Author: Lawal AbdulSalam Olawale

  • APC expels 84 for alleged anti-party in Osun

    APC expels 84 for alleged anti-party in Osun

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun on Wednesday, announced the expulsion of 84 of its members for engaging in alleged anti-party activities.

     

    In a statement by the Osun APC Chairman, Sooko Lawal, the party took the decision following complaints of anti-party activities against those expelled.

    Following complaints of anti-party activities, the State Executive Committee of the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) constituted a disciplinary committee to investigate the allegations against some members.

    This disciplinary measure came in response to the allegations of misconduct and actions that embarrassed and brought the party to disrepute.

     

    “The disciplinary committee undertook a thorough and impartial review of the allegations and the findings were carefully deliberated upon by the State Executive Committee.

     

    “After a comprehensive assessment of the evidence and consideration of the committee’s recommendations, the State Executive Committee has taken the difficult yet necessary step of expelling the following members:

     

    “Akibu Olaiya – Iwo LG, Yekeen Ajoke Nafisat – Iwo LG, Wakeel Mutaleeb Adekunle – Iwo East LCDA, Olufunke Akano – Iwo East LCDA, Olatunji Idowu Ajoke- Iwo West LCDA, Ajala Abayomi – Ayedire LG.

     

    “Adegboyega Semiu Adeniyi – Ayedire LG, Sabitu Rofiat Omolayo – Ayedire South LCDA, Oladeji Ismail – Ayedire South LCDA, Tajudeen Akanbi – Olaoluwa LG, Oyediran Quasim – Olaoluwa LG, Ajetunmobi Moshood – Olaoluwa South LCDA.

     

    “Akintoye Opeyemi – Irewole LG, Akerele Sunday – Irewole LG, Pastor Peter Olaawo – Irewole LCDA, Orisatola Surajudeen A. – Irewole LCDA, Shariat O. Olaniyi – Ayedaade LG, Akeem Olodude – Ayedaade LG.

     

    “Raji Sikiru – Ayedaade South LCDA, Isaac Adeyemi Aderinoye – Ayedaade South LCDA, Oyedeji Tawab O. – Osogbo LG, Aderemi Tajudeen – Osogbo LG, Kamoru Afusat Bolanle – Osogbo South LCDA.

    Ibrahim Mumini Tunde – Osogbo South LCDA, Olayinka Musiliu Shina – Osogbo West LCDA, Adewumi Ademola Taofeeq – Osogbo West LCDA, Ajala Oladiran – Olorunda LG, Abiola Omotosho – Olorunda LG, Ganiyu Aliu O. – Olorunda North LCDA.

    Lawal Olalekan – Olorunda North LCDA, Ganiyu Adebayo A. – Olorunda Area Council, Afolabi Olaniyi Olatunde – Olorunda Area Council, Serifat Olayiwola – Ifelodun LG, Olawale Morufu Adebukola – Ifelodun LG.

     

    “Ajibade Olatunji Ganiyu – Ifelodun North LCDA, Oladunjoye Rasheed Taye – Ifelodun North LCDA, Wale Agboola – Ifelodun Area Council, Sulaiman Akeem – Ifelodun Area Council, Odetayo Olubunmi – Odo Otin LG.

     

    “Agboola Dayo Remilekun – Odo Otin LG, David Ajiboso – Odo Otin North LCDA, Ajala Richard Folashade – Odo Otin North LCDA, Ogunkanmi Adekunle – Odo Otin South LCDA, Adepoju Kabiru – Odo Otin South LCDA.

     

    “Fadunmola Fatai A. – Boluwaduro LG, Aina Olusola – Boluwaduro LG, Oyekanmi Hajarat Adenike – Boluwaduro East LCDA, Adewumi O. Olufemi – Boluwaduro East LCDA, Teniola Alaba – Ilesa East LG.

