Politics

Group Advises Police To Beef Up Security Around Oyo Deputy Governor

By Web News 736

Following a Save My Soul petition filed by Oyo State Deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, Political Awareness Group, PAG has called on police to beef up security around the second citizen of the state.

This is contained in a statement in Ibadan by the Chairman of the Group, Barrister AbdWaheed Olowonjaye.

Barrister Olowonjaye said the Commissioner of Police in the state should not treat the case of the threat to the life of the Deputy Governor with levity and put in place machinery to ensure the safety of the man, noting that this would clear the police of any ulterior motive.

He said PAG, an Association of Muslim Professionals and Technocrats for Good Governance condemned the attack and destruction by some hoodlums on the property of the wife of the Deputy Governor, Professor Amdalat Olaniyan and called for a thorough investigation to bring the culprits to book.

Barrister Olowonjaye explained that it was high time that riot acts were read to political jobbers and touts who were behind last weekend senseless attack at the congress of the faction of People’s Democratic Party in Oyo State.

He equally described as unwarranted the purported move to impeach the Deputy Governor stressing that it would bring about crisis while pointing out that such experience in the past dragged the state into a state of decadence. 

The PAG Chairman lauded the members of the Oyo State House of Assembly for coming out to deny the planned impeachment, warning them not to be used as agents to destabilize the state.

He urged Governor Seyi Makinde to consider the appointment of more Muslim judges to bridge the widening gaps in furtherance his electioneering promise that he would be fair to all religions.

Barrister Olowonjaye added that PAG would not derail in its objective of ensuring good governance is instituted at all levels of government so as to bring succour to the hapless and helpless masses.

Ridwan Fasasi

Politics

Group Supports Federal Government’s Twitter Ban

By Web News 548

Political Awareness Group, PAG has thrown its weight behind the Federal  Government’s suspension of  the popular micro-blogging platform, Twitter.

In a statement in Ibadan by the Chairman and Secretary of the group, Barrister Abdul-Waheed Olowonjaye and Mr Abass Agbara, the group rejected any attempt by Twitter to undermine Nigeria’s security and its sovereignty; physically or digitally.

PAG explains that the courageous statement  made by the President on Twitter  to warn terrorist organizations informing them of the readiness to handle them in proportion was deleted making the tech giant attempting to regulate or muffle the President on matters of such height of National Security.

“We reject any attempt to corner the President into silence on National Security matter which is his immediate responsibility”.

“We reject any attempt by Twitter and/ or any other organization for that matter  to aid or abet terrorism or any subversive elements within or outside Nigeria to overtly or covertly compromise Nigeria National security”.

The group decried the roles Twitter played during the #EndSARS protest and the tactical support being given to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

“Most observers can recall that Twitter had offered heavy logistics to the #ENDSARS protest in the past.

It is also clearly discernible today that Twitter facilitated financial supports for the unprecedentedly  daring, misguided, and glaring lawlessness that caused avoidable mayhem with its attendant cost fortune in human and material resources in the Country”.

“We recall too that the proscribed terrorist organization, IPOB has enjoyed tremendous support and projection from same Twitter for so long till date. It is unheard of, that the organization (a declared terrorist group maiming and killing innocent Nigerians) find so much support with Twitter that a region of the country is becoming ungovernable”.

PAG believed that the freedom of expression of the people had not been gauged since there are other platforms for people to voice out their minds. 

“We affirm that the freedom of expression of the citizens is not, by the ban, breached as we have many other law abiding digital and electronics media that still abound and remain usefully intact in Nigeria”.

The group enjoined the Federal Government to extend regulation to other social media platforms while commensurate tax should also be worked out. 

“We call on the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to also regulate all other social media outfits operating in the country as a matter of necessity”. “We  also call on the Federal Government to seek enabling tax from all Social Media outfits as she does for conventional media houses”.

Ridwan Fasasi

Politics

Don Advocates Moral Rejuvenation To Reduce Corruption

By Web News 652

The Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, Professor Abdulhafiz Oladosu says the nation needs to embark on moral rejuvenation to reduce the act of corruption.

He made the call in Ibadan at a stakeholders’ summit organised by Political Awareness Group, PAG, an association of Muslim professionals and technocrats for good governance.

Professor Oladosu who is a lecturer at the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, noted that morally upright ones with God-consciousness would not embark on corrupt activities.

He admonished the political office holders to fulfill their electioneering promises in order to regain the confidence of the people, noting that the current developments in the country have demoralised many Nigerians. 

 In a remark, the former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja emphasized on the unity of Nigeria, warning against secession as being clamoured in some quarters. 

Senator Ladoja who was represented by former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Barrister Sharafadeen Alli decried the idea of tagging a particular tribe with crimes maintaining that every tribe has bad eggs and criminal elements. 

The former governor posited that true federalism would solve the current series of challenges facing the country. 

The former Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education, who is also the chairman on the occasion, Dr Sulaiman Adediran enjoined Muslims to develop themselves politically and be advocates of good governance.

Earlier, the Chairman, Political Awareness Group, Barrister AbdWaheed Olowonjaye, noted that the organisation stands for good governance and was ready to support those who shared PAG’s agenda.

He explained that resolutions at the summit would be transmitted to appropriate quarters and concerned authorities.

Barrister Olowonjaye condemned the call for secession in some quarters stressing that what should be paramount was the need to join hands with the federal government to find lasting solutions to various challenges bedeviling the country.

