Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: Metro

  • Ajimobi: Oyo Government denies delaying burial of ex-Governor

    Ajimobi: Oyo Government denies delaying burial of ex-Governor

    Amidst the controversy surrounding where to bury ex-governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Governor Seyi Makinde-led Government has strongly denied allegations that it is behind the delay of burial ceremony for the late ex-Governor of the state.

    This was disclosed in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Taiwo Adisa, who indicated that the insinuations amounted to a wicked lie.

    The statement read: “In view of the intense enquiries from news media organisations regarding the perceived delay in burying the late former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Oyo State Government wishes to place on record that there is no truth in the rumour making the rounds that the burial is being delayed by the state government.

    READ ALSO: Revealed: Why Ajimobi’s now controversial burial was delayed – cleric-accuses-‘constituted-authority’

    “The rumour, which is being deliberately spread to give the state government a bad name and to play undue politics with the dead, initially came by the way of social media gossip, which gained traction to attract the attention of traditional media outfits.

    “Several media outfits reached out to the Media Office of the Governor of Oyo State to make enquiries on this barefaced lie on Saturday.

    “Let it be stated clearly that the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has played no role at all in causing any delay whatsoever regarding the burial of his immediate predecessor, Senator Ajimobi.

    “The truth of the matter is that the family, through a proxy, approached the state government and sought approval to bury the late governor on a plot of land at Agodi GRA, which is currently under litigation.

    READ ALSO: Updated: Late Ajimobi journeys ‘home’ Sunday, family provides link to watch online

    “Incidentally, it was the same former Governor Ajimobi who instituted the legal action.
    “Governor Seyi Makinde had no choice than to state the facts as they are to the emissaries and turn down the request.

    “Governor Makinde, however, against the established land use rule in Oyo State, gave approval that the family can bury the late governor in his Oluyole Estate residence.
    “It is to be noted that the rules guiding land use in Government Reservation Areas (GRA) forbid the burial of bodies in such locations as Oluyole Estate and Agodi GRA.

    “Let us also put on record that whereas the family did not follow the laid down protocols in passing information on the sickness and eventual demise of Senator Ajimobi, Governor Makinde overlooked all that and directed the full cooperation of the government with the family on this matter.

    “It can only amount to a wicked lie to insinuate that the incumbent government in Oyo State attempted to obstruct the burial of the immediate past governor”, Adisa said.

  • Revealed: Why Ajimobi’s now controversial burial was delayed – cleric accuses ‘constituted authority’

    Revealed: Why Ajimobi’s now controversial burial was delayed – cleric accuses ‘constituted authority’

    There is an indication that the location of burial of late former Governor of Oyo state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has become controversial.

    In a statement issued on Saturday in Ibadan by the Chairman, Muslim Community of Oyo state, Alh Ishaq Kunle Sanni, some group of the Muslim community in the state believes it is ‘unislamic’ to bury the former Governor in a Mosque even if he built it.

    The contending issue of where to bury the Ajimobi, which is brewing between the Muslim community and the family, is confirmed to be the reason his burial has been delayed since Friday when he ought to have been laid to rest according to Islamic injunction.

    According to Alh Sanni, who was a close associate of Ajimobi, there is an unnamed ‘constituted authority’ who against religious counsel is insisting that the onetime Senator of the Federal Republic will be buried in the Mosque that was named Senator Ishaq Abiola Ajimobi Central Mosque located at Oke Ado, Ibadan, Oyo State.

    “When  somebody  who probably  is the sole authority  said he would not be buried immediately  I equally  went proverbial and men of wisdom  could  understand  what was amiss and why Ajimobi’s  wish for immediate burial was unfulfillable.”

    The cleric narrated further that: “Professor Noibi and Alhaj Muideen Ajani Bello had sleepless nights on these issues. When the news gained currency that he would be buried in the Mosque  my phone was inundated with phone calls from all over the world as if I can unilaterally change  what the constituted authority this time may decide.

