Corruption ;No hands in judges arrest presidency

The Presidency has advised journalists and other Nigerians to stop linking President Muhammadu Buhari to the legal travails of some recently arrested Judges in the country.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said President Muhammadu Buhari would be the last person to authorise anybody to induce a Judge to pervert the course of justice.

Malam Shehu recalled that, despite his personal familiarity with some court Judges, the President had never used that familiarity to seek favours from them from 2003, 2007 and 2011 when he was challenging the fairness of the presidential election results, from the lowest to the highest courts in the land during the periods in question.

The Senior Special Assistant also explained that, as a politician, Buhari had never once ever suggested to his lawyers to approach any Judge for assistance to win his cases. He said the President lives by this principle and has never deviated from it.

On the fate of the Judges facing corruption allegations, the Presidential Media Aide said the President doesn’t tell Courts how to do their jobs and that anybody accused of corruption is protected by law to defend their innocence.

He explained that the purpose of the law is to punish the guilty and acquit the innocent, noting that the law projects the rights everyone.

Malam Garba Shehu said the President doesn’t have any powers to force any court to convict anybody who is innocent, arguing that in a democratic society, that cannot happen without resistance by the people.

The Role Of The Judiciary In The Fight Against Corruption by Mohammadu Buhari

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, it is a great pleasure to be amongst you today as stakeholders in this national fight against corruption in Nigeria. I welcome specially the invited judges and guest from other jurisdictions. Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedule to honor this invitation. Welcome to our dear country Nigeria.

I also want to commend the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, the National Judicial Institute, the United Nation’s Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Commonwealth Secretariat for conceiving such an important and timely workshop and making it happen. This workshop is important and timely not only because far-reaching reforms of the judiciary remains one of the key priorities of this administration but also because it offers us a unique opportunity to interact and agree on the basic tenets and guiding principles that will make our efforts acceptable to all right thinking people.

Today gives us an opportunity to reflect as well as build upon the efforts of the judiciary’s fight against corruption and also to assert this administration’s commitment towards this struggle. A well-functioning criminal justice system is imperative to address corruption effectively, as we seek to move our country towards greater growth and development.

I recognize the tremendous efforts the judiciary is making to foster justice and accountability in Nigeria. Even as we recognize those efforts, it is worth reminding ourselves of the persisting challenges that confront the criminal justice system.

Having said that, the responsibility of the judiciary in a democratic society such as ours is a critical one. It is one of the three pillars of the modern democratic nation state and is essential to the process of checks and balances, which is so fundamental to the way societies such as ours are meant to operate and function. This apparent function that the Judiciary plays is undeniably one of the cornerstones of any effective strategy against corruption.

As already established, corruption is a global phenomenon, it knows no boundaries. It exists and affects all countries. It exists in the public sector, the private sector, and indeed, in all facets of the society.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, while it is true that corruption is a global phenomenon occurring in almost all countries in the world, the problem is much more pronounced in some countries than others but more complicated in developing countries. It has now become clear that corruption is one of the main obstacles to peace, stability, sustainable development, democracy, and human rights around the globe.

The judiciary is a public institution whose job is to provide fundamental checks on other public institutions. Therefore, a fair and efficient judiciary is the key to all anti-corruption initiatives.

Indeed that is why Article 11 of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, provides that the independence of the judiciary and its crucial role in combating corruption, shall, in accordance with the fundamental principles of a State Party’s legal system and without prejudice to judicial independence, take measures to strengthen integrity and to prevent opportunities of corruption among members of the judiciary.

What Article 11 simply means is that a corrupt judicial system not only violates the basic right to equality before the law but also deny procedural rights guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.

Now, in carrying out its role in the fight against corruption, the judiciary must remain impartial and most importantly, be seen to be impartial. It is incumbent on the judiciary to analyze facts based on the applicable law without prejudice and penchant regarding the case they are dealing with, and without acting in any way that would favor the interests of any of the parties.

