Author: Abiodun Lawal

Court

By Abiodun Lawal

Abeokuta, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Mr Abiodun Alamutu, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun, has lauded the state government for deeming it fit to create a special court to try cult-related cases in the state.

Alamutu spoke on Tuesday in Abeokuta during a security roundtable, organised by the Ogun Chapter of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS).

He noted that the special court’s creation would assist the state in reducing the burden on regular courts.

”But it will also help security agencies in the fight against the menace of cultism,” the Police Commissioner said.

The event, with the theme “Economic/Political Approach In Combating Insecurity”, also witnessed the inauguration of the new Executive Committee members of NANS and NAOSS in the state.

Alamutu, who was represented by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Haruna Adamu, described cultism as one of the major crimes in the state.

“In Ogun, we have our own issue of insecurity like other states. Here in Ogun, the issue we are facing is cultism. Cultism is the root of every crime in this state.

”It is the root of armed robbery and this issue of cultism is disturbing us seriously.

“These cultists graduate from cultism to armed robbery and other crimes.

“We are working to make sure that we reduce this menace in our society.

“Today in Ogun, the government has come up with a court that will deal with cultism issues.

“No case will be taken to that court apart from cultism cases. The creation of this court will help us a lot to reduce issues of cultism in this state,” he said.

In his remarks, Special Assistant to the State Governor on Student Matters, Azeez Adeyemi, urged security agencies to partner with students and other relevant stakeholders in combating insecurity in the state.

“Economic well-being of the people is a significant determinant of the larger security in the society. An economically-engaged and self-sufficient human is less vulnerable to take options in criminal act.

“Qualitatively-educated citizens, particularly agile youths, are usually intelligent enough to interact with their society more productively than dangerously.

“Well-trained young people are in fact very crucial in developing an economy to become more progressive, as well as contributing to combating insecurity with innovative ideas and technology,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

LKA/OLAL

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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

June 12

By Abiodun Lawal

Abeokuta, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Abeokuta home of Chief Moshood Abiola, (MKO), has been given a facelift by the Ogun government, ahead of the June 12 Democracy Day anniversary.

Chief Press Secretary to the Ogun governor, Lekan Adeniran, explained that the renovation was carried out to make the house more presentable for the anniversary.

The renovation included repair works on fallen ceilings, damaged windows, and collapsed external drainage system.

Alhaji Tajudeen Abiola, Deputy Head of the Abiola family, expressed gratitude to the state government for the kind gesture.

He noted that the facelift would benefit the Abiola family and the community, at large.

“We are grateful to the state governor for this kind gesture.

“The fallen ceilings were replaced, the windows were touched and the old buildings are wearing new look,” he said.

On his part, Ameen Abiola, one of the sons of MKO Abiola, also appreciated the government’s efforts in preserving his father’s legacy and ideals.

According to him, the family will always be grateful for the various efforts aimed at bringing alive the memory of their father.

Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential elections, annulled by the military government.

The renowned businessman, philanthropist, and politician died in prison on July 7, 1998.  (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

LKA/AWA

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Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Inauguration

By Abiodun Lawal

Abeokuta, June 11, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has inaugurated the Olu of Ilaro/head of traditional rulers in Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, as Chairman of Council of Traditional Rulers in the state.

Speaking during the ceremony on Tuesday in Abeokuta, Abiodun charged the traditional rulers to continue using their revered stools in promoting peace and unity in their various domains.

He described the traditional institution as an important arm of government in the enthronement of good governance in the state.

“I promise that my government will support and empower traditional rulers through the provision of needed resources, infrastructure and platforms for effective delivery of their duties,” the governor said.

He urged the State Traditional Rulers Council to advise their members to desist from acts of indiscipline, such as allocating land for illegal mining and unauthorised selling of government land.

The governor laid emphasis on the land in the plantations, warning the traditional rulers against selling such land.

