Politics

Low Turnout Marks Osun LG Poll

By Web News 711

Voters’ apathy characterized the Saturday’s local council poll conducted by Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC.

There was a poor turnout of voters in some polling Units visited in Egbedore, Osogbo and Bolorunduro areas of Osun while some units in Ward 10 in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osogbo were empty of voters.

Radio Nigeria reporter, who went around some polling Units, found that the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, officials had left the polling Units as there were no voters to participate in the Local Government election.

Speaking in an interview with journalists in Igbajo, Bolorunduro Local Government Area, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Mr. Sunday Akere commended OSIEC for the peaceful conduct of the election.

At Dada Estate market, in Egbedore local government area, a woman hawking smoked fish, who refused to be recorded by our correspondent said, she came from Iwo town to do her daily business in the market adding that she did not know the election was taking place this Saturday.

Also speaking, one of the residents of Ofatedo, Mr. Dimeji Ojo said, he did not go out to vote since he did not know the Councilor or Chairman contesting in the election.

However, despite the no movement order by the state government, some shops and market stalls were opened for business while some motorcycle operators were going about carrying passengers from one area to another.

Similarly, a Radio Nigeria correspondent, who monitored the exercise in Osogbo, Ikirun Iragbiji and Ilobu noticed that there was voters’ apathy.

Some residents were also seen going about with their businesses despite the restrictions ordered by the state government.

However, our correspondent in Osogbo reports of voting exercise in Unit 2 and unit 3 Ibokun road ward 7 Alagbaa Area, Ward 9 and 12  in Oja Oba Market, Unit 8 Ward 6 Otun Jagunbi, Akolu Compound, Itaolokan. 

Shops, filling stations and markets were observed to be under lock and key in places visited including Station Road, Oja Oba, Italokan, Aiyepe, Ilesa Garage, Owode -Ilesa and Kajola areas of the town. 

There were slight movements of commercial vehicles and motorcyclists on the major roads. 

Osun Independent Electoral Commission, OSEIC officers, and security officials manned the polling units, and various security agencies were observed patrolling around the major roads of the areas visited to maintain peace and order. 

Speaking with Radio Nigeria,  an OSIEC presiding officer, Mr Tunde Abdulazeez said the voting process commenced at 9.00a.m.and most voters left the polling units after casting their vote. 

In an Interview, a politician, Prince AbdulAkeem Olaniyan described the process as smooth, free and fair, commending the State Independent Electoral Commission for the timely distribution of Electoral materials. 

Speaking, The Chairman, Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, Otunba Segun Oladitan said only All progressive Congress participated in the election.

Otunba Oladitan noted that the commission had provided enabling environment for all political parties to participate in the election but some political parties decided not to participate in the exercise

It would be recalled that the last local government election in Osun State was held in January 2018.

Funmi Adekoya/Wasiu Ajadosu

News

Suspected Thugs Attack Osun Gov’s Wife Convoy

By Web News 384

Suspected political thugs have attacked the convoy of wife of the Osun State governnor, Mrs Kafayat oyetola.

Some of the security personnel in the the convoy sustained varying degrees of injuries in the attack which took place at Owode-Ede market Friday evening.

A witness disclosed that the convoy was passing through the market around 8 pm  when a truck suddenly blocked the lane that the convoy was passing.

The witness said the thugs, who were already around the area, started to attack the convoy with stones and dangerous weapons which caused the security operatives to shoot into the air

During the attack, they shattered the glasses of some vehicles while the incident caused panic in the area.

An aide to the first lady, Tunmise Iluyomade confirmed the incident but she did not say specifically the number of security personnel injured.

“All I can tell you is that no life was lost in the incident. I can’t tell you the numbers of security operatives that were injured but some of them that were attached to the convoy sustained varying degrees of injuries.”

Abiodun Adeoye 

Crime

Suspected Cable Thief Electrocuted in Osogbo

By Web News 799

A man, whose identity is yet to be ascertained, has been electrocuted while trying to steal transformer cables at Kolade Estate, Onward area, Gbongan-Ibadan Road, Osogbo, Osun State capital.

