Culture

Makinde Elevates 14 Oyo High Chiefs, Baales to Crown-Wearing Obas

By Web News 229

By Iyabo Adebisi

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has promoted 14 High Chiefs and Baales in Oyoland to the status of crown-wearing Obas, stating that the elevation is a call to greater responsibility and collaboration with the government to secure their domains and bring about development.

The 14 elevated chiefs were presented with the crowns and instruments of office on Friday, in an event held at Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo.

Presenting the instruments of office to the newly-elevated royal fathers, including the Alago-Oja of Ago Oja, Alajagba of Ajagba, Onimeleke of Imeleke, Alaaguo of Aguo, and Alapaara of Apaara, Governor Makinde, who was represented by the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal, said his administration remains committed to upholding and strengthening the state’s traditional institution.

The other promoted High Chiefs are: Alakeetan of Akeetan, Onigudugbu of Gudugbu, Oloodu of Ojongbodu, Onidode of Idode, Onasokun of Oyo, Elepe of Iseke, Babayaji of Oyo, Iba Samu of Oyo and Agbaakin of Oyo.

The governor declared that the elevation of the High Chiefs was borne out of the government’s commitment to promoting peace, sustaining the traditional institution and engendering development.

He urged the newly promoted royal fathers to see their elevation as a call to greater responsibility and service to their people and Oyo State.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, stated that the event was historic and culturally significant, as it represented not just the coronation of royal fathers but a reaffirmation of Oyo’s rich heritage and enduring traditions.

He added that the Yoruba traditional institution, one of the oldest and most revered in Africa, remains central to governance, culture and unity.

The commissioner lauded Governor Makinde for approving the elevation and presentation of crowns and instruments of office to the 14 Obas, stressing that it symbolised unity, continuity and renewal in Oyoland.

Present at the event were the Olubadan of Ibadanland, represented by the Asipa Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade; former Speaker of the Oyo State Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde; House of Assembly members, commissioners, as well as other top government functionaries and political leaders in the state.

Security

State of Police Barracks in Oyo: A Cause for Concern

By Web News 365

Kayode Oguntona in this piece looks at the ordeals and accommodation problem of the Nigeria Police.

Apart from food and clothing, shelter is another essential human basic need of life.

Perhaps,this is why the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in a news release made public sometimes ago, hammered on the need to elevate the standard of living of his personnel by exploring avenues for affordable and decent housing.

This laudable decision, therefore, provides good opportunity to take stock of existing barracks accommodation and available utilities in order to have understanding of their housing needs.

For instance, in Oyo State, particularly Dubar and Ogbomoso area commands, findings revealed that some police barracks now serve as offices and operational units while many others are structurally outdated and in need of urgent rehabilitation.

Most police barracks in Ogbomoso and Oyo towns also have damaged roofs and asbestos resulting in shortage of accommodation for the police men.

Some policemen and their wives living in Awe and Dubar division barracks narrated their ordeal to our correspondent,” When rain is falling, everybody will just be worried, thinking of the roof. We are just managing. The roof is not okay at all. There is also no water, we need to go to the station.
Some people came, I think 2012 to inspect this place. Later on we didn’t see them again”.

Located on Oyo-Ogbomoso road, is the Atiba divisional police barracks which could easily be mistaken for blocks of students’ hostel, and also dilapidated, unlike certain others in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.

The Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Kayode Fadogba, expressed optimism that someday the facility would receive government attention, saying for now, his men have adopted the attitude of half bread is better than none.

A police officer, who was recently transferred to one of the divisions in Dubar area command, Mr.Ademola Ibrahim,expressed his passion for barracks accommodation.”what I heard is that it was somebody, a person in the town that built this accommodation for the police because of the new environment division where the division was located. That is why we are living there”.

Mr.Ibrahim said when corporate bodies and public spirited individuals join hands with government to provide solution to housing challenges facing the Nigeria Police, the problem would have been half solved in the spirit of public -private partnership initiative.

