CONCERNED IREE INGEGENES WARN AGAINST IMPOSITION OF NEW AREE

Concerned indegenes of Iree in Boripe local government area of Osun State have sounded a note of warning to some kingmakers to desist from imposing a new Aree on the community.

This was contained in a statement made by Mr. Timothy Gboye during an exclusive chat with Nigerian Platform in Osogbo on Monday.

Mr Timothy, speaking on behalf of the concerned Iree indegenes, home and in the diaspora, alleged that some kingmakers are being sponsored to impose one Prince Depo Akande based in United States of America, as the new monarch of the town.

Recall that the community is eagerly awaiting the white paper of the Osun State Government to proceed with the enthronement of new Aree.

According to Mr. Timothy, “it has come to the knowledge of all Iree sons and daughters home and all over the world that the Iree Progressive Association (IPA) Lagos State Branch and some unscrupulous Kingmakers in Iree town are planning to cause mayhem, chaos and serious havoc in Iree”.

“As they are lobbying and trying endlessly to impose one Prince Depo Akande from Oyetite Ruling House, which preceded late Oba Michael Omoloye Omotoso before the late Oba Jimoh Olayoonu Larooye who joined his ancestors in 2018 was enthroned”.

Mr Timothy said that the IPA Lagos State branch and some kingmakers in Iree should please desist from the act of destabilizing Iree, because of selfish motives.

He said “Iree had Six (6) Ruling Houses but how come that it will now be the turn of Oyetite Ruling House again where Oba Michael Omoloye Omotoso came from, that will produce the next Aree of Iree?”.

He urged the State Governor, Sen. Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke to be aware of this development and also warned those Kingmakers not to cause another problem or unrest in Iree at this time.

According to him, “everyone should allow the Kingmakers who have the genuine love for Iree to do their job without any bias, favour or interference”.

CONCERNED IREE INGEGENES WARN AGAINST IMPOSITION OF NEW AREE

Concerned indegenes of Iree in Boripe local government area of Osun State have sounded a note of warning to some kingmakers to desist from imposing a new Aree on the community.

This was contained in a statement made by Mr. Timothy Gboye during an exclusive chat with Nigerian Platform in Osogbo on Monday.

Mr Timothy, speaking on behalf of the concerned Iree indegenes, home and in the diaspora, alleged that some kingmakers are being sponsored to impose one Prince Depo Akande based in United States of America, as the new monarch of the town.

Recall that the community is eagerly awaiting the white paper of the Osun State Government to proceed with the enthronement of new Aree.

According to Mr. Timothy, “it has come to the knowledge of all Iree sons and daughters home and all over the world that the Iree Progressive Association (IPA) Lagos State Branch and some unscrupulous Kingmakers in Iree town are planning to cause mayhem, chaos and serious havoc in Iree”.

“As they are lobbying and trying endlessly to impose one Prince Depo Akande from Oyetite Ruling House, which preceded late Oba Michael Omoloye Omotoso before the late Oba Jimoh Olayoonu Larooye who joined his ancestors in 2018 was enthroned”.

Mr Timothy said that the IPA Lagos State branch and some kingmakers in Iree should please desist from the act of destabilizing Iree, because of selfish motives.

He said “Iree had Six (6) Ruling Houses but how come that it will now be the turn of Oyetite Ruling House again where Oba Michael Omoloye Omotoso came from, that will produce the next Aree of Iree?”.

He urged the State Governor, Sen. Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke to be aware of this development and also warned those Kingmakers not to cause another problem or unrest in Iree at this time.

According to him, “everyone should allow the Kingmakers who have the genuine love for Iree to do their job without any bias, favour or interference”.

I NEVER SAID I WON’T HONOUR POLICE INVITATION, OMOAJE AA NATIONAL CHAIRMAN DECLARES

National chairman of the Action Alliance (AA) Dr Adekunle Rufai Omoaje has debunked report that he refused to honour the invitation of the Police over a matter being investigated by the office of the Inspector General of Police.

Dr Omoaje said he did not grant any interview to any reporter on the matter or any other matter affecting either him or the party and the Police.

The Police had through the office of Inspector General of Police (Monitoring) invited Omoaje to appear over a petition based on alleged impersonation on the petition filed before the National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal in Abia State, which judgement was appealed against.

Omoaje in an interview with our correspondent reaffirmed his respect for the law enforcement agencies and security agencies in the country, saying that he has no reason to run away from the police.

He said he voluntarily provided his office address in Abuja for the Police and also directed that the police invitation be sent to him electronically, which he acknowledged thereafter.

The AA national chairman also informed that he was outside Abuja when he got wind of the invitation, and directed that the invitation be sent to him electronically, an indication that he has utmost respect for the Police and also willing to receive the invitation.

He said he had already reached an understanding with the police to appear on 28th October, 2023 and the police agreed with him, adding that the date was yet to lapse.

Omoaje said he was taken aback by the report in a section of the media which erroneously alleged him of not willing to honour the police invitation, saying that he did not issue any statement to that effect or grants any interview regarding such development.