A resident of the area, Mr. Taiwo Yakubu said the incident happened around 4:00pm on Monday.

Yakubu said that the man who was electrocuted was trying to remove some cables from the transformer.

a close look at the deceased shows that he was one of those scavengers who picked iron and metals components to sell for survival.

Yakubu said the sound of an electrical spark and the scream of the man attracted the attention of residents to the scene.

It was gathered that, there was power outage in the area for some time but while the man was trying to remove the cables, the power was suddenly restored and in the process he got electrocuted as the suspect was found hanging dead on the transformer.

Yakubu said the residents called the attention of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, and report the case at the Ataoja Police station, who later deployed their staff to evacuate the body of the man.

Funmi Adekoya 

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Politics

APC Set for Guber Mega Rally in Osogbo

By Web News 727

All is set for the grand finale of the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship mega rally in Osogbo.

Radio Nigeria correspondent reports that the main bowl of Osogbo city stadium, the venue of the event, is already bubbling with various activities.

Party faithful adorned in different customized attires have arrived at the venue just as security operatives screen everyone before allowing them to gain access into the main bowl.

Posters, and banners promoting the APC candidate, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola are also positioned at strategic locations in the stadium.

Security personnel including men of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police and NSCDC are present at the venue just as armoured personnel carrier is stationed near the stadium.

Abiodun Adeoye

Sport

Weak Regulatory Structure, Bane of Sports Development – Stakeholder

By Web News 428

A football promoter, Mr Churchill Oliseh has said challenges militating against football development in Nigeria are too numerous and beyond the capability of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and this will persist until a regulatory structure and framework are properly put in place.

In an interactive session with the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Osun State Chapter in Osogbo, Mr Oliseh said this would persist until a regulatory structure and framework were properly put in place.

The renowned football player agent who is also the  President of Ebedei Football Club said “you cannot continue to do the same thing the same way and expect a different result. This is why there hasn’t been concrete development in our football sector and why we struggle to raise a formidable team for the Nation.

“The Nigeria football governing body has been treating symptoms of the ailment and not the ailment itself. These problems will perpetually remain at apogee until the NFF takes a holistic look at them, identify these problems and approach them with corresponding solutions.

Explaining further, the former International Brewery Limited Ilesha first Choice Goalkeeper said many clubs in Nigeria did not have a framework or purpose of their establishment and this is why only the clubs owned and financed by the government thrive and were able to sustain the tempo.

“Nigeria teams lack proper structure. We can’t meet up with the global standard of the way football clubs are managed in Nigeria. In Europe, not all teams are fighting to win trophies and they are making money. The reverse is the case in Nigeria as the focus of most teams is to win the league. When you now look at the amount given to the league winners in Nigeria, it’s far below their expenditure in a season. So, where is the return on Investment here.? What’s now the gain?.  Until this is done, clubs will continue to be having challenges.”

The elder brother of former Super Eagles Captain, Sunday Oliseh urged whoever becomes the President of NFF to take a bull by the horn and restructure the football sector so that Nigeria can belong to the class of elite in the football world.

Adenitan  Akinola

Crime

Cyber-Fraud: EFCC Secures Three Convictions in Ibadan, Oshogbo

By Web News 832

The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, June 2, 2022, secured the conviction of the trio of Matthew Jeff Efuwape, Sunday Oshinalke and Ajayi Babatunde Mateen before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State and Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of Federal High Court sitting in Oshogbo, Osun State on one count charge each of impersonation, contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

According to the statement, the charge against Efuwape reads: “That you, Matthew Jeff Efuwape ‘M’, sometime in 2018, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently impersonated one Joane Thomson on Google Hangout App via your Google Gmail account with an address: [email protected], with intent to gain monetary advantage for yourself and thereby the committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act.”