Lifestyle

Prince Ajibola Afonja was a good ambassador of Oyo State – Makinde

By Web News 312

By Iyabo Adebisi

Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has mourned the demise of a former chairman of the First Bank Nigeria, Prince Ajibola Afonja.

Governor Makinde described Prince Afonja as an illustrious son of Oyo State, who represented and promoted the Pacesetter State as a good ambassador.

Prince Afonja was also a one-time Minister of Labour and Productivity.

The governor, who declared the death as shocking, commiserated with the immediate family of the former minister, the people of Oyo Town and Oyo State in general.

He prayed to God to grant repose to his soul and stand by the family and the community he left behind.

“I received the news of the death of a former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Prince Ajibola Afonja, with shock and sadness”.

“I condole with the Afonja family of Oyo, the people of Oyo and all residents of Oyo State on the passage of such an illustrious son of the state”.

“Prince Afonja was a great ambassador of Oyo State, who promoted the state and made immense contributions to its growth”.

“It is my prayer that God grants repose to his soul and grant him Aljana Firdaus“, Governor Makinde added.

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Judiciary

38 Abolongo Inmates Freed by Oyo CJ

By Web News 305

By Jeffery Ahonmisi

38 inmates at the Nigerian Correctional Service, Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abolongo, Oyo Town, have been granted pardon by the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima.

The 38 inmates who received the leniency included those pardoned for stealing, burglary, and the breach of peace and on health grounds.

In her admonition to the released inmates, Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima, represented by Justice Ladiran Akintola implored them to make themselves useful to society.

Justice Yerima reiterated that the exercise is part of efforts to decongest the Nigeria correctional facilities.

In a remark, Controller of Corrections, Nigerian Correctional Service, Oyo State Command, Mr Abdulraheem Salami noted that he was glad about the number of inmates who regained their freedom.

It would be recalled that 31 inmates were pardoned by the Chief Judge, Justice Iyabo Yerima at the Agodi Custodial Centre, Ibadan on Monday.

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Politics

Corruption hampering the operations of Nigeria Immigration Service – Aregbesola

By Web News 709

By Rasheedah Makinde

The Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola has identified corruption as a major factor undermining the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS’s efforts at sanitizing the process and integrity of passport applications. 

Mr Aregbesola stated this while inaugurating a Passport Front Office in Oyo Town, Oyo State.

The minister said the newly inaugurated office was for applications and picking up of passports without bribing NIS officers for quick interventions. 

He said despite the efforts of NIS to ensure that applications of passport booklets are seamless, some bad officers were sabotaging the efforts by promising applicants an accelerated process. 

“The method they use was to lie to applicants that they were short of booklets which is a lie. We have two hundred and fifty reserved booklets in our offices”.

The minister stated further that the officers who are damaging the image of the NIS should desist or face the wrath of the law.

Mr Aregbesola said the inauguration of the Passport Front Office became imperative to reduce the burden on the Ibadan Passport Office for seamless administration. 

He said Ibadan Office has fourteen thousand unaddressed applications and there is a limit to what the Ibadan Office could do, as they could only attend to four hundred and fifty applicants daily.

On his part, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, Mr Issah Jere who spoke through Mr Ishak Aliyu said the newly inaugurated office would boost social and economic activities in the town. 

Mr Jere, therefore, called on officers to be of good conduct and always be professional while discharging their civic rights.

Earlier, in his address of welcome, Nigeria Immigration Service Controller, Oyo State Command, Mr Mohammed Umar said the establishment of the outlet was in line with the passport reform agenda of the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola to bring passport offices closer and make collection seamless for Nigerians.

He said the contributions of the host communities also added value to the realization of the passport front office in Oyo Town.

The NIS controller, therefore, urged the communities to support the Immigration Service in ensuring that the office is well-maintained and secured for the betterment of all.

