Barely 24hours after the assassination of the Oyo APC Leader, Alhaji Arasi Babatunde Oreitan, a popular herbal mixture expert, Alhaji Fatai Yusuf also known as Oko Oloyun was reportedly killed by unknown gunmen.
Oko Oloyun was confirmed shot around 5pm along Abeokuta-Iseyin road in Oyo State, before he was rushed to a nearby hospital where he gave up the ghost around 9pm.
Details Later!
Mr. Bimbo Adekanmbi, immediate past commissioner for finance and Budget has expressed sadness over the death of Alhaji Babatunde Oreitan, Oyo APC chieftain who was murdered by unknown killer at his Oremeji residence in Ona Ara local government of Oyo state.
Adekanmbi who joined thousands of sympathisers in the state to commemorate with the family of late Alhaji Oreitan described the late APC chieftain as a committed leader who put in his best for the smooth running of democracy in the state, said Baba led his people with absolute dedication to the highest good.
In his his message on condolence register book, Adekanmbi wrote and signed: ” Our leader, Baba wa, Baba Ore, only God knows all. We are shocked and saddened. May Allah grant you rest, Amen. You will be greatly missed by all. Abimbola Adekanbi ward 4 Ona Ara “.
Consoling the family of Alhaji Oreitan, he said: “I received with sadness, news of the death of Baba. He was a kind gentle old man. He was courteous to all who met him. He was kind to friends and strangers alike, and he gave of himself generously to those who went to him for leadership tutor, his political leadership was never about personal ambition for its own sake.
“He was a man of the people, who served for the people and now, has left a legacy which the rest of us must emulate and surpass.
“My heart goes out to Baba wives, children, his extended family, political associate and to his friends, I pray that God will give them the grace to bear this loss, and grant Al-Janah Fridaos to our Baba”. Adekanmbi concluded.
The financial embargo placed on the bank accounts of Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) has been lifted by the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde.
This is contained in a circular letter sent from the office of the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Matters and signed by Mr A.R. Akintola to all caretaker chairmen in the thirty three (33) local governments and all the sole administors in thirty five (35) local council development areas on Wednesday.
Oyomind.com.ng recalled that the Government Makinde placed an embargo on the Local Governments and LCDAs accounts after the elected Council chairmen were sacked.
“I am directed to inform you that His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde FNSE, the Executive Governor of Oyo State has graciously approved the lifting of financial Embargo on all Local Governments Accounts in your various banks.
“Please note that the Office of the State Accountant-General has been duly informed to facilitate your access to the accounts as soon as possible” Akintola said.
In a bid to avert incessant fire outbreaks in the markets, Oyo State Government through the Department of Fire Service has called on market operators in the State to take precautionary measures.
This call was made on Tuesday when the State Fire Service Department ably led by Oyo State Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Moshood Adewuyi were on sensitization tour to markets to sensitize market men and women and their leaderships on basic precautionary measures to put in place in order to avert incessant fire outbreaks.
Mr Adewuyi said, “we are here to sensitize them on the things to do to avert fire outbreak which includes having fire extinguishers of 6kg in their stores, removing every obstruction like displaying of wares on access roads within the market for easy access during emergency and availability of water in the market for immediate solution in case of emergency.
“Also, setting fire on refuse generated within the market should stop. And most importantly, the security men in the markets should have the contacts of the fire services so as to reach out in time, if there is a case fire outbreak at night.”
He added that the borehole to be constructed in each market should be done according to the specifications of the fire service, such that fire trucks would not need to travel distant miles to refill their tanks when there is fire outbreak, adding that roof extensions constructed along gang ways should be removed as such could aid the spread of fire during fire outbreaks.
“We are here to converse for the economic development of the State, we don’t want incessant fire outbreaks in our markets and we know that all these incessant fire outbreaks are as a result of our peoples negligence and carelessness.
“Our people should be careful in handling fire because any mishandling can lead to disaster, all electrical appliances should be put off before locking up for the day.”
Mr Moshood further called for cooperation among the market operators and fire service department so that markets would be safe as well as to achieve a zero fire outbreak incident in Oyo State.