    READ ALSO: Updated: Late Senator Ajimobi’s final journey home now Sunday, supporters to watch online

    “We only can admonish and persuade. I Alh Ishaq Kunle Sanni  believes it is Islamically wrong to bury a Muslim inside a Mosque even if it was built by  him. Ditto for other erudite  scholars  like Professor Noibi. But there are some butter and bread scholars who are misleading people that at least The Prophet {SAW) was buried in the Mosque” he said.

    On the argument that The Prophet {SAW) was buried in the Mosque, Alh Sanni noted that he spoke to a respected Islamic scholar who confirmed that burying ex-Governor Ajimobi’s remains in the Mosque is not ideal.

    “That is Imam Abdurahman Ahmad Chief Missoner of Ansarudeen and he without mincing  words said the Prophet being buried in the Mosque is not true.

    “The Prophet was buried in Aisha’s apartment and the expansion  of the Mosque met their graves there. He unabashedly said it is unislamic to bury anybody in the Mosque.”

    In his account, Alh Sanni stated that he or anyone else cannot unilaterally change the mind of the ‘constituted authority’ on the matter.

    He disclosed that he is working on another arrangement as a compromise for both parties in order to douse the tension.

    “We can only persuade. We are trying on a land owned by the erstwhile Governor not far from the Mosque but not in the Mosque. If we succeed, that to me is a wonderful compromise. Allah may change the mind of the constituted authority in this matter.

    The Muslim cleric, who noted that he was close to the late Ajimobi’s commitment to justice for Muslims in Oyo State, said he is optimistic that the contending issue will be resolved hours before the scheduled time of burial on Sunday.

    “May Allah  forgive  Ajimobi the man Allah sent to right the wrongs done to Muslims for many years. A courageous and forthright human being who prayed to live for seventy years and Allah accepted his prayer. But we would have wished he lived longer. Who are we to query Allah’s decision?” he added.

  • Tinubu, Amosun, PDP Commiserate with Ajimobi’s Family

    Tinubu, Amosun, PDP Commiserate with Ajimobi’s Family

    Former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; immediate past Ogun State governor and Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial district, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have commiserated with the family of Senator Abiola Ajimobi who passed away on Thursday at the age of 70.

    Tinubu, in his eulogy titled: “Tribute to a Great Man: Senator Abiola Ajimobi – We Shall Always Remember You,” said: “With his departure, Nigeria has lost an outstanding statesman and one of its most able politicians. Our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has lost one of its leading lights. The Yoruba race and Oyo State have lost a favourite son. I have lost a dedicated friend, brother and ally.”

    He said: “The pain we feel at his passing is beyond what words can describe. This good and excellent man has left us but his energy, activism and commitment to Nigeria and its people shall always be with us.

    “He was reputed to be the best and most productive governor Oyo State has had. In this assessment, I concur as do so many others. The numerous infrastructural and public works projects he initiated literally changed the face of Oyo for the better. His legacy as a governor will be an enduring and positive one. The first governor to serve two consecutive terms in Oyo, he broke a political jinx that many said could not be broken.

    “The people of Oyo were wise and very well served to have elected him their governor for eight years. I also shall always remember and hold dear the vital contributions he made to the establishment of our party and how he worked with great commitment and sagacity to enshrine progressive governance in the party, Oyo and Nigeria itself.

    “His recent emergence as Deputy National Chairman of our party was in affirmation of his many years of service and devotion to the pursuit of democratic governance. The history of the APC cannot be squarely written without him.

    “Ajimobi was my friend and brother. He was honest and forthright. He had the interest of the people at heart. We shared a common progressive vision for our country and how to bring prosperity, justice and hope to its people. I had hoped that we could achieve more together but the ultimate wisdom and all our fates rest in the hands of Almighty Allah who knows best.

    “At his core, Senator Ajimobi was a family man. He was a loving husband and father. My heart grieves for his wife, Florence, and their children. May they find the comfort that only Almighty Allah can provide at this moment.