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Economy

Fuel Scarcity: Residents of Oyo Town Groan under Effects

By Web News 483

By Kayode Oguntona

The prevailing fuel situation in Oyo Town and its environs has become worrisome to residents, even as Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, now sells between N350 and N450 at filling stations operated by independent marketers.

Mostly affected are commercial drivers, school bus operators, pepper mills and business centre owners.

Our correspondent reports long queues of vehicles and motorcycles at a few filling stations selling the product Wednesday morning while others simply abandoned their cars with major marketers, not minding when fuel would be available.

Similarly, vehicular movement has reduced in the ancient city as Okada riders take advantage to hike fares, even as more people took to trekking to their destinations.

Calling for an urgent solution, a community leader, Chief Oluade Ogunronbi said the rumour of government complicity in the fuel crisis is ripe for public explanation considering the hardships it has brought on people.

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Economy

Oyo Town Shopping Complex Razed by Fire

By Web News 555

A row of shops located opposite Alliance Hotel in Oyo Town, near Dan Zaria Market has been razed by fire and those affected have started counting their losses.

The incident which occurred early Monday morning was reportedly prevented from spreading to nearby residential buildings by sympathizers who rushed to the scene from their sleep.

Though the traders were still struggling with the shock, those who identified themselves as Ahmed Kolawole, Mummy Zainab and Ngozi Isaac managed to call for government assistance.

As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire outbreak remains unknown.

Kayode Oguntona

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News

Breaking: Alaafin of Oyo Joins Ancestors

By Web News 1336

There are indications that Alaafin of Oyo, Lamidi Adeyemi might have joined his ancestors

Source has it that Alaafin Adeyemi, the third from the Alowodu Ruling House, died in the late hours of Friday at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti.

The remains of the top Yoruba traditional ruler were brought to Oyo in the early hours of Saturday and traditional rites began, palace sources said

He was 83 years old and the longest reigning Alaafin ever, having ruled for 52 years.

The Monarch was reported to have been sick and a plan had been made to fly him abroad before he passed on late Friday night.

A source familiar with the medical travel plan said his tickets and those of a few wives were already procured.

His death came after the two other senior Oyo State monarchs the Soun of Ogbomoso, Jimoh Oyewumi and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji died. All happened in less than five months.

Net/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

Energy

Oyo Transmission Substation Gets Lifeline for Power Boost

By Web News 1377

The dream of residents of Oyo town and environ to enjoy a better electricity power supply seems to be on the verge of fulfillment following the long-awaited arrival of vital equipment needed at the 132/133 KVA transmission substation under construction in the area.

The gigantic equipment hauled on a long flatbed carrier fitted with eighty tyres caused traffic gridlock and attracted public attention as it passed through the ancient town.

Radio Nigeria’s correspondent who visited the site of the substation along Oyo-Iseyin road gathered that the project was nearing completion as other equipments such as control panels and towers were already on the ground.

Meanwhile, Chairman, Oyo Metropolitan Development Association, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu has demanded a greater demonstration of the spirit of communal self-help from the people as the government alone could not bear the entire cost of the project.

Kayode Oguntona.

Transportation

Oyo Govt. Begins Repair Works on Odo-Ogun “Horror” Bridge

By Web News 1369

The people of Oyo Town and the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State has shown appreciation to the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde for taking up the initiative of reconstructing the Oyo-Iseyin federal road after decades of abandonment.

This is as the 72-year-old Odo-Ogun bridge that residents and motorists claimed had caused the death of hundreds of people is undergoing extension and reconstruction.

The bridge which was hitherto very narrow had lost most of the iron railings and barrier concretes which caused vehicles that lost their brake system to plunge into the river, where there are many rocks and has led to the death of numerous passengers.


While talking with reporters at the site of the bridge extension, some of the people of Odo Ogun village, which is a stone throw to the river said they heaved a sigh of relief as the extension work started late last year, because they were sure that the carnage they used to witness before the intervention of the Oyo State government on the road and particularly the bridge, would be no more.

