The President, Agbekoya Worldwide, Kamorudeen Okiki, has urged the authorities of Benin Republic to free the Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, or the group would use traditional means.
Okiki spoke in Osogbo on Thursday during a peaceful rally held by the group, where it also demanded the restructuring of the country.
Speaking further after he had delivered a letter containing seven-point demand of the group to Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, in his palace following a successful rally on major streets in the state capital, Okiki also lamented the high rate of corruption in government business.
He said, “Sunday Igboho is not a criminal. We will continue to say that. We know that it is the Federal Government that is holding Igboho in Benin Republic, but we are telling Benin Republic authorities now to legally release him using their court.
“They should release him legally and quickly because they are not taking him to court again, or we will use our traditional means and powers to take Igboho out of detention.
“We are Agbekoya, if they don’t release Sunday Igboho legally, we are going to take him out of Benin Republic. They will just see that Sunday Igboho is out of their prison.”
Following the violent protest that rocked Oyun Baptist Secondary School, Ijagbo in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara state, over hijab, the government has ordered the closure of the school.
Kwara State Police Command confirmed that, dangerous weapons were freely used during the encounter between Muslims and Christians in the course of the face off.
Recall that the state Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, had warned stakeholders in the education sector at a meeting that the state government would not tolerate the disturbance of the peace in the state by any means.
The spokesman of the state Police Command disclosed that tactical units and conventional policemen deployed to Ijagbo successfully restored peace in the school and are also on ground to ensure that no further breakdown of law and order is allowed.
He said the latest “action is sequel to the crisis related to the wearing of Hijab in schools which has been in contention between Christians and Muslims in Kwara State.
“Of current concern was the break down of law between Ijagbo Community and protesting Muslim parents, where dangerous weapons were freely used,” he added.
However, Kwara State Government delegation is already in Ijagbo to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
The state Commissioner of Police, Tuesday Assayomo, has now appealed to the warring parties to embrace peace and shun any acts that could jeopardize the current peace in the area, as the police have been directed to arrest anyone found in any way truncating the peace in Kwara State.
Reacting, the Kwara State government through the education commissioner, Sa’adatu Modibbo Kawu, condemned in strong terms the resort to violence in the government-owned Oyun Baptist Secondary School, Ijagbo saying “this is totally unacceptable.”
A statement by the Commissioner in Ilorin condemned the flagrant act of discrimination against anyone, especially children, on religious grounds.
“Such discrimination will not be tolerated in any public-owned institution in the state,” she added.
” While the government and security agencies continue to work with leaders on all sides, it hereby directs the immediate shutdown of the school pending the resolution of the issue.”
The state government commended the security agencies for their prompt action which restored calm in the area and appealed for calm.
“We’ll continue to support youths and sports development” says Makinde….
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Oyo State, Engr. Seun Fakorede MNSE received in audience the management board of Shooting Stars Sports Club , 3SC , who were at his office to present the 3 players recently acquired by the Club.
The development was contained in a release made available to Vreporters by the media aide to the Commissioner, Kazeem Olalekan Israel on Thursday.
The release highlighted that, During the presentation of the players, the Commissioner commended the management team and assured them of the unflinching support of the Governor. He also told the players that the people are waiting to see them unveil their best in moving the team to the top.
The release partly read: “After the presentation by the management board of the team, the Commissioner led them to meet with the Governor of the State to unveil and present the newly acquired players.
“During the official presentation and unveiling, the Governor directed that a minute silence be observed for the late GM of the team, Mr. Rasheed Balogun. The Commissioner noted that the purpose of the visit is to familiarize the new players with the Governor.
“The newly acquired players are Sunday Faleye, a Striker/attacker loaned from Czech Republic and a former 3SC player, Adeniyi Adekunle, a Defender and ex Katsina United player and Akleche Sunday, midfielder and former Captain of Katsina United”.
Fakorede however appreciated the Governor for all he has been doing for the team which showcase him as a Governor that “is very much interested in sports.”
The Governor on his part assured the team that the death of the deceased GM won’t be in vain while promising that whatever is meant to be done for the family shall be done. The Governor however commend the management for a job welldone while challenging them that not to rest on their oars.
A number of persons on Thursday sustained various degrees of injuries as protest over the use of hijab thickened in Oyun Baptist High School, Ijagbo, in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a man in his early 20s was seen being rushed to a nearby hospital after he was reportedly shot at.