    “Ajimobi’s death hurts. Yet, we must all find strength in the good way he lived his life and in the fine and good ideals for which he fought. We must carry on with the important task ahead because that is what my dear friend and brother would expect of us.

    “My prayer is that the Munificent Allah shower mercy upon him, reward his good deeds, and admit him to Aljanna Firdaus.”

    Also, Amosun, in a letter addressed to Ajimobi’s wife, Chief (Mrs.) Florence Ajimobi, described late former Oyo State governor “as a highly skilled and educated professional, who had a successful career in the private sector, culminating in his appointment as the Chief Executive of National Oil Corporation of Nigeria.”

    He noted that “Senator Ajimobi distinguished himself in the service of Oyo State where he made history as the first to be elected governor twice just as in the Senate where he served as a principal officer in the fifth Senate.”

    Amosun described Ajimobi as a “good friend and brother, who would be remembered for his hard work, sense of humour and diligence in the service of humanity.”

    He prayed God to grant the family of Ajimobi the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and prayed Allah to grant him Aljannat Firdaous.

    On its part, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the PDP family, Thursday mourned the death of Ajimobi.

    PDP described the death “as a national tragedy and a huge loss not only to the APC and his state, Oyo, but also to the entire nation.”

    “Indeed, our party is still in shock and deeply saddened over the news of the death of Senator Ajimobi, especially at this time, when our nation needed his wealth of experience and statesmanship the most.

    “Senator Ajimobi was an exceptionally brilliant administrator, outstanding legislator and a man of peace, who made immense contributions and sacrifices towards the unity as well as political stability and development of our dear nation, Nigeria.

    “Senator Ajimobi was an excellent administrator and broad-minded Nigerian, who put the good of the nation ahead of other considerations in his political life.

    “Our party sincerely commiserates with the Ajimobi family, particularly his widow, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, President Muhammadu Buhari, the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the government and people of Oyo State,” PDP said, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan.

    The party prayed God to grant the nation the fortitude to bear the loss and eternal repose to the faithful departed.

  • Ajimobi passes on

    Ajimobi passes on

    The former Governor of Oyo State and immediate Deputy National Chairman of APC Abiola Ajimobi is dead

    Echotitbits News learnt that Chief Ajomobi who had been rumored to have died few days back, but found not to be true but on life support had  contracted the dreaded coronavirus.
    He later died today, according to sources
    More details later
  • Ondo: Armed robbers attack petrol station, kill attendant

    Ondo: Armed robbers attack petrol station, kill attendant

    Suspected armed robbers who on Tuesday night attacked a petrol station in Akure, Ondo State have killed an attendant.

    The identity of the deceased attendant who worked in the filling station which is located along the Oba-Ile Road area of the city could not be ascertained due to the pandemonium that resulted in people scampering for safety.

    READ ALSO: Nigerian Air Force foils bandit attack

    According to the Public Relations Officer of Ondo State Police Command, ASP Tee-Leo Ikoro who confirmed the incident, the suspects did not, however, succeed in robbing the filling station.

    Ikoro disclosed that two suspects have been arrested not far from the scene of the incident in connection with the crime, while police are on the trail of two other suspects who fled.

    The State Police PRO revealed that a rifle, a Dane gun, some cartridges and live ammunition were recovered from the two arrested suspects.

    The Police spokesperson added that the command will ensure all criminals in the state are apprehended and made to face the wrath of the law.

    READ ALSO: Police takes over APC headquarters, seals premises

    He also assured residents of the State that the police are committed to providing adequate security for their lives and property.

  • Ondo: Akeredolu sacks Deputy Governor’s media aide

    Ondo: Akeredolu sacks Deputy Governor’s media aide

    Ondo state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has terminated the appointment of an aide to the embattled Deputy Governor of the state.

    The sack was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday in Akure by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Olusegun Ajiboye.

    Ajiboye stated that the sack of the Deputy Governor’s Special Assistant on New Media, Allen Sowore, was with immediate effect.

