Echotitbits – Nigeria News

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  • Department of Petroleum Resources inspects Lagos stations to monitor pump price

    Department of Petroleum Resources inspects Lagos stations to monitor pump price

    Petrol stations in Lagos State are now under surveillance to ensure compliance with the approved pump price band for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) says on Monday.

    This is coming after News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the Federal Government had on March 12 denied the increment of petrol to N212 per litre and had directed marketers to revert to the old price regime.

    During an inspection exercise in some petrol stations located in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Lekki areas of the lagos State, DPR’s Zonal Operations Controller, Ayorinde Cardoso said seven petrol stations inspected are complying to selling fuel to customers between N162 to N165 per litre which was the approved price band.

    “This surveillance visit is part of our regular function and we are coming out today to check product availability and product quality because we heard some information about water ingress in some of the tanks.

    “We going out to check that. Also, we are looking at consumer protection so that they are not short-changed by under- dispensing.

    “We have gone round to about seven stations and they are all selling within the approved pump price band,” he said.

    Cardoso said the DPR sealed three fuel pumps that were under dispensing in one of the petrol stations, pending when they were rectified and re-evaluated by the regulatory agency.

    According to him, though the agency has not discovered any incident of hoarding of petroleum products in the zone, its officials will continue to intensify surveillance on petrol stations.

    He said: “I want to assure the public that the sufficiency level in Lagos State is okay and for now we have not seen any hoarding of products.

    ” Surveillance is a regular assignment for us and our officials are going around every day for that purpose.”

  • Another bandit attack in Kaduna as troops rescue 307 students from abduction

    Another bandit attack in Kaduna as troops rescue 307 students from abduction

    About 307 students have escaped being abducted by bandits who attacked Government Science Secondary School, Ikara in Kara Local Government Area in Kaduna in the early hours of Sunday.

    The attack was confirmed by state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, who noted that: “307 students were rescued unhurt” by troops who foiled the attempted kidnap.

    Aruwan said: “Between the late hours of Saturday night and the early hours of today, suspected bandits stormed the Government Science Secondary School, Ikara, Ikara local government area, in an attempt to kidnap students.

    “Fortunately, the students utilized the security warning system in place and were thus able to alert security forces in the area.

    “The security forces comprising the troops of the Nigerian Army, Police and some security volunteers moved swiftly to the school and engaged the bandits, forcing them to flee.”

    The Commissioner told reporters on Sunday all the 307 students were verified safe and present after the botched kidnap attack.

    “The military and police are still on the trail of the armed bandits.
    “Following a head count by the school management, the Kaduna State Government can confirm to you that all 307 students have been verified safe and present.

    “The attempted kidnap was foiled completely and no student was taken from the school.
    “The images provided by the Nigerian Army can attest to this, and will be shared with you,” he said.

    I another statement over the attack, Aruwan, at another wing of the Kaduna International Airport said: “Similarly, around Ifira village in Igabi local government area, bandits attempted to attack a senior staff quarters around the Kaduna Airport general area.

    “This attempt was also foiled as troops of the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Army engaged and repelled them, with several escaping with gunshot wounds.

    “The Kaduna State Government acknowledges the efforts of the security agencies in the recent rescue of 180 students in the vicinity of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka. These efforts have been mentioned in interviews given by some of the rescued students.

    “By virtue of access to the facts of the event, the Kaduna State Government extends its unequivocal solidarity to the Military, Police, Department of State Services and other security agencies, whose swift intervention prevented the bandits from abducting more persons.

    “The Kaduna State Government maintains a clear focus at this time, and that is to ensure the safe return of the missing students, and to consolidate intelligence gathering and security vigilance towards forestalling possible attempts on other facilities or institutions.”

  • Suspect in killing of ex-Police DIG’s wife arrested in Benue

    Suspect in killing of ex-Police DIG’s wife arrested in Benue

    Officers of the Nigerian Police Force in Benue has arrested a suspect connected with the murder of Mrs Eunice Aganya, wife of retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, (DIG) Ibezimako Aganya and one-time Commissioner of Police in Benue.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported the arrest in statement credited to the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene, in Makurdi on Sunday.

