By Olaitan Oye-Adeitan /Taiwo Akinola/Iyabo Adebisi
There was pandemonium in some parts of Ibadan on Tuesday evening as an explosion rocked some parts of the city, pulling down houses and a popular shopping mall.
The explosion whose cause could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, was said to have left some people injured going by ‘save our soul’ cries from witnesses.
Residents of Sango, U I, Agbowo and Bodija, Akobo, were thrown into panic on hearing the sound of the explosion.
It was gathered that the impact of the explosion was greatly felt in the old Bodija area of Ibadan.
A witness, Victor Ojo whose office is located at Sango said the explosion shattered the windows of his office and that of a New Generation bank near his office ” Everybody outside ran outside, the windows and doors of my office got broken. Houses were shaken and roofs destroyed. Only God saved me I was close to the window when it happened “.
Similarly, a woman by the name of Demilade whose house is around Bodija said”My house was massively affected. Part of the roof caved in, windows broken”.
Meanwhile, Oyo state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has deployed security service chiefs including paramilitary chiefs and fire Operatives to reign in the spillover from the explosion.
This is contained in a statement signed by the commissioner for information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
“There are various interpretations of the incident but we need to state categorically that the state government has taken over and is in full control of the unfortunate occurrence in to mitigate the incident. His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde therefore implores citizens to calm down and be rest assured that their interests are being looked after”. The statement reads.
A fatal accident between IVECO trucks with registration number AAB 414 ZY and a Cabster, ZUR 601 XY at Kara bridge inbound on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway has claimed three lives
According to a release by the public relations officer, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, TRACE, Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, the hoodlums, who had believed that the accident was caused by the truck, set it ablaze.
Mr Akinbiyi said the Iveco truck developed a mechanical fault on the road after colliding with another vehicle which drove against traffic, inbound Lagos on the Kara bridge.
He explained that while the driver and the motor boy were trying to sort out mechanical fault on the road, a Cabstar, loaded with watermelon which was at excessive speed, lost control and rammed into the Iveco truck from behind, killing all the 3 occupants in the Cabstar, including the driver.
According to him, some hoodlums from nowhere stormed the Kara bridge and set the Iveco truck ablaze because they believed the Iveco truck caused the accident.
He noted that it took the intervention of TRACE, POLICE and the Ogun State Fire Service before normalcy could be restored on the Kara bridge for incoming vehicles inbound Lagos at that hour.
The TRACE PRO said that all three commuters who lost their lives in the Cabstar had been taken away by their family members for burial and the accident vehicles were towed to Adigboluja Police Station Ojodu fir further investigation.
God cherishes caring for the less privileged in society as it is a milk of human kindness which provides succour to them.
Pastor Taiwo Sowande of FRCN Ibadan Christian Fellowship said this when he led members on a visit to an orphanage to mark this year’s first working day.
Pastor Taiwo Sowande said God, who created everything on earth, has concern for people and was mindful of their welfare.
He enjoined the children in the orphanage to be hopeful, and imbibe good character, as God would accomplish God’s plan for them.
In their reactions, some of the children appreciated Radio Nigeria Ibadan for remembering them at a time like this to make them happy like other children.
Shepherd-in-charge of Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, Ori-Oke Aanu, Ojoo, Ibadan, Oyo State, Pastor Isaiah O. Alade has called on the government to provide necessary amenities that will alleviate Nigerians from poverty in the country.
Pastor Alade made the call while speaking with Radio Nigeria after the Crossover Prayers and Praises on the Mountain known as Ori Oke Aanu, Ojoo.
The minister said, the social economic situation of the country would change if the government made provision of employment, and grants to the people to establish businesses, a priority.
Pastor Isaiah O. Alade urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the New Year, urging them to move closer to God rather than looking for money at all costs.
The pastor added that Nigerians should be patriotic with love and unity for peaceful coexistence.
The general manager, positive fm, Radio Nigeria, Mrs Olubunmi Olalere and the rest of the Adeniyi family have given their mother, Chief Mrs Aina Margeret Adeniyi, a befitting burial in Ibadan .