    Muraina Fatai Olusegun – Ilesa East LG, Alaka Bode Olakunle – Ilesa North East LCDA, Ojediran Folasade Kehinde – Ilesa North East LCDA, Raji Azeez – Ilesa West LG, Afolayan Kafayat – Ilesa West LG.

     

    “Kabir Ademola Hameed – Ilesa West Central LCDA, Kazeem Kafayat – Ilesa West Central LCDA, Agunlejika Adejuyigbe – Atakumosa West LG, Ogundele Sesan Opeyemi – Atakumosa West LG, Omidiji Olaolu – Atakumosa West LCDA.

     

    “Adejare Israel – Atakumosa West LCDA, Oni Abiodun – Ife Central LG, Ismail Busayo Alabelewe – Ife Central LG, Chief Titus Awofesobi – Ife Central West LCDA, Alhaji Akeem Oyeleye – Ife Central West LCDA.

     

    “Alhaji Omisakin Bisi – Ife East LG, Ogunrinola Sayo – Ife East LG, Oyewole Rafiu – Ife Ooye LCDA, Adefioye Adegboyega – Ife Ooye LCDA, Sangolade Olawale – Ife East Area Office, Adekunle Toyin Asabi – Ife East Area Office.

     

    “Adeyeye Yinusa O. – Oriade LG, Mathew Olamuyiwa Samuel – Oriade LG, Samson Fakinyede Oladipo – Oriade South LCDA, Oyediran Mikail – Oriade South LCDA, Lamidi Oyeyemi – Obokun LG.

    Dare Adarayaki- Obokun LG, Oluseyi Oyinloye – Obokun LCDA, Ogundele Ogunsanmi – Obokun LCDA, Ismail Elewedi – Ejigbo Central LCDA, Yekeen Adewale – Oyebisi Ejigbo South LCDA, Muraina Atanda Adeleke – Ejigbo South LCDA.

     

    “Alhaja Temilade Olokungboye Halid – Osogbo West LCDA, Biyi Odunlade – Ife Central LGA, Rasak Salinsile – Iwo LGA.

     

    “As we move forward, we enjoin our members to remain focused on our goals and continue working together to serve the interests of our constituents and our State.

     

    “Our commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and adherence to our party’s core values remains unwavering.” the statement reads

  • Dogs kill 5-year-old child, injure mother in Osun

    Dogs kill 5-year-old child, injure mother in Osun

    Residents of Hallelujah Estate in Osogbo, Osun State capital, yesterday, were in agony as two dogs devour a five-year-old child.

    The cross breed dogs also descended on the mother after killing the child, injuring her on the buttock before residents in the scanty neighbourhood came to her rescue.

    was gathered that the woman and the little girl were walking pass a vacant building in the area when the two dogs emerged and separated mother and child.

     

    According to an eyewitness, the dogs killed and devour the child, while the helpless mother struggle in vain to rescue her.

     

    Our correspondent learned that the dogs later descended on the mother but for the prompt intervention of some neighbours, who rescued her from the blood-thirsty dogs after biting her several times on the buttock.

     

    Another residents, Sodiq Abass, said the dogs were in the building alone for a very long time, adding that the gory incident happened because residents were not always around and it was almost difficult to hear anyone calling for help.

     

    “The dogs appeared like they wanted to kill the mother after killing her daughter, but for some passers-by, who saw the scene and quickly called for help. It is unfortunate that help didn’t arrive on time for the little girl,” he said.

     

    Contacted, Osun State Police command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola said police was aware of the incident and efforts were ongoing to arrest the owner of the house.

     

     

  • VIDEO: ‘Make noise, I’ve been arrested’- Gabon’s Ali Bongo begs ‘friends’ for help

    VIDEO: ‘Make noise, I’ve been arrested’- Gabon’s Ali Bongo begs ‘friends’ for help

    A video has surfaced on social media of ousted Gabon President, Ali Bongo where he was begging his international friends to make noise following Wednesday’s coup.

     

    In the 51-second, Bongo confirmed that he had been arrested and isolated from his son and wife, who he said were held at another place.