Also, the charge against Oshinalke reads: “That you, Sunday Oshinalke ‘M’ (a.k.a Mary Irene), sometime between 2018 and 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, impersonated one Mary Irene, a citizen of United States of America, by which you obtained benefits and gained  advantage, a pretext which you knew to be false and  you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (i) and punishable under Section  22 (2) (b) (iv)  of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015.”

Furthermore, the charge against Ajayi reads: “That you, Ajayi Babatunde Mateen ‘M’, on 10th day of October, 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired with one Ayomide Balogun and Adebunmi Adedeji Moses to impersonate a white woman with intent to gain monetary advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) of the same Act.”

Upon their arraignments, they pleaded ‘guilty’ to the respective charges filed against them by the EFCC.

Consequently, Justice Uche Agomoh convicted and sentenced Efuwape to one year, two months imprisonment and Oshinaike to ten months in jail.

In the same vein, Justice Ayo-Emmanuel convicted and sentenced Ajayi to eight months imprisonment.

The courts also ordered the convicts to restitute their various victims and forfeit all items recovered from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

PR/ Kayode Banjo

Crime

Protest in Osogbo, Journalist Shot

By Web News 599

There was pandemonium in Osogbo on Tuesday afternoon as Policemen shot the Nation correspondent in Osun State, Mr Toba Adedeji and one other person whose identity is yet to be known.

The journalist was shot by the triggered happy police officers who were trying to disperse some protesting youths who stormed the popular Olaiya fly over in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

The Osun State Correspondent of The Nation Newspaper, Toba Adedeji was hit at the thigh, while one unidentified female student was hit at the leg by the police bullets.

The police were engaged with the aggrieved friends of a police brutality victim at Olaiya Flyover.

Details later.

Adenitan Akinola

Judiciary

Court Remands Gold Miner For Killing Police Officer

By Web News 737

A high court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State has remanded a 20-year old artisanal gold miner, Ibrahim Kazeem in Ilesa correctional centre for allegedly killing a police inspector, Adeoye Banjo.

The suspect was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy to commit a felony and wit murder.

He purportedly killed inspector Banjo who was one of the police orderly guarding some Chinese miners in the state in 2019.

Police prosecutor, inspector Olufemi Olanibi told the court that Kazeem and others now at large, on November 25, 2019, in Osogbo, conspired to commit a felony to wit murder inspector Banjo.

Inspector Olanibi noted that during investigations, a sim card belonging to the deceased was found in the suspect’s room when the police carried out a search on his apartment.

The magistrate, M.A Olatunji granted the prayer of the defence counsel, Mr S.O Abiona,  requesting for a copy of the case file as forwarded to the department of public prosecution.

He however ordered the suspect should be remanded in Ilesa correctional facility pending the advice of the Department of Public Prosecution.  

Contact/Isaac Haastrup

Judiciary

More Revelations Emerge On OAU Student’s Death

By Web News 1245

Fresh facts have emerged from the mysterious death of Timothy Adegoke, Eruwa-born Masters Degree student of the Obafemi Awolowo University as the case resumed on Wednesday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital city.

The Consultant Pathologist from the University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Dr Waheed Oluogun confirmed that the deceased died of severe haemorrhage, secondary to severe traumatic injury.

Speaking during the sitting earlier today, Dr Oluogun said tissues were taken from the wound sides for microscopic examination of the internal organs which showed normal autolysis or tissue.

“The result came out that there was bleeding into that tissue or wound area. At the beginning, there was complete skeletonization of the entire upper limb with separation of the left elbow joint and left wrist joint.

The cause of death of Timothy Adegoke is severe haemorrhage Secondary to severe traumatic injury.”

Meanwhile, Dr Rahmon Adedoyin, owner of Hilton Hotel where Timothy Adegoke died arrived at the Court amidst tight security.

It would be recalled that the court recently rejected Rahmon Adedoyin‘s bail application.

Adedayo Adelowo

Judiciary

OAU Students’ Death: Court Remands Ramon Adedoyin

By Web News 797

The Osun State High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State Capital, has ordered the remand of the founder of Oduduwa University Ile-Ife(OUI), Dr. Ramon Adegoke Adedoyin over the death of Timothy Adegoke, a postgraduate student at Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU.