    According to Anene, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in Benue, Mr Audu Madaki, had ordered a full-scale investigation by the command’s Criminal Investigation Department and pledged that serious efforts would be made to apprehend the culprits.

    On Saturday, Police in Benue confirmed the gruesome killing of the retired DIG’s wife in her Makurdi residence by unknown gunmen.

    The police received information on Saturday that late Eunice who resided on Austin Iwar Street, off David Mark Bye-pass, Makurdi, could not be seen by her co-chiefs who had planned to pay a courtesy call on a royal father in Makurdi.

    “Police detectives who received this report swiftly moved to her house where she resides alone behind her bakery.

    “Her car was seen parked in front of her gate and her fence broken into but her doors were locked.

    “The team noticed blood stains on the window and curiously broke into the house where they found the lifeless body lying in a pool of blood with a deep cut on the head,” Commissioner of Police stated.

    The police chief disclosed that the remains of the deceased had been deposited at Bishop Murray Hospital Morgue.

  • One person has died in South Africa student protest

    One person has died in South Africa student protest

    One person has been killed on Wednesday after South African police fired rubber bullets to disperse a group of student protesters, at Wits University in Johannesburg.

    Spokeswoman for the Wits University, Shirona Patel told AFP that: “My understanding so far is that the protestors blocked a public road, the police tried to disperse them, and the passerby was shot in the crossfire,”

    It was reported that the killing of the “passerby” further enraged the protesting students who gathered near the lifeless body of the victim and demanding, at the top of their voices, that police personnel leave the area. A student was reported screaming “Kill all of us”.

    However, Spokeswoman Patel confirmed that the victim of the shootout was not a student of the university.

    In early January, Wits University students began series of protests against government’s action that allegedly excluded some students by a government-sponsored tuition aid scheme.

    The students, who vowed to continue their protest against the financial exclusion of students in the university are demands that Wits University allows all students with outstanding debt to register for the 2021 academic year.

    The university authority however argued that the institution of learning will however become financially unsustainable if it continues to accept students who have historical debt.

    According to the university, outstanding fees owed has accumulated to R1 billion over the past seven years.

    Wits University added that it has made available R20 million for indigent students who are facing financial hardship and R100 million has been allocated to financial aid through bursaries and scholarships.

    Student’s representative put the number of students that are still not registered at about 80, 000 as a result of the “financial exclusion problem”.

    They are demanding that those who owe the university up to 150,000 rand ($9,850) in fees still be allowed to register for the new academic year.

     

  • Ogun Airports: Ex-Governor Amosun Camp Accuses Dapo Abiodun-Government of Lies

    Ogun Airports: Ex-Governor Amosun Camp Accuses Dapo Abiodun-Government of Lies

    Within the past 48 hours, Ogun State has been embroiled in needless controversy over the competing claims of Governor Dapo Abiodun, his team and the Senate Committee on Aviation as regards the ownership, relevance, stage of work, viability, documentation and priority claims between the Federal Government owned Abeokuta International Airport in Wasimi and the proposed Ogun State owned Ilisan Cargo Airport.

    Speaking on National television, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Smart Adeyemi described the standoff as: “a very interesting and welcome development as the Gateway State is blessed and viable enough to host as many airports of all descriptions as the Stakeholders want, ready and willing to fund”.

    In the defense of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun (SIA) administration, ex-Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa stated in a statement explained that the SIA camp felt the need to respond only because of it owe the people of Ogun State a duty to reveal the truths against alleged lies by the State Government led by Prince Dapo Abiodun.

    Adeoluwa accused state officials of deliberately claiming ignorance of the existence of the proposed International Airport in Wasinmi area of Ogun State.

    “The Engr. Mokuolu led Committee visited, inspected and evaluated the Abeokuta International Airport project, among others. The report was submitted to Ogun State Government in April 2020. Not only did the exercise put a lie to the claims that the current administration knew nothing about the project, the reports of the Verification exercise had kind words about the quality and standard of projects embarked upon by our Administration. “

    During his interaction with the Senate Committee on Aviation, Governor Dapo Abiodun said a lot of verifiable work had started on the agro-cargo airport project, which had the approval of the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    He, however, informed the committee that there were no details or information on the Ewekoro project in the handing-over note of the Amosun administration.

