Culture

Former Govs. Visit Olubadan-Designate

By Web News 527

By Wale Asake

Three former State Governors have joined the list of eminent Nigerians who have paid a congratulatory visit to the Olubadan-designate, Oba Rashidi Ladoja at his Private Residence in Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State. 

They were Senator Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State.

Speaking during the visit, Mr. Aregbesola, a former Minister of Interior and currently National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, said his visit was to pay homage to the incoming Olubadan of Ibadanland, considering his immense contributions to the society. 

Corroborating the former Governor of Osun State, Dr Mimiko described Oba Ladoja as a great man with track records of achievements. 

In a separate visit, former Ogun State Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Senator Daniel maintained that Oba Ladoja was a great politician and Governor when they both served. 

Senator Daniel narrated how they both worked together to protect South Western heritage from collapsing and going into extinction, adding that Oba Ladoja will surely use his wealth of experience to further develop Ibadan and beyond. 

Responding, Oba Ladoja, said, service to humanity and contributions to the society have always been his priority, therefore solicited the prayers of everyone for a successful reign.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels, and also join our WhatsApp Update Group.

Politics

Aregbesola Launches ‘Omoluabi Caucus’

By Web News 491

By Adenitan Akinola

The immediate past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has launched another ‘Caucus’ within the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State named ‘Omoluabi Caucus’.

At the launch of the Omoluabi Caucus in Ilesa, Ogbeni Aregbesola described political parties as an amalgamation of different interests and tendencies, hence the new caucus is an interest within the APC.

Describing the Omoluabi Caucus as one of the many caucuses in the state, the former two-term governor of Osun, noted that the caucus is not a faction of the party, but a union of like-minds in the state.

“The Omoluabi Tendency is a caucus within the All Progressives Congress (APC); actually one of the caucuses in the state. We are not a faction. We are the genuine foundation members of the party and we have no intention of abandoning the ship of the party as it navigates the most turbulent waters. We are no sprinters, but long-distance runners and we will still be standing when all the fair-weathers have gone.

“A political party is actually an agglomeration of interests and tendencies. Reading well from the United States where we borrowed the Presidential System, we can see that the Republican Party is made up of big businesses, nationalists, religious right and others. The Democratic Party, on the other hand, is composed of welfarists, labour unions, ethnic and sexual minorities and others. 

“They are together in the party because their interests are broadly similar and they believe the party is the right vehicle for them to realise their goals. Sometimes they compete and clash, but for the most part, they cooperate and form strong bonds to give their party victory in every election cycle. The party loses any time this bond is broken,” Ogbeni Aregbesola stated.

The immediate past Minister of Interior also stated that the launch of the Omoluabi Caucus was to renew their path in progressive politics as inherited from Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Bola Ige, amongst other progressives who epitomise the Omoluabi ethos, noting that the loss of the party in the state can be traced to the departure from these progressive ideals, but revealing that it will bounce back to its winning ways.

Ogbeni Aregbesola stated that it was clear the people had not rejected the progressives in Osun, giving the warm reception accorded to his tendency; they were only unhappy with the managers of the party at that time.

“Given the enthusiastic and heartfelt reception accorded us by the people anytime we are in the state, it is clear that they did not reject us or our party. They are only not well pleased with the individuals who have turned our party into personal fiefdom and abandoned the path of progressivism and the interest of the people.

“Our party failed principally because of indiscipline and lack/loss of focus. This is manifested in the form of a lack of character and incompetence. Character is the mental and moral qualities required in an individual to occupy a certain office or perform a certain task.

Recall that in the heat of the crisis between him and his successor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, the former Governor and Minister founded a caucus named “The Osun Progressives” which divided the APC.

However, the Osun Progressives were disbanded after the 2022 Governorship Election.

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels also join our Whatsapp Update Group

Security

Aregbesola Directs NIS to Allow Nigerians With Expired Passports Return Home

By Web News 374

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), to allow Nigerians in the diaspora to return to Nigeria with their expired International Passports.

Mr Aregbesola gave the directive on Wednesday, in Lagos, while responding to a complaint by a Nigerian-American citizen, Jamiu Kasumu, at the Alausa Passport Office during his unscheduled visit to the facility.

He said Nigerians in Diaspora were free to come back home with expired or non-expired Nigerian passport.

The Minister said no Nigerian needed travel certificate to come back home, except children, whose parents were Nigerians, but their identities were yet to be established according to immigration rule.