Where judicial corruption occurs, the damage can be pervasive and extremely difficult to reverse. It undermines citizens’ morale, violates their human rights, harms national development and depletes the quality of governance.

In tandem with the above and as gatekeepers of the law, the judiciary must maintain its absolute independence. Judges should hear and handle their assigned cases without any external pressure or influence either by state powers, or by their hierarchical superiors, stakeholders or economic interest groups.

The Judiciary must take steps to ensure that it is not seen as being partisan. As such, it must be aware of the sensitivities of the public and take steps towards avoiding even the shred of a doubt as regards its independence. In justice, integrity is a necessity. Hence, Judicial Officers and all other members of this sector must always demonstrate manifest integrity.

In other words, the Judiciary should be in the forefront of efforts to develop rights based jurisprudence as an element in the multi-disciplinary approach advocated in the fight against corruption. It does have a role to play in the fight against corruption by enforcing the applicable laws.

Critically important also, is the sacred duty of the judiciary to ensure that criminal justice administration is not delayed. I am worried that the expectation of the public is yet to be met by the judiciary with regard to the removal of delay and the toleration of delay tactics by lawyers. When cases are not concluded the negative impression is given that crime pays. So far, the corruption cases filed by government are not progressing as speedily as they should in spite of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015 essentially because the courts allow some lawyers to frustrate the reforms introduced by law. This certainly needs to change if we are to make success in our collective effort in the fight against corruption.

As we are all aware, I have made the fight against corruption one of the top priorities of my administration in the hope of restoring the economy and build a new Nigeria. In the face of dwindling revenues and in a bid at repositioning ‎Nigeria’s economy, it became obligatory to swiftly tackle two ills; waste and corruption.

The eradication of corruption is a joint task involving not only judges and members of the legal profession, but literally all stakeholders, including all branches of Government, the media and the civil society. The challenge is to come up with an integrated approach that balances process and substance, promote clarity to ensure a coherent and realistic formulation of objectives.

To this end, the Judiciary is under a duty to keep its house in order and to ensure that the public, which it serves, sees this. Thus, we cannot expect to make any gains in the war against corruption in our society when the judiciary is seen as being distant from the crusade. This will not augur well and its negative effect will impact all sectors of society. The judiciary must fight delay of cases in court as well as it fights corruption in its own ranks, perceived or otherwise. We expect to see less tolerance to delay tactics used by defense lawyers or even the prosecution in taking cases to conclusion.

Let me conclude by saying the future of anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria rests not only on well-functioning, preventive systems, but also an effective sanctions and enforcement regime in accordance with the laws. WE count on the judiciary to assist in this regard.

On our part, we are committed to promoting and supporting the judiciary to achieve a judicial system that is well staffed, well-resourced and that promotes and recognizes dedicated, committed and motivated Judges. The Judiciary can count on me for this so that together we can rid our nation of the cancer of corruption.

It is now my singular honor and pleasure to declare this International Workshop on the Judiciary and the Fight Against Corruption officially opened. A corruption free Nigeria is possible therefore let every arm of government be the change we want to see in our country.

Once again, I congratulate the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption and the National Judicial Institute for their collaboration and initiative.

I look forward to the outcome of your deliberations which I believe will serve as a veritable input to our collective effort in killing corruption before it kills Nigeria.

Thank you for your kind attention

Group condemns Oyo students’ protest as Police Arrest 20 suspects

A socio-cultural group, Oyo Development Initiative, has urged the Oyo State government not to treat the secondary schools students’ protest with kid gloves saying that strict measures should be taken to prevent future occurrence.

The organization, in a statement at the weekend by its Coordinator, Dr. Adesola Okanlawon, said that corrective measures like making the affected students undergo counseling sessions in order to re-orientate them will go a long way beyond the closure of schools and apologies from the affected schools.

Okanlawon stated that the group condemns the actions of the students, who have turned themselves to arsonists, stressing that their parents should also be factored into whatever punishment and measures the government will take to avert future occurrence.