Parts of what the Oke-Ogun people described as commendable in the urbanization projects of the Seyi Makinde-led administration is the Saki Township Road that the governor will commission on Thursday at Saki West Local Government.

The member representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency at the Oyo State House of Assembly, OYHA, Mr Dele Adeola in an interview at the site inspection, said Governor Makinde was out to make life easy, especially for the people in the hinterlands, as farmers and traders in the Oke-Ogun region can now connect the cities through various linking roads that have been constructed or reconstructed by the present administration.

“We can see that Governor Makinde has promised to stand by the people of Oyo State and make them enjoy governance and he is delivering as promised, the Oyo-Iseyin road is another episode in this line. We have toiled day and night to attract the attention of the federal government to the deplorable state of the road for over twenty years to no avail, we appreciate our governor.”

Sport

Radio Nigeria Ibadan Kids Football Challenge Final Group Games Concluded

By Web News 1068

Final group games have been concluded at the Radio Nigeria Ibadan Kids Football Challenge.


The weeping Boys in group C Ladigbolu Secondary School have failed to record any point and a goal, had the opportunity to change that narrative when they faced Fiditi Grammer School who prior to the game where in third place with a point from two games.

Ladigbolu Secondary School (Orange ) Fiditi Grammer School (Yellow)


The first half of the encounter ended goaless, on resumption of the second half Victor Olaofe of Fiditi Grammer School from outside the 18 yard box hit the ball perfectly to score a goal of the tournament contender, and in the dying minute of the secomd half Fiditi Grammer School were awarded a penalty after Ladigbolu defender handled the ball in his own box, captain of Fiditi, Joshua Olanipekun stepped up picked his spot and managed to hit the bar to the dissapointment of the teaming fans at the venue.


The only goal by Victor Olaofe was enough to give Fiditi Grammer thier first victory of the tournament.


In the other group C encounter which was the match of the group between table toppers SPED Secondary School and Second placed Ilora Community High School, going into the match SPED toping group C with 6 points required a draw to qualify for the finals of the zone, while second placed Ilora Community High School needed nothing short of a victory to be in the finals.

L-R Ilora Community Higher School (Black),SPED Secondary School (White )


Ilora Community came out of the blocks flying taking the game to SPED whose defence could not curtial the pressure eventually conceeding in the opening minutes of the game thanks to brilliant strike by Ojo Mohammed of Ilora.


The second half, all efforts by SPED to get that much needed equaliser proved abortive as Ilora snatched the victory and a place in the finals of the zone, at full time it was SPED Secondary school 0-1 Ilora Community High School.


Similar to group C the first match day 3 in group D was a dead rubber encounter as Community High school Fiditi filed out against rock bottom Al-Aadin Unique College who are yet to record a goal and any point in the tournament.

L-R Al-Aadin Unique College (Blue), Community High School Fiditi


Community High School Fiditi got an early lead through Kehinde Oyediji who headed the ball past Al-Aadin goal keeper to record the only goal of the match as the second half of the match produced no goal.


The last match of Day 3 saw host Oliveth Baptist coming into the game on the back of two wins against Second place Oba Adeyemi High School with a draw and a win.

L-R Oliveth Baptist High School(Blue), Oba Adeyemi High School


Host Oliveth needed just a draw to get to the finals of the zone while anything short of a victory will see Oba Adeyemi bow out at the group stage.


With the support of the very vocal home fans Oliveth Baptist where determined not to allow Oba Adeyemi steal their thunder on thier home turf, it was an end to end encounter with both side defending in numbers the first half ended goaless, on resumption of the second half Oliveth Baptist stuck to thier game plan and held on till the final whistle.


The match ended goaless and that scoreline was enough to see Oliveth Baptist High School through to the Oyo Zone final against Ilora Community High School.


The Oyo Zone final will be played on Saturday the 15th of January 2022 at the Oliveth Baptist High School football Pitch.


