A suspected destitute who identified himself as Yunusa Oguntola has been apprehended on Oba Adebimpe Road, Dugbe, Ibadan, with various incriminating items, including National Identification Numbers, NIN, slips and Automated Teller Machine, ATM cards belonging to unidentified persons.
An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said he raised the alarm after noticing the suspect sitting opposite the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, office in Dugbe Ibadan, with a suspicious sack.
He said he alerted people around the area, leading to the suspect being accosted.According to the eyewitness, when the contents of the sack were examined, several items were discovered, including six mobile phones, clothes, ATM cards from various banks, a torchlight, charms, NIN slips, a police identity card, a screwdriver, a padlock, a duvet, and an undisclosed amount of cash.
he suspect, who claimed to be a beggar, said he usually comes to Oba Adebimpe Road from Ita Baale Olugbode area of Ibadan to solicit alms.
He also claimed that he bought two of the new phones for personal use.
The visibly unkempt suspect, who appeared elderly, was dressed in a dirty Ankara outfit at the time of his arrest.
Men of the Oyo State Police Command, Eleyele, Ibadan, were later alerted and the suspect was whisked away for further interrogation and possible prosecution.
Five people have been seriously injured in an accident involving a minibus and a truck along Dugbe, Oke Ado Road in Ibadan.
The incident which occurred around ten o’clock this morning caused gridlock around the axis.
A witness who did not want his name mentioned said the minibus conveying cosmetic products was coming from the Molete Axis to Dugbe before veering off to the other side of the road and ramming into the truck transporting cement.
Scene from the accident
He alleged that the minivan had been trying to evade being stopped by security personnel before getting to where the incident happened.
In the meantime, personnel of the Nigerian Police arrived promptly at the scene to restore order and supervise the evacuation of the victims to the nearest hospital.
Barely four days to Christmas, have prices of items including clothes and bags increased in the Ibadan metropolis
In markets such as Ogunpa, Old Gbagi and Dugbe markets, the usual hustle and bustle often witnessed was minimal as few buyers were available to patronize traders as many were in the markets for window shopping.
This might perhaps be due to the economic situation in the country, as well as the hike in the prices of materials.
For instance, 6 yards of Ankara depending on their quality, sold between 1700naira to 7000 naira as against the previous prices of 1000naira and 5000naira last year,
A similar trend was noticed with children’s wear, dresses now go for between 5000naira, 7 500naira and 8000naira compared to last year when they sold for 3500naira and 5000naira
Two fabric sellers including a woman who traded in bags and shoes, Mrs Funmilayo Okunola and Mrs Bolanle Ajayi and who said that customers had been scanty, attributed the low patronage to the economic situation in the country.
They explained that prices of adult sandals and slippers sold for 7000 naira as against 3000naiar to 5000 naira in 2021.
Some buyers, who spoke with Radio Nigeria equally complained that the prices of items were too high which prevented them from buying as many materials as they needed.
The buyers urged the government to address the present economic situation in the country.
Also, visits to major markets like Bodija, Ọjà Ọba and Molete showed that prices of food items such as rice, vegetable oil, palm oil, yàm flour, tubers of yam as well as chickens and goats had soared.
A chicken seller and a goat seller, Mrs Olúwatoyin Bello and Mr Sikiru Alade said the prices of chickens and goats were expensive, which they attributed to a hike in the prices of feeds and transportation.
Mrs Bello and Mr Alade explained that a big-size broiler had increased to 10,000 naira from 5000 naira, while layers which were sold for 2500 naira were now 3500; a goat that was sold between 18,000 naira last year was now 30,000 naira.
Similarly, a bag of rice sold for between 36000 to 37,000 as against the previous price of 28000 naira; five litres of vegetable oil which were formerly 5500naira was now sold for 7500 naira while 25 litres of vegetable oil is now 32000 naira compared to its previous price of between 28000 and 29000, while a big basket of tomatoes is sold for 20,000 Naira and a big bag of pepper sold for 40,000 and a big bag of Onions is sold for 80,000 naira.
They lamented the increase in prices of food items and blamed the development on insurgency and the economic situation in the country.
A housewife, Mrs Uju Emmanuel and a civil servant, Mr Abiola Olugunde noted that they were not able to purchase more commodities as they wished.
