Condemning the incident on Tuesday, Abiodun vowed to visit the full wrath of the law on the killers of the monarch and three of his aides.
While saying that his istration would not tolerate breach of peace being currently enjoyed in the state, Abiodun directed security operatives to fish out those who carried out the attack.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, Abiodun confirmed that “Oba Adetola and three of his workers were assassinated on Monday by yet-to-be-identified hoodlums.”
In the statement, Abiodun warned those threatening the peace of Ogun, stressing that his government would stop at nothing to deal decisively with the perpetrators.
He lamented that politics, land and chieftaincy matters should not attract descent to self-help and killings.
“Security of lives and property tops our responsibilities as a government and we will not allow people to take laws into their hands.
“We have zero-tolerance for these ignoble conducts. Politics, land and chieftaincy disputes are no excuses for people to take laws into their hands. All hirelings, parents and guardians should call their wards to order.
“OP-MESA, t Internal Security Task Force, Amotekun, vigilantes groups, DSS Police and NSCDC are not mere toothless bulldogs. They are armed and deployed to strike agent provocateurs,” he was quoted as saying.
The governor condoled with the family of the late Oba and the residents of Agodo town.
The Nigeria Union of Pensioner (NUP) in Ekiti State has organized a prayer session for all in the state seeking the intervention of God over the unpaid gratuity amounting to N1.8 billion being owed by the state government.
The chairman of NUP in the state, Mr Joel Akinola, who spoke during the special prayer session in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital on Tuesday where some of the moved in tears, lamented that the state government has abandoned pensioners in its failure to pay the outstanding entitlements which he said member had worked for.
Akinola noted that they organized the interdenominational prayer session to pray to God to touch the lives of the state government in defraying arrears of the gratuity and pensions since 2012, regretting that pensioners have died without getting their benefits, “while some were battling with various difficulties due to lack of fund to do the needful.”
He explained that government must prioritize and see the welfare of pensioners as an important project like they attend to other areas of governance, adding that are facing tough times across the 16 local government areas of the state.
According to him, “there is nothing like God cannot do, hence the decision for us to organize this prayer session for Him to intervene in the affairs of pensioners. Gratuity and pension is a right and statutory not bonus. We have laboured and served our nation and state meritoriously for 35 years, we deserve better than what we have been getting.
“Currently, the state government is owing us gratuities of N1.8 billion while local government is owing our N9 million. It is highly embarrassing and it appears government don’t have time for us. We should be seen as a project as well like the way they do roads, hospitals and schools.
“Each time there is a transition of power, it’s often difficult to agitate or confront the new governor because they will be quick to tell you that they are not the one owing us, you can see the situation.”
Earlier, an Islamic cleric, Abdullahi Abdulmutalab, urged the pensioners to build more faith in God, expressing optimism that government would soon attend to their needs.
Tragedy struck in Agbor on Tuesday, Delta State when five persons including a woman and her two children were crushed to death by a fuel-laden tanker near a traffic light along the old Lagos/Asaba road in the hilly town.
The woman whose identity was not immediately known and her two children were said to be returning from school on a motorbike.
Three other persons were seriously injured while five vehicles were destroyed .
Eyewitness said the driver of the tanker who was ascending the Orogodo River hill lost control as a result of brake failure.
In the confusion, the tanker started to roll back, thereby dragging the motorbike along after crushing the woman, her two children and three others.
Tribune Online reports that a mammoth crowd gathered at the scene of the accident watching the dismembered body of the woman and her children.
The state Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ibrahim Abubakar confirmed the incident when ed on Tuesday.
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a 40-year-old mechanic, Olasunkami Oluwole for allegedly beating and strangling his lover to death at the Oke Igbo community in Ondo state.
The father of two, Oluwole invited his lover Biola Soyinka, who resides in Lagos to his base in Ondo state.
As a sequel to the invitation, Biola travelled on the 3rd of January to Ondo State where she met Oluwole.
Vanguard learned that Oluwole who is married with two children had camped Biola outside his home at Oke Igbo community in Ondo state because of his wife.
Unfortunately, what began as a pleasurable visit came to an abrupt end when Oluwole called Biola’s younger sister to inform her sister, Biola had died.
According to Biola’s elder brother, Akeem Jinadu who spoke to Vanguard, “on the 16th of January we received a call from Oluwole that my sister Biola had ed on.
“When did we ask what happened to her? He said: Biola became unconscious after she slumped at about 4 am on Sunday 16th of January by the time he rushed her to the hospital, the doctors declared her dead.
“When we asked him to bring her corpse back to Lagos he demanded that we send money for transportation.”
Contrary to what Oluwole said when the police arrested him, and we went to identify Biola remains at the morgue, on her body were marks obviously sustained from beating.
Her neck, face, and body had dark patches because she is a fair complexion. From the state of her corpse it is very oblivious she didn’t die from falling, rather the marks on her body show she was beaten and strangled to death.
Explaining further, Akeem Jinadu said: “We are still trying to raise two hundred and fifty thousand naira for her autopsy as demanded by the doctor.”
Vanguard gathered that at the hospital when Oluwole discovered that Biola had died, he hurriedly sneaked out before he was caught and handed over to the police while attempting to escape.
Although the police have assured the family of the deceased that justice will be done, they are yet to visit the scene of the incident.
According to another relative of the deceased, “the police asked us to provide logistics for them to go visit the suspect’s house which is the scene of the incident. Since we haven’t given them logistics, they are yet to visit the scene.”
Meanwhile, the family of the deceased has called on the Ondo State Commissioner of police to ensure that the case is thoroughly investigated.
Vanguard learned that the case has been transferred to the state criminal investigation department in Akure for further investigation.
Anyways: 9:41pm On Mar 01, 2022 