The winner of the Oyo Zone Final between Oliveth Baptist High and Ilora Community High School will take on the Winner of the Ibadan zone Brightsville College for the opportunity to become champions of the maiden edition of the Radio Nigeria Ibadan Kids Football Challenge.

Ojeakhe Ozoya

Sport

Radio Nigeria Kids Football Challenge Day Two Updates

By Web News 1312

Match day two of the Radio Nigeria Kids football challenge taking place at Oliveth Baptist high school recorded three victories, a draw with a total of seventeen goals scored so far.


Day two fixtures started with group C encounter between Ladigbolu Secondary School and Ilora Community High School.

L-R Ladigbolu Secondary School, Match officials, Ilora Community High School


After losing by seven goals to SPED secondary school Ladigbolu came into the game with Ilora community high school defensively conscious, but with forays of attack from Ilora the defensive line of Ladigbolu collapsed in the second half and at full time it was Ilora Community High one Ladigbolu nil.


The second match played in group C saw high scoring SPED and Fiditi Grammer School who are yet to record a goal in the tournament square off, and at the end of hostilities between the two sides SPED defeated Fiditi Grammer school by a lone goal.

Fiditi Grammar School (yellow), SPED Secondary School (White)


Current standings in group C sees SPED toping with six points in second place is Ilora Community High School with four points, Fiditi Grammer School are in third place with a point while Ladigbolu Secondary School occupies the last position with no point and goal recorded yet.


In Group D Community High School Fiditi where hoping to bounce back from their opening day loss by 2 un-replied goals to host school Oliveth Baptist High, as they locked horns with Oba Adeyemi who came into the game on the back of a win in the opening encounter against Al-Aadin Unique College.

L-R Community High School Fiditi, Match officials, Oba Adeyemi High School


The encounter was a feisty one at the blast of the final whistle it was Community High School Fidity 2-2 Oba Adeyemi High School.
The last game of match Day two saw host Oliveth Baptist High School Grinding out a slim 1-0 victory against Al-Aadin Unique College.

L-R Al-Aadin Unique College , Match officials, Olivet Baptist High School


With the win Oliveth Baptist High school currently sit at the summit of group D with six points, Oba Adeyemi High School find themselves in second place with four points, Community High school Fiditi are placed third with a point from two games played while Al-Aadin are currently rock bottom in group D with no point.


Hostilities resumes tomorrow Friday the 14th of January 2022 in group C as bottom placed Ladigbolu will be playing for pride when they take top the field of play against third placed Fiditi Grammer school, and in the battle of supremacy in group C, table toppers SPED Secondary School will take on Second placed Ilora Community High school who will be looking to snatch qualification from SPED for a spot in the Oyo zone final showdown.


While in group D it will be all to play for nothing to lose as third placed Community High school Fiditi file out against Bottom of the table Al-Aadin Unique College.


The last match of Day 3 which has been characterised by pundits and fans as the match of the day, will be the clash between host and table toppers Oliveth Baptist High school and Second Placed Oba Adeyemi High School.


After completion of group games winner of each group will play each other in the Oyo zone final of the championship which will take place on Saturday the 15th of January at the Oliveth Baptist High School Football Pitch.


Ojeakhe Ozoya

Health

Take good care of your teeth – Dentist charges pupils

By Web News 750

Primary school pupils in Oyo Town have been charged on the need to see their oral health as vital to their wellbeing.

A dentist, Dr Ayodeji Ajimoko who is one of the team members of the Oyo State Dental Health Missions to schools, gave the charge in Oyo Town while addressing some primary school pupils on dental hygiene.

Dr Ajimoko emphasized that any set of teeth that would remain strong till old age calls for proper care from childhood.

The Oyo State Health Missions to schools in collaboration with key partners such as the Nigeria Dental Association and the Rotary International which is targeted at reaching out to over five thousand primary school pupils across Oyo Town and Ibadan Local Government Areas is the initiative of the Oyo State government.