Abiodun who expressed disappointment with the activities of some of traditional rulers and local royal leaders noted that illegal mining has had serious negative environmental impact in some communities.

He disclosed that an Executive Order would soon be issued from his office to deal with any one of them found wanting.

The governor also warned the traditional rulers not to involve themselves in partisan politics.

“Traditional rulers’ role is to support government in its developmental stride across the state.

“However, we are blessed with highly resourceful traditional rulers who have been providing purposeful leadership at the grassroots and who are passionate about the general well-being of our people in our communities,” he pointed out.

Abiodun lauded the immediate-past Chairman of the council, the Akarigbo and head of traditional rulers in Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, for his sterling leadership qualities in the last two years.

In his acceptance speech, Oba Olugbenle, lauded Abiodun for his commitment to the development of the traditional institution, as well as the all-round growth and development of the state.

“Theentire members of the Council of Traditional Rulers will continue to cooperate, collaborate, and provide the required support for the present administration in achieving more positive results in the state,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

LKA/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Certification

By Abiodun Lawal

Abeokuta, June 11, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has urged intending drivers to enroll in professional driving courses for proper certification.

FRSC Sector Commander in Ogun, Mr Anthony Uga, made the call in Abeokuta on Tuesday during a strategic meeting with driving school owners in the state.

He said that by getting properly certified, drivers would understand the need for safety and obedience to traffic rules.

“Drivers who went through professional driving courses perform better on the wheels. Crashes will be minimised if drivers are well trained

“Most road accidents are caused by unqualified drivers, we must begin to discourage uncertified driving,” he said.

He said that the corps would not encourage unprofessional driving schools to continue to operate in the state.

The sector commander said that the meeting  was designed to sensitise driving school owners on the importance of professional training.

“It is our collective duty to ensure that only competent people are licensed to drive, this training should enable us to do things better as driving school owners.

“Teach your students the importance of obeying road safety rules. Teach them to be safety conscious.

“Once the right persons are licensed, we will have saner people as drivers, and the roads will be safer,” he said.

Uga also urged motorists in the state to shun reckless driving in the interest of their safety and that of other road users.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

LKA/OIF/AZU

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo and Azubuike Okeh

Ogun APC mourns chieftain, Sola Lawal

Death

By Abiodun Lawal

Abeokuta, June 7, 2024 (NAN) The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun has mourned its former Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sola Lawal, describing his demise as sad and unfortunate.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr Tunde Oladunjoye, in a statement in Abeokuta on Friday, said Lawal’s death was a sad one for the party, as he  served diligently in various capacities while alive.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lawal died on Thursday in Lagos, aged 61.

Oladunjoye said that the late APC chieftain was a dedicated party man who diligently carried out his assigned tasks effectively and efficiently to the best of his ability.

“Anyone who came across Sola Lawal while alive will attest to the fact that he was a burst of energy, amiable and jovial.

“On behalf of the All Progressives Congress, Ogun State, we mourn the departed party chieftain, who has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

“We sympathise with the families, relatives, associates and friends of the deceased and pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“We pray that the late politician will be granted Aljanah Fridaus,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

LKA/FON/FAA

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Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Folasade Adeniran

Rights

By Abiodun Lawal

Abeokuta, June 4, 2024 (NAN) Abiodun Alabi, the Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police in charge of South-West, on Tuesday in Abeokuta urged police officers to always respect human rights in the discharge of their duties.

Alabi made the appeal while addressing officers at the Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) at Eleweran during his one-day working visit to the state.

The DIG warned that the authorities would deal decisively with any officer culpable of human rights abuse.

“Human rights abuse has been identified as one of the major factors affecting the image of police.

“Officers and men of the NPF must be exemplary in their conduct and maintain the highest level of discipline to earn the respect and support of the general public in the discharge of their duties,” he said.

Alabi said he was in the state in line with the directive of the Inspector-General (IG) of Police to all DIGs to visit all the states under their supervision.

He was received by the State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, and others in the  command’s top hierarchy.