     

    The putschists highlighted serious institutional, political, economic, and social crises as factors responsible for the coup that they tagged, ‘necessary’ for the progress of the West African country.

    Bongo said, “My name is Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of Gabon. I am sending a message to all friends that we have all over the world, to tell them to make noise, to make noise”

    Born Alain Bernard Bongo on February 9, 1959, in Congo-Brazzaville, the 64-year-old was Gabon’s president from 2009 when his Omar Bongo, who ruled Gabon for almost 42 years, from 1967 died.

  • BREAKING: Tinubu reacts to coup in Gabon, condemns action

    BREAKING: Tinubu reacts to coup in Gabon, condemns action

    President Bola Tinubu has reacted to the latest coup in Gabon, where President Ali Bongo has been outsted and placed under house arrest.

    Recall that some military personnel had hinged their plot to seize power from Bongo on what they termed as observed flaws in the recent general election in the central African country.

     

    The officers had also admitted that the organisation of the general elections of August 26, 2023, did not meet the conditions for a transparent, credible and inclusive ballot so much hoped for by the people of Gabon.

    They had also cited irresponsible and unpredictable governance, resulting in a continuing deterioration in social cohesion, with the risk of leading the country into chaos.

     

    But reacting on behalf of President Tinubu on Wednesday, his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale said the presidency is watching closely with deep concern “the seeming autocratic contention apparently spreading across different regions of our beloved continent.”

     

    Ngelale said the President as a man who has made significant personal sacrifices in his own life in the course of advancing and defending democracy is of the unwavering belief that power belongs in the hands of Africa’s great people and not in the barrel of a loaded gun.

    He said the President “affirms that the rule of law and a faithful recourse to the constitutional resolutions and instruments of electoral dispute resolution must not at any time be allowed to perish from our great continent.

     

    “To this end, the President is working very closely and continues to communicate with other Heads of States in the African Union towards a comprehensive consensus on the next steps forwards with respect to how the power in Gabon will play out and how the continent will respond to contagious autocracy we have seen spread across our continent

  • Taiwo Akinkunmi: Designer of Nigeria’s flag is dead

    Taiwo Akinkunmi: Designer of Nigeria’s flag is dead

    Taiwo Akinkunmi: Designer of Nigeria’s flag is dead

    He wrote: “Life is indeed transient; I can say boldly that you live a life with a landmark.

    Continue to rest, my father! Pa Michael Taiwo Akinkunmi (O.F.R.): Great Man has gone.”

    The flag

    In 1958, while living abroad, Akinkunmi saw an advertisement in a national daily for the submission of designs for the Nigeria’s national flag as the country’s independence from British governance was close.

     

    Among the over 2,000 entries submitted, his was picked.

     

    However, the original design of the flag featured a white band flanked by two green ones and a red sun with streaming rays was located on the white band.

     

    The sun was eventually removed by the committee in charge. Akinkunmi’s design was selected for its ingenuity and profundity.

     

    The green bands represent the forests and abundant natural wealth of the country, while the white band represents peace.

     

    The flag was hoisted on Independence Day, October 1, 1960, in place of the British Union Jack, while Akinkunmi was awarded 100 pounds when his design was selected.

    He was honoured with the MON (Member of the Order of the Niger) by President Goodluck Jonathan.

  • NPFL unveils opening fixtures for 2023-24 season

    NPFL unveils opening fixtures for 2023-24 season

    The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) on Tuesday in Abuja released its schedule for matchday one of the upcoming 2023-2024 campaign season.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the season is scheduled to kickoff on September 9.

     

    At a colourful draw held in Abuja, the fixtures for the upcoming season was held, with football stakeholders led by Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chairman, Nigeria Premier League Board in attendance.

     

    NPFL champions Enyimba of Aba will kick off their title defence with a mouth watering home encounter against Bendel Insurance, Federation Cup champions.

     

    It’s Shooting Stars of Ibadan against Plateau United, while Akwa United lock horns with Bayelsa United.