According to correspondent, there was heavy security presence of security personnel at the premises of Osun state High Court, as the owner of Hiltons Hotel, Ile-Ife, Dr Ramon Adedoyin, and six others arrested in connection with the death of master student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Timothy Adegoke, appeared before the court.

The defendants appeared at court 1, where Osun state Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo, presided over the matter.

Adedoyin, as well as, Adedeji Adesola, Magdalene Chiefuna, Adeniyi Aderogba, Oluwale Lawrence, Oyetunde Kazeem and Adebayo Kunle, had previously been arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on counts bordering on conspiracy, unlawful interference with a dead body, altering and intent to destroy evidence and murder.

But counsel to the family of the deceased, Femi Falana, SAN, had written to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba asking that the matter be returned to Osun state, where the crime was allegedly committed.

Adenitan Akinola

Agriculture

Experts Harp On Making Cocoa Beans Competitive In The World Market

By Web News 675 Post a comment

The Executive Director, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, CRIN, Dr Patrick Adebola says, farmers in Nigeria must embrace modern methods of cultivation to make their Cocoa beans competitive in the international market.

He stated this in Osogbo, during a day training organised for selected farmers in Osun State in collaboration with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, NEPC on Best Agricultural practices and safe use of pesticides on Cocoa.

Represented by the Director of Training, CRIN, Dr Sunday Agbeniyi, the Executive Director said, it was imperative to train Nigeria farmers and support them to be abreast with modern methods of nursing, growing and harvesting their Cocoa to make the products competitive in the international markets and add more value to them.

Dr Adebola expressed concern over the low value attached to Nigeria’s commodity by European traders, blaming it on the wrong application of pesticides on their far.

He said the challenges of climate change and its impact on farming also underscored the need to build the capacity of farmers to respond to emergencies so as to mitigate the effect of the inevitable natural development.

The CRIN Chief executive officer lamented that Nigerian cocoa farmers and exporters had been exempted from premiums that their counterparts from Ghana and Cote’divore enjoyed.

In a remark, the Executive Director of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, NERC, Dr Ezra Yakusouk said government was working assiduously to make agricultural products serve as viable alternatives to crude Oil.

Dr Yakusouk who was represented by Trade Promotion Advisor of the NEPC in Osun State, Mr Benson Hussein said government was concerned about the competitiveness of Cocoa because of its Strategic position among the various crops.

The NEPC boss added that apart from quality farmers would be exposed to hybrid seedlings and methodology that would increase their yield.

Declaring the training open, the Osun state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Adedayo Adewole said the training for farmers in the State was timely given the comparative advantage the state had in the area of cocoa farming.

Represented by the Director of produce, Mr Oluwafunminiyi Adegbite, the Agric Commissioner said Cocoa cultivation was the number one priority on the Agriculture agenda of government, adding that farmers are being supported with improved seedlings and pesticides.

In an interview with, the Chairman of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, CFAN, Osun State chapter, Alhaji Raji Musa said more than government policies and fund, poor knowledge remained the major challenge of the Cocoa value chain in Nigeria.

Alhaji Musa canvassed that such training must not be one of,but a consistent programme done for farmers across their various locations if Nigeria was to go back to the days that cocoa was one of the mainstay of the economy.

Other participating farmers commended CRIN and NEPC for the free training and called for consolidation of same.

Adenitan Akinola

Lifestyle News

Songs, Tributes Flow On The Eve Of Alao Akala’s Burial

By Web News 2062

Funeral rites for the former Governor of Oyo State,Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala continue at his Ogbomoso home town with an interdenominational Christian wake held at the Ogbomoso high school field.


Dignitaries from all walks of life, friends,townsmen and family of the deceased gathered to honour the late political icon.

Alao Akala’s Christian wake.