“I am using this medium to instruct all Nigeria Immigration Officers World-Wide to accord Nigerian travellers with expired Passport use such passports to return safely back home henceforth,” he said.

The Minister also advised Nigerians in Diaspora to update their travel document ahead of time to avoid rush during emergency.

Earlier, Mr Kasumu complained to the Minister that the Nigeria Immigration in America and Delta airline prevented him from coming to Nigeria because of expired Nigerian passport.

Mr Kasumu said he was able to return to Nigeria after he got travel certificate he obtained through a relation in Nigeria.

“I am appealing to you sir that the Immigration should allow Nigerians with expired passport to come back to their country,” he said.

PremiumTimes / Titilayo Kupoliyi

Security

Immigration issued 625,000 passports in five months, says Aregbesola

By Web News 437

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola has said the Nigeria Immigration Service received over 750, 000 applications out of which a total of 625,000 passports have been issued to Nigerians since the beginning of the year.

He added that many of those yet to get their passports were a result of the failure of applicants to provide their correct data and could not be contacted because they patronised touts.

The Minister stated this at the rollout of the enhanced e-Passport for Delta and Edo States, which was held at the Passport Office Headquarters, Benin, Edo State on Tuesday.

These were contained in a statement by the Minister’s Media Adviser, Sola Fasure.

The statement partly read, “Our enhanced passport is the real deal in passport making. Today’s event is unique in many ways. The most important is making the enhanced e-Passport available to the good people of Edo and Delta States. The enhanced e-Passport comes in various categories, including the 64-page-10-year validity passport which is quite convenient for frequent travellers. It is a product of the latest technology in passport administration and issuance.

“This year alone, we have received about 750,000 applications out of which we have provided 625,000. The difference could have been due to many reasons, including failure of applicants to provide the correct information about themselves and matching their data with NIN.

We could not contact them because they applied through touts who provided their own addresses or wrong ones altogether. But 625,000 is a huge and unprecedented figure, in less than half of the year, by any stretch of the imagination,” the Minister stated.

He also said the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) was worried about the hassles Nigerians go through in securing the passports.

He said, “President Muhammadu Buhari’s charge to us is explicit. Make life easy as much as possible for every person you have to relate with and remove every hurdle hitherto in their way of getting business done.

“Last week, President Buhari expressed concern on report that some Nigerians, especially those abroad, were unable to obtain their Nigerian passports. I share this concern as well.“I am asking therefore that the NIS do everything within its power to make this a thing of the past.

Every Nigerian desirous of the travel document should be able to collect it within the stipulated time, without any stress whatsoever.

Punch/Olaolu Fawole

Religion

FG Declares Friday, Monday as Easter Holiday

By Web News 534

The Federal Government has declared Friday and Monday as holidays for Easter celebrations.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, announced the Easter holiday on behalf of the federal government on Tuesday.

Aregbesola urged Christians to emulate the attributes of sacrifice, togetherness, forgiveness, kindness, love, peace and patience, which were the attributes and practices of Jesus Christ, as exemplified by his ministry on earth.

He also called on Christians and all Nigerians alike to use the occasion of this year’s Easter celebration to pray for an end to all security challenges bedevilling every part of the country.

The Minister assured that the federal government will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the recent attacks by undesirable elements on the highways, airport and the railway are timely brought to an end.

Tina Oyinsan

News Security

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

By Web News 609

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

Education

Aregbesola , Akeredolu Celebrate AKOGRAMS @ 60

By Web News 928

It was an aura of pageantry as Akoko Anglican Grammar School, AKOGRAMS in Arigidi-Akoko, in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State celebrated its diamond jubilee.

The epoch making event attracted prominent personalities including the Minister of Interior and former Governor of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola who was an old student and Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

Speaking at the occasion, Aregbesola praised Ondo State Government for rehabilitating dilapidated structures at the school describing Governor Akeredolu as a committed servant of the people.

The minister as well hailed the immense intervention and contributions of the old students association with an appeal that many other old students partake in giving back to their almamater.

He also expressed satisfaction with the level of qualitative education offered to students which he said would build them to be in the right stead to proffer solutions to many problems facing the country and asked the students to make use of the opportunity judiciously.

On his part, Governor Akeredolu commended the old students for giving the school a face-lift saying the 60th anniversary had heralded a new dawn.

He disclosed that education had been at the front burner since the inception of his administration, stressing that no fewer than 500 schools had been renovated to enhance standard of learning in the sunshine state.