Mrs Olalere whose heart was full of gratitude to God and the guests who graced the occasion, said that her mother lived a good life.
Guests from all walks of life , including colleagues of Radio Nigeria turned in their numbers to grace the burial ceremony.
In a bid to alleviate poverty and promote self-reliance, no fewer than 1, 000 constituents benefitted from the e-commerce and vocational training sponsored by Sen. Sharafadeen Alli, APC-Oyo South.
This is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Akeem Abas and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Ibadan.
The two-day training programme held in Igboora and Ibadan respectively has its participants were drawn from across the 99 wards in the nine local governments that made up Oyo South Senatorial District.
Alli said that the programme was aimed at alleviating poverty and creating job opportunities, describing it as a great economic tool to make constituents self-reliant.
He said that he had after the election took the decision to give back to the society who voted him into office.
“We sincerely believe those who participated in the two trainings will be able to use it in their different trades. It will afford some to start a different trade on their own,” he said.
The lawmaker said that about 1000 participants drawn from across the 99 wards were trained on e-commerce and the other two vocational trainings.
“We have about a thousand participants for the e-commerce and other two sets of vocational trainings.
“It is spread across the 99 wards in the nine local governments that made up Oyo South Senatorial District.
“In the next one or two weeks, we are also going to distribute fertilizers to people of Ibarapa and the agrarian parts of Ido local government which is up to five wards making 35 wards,” he said.
Dr Chubby Egu, a Petroleum Chemist from Trato Nigeria Limited, said the training was facilitated to empower constituents and make them self-reliant.
“It will benefit so many of them because they would be able to start-up their business and generate income to take care of themselves
“They will acquire knowledge to do alot of things. It is a very good thing that our Distinguished Senator Sharafadeen Alli actually brought this to his Constituency,” he said.
Alhaji Mojeed Olaoya, the APC Senatorial Chairman for Oyo South, described the senator as a man of his words, a doer and wonderful representative of the people.
He said it was exactly six months that the senator assumed office and he had already done a lot including this training programme.
“I want to say that for the first time in the history of Oyo South, our senator in less than a year, has wonderfully empowerment as well as palliatives for the people of the Constituency.
“I must confess to you that he is doing wonderfully well. We are proud of him in this Constituency,” he said.
Shuaibu Sani, one of the beneficiaries, appreciated Senator Alli, describing it as a stepping stone towards poverty eradication in the district.
“I think this is a stepping stone towards eradicating poverty out of my life and the entire people participating.
“If we put this into use, we can forget anything about poverty and it will give us food, and everything on our table,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Mrs Bunmi Agbaje, thanked the senator for her usual support to constituents, appreciating his commitment to implementing beneficial programmes and initiatives.
“It is very exciting. We give it to our amiable Senator Sharafadeen Alli for this programme and initiative given to us. We say a big thank you to him,
“He said it, he made it and will continue to be doing it. We all say a big thank you to him,” she said.
While participants on e-commerce went home with android phones, others in the vocational training section went home with some materials.
All participants would also receive start-up funds in their various registered bank accounts at the end of the training.
It would be recalled that Senator Alli in the last six months supported over 3000 widows, 3000 traders, sank boreholes, installed streetlights, repaired transformers, facilitated ICT centres for schools and supported many financially to mention a few.
Oyo State Commissioner of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Williams Akin-Funmilayo, has stated that the planned Housing Estate Project, Baywood Estate, would not consume the Agodi Botanical Gardens.
He stated this while conducting newsmen round the Agodi Botanical Gardens and the planned site of the estate, noting that, the clarifications became important to educate the people of the state.
The commissioner, who noted that, some residents of the state have confused the site of the planned estate to include Agodi Botanical Gardens, clarified that while the garden sits on 9.11 hectares of land, the large expanse of 46.3 hectares of forest behind the Gardens is to be converted to Baywood Housing Estate.
Mr Akin-Funmilayo while nothing that, Agodi Gardens is one of the remaining legacies inherited by the Governor ‘Seyi Makinde administration, maintained that the recreational facility would be protected and even upgraded to an international Botanical Garden in due course.