    “This administration is methodical. The need to have a cargo airport was made by our joint inter ministerial committee and we consequently evaluated the initiatives that were started by previous administrations because government is a continuum.

    “After a thorough evaluation, the choice of the airport cargo location in Ilishan was unanimous, it complements the agric/processing factories’ ecosystem in that corridor with access/egress road network.

    “To that extent, our decisions are guided by the principles of good governance. Is it fair, just and equitable to all? Is the process transparent and inclusive? Did the people have input?

    The Statement

    As the immediate past office holders and administration in Ogun State between 2011 – 2019, we have long taken the position not to get involved, banter or trade claims with the current administration. The reasons are obvious. As members of the same political party, APC, we owe ourselves a seamless and cooperative disposition in a manner that all Ogun residents and stakeholders irrespective of divergent tendencies and persuasion will maximally benefit from the dividends of democracy and rapid progressive socio-economic development that our party is known for.

    We were determined to do everything possible to uphold the dignity of the offices, particularly that of Governor of Ogun State, and the institution it represents for the greater good of our people. However, watching the video and reading the accounts of the meeting between the Senate Committee on Aviation and officials of the Ogun State Government, and the many lies and concocted half-truths, we consider that we owe our people and Nigerians at large the duty to speak the truth without necessarily infringing our ‘Sidon look’ disposition.

    The Abeokuta International Airport project in Wasimi, Ogun State was conceived in 2008 by the Federal Government as an Airstrip. The location was particularly well thought out: only 5 minutes from Yewa land, Ogun West Senatorial District, with both Lafarge Cement and Dangote’s Ibeshe Cement plant as immediate neighbours; in close proximity to the Federal Government Olorunsogo Power Plant, Onijanganjangan, Agbara, Ota, Abeokuta and Sagamu Interchange industrial hubs.

    The industrial Gas belt and both the old and new Railway lines, the Standard Gauge, and Kajola Railway integrated transport hub, lie within minutes of the Airport site. These industrial clusters helped to crown Ogun State as the largest concentration of Industries and Manufacturing activities in Nigeria. It is on record that the Federal Government, since 2009, made appropriation and consistently prosecuted this project. Indeed, the perimeter fence for the Airport was completed in 2010, a year before our assumption of office in 2011

    The Ilisan Cargo Airport, on the other hand, was conceived by the Otunba Gbenga Daniel administration in 2006. After we took office in 2011, we sought to know the progress on the project. We visited the proposed site and sought technical advice on how to proceed. The Contractor engaged by the former administration refused to cooperate with us. He refused to avail us the drawings and technical details.

    For unclear reasons, he chose litigation, after we rejected their humongous monetary claims. When we visited the site, we observed that it was in a built-up neighborhood and there were several encroachments. There was nothing on ground, not even a perimeter fence to delineate the project site – the only feasible thing was a sign post with the Ogun State logo indicating the name of the Cargo Airport, Ilisan. Though the Ilisan proposed Cargo Airport site will ordinarily be suitable but the large-scale encroachment and built-up areas had made the site unsuitable for the project.

    The Experts engaged by our Administration in 2012 advised that an airport in Ogun East Senatorial District, will be best sited within Ogun Waterside and Ijebu East Local Governments to serve the Olokola Free Trade Zone axis, and will make more sense on account of the proposed Deep-Sea Port projected for the area and the activities along the Ijebu-Ode/Epe corridor. Besides, the Experts equally pointed out the suitability of the axis because it is a green field and free of encumbrances. They were very clear that the site chosen in Ilisan has totally become unsuitable for an airport – be it Cargo or otherwise as at March, 2012. Faced with these practical and technical realities, our attention shifted back to the Federal Government owned Abeokuta International Airport, Wasimi which was already on going.

    As we were not in any doubt that an Airport anywhere within the shores of our State will be good for our people, we vigorously engaged the then President Goodluck Jonathan administration. Correspondences were exchanged followed by several project site visits. We did same after President Muhammadu Buhari came on board. We observed that the monetary appropriation for the Abeokuta Airport project, though regular, were meagre. To ensure that our people get to reap this particular dividend of democracy in record time, Ogun State Government requested and was granted permission to get involved and speed up the project.