He said, “this school has produced many great men, this ceremony is meant to mark a great milestone. We have renovated over 600 schools“

“We are committed in tackling infrastructural deficit as we have done much, but funding is a big problem but we will continue to do our best”, Akeredolu said.

The National President of AKOGRAMS old students association, Mr. Adewole Saba appreciated the gestures of the Minister of Interior, who he said single-handedly renovated most of the school buildings.

“One of us rose to become a minister in the country and some rose to become permanent secretaries in the federal and state governments. I thank God for all these achievements” he concluded.

The Chairman of the anniversary planning committee, Mrs. Mojisola Ajayi appealed for deployment of science teachers to the school and more assistance to complete the school’s perimeter fencing to prevent enchroachment.

Ibrahim Kilani

Politics

Court remands Five for Murder in Osun

By Web News 720

An Osun State Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Ikirun has remanded five members of All Progressives Congress,(APC), in Ilesha Correctional centre over alleged attempted murder.

Radio Nigeria gathered that the development followed a violent clash between loyalists of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola in Ikirun on Tuesday which led to the two factions trading blame.

Consequently, the police on Wednesday arraigned five members of APC namely; Akinlade Abayomi(38yrs), Sodiq Atitebi (25yrs), Azeez Adejimi(28yrs), Solomon Alatayo (36yrs) and Siju Oyewumi (68yrs) on three counts charge.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Jacob Akintunde told the court that, Abayomi, Atitebi, Adejimi, Alatayo, Oyewumi and others now at large on February 1st 2022 at 1:45 PM at Ikirun in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun State conspired among themselves to wit unlawful society with intent to kill one Fatai Asimiyu by inflicting machet cuts on his head.

He stressed that the offences committed by five the defendants contravened Section 516, 320 (1) and 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Cap. 34 Vol. II Laws of Osun State Nigeria 2002.

However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the offences of conspiracy, unlawful society, attempted murder and breach of public peace.

Their counsel, Mr Olatunbosun Oladipupo made an oral bail application for the defendants on the most liberal terms.

Inspector Akintunde opposed the bail, saying, “other suspects in connection with the crime are still at large and the matter may eventually lead to murder as the wounded person is still in hospital battling for his life.”

The presiding magistrate, Mr Asimiyu Adebayo ordered that the five defendants be remanded in Ilesha Corrections Facility.

He adjourned the case to February 23rd 2022 for ruling on bail.

Adenitan Akinola

Crime

Minister Orders Demolition of Buildings around Correctional Centre, Says Attackers Must Not Be Spared

By Web News 1271

The minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola has ordered immediate demolition of all the shops and buildings around Agodi medium-security correctional centre in Ibadan, to ensure maximum security for the facility.

He gave the order on Monday while addressing officers at the correctional centre, during a tour of the facility.

’’All buildings or shops built within 50 meters from the fence of Agodi medium correctional facility must be demolished with immediate effect the minister said.

Mr Aregbesola also ordered that any form of attack on correctional service facilities in the country be resisted, while attackers should not be spared.

He reminded members of staff that their sole duty was to protect the Centre from any attack.

Describing the centre as a red zone, Aregbesola told the officers to be always alert. ” this is a dangerous zone for those who are not invited, whoever attempts to breach this facility for whatever reason is already dead. He must not leave to tell the story somebody else must tell the story” says the minister.

The minister said good illumination should be provided for the centre to prevent a possible attack during the night.

Mr Aregbesola commended the officers for their efforts at preventing the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic as there was not a single report of the disease in the facility.

He added that the staff should use their training and exposure to reform inmates so that they could come out better than when they arrived at the facility.

The minister is also expected to visit the correctional facility still under construction at the Olomi area of Ibadan.

In recent times, there had been reports of attacks on prisons and jailbreak in various correctional centres in Nigeria.

The most recent was that of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Kosere area of Ile-Ife Osun state where four inmates reportedly dies during an attempted jailbreak which was however foiled by security agencies.

Abisola Oluremi

Yoruba

Ìjọba àpapọ̀ kéde ọjọ́ ìsẹ́gun àti ọjọ́rú tónbọ̀ gẹ́gẹ́bí ìsimi lẹ́nu isẹ́ láti sọdún iléyá

By Web News 546

Ìjọba àpapọ̀ ti kéde ọjọ́ ìsẹ́gun Tuesday àti ọjọ́rú Wednesday ọ̀sẹ̀ tónbọ̀ gẹ́gẹ́bí ìsinmi lẹ́nu isẹ́ láti le sọdún iléyá tọdún yi.