     

    Niger Tornadoes will face Abia Warriors, Remo Stars and Rivers United, newly promoted Katsina United vs Kwara United and returning Kano Pillars against Sunshine Stars of Akure.

     

    Lobi Stars will square up against Heartland FC of Owerri, newly promoted Sporting Lagos vs Gombe United and Enugu Rangers against Doma United of Gombe.

     

    Gbenga Elegbeleye, Chairman, Nigeria Premier League Board told newsmen after the draws that the board is working round the clock to ensure a better and more professional league.

     

    He said plans had been to concluded to have most of the games streamed live, in partnership with Propel Sports Africa/MTN, so that Nigerians home and abroad can enjoy the league.

     

    “We have an agreement already with Propel Sports Africa to steam at least eight of the 10 matches live.

     

    “So you can watch almost all of the matches with your phones and smart devices in over 100 countries in the world, this will enable Nigerians in diaspora also watch the NPFL every match day,” he said.

     

    Elegbeleye explained that the MoU with the Propel Sports Africa and MTN, will enable Nigerians watch the matches live with a token subscription.

     

    The chairman said the League board was also working to improve officiating and prize money for the league, which was 100 million naira in the 2002-23 season.

     

    NAN reports that with the return to the full league format, 20 clubs will now battle for the title in 380 explosive matches, unlike the abridged 2022-23 season.

     

    2023-2024 NPFL matchday one fixtures

     

    1.Enyimba intl of Aba vs Bendel Insurance

     

    2. Sporting Lagos vs Gombe United

     

    3. Bayelsa United vs Akwa United

     

    4. Shooting Stars vs Plateau United

     

    5 Abia Warriors vs Niger Tornadoes

     

    6. Rivers United vs Remo Stars

     

    7. Katsina United vs Kwara United

     

    8. Sunshine Stars vs Kano Pillars

     

    9. Heartland FC vs Lobi Stars

     

    10. Rangers United (Enugu) vs Doma United

  • Army not involved in confiscation of any community land in Osun

    Army not involved in confiscation of any community land in Osun

    ) The Nigerian Army absolved self from allegation of confiscation of community land for a proposed civil-military intervention project in Orolu Community in Osun.

     

    This contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig -Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Wednesday in Abuja.

     

    Nwachukwu said that one Chief Babatunde Oyetunji, Eesa of Ifon, had in a statement alleged that the Nigerian Army had decided to forcefully acquire land for a proposed project in Orolu Community.

     

    He said the allegations were entirely false, malicious and an effort by some vested interests to tarnish the good reputation of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and drag the name of the institution in the mud.

     

    “The fact of the matter is that one of the lines of operations of the Nigerian army in tackling security challenges in the country is the Non-kinetic line of operations.

     

    “It is a soft approach, aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the public through the instrumentality of Civil-Military Cooperation activities or programmes of the Nigerian Army.

     

    “This effort, is fundamentally geared towards fostering cooperation and galvanising support of the civil populace for army’s diverse operations to mitigate security challenges across the country.

     

    Hence, the Nigerian army usually executes special community intervention projects, such as hospitals, boreholes, electrification amongst others based on needs assessment, after consultations with the leadership of such communities, at the behest of senior officers, who hail from the benefiting community,” he said.

     

    In this particular case, Nwachukwu said that a retired senior officer conceptualised an intervention project; a medical centre in the state.

     

    He said the proposal had not even been formally forwarded to the Chief of Army staff for approval, adding that the Department of Civil-Military Affairs at the Army Headquarters was yet to receive requisite information to enable it initiate a comprehensive proposal for the project.

     

    He explained that the army would not have in any way known which land belongs to who, since it was not yet involved in the process.

     

    According to him, it is only when and if the request of the retired senior officer is forwarded to the Chief of Army Staff and is approved, that the Army can send a team to carry out due diligence on the project site and carry along all stakeholders in the process.