He said the report was misleading and far from his personal wish, adding that it was aimed at painting him in bad colour before the police and the public in particular.

The AA national chairman said he did not commit any offence, thus he has no reason not to honour the invitation of the police.

While recalling that he personally forwarded all the messages sponsored by the opposition against him to the police, Omoaje stressed that the impersonator in the matter affecting the party at the National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal in Abia State was one Kenneth Udeze who he alleged of withdrawing the party’s petition despite the fact that he is not a member of the party.

He said if there’s anyone to be arrested for alleged impersonation, it should be Udeze as he allegedly withdrew the party’s petition without being a member of the party.

Omoaje thereby appealed to the police and the general public to discountenance the report sponsored by the opposition with the aim to malign his personality and integrity.

ABIA ELECTIONS PETITION: HOW JUDGES, APC OTHERS CONNIVE TO SCUTTLE JUSTICE

Facts have emerged on why the three member panel of the National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal in Abia State dismissed the case instituted by the Action Alliance (AA) against INEC and APC.

The Action Alliance had petitioned the tribunal following the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to upload the name of the candidate submitted by the Dr Adekunle Rufai Omoaje led national executive of the party.

The AA had nominated the name of Hon Ifeanyi Chukwuka as its House of Representatives candidate for the House of Representatives before the last general elections.

To this end, both the party and the candidate approached the tribunal and the matter generated interest from various stakeholders from both within and outside the state.

It was gathered that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) allegedly showed interest in the matter, as the party won the election and the candidate, Hon Okezie eventually emerged the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

It was gathered that the matter was closed before the tribunal after all the parties in the matter had made their final submissions and the panel of the tribunal was to fix a date to deliver final judgement on the matter.

While expecting the tribunal to fix a date for the final judgement on the petition filed by the AA, it was learnt that the matter was allegedly withdrawn by one Kenneth Udeze, who had since been suspended and subsequently expelled from the party.

Udeze who reportedly withdrew the matter was alleged to be an impostor and an impersonator as he has no link to the party, having been expelled by the National Convention, which is the highest organ of the party.

It was learnt that the purported withdrawal of the petition prompted the tribunal panel made up of Justices Samson Paul Gang, Kabiru Ibrahim Ahmed and Abdulfatai Baba Sekoni to dismiss the petition.

However, findings revealed that the original plaintiff which is the Action Alliance eventually got the Certified True Copy of the tribunal judgment despite efforts by the tribunal to scuttle their efforts at getting it.

The plaintiff, armed by the Certified True Copy of the tribunal judgment thereafter prepared an appeal before the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision of the tribunal.

Besides, investigations revealed that two conflicting judgements were delivered by the tribunal and the two different judgements were gotten by the original plaintiff (AA), which further forms a strong ground for the appeal.

It was however gathered that the 10 days which the law give for the appeal to lapse on Tuesday, 19th September, 2023, hence the alarm been raised by the party to call the attention of the National Judicial Council (NJC) the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and other stakeholders in the Judicial sector to the ugly development.

BUNMI JENYO ADVOCATES DEVELOPMENT OF GEMSTONES INDUSTRY

Osun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry has advocated for the development of Gemstones Industry in Nigeria.

Rev. Bunmi Jenyo also urged miners operating in the country to be conscious of the environmental wellbeing of their host communities.

The Commissioner made the assertion on Tuesday while giving a goodwill message during the second-day interactive session of the Nigeria Gemstones Conference & Expo (NGCE – 2023), at the International Conference Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Rev. Jenyo who expressed his satisfaction about the first outing of the Gemstones Miners And Marketers Association of Nigeria (GMMAN), also emphasized the need for social responsibility of the miners by giving back to their host communities.

He also decried the activities of some miners who are extremely loyal to the Federal government without a recourse to their different states of operations.

According to him, “apart from being loyal to the Federal government, in carrying out your business activities, it is also important you have a recourse to the State where you are mining from”.

Rev. Jenyo also charged the miners to be selfless and carry every critical stakeholders along. “Miners must equally be involved in social responsibility by giving back to their host communities”.

“Infrastructures such as school establishment, road construction, hospital creation, among others, are the sorts of the social responsibility the miners must take active involvement in. This will go a very long way in promoting the goodwill and progress of the miners, host communities and government at all levels”, he said.

Solid Mineral Sector Needs Dynamic Overhauling – Osun Governor

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has stressed that the solid mineral sector needs a dynamic overhauling and goes beyond selling raw materials into the development of value chains to get added earnings and redouble Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

This was disclosed on Monday by the Governor at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Gemstones Conference held at the University of Ibadan Conference Hall, Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.

The Governor represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo described the conference as a “laudable effort which will serve as a wake up call to managers of the economy and policymakers across the board”.

This was contained in a Press Release by the spokesperson to the Governor in Osogbo on Monday.