    We knew and understood clearly the importance of infrastructure in the socio-economic development of a State or Country. That is why we embarked on massive infrastructural development immediately after our Administration was inaugurated. We were therefore able to move the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of Ogun State from N700 Million monthly when we got into office in May 2011 to a little over N7 Billion monthly when we left in May, 2019.

    For the record, our Administration engaged the Federal Ministry of Aviation on the need to upgrade the Airstrip to a full-fledged International Airport. The request was granted and the Airstrip status changed to an International Airport with a full bouquet Passenger, Cargo, Aircraft Maintenance, Storage and Warehouses, VIP/Executive services, Aircraft Hangers/MRO, as well as Flight Training School and Education Building, among others.

    The project was designed to serve as major ‘pressure reliever’ to Lagos Murtala Muhammed international Airport whose facilities had reached a breaking point. It was expected to leverage off and take full advantage of Abeokuta’s proximity to Lagos, to ease and speed up the movement of passengers, goods, services and business to the State from the rest of the Country and the World.

    It is also important to state that the Abeokuta International Airport in Wasimi has a much bigger Cargo and Agro Allied terminal, which is the sole focus of the proposed Cargo Airport, Ilisan.

    It is on record that after we left office in 2019, the current Governor Dapo Abiodun led administration instituted a probe, cleverly called Project Review Committee, into 110 (One Hundred and Ten) of our legacy projects, including our intervention at the Abeokuta International Airport, Wasimi.

    The Engr. Mokuolu led Committee visited, inspected and evaluated the Abeokuta International Airport project, among others. The report was submitted to Ogun State Government in April 2020. Not only did the exercise put a lie to the claims that the current administration knew nothing about the project, the reports of the Verification exercise had kind words about the quality and standard of projects embarked upon by our Administration. We need not say more.

    We have said we will take no interest in trading blames with the current administration. It is for this reason that we shall overlook the fact that from day one, the current regime in Ogun State simply wanted the Abeokuta Airport project in Wasimi moribund. Very early after it took office, the Ogun State Government forcefully halted the then ongoing works at the Abeokuta Airport site in Wasimi. They told the Contractors that Ogun State do not need the Airport anymore and directed the Contractors to remove their equipmentfrom the Airport. They forgot or cared less that Ogun State Government does not own the project directly.

    It was also unimportant to them that whereas Ilisan Airport was conceptualized in 2006, with approval secured in February, 2008, there was nothing on ground in 2011, five/three calendar years after, not even the perimeter fence was erected as mentioned earlier. It is curious, ominous and totally against the grain of reason that Ogun State will reject a life changing infrastructural development from the Federal Government.

    For the avoidance of doubt, we want an Airport in Ogun East Senatorial District. These are significant signs of real socio-economic development and was indeed captured in Ogun State Development Plan (2018-2030). Airports should be sited in axis most needed and suitable taking into consideration the safety of our people.

    The Abeokuta International Airport project in Wasimi has come to stay. It is serviced by a 12km access dual carriage way (under construction), and, a fully established and defined6-kilometer Runway, among other components at different stages. We engaged with the understanding of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Industry leaders and tested professionals in airport design and construction, airport navigation aids, airfield firefighting equipment and airside markings and signage. Amongst these are:

    • Messrs Gensler of USA
    • Messrs Aurecom of South Africa
    • Messrs PW Nigeria Limited
    • Messrs GTMC GmbH Limited of Germany
    • Messrs Airport Business Advisors Limited
    • Messrs Southern Mapping Company

    We are filled with pride that we served the good people of Ogun State to the best of our ability and within the resources available to us. We are pleased that the good people of Ogun State appreciated our modest efforts, and, in return, gave us their support. We have done our bit, and, have moved on. Let everyone who is privileged to hold office in any capacity be guided by the Oath of Office at all times. The verdict of history and posterity await us all.

    Taiwo Adeoluwa Esq. LLM

    Secretary to Ogun State Government

    (May, 2011-May, 2019)

  • International Women’s Day 2021: Challenging Inequality

    International Women’s Day 2021: Challenging Inequality

    By Tobiloba Kolawole

    A week ago, First of March, when the deserving first Woman and African Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, NOI was resuming to her new job in high spirit, enthusiastic about how to deliver reforms at the 26Year old international institution, CH Media, a newspaper operator based in Switzerland ran an article with the title: This Grandmother Will be the New Chief of the World Trade Centre.