According to him, “it is sad that we now have touts in school uniforms. The action of the students is rather unfortunate and all hands must be on deck to deal with the situation. Even, students of higher institutions rarely destroy government properties during their ‘Aluta’ days. One now wonders what students of secondary schools have turned into?

“It would be recalled that the state government asked students, teachers and the principals of the school who participated in a protest in May to officially apologize for their unwarranted actions. The government’s statement was greeted with so much resistance with many querying why the government needed the teachers, students and principal’s apologies.

“There were arguments for and against the apology and many of those who were against the apologies were oblivious of the level of rot in the education sector in the state. No doubt, the recent protest by some students over the no automatic promotion policy of the government has justified the decision of the government. It is now obvious that our secondary schools breed thugs in uniform.

“To repeat a class is not a new thing and students who are adjudged not to pass their examinations are expected to repeat the class. The recent statistics of students’ failure released by the government show that education is on the verge of collapse if the government does not take strict measures to save it.

“It will be totally unacceptable for students to be given automatic promotion when records available from WAEC according to the state government showed that from 1999 to 2015, over fifty thousand students failed to get five (5) credits (including English and Mathematics) each year. No sane individual will support automatic promotion for students under this condition and we believe that the abysmal failure pattern must be redressed.

“We urge the government not to treat the recent protest with kid gloves and call on them to ensure that strict measures are put in place to prevent future occurrence. Parents of the affected students and schools should also be invited for talk and made to sign an undertaking of good behavior each from their children.

“There shouldn’t be breakdown of law and order based on the activities of secondary school students. The government should fish out touts in uniforms and send them to reformation centres for proper counseling. No matter what they do, they are still our children and they should be properly guided in order not be a waste among their generation,” Dr. Okalawon noted.   

The group’s coordinator called on stakeholders in the education sector to support the initiatives of the government to reform the sector and consequently urged the media to continue to be a worthy partner in order to educate and sensitize the public on the need to establish a new education order in Oyo State.

Meanwhile, Oyo state police command said over 20 suspect have been arrested in connection with the violence 

The command's public relation officer Adekunle Ajisebutu according to a report by  Nigerian Tribune on monday said that majority of the arrested suspects were students of secondary schools who have been transferred to  crminal investigation department Iyaganku.

 Ajisebutu was quoted saying "“We are investigating the incident and anyone found culpable will be charged to court. We have made some arrests. The Commissioner of Police has directed all Divisional Police Officers and Area commanders to fortify security around public schools in the state.”

Gen Olonishakin call for global coperation against terrorism

Gen  Abayomi olonishakin

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin has called on world military leaders to unite together and pull their resources to fight global common enemy; terrorism which is now an albatross to the existence of humanity.

General Olonisakin made this call during meetings of Committee of World Chiefs of Defence Staff in Washington DC recently.

According to General Olonisakin, terrorism does not only hinder development of nations, but is fast threatening the corporate existence of human race. He cited the cruelty of the Boko Haram terrorists in Nigeria which kill, maim and destroy property in unimaginable proportion as example while condemning in very strong terms these inhumane treatments.   He added that the activities of Boko Haram and other terrorists groups elsewhere if not contained through the instrumentality of joint forces and information sharing may snowball into catastrophic dimension.

General Olonisakin therefore urged world military leaders to do everything possible to assist one another in the fight against terrorism saying, “terrorism being an asymmetric warfare requires wider spectrum of cooperation with other nations, since insurgency and terrorism transverse beyond borders”.

While in the Washington DC, General Olonisakin used the opportunity to seek for more enhanced bilateral and multilateral defence cooperation with the Chiefs of Defence Staff of USA, Britain and France.

The Committee of World Chiefs of Defence Staff later endorsed the holding of regular meetings with the aim of reappraising issues that may require urgent attention and channeling of resources to address global terrorism.  The CDS has since returned to the country, a statement by Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar, Acting Director Defence Information said.