Kayode Oguntona

Crime

“Booby-Trapped” Onion Found Near Spot of Frequent Accidents in Oyo Town

By Web News 1106

For many months now the people of Temidire and Olorunsogo communities in Atiba Local Government Area in Oyo Town have been wondering about what could be responsible for frequent motor accidents at a certain portion of the expressway in their area.

According to them, at least three incidents of road mishaps are usually recorded weekly at the same spot along the Oyo-Ogbomoso express road claiming lives.

Yesterday night, the surveillance mounted at the spot paid off following the discovery of a big white onion laced with needles strategically placed on a section of the road by unknown persons.

One of the residents who is also a member of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, VGN, Kola Olaoye told Radio Nigeria that the discovery of the mysterious onion could be the likely answer to the cause of frequent accidents at the spot.

Also speaking on the discovery, the chairman of joint communities in the area, Alhaji Sarafadeen Ajibola expressed hope that the discovery would save residents the agony of sending out distress calls to rescue accident victims.

Describing community policing as the best security option in the area, Alhaji Ajibola said the strange onion which is dangerous for any vehicle to run over would be handed over to the police while efforts would be doubled to know those behind the evil act.

Kayode Oguntona

Economy

World Bank Concludes Registration of Poor, Vulnerable Households in Oyo Town

By Web News 837

Another round of training for some selected officials and enumerators on community based registration of poor, vulnerable households in Oyo State has been concluded in Oyo town.

The leader of the field exercise, Mrs. Laide Lasisi, who is also the Coordinator, Oyo State Operation Coordinating Unit, SOCU said the aim of the World Bank Assisted Project, among others was to generate a single register of the poorest of the poor in the selected communities.

In order to compile an accurate and acceptable register therefore, Mrs. Lasisi explained the need for the community based targeting trainees to acquire practical experience on what poverty means in different communities.

Mrs. Lasisi maintained that having earlier done a poverty map of each state by the world bank ahead of the training exercise, and considering the prevalence of poverty in the communities visited, a successful outcome was inevitable.

The Computer Based Test step down trainees visited three communities in ilora where they gained vital knowledge on what residents perceived as poverty.

Some women, including Mrs. Funke Oladoja, Dunmade Omotayo and Elizabeth Salako described poverty as a terrible state of hunger and hopelessness.

However, to an elderly man, Pa Oluwole Thomas who lives in one of the erosion-ravaged communities, poverty could also mean consistent loss of livelihood through the activities of cattle rearers.

Members of the communities visited called on government to ensure that the exercise did not end up as mere registration.

Responding, Coordinator, State Operation Coordinating Unit, SOCU, Mrs. Laide Lasisi said data generated from the exercise would be forwarded to Abuja for further analysis. the trainees had earlier been exposed to topics such as concepts of poverty and vulnerability, community-based targeting principles and practice among other topics.

kayode oguntona

Education

Resumption: Students Turned Back over Body Temperature, Face masks in Oyo Town

By Web News 2433

Some final year students in Oyo town and its environs were this morning refused entry into their various schools because of high body temperature while many were turned back for not wearing face masks.

Our Correspondent who went round schools in Afijio and Oyo East Local government areas, reports that teachers were finding it difficult to enforce social distancing among the pupils who could not hide their joy of returning to school.

Principal, Oba Adeyemi High School, Mrs Latifat Amzat-Jare however said that provision of two additional class rooms with the existing four SS 3 classes in her school will solve the problem.

Meanwhile, roaming of streets by students have resurfaced again in Oyo and it’s environ with teachers and parents calling on appropriate agencies to curb the menace.

Kayode Oguntona.

Education

Oyo Government to Establish Maths labs in Schools – Prof. Sangodoyin

By Web News 779

Oyo State Commissioner for Establishment & Training, Professor Daud Sangodoyin has lamented the state of mathematics education in the country which according to him calls for the attention of the public and stakeholders alike.