Mrs Emmanuel and Mr Olugunde wanted governments to urgently address insecurity and regulate the prices of commodities in the country.
The Oyo State Roads Maintenance Agency, OYSROMA, has commenced the rehabilitation of the Dugbe and Adeoyo roads through its special intervention project.
The Chairman of OYSROMA, Honourable Ogunlade Busoye Soladoye, who visited the roads today, said that the agency will not relent in fulfilling its mandate to rid the state of potholes and bad roads.
Soladoye said the agency was working in collaboration with all the stakeholders, especially Local Government Area authorities, to ensure safe and secured roads in the state.
According to him, the rehabilitation of Adeoyo and Dugbe roads involved the cutting of potholes, filling with stone bases and Asphalt laying of the roads.
He commended the Oyo State Government, under Governor Seyi Makinde for introducing the intervention project and for the prompt release of funds to the Agency enabling it to perform optimally.
While on an inspection of Ibadan North-West and Ibadan North Local Government roads, the OYSROMA boss assured residents of the Agency’s intervention in all deplorable roads in the State.
In another development, the Oyo state government has begun training of seventy-two desk officers handling pensions and gratuities matters across Ministries, Departments and Agencies on “Efficient and Effective Pensions and Gratuities Administration in Oyo state public/civil service”.
The State Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Alhaji ‘Siju Lawal, said the training is borne out of the Ministry’s desire to modernize its administration of pensions and gratuities through digital so as to jettison the old system of analogue which also causes delay, loss of documents, among other factors.
He urged the participants to discharge their duties diligently and be humane in their interaction with the retiring and retired officers.
Lawal admonished them to always process all documents to time and should not overstay on their table for more than two working days and keep the retired/retiring officers abreast of the next process.
Two traders, who sell different varieties of goods opposite a big store in Dugbe, Ibadan early this morning, are counting their losses as a truck swerved off the road and fell on a building where their shops were located.
The traders, who identified themselves as Mrs. Tochi Samuel and Mr. Lucky, explained that their goods were destroyed, noting that most of the goods were obtained with loans.
Mrs. Samuel and Mr. Lucky appealed to the government and the owners of the truck to come to their aid in proving succour to them.
Also speaking, the landlord of the building, Mr. Oloko Shogo, who expressed sadness over the ugly incident, called on the government to do justice, adding that the building was his means of livelihood.
Eyewitness reports that the accident, which also affected electric poles, happened around half past five this morning.
Radio Nigeria gathered that the driver of the truck had been taken to the police station.
Motorists plying Oke Bola-Drug axis in Ibadan, have called on the relevant authorities to look into the deplorable condition of Glass House Junction of the road.
Speaking with Radio Nigeria, some of them lamented the havoc on their vehicles by the bad portion of the road.
A visit to the spot, revealed that urgent attention is indeed needed.
Ibadan city and its environs recorded the first major rain on the evening of Friday, 4th March 2022.
The rains which started at different times between 5:55 pm and 6:30 pm lasted about 40 mins in most places with surging floods. Most homes with permanent drums at the roofing gutters got their containers filled up in a few minutes due to the pressure of the rains. Most residents who were trapped in the city had a tough time getting home following the sudden take-off of the rains which they were unprepared for.
Areas, where rainfall was recorded, include Ogunpa, Beere, Old Ife Road, Dugbe, Mokola, Iwo Road, Akanran road, the Express Road areas up to Challenge.
Others are Apata, Gbekuba, Eleyele and The Polytechnic, Ibadan road. Although there had been some drizzles as part of the signs of impending rainfall, most people who shared their thoughts at most bus stops said they never expected the first rains to last this long and be this heavy.
Others who commented on the rains said it was a relief from the heat being experienced in certain areas in recent times.
As of 11 pm, sparkling sounds of the rain were still being felt by most residents across the city.
It would be recalled that some parts of the city and some other states in the Southwest had witnessed light showers in February.
It was a sweet experience for pupils of Enahoro Kiddies School Bako, Omi Adio, Ibadan who visited the FRCN Father Christmas Grotto, Dugbe, Ibadan.
The pupils who were quizzed on current issues participated in a series of competitions including dancing and singing while different gifts were given to participants.