Ridwan Fasasi

Lifestyle

Group Mourns Death of Gov. Makinde’s Mother

By Web News 1904

Political Awareness Group, PAG has commiserated with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State over the loss of his mother, Mama Abigail Makinde.

In a statement in Ibadan by the Chairman, Barrister AbdWaheed Olowonjaye and Publicity Secretary, Alhajj Tijani Luqman, PAG noted that the sad incident was very shocking because matriarch of Makinde family never showed any sign of sickness.

The group was more devastated considering the fact that Mama left at a time that her motherly advice, support and prayer were needed most for successful administration of Governor Makinde.

“The news of her sudden death shocked us to the marrow and we are saddened by the fact she left at this auspicious moment when His Excellency needed her motherly support and prayers in his onerous tasks of taking Oyo state to greater heights”.

The group, a body of Muslim professionals with interest in good governance, equity and justice, however, was consoled with the fact that Mama lived an impactful life full of emulation and would be remembered for touching lives of the less privileged  people both in Ibadan and her country home, Akure. 

PAG believed that Mama’s kindness mixed with generosity played prominent roles in molding her children to become models and successful ones as reflected in Governor Seyi Makinde.

 “We are consoled by the realisation that Mama Abigail Makinde lived a momentous life worthy of emulation and that she lived behind worthy children.”

The group prayed to God to give Governor Makinde, the family and Oyo State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss of Mama Abigail Makinde. 

“We have His Excellency in our prayers at this trying time as we beseech God to uphold the Makinde family to be able to summon great fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Ridwan Fasasi.

Economy News

Group Lauds Adesina’s Re-election as AFDB President

By Web News 739

A foremost peace Advocacy in Oyo state, the Political Awareness Group (PAG) has described the re-election of Dr Akinwunmi Adesina as AFDB President, as well deserved and good omen for Africa development.

In a congratulatory message in Ibadan by the chairman, Barrister Abdulwaheed Olowonjaye and the secretary, Honourable Abbas Agbara said they were not surprised on Adesina’s re-election owing to his past track records.

“We at PAG, a body of Muslim Professionals with interest in good governance, equity and justice, hereby rejoice with family, friends, professional colleagues, Oyo state and Nigeria over the historic re-election of Dr Adesina as President of AfDB”

“We commend members of staff and Board of Governors of the AfDB for their consistent support and confidence they have for this great son of Africa”.

The group noted that if not for the performance and the incorruptible nature of Dr Adesina, the criticism that trailed his first term towards the end could have affected his re-election bid.

“It is believed that the AfDB President would have learnt a lot from the last minute criticism that characterized his first tenure in office. If not for the sincerity, transparency and the love for the development of Africa, the internal politics could have consumed his second term ambition.”

” You deserve an accolade as you have indeed left an indelible mark in the annal of history for being one of the very few Nigerians that can survive allegations of corruption and favouritism under two international probe panels!”

With the second term confirmed, PAG urged Dr Adesina not to relent on his efforts to use the instrumentality of AfDB to enhance the development of Africa

“Now, that the opportunity of another 5 years has come, Dr Adesina must not derail from his slogan of ‘Africa first’ and pursue rigorously the objectives of the bank which are to promote a sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty in Africa.”

While acknowledging the sterling performance of Dr. Adesina during his first term in office, PAG prayed for more divine wisdom, good health, among other things for him and his entire team to move AfDB to greater heights.

“We also pray that God Almighty will continue to strengthen Dr Adesina and grant him the wherewithal to enable him serve humanity in greater capacity after a successful tenure in his current office”, the group prayed.

“We are, however, ready to offer our professional service and advice from time to time to enhance the performance of Dr Adesina in the discharge of his duties to the humanity.”

Foremost peace Advocacy in Oyo state, the Political Awareness Group (PAG) has described the re-election of Dr Akinwunmi Adesina as AfDB President, as well deserved and good omen for Africa development.

“We at PAG, a body of Muslim Professionals with interest in good governance, equity and justice, hereby rejoice with family, friends, professional colleagues, Oyo state and Nigeria over the historic re-election of Dr Adesina as President of AFDB”

“We commend members of staff and Board of Governors of the AFDB for their consistent support and confidence they have for this great son of Africa”.

The group noted that if not for the performance and the incorruptible nature of Dr Adesina, the criticism that trailed his first term towards the end could have affected his re-election bid.

“It is believed that the AFDB President would have learnt a lot from the last-minute criticism that characterized his first tenure in office. If not for the sincerity, transparency and the love for the development of Africa, the internal politics could have consumed his second term ambition.”

” You deserve an accolade as you have indeed left an indelible mark in the annal of history for being one of the very few Nigerians that can survive allegations of corruption and favouritism under two international probe panels!”

With the second term confirmed, PAG urged Dr Adesina not to relent on his efforts to use the instrumentality of AFDB to enhance the development of Africa

“Now, that the opportunity of another 5 years has come, Dr Adesina must not derail from his slogan of ‘Africa first’ and pursue rigorously the objectives of the bank which are to promote sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty in Africa.”

While acknowledging the sterling performance of Dr. Adesina during his first term in office, PAG prayed for more divine wisdom, good health, among other things for him and his entire team to move AFDB to greater heights.

“We also pray that God Almighty will continue to strengthen Dr Adesina and grant him the wherewithal to enable him serve humanity in greater capacity after a successful tenure in his current office”, the group prayed.

“We are, however, ready to offer our professional service and advice from time to time to enhance the performance of Dr Adesina in the discharge of his duties to the humanity.”

Ridwan Fasasi