The commissioner equally debunked the false allegation that the state government had been cutting down the trees in the forest, adding that the state government has taken the decision that 80 per cent of the trees in the forest would be retained despite the housing estate project.
He explained that the government has taken the proactive step to convert the forest to a housing estate because the forest has become a hideout for hoodlums, thieves, kidnappers and perpetrators of many heinous acts, not only in the night but also in broad daylight.
Responding to how the conversion of forest to a housing estate could impact on climatic conditions, the commissioner said: “One of the values of this estate is the preservation of these trees and that is why the name of the estate is ‘Baywood.’ So, the wood is highly significant.
“Oyo State residents should know and rest assured that the government will preserve this forest to the best of our ability, because this administration understands the implications of deforestation and its import on climate change. There might be a few casualties in the provision of infrastructure, but I can tell you that they will be re-planted.
“When this project is completed, it is going to be in a world of its own and a beauty to behold. So, I am reassuring you that the state government has nothing to do with Agodi Gardens as far as the estate construction is concerned. The area that will be converted to an estate is where we are now.
“The reality is that people cannot pass through this road freely between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m.without fear, because of the high rate of criminality around this corner and the fact that there is vast forest to escape into. Thus, the government is justified for trying to add value to the environment by providing housing instead of keeping the forest and allowing it to remain a habitat for criminals, kidnappers, and evil doers in the society.
“The government of Oyo State does not have any intention to convert Agodi Garden to a housing estate. The plan is to upgrade the garden to an international botanical garden, which will serve the people of Oyo State better than it is right now,” Akin-Funmilayo added.
A 200-level student of the faculty of law, university of Ibadan, Faith Adegoke has allegedly molested a teenager within the campus.
Radio Nigeria gathered that the 17-year-old student of the same institution went to study overnight alongside other girls in preparation for her next paper when the incident happened.
The victim had moved to another corner to rest when the suspect pounced on her‚ held her neck and sexually molested her.
While narrating her ordeal‚ the victim said, she woke up to see the suspect having canal knowledge with her but, as she tried to scream‚ the suspect held her tightly on her neck.
However, a student walked in and saved the situation by chasing away the alleged suspect, as the victim sustained injuries on her neck, and lips, due to a bite as well as her private part.
Reacting to the incident, the Public Relations Officer, at the University of Ibadan, Dr Joke Akinpelu said thorough investigations would be carried out on the matter and the suspect would be punished accordingly.
In a statement, the Student Union President‚ of the Institution, Samuel Samson‚ says Faith Adegoke had been barred from coming anywhere close to the student union building until further notice.
Mr Samuel restated the student union’s commitment to ensure all students’ security and safety.
It was a solemn service at St Joseph Catholic Church, Oke Ado, Ibadan, Oyo State, as children of late Mama Veronica Otugbo, family members, and friends gathered for her funeral service.
In a sermon during the, the assistant Parish Priest, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oke Ado, Ibadan, the Reverend Father Christopher Olupooye enjoined Christians to live a good life and turn from their evil ways.
Reverend Father Olupooye admonished people to be conscious that they would end their journey one day, hence the need for them to be mindful of how they live their lives to enable them to have hope of eternity.
Some of the children of the deceased described their mother as a woman of faith who had impacted positively on their lives.
Some church members who knew Mama Etugbo said she was a God-fearing mother who loved everybody.
Late Mama Veronica Etugbo aged seventy-one was survived by children and grandchildren among who is Mrs Jacinta Odubanjo of the Programmes Department, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Ibadan.
Director of Research, National Horticultural Research Institute, NIHORT, Ibadan, Dr Olutola Oyedele has advised federal government to embark on massive enlightenment campaign on the need for every household to engage on home gardening.
Dr Oyedele gave the advice while speaking with Premier FM on the occasion of this year’s World Food Day, which is celebrated annually on the 16th of October.
The researcher who said the menace of food insufficiency in Nigeria was as a result of inflation, bad road network and hike in prices of production inputs, said the home gardening would allow families grow what they eat and meet their immediate food needs.
While commending the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme and other agricultural initiatives of the federal government, Dr Oyedele appealed to relevant authorities to subsidize fertilizers and other agricultural production inputs for farmers.
