Month: December 2023

A former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has lost his elder sister, Mrs Victoria Moradehun Popoola (née Oyinlola) to the cold hands of death.

Mrs Popoola died on Thursday, December 28, 2023. She was 87 years old.

Mrs Popoola, a retired midwife, was Prince Oyinlola’s mother’s first child.

She was the one who took over the motherly role for the former governor on the death of their mother in 1959 when he was just eight years old.

It was while staying with the late Mrs Popoola who was working in Sokoto that Oyinlola joined the Nigerian Army in 1969.

Prince Oyinlola, described his late sister as his “second mother,” saying that her death marked the end of an era in the larger Oyinlola family.

She was the oldest of the surviving children of Oba Moses Oyinlola, the late Olokuku of Okuku.

Among dignitaries who have sent messages of condolence to Prince Oyinlola was his former deputy, Erelu Olusola Obada, who described Mrs Popoola’s death as “a great loss.”

May the entire Oyinlola family be comforted at this period. My heartfelt condolences to His Excellency. May her soul rest in perfect peace at the bosom of God,” Erelu Obada said

Governors present at the Jerico Ibadan, Oyo State residence of the Akeredolus were Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Abiodun Oyebanj (Ekiti), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).

Governors of the South-West region have paid a condolence visit to the family of the late former Governor of Ondo State Rotimi Akeredolu.

Akeredolu died on Wednesday in Germany. He was aged 67.

Governors present at the Jerico Ibadan, Oyo State residence of the Akeredolus were Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Abiodun Oyebanj (Ekiti), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).

Abiodun disclosed this on his X handle, sharing pictures from the visit.

“During this period of immense grief, we express our deepest sympathies and offer our support to the family of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. He lived a remarkable life, leaving behind an indelible mark on the pages of history.

As we navigate through this heartbreaking time, we beseech God to grant Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s soul eternal serenity and tranquility in His tender embrace. May His divine grace bestow comfort upon his sorrowful loved ones, empowering them with the fortitude to bear this irreparable void,” he stated.

While Seyi Makinde of Oyo State was not spotted during the visit, the Lagos State Governor visited the late governor’s family.

Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Government has declared three days of mourning for Akeredolu.

According to a Friday statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode, Governor Oyebanji directed that all flags at public buildings across the state be flown at half-mast.

The Oyo State Governor Makinde had earlier declared a three-day mourning in his state in honour of the deceased.

Since Akeredolu’s death, tributes have continued to pour in from prominent figures in the country including President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu described Akeredolu as a man who moved Nigeria towards equity, fairness, and justice

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has approved the release of 246 inmates from various correctional facilities across the state.

A statement issued on Friday by the state Attorney-General for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro, said the governor also commuted 39 inmates on death row to life imprisonment.

According to Pedro, Sanwo-Olu signed the release order on Dec. 20 on the recommendation of the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy and in cognizance of the New Year celebration.

The approval for the release of the inmates was in line with the commitment of the governor to decongest correctional facilities in the state as part of the justice sector reforms.

The commissioner said that the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy in reaching its recommendations exercised due diligence in its deliberation of the applications in line with the applicable guidelines.

“The Council took note of the information provided by the correctional authorities, the nature of the offence, period of incarceration, age, health and behavioural conduct of the inmates,” Pedro said.

The exercise was under the provisions of Section 212 (1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria (amended).

By Flowerbudnews

Enugu: The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a Pan-African socialist movement on Friday condoled with 15 communities in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau overran by terrorists on Christmas Eve.

PSM also called on security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the crime that led to the death of 115 residents of the communities and the razing of 221 houses.

“The attention of PSM Nigeria chapter has been drawn to the very tragic incident that occurred in Plateau on Christmas Eve.

“The gun-wielding and blood-curling assailants looted farm produce and destroyed properties as they butchered the residents.

“PSM condemns the attack and condoles with Plateau’s Gov. Caleb Mutfwang, and the good people of the state.

“It prays that God grants the families and loved ones of the departed the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,’’ the chapter’s president, Amb. Bestman Okereafor stated in Enugu.

He charged security agencies to consider a rapid response mechanism for national security, stating that the movement was optimistic that the Federal Government remained committed maximum security nationwide.

“We do not want a situation where Nigerians would resort to self-help in security matters.

“PSM also appeals to Nigerian students and youths to remain calm while hoping that all will be well soonest,’’ Okereafor added.

Gunmen attacked 15 communities in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau on Christmas Eve; killed 115 persons and destroyed over 221 houses.

The assailants also destroyed eight vehicles and 27 motorcycles.

Three communities – NTV, Hurum and Darawat were attacked in Barkin-Ladi where 17 persons were killed.

Communities attacked in Bokkos Local Government Area were Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat and Butura Kampani. (Flowerbudnews)