FG cautions NAFDAC, SON on substandard, fake product

The National Economic Council (NEC) has  warned the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Cntrol (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to be vigilant against importation of substandard food items into the country.

 Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha  while briefing  journalists at the end of the meeting on tuesday said the Federal Government would no longer tolerate a situation whereby the country would be made a dumping ground for substandard products in the name of food importation.

“We were concerned about some of the imported goods, some of the items imports into this country in the name of food and we have cautioned seriously that SON, NAFDAC and other agencies that deal with quality of goods should do their utmost best so that rubbish is not sent into this country in the name of food.

“We realized that some of the frozen chicken and fish imports into this country are being preserved with very dangerous chemicals. So we are of the opinion that this area should be looked into.”

Okorocha who is also the Chairman of Progressive Governor’s Forum also disclosed the discussions at the meeting which lasted for over five hours centred on agriculture with the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh briefing council on action plans by his ministry on how to improve on food production in the country.

He said council agreed that state governments should partner with the Federal Government in that regard to ensure productivity and high yields in the agricultural sector.

The governor also noted that council commended the anchor borrowers programme of the federal government through the CBN as a success story, adding that many states had now embarked on rice farming which would guarantee sufficiency in rice production in the next year in the country.

“And again,we all resolved that agriculture should continue to take the center stage in this country for now so that our country will be able to feed itself. If we are not able to do this, employment for our youth would be a mere dream,” he added.

Okorocha also disclosed that NEC endorsed the Federal Government’s plan to increase the contribution of the solid minerals sector to the nation’s treasury.

Accordingly, he said, following a presentation to the Council by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, NEC approved the appointment of professional revenue consultants to achieve this goal.

NEC also supported a presentation from the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola on the Ministry’s strategy to generate incremental power as a short term measure towards addressing current energy shortage in the country.

Ogbomoso Ajilete group holds Gbegiri day

Ogbomoso Ajilete, a socio-cultural organization of Ogbomoso indigenes in organizing Gbegiri day

The event is schedule to hold on Saturday,29th October,2016 at NMA House.Total Garden,Ibadan. at 11.00am.

Former Governor of Oyo state Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala Justice Afolabi Adeniran.. Dr.Akin Onigbinde and  Senator Ayo Adeseun  will be discussing on the theme  of the event which is Peace, Progress and Development

JDPC resettled 64 children,inaugurates Child Rights Clubs in 31 schools in Ibadan ..

A faith based non-governmental organization in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), in its bid to halt the menace of child abuse and child labor has inaugurated Child Rights Clubs in 31 selected secondary schools in Ibadan metropolis. 

JDPC which is an arm of the Catholic Archdioceses of Ibadan also on Wednesday resettled no fewer than 64 children who are being supported morally and educationally by the organization.

The organization also provided educational materials to students from the 31 schools at the tripartite event that took place at the Bashorun office of the commission.

These according to JDPC Director, Rev. Father Ade Owoeye was to protect the children against child labor, child maltreatment, child trafficking among other child rights issues and provide the basic needs for the indigent children. 

He said JDPC had organized series of awareness campaigns, in schools, market and other strategic locations in its bid to achieve its aims nothing that many children in areas such as Mokola, Sango, Gate, Gbagi, Agbeni, Gangansi, Iwo Road, Ayeye, and Agodi-Gate has been rescued through rehabilitation, re-union and resettlement.  

The selected schools which includes, Abadina High School, University of Ibadan, Methodist Grammar School, Bodija, Community High School Orogun, Community High School, Agbowo-Bodija, Government Secondary School, Orita Aperin and Rochas Foundation according to him were carefully chosen as he urged the benefited schools to make use of the great opportunity. 

Items provided for the representatives of the schools include copies of the state child right law, instructional materials, writing and reading materials and bags among other items.   

While charging the students, Owoeye insisted that "Child Right Club is open and it is not a cult, the content of the Child Right Law is written in English and Yoruba so that you can understand it as your level. 