She said post harvest wastages of farm produce was a major challenge in Nigeria, calling for an holistic techniques to manage the losses which she said account for about sixty percent of food losses.
Dr Oyedele also advocated for low cottage processing industries in each local governments across the country where such industry would mop up wastages and process them for off season consumption.
Four persons have been presumed dead while three people sustained injuries in a crash that occurred on the Lagos-Ibadan highway, Ogun State.
The crash, which occurred at quarter to one this morning, involved a luxury bus marked, ACA 533 ZP and another vehicle with no registration number on it.
The Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Ogun Sector Command, Mrs Florence Okpe, who confirmed the crash in a statement, said a total of 21 persons involved in the crash, comprising 13 male adults and eight female adults.
Mrs Okpe said three of the 21 persons sustained injuries while four male adults died in the road crash.
She disclosed that the injured victims were taken to private hospitals for medical attention, while the corpses were deposited at a private morgue.
The FRSC Sector Commander in Ogun, Mr Anthony Uga, had described the incident as avoidable if necessary caution had been put in place and simple rules obeyed.
Mr Uga advised motorists to apply common sense speed limit, especially at night when visibility is poor.
Late Babatunde Olaniyi has been described as a mentor, a moulder whose indelible mark will not be forgotten in the modern-day broadcasting in Oyo state and beyond.
This was the submission of family, friends and colleagues at the funeral service for the veteran broadcaster held at his residence at Agbofieti, Idi -Isin extension, Ibadan.
In a sermon, Pastor-in-charge, Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Iyanu, Ajanla Street, Oke Ado, Ibadan, Pastor Samuel Ookuewu said apart from being a broadcasting guru, the body of Christ would also miss “Ti O Common” as the deceased was fondly called, with his unique contribution and integrity to the church.
Pastor Ookuewu admonished people to live a life worthy of emulation as death was inevitable.
Some friends and colleagues said Babatunde would be missed in the broadcasting industry most especially in Oyo State.
The veteran broadcaster, Babatunde Olaniyi “Ti O Common” died during a brief illness at the age of 66 years.
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The Eze Ndigbo of Ibadanland and President, Non-Indigenes Traditional Council of Ibadan and Oyo State, Dr. Alex Anozie is dead.
Dr. Anozie, aged 74 died in his sleep on Tuesday at his Ososami residence, Ibadan, Oyo state.
A close associate and palace aide of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, who craved anonymity told Nigerian Tribune that the deceased did not manifest any sign of sickness.
He said the deceased lived his life in Ibadan and contributed immensely to the economic growth of the ancient town.
His remains, as reliably informed had been taken to his Country home, Igboukwu in Aguata Local Government area, Anambra state for final burial.
He was the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of CONAC Optical Company Ibadan.
No fewer than one thousand, three hundred and ninety-five pupils, sat for the year 23/24 e-based Entrance Examination into Oyo State Model Smart School.
The pupils were tested in English language, Mathematics, and General knowledge at the Smart School, Sogunro, Akinyele Local Government Area, Ibadan.
The Executive Secretary, SUBEB, Jacob Dairo stated that the exercise was hitch-free in the center, adding that, seven hundred and ninety-six candidates were disqualified, as a result of double entry.
The Executive Secretary also said, the pupils did not write paper-based examinations but were given tablets for the examination, adding that, the turnout was impressive.
Stressing further, Mr. Dairo said, Paper paper-pencil testing was not allowed in the Model Smart school, because teaching is computer-based.
The Executive Secretary said the Oyo State Government has made plans to integrate technology-driven inclusivity in the Basic and Junior Secondary education at the model smart school.
“The Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration has placed a premium on the basic education sector. On behalf of stakeholders in the basic education sector, I thank the Governor who has earmarked a sizable budget to address infrastructural deficiency and an upgrade of our learning process, through the model smart school”, he noted.
The Executive Secretary urged parents/guardians to expose their children/wards to the use of technology, adding that, the new school intends to bring in different educational applications that would enhance innovation, creativity, and talents.