Alh Lukman Arowolo, Chairman Bola Ige International Market and Mr Abiola Alaka, the Secretary General of Araromi Spare parts market, which were visited by the fire department all appreciated the good gestures of the State Government at sensitizing them against fire outbreak.
They promised the cooperation of the market men and women through their leadership to further sensitize themselves and also take proactive steps against fire outbreaks by making necessary provisions for the safety measures required in the markets.
At around 3pm on Wednesday, a Leader and member of the leading opposition party in Oyo State, the All Progressive Congress (APC), Alhaji Arasi Babatunde Oreitan was brutally assassinated by unknown murderer at Oremeji, Ibadan.
This dastardly act which took place after he had observed his 2pm Islamic Prayer with his people came as a rude shock to many people.
In a press statement made available to oyomind.com.ng as signed by the Oyo State APC Publicity Secretary, AbdulAzeez Olatunde, the Oyo state governor and his party, were accused of targeting the leaders of the leading opposition party after few months of coming to power.
The Statement Reads thus:
SIGN OF BREAKDOWN OF LAW AND ORDER IN OYO STATE SINCE THE EXIT OF APC GOVERNMENT, APC CHIEFTAIN ALH OREITAN ARASI BABATUNDE (77years) ASSASSINATED
What the public will perceive as trivial was the achievement of 8 years of great success in the provision of SECURITY OF LIFE AND PROPERTIES which was the Number one of all the achievements of the Government of H E, Sen Abiola Ajimobi, as the Governor of Oyo State, between 2011 to 2019.
That the Government of H. E, Engr SEYI MAKINDE and his Party, PDP has been targeting the leaders of the leading opposition party, APC for some few months of coming to power was carried out today by 3pm, Wednesday 22nd of January 2020, with the heartless manner Alh ARASI Babatunde OREITAN was brutally assassinated.
That Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Compol Sina Olukolu and his Police Squad from the Police headquarters, Eleyele, IBADAN, was at the house of the slained old man is bad enough to witness the gory scene of how the old man was brutally slaughtered in his house, just after observing his 2pm Islamic Prayer today is nothing but dastardly act.
What could be the offence of a 77 years old amiable politician, whom those close to him will attest to the fact that he can’t even hurt a fly.
APC is urging the Security outfit in Oyo State to kindly unravel the identity of the heartless Killers gang, who are hell bent to silence the opposition elements in Oyo State.
It is on record that Nigeria is running Three tiers of Government,i.e Federal, State and Local Governments.
While the APC Federal Government is not irresponsible to refuse working relationships with PDP Government in Oyo State, we are however dismayed that PDP State Government is desperately determined to refuse Elected Local Government Chairmen, turning itself to the Judiciary by interpreting Valid and Invalid Elections, all in a bid to deny them from serving their mandate, freely given to them on May 12th 2018,serving only one of their 3 years mandate.
A mandate which was truncated on May 29th 2019 by the Executive order recklessness of H. E, Engr SEYI MAKINDE and has been refusing to tow the line of Statemens despite reasonable advice from official quarters.
It is bad enough that, it is not yet one year that APC left Government that all these daylight assassination of opposition elements are taking place.
Hon Ibraheem Iyiola Olayode, a former aspirant for Oyo State House of Assembly, Ibadan South East Constituency 1 under the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC) and the convener of Ibraheem Iyiola Foundation has empowered over 150 Traders and Artisans in Ibadan North East and South East Local Government.
The empowerment programme which is the third time held on Tuesday at his constituency home at Anlamole compound, Isale’ Jebu, Oja’ba Ibadan had in attendance members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) across the state.
Dignitaries present at the event are Mogaji Anlamole Compound, Chief Surajudeen Abiola Iyiola, Ibadan South East Local Government Chairman, Hon. Ibrahim Omiyale, APC State Vice Chairman, Alhaji Arikeuyo amongst others.
The APC Chairman, Ibadan South East Local Government, Alhaji Ganiyu Adeyemi in his welcome address expressed how happy he was to receive member of the party across the state.
Alhaji Ganiyu also commended Hon Ibraheem Iyiola for counting the members of the party worthy to be beneficiaries of the empowerment programme.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Ibraheem Iyiola appreciated the presence of party leaders, members and scores of well wishers. He then stated that the empowerment programme is not the first and it won’t be the last because he promised continuity of all his programmes during his campaign in 2019.