Recall that the use of hijab had generated controversy in some missionary schools in the state over the past few months.
The State Government had on January 25, directed management of schools in the state to allow the use of hijab by willing Muslims without forcing it on anyone or turning them back for using it.
Some Muslim parents and their wards were seen on major streets of Ilorin Wednesday protesting against the management of Oyun Baptist High School for turning back some students for wearing hijab.
A government delegation, led by the Commissioner for Education, Sa’adatu Kawu, had twice visited the school to resolve the matter.
Another delegation led by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mohammed Saifudeen, also visited the town for the same reason on Thursday.
Fracas however erupted on Thursday when some Muslim parents stormed the school premises to protest the rejection of their wards and members by the school.
Eye witnesses said the protest later degenerated into violence when an unidentified man rushed to the school to inform other protesters of a machete cut.
This triggered an angry reaction from the Muslim protesting parents as they looked around for various weapons to defend themselves, but the police swiftly dispatched them.
The police fired warning shots into the air and also used teargas to dispatch the protesters as unidentified persons from inside the school were seen throwing missiles at those outside the premises.
Normalcy was however restored by a combined team of police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Confirming the development, the Public Relations Officer of the Kwara Police Command, Ajayi Okasanmi, said security personnel had been deployed to the scene to restore peace.
Mr Okasanmi stated that normalcy has returned to the school and that security operatives would remain there until the area was safe for the residents.
The Federal Government has said the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has uncovered 96 financiers of terrorism, especially those backing Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).
It also said NFIU has unmasked 424 associates/supporters of the financiers,
about 123 companies and 33 bureaux de change linked with terrorism.
It said the agency has identified 26 suspected bandits/kidnappers and seven co-conspirators.
The government said 45 of the suspects will soon face trial.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed made the disclosures at a briefing on the anti-corruption fight of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said: ” For its part, the analysis by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), in 2020-2021, revealed 96 financiers of terrorism in Nigeria, 424 associates/supporters of the financiers, involvement of about 123 companies and 33 bureaux de change, in addition to identifying 26 suspected bandits/kidnappers and seven co-conspirators.
“The analysis has resulted in the arrest of 45 suspects who will soon face prosecution and seizure of assets. Also, from its analysis of tax evasion and tax avoidance linked to corruption, NFIU has identified N3,909,707,678,112.43 in VAT and N3,737,918,335,785.82 in Withholding Tax due to the Government.
“NFIU has also sent 1,165 intelligence reports on cases of corruption, money laundering and other serious offences to 27 domestic agencies for investigation, prosecution and asset recovery.
” On terrorism financing, NFIU had intelligence exchanges on Boko Haram, ISWAP, banditry, kidnapping and others with 19 countries. During the same period, 2020-2021, the organization returned fraudulently-obtained funds totalling US$103,722,102.83, 3,000 Pound Sterling; 7,695 Singapore Dollar and 1,091 Euros to 11 countries of victims who came into the country.”
Mohammed said President Buhari’s Whistle-Blower policy has led to the recovery of N700 billion
He added:” The Whistle-blower Policy is an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.
“The policy is meant to encourage the voluntary disclosure of information about fraud, bribery and looted government funds, including financial misconduct and any other form of corruption or theft.
” The Whistle Blower whose information leads to recovery is entitled to 2.5 to 5% from the recovered funds. Information and tips received are usually referred to the EFCC, ICPC, and NFIU for further painstaking investigation. The policy has helped in the cleansing of IPPIS, led to compliance on TSA and enhanced the Procurement Act 2007.
“As at 2020, a total sum of N700 billion has been recovered through the Whistle-Blower Policy.”
He said, “For its part, the analysis by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), in 2020-2021, revealed 96 financiers of terrorism in Nigeria, 424 associates/supporters of the financiers, involvement of about 123 companies and 33 bureaux de change, in addition to identifying 26 suspected bandits/kidnappers and 7 co-conspirators. The analysis has resulted in the arrest of 45 suspects who will soon face prosecution and seizure of assets.
“Also, from its analysis of tax evasion and tax avoidance linked to corruption, NFIU has identified N3,909,707,678,112.43 in VAT and N3,737,918,335,785.82 in Withholding Tax due to the Government. NFIU has also sent 1,165 intelligence reports on cases of corruption, money laundering and other serious offences to 27 domestic agencies for investigation, prosecution and asset recovery.