Narrating their experiences to Radio Nigeria, three pupils of the School, Waris Wahab, Rachael Owoade, and Adesope Adeyemi said they were better informed and educated by the series of intellectual activities engaged in.
In an interview with one of the school’s administrators, Miss Olufunke Babalola said the choice of visiting the Father Christmas Grotto in Radio Nigeria, Dugbe followed the uniqueness that often accompanied the yearly show, gifts given to visitors, and the benefit of showcasing the school to the world.
Miss Babalola enjoined parents and schools administrators to visit the Radio Nigeria Father Christmas Grotto to also have a feel of the unique experience.
Leadership and followership of any organisation including cooperative societies, is a collective responsibility.
A financial expert, Mr. Adedokun David stated this at a seminar organised by Radio Nigeria Ibadan Cooperative and Investment Credit Society at Studio One, Broadcasting House, Dugbe.
Mr. Adedokun said while executives of a cooperative society exist to pilot its affairs, members were also expected to fulfil their obligations, while their rights are also respected.
In another lecture, entitled “Managing difficult situation and members, and the position of law in cooperative organization”, a speaker, Reverend Tayo Adegbola said cooperative societies are not immune to challenges.
Reverend Adegbola pointed out that cooperative society must manage both cooperation and competition between members successfully.
He added that members of cooperative society should be prudent in managing loans and avoid spurious investments.
In a concluding lecture on investment opportunities, the speaker, Dr. Remi Animashaun, highlighted various businesses Radio Nigeria CICS members could key into adding that with discipline and sacrifice, success was guaranteed.
It was a moment filled with praises to God and exhortation as members of staff of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN Ibadan, converged on the Studio One, Broadcasting House for the 2021 1st working day Interreligious Thanksgiving Prayers.
Speaking at the programme, the Action Zonal Director, Ibadan Zonal Station, Mrs Bolanle Owoyemi urged FRCN staff to show more dedication and commitment to their duties to enhance productivity in all aspects of the station’s operations.
She encouraged members of staff to put God first in all their dealings in 2021.
Some members of staff appreciated God for keeping them alive and also promised to put in their best in the new year.
The programme which was held in accordance with COVID-19 protocols had in attendance members of the Committee of Management of the station, religious leaders and some senior staff members was broadcast via Zoom to enable staff members working from home participate in it.
Work resumed today after the Christmas and Boxing Day holidays amid the second wave of COVID-19 infection in the country.
Radio Nigeria correspondent who visited some offices in Ibadan to see the level of compliance to federal government directives on measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 reports that, only the senior officers were at work.
A civil servant with the Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, Mrs Olukemi Oyewo said the work load was much on them as the number of workers on grade level 12 and below were more than the senior workers.
Acting Deputy Zonal Manager, Corporate Communication, Ibadan, Mr Emmanuel Osuji and Transport Unit Head, Mr Samuel Oduwaye at the Nigeria Postal Service, NPS, in Dugbe said they enjoyed the Christmas break with their families, and have reported for duty as directed by the federal government.
The rest who responded described the outgoing year as one that was characterized by challenges for the nation, expressing hope that, government would be able to address the concerns of citizen better in the New Year.
It would be recalled that, federal government had directed that, workers form grade level 12 and below should work from home for five weeks to curb the spread of COVID-19, while those from grade level 13 upward should carry on with their duties.
A middle aged man whose identity is yet to be known has been set ablaze by the mob at Mile One-Ten along Dugbe-Apata road in the early hours of Friday.
An account notes that the man who was set ablaze after being lynched by the mob had stolen a motorcycle around Olomi area of Ibadan and was subsequently chased by other commercial motorcyclists to mile one-ten where luck ran against him.
The account explains that the other culprit escaped through the bush.
Another account states that the two men had stolen the bike from Olomi area of Ibadan and attempted to snatch a bag from a passerby at mile one-ten when okada riders who had been chasing them had the opportunity to capture one of them while the other escaped through the nearby bush.
The remains of the burnt suspect lying at Mile One-Ten junction attracted the attention of passersby as people gathered at the scene describing the prevalence of Okada theft as well as circumstance of the death.