He also admonished parents in the State to acquaint their children with the use of computers as it would boost e-learning.
Dairo also thanked the leadership of Akinyele Local Government Area; the Oyo State security outfit, Operation Burst, for the support in securing the school.
The Director, of Standard and Quality Assurance, Mrs. Olaide Ladipo supervised the examination, with the support of the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, and Oyo State Universal Basic Education officials.
Economic realities demand that families, particularly men, refrain from having children beyond their means.
President of the Men’s Ministry, Assemblies of God, Oyo District, Professor Malachy Akoroda gave the admonition in a address at the District Men’s Convention, Assemblies of God, Apata, Ibadan.
Professor Akoroda explained failure to live within economic means coupled with lack of contented lifestyle and hope in God, in part account for social crises in societies worldwide.
Professor Akoroda, however, implored men not to play the blame game but be responsible for their actions.
In an address of welcome, the Senior Minister, Assemblies of God, apata, Ibadan, Reverend Emmanuel Olubiyi, said the annual convention was organised for all men of the church’s district in Oyo State to worship with one heart in the presence of the Lord.
Highlight of the convention was the presentation of awards to distinguished members in the district.
One of the recipients of the award, Mr Wale Adelowo, who is a retired staff of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Ibadan, while appreciating the church for the gesture, stressed that the recognition would spur him on in doing more for God.
Mr Adelowo enjoined men all around the world to depend on God in these trying times so as to surmount challenges confronting them.
Goods worth several millions of naira have been destroyed by a fire outbreak at Ogunpa Labaowo area of Agbokonjo, Ibadan.
The fire outbreak which occurred in the early hour of today burnt items such as concrete mixers, mattresses, equipment engaged in automobile repair among others
Narrating his ordeal to Radio Nigeria, a victim who specializes in the repair of car shaft, Mr Abdul-Jelil Oladimeji said his equipments worth several millions of naira have been lost to the fire.
Speaking on the cause of the fire outbreak, the Chairman, Ogunpa Labaowo Plant Mechanic Association, Mr Azeez Ibrahim quoted the night guard overseeing the store as saying that the fire outbreak occurred as a result of surge during power supply to the area.
Mr Ibrahim said many concrete mixers and engines were destroyed in the inferno.
Mr Oladimeji and Ibrahim appealed to government to consider the current economic crises and come to their rescue.
Sen. Sharafadeen Alli(APC-Oyo South) has congratulated the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Olalekan Balogun on the occasion of his first anniversary on the throne of his forefathers.
The lawmaker in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Mr Akeem Abas and made available to newsmen on Friday, described the royal father as a blessing to the ancient town.
Alli, who is also the Maye Balogun of Ibadanland, said that Oba Balogun’s ascension to the throne in 2022 has further confirmed Allah’s favour and blessings on him.
The lawmaker appreciated Oba Balogun’s contributions to the development of Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria at all times.
The Ibadan Senior Chief commended the Monarch’s contributions to the various interactions and discourse of national interest.
He said that Kabiyesi has brought his wealth of experience laced with humility as well as compassion to bear on Ibadanland and its environs.
“I am happy to be alive today to congratulate you as you mark one year on the stool of your forefathers. May Almighty Allah keep and protect the throne to the best of your wishes, grant you long life and more successful service to our fatherland.
“Kabiesi, I join millions of Ibadan descendants home and abroad, friends, associates and other well wishers to wish you happy first anniversary on the throne of your forefathers as the Olubadan of Ibadanland,” Alli said.
The Oyo State Government has assured residents of the flooded areas affected during Sunday’s heavy rainfall in Ibadan of quick intervention, alternative routes and other palliative measures to ease their movement.
The state’s inspection team from the Ministries of Works, Environment, Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) paid an on-the-spot assessment to the sites of the collapsed bridges and roads at Olodo Garage, Ido and Akinyele in Ibadan, to have a proper assessment of the situation.
Speaking on behalf of the state government, the team leader and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs. Modupe Adeleye, sympathised with the victims of the flood, stating that the government is aware of their plight and would take speedy action to allay their fears.