Ọrọ yí lówà nínú àtẹ̀jáde èyí tí àkọ̀wé àgbà sí alákoso lórí ọ̀rọ̀ abẹ́lé, ọ̀mọ̀wé Shuaib Belgore fisíta, pẹ̀lú àtọ́kasí pé alákoso fọ́rọ̀ abẹ́lé Rauf Arẹgbẹsọla ló kéde ohun, lórúkọ ìjọba àpapọ̀ nílu Abuja.

Ọgbẹni Arẹgbẹsọla wá, kí gbogbo àwọn Mùsùlùmí òdodo àti àwọn èyàn nílẹ̀ Nàijírìa, nílé àti lókè òkun kú ọdún Eil-el-kabir.

Alákoso wá rọ gbogbo àwọn èyàn nílẹ̀ yí láti tẹ̀lé gbogbo ìlànà tó rọ̀mọ́ dídènà ìtànkákẹ̀ àrùn covid-19 papa wiwọ ibomu, fífọ ọwọ́ lórekére àti yíyàgò fún ìfin kínra.

Ololade Afọnja  

News

Asiwaju Tinubu Meets Gov. Oyetola, Aregbesola, Chief Akande in Ila

By Web News 795

The National Leader of All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister for Interior, Rauf Aregbesola and former National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande have held a closed-door meeting in Ila Oragun, Osun State. 

The meeting which took place at the residence of Chief Akande lasted about 3hours.

There are speculations that Asiwaju Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande organized the meeting to broker peace between Governor Oyetola and his predecessor, Mr Aregbesola. 

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the Media Aide of Chief Akande, who was ex-commissioner for information, Osun State, Mr Lani Baderinwa explained that Mr Aregbesola was in Ila Orangun as part of civic engagement directed by President Mohammadu Buhari. 

He said that Mr Aregbesola came with Oyetola to meet Chief Akande and incidentally Asiwaju Tinubu came around on random visit to Ila Orangun. 

He noted that the core of their discussion was not open to him because the meeting only involved the four of them. 

Earlier, Aregbesola posted it on his Twitter handle that he arrived Osun State with an entourage from the Ministry of Interior to commence stakeholders’ engagement meeting with different stakeholders in the state as directed by President Buhari. 

Adenitan

Yoruba

Ìjọba àpapọ̀ bẹ̀rẹ̀ ètò ẹ̀kọ́ni fún gbígba oyè àkọ́kọ́ fáwọn tówá lọ́gbà ẹ̀wọ̀n

By Web News 851

Ìjọba àpapọ̀ ti bẹ̀rẹ̀, ètò ẹ̀kọ́ni ìmọ̀ oyé àkọ́kọ́ láwọn ọgbà ẹ̀wọ̀n yíká orílẹ̀èdè yí fún àwọn tón singbà tó jẹ́ ẹ̀dẹ́gbẹ̀ta àti mọ́kàndínládota níye.

Alákoso fọ́rọ̀ abẹ́lé, ọ̀gbẹ́ni Rauf Aregbẹsọla ló sọ̀rọ̀ yí nílu Abuja lásìkò tón sísọ lójú àwọn ọkọ isẹ́ mọ́kàndín lọ́gọ́ta fún lílò àwọn ọgbà àtúnse.

Gẹ́gẹ́bí ọ̀gbẹ́ni Aregbẹsọla se ní ẹgbẹ̀rún kan àwọn ẹlẹ́wọ̀n yi ni wọ́n ti forúkọ sílẹ̀ fún ìdánwò àsejáde nílèwé gíga tónbọ̀.

Ó wá gbóríyìn fún bí àwọn òsìsẹ́ nínú ọgbà ẹ̀wọ̀n, fún bí wọ́n se ri dájú pé, wọ́n se  àmúlò tó yẹ láti ripé àrùn Covid-19 kò tànkélẹ̀ pẹ̀lú àtọ́kasí pé ìjọba ti gbé ìgbésẹ̀ láti mú àdínkù bá iye àwọn tó wà nínú ọgbà àtúnse yíká ilẹ̀yí tíwọ́n sì ti yọ̀nda àwọn tó fẹ̀ wọ ẹgbẹ̀rún mẹ̀rin níye.

Ọlọlade Afọnja