"You must continue to fight for your rights and you must find for what you know.  

"We have menace of child trafficking and child labor in our society, you must guard yourselves against them."

The Head of Programme, Women Development and Child's Right Programme, Mrs. Omotayo Mala-Adebayo while speaking on the rationale the child rights laws in the schools is for them to know their rights, to build their capacity.   

The clubs according to her was not to misuse their rights but for them to know the do and donts. 

She said "It is towards using their rights positively."

Mala-Adebayo noted that trained teachers and counselors have been employed in these 31 schools to take care of the needs of the students. 

"We are happy today is a reality, we have been on this programme since 6 years ago, We now have trained counselors and teachers in these 31 schools, they will monitor their activities, they will teach them the right ways to use their rights and provide the basic advice for them. 

"We are establishing child right laws in 30 selected schools in Ibadan today, we are resettling 61 children today and we are providing educational materials to 31 schools."

Infertility, Varsity Don recommends establishment of sperm bank

A senior lecturer with the department of Political Science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Osun State, Dr. Amaka Theresa Emordi has called on the Federal Government to establishment sperm banks to tackle the problem of infertility and childlessness which has forced many women especially in the Southeastern part of the country into bigamy.

Emordi made this call while delivering October lecture of the Nigeria Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) on Tuesday in Ibadan.

Speaking on the topic 'Women Bigamists in Southeast Nigeria: The Social Contradictions of the Feminist Struggles' Emordi said this is necessary considering the fact that women without children particularly in the southeast are devalued and sometimes demonized to have eaten up their children.

She however insisted that "The law needs to ensure that the problem of infertility should not be a lonely road for infertile women but a problem that should be handled by both individuals involve (husband and wife).

The Political Scientist who said gender still constitutes one of the inherent obstacles towards the advancement of women especially in Nigeria and many developing countries despite their numerical strength posited that "There is a need for gender solidarity and collective will by the women themselves.

She then maintained that "Government should establish sperm banks and encourage anonymous donors of sperms and female eggs to such banks. Such legal sperm and egg banks would proffer solution to the problem of infertility and childlessness which force women into bigamy.

The guest lecturer then described Women bigamist as those women who are engaged in more than one marriage and practice of multiple marriages at the same time and successfully too, the practice she said it still persists in the South Eastern states of Imo, Enugu, Anambra among others.  

She spoke further saying "There is the need for aggressive advocacy to provide medical, legal and social support for women seeking to have children of their own. This is because women's exclusion/marginalization does not occur in isolation; it is connected to other forms of legal and social exclusion.

"There should be adequate protection by the law and adequate provision for the administration of justice against dehumanizing treatment on chlidless women especially in the rural areas.

"The law should abolish the boy child syndrome and elevate the social status of the girl through educational policy.

NIGERIA’S INVESTMENT MARKET BIG, BOISTEROUS-SHITTU

The Minister of Communications, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Shittu has said that the Nigerian investment market is big and boisterous enough for prospecting investors and that the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will provide enabling environment needed for investment.

Barr. Shittu  said this on Tuesday while receiving the management team of YAS RIH Group that was in his office to present the company’s intention to partner with the Nigerian government in the area of digital transformation solutions and telecommunications operations.

He said the administration has resolved to make Nigeria’s business environment safe and conducive for investors in various business fields in view of her determination to truly diversify the economy from a mono-product economy to an all inclusive one.

While stressing that the country’s regulatory processes are open, effective and transparent, the minister urged the ICT firm to fully comply with all regulatory guidelines set for intending ICT operators by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Barr. Shittu therefore urged YAS RIH Group to put together a proposal through the NCC while assuring them that the Nigerian government through the Ministry of Communications will not hesitate in approving license to the firm to operate in the country.

Leader of delegation, Ayman Al Rlfai  who is the PA to His Royal Highness, Prince Fahad Bin Magrin Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud delivered the goodwill message of  the Saudi monarch who was unavoidably absent at the presentation.