She said: “It is really pathetic actually, it is sad what we are seeing here this morning. We came here as a team comprising the Ministries of Environment, Public Works, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP), to see things for ourselves.
“There are palliatives that the government will put in place for now to allay the fears of the people. So, the team went round to look for alternative routes because this place (Olodo Bridge) needs to be shut down for now to prevent loss of lives and properties, because it is a very risky zone.
“The suggestion now is that we should shut down and look for alternative routes for people to do their businesses and so far, the best route that we found is about five (5) kilometers. It spans from Wofun Junction through Kute to Olodo Bank. That will be the alternative route where government will take as palliative measure for now,” she added.
Mrs Adeleye appealed to the residents to cooperate with the government, stating that government will expedite action both on the ongoing construction works and the palliative on the alternative routes.
She added that the State Emergency Management Agency would soon embark on enumeration of houses wrecked by the flood.
Mrs Adeleye who advised residents of the state to move away from flooded areas and stop building houses on setbacks and river banks, stressed that defiance to the warning posed danger to their lives and property.
Members of St. Patrick Grammar School, Ibadan Old Boy’s Association 89 Set, have honoured their Vice Principal with pomp at its second annual Reunion ceremony held in Ibadan 34 years after graduation from the school.
The 84-year-old retired Vice Principal, Mrs. Moriyike Laosun, was showered with accolades, gifts and award plaques by her students who are now accomplished men in their various fields of endeavours, appreciating her immense contributions towards their academic pursuits despite their youthful exuberances.
Mrs. Laosun, who could not hold her excitement, expressed happiness at the metamorphosis of the secondary school boys whom she parted with about three and a half decades ago, saying, the occasion had made her fulfilled and many years younger than her age.
“I want you to say thank you to my boys. You’ll forever remain my boys. Some of my friends use to ask me how do you cope with them. St. Patrick’s boys, they’re very naughty but I was able to cope with them, the boys put eyes on me and sometimes, during inter-house Sports, they’ll release the names of those who are meant to be killed and my name will be on top of the list until later, they cut shot on me, I am still alive today.”
“You were mentioning you have Doctors, I said yes that’s what I expected, you have engineers, I said yes, you have politicians of note, I said yes and you have a processor here, I was happy, I am ten feet tall today for the joy I have today for what my boys have been able to acquire in the world. St Patrick’s boys will never be backbenchers.”
Mrs. Laosun, decried the level of decadence in secondary schools nowadays and blamed parents for eroding the system with their inordinate interest thereby relegating the standard of education.
“If a teacher beats a child, the parents will follow them to school and blame the teacher which doesn’t happen in our own time. The fear of teachers is absolutely lacking in the students. Government should place some punishments on earring parents to sustain the standard of education “
Earlier in his address, President, St. Patrick’s Grammar School, Ibadan Old Boy’s Association 89 Set, Reverend Niyi Dahunsi, who explained that the association had honoured its school’s former principal last year, noted that it was imperative to recognise their support system during their sojourn in the school.
“Seeds have been sown academically, morally, mentally, we’ve also had a good social closeness for five years when we were in form one to five and we left school 1989, that’s about 34 years ago and just last year, we decided to come together again so that we can begin to celebrate one anothers successes, progress if there areas in which anybody needs help, we help and we contribute our quota, we’ve become family and we can never unfriend that.”
In a keynote address, a member of the association, Mr. Adebowale Oderinde who spoke on the topic: “Developing innovative ideas after 50 as a Man’ urged men to pay close attention to their health so as to be able to cope with the challenges of old age.
“Let the men take good care of themselves, your health is important, take care of your family, learn to forgive your family and friends and eat healthily. It’s very common that you’re going to face challenges in life but how you handle it will make you a successful man.”
Two members of the association, who spoke with Radio Nigeria Messrs. Paul Oyelade and Oluelwatoying Akinpade, advocated the return of a process-oriented system from the current product-oriented system been practised in the present-day educational system.
There was palpable anxiety among members of the public, following a rise in the ex-depot price of petrol by 4.3% to 490 naira per litre. As a result, some petrol stations have started selling above 500 naira per litre, 12 naira higher than the 488 naira per litre price in the Lagos area and 500 naira in Ibadan.