A security personnel who did not want to be named confirmed to Radio Nigeria that the victim was alleged of stealing a motorcycle.
However, police officers from Oluyole Division had taken away the recovered motorcycle, while the burnt body was still at the scene as at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the owner of the motorcycle is yet to be known as some claim the suspect had killed him in the process of stealing as others express the fears that the police may not release the recovered motorcycle.
It would be recalled that this would be the second time in recent time, when suspects of heinous crimes escaped through thick bush within Ibadan metropolis.
For the past few days, apprehension has been heightened around Oba Adebimpe Road, Dugbe Ibadan over the suspected outbreak of the deadly Covid-19 in an establishment in the area.
The area is an industrial environment which accommodates offices with high human traffic including government and private agencies.
Popular among establishments in the area are; Cocoa House, which houses not fewer than ten businesses, Cocoa Mall, one of the biggest malls in the state, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, commercial banks, the former Kingsway building, which also accommodates no fewer than five business establishments as well as other road side outlets.
Head of the Oyo COVID-19 Task Force, Governor Seyi Makinde earlier announced a total number of those who have tested positive in the said organization as thirty.
A subsequent release added another eight to those who have tested positive to the virus while the latest record has another nineteen people in the same establishment positive to the virus making a total of 57.
The government, though had not disclosed the identity of the establishment, stated that the company was located in Ibadan South West Local Government.
It was gathered that the organization has over 300 members of staff including some foreigners, who work on morning, afternoon and night shifts, and several of them are conveyed in the same staff bus.
Since the news broke, many residents of Oyo State have been curious to identify the company.
And such curiosity had led to series of permutations, based on the little information given by the task force on the said organization.
However, the curiosity narrowed down on Monday when two Ambulances of the NCDC drove into one of the building structure that houses many businesses under Ibadan Southwest Local Government in the said area and took away an appreciable number of members of staff of a business outlet.
The NCDC had earlier on Sunday fumigated the entire building.
A worker in the organization in an informal WhatsApp chat with our reporter said ‘although the people on isolation now are staff in second floor, that’s where they have confirmed cases’.
Information has it that samples of members of staff who resumed for morning duty on Sunday had been taken for testing by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in collaboration with officials of the Oyo COVID-19 Task Force.
Meanwhile, some residents of Ibadan have called on the state government to embark on immediate fumigation of Dugbe area to prevent an uncontrollable spread of the dreaded disease.
They also urged the state government to be proactive in the fight against coronavirus.
It would be recalled that Radio Nigeria had on the 28th of March alerted the government on the need to control operations of companies with many workers to forestall the spread of corona virus but the government appears not to have promptly yielded to the warning.
But for prompt action of firefighters, property worth
millions of Naira would have been destroyed by fire at Ogunpa area of Ibadan in
the early hours of today (Thursday).
This fire, which was believed to be a consequence of power
surge in an electrical appliances store, set the shop ablaze.
A witness, Mrs. Bukola Adesanya, who said the fire started around half past nine in the morning, noted that but for quick response of firefighters, the fire would have extended to other buildings.
Officer in Charge Operations, Oyo State Fire Service, Mr.
Odebunmi Gbadebo, said its men swung into action following a distress call by
members of the public.
Mr. Gbadebo, while noting that the fire had been
successfully put out, urged the public to always switch off their electrical
appliances when they were away.
Some other respondents applauded the fire service for quick
response and implored them to sustain the tempo in the year 2020.
Two passengers early this morning (Wednesday) sustained
severe injuries from an accident that occurred at Adamasingba Junction on
Mokola/Dugbe road in Ibadan.
The accident, which involved an 18-seater bus with
registration number MUS 814 XY was heading to Lagos from Sango Motor Park but
crushed a commercial motorcycle conveying two passengers at the junction.
Our correspondent who witnessed the scene report that the
driver was almost lynched as a result of argument that ensued shortly after the
accident.
One the injured victims who spoke to Radio Nigeria said the vehicle was at top speed when the accident occurred.
The vehicle which also damaged the warden point of the
traffic officers saw some of the passengers thanking God for protection while
others were blaming the commercial motorcyclist for not checking properly
before crossing the road.
As at time of filing this report, one of the passengers had been conveyed to unknown hospital for care.