Adedayo Adelowo

Security

Youths Protest against NSCDC Turns Violent in Osogbo

By Web News 665

Youth and Students protest against the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) turned violent on Tuesday in Osogbo as some of the protesters were tear-gassed by the men of NSCDC at the Osun state command in an attempt to disperse the students.

The Osun Youths Progressive Alternatives, National Association of Osun State Students (NAOSS) and National Association of Nigeria Students/Joint Campus Committee, (Osun Axis) had stormed the headquarters of the NSCDC in Osogbo protesting against alleged abuse of the corps officials for political gain.

The youth and students body described as unacceptable and disturbing the recent conduct of the corps in Osogbo particularly the alleged sporadic gun short by the officers during a roadshow by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.

In a letter of protest addressed to the Commander General of the Civil Defence Corps, Dr Hammed Abubkar, the youth and student organizations expressed concern over the recent conduct of the men and officers of the corps as being grossly abused as a political tool in the state which is putting the state at a huge security risk.

The letter was signed by NAOSS President, Comrade Agboola Yusuf, State Coordinator Progressive Youth Alternative, Comrade Sanusi Wasiu and Osun NANS/JCC Chairman, Comrade Oyelayo Azeez.

According to the letter, “it is regrettable that the officers and the men of the Corps that are known for decency, discipline and patriotism has been turned to political tormentors in the state and we have no choice than to cry to your good office before the people of the state began to lose their lives in the hand of NSDC tactical force in Osun”.

“It is understandable, that NSCDC is under the supervision and control of  Federal Ministry of Interior being superintended by the former Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who appears to be running a political battle in Osun but we strongly believe that NSCDC as a security outfit must be completely excused as willing tools to destabilize the state”.

“For your information, we have not had it so terribly in recent time with this level of abuse and the involvement of your officers in political violence has extremely complicated the political tension in the state”.

“We have noted the abuse of the NSCDC men and officers in recent political outings of the former Minister in the state where several records of attack and gun duel had occurred spearheaded by the NSCDC officers but it reached its peak yesterday February 14, 2022, when the entire state capital was thrown into panic by the wooded NSCDC officers who were shooting sporadically at the popular Orisunmibare Market in Osogbo”.

“The dangerous dimension is that most of those personnel have no identity and they always cover their faces which call to question if they are genuine NSCDC officers or clothed political thugs”.

“The Osun police command preliminary report confirmed several empty magazines of assorted riffles, this is condemnable and unacceptable to us as stakeholders in Osun project and we cannot continue to folds our arms until the situation has degenerated beyond this level, hence, we call for the intervention of the National Headquarter of NSCDC to safe our soul”.

The youths said they decided to escalate the matter to the Commander General office because information has it that most of the personnel are also drawn from neighbouring states and insisted that if security apparatus with the constitutional responsibility of protecting the people are now at the peak of political violence against the citizens, it calls for serious concern as a state.

They however demand the investigations of NSCDC officers involved in yesterday sporadic shooting in Osogbo and punish them in accordance with relevant laws of NSCDC for public disturbance and threat to public peace.

The state commander, State Commander, Mr Emmanuel Ocheja who later addressed the student promised to present the petition to the National headquarters of the corps.

Adeitan Akinola

News Security

Pandemonium in Osogbo, as Minister’s Security Aides Fire Sporadic Gunshots

By Web News 631

There was pandemonium in Osogbo,the Osun State Capital as sudden sporadic gunshots fired by security men attached to the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola drove residents of the city into panic.


The shooting which happened about seven o’clock on Monday evening in the old garage area of the town, made residents,shopowners and passerby to scamper for safety.


It was difficult to ascertain what could be responsible for the shooting by the convoy of the Minister,who was a two term and immediate past Governor of the state.


However, the Osun State Government accused the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for allegedly invading the state capital with armed thugs, shooting sporadically into the air to scare innocent people away from their businesses.


In a statement, the state Commissioner for Information, Mrs Funke Egbemode said “credible reports confirmed that some misguided cowards invaded Osogbo, the Osun State capital with armed thugs to foment trouble”.