But findings showed that NNPC Limited still sells the product to major marketers at 446.57 naira per litre.
A visit to private depots in Lagos showed that independent marketers, who lift at N490 per litre ended up selling it at 520 naira per litre at their stations depending on the location in Lagos.
It also indicated that while NNPC Limited continues to sell at 488 naira per litre in Lagos and environs at their retail stations, the major marketers fixed their prices at between 488 naira and 492 naira per litre, depending on location.
This is even as many operators who bought at 490 naira per litre were seen reselling at 515 naira per litre in a thriving black market, a development that has put additional price markups on retail prices.
The checks further showed that many independent marketers closed their gates against motorists and other users of the product while some hawkers were seen retailing petrol at exorbitant prices ranging from N550 to N650 per litre at Maryland, Ikorodu road and other parts of Lagos.
The case is not different in Ibadan as some filling stations owned by the independent marketers have started selling between 515 and 520 naira fixed by the NNPCL while only the marketers are selling at the regulated price of 500 naira
Reports has it that officials of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, are not present to monitor and enforce sanctions against defaulters at the filling stations, a development that emboldened illegal operators to embark on sharp practices, especially pump manipulation and product diversion as many customers have started complaining on the quality of the products being dispensed to them as well as not getting money worth of the product paid for.
A student of the Muslim Model College, Ibadan, Miss Firdaous Ojutalayo has emerged the overall winner of the National Creative Writing Competition organized by the Nigerian Copyright Commission, NCC.
The maiden edition of the National Creative Writing Competition initiated by the Nigerian Copyright Commission was organized for the Secondary Schools students across the federation.
Speaking during the presentation of award of excellence to miss Ojutalayo who came first in the competition, the Director General, NCC, Dr John Asein explained that the programme tagged catch them young, was put together to discover new talents and encourage creativity among the students.
The NCC DG who was Represented by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs , who is also the coordinator of the 2023 National Creative Writing Competition, Mrs Ijeoma Egbunike, said the 3 categories of the competition which included Essay writing, Poem, and short stories received over 700 entries from all over the country.
The State Coordinator, Nigerian Copyright Commission Ibadan office, Mrs Olabisi Ogundiran, who encouraged other students to improve on their studies and create passion for creative writing called on them to desist from patronizing pirated books describing the act as a killer of creativity.
Chairman , Governing board of the Muslim Model College, who is also a retired staff of Radio Nigeria Ibadan zonal station, Alhaji Kola Animasaun called on the students to be abreast of happenings around them by listening to Radio and watching television.
Principal of the College, Mrs Olabisi Alao charged the students to be hardworking and improve themselves on a daily basis
The winner, Miss Firdaous Ojutalayo said contesting for the competition was a challenging one, advising her colleagues to improve themselves in research and their studies.
The Nigerian Copyright Commission had earlier presented books to the school library and also presented a plaque and a laptop to Miss Ojutalayo.
National drug law enforcement agency, NDLEA has partnered with Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC for a secure and drug-free society.
The new NDLEA Commander in Oyo state, Mr Joe-Fadile Olayinka stated this during a courtesy visit to NSCDC State Headquarters, Agodi Ibadan.
Mr. Olayinka commended the Oyo State Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for their unbiased support of the Agency.
He promised to continue to strengthen the existing relationship between the two security agencies for the protection of lives and eradication of drug abuse in the state.
Reacting, the NSCDC Commandant in Oyo state, Dr. Micheal Adaralewa who used the medium to welcome the new Commander of Narcotics to the State assured him of continued support of the Corps to enable the Agency to achieve their mandate of eradication of drug abuse which is rampant among the youths in the state.
Dr. Adaralewa admonished the Commander of NDLEA to always count on the corps’ patriotism whenever the Agency needs the support of NSCDC in the discharge of their duties.
“We are all children of the same father, we are working for the same goal”.
The Federal and State governments have been told to take urgent step that would put an end to the exploitation perpetrated by fuel marketers in the country.
Some motorists in Ibadan stated this while speaking with Radio Nigeria on their experience in getting premium motor spirit otherwise known as petrol.