In his address, Alamutu said the Ogun’s status as part of the nation’s industrial hub and neighbour to several states and another country was not without its attendant security challenges.

“But I can assure that the command is rising up to the challenges,” he stated.

The visiting DIG later paid a courtesy call on the Alake of Egbaland ,Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, to intimate the royal father with NPF’s plan to effectively police the country.

In his remarks, Oba Gbadebo thanked the police force for ensuring peace in the nation through effective community policing and prayed for more success in all their endeavours.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

LKA/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Gov. Abiodun appoints 3 aviation consultants ahead airport operation

Appointment

By Abiodun Lawal

Abeokuta, June 4, 2024 (NAN) The Ogun Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has appointed three consultants to man the aviation sector in the state.

This is contained in a statement on Tuesday in Abeokuta, signed by the Secretary to the Ogun State Government (SSG), Mr Tokunbo Talabi.

Talabi said that the appointment was in readiness for the take-off of the iconic Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport.

He said that the experts appointed would take responsibility for specific areas in the fast developing aviation sector in the state.

“The appointees are Capt. Dapo Olumide – Consultant on Airport Management; Engr. Benedict Adeyileka – Consultant on Regulatory Matters (Aviation) and Engr. Mohammed Odunowo – Consultant on Aviation.

“Please note that the above appointments by His Excellency were based on the relevant and cognitive expertise and experience of the appointees in national and international aviation sector,” he said.

The construction of the airport began in April 2021.

Earlier, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the regulatory body, had approved its construction in 2008.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

LKA/SOA

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Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Landlord collapses, dies after argument with tenant over unpaid rent

Argument

By Abiodun Lawal

Abeokuta, June 4, 2024 (NAN) A landlord, Benjamin Apeh, has reportedly died after he collapsed during an argument with his tenant over unpaid rent.

SP Omolola Odutola, the Public Relations Officer, Police Command, Ogun, in a statement on Tuesday in Abeokuta, said that the incident occurred on Sunday at Arigbabu Village, Sotubo in Sagamu local government area of Ogun.

Odutola said that a suspected murder case was reported on Monday at 5:00 p.m., by the daughter of the deceased, Precious Apeh.

According to the police spokesperson, the daughter of the deceased informed the police that her father had an argument with the tenant at 7:20p.m., on Saturday, over unpaid house rent.

Odutola said that Precious Apeh further told the police that at around 6:30 a.m., on Sunday, she heard her father again arguing with the tenant, who threatened to kill him.

” During the argument, Apeh collapsed and was rushed to NNPC Hospital, Mosimi, but was later confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.

” The suspect fled the scene, but efforts are underway to apprehend him,” the police spokesman said.

Odutola said that the body of the deceased has been deposited at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) Morgue, Sagamu.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

LKA/AOS

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Edited by Bayo Sekoni

Hit-and-run driver kills woman in Sagamu

Accident
By Abiodun Lawal
Sagamu (Ogun), June 3, 2024 (NAN) An unidentified driver has hit and killed a female pedestrian, Mrs Elizabeth James on the Sagamu-Benin Expressway in Ogun.

SP Omolola Odutola, the Spokesperson for the police in Ogun, in a statement said the incident occurred at about 9:40p.m on Sunday near Dalof filling station, Sagamu axis of the expressway.

“An unidentified vehicle from Ijebu-Ode direction heading towards Sagamu interchange hit a male and female pedestrians beside the express road.

“Both victims suffered injuries and were taken to Live Well Hospital in Sagamu for treatment.

“Unfortunately, a 22-year-old female pedestrian named Elizabeth James from Sagamu died at the hospital,” she said.

The police spokesperson said that the deceased has been deposited at the Fakoya hospital mortuary in Sagamu.

“Police visited the accident scene with traffic authorities, collected evidence and are currently investigating.

“Further updates will be provided,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

LKA/KOLE/IKU

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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Tayo Ikujuni