    READ ALSO: Finance Minister reconstitutes NBET Board, reinstates controversial MD, Amobi

    The Deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, who has been having irreconcilable differences with his principal, Governor Akeredolu on Sunday finally resigned from the All Progressives Congress and joined the People’s Democratic Party.

    Ajayi, however, maintained that he remains the deputy governor of the state in spite of his leaving the All Progressives Congress. He explained that the APC has “become a poisoned space” with one man “kneeling on its neck”.

    The statement, which conveyed the sack of the Deputy Governor’s aide advised Sowore to submit all government properties in his possession to the Chief of Staff to the Governor.

  • Abiodun Appoints Selimot Ottun as Ogun New Head of Service

    Abiodun Appoints Selimot Ottun as Ogun New Head of Service

    Idowu Sowunmi

    Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has approved the appointment of Alhaja Selimot Olapeju Ottun as the new Head of Service in the state.

    Ottun’s appointment was coming after the former Head of Service, TPL Amope Ajibola Chokor, bowed out of the public service of Ogun State over the weekend.

    An accomplished psychologist, community development expert and administrator, she becomes the fifth woman to occupy the office and the 17th Head of Service since the creation of the state.

    While wishing Ottun success in her new assignment, Abiodun said he believed that she would put her vast knowledge in the management of the state’s civil service to good use in her new assignment.

    Ottun comes into her new position with impeccable pedigree and service record.

    Until her appointment, Ottun was Permanent Secretary in the Bureau of Political Affairs and Administration. She previously served as Permanent Secretary at Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism between 2015 and 2019.

    A 1985 graduate of Psychology from University of Ibadan, the new Head of Service also earned a Post Graduate Diploma in Integrated Development from Pan African Institute of Development, Bua in Cameroon.

    Ottun had coordinated many Community Development and Gender Programmes for the state government and was also the state Director of the United Nations Gender Development Programme between 2009 and 2015.

    The new Head of Service has over the years proven to be an asset in different leadership roles she was saddled with. She’s also known to have used her network and creative ingenuity to adapt to changes in public sector management.

    Ottun is happily married and she is the President of Remo Secondary School, Sagamu 1973/78 set.

  • How we avert multiple fire explosion on Kara bridge – Lagos Fire Service

    How we avert multiple fire explosion on Kara bridge – Lagos Fire Service

    Idowu Sowunmi

    The Lagos State Fire Service has explained how it successfully averted an escalation of a fire explosion involving three tankers and one trailer on Kara Bridge along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in the early hours of Sunday.

    Lagos State Fire Service and other first responders like Ogun State Fire Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, National Emergency Management Agency and Federal Road Safety Corps had swiftly moved to the scene of the incident in order to avert multiple fire explosions.

    Speaking on the incident, the Acting Head, Lagos State Fire Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, said the quick and timely response by the agency ensured that the fire disaster was effectively contained before it escalated.

    “Lagos State firemen responded to a fire call at about 0046hrs on Sunday, 21st June, 2020 at Kara Bridge and quickly reached the location where some vehicles were already engulfed by fire.

    “Nevertheless, our firefighters were able to contain the situation from escalating before it was finally extinguished a few hours later.”

    Adeseye added that one of the tankers involved was conveying gas, while two others were filled with Premium Motor Spirit (petrol).

    She explained that the firemen were on standby until the gas leakage from one of the vehicles in the accident stopped in order to avert further havoc and chaos.

    “The fire incident was a delicate operation that required the use of chemical foam compound to avoid explosion,” she noted.

  • Edo: Loyalists to Obaseki, Oshiomhole trade words over disqualification

    Edo: Loyalists to Obaseki, Oshiomhole trade words over disqualification

    Hours to his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), the political supremacy battle between incumbent governor Godwin Obaseki and predecessor and National Chairman of the APC had gotten hotter with recent happenings in Edo state, supporters of both actors are not relenting in pointing out which side of the divides is right for wrong on the disqualification over certificate saga.