Presenting the company’s profile, the Chief ICT Officer, Mr. Francois Hannouche is ready to bring its expertise experience in Digital Transformation Solution and Telecom Infrastructures Operations to impact positively on Nigeria’s economy.

He assured that the company, if given the opportunity to operate in Nigeria, will bring both direct and indirect impact on the nation’s GDP.

Stressing that data is the new oil in the global market ,he said data trends and infrastructure presence have resulted in regional data hub. He lauded operators in the Nigerian telecom sector such as MTN Glo, Airtel and Etisalat for their international ratings.

Hannouche said YAS RIH Group supports Digital Transformation Projects and that it build, operate and transfer; 4G Mobile Network, National Satellite Teleport, A Digital Transformation and Data Centers and Internet Exchange Points.

The visiting team include; Abdulmanaf Muhammad, Vice Chairman of YAS RIH International, Wad Tawil, CEO, YAS RIH International, Dave Cain, Abdullahi Garba, MD, Forsysthia, and Muhammad Saed.

$2.2B Arms deal scandal is false, baseless- ex president Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan  has described the allegations of misappropriation of funds meant for procuring arms for the military in to fight the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, during his administration as false and baseless.

just as he  said that former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki did not steal $2.2 billion meant for arms procurement as claimed by the nation’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Speaking at the famous Oxford Union, Oxford, United Kingdom on youth entrepreneurship, Jonathan said it was “not just possible” for Dasuki to have stolen $2.2 billion with the several sophisticated armoury his administration procured for the military.

He said, “They said the National Security Adviser stole $2.2billion. I don’t believe somebody can just steal $2.2 billion. We bought warships, we bought aircraft, we bought lots of weapons for the army and so on and so forth. And you are still saying 2.2 billion, so where did we get the money to buy all those things?”

Dasuki has been in detention since December 1, 2015, following his arrest by the State Security Service for allegedly misappropriating $2.2 billion meant to purchase equipment for the Nigerian military.

A Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, last Friday, granted an application by the EFCC to consolidate two separate cases against the former army Colonel.

A statement by the anti-graft commission said Dasuki would be re-arraigned on November 16.

Commenting on some alleged corruption incidences traced to his administration, Jonathan noted that some of the allegations were “exaggerated”.

He said: “Yes, there were some issues; yes, there are still corruption issues; but some of them were blown, I’d say exaggerated, and they give a very bad impression about our nation. You cannot say the national security adviser stole $2.2billion. It is not just possible,” he said.

He, however, said that as some of the corruption cases were still in court, he would rather allow the legal processes to reveal the facts of the matter and that he did not want to appear as challenging the incumbent government.

He explained that governments had been overthrown in the past because they were accused of being corrupt, only for the new administration itself to be pushed out by another junta touting the anti-corruption mantra.

“You will see that it has become a major topic whenever there is a change of government,” he said.

He further argued that corruption was a global problem, but said the perception of corruption was greater in Nigeria due to the Nigerian media’s obsession with reporting on corruption.

“I am not saying there is no corruption in Nigeria, there is corruption. If you look at corruption, there is almost no country that is free, the degree varies, the perception varies,” he said.

“Transparency International talks about the way corruption is being perceived in different economies, why do we talk about the way corruption is being perceived, it depends on the issue raised in the media every day.”

Jonathan however noted that the courts should be left to decide the cases before those concerned are pronounced guilty.

Oyo APC commends Senator Abdulfatai Buhari

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress  in Oyo state at the weekend commended the Senator Abdulfatai Buhari representing Oyo North Senatorial district at the upper chamber of the National Assembly for his numerous contribution to the development of the party through continuous and massive empowerment of his constituents.

The party also praised the Senator for facilitating infrastructural development and other projects that is enhancing the development of Oyo North Senatorial district as well as other part of the state

 Chief Akin Oke the state party chairman while speaking at the APC senatorial meeting held in  Iseyin at the weekend said , Senator Buhari truly represents the interest of the people and party ideology at the upper chamber.