Professor Sangodoyin stated this at a forum in Oyo town as Nigeria joins in celebrating this year’s Mathematics Day, also called Pie Day.

He said the government was ready to play its part such as the establishment of mathematics laboratories in schools to enhance students’ interest.

Immediate past National President, Mathematical Association of Nigeria, Dr Sunday Adeniran, however, expressed optimism about the future of the subject as a catalyst for the nation’s technological breakthrough.

Kayode Oguntona

Housing

Oyo Govt. to Review Allocation of Lands in Oyo, Ogbomoso GRAs

By Web News 949

Oyo State Government is set to review the allocation of Government Reserved Areas, GRA, at Akitipiti, Oyo and Oke Anu, Ogbomoso.

The Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Abiodun Abdu-Raheem said the step was in fulfilment of the state government’s promise to decongest Ibadan during duty tour to Oyo and Ogbomoso GRAs.

He noted that the lands at Oyo and Ogbomosho ends of the state have been allocated for over 10years without any development carried out on them.

While calling on the Oyo and Ogbomoso GRA landowners to be ready to develop their plots of land, Mr Abdu-Raheem said the allocations would be reviewed and revoked where necessary.

The commissioner said anyone interested in acquiring lands at Oyo and Ogbomoso might visit the Ministry for guidelines especially for those who meant business.

Iyabo Adebisi

Crime

Oyo Police Parades 46 over Cultism, Robbery, Carjacking, Rape

By Web News 2419

The Nigeria Police, Oyo State Command has paraded 46 suspects for various offences.

The suspects were paraded by the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Shina Olukolu at a news briefing held at Police Headquarters Eleyele, Ibadan.

Two of the suspects, Mohammadu Usman and Alhaji Majo, were arrested at Akinmorin in Oyo town for armed robbery and cattle rustling.

Six suspected members of EYE cult group, Mojeed Kazeem, Kehinde Lawal, Sodiq Isiaka, Lekan Oyedan, Yekini Kazeem, Fadahunsi Olalekan, and two other members of AIYE confraternity, Oseni Lukman and Adeyemo Aliu were apprehended for causing the death of rival cult members at Sango, Ibadan.

Adewale Kazeem and Oluwasina Fajobi who specialized in vehicle hijacking were arrested for stealing a Mazda bus, while other suspects, Sodiq Abiodun and Lekan Adesokan were paraded for camouflaging as military personnel as well as raping an 18-year-old girl. 

Other suspects, Kolawole Gboyega, Dauda Jamiu, Kazeem Lekan, and Fasola Biodun were notorious criminals specialized in motorcycle robbery while Olajide Oladimeji and Akeem Sikiru got nabbed for armed robbery and receiving stolen items.

The Commissioner of police, Mr Shina Olukolu advised the public to be careful with the kind of people they entrust confidential issues with.  

Items retrieved from the suspects include guns, cartridges, charm, army uniforms, millions of naira and a Mazda car.

Funmilola Obagbayegun

Lifestyle

Oyo Town Witnesses First Rainfall in 2020

By Web News 1670

…Some areas in Ibadan too.

Oyo Town has recorded its first rainfall this year with residents heaving a sigh of relief after weeks of extreme heat.

The early morning downpour which lasted for about an hour also caused many roads to be littered with refuse from blocked drains.

Motorists called for repair of the bad roads before heavy rains start.

Some vehicles were sighted this morning stuck at some water-logged sections of the road including some portions along the Oyo-Ibadan expressway.

Similarly, some parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, like Bashorun, General Gas, Akobo-Ojurin, Olorunda-Abaa, Kute, Olodo, Omi-Adio, and Apata also witnessed the first rainfall of the year.

Many residents of Akobo-Ojurin were grateful for the rain, noting that it helped reduce the dust pervading the area as a result of the ongoing road construction.

Kayode Oguntona