     

    “Surprisingly, if the said project for which the COAS and the Nigerian army are being maligned sails through and is approved, it is a project that will benefit the civil populace and serve humanity, irrespective of community affiliation.

     

    “The Nigerian Army hereby absolves itself of any involvement in an attempt to confiscate any community land.

     

    “The Nigerian Army is a professional and law abiding institution that has always followed due process in all her intervention projects, so far undertaken.

     

    “Therefore, members of the public are enjoined to discountenance the allegations and continue to support the Nigerian Army and its Kinetic and None kinetic operations across the country,” Nwachukwu said. (NAN)

  • We won’t tolerate endless queues at Passport Offices, Interior minister tells NIS CG

    We won’t tolerate endless queues at Passport Offices, Interior minister tells NIS CG

    Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has charged the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Adepoju Carol Wura-Ola to come up with measures to decongest passport collection centres, saying the President Bola Tinubu administration will not tolerate excuses and endless queues at Passport Offices.

    The minister also charged heads of the service arms of the ministry on the need to walk their talk as the country is at a critical point and in dire need of transformation, adding that the president is interested in tangible results and not excuses.

    Chief Press Secretary to the Minister, Babatunde Alao in a statement on Wednesday morning disclosed that Dr Tunji-Ojo gave the charge on Tuesday while receiving briefings from the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, Adepoju Carol Wura-Ola, and Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa.

     

    He said; “I am just returning from a meeting with the President. He is not interested in excuses. We must work and deliver. Anyone who cannot help Nigeria to record progress must be kicked out because we can actually be great,” he said.

     

    “Let me know your challenges. I am here to help you solve them. When you solve them and record successes, I am also successful. The time of talks is gone. So, keep your talk. Let us discuss solutions.

     

    “Nigerians should not have to queue endlessly to get passports. No, this must stop. This is not the Nigeria of our dream. I need to know the challenges the agency is facing.

     

    “We must all come together to deploy and invest our expertise to resolve them. Nigerians will take us up on our promises. If we have officers who are not ready for this rigorous process, we will excuse them.”

     

    The minister reminded the agency heads that the new administration was not interested in usual talks and essay presentations, but actions to deliver value and growth.

     

    He said; “Talks have not taken us anywhere as a nation. We must get it right. The Ministry of Interior is the heart of any nation. I want you to return to your tables and bring up action plans. It is my job to ensure the ministry is working

    Dr Tunji-Ojo also underscored the importance of leveraging technology as a means to enhance efficiency and accuracy within the immigration and correctional services.

    The minister highlighted that the implementation of advanced technological solutions could significantly reduce delays and streamline the handling of critical challenges.

     

    “Technology has the potential to revolutionize our immigration and correctional systems, making them more agile and responsive. All I care, we need to embrace innovation and find ways to overcome the current challenges that often lead to bottlenecks in our processes. Our country is a great and important country. Let us live up to expectations.”

  • Akwa Ibom govt closes down Chinese company over illegal mining

    Akwa Ibom govt closes down Chinese company over illegal mining

    The Akwa Ibom State Government said it has shut down Ruitai Mining Company, a Chinese mining company operating in Esuk Ikim Akeme community, Ibeno Local Government Area of the state over illegal mining of Titanium Ore.

    The Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Uno Etim Uno, disclosed this on Tuesday while playing host to members of the correspondents chapel in his office in Uyo.

     

    He explained that he, alongside the Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security, Brig. Gen. Koko Essien (rtd), went on inspection of Ruitai Mining facility and discovered that it was involved in illegal mining.

    He explained that the product, black clay-like mineral was discovered in sack bags of 50kg, however, the Managing Director and Director of the company, Zeng Zhonghuan and Huang Ying, were absent at the site, while the available staff members could not provide any information or documents on their right to operate in the area.

    He explained that upon the discovery, the government invited the police and ARMY to take over the site pending when the company was cleared to operate, adding that Ruitai was given until Friday this week to present documents qualifying them to mine the mineral.