Apart from being effective in his legislative assignment, Senator Buhari also attend to the yearnings of the people and we are happy to have him, we are proud of him and we wish him the best.

Earlier in his address, the chairman Oyo North APC, Chief Goke Oyetunji,” With Senator Buhari’s unprecedented achievements in Oyo North, we are setting the phase for others to follow, I doubt if any Senator in Nigeria can match his record, we are confident of his representation and we will continue to pray for him to succeed

Oyetunji said further that “Senator Buhari’s speaks our voice at the National Assembly, he has a listening ear and he respond quickly, such is the kind of leader we need at the helms of affairs

It would be recalled that Senator Fatai Buhari who is also the chairman Senate committee on ICT and cybercrime in June distributed empowerment materials worth about N150 million to his constituents at a massive empowerment programme held in Saki.

The lawmaker also facilitate ICT Lab for various secondary schools across the region, donate boreholes, facilitate many projects and give cash donation to support various community project across the state   

Crown FC Appeal against NFF disciplinary committee judgement

The Management of Crown Football Club on tuesday afternoon filed an appeal against the decision of the NFF Disciplinary Committee on Match between crown FC and Fc Uba

 NFF disciplinary  committee in her sitting on Monday ruled that "that Crown shall forfeit the match for encroachment resulting in the disruption of the match" referencing Article. 3.11(A) with the fine of two hundred thousand naira (#200,000)only, invoking Article 3.11(D) 

The Management of the team in a press statement signed by Team media officer  Kunle Oyeleye said "having studied the judgement and found it to be one-sided hinging solely on "crowd invasion of the field" among several other prayers brought before the Committee.

Crown football Club in the appeal paper therefore seeks to have the decision of the Disciplinary Committee set aside for lacking substances of good judgement. The NFF Appellate Committee is thereby approached to order a replay of the match and reversal of the fine of Two Hundred Thousand naira only, in the spirit of good judgment and sportsmanship.

The numerous fans,supporters and well-wishers of the Club are enjoined to relax till every mechanism found within football reach is explored at controlling the anomaly in our football circle.

Ajimobi, Alaafin, Soun others mourn Olugbon

Prominent traditional rulers and top government officials including the executive governor of Oyo state Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Alaafin of Oyo Oba  Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, Soun of Ogbomoso during the week visited Igbon community to sympathize with the people over the demise of Oba Samuel Osunbade, Adeyelu11

Oba Osunbade who died last week at the age of 79 was enthroned in 1992

He was said to have died at a private hospital in Ogbomoso

 An inside source told National Insight that the duo of Soun and Alaafin send representatives to the palace while the governor of the state Senator Abiola Ajimobi issued a statement to mourn the monarch

 Also the chairman of the  National Assembly committee on information, National Orientation ethics and value Hon Segun Odebunmi in his condolence message describe the late monarch as a great traditional ruler who will be remembered for immense contribution to the development of his community and oyo state at Large

Governor Ajimobi , in a condolence message issued in Ibadan on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka, described the monarch’s demise as unfortunate and a loss not only to the people of Orile Igbon but also, to the entire state.

Ajimobi extolled the virtues of Oba Osunbade, saying he was a great ruler whose reign brought great development to the town.

``Oba Osunbade will always be remembered for his wise counsel and commitment to the development of his community and the state at large. His exit will surely leave a vacuum that will be hard to fill,’’ the governor said.

15 Bags first class as Federal University Lokoja holds first convocation

Fifteen students of Federal University Lokoja have graduated with first class in the two Faculties of Science and Art and Social Sciences during the maiden convocation that was held at the Adankolo campus Saturday.

 The maiden convocation also witnessed the installation of the Chancellor, His Royal Highness, Ahaji Muhammed Abali Ibn Idris (CON), the Emir of Fika, award of Degrees and conferment of Honorary Degrees to some prominent citizens of the country.

The Vice Chancellor of the five year old University, Prof. Angela Freeman Miri told the galaxy of who is who that graced the occasion that the promising citadel of learning was to contribute its quarter to the development of the country, hence the quest for the five billion naira endowment fund.

In all, two hundred and one students graduated during the maiden convocation ceremony that was the cynosure of passersby in Lokoja.

President Muhammed Buhari who was the Guest of Honour was represented by the Executive Secretary of National university commission (NUC) Prof. Abubakar Rasheed.

Ondo 2016 : Oke is not a member of AD – Party legal Adviser

The National Legal Adviser, Alliance for Democracy (AD), Mr Kehinde Aworele said the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) did not recognize Chief Olusola Oke as its governorship candidate in Ondo State.

Aworele told newsmen that there were certain decisions taken solely by the National Chairman of the party, Chief Joseph Avazi, which ought to have been done by the NEC.

He maintained that the outcome of Oct. 14 NEC meeting remained binding, saying “we have said that Olusola Oke is not known to the party because he does not follow proper procedure of the party, so he is not even a member of AD.

“On the issue of his eligibility, I will not comment on that because it is pending before the Federal High Court, Akure.

“But, I can tell you that he is not a member of our party because he has not complied with the constitutional procedure of our party by which a candidate should emerge.’’

He said the party had a candidate named Mr Akin Olowookere, who purportedly stepped down for Olusola Oke, but had not formally informed the party.

Aworele said: “It was some members of the party who went to the media that we had rescinded our earlier decision through the communiqué issued by the party’s NEC.

“There was information that Olusola Oke met some members who later spoke against our decision but this cannot be valid.

“As at today, we have passed a vote of no confidence on the national chairman, national secretary and national auditor of the party and it is the NEC of the party that can make a change of that decision.

“I don’t have anything against Oke as a person; he is a nice gentleman and a member of my profession but he should not come through the backdoor.’’

He said the party needed more members but that whoever wanted to join should take the proper channel in order not to jeopardise the party pedigree and integrity.

Reacting, Oke’s Campaign Manager, Mr Bola Ilori, said that AD’s legal adviser’s position was a “distraction and entertainment’’.

He was supported by the Secretary of the party in the state, Mr Sola Agboola, who said those against Oke’s candidature were being sponsored by the opposition.

Similarly, Olowookere said that he had stepped down for Oke, adding that Aworele was “merely distracting the teeming supporters of Chief Oke’’.

Mimiko tasks police over security aide's killing,condoles with family

Ondo state Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has described  DSP Idowu Oyewole, the Mobile Police Officer in Charge of his convoy who was killed by armed  robbers on Wednesday, as a dutiful and  dedicated officer, just as he charged Police authorities to ensure his killers are found.

 

The charge  is contained in the Governor’s condolence message to the family of the deceased, made available by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade in Akure on Friday.

 

Describing his death as a pill of reality too bitter to swallow, Mimiko who emphasised  Oyewole’s  dedication to work as well as  remarked that he was alive to his responsibilities, tasked his employer, the Police, to do everything within its power to ensure that Oyewole’s killer is apprehended and brought to book.

 

He further urged the authorities to ensure that the peaceful status of the state is maintained, submitting that the peace in the state can not be compromised.

Lamenting that the wife and  children  of the deceased are being  made to experience the harsh side of life with the killing of their bread winner, Governor Mimiko, while condoling with the family prayed God to dry their hot tears and heal quickly, the wound the sad occurrence must have inflicted upon their heart.

DSP Idowu, the Unit mobile Commander (Mopol 17) attached to the Ondo state Government House , Alagbaka, Akure, was killed by suspected armed robbers last Wednesday around 8.30pm in his private house  situated at Ugele community along Benin-Abuja road in Akure.

Oyewole’s death was said to have occurred when the officer responded to a distress call from a neighbour without knowing that the distressed neighbour  was under attacked by armed robbers that  shot him immediately he arrived the neighbour’s compound.