    This headline was nothing but a bias. Collectively agreed by leaders of thought, it smacks of sexism, a remark that would likely not be made if NOI were a 66year old man taking up the job.

    Despite this setback however, something cheering happened. UN Women leaders and 124 Ambassadors in Geneva, among them men, rose in her defense and signed a petition calling out the sexist remarks in that newspaper. We need to call out this behaviour when it happens. This, is the very essence of the International Women’s Day, to challenge ourselves to do better as women to women, as men to women, as one equal people to one another and importantly to celebrate women for their contributions to the socio-economic advancement of our society for we cannot wish away their many resounding successes and important achievements in our society.

    According to WTO, women hold 21% of ministerial positions worldwide and, in business, make up 8% of Fortune 500 CEOs. This is not enough and we must choose to challenge the status quo, shatter the glass ceiling and close this gap of inequality.

    Do we really want change? Are the men comfortable with the statistics knowing that they have sisters and daughters who should not be caught in this imbalance.

    Gender bias and inequality problems still stare us in the face. Uneven access to education. Around the world, women still have less access to education than men, Lack of employment equality, Job segregation, Lack of legal protections, Lack of bodily autonomy, Poor medical care, Lack of religious freedom and Lack of political representation.

    In my opinion, I would think it is morally unacceptable for anyone to think it is ok to ostracize a gender. We must all join hands to change the narrative and make life better for scores of women out there, including generations yet unborn. We must #ChooseToChallenge.

    A world that is challenged stays alert, and as Individuals, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions.

    We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.

    From challenge comes change, so let’s all choose to challenge and make our world a better place for all.

  • Nigerian Govt okays N813b for road, water projects, explains Ogoni cleanup delay

    Nigerian Govt okays N813b for road, water projects, explains Ogoni cleanup delay

    Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC), chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday approved a number of projects including the change of scope for the construction of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway from N155b to N797.2b and a N10.4b for the procurement of fire fighting vehicles and equipment for the Federal Fire Service.

    Also, for provision of potable water across the four Ogoni council areas of Rivers State, Gokana, Khana, Eleme and Tai, FEC approved the sum of N6b.

    FEC’s approval was confirmed by the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola in Abuja, adding that the road, hitherto undergoing renovation, would be completely reconstructed, thereby changing the cost of the project from N155b to N797.2b.

    The Minister said: “I presented one memorandum and one report with respect to the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway, which was to change the scope of work from rehabilitation previously awarded because parts of the pavement had deteriorated, to full reconstruction of two lanes on both sides.

    “The council considered and approved the request for the change of scope and the incidental cost consequence, which changed the existing contract for N155b to N797.2b for full reconstruction of the main carriageway, trailer parks, way bridges, toll stations and additional side lanes in the built-up areas across the FCT, Niger Kaduna and Kano states, served by the road and FEC approved it for the same contractor.”

    According to Fashola, rehabilitated roads, which would soon be handed are the Benin-Asaba, Abuja-Lokoja, Kano-Katsina, Onitsha-Aba, Sagamu-Benin, Kano-Maiduguri, Enugu-Port Harcourt, Ilorin-Jebba and Lagos-Badagry highways.

    Likewise, Fashola’s counterpart in the Ministry of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola said: “The council considered and approved N10.4b to cover the supply of 44 firefighting engines, 15 water tankers, 15 rapid intervention fire engines to respond to distressed calls.

    “The approval also covers the supply of 20 basic life support ambulances. So, we are looking at 79 firefighting equipment and support vehicles.”

    While assuring that the procurement of the vehicles would enhance the capacity of the Federal Fire Service to effectively control and manage fire emergencies, Aregbesola called on State Governments to also equip their fire services, noting that operations of the Federal Fire Service would be complimented in those states.

    The sum of N353.2m was released to the Ministry for the purpose of deploying integrated real time data repository equipment for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Headquarters, Abuja, among others.

    In the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, a N2.1b contract for the design, development, deployment and management of the National Social Investment Management System for the National Social Investment Programme was approved by FEC.

    Minister Sadiya Umar Farouk who made this known said the contract, which is to be completed within 24 months, will tackle sundry issues in the operations of N-Power, N-SIP, National Cash Transfer, and National Home-Grown School Feeding programmes.

    “We are starting with N-Power, which is immediate. Afterwards, we will add other clusters of the National Social Investment Programme into the platform. Council has approved and we will go ahead,” she said.

    Also speaking FEC’s deliberation on the Ogoni clean up that has always generated public sentiment, Minister of the Environment, Mahmud Mohammad, said the FEC meeting recalled that the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) was commissioned in 2016 for the cleanup but impacted areas based on UNEP report.

    “We have had some delays when we came to assess the project and we went to Geneva, met with UNEP that designed the project, conducted the studies and made recommendations for the cleanup of Ogoniland,” he said.

  • Insecurity in Nigeria: President Buhari Replaces Service Chiefs

    Insecurity in Nigeria: President Buhari Replaces Service Chiefs

    Amidst rising insecurity in Nigeria and the clamour by citizens for the sack of heads of the nation’s security agencies, President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday accepted the immediate resignation of the Service Chiefs, and their retirement from service.

    Those involved are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

    READ ALSO:

    Fire Razes Sunday Igboho House Days After Giving Fulanis Ultimatum to Leave Oyo

    Presidency spokesman, Femi Adesina in a statement Tuesday afternoon said: “President Buhari thanks the outgoing Service Chiefs for what he calls their “overwhelming achievements in our efforts at bringing enduring peace to our dear country,” wishing them well in their future endeavours”.

    The new Service Chiefs are: Major-General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, Chief of Air Staff.

    The President congratulates the new Service Chiefs, and urges them to be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of their responsibilities.

  • Fire Razes Sunday Igboho House Days After Giving Fulanis Ultimatum to Leave Oyo

    Fire Razes Sunday Igboho House Days After Giving Fulanis Ultimatum to Leave Oyo

    House of a popular Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo, well known as Sunday Igboho, has been razed by fire.

    The fire, which was said to have started at 3am midnight on Tuesday burnt some part of the house situated in the Soka area of Oyo State.

    As at the time of this publication, the source of the fire was yet to be ascertained known.

    While no official statement has been received from Sunday Igboho, reports has it that brigades from the Oyo State Fire Service arrived the scene a few hours after the house was touched to stop the fire before it could spread to other parts of the building.

    Igboho, who is the Akoni Oodua of Yoruba land, had asked herdsmen in Ibarapa Local Government Area of Oyo State to leave within seven days.

    READ ALSO:

    Ondo-Oyo, Herders Crisis: Ex-Senate President Condemns Deafening Silence of Stakeholders

    At the expiration of the ultimatum last week, he and his followers had stormed the Fulani settlement in the ancient town to eject Seriki Fulani, Salihu Abdukadir, and herdsmen accused of perpetrating crimes ranging from kidnappings, killings, rape to invasion of farmlands with their cattle.

    Some houses and property in the settlement of the Fulanis were torched but Igboho had distanced himself from the incident, saying aggrieved youths and residents of the town were responsible for the destruction.

  • Ondo-Oyo, Herders Crisis: Ex-Senate President Condemns Deafening Silence of Stakeholders

    Ondo-Oyo, Herders Crisis: Ex-Senate President Condemns Deafening Silence of Stakeholders

    Following the recent tension occasioned by activities of suspected kidnapper-Fulani herdsmen and subsequent reactions of indigenes of Oyo and Ondo States, former President of the Nigerian Senate, Bukola Saraki has strongly appealed for peace and initiatives that will douse the brewing of a violent clash.

    In a statement he signed, Senator Saraki said “The ugly development in these two states are symptomatic of the continued threat to the unity of our country that we have witnessed on a higher scale in recent times and in different parts of the country, including the South-East and South-South zones.”

    The former number three man in Nigeria express worry that certain stakeholders who ought to speak up and address the issues have remained silent while it escalated.

    Saraki, in the statement said: “The deafening silence by key stakeholders, leaders and others who we think should speak out is worrisome. This silence is a dangerous tell-tale sign that things are wrong. This is not good for our country. We must all speak out and talk about the solution to this twin-problem of insecurity and threat to national unity.

    “I have watched with concern the recent development in Oyo and Ondo States in which quit notices were given to Fulani herders and there was subsequent burning of the property of the Fulani herdsmen in some parts of Oyo State. These happenings have increased tension and unduly raised the temperature in the country.

    “At this point, I strongly appeal to all of us to work for peace and take initiatives that can douse tension. Both the elite and ordinary people have a responsibility to begin to take measures that will reassure the people across board that a united Nigeria will benefit everybody better than a disintegrated country.

    “We all do not have another country to call our own other than this one country, Nigeria. We need to live in peace with each other and it is my prayer that Almighty God will continue to preserve the unity of the country. I have the conviction that there are many more things that unite us than the few points that cause disagreement among us. Let me use my case as an example of why this country should continue to grow as one united and progressive entity. I am of Fulani origin and have a Yoruba mother. My father was a Muslim and mother is Christian. Thus, I am affected on all sides by any inter-ethnic tension in this country. I am sure there are many Nigerians that are in similar situation.

    “Also, a united Nigeria is better for the entire world than a disintegrated country. The relevance of Nigeria in the international community is due to her size, population and collective resources. Any attempt at disintegration removes the cloak of importance around Nigeria in the global community. We must all strive to douse the tension and keep our country together. This is definitely not the country we inherited from our forebears and it is not what we intend to pass on to the generation after us.

    “I appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to provide leadership. Mr. President, take measures that will reassure all and sundry that you are working on the problems and that nobody should lose interest in a united, peaceful and progressive Nigeria.

    “It is important for President Muhammadu Buhari to rally all interests and everybody at the leadership levels to a round table in order to discuss and find appropriate solutions. Let me reiterate my earlier suggestion that President Buhari should call all relevant politicians and stakeholders together – former heads of states, retired and serving security chiefs, present and former leaders of various arms of government, traditional rulers with relevant experience, experienced youth with the technological know-how to solve security problems and even international civil servants of Nigerian origin who can help.

    “Everybody must be made to contribute ideas on how to save our country from insecurity, disunity and invasion by criminals. Mr. President, please, call everybody together and provide the much needed leadership to solve the problem. This is a period that require all hands to be on deck. This is not the time to talk of APC or PDP. It is a time for all to work for Nigeria. This is a problem for all and should be solved by all.

    “I want to also make a passionate plea to my brothers, Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila, both of whom are experienced legislators, to provide far-reaching legislative intervention that will help the executive arm in the search for peace. The situation is getting worse by the day. Insecurity has become the order of the day and it is fueling disunity and criminal activities.”

    The former governor of Kwara state however called on politicians to begin fashioning ways of dealing with divisive ethnic issues as this should they win leadership positions in 2023.

    “Let me also call on all politicians who are looking towards 2023 to take over power to start pondering on what type of Nigeria will they have to administer post-2023 if the current situation continues. It is better for all of us to join hands together NOW to quell the raging fire of disunity, insecurity and work to mend fences. I know some politicians will not be able to contribute ideas if they are not called upon to do so by those who currently have governmental responsibility to do so.

    “However, please don’t keep quiet when called upon. We must all intervene as patriots and forget our personal interests. For the sake of our forebears who handed over this country to us, we must work hard to make things better so that when we meet them, we will have a good account to give that we improved on what was handed over to us.

    “In the meantime, let all stakeholders speak up on the danger confronting and diminishing our great country. The attitude of keeping quiet and ‘Sidon look’ while waiting for the next election to start making promises will not help anyone. What type of election or country are we going to have in 2023 if the current situation persists? A stitch in time saves nine”, =former Senate President Bukola Saraki said.

    Violence had erupted in the Ibrapa, Oke-Ogun area of Oyo state days after an Oodua Republic agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho made the news last week when he gave an ultimatum to killer herdsmen to vacate Oyo State.

    During ensuing events, houses and property of the Seriki Fulani, Alhaji Saliu Abdulkadir, were burnt.

    Abdulkadir had told SaharaReporters that he, his wives and children were sent out of the settlement, adding that 11 vehicles and houses were burnt in the process.

    The Seriki had thereafter fled the community with his family, as aggrieved youths put fire to the settlement.

    However, Personal Assistant to Sunday Ighoho, Salami Oladapo denied the involvement of his principal nor his supporters in the arson.