    In a debate monitored by Echotitbits on TVC News channel, party chieftains loyal to Governor Obaseki and Oshiomhole disagreed over the issue.

    Dr. Pedro Obaseki, a cousin to the embattled Edo Governor, accused Adams Oshiomhole of an attempt to “emasculate” and “disenfranchise” the people of Edo State.

    Obaseki condemned Oshiomhole for “summarily orchestrating the disqualification of a sitting governor whom he (Oshiomhole) just less than four years ago said was the shining star in his own armour”.

    Dr. Obaseki, who contested against his cousin, Godwin Obaseki in the 2016 APC governorship primary election described the decision of the Jonathan Ayuba-led screening committee to disqualify Edo Governor from participating in the primary election as upsetting.

    “It is clear that Mr Oshiomhole who is the most biased umpire in the history of any political party in Nigeria had orchestrated the summary dismissal or disqualification of Mr Godwin Obaseki in the most spurious, the most unethical manner.”

    During the debate, when the House of Representatives member representing Akoko Edo, Honourable Peter Apaktason mentioned how Dr. Obaseki, as a governorship aspirant in the primary election of the APC in 2016 described as unqualified and not to be trusted, his own cousin, Governor Obaseki, whom he contested against; Dr. Obaseki said:

    “It’s a pity that my most Honourable has decided to be a little less factual this bright morning by turning this issue about me. It is not about me, it’s about the Edo people and I don’t want to start talking about him and casting aspersions on his person. That will be most dishonourable.

    Dr. Obaseki berated APC National Chairman Oshiomhole for cooking “tales by moonlight” rather than concentrating on guaranteeing the progress of the party.

    “Before he became National Chairman, APC had 27 states. Now if Godwin leaves APC today we would have dwindled down to 19. The same certificate issue was in 2016 a major issue. The PDP went to three courts, and all the courts exonerated Mr. Godwin Obaseki.”

    In his attempt to discredit his cousin’s disqualification, the University lecturer said: “He’s talking about discrepancies when our national law, the electoral law made it clear in the last judgement passed in the case between Atiku Abubakar and our President was clear that all he needed to show was attendance up to secondary school level.

    “And the University of Ibadan where he’s seeing discrepancies in the certificate came out to publicly in an unprecedented move to say this man went to our school and graduated. It is not the position of any of the parties to begin to question the veracity of his entry qualification when that entry qualification has not been rejected by the issuing authority” he said.

    Dr. Obaseki lamented that Edo people who once had a governor that had no primary school certificate are being shortchanged by the conspiracy. ,

    “I’m talking about Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, we all know that he had to set ablaze the Ministry of Education” he added.

    On the other hand, Oshiomhole’s loyalist, Representative Peter Akpatason affirmed the decision of the APC screening committee to disqualify Governor Obaseki so as to “protect the interest of the party against what has become obvious in recent times”.

    “When there are discrepancies in documents presented by candidates, a party stand the chance of loosing. Even after winning election, this is exactly what has happened in Edo state. And I think it is important that we look at the merit of the issue rather than sentiment” Akpatason said.

    The Akoko Edo representative in the House of Representatives noted that: “The fact is that what happened in Bayelsa is the same thing that is happening in terms of defect of documents. That’s what it is. You protect the interest of the people by not allowing them to file out to go and vote for nothing, but ensuring that when they vote they are actually voting for a candidate that can stand the test of litigation”.

  • Breaking: Embattled Edo Governor, Obaseki, dumps APC

    Breaking: Embattled Edo Governor, Obaseki, dumps APC

    The embattled Governor of Edo State has withdrawn his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party on whose back he won the governorship seat in 2016 that has now turned its back on him and even determined to stop him from returning to the number one office in the State.

    Governor Obaseki, who announced his leave from the APC this Tuesday afternoon after visiting the State House for the second time in less than a month

    “I have officially resigned my membership of the All Progressives Congress after meeting with the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “We shall continue the battle to protect the interest of Edo people and sustain good governance in the state”, the Governor stated.