“I welcome everyone to this 3rd edition of this empowerment programme. During my campaign in 2019, I promised that no matter what the outcome of the election is, I will continue to put the interest of my people into consideration. This is just the beginning as I will not relent in keeping my promises.
“This empowerment used to be for Ibadan South East constituencies I and II but it has been extended to Ibadan North East as well. This is to ensure that both local governments are not left out in benefiting from this wonderful programme.
“Today, over 150 artisans and traders with Small Medium Enterprises were empowered today. This is to support our women and youths and it is targeted at reducing the poverty level in our society. We have beneficiaries in the past and the committee in charge would ensure equal chance for everyone. Those who didn’t benefit today will have their own in the subsequent empowerment.
“Other promises ranging from health care, scholarships, and other financial support will be take care of. The health care center along Omiyale House was given a face lift this foundation.” Iyiola said.
Other party leaders present at the event are APC State Women Leader, Madam Williams, APC State Youths Leader, Mogaji Isiaq Areokuta, Hon. Afeez Subair, Mrs Wumi, Alhaji Arikeuyo, Oyo South Senatorial APC women leader, Mrs Taiwo, APC Local Government and Ward Executives from Ibadan North East and South East.
A group called Oyo Ile Investors Forum has donated a huge sum of N8 million Naira to Oyo State Government to support education in the State.
The State Commissioner for Education, Prof D.K Shangodoyin on behalf of His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde received a Cheque donation of N8 million Naira on Tuesday in Ibadan.
The donation is geared towards ensuring that the final year students in the senior secondary get prepared for tertiary education. The cheque was presented by Oyo Ile Investors Forum to Oyo State Government towards the conduct of free JAMB UTME Extramural Classes for SS3 students in the State.
Oyo Ile was represented at the presentation ceremony by Mrs Toyin Sanni, Mr Seyi Oke and Mr Jide Boladuro on behalf of the Group.
The Honorable Commissioner thanked the representatives and the group for their generosity and also used the opportunity to encourage other stakeholders and groups to support the vision of the administration on education.
In a move to reduce incessant road crashes resulting from overloading of vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles in the State, the Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority (OYRTMA) has began full enforcement of the widely publicized operation one-passenger.
The Executive Chairman of OYRTMA, Mogaji (Dr.) Akin Fagbemi announced this on Monday in Ibadan while addressing journalists at the administrative headquarters of the Authority. Fagbemi explained that the policy is not in anyway to inconvenience the commercial transport workers but to further ensure safety on the roads, reduce accidents and return sanity to transportation sector in the pace setter state.
“As a result of the huge number of accidents we have painstakingly recorded since the commencement of this administration, this policy has become inevitable. Hundreds of innocent school pupils who represents the future of our dear State has lost their precious lives with several others left with various degrees of life-threatening injuries. As a State under the leadership of the people-loving Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, we definitely cannot continue to do things the same way and expects a different result. We must put an end to this madness regardless of whose ox is gored.
“We are aware that an insignificant faction of certain individuals who are feeding fat on the pecuniary gains attributable to dangerous overloading of commercial vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles are organizing some protests here and there at the detriment of the people of the State. It is indeed their fundamental and unalienable right but we must be guided at all times.
“As an Authority, we have embarked on a massive awareness and public advocacy programs on the streets, radio stations and television stations across the State. At some point in year 2019, we consulted the Paramount ruler of Ibadan land, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji Aje Oguguniso 1, The Olubadan of Ibadanland and other Monarchs across the State on this issue. It was unanimously opined that we sensitize all relevant stakeholders particularly the riders and drivers. We have done that for over 100days and while many are complying, some remains adamant and continue to wreck havoc on the innocent passengers, wasting lives and causing tremendous traffic jams culminating to loss of productive work-hours and hence stands athwart the path to actualizing the accelerated development plan of the Engr. Seyi Makinde’s administration. This must stop”, Dr. Fagbemi submitted.