“On terrorism financing, NFIU had intelligence exchanges on Boko Haram, ISWAP, banditry, kidnapping and others with 19 countries. During the same period, 2020-2021, the organization returned fraudulently-obtained funds totalling US$103,722,102.83, 3,000 Pound Sterling; 7,695 Singapore Dollar and 1,091 Euros to 11 countries of victims who came into the country.”
There is currently heavy security presence at the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the federal capital territory (FCT).
This is a precautionary measure as Mai Mala Buni, chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), is billed to inaugurate state chairpersons today.
The security agents who took positions on Blantyre street in Wuse 2 where the ruling party’s secretariat is located were seen screening people and vehicles.
TheCable learnt that the party invited the police to forestall any protest that may break out during the ceremony.
Many of the congresses that produced some of the soon-to-be inaugurated chairpersons were rancorous.
There were parallel congresses in some states which produced factional leaders.
TheCable had reported that Buni’s rumored resolve not to relinquish control of the party anytime soon is putting the APC’s planned convention scheduled for February 26 in jeopardy.
A governor told TheCable that the CECPC chairman is only pursuing the composition of a zoning committee — which is just one of the several panels that need to be in place before the convention is held
“Buni is definitely up to something — he wants to inaugurate the state executives this week and we are hearing he wants them to use a voice vote to say he should continue in office… this will only create more friction and confusion,” the governor had said.
The Commandant General,CG, of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,NSCDC, Ahmed Audi has ordered immediate reinstatement of security operatives attached to Hon. Shina Peller (APC-Oyo State).
NSCDC Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Olusola Odumosu, confirmed the development on Thursday.
Peller, representing lseyin/ltesiwaju/ Kajola/lwajowa Federal Constituency in Oyo State, had his NSCDC security details withdrawn on Wednesday.
The letter of the withdrawal sent to the lawmaker was signed by the Head of Administration, Oyo State Command of the Corps, Sotito Igbalawole.
However, Odumosu noted on Thursday that the letter from the Oyo commandant was sent to the lawmaker without clearance.
Odumosu said “The leadership of the NSCDC dismisses as unauthorised and without recourse to the Corps constituted authority, a letter signed and sent to a Member of the House of Representatives, informing him of the withdrawal of officials of the NSCDC assigned to him.
“Not only did the officer in question lack the power to do such, but he was also found to have acted on his whims without clearance.
“The Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi, has therefore directed a reinstatement of the withdrawn officers with the complement of necessary courtesies to the Honourable Member.”
Oyo State Command of the Corps, Sotito Igbalawole, had withdrawn Peller’s aides on Wednesday after the lawmaker proposed scrapping of the NSCDC.
Peller also proposed that the Nigerian police should take over the responsibilities of the NSCDC.
The lawmaker made the proposal to the House via the National Security And Civil Defence Corps (Repeal and Transition) Bill 2022, which passed the first reading on Tuesday.
The bill seeks to repeal the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (Amendment) Act 2007, establish a transition management committee to superintend over the NSCDC, develop regulations and implement procedures for the transfer of assets and personnel of the corps to the Nigeria Police Force, and other related matters.
In the bill, Peller noted that “fragmentation of security resources across multiple competing agencies is counterproductive.”
The lawmakers also noted that the mandate of the NSCDC “has now become a duplication of the Nigeria Police Force,” adding, “this has led to avoidable conflicts.”
The Congress of University Academics, CONUA, has accused the national president of the Academic Union Of Universities, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, of fueling crises within the rank of academic unions in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.
A statement signed by the CONUA chairman, Dr ‘Niyi Sunmonu, obtained in Osogbo on Wednesday, said the claim by Osodeke that CONUA produced a new form different from the one used in other federal universities in the country for computation of Earned Academic Allowance, was untrue.
The leadership of ASUU in OAU had declared an indefinite strike over unpaid Academic Earned Allowance, but members of CONUA have refused to join the industrial action.
Prof. Osodeke had reportedly claimed that CONUA OAU produced a new form different from the one used in other federal universities in the country, but Sunmonu while reacting to the claim insisted that it was the ASUU OAU branch that departed from the form designed by the national body of the Union, following the 2009 ASUU/Federal Government agreement.
The group further said ASUU had designed a Google form for its members and tried to force the form on CONUA members, but the move was resisted.
The statement read in part, “The fact is that it was ASUU OAU branch that departed outright from the form designed by their national body following the 2009 ASUU/Federal Government agreement.
It did this by designing a Google form for its members. They tried to force this on CONUA members and this was resisted by CONUA.
“ASUU OAU has continued to insist that any academic staff who refuses to fill this Google form will not be paid his/her due of Earned Academic Allowance.
That the president of ASUU could go to the press to say that it was CONUA that designed a new form shows a complete lack of integrity. We in CONUA are however not surprised about this because such things have become the trademark of Osodeke.
“For example, In 2016, when he led a committee of ASUU to OAU to investigate the crisis in the branch, Osodeke turned in a report that was completely against the fact on ground in OAU. His report actually ended up adding fire to the crisis on the ground. Osodeke in fact is a fundamental factor in the OAU crisis.
“To set the record straight, as soon as the current tranche of the EAA was released, ASUU OAU branch came out to state publicly to say that the money belonged only to its members and that those who are no members of the union would not benefit from it.
The reason they gave for this is that the money represents their reward for going on strike. The fact is that Earned Academic Allowance which is money paid for excess work done by academic staff.
“To reiterate the point, Osodeke’s claim that CONUA invented a new form simply turns the truth on its head. The fact really is that it was CONUA that adopted the form that was developed for EAA following the 2009 agreement; and it was ASUU OAU that set aside the correct form and went ahead to design a Google form.
The form that CONUA used to compute its EAA is the one used in other federal universities including FUTA, University of Ibadan and Federal University, Lokoja. ASUU should develop the courage to stand by what it has done, and to tell the public why it went ahead to develop a google form in place of the authentic EAA form.”
CONUA then advised ASUU to clear its name from the discrepancies in the claims that were presented to the University administration by its branch in OAU.
The Oyo State Youth Development Agency yesterday, organized a retreat programme for members-selectThe Oyo State Youth Development Agency yesterday, organized a retreat programme for members-select of the 2nd Assembly of the State Youth Parliament ahead of their inauguration today, February 3rd, 2022.
The retreat is part of the 2-day scheduled programme organized by the Youth Agency for the members-select of the 2nd Assembly of the Youth Parliament. The purpose of the retreat is to educate them on the rudiments of legislative business.
The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Oyo State, Engr. ‘Seun Fakorede MNSE, in his opening remark encouraged the members-select to showcase themselves as resource persons with the best productive minds. He made it known that the Assembly was reconstituted because of the avalanche of petitions that were received by the Ministry on the premise of irregularities that marred the selection process.
The Commissioner charged the members-select that “this is an opportunity to showcase leadership traits in preparation for the task ahead.” The Commissioner also noted that “great service delivery is expected from the Youth Assembly as far as youth representation is concerned.” The Commissioner also made it known that there is no hindrance for them to ably represent the youth wing considering the fact that Oyo State has a House of Assembly that is diligent to rub minds with the youth constituency. The Commissioner disclosed this while recognising the presence of the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Muhammed Fadeyi and Hon. Seyi Adisa representing Afijio State Constituency at the State House of Assembly who were there to deliver legislative lectures.
The retreat had in attendance representatives from the National Youth Service Corps, National Youth Council of Nigeria, National Orientation Agency, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Oyo State Youth Development Agency and the Oyo State House of Assembly.
The Federal High Court Abeokuta has fixed February 22 for the hearing of a fundamental right enforcement suit against the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State.
A student of the institution, Mariam Afeez, sued the institution over its decision to ban the use of niqab on the campus.
She is seeking an order for unconditional access to the school, a public apology and a N50 million compensation.
The university has in the past been enmeshed in controversies surrounding the use of niqab, a piece of clothing that covers the face leaving only the pair of eyes, and usually worn by Muslim women, since October 2017, when it put up a billboard to show its intolerance for “lousy and immoral” dressings.
The billboard carried the pictures of ripped jeans, mini-skirts and niqab which angered Muslim students on the campus.
PREMIUM TIMES learnt that although the billboard was brought down after condemnations, the controversy, however, got a new twist in December 2021, when the university, after a senate meeting, reaffirmed the ban.
The public relations officer of the university, Kolawole Adepoju, refused to comment on the matter, saying he did not have the mandate to talk on the issue.
According to a copy of the court documents seen by PREMIUM TIMES, Mariam Afeez, through her lawyers led by Ahmad Adetola, approached the court seeking, among others, “a declaration that the ban on the use of niqab is unconstitutional, illegal and of no effect.”
Part of the documents read: “(The student code of dressing as issued on December 16th is) inconsistent with Sections 38 (1) and 42(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which guarantees the religious rights of the applicant in practice and practical observation whether in public or in private and by extension the use of the Niqab (Face Veil) without discrimination.”
The suit listed FUNAAB, its governing council, the university’s senate and its vice-chancellor, Felix Salako, as respondents one, two, three and four, respectively.
As contained in the documents, the suit is praying the court for “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents, their servants, agents, privies, assigns, person, body of persons howsoever called claiming through them or acting under their authority or instruction, from infringing on the right of the applicant to manifest and propagate her religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance whether in private or in public.
“An Order compelling the respondents jointly and severally to pay the applicant the sum N50,000,000:00 (Fifty Million Naira Only) as compensation for breach of the applicant’s fundamental human rights.
“An order directing the respondents to tender a public apology to the applicant in two widely read newspapers for infringing on her fundamental rights.”
Ahmad Adetola, counsel to Ms Afeez, told PREMIUM TIMES that: “this is a fundamental issue which harps on religious practises of an individual and no law made by the school can trump the provision of the constitution.”
“This is a fundamental right issue backed by section 38 of the constitution and there have been judgements of courts, both lower and higher ones, on this particular issue.”
Mr Adetola, who wondered why the university has not placed a ban on the wearing of jeans since it is worn by cultists, asked if a niqab-wearing individual has ever caused mayhem in the school.
“Have they ever found out that someone wearing the niqab has caused havoc in the school?” he asked, adding; “We hear of cultism, we hear of everything. When have they banned people wearing jeans because cultists wear jeans? I just think it is bigotry of some individuals.”
Recall that a On Thursday, November 24, Ms Afeez, a final year student in the statistics department of the university, was forced to remove her niqab before being granted access into the campus after security personnel denied her entry, on account that the security department has been ordered not to allow any niqab-wearing person access into the campus.
The student said her plea that female security personnel should confirm her identity and let her into the campus fell on deaf ears.
The court documents quoted Ms Azeez to have said: “After about an hour of harassment, intimidation, threat and embarrassment by the officers of the 1 Respondent (FUNAAB), I was forced to remove my face veil (Niqob) in the public glare contrary to my religious beliefs and practice as guaranteed in the Constitution.
“The forceful insistence that I remove my veil and the inhuman treatment meted on me by officers of the 1st Respondent subjected me to open ridicule in the presence of several students, lecturers and other visitors passing through the 1st respondent’s gate while it lasted. I was singled out for monumental embarrassment despite not contravening any law.
“The 1st Respondent (FUNAAB) is not a faith-based institution but an institution owned and funded by the federal government to reflect the multi-religious nature of the country.”
The final year student said she wrote the school management on the ‘harassment’ but did not get any favourable response.
However, on December 16, 2021, the school management through the office of the registrar released a circular re-affirming the existing students’ dress code “with great emphasis on facial identification of all students at all times within the university.”
Parts of the circular signed by ‘Bola Adekola, the university’s registrar, reads: “(FUNAAB) Senate at its statutory meeting held on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, considered the issue of dress code as it affects students of the university. Senate re-affirmed its earlier decision on students’ dress code as enshrined in the university’s students regulation with great emphasis on facial identification of all students at all times within the university.”
“Senate reiterated the fact that its decision on dress code was taken without prejudice to any religion, race or creed but for the peace and security of every member of the university community and to promote teaching and learning in a conducive atmosphere.
“All members of the university community, particularly students, are therefore reminded that NO change has been approved to the dress code put in place since 2017 by the senate and should be strictly adhered to at all times.”
On Tuesday, when PREMIUM TIMES contacted the university’s spokesperson, Mr Adepoju, he said he could not comment as he was not mandated to speak on such an issue.
He said: “I cannot talk to you on this matter because I don’t have the mandate. But it is important to note that the peace and tranquility of the university community is the concern of everyone here.”