According to him “the gemstone sector is a multi-billion dollar industry that has not received the right attention despite the push to diversify our national economy. It is, therefore a welcome development that we are gathered here to deliberate on this sub-sector”.

“We have the challenge to develop process capacity to add high value to our solid minerals. Specifically, gemstones present a high-value opportunity for willing and enterprising Stakeholders to operate”.

Rev. Jenyo who commended the organizers of the conference also said “We can however not achieve much unless we engage the private sector more productively. The organized private sector remains the most viable vehicle to drive the value addition and expansion of our processing capacity”.

Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Olanike K. Adeyemo, who expressed her happiness, pledged the government’s support for the resolution of the conference.

The organizers, Gemstones Miners And Marketers Association of Nigeria (GMMAN) think that the conference is an opportunity for individuals and organizations in the gemstones industry to come together and discuss the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in the field.

The event attracted Miners, dealers, lapidaries, jewelers, leading experts, researchers, policymakers, and business leaders from all over the nation, to share their knowledge and insights.

SOLID MINERAL SECTOR NEEDS DYNAMIC OVERHAULING – OSUN GOVERNOR

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has stressed that the solid mineral sector needs a dynamic overhauling and goes beyond selling raw materials into the development of value chains to get added earnings and redouble Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

This was disclosed on Monday by the Governor at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Gemstones Conference held at the University of Ibadan Conference Hall, Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.

The Governor represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo described the conference as a “laudable effort which will serve as a wake up call to managers of the economy and policymakers across the board”.

According to him “the gemstone sector is a multi-billion dollar industry that has not received the right attention despite the push to diversify our national economy. It is, therefore a welcome development that we are gathered here to deliberate on this sub-sector”.

“We have the challenge to develop process capacity to add high value to our solid minerals. Specifically, gemstones present a high-value opportunity for willing and enterprising Stakeholders to operate”.

Rev. Jenyo who commended the organizers of the conference also said “We can however not achieve much unless we engage the private sector more productively. The organized private sector remains the most viable vehicle to drive the value addition and expansion of our processing capacity”.

Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Olanike K. Adeyemo, who expressed her happiness, pledged the government’s support for the resolution of the conference.

The organizers, Gemstones Miners And Marketers Association of Nigeria (GMMAN) think that the conference is an opportunity for individuals and organizations in the gemstones industry to come together and discuss the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in the field.

The event attracted Miners, dealers, lapidaries, jewelers, leading experts, researchers, policymakers, and business leaders from all over the nation, to share their knowledge and insights.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson t

SUNDAY BISI: THE MAGIC WAND OF OSUN PDP

By Olu Abiola, PhD.

Since the coming on board of the Senator Ademola Adeleke-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in Osun State, in spite of the usual bickering that characterizes politics, particularly among the ruling and opposition parties, in Nigeria, there has been relative peace of mind in the state.
While many have argued that the governor had a water-tight plan of his, close to his chest before coming for the governorship position, there is no doubt that Governor Adeleke has surrounded himself with the very best of brains Osun State can boast of, in the onerous task of putting the state on the pedestal of verifiable development. One of such brains is Honourable Sunday Bisi.
It is arguable that the state chairman of the PDP, Honourabe Sunday Bisi, a politician of note, who cut his teeth in political tutelage under the former governor of the state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, as the Special Adviser on Environment is undoubtedly an icon in the development in the PDP-led government in the State of the Living Spring.
Honourable Bisi is regarded by many as a political wizard in Ijesaland; he is endowed with political skills he usually deploys for use when it comes to uniting members of his political party. He is frank and unbiased, courteous, humane and civil.
Recall that when he returned as the chairman of the party at its congress held at the Osogbo township stadium, the crux of his speech was on the ways to reunite the party and make it more virile than ever which he prompt accomplished and created a benevolence atmosphere in the party to enable the governor to administer the State.
“When you have a united party, then, the governor will be able to concentrate; and there won’t be distractions. I will ensure that; and I will bring everybody into the party, so that we will be able to move the state forward.
“We know those that are behind our woes; those that are in court against this congress. I will only appeal to them to sheathe their swords and come back to join us to move Osun State forward. Those that went to court are not part of the success story of today.
“We had governorship, presidential and state Houses of Assembly elections; they did not participate. They are being used to draw us back. I appeal to them to join hands with us.
“I know what it takes to lead a party into government. I have done it before and I will do it again, by the grace of God. I am going to unite the party more; everybody will be on the same page under my leadership.
“People are happy in Osun State with what our governor is doing to the state. In less than four months, they have seen changes; salaries and arrears have been paid. And workers have been promoted. Infrastructure development is ongoing.
“We had Workers’ Day here a few days ago. I have been in Osun for several years. I have not seen this kind of turnout before, because they trooped out en masse,” he had said then.
His performance in office since then has lent credence to this statement and had made him fulfilled in administration of the party and recommendations of political nominees for various offices at the State and local government levels.
Following his trajectory since his sojourn in the PDP, many analysts have described the Osun PDP helmsman as a very dogