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By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan   The Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, has tasked governments at all levels to be sensitive to workers plights and pay them meaningful remuneration that would ignite more commitment. He said that workers needed to be paid salary for work done to guarantee them the opportunity to provide a dignified livelihood for themselves and family on the material, social and cultural levels. Badejo made the call in his Workers’ Day message, made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Ibadan. He said as Nigerians  planned to observe Workers’ Day on Monday, government should penitently be sensitive to the workers’ plights and  loudly encourage them by paying handsomely. The Catholic Bishop said in Nigeria, the condition of most workers remained pathetic and needed to be urgently reviewed . He said government’s insensitivity to the plight and demands of workers such as doctors, nurses, teachers, journalists,...

The President-elect of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on Saturday, gave the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Kogi State, Usman Ododo, his blessings, ahead of the November 2023 elections in the state.  Ododo, who emerged the Kogi APC governorship candidate through a direct primary election on April 14 and was ratified through a special Congress of the party on April 15, was presented to Tinubu by Governor Yahaya Bello in Abuja.  The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Chairman, Kogi APC, Abdullahi Bello; were among the party stakeholders who interracted with Ododo, the party's flagbearer in Kogi State, during his visit to the President-elect.  Tinubu, while congratulating the candidate, lifted his hand up as a show of acceptance and affirmation of his candidacy and expressed absolute confidence in the capacity of APC to win the November governorship election, landslide, in Kogi State. Recall that Ododo had, on Friday, also r...

Aquinas college Alumni, Dr Adewumi Abitoye, Barr Segun Olugboyegun are among other eminent Nigerians to be conferred with the Fellowship Award of Owo Anglican Diocese tomorrow, Saturday, April 29, 2023. Some important dignitaries on the list included, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Special Adviser to the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, CON, on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye, former deputy governor of Osun State, Chief Mrs Grace Titi-Tomori-Ponle; Dr Olutoyin Okeowo; Dr Chief Adewumi Abitoye; Dr Chief Femi Awani; Chief Abiodun Asiwaju; Chief Tokunbo Ajasin;  Others included; Chief Funso Ogunla ; Dr Ayo Ogunmolasuyi; Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi; Hon. Olayato Aribo; among several other. Dr Adewumi Abitoye, Barr Segun Olugboyegun   will be conferred with Fellow award of the Owo Anglican Diocese alongside others at the 40th Anniversary of Diocese of Owo Dinner and Award night. The duo, Segun Oluwagboyegun Chairman, JOF N...

  A Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja, the state capital, has ordered the Federal Government to desist from proceeding with the concession of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO) at Itakpe.  The court also barred the government from conducting its planned virtual pre-qualification conference interview slated for May 4, 2023, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.  The Federal Government had commenced concession process for the two companies which are located in Kogi State, and had placed an advertisement to that effect.  However, the Attorney General of Kogi State, on behalf of the government and people of the state, approached the court with a suit marked HCL/211M/2023 and sought for enrolment order of the court stopping the government from continuing with the concession process.  While the Attorney General of Kogi State is the Claimant/Applicant, the Attorney General of the Fe...

The Executive Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON has described the call-up of Nigerian graduates mobilised for national service as a commitment to contribute meaningfully to nation building. Arakunrin Akeredolu made this statement while declaring open the 2023 Batch 'A' (Stream II) orientation course at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ikare-Akoko. The Executive Governor said that the Nigerian graduates mobilised and deployed should see the national assignment assignment as a capacity building platform that will define the path of history through which they have chosen to make the country a standard bearer for other nations. "For being part of history today, you are therefore enjoined to see yourselves as privileged citizens to offer your best on this national assignment which posterity has thrusted upon your shoulders through this prestigious and noble Scheme". "I want to admonish you to justify the trust reposed in you...

The Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Kogi State, Usman Ododo, on Friday, received President Muhammadu Buhari's blessings as the party's flagbearer in the November election.  Ododo, while briefing State House Correspondents after he was presented to the President by Governor Yahaya Bello, said he was committed to building on the unparalleled developmental strides of the Governor, which were achieved through inclusive governance, if elected in the forthcoming polls.  He said, with his wealth of experience in the private and public financial sectors, as well as the opportunity of learning from Bello, who he described as a great leader to Kogites, he was well equipped to steer the ship of the confluence state in the desired direction.  The APC candidate said specifically that he was confident of APC's victory in the November governorship election.  Ododo emerged the Kogi APC governorship candidate through a direct primary election on April 14 an...

The Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Engr. Seyi Makinde has congratulated and felicitated with the Corps members mobilized to Oyo State for the 2023 Batch A stream two orientation course during the Swearing-In ceremony at the Oyo State Permanent Orientation camp,Iseyin. While delivering his address, the Governor, who was represented by the Honorable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Oyo State, Hon. Seun Fakorede commended NYSC for the success in its quest to mitigate the high rate of unemployment bedeviling the country through the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED). He therefore enjoined corps members to embrace the program with all sense of seriousness and equip themselves at no cost with relevant skills.  Mr Governor who described NYSC as an invaluable instrument for National unity, said the Scheme has become an endearing legacy for inculcating in our youth the great value of leadership and national integration.  He asserted that the sc...

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan  One Ayodeji Babayemi, 40, was on Thursday arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan over  alleged stealing of his company’s money. Babayemi, whose residential address was not provided, was charged with theft. The Prosecutor, Mr Philip Amusan, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence sometimes in August 2022. Amusan alleged that Babayemi stole the sum of N500, 000 belonging to his company, Ulbra Trade Nigeria Ltd, Agbeni Area, Ibadan. Amusan alleged that Babayemi, a Sale’s Representative of the aforementioned company converted the money meant for the company’s business to his personal use. He said the offence contravened Section 390(9) of the Criminal laws of Oyo State, 2000. The defendant however pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Magistrate, Mrs O. A. Akande, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety in like sum. She adjourned the case until June 15 for hearing. (NAN)

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan   One Gbenga Taiwo, 29, was on Thursday arraigned before an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan for allegedly stealing N1, 750, 000. Taiwo, whose residential address was not provided, was charged with theft. The Prosecutor, Mr Philip Amusan told the court that Taiwo allegedly committed the offence sometimes in February and April at Idi Ayunre area, Ibadan. Amusan alleged that Taiwo was given the money by the complainant, Mr Abiola Jimoh, to mold blocks for him but he failed to do so. He alleged that Taiwo rather used the money meant for the building project to play Bet9ja. The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 390(9) of the Criminal laws of Oyo State, 2000. The defendant however pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Magistrate, Mrs O. A. Akande granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum. She adjourned the case until June 6 for hearing. (NAN)

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan  An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, on Thursday ordered that one Soji Adekola, 30, be remanded in a correctional centre for an alleged armed robbery. Adekola, whose residential address was not provided was charged with armed robbery. The Magistrate, Mrs T. B. Oyekanmi did not take the plea of the defendant for want in jurisdiction. She directed the police to return the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice. She adjourned the case until June 29 for mention. The Prosecutor, ASP Sikiru Ibrahim, had told the court that Adekola allegedly committed the offence on Aug. 25, 2022 at about 4. 03 a.m, at Apete area, Ibadan. Ibrahim alleged that the defendant while armed with cutlass and other dangerous weapons attacked one Joel Dosa and dispossessed him of his two Iphones worth N750, 000 and N235, 000 respectively. He said the offence contravened Section 1(2) of the Robbery and Firearms laws of the federation, 2004. ...

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan  A 40-year-old man,  Ayodeji Abayomi, was on Thursday docked in an Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan for allegedly biting his wife’s lower lip. The police charged Abayomi, whose residential address was not provided with assault. The Prosecutor, Mr Philip Amusan, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on April 24, at about 7 a.m, at Abebi area, Ibadan. Amusan alleged that Abayomi bit his wife, Lilian’s lower lip. He said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 335 of the criminal laws of Oyo State, 2000. Abayomi however pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Magistrate, Mrs O. A. Akande, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N50, 000 with two sureties in like sum. She adjourned the case until June 5 for hearing. (NAN)

The Executive Director Project, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Charles Ogunmola has led a delegation team to flag off the distribution of Palliatives to the victims of Aiyetoro’s sea incursion in Ilaje Local Government area of Ondo State. This was done to bring a lasting solution to the ocean surge in Ilaje Local Government area of Ondo State.  The delegation team which was led by the NDDC Executive Director Project, Mr. Charles Ogunmola included; Mr. Gordon Okeya, NDDC Director, Community and Rural Development, Port Harcourt; Engr. Onuoha Obeka, NDDC Director, Environmental Protection and Control, Port Harcourt; Others included, Barr. Salami Olaniyi Okogie, Director, Ondo State Office; Hon. Fayowole Aworetan, SA to the EDP, amongst others. Newsline NG learnt that the palliatives were jointly donated by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Rural Africa Health Initiative (RAHI) Speaking with Newsline NG , The NDDC Director, Mr Charles Ogunmola said the...

The Convener of Ibi Giga Ambassadors, Chief Dr Alex Ajipe has mourned the death of Olupele of Ipele Oba Victor Oluwasegun Aganun (Iredokun 1), The 19th Olupele of Ipele kingdom in Owo Local government of Ondo State, describing him as a brave and courageous leader. Ajipe, in a condolence message issued in Akure on Wednesday by his media aide, Mr Solomon Adewoye noted that the late monarch who joined his ancestors today at the age of 75th led his people with utmost diligence and unassuming dedication, commending his strong adherence for peace, progress and development of Ipele Kingdom He added that the late monarch was a creditable leader whose reign as Olupele united his people, and witnessed massive development in the kingdom. “With heavy heart, I mourn and condole with the immediate family of our father, Oba Victor Oluwasegun Aganun (Iredokun 1), The 19th Olupele of Ipele kingdom,  the people of Ipele and Ondo State as a whole. The passing unto glory of our Father has saddened us ...

ATTENTION ALL 2023 BATCH 'A' STREAM 2 MARRIED FEMALE PROSPECTIVE CORPS MEMBERS  All married female Prospective Corps members (PCMs) who are deployed to States where their husbands are not domiciled should report to the nearest NYSC Orientation Camp for their State of Deployment to be changed .  They are to report during the period of registration at the Orientation Camps with the copies of their marital and other relevant documents  as evidence.

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko, Ibadan The Bishop Diocese of Lagos West, Methodist Church Nigeria, Rt. Rev. Olayinka Akande, on Saturday urged incoming administrations to secure Nigeria . Akande made the call in his message at the 17th annual synod of the diocese held at Palm Avenue Circuit, Lagos. He said that national security was essential to protect lives and property. The Methodist Bishop added that national security would enable Nigerians to travel around the country without the fear of kidnappers. “Abuja-based Centre for Democracy and Development stated in April 2022 that more than 100 bandit groups with an average of 30 members each operate with military grade weapons in largely ungoverned spaces in the northwest. “As a result, the plan for economic revitalisation should be the first target of incoming administrations. “The plan should contain measurable targets for creating jobs, reducing poverty and decreasing the cost of living, improving security and making space for a more col...

Wale Akinterinwa, an aspirant for the position of governor in Ondo State, has extended warm greetings to Muslims and the entire people of the state on the occasion of Eid el-fitr.  He emphasized the importance of building a more humane society through ethics based on human and other natural values, in a spirit of reason and free inquiry through human capabilities. As the state celebrates this festive occasion, Akinterinwa acknowledged the strong foundation laid by the current governor of Ondo State, His Excellency Gov. Akeredolu (SAN), and emphasized his commitment to building and consolidating on this good legacy.  He urged all citizens to work together in the spirit of unity and cooperation, to ensure a brighter future for Ondo State. Akinterinwa's message serves as a reminder of the importance of building a just and equitable society, based on the values of reason and free inquiry, which he is committed to achieving as governor.

  A chieftain of the Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State, Adeyeri Stephen Kunle, has felicitated with Muslims in the state on the celebration of Eid-El Fitr after the successful completion of the Ramadan fast. In a terse statement issued to newsmen in Akure, the Ondo State Capital, he charged Muslim faithful and other  residents  not to lose trust in the nation, but to step up their prayers and reaffirm their belief that the country would overcome its current difficulties. Adeyeri who maintained that the moment should engender unity in country, urged Ondo residents to shun dissolute life and other degrading aspect of human nature.  “I extend my warmest congratulations to all Muslims as they celebrate Eid-el-Fitr. Interestingly, Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the most important festivals for Muslims all over the globe. The day marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in which Muslims observe fast from dusk to dawn. However, may this Eid fills your life with the brightest of col...

As Muslim faithful across the world celebrate Eid-el-Fitri today, The Managing Director of Klick konnect Network International, Chief Dr Alex Ajipe has tasked Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, religious and political divides to fervently pray for the unity, peace and stability of the nation. In a Sallah message signed by his Media Aide Solomon Adewoye called on Muslim faithful in Ondo State and Nigerian in general to use the occasion of this year Eid-el-Fitri to join hands with the incoming Administration of the president-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu in its determination to build a peaceful and harmonious country.‎ Ajipe, who is the South West coordinator, Social and Humanitarian, APC presidential campaign council in the last presidential election urged adherents of Islam to imbibe the lessons of commitment, dedication and obedience to higher authorities.  While assuring that the administration of the incoming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will do all it can to improve the living conditi...

By Our Correspondent   The Department of Mass Communication, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, has congratulated the Rector of the Institution, Gani Ogundahunsi as he bags Doctor of Philosophy Degree.  The department which also expressed euphoria at the Rector's ambidexterity, noted that skipping the academics hurdle despite the enormity of his job, has validated the incontrovertible fact that he is brilliant and intelligent.  In a statement jointly signed on Thursday by the Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences and Communication Studies, Dr. Raman Olaniyan Abubakri and the Head of the Department, Mr. Solomon Okioya, it is asserted that the new feat should inspire the younger ones to eschew frivolity in their educational pursuit  “We congratulate the Rector as he added another feather to his cap. It is indeed worthy of emulation and a source of inspiration for the younger ones who have fiddle away the seldom opportunity to shore up their knowledge.  “He has displayed qu...

By Our correspondent  No fewer than 10,000 farmers from across fifteen villages in AO3A area of Odigbo Local Government area of Ondo State on Wednesday, staged a peaceful protest against the decision of Ondo state government of destroying thier cocoa farms The farmers also alleged that the Ondo State Government allowed invaders to cause unnecessary hardship for them which may eventually result to disarray among the affected communities. Our correspondent who visited the scene of the protest gathered that the farmers were with placards with different inscriptions which included, "Govt must consider us and our children" , "leave us alone and go after criminals", among others Speaking with newsmen during the peaceful demonstration, one of the leaders of the aggrieved farmers, Clement Adeoye explained that the government decision came unnoticed. The spokesperson to farmers in the area noted that the annual dues amounting to over five million naira was payed to governmen...

  New students admitted to various degree programmes of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, for the 2022/2023 Academic Session have been advised to get their acts right and pursue excellence early so as to excel in their academic pursuit. ​The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Olugbenga Ige, gave the advice on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, while declaring open, a four-day Orientation Programme, organized for the students by the Counselling and Human Development Unit of the Student Affairs Division. ​The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olusegun Akinwunmi, urged the students to make good use of the opportunity of their admission by being studious and eschew anti-social vices. ​While congratulating them on scaling the rigorous and competitive admission process, he called on them to be good ambassadors of AAUA and pay attention to various talks and seminars to be delivered in the course of the orientation. ​He said the essence of the exercise...

If there is anything that the camp of Obidients in their curated world of alternative reality has achieved somewhat, it is how their inelegantly constructed universe of a ‘stolen presidency’ has continued to hold the imagination of their deluded members.   Even when the raw facts tell a different story, it seems to me a measure of their relative success that their narratives of ‘flawed’ election have remained the talking point in a segment of the mainstream media and among their allies.  That what I observed on this page last week, as a deliberate mischaracterisation of the February/March polls has gone unchallenged for so long, has remained a mystery! Now, they appear unstoppable. They have largely succeded in drowning alternative voices, attacking just about everyone and every institution in sight. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, they have attacked for being an unworthy electoral body, with its chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, cast in the most unflattering robe...

It would appear from all indications that one of the key participants in Nigeria’s 2023 presidential elections, the Labour Party (LP), and its presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, had a clear-cut and straightforward agenda to dictate the dominant narrative on the polls before and after the exercise.  Before the elections, a number of sponsored and obviously flawed opinion polls had predicted an outright victory for Obi on February 25. In a worst-case scenario, they projected that the election would head for a run-off with Obi being one of the candidates that would qualify to participate in the supplementary poll.  Although many influential foreign media houses apparently accorded utmost seriousness to these polls, their empirical basis was largely entirely unreliable as succinctly explained by renowned senior lawyer and Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption (PACAC), Professor Itse Sagay, in a recent interview on Channels Television. For one, the ...