The motorists including Ayobami Isreal, Oluwaferanmi Adekunle and Ogunsuji Adegoke said they were yet to get the product despite their early arrival to the filling station they noted that, the fuel marketers were being unfair saying the subsidy for the current product at their disposal had been paid by the government as the removal of the subsidy commences in June.
They explained that, the marketers should be sanctioned for failing to sell at the stipulated pump price.
Our correspondent gathered that, aside major marketers that sell the product for N195 naira per litre, independent marketers sell the product at varying price of N330, N350, N370 and N420 per litre.
A 15-year-old girl has been sexually assaulted by her sixty-five-year-old stepfather and his sixty-year-old younger brother at Olude, Apata area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital
The incident took several days before the investigation was completed and the case was eventually reported to the police.
The teenager (name withheld) was gathered to have earlier been severally abused by her biological father since when she was two years.
The victim, a JS 1 student of a government-owned secondary school in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State was fearful on hearing that the secret had gotten to Radio Nigeria.
After being calmed, she explained that her ordeal started at the age of two when her biological father started sleeping with her after her mother Abiodun Kareem moved out of her matrimonial home leaving her with her father and this continued till she attained the age of eight.
The victim said it was easy for her father to carry out the act because there was no one else living with the duo of daughter and father.
Explaining how the cat was let out of the bag, the young girl said her maternal grandmother paid her an unscheduled visit and she told her about her ordeal of six years.
The case was then reported at Isabo Police Station in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and the father was arrested and kept in the custody for four years awaiting trial but unfortunately, he died in prison.
Narrating her present predicament, she said the 65-year old step-father Mr Waheed Kareem continued from where her father stopped and always had sex with her weekly while his younger brother, Rasheed Kareem popularly called Onaala daily had sex with her asking.
Explaining why she did not inform her mother, the victim said the old man threatened to kill her and her mother, hence she had to conceal the secret since the year 2021.
Did her mum ever suspect? The teenager said a neighbour noticed that she was having her menstrual flow for sixteen days every month as against the normal 3 to 5 days.
She explained that her mother took her to a private hospital and it was diagnosed that her womb was infected.
Confirming the allegation to Radio Nigeria, the 35-year-old mother of the victim, Abiodun Kareem said she accosted her husband but had to keep mute as she had no financial means to take care of the three children ages 6, 4, and 2 to bore for the man.
Reacting, the suspect, an indigene of Abeokuta, Waheed Kareem pleaded guilty but blamed the act on the devil as he did not know what came over him.
Radio Nigeria after the investigation reported the case at Apata Police Post and the Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs for necessary action.
As at the time of filing this report, the case had been transferred to the State Criminal and Investigation Department for further investigation, the suspect was detained while the step- father’s younger brother Rasheed Karim who was also involved in the allegation was still at large.
Meanwhile, the Director of Child Welfare, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mr Oluwagbemileke Ojerinde said the victim would be rehabilitated while her mother would be supported in raising the other three children.
It was a moment of joy and gratitude to God at the Agodi Baptist Church Ibadan as Mothers dressed gorgeously in white and purple wears celebrated this year’s Mother’s Day.
In a Message entitled “Mother as a Gold “, President, Women Missionary Union of Agodi Baptist Church, Ibadan, Mrs Ruth Ogunsola, said the day was meant to appreciate the numerous roles mothers play in their homes and society for nation building.
Mrs Ogunsola advised mothers to be role model to their children by exhibiting the fear of God, and being submissive to their husbands.
In a goodwill message, President, Men Missionary Union of the church, Deacon Ayo Dúródola, who said the role of Mother’s in the society could not be over ẹmphasized, prayed that mothers would eat the fruit of their labour.
Similarly, a Clergy, Reverend Ademola Mabawonku, while appreciating mothers for their efforts in combining service to God with home keeping, admonished them not to relent in the moral upbringing of their children.
Highlights of the event were special prayers, presentation of songs, drama, gifts, and the proclamation of Mrs Deborah Ayodele Alao as Mother of the Day 2023 in recognition of her selfless service to humanity.