He further implored all the law abiding commercial drivers and riders to go about their lawful businesses without fear of arrest as only those defaulting would be arrested and their impounded vehicles charged to the Authority’s Mobile Magistrate Court for adjudication according to the existing laws guiding road traffic and transportation in the State.
Oyo State Chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) has promised to cooperate and work with the State Government under the leadership of Engr Seyi Makinde as the Democratically Elected Local Government Councils Chairmen plan to resume office.
Prince Ayodeji Abass Aleshinloye, ALGON Chairman, Oyo State said this on Monday in Ibadan, the State Capital while reacting to the letter the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), sent to the Oyo State Government through the Office of the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice calling the attention of Oyo State Government to its illegal and unconstitutional act of dissolving democratically elected local government administration in the state.
The AGF in this letter called for restoration of the democratically elected thrid tier of government in the state that Gov Makinde had illegally replaced with an unconstitutional contraption called “caretaker committee” which is unexpected and therefore unknown to Las and in flagrant disregard of Section 7 (1) of the 1999 constitution (as amended).
The AGF sited and relied on several subsisting court judgements including Supreme Court which is highest court in the country and which judgement is Law.
Prince Aleshinloye linked the statement from the AGF to the position of ALGON that no governor or House of Assembly has the right to embark on a futile unconstitutional journey to tramp on the law in order to achieve a predetermined illegal act like what Gov. Makinde had done.
Aleshinloye said “This has been our position too in ALGON Oyo State that no governor or House of Assembly has the right to embark on futile unconstitutional journey to tramp on the law in order to achieve a predetermined illegal act like what governor Makinde had one. Democracy survives on the rule of law and strict adherence to democratic tenets. Democracy is sustained by rule of law and not rule or caprice of men. As the erudite late Lord Justice Denning posited: “Be ye never so high, the law is above you”
“In view of the latest positive development that definitely complement our resolute struggle to defend democracy and grassroots governance, we want to assure the governor and the good people of Oyo State that we as elected chairmen of local government and local council development areas are always ready to work with the state government to advance our dear state to greater height as soon as we resume duty .
“His Excellency, Gov. Makinde has nothing to fear since we have no personal grudge against him or any official of his government beyond our principled stand that the constitution, rule of law and Supreme Court judgement which has a national jurisdiction must be obeyed at all times.
“We once again appreciate all our members who are steadfast to defend our democratically given mandate and grassroots democracy. Now that we are resuming, we appeal to our members including councilors to redouble their efforrs in giving their utmost best immediately we resume.”
Oyo State Government, Engr Seyi Makinde in his bid to ensure that the people of the state enjoy good roads has declared the readiness of his administration to inject more funds and procure more equipment for Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA) within the first quarter of the year 2020.
The Chairman, Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA), Hon. Kamil Akinlabi Mudashiru disclosed this in Ibadan on Monday during the management meeting of the agency at his office.
According to him, Governor Seyi Makinde was poised at ensuring the operations of the agency get to other parts of the State as quick as possible in order to ease flow of traffic and movement of goods as well as farm produce from the hinterlands.
“I am happy to say that His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde has promised to increase funding to our agency and also help in the purchase of necessary equipments in preparation for the agency to move its operations to other parts of the state.
“This is a news that gladdens our heart as we can now have enough facilities and manpower to move outside the Ibadan metropolis and start works on roads that are equally economically-viable, that will yield commercial interest to the people of the State and the government.
“There are roads in the hinterland around the State that are begging for attention and we are using this opportunity to again assure the people of the State of the readiness of the government to do repair works on roads that are in need of our attention,”he added.
Hon. Kamil Mudashiru noted that the increase in funding to the agency with the provision of necessary equipments would further enhance job quality, better efficiency and supervision of projects being carried out by the agency.
He therefore charged the management and staff of the agency to be more alive to their duties, stressing that their dedication to work would further improve the productivity of the agency.
” I want to use this medium to implore our staff to be alive to their duties, be more dedicated to work so that we can achieve more than what we had last year.”
In attendance were the two board members of the agency which include Hon Siju Lawal, representing Oyo North Senatorial District, Hon. Matthew Akano, representing Oyo South Senatorial District, the General Manager, (Engr) Mrs Modinat Oduola and directors of the agency.