“Their interest is simply to attempt to thwart the peace of the state and create fear in the minds of the good people of Osun counting on a long-lost influence.”


The statement adds that “Government of Osun hereby warns that there are no sacred cows in the state. No one is above the law here regardless of their past glories or future aspirations. Security agencies have been well briefed about the activities of these mischief makers, who have set themselves on a collision course with the law”.


But an aide to the Minister, Mr Bola Ilori said the security operatives attached to the Minister shot to repel an attempt attack on the former Governor. 


Mr Bola Ilori who served as Special Adviser on Environment under the Aregbesola’s administration wrote on his Facebook page, “Only a lazy man starts a wrestling match with cutlass and guns – Aregbe!!!”Oyetola thugs fired several gunshots at Aregbesola’s, Adeoti (Sheu) convoy after declaring his preferred choice for Governorship.

The attackers were repelled by combined efforts of Police, DSS, NSCDC and luckily no casually was recorded”.


Also, a resident, who claimed to be around the Old garage at the time of the shooting, Mr Lamina Kamorudeen told newsmen that  Shooting sporadically by the security men who were in company of the former Governor Aregbesola of the State of Osun in Osogbo today was but a misplacement of priority.


He said No matter what, Mr Aregbesola should remember Osun was a state he had once governed for a two term tenure. 

Adenitan Akinola

Religion

Reconcile Aggrieved Parties – Cleric Tells Oyetola

By Web News 683

For greater achievements in his administration this year, a cleric has underscored the need for Osun state Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola to reconcile aggrieved fractions in the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state and ensure unity among members of his cabinet tremendous progress and achievements and achieve more.

The Arch Bishop of Ilesa Archdiocese, The Methodist Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Amos Akindeko stated this during an annual prayer visit to the governor at the government house, Osogbo.

Clergymen in a prayer session at the government house, Osogbo

Most Reverend Akindeko who said God showed him in a vision, a spider, with eight legs walking towards different directions without progress, appealed to the governor to endeavour to reach out to the grassroots for meaningful development.

Earlier in a sermon, The Rt. Reverend Timothy Olatunji who said the Lord will do new things for the state and fulfil His promises stressed the need for all to be diligent, walk with God and be guided by fear of God.

In a.remark, Governor Oyetola appreciated the call for more United forces, saying the door for reconciliation is widely open.

The Governor ascribed his administration’s achievements to the efficacy of prayer and hoped in God that this year’s Governorship election in the state would be peaceful.

Abiodun Adeoye

Transportation

Olaiya Flyover contractor has handled more complex projects – Osun Govt

By Web News 1942

Osun State government has dispelled the rumour going round in some quarters that the construction of Olaiya Flyover is being handled by an incompetent contractor who had done a poor job.

The Osun State Commissioner for Works and Transportation, Mr Remi Omowaye explained that the contractor handling the job had handled bigger and more complex projects in other parts of the country.

Correspondent, Abiodun Adeoye completes the story.

Report

Osun State Government commenced the construction of Olaiya Flyover in February this year, with a promise to complete it in nine months. 

However, the project could not be completed at the set time and this had generated concerns and insinuations in some quarters.

While some people were insinuating poor job as contained in a report being circulated on social media, some motorists including Messers Bamidele Olusegun, Bayo Durosomo and Mayowa Ogunkeye expressed divergent views on the project.

Reacting, Osun State Commissioner for Works and Transportation, Mr Remi Omowaye said the contractor handling the project had a wide range of experience and was working relentlessly to ensure a quality job and speedy completion.

Mr Omowaye corroborated the view that more vehicular movements would be experienced during the festive period but stressed that an adequate plan was on the ground to prevent traffic congestion.

The commissioner urged motorists and other road users to cooperate with traffic managers for hitch-free traffic flow during and after the yuletide.

Abiodun Adeoye

Security

Osun Police Read Riot Act To Unlawful Protesters

By Web News 680

Osun State Police Command has warned individuals or groups planning to embark on unlawful protest between 21stand 24th December 2021, to desist from such plans.

Speaking with newsmen in Osogbo, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Olawale Olokode who said the command would not allow any gathering or protest under any guise, hinted that the operatives were fully prepared to use all legitimate means to avert such activities.

Mr Olokode advised parents and guardians to plead with their wards to be law-abiding and desist from such gatherings as the perpetrators would be promptly arrested and prosecuted.

He implored the good people of the state to go about their lawful activities, noting that the police had taken necessary security measures to forestall any breakdown of law and order during the Christmas and the New Year celebrations.

Folakemi Oye

Economy

FG Remains Committed to Boosting Mining Value Chain – Minister

By Web News 758

The Federal Government says it is committed to adding value to the country’s mining resources.

Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite made this known in Osogbo at an event to mark the day dedicated to the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development at the ongoing South-West Local Governments Agriculture and Mineral Resources Trade Fair.

Correspondent, Adenitan Akinola completes the story.

Adenitan Akinola

Crime

NSCDC Arrests Woman For Stealing Goat

By Web News 654

A 30-year-old mother of three named, Suliyat Adewole has been arrested by men of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, for allegedly stealing a goat. 

A statement by the State Public Relations Officer of the Corps, Mr Daniel Adigun discloses that residents of the Ayepe area of Osogbo lodged complaints that their livestock was getting missing. 

The statement says that the Suliyat was caught by residents of the area after she had stolen a black goat. 

It adds that the woman would have been mobbed but for the quick intervention by NSCDC prevented mob action against her. 

Its states further that she was taken to custody for interrogation, where she confessed to the crime.

According to the statement, the woman confessed she had a peculiar way of catching the animals saying she usually carries some dried peel of cassava in a plastic basket so when she looked round and find no one in sight, she put down the basket, goats found it attractive and while feeding on it she would catch and tie them.

The suspect is a housewife and mother of three who resides in the Konda area, Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government of Osun State.” 

Adigun said she will be charged to court after investigation. 

Adenitan Akinola

Culture

Woman Throws Own Daughters Into Well In Osogbo

By Web News 1201

A middle-aged mother identified as Iya Dara who just returned from Oman has thrown her two daughters inside a well in Osogbo, capital of Osun State. 

Radio Nigeria gathered that the incident happened in the early hours of Tuesday.

The mother who lived around Ajorin Street via Ibuaje area called her two daughters named; Nimisire and Darasimi, directing them to follow her to the well. 

It was learnt that she grabbed the eldest daughter and threw her inside the well before she also threw the younger one too. 

A resident of the community named Nafisat told our correspondent that, the police had arrested the woman after the incident, saving her from mob attack.

When the spokesman of Osun State Fire Service, Mr. Ibrahim Adekunle was contacted, he confirmed the incident adding that efforts were underway to get the two girls, Nimisire Saka (5yrs) and Darasimi Saka (8yrs) out of the well.

Adenitan Akinola

Crime

Police Arrest, Journalist, #EndSARS Protesters, In Osogbo

By Web News 603

Policemen in Osogbo, the Osun State capital have dispersed youths marking the one year anniversary of the #EndSARS protests.

They also arrested a journalist, Sikiru Obarayese, the correspondent of Daily Post in Osogbo, at Old Garage.

Other journalists covering the protest ran from the scene to prevent arrest by the police operatives.

There was a low turnout as youths stormed streets bearing placards and banners as well as chanting anti-government songs.

The protesters marched from the Ita-Olokan area through to Oja-Oba, Station road, post office, old-garage and Oke-Fia.

The police interjected the protesters at Oke-Fia and arrested some of them.

Adenitan Akinola

Education

We Need Proper Youth Empowerment For A Prosperous Nigeria – Oyetola

By Web News 612

Osun State Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola says building a sustainably prosperous state requires strategic investment in young people in a manner that prepares them for the reality of the keenly competitive global knowledge economy.

He stated this at the Grand Finale of the second edition of the “Osun Independence Essay Competition”, organized by the Osun State Government to commemorate the 61st Independence Anniversary of the country.

Mr. Oyetola described the concern as the motivation behind organising the Independence Day Essay Competition by the Osun State Government.

Represented by his Deputy, Mr. Benedict Alabi, the governor charged young persons to always be competition-ready and be imaginative as active producers of relevant ideas for nation-building.

Governor Oyetola maintained that the goal of a functional education was the deliberate training of the mind to acquire the requisite capacity to provide workable solutions to societal challenges.

In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Mr. Lekan Badmus appreciated the state governor for approving the 2021 Osun State Essay Competition among students of secondary and tertiary schools as part of the activities lined up to mark the 61st year of Independence of Nigeria.

Mr. Badmus told the gathering that the essay committee comprised of interdisciplinary professionals received 700 entries of students from 34 schools of both private and public higher institutions across the country. 

He explained that the competition was a paradigm shift from the traditional Independence March-Past to promote the reading and writing culture among students which is capable of encouraging healthy rivalry as well as intellectual competition in secondary and tertiary institutions. 

In a keynote address, the Chairman of the event, the former Chief of Policy and Plans of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun (rtd), gave kudos to the Osun State government for the initiative in a world where negative activities had become the norm.

General Adeosun charged participants and the teeming youth population of the state not to relent in their efforts in contributing their quota to the development of the society, adding that education, security, and other developmental needs of the nation, are a collective responsibility.

He recommended the teaching of family values and ideals as key to rebuilding the weak security architecture of the nation, maintaining that security is not only a top-down affair but also has a bottom-up dimension that requires citizens’ vigilance and responsibility.

Miss Abisola Faith Adegboyega from Fakunle Comprehensive High School, Osogbo, emerged as the winner in the secondary school category, while Mr. Victor Ayodeji Adeyemo, a medical student from Bowen University won the tertiary institution category.

The winners for the tertiary category, aside from cash prizes, also went home with a Toyota Corolla car.

Adenitan Akinola

Religion

Cleric Identifies Prayer, Tolerance As Impetus For Unity

By Web News 589

Prayer and tolerance are major factors that can foster national peace and unity in Nigeria.

A cleric, Prophet Dare Jesulola of Christ Apostolic Church, Osunjela, Osogbo stated this while speaking with Radio as Nigeria plans for it’s sixty-first independence anniversary.

Prophet Jesulola who noted that the nation was facing a difficult time at the moment, said the succour remained in prayerfulness and ability to tolerate one another.

“If the three major religions in Nigeria can be united in Prayers and extend hands of fellowship to one another, challenges facing the country would be a thing of the past. He said.

The cleric, while noting that going back to God was the only way out, urged the government at all levels to always fulfill its electoral promises to make life more bearable to the people.

Prophet Jesulola expressed the hope that Nigeria would be great again.

Adedayo Adelowo

Security

Discharge Your Duties Efficiently: AIG Charges Officers

By Web News 803

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 11, Mr Joseph Goburn has charged officers and men of the zone to be professional, ethical and committed to the task of protecting lives and property of Nigeria.

He gave the charge in his maiden address to the officers at the command’s headquarters in Osogbo.

Mr Goburn charged the police officers that Nigeria was facing security threat both internal and external, but which are surmountable with commitment of dedicated men.

The Zone 11 AIG reminded them that since they had sworn to protect lives and property of Nigerians, it behooved on them to prove their worth with courage and resilience in overcoming the challenges.

He also tasked them to be abreast of all necessary materials required to improve their mental capacity and their knowledge of the law, with a view to respecting the rights of citizens and function efficiently among the civil populace.

Mr Goburn gave the assurance that the inspector General of Police, Mr Alkali Baba Usman was relentless in ensuring improvement in the welfare of police officers in the country.

Responding on behalf of other officers, a Deputy Commissioner of Police Zonal CID promised a renewed commitment of officers and men in the zone to policing Nigeria and remain loyal to the country.

Prayers were later conducted by the Police Chaplain and Imam for a successful tenure for the AIG.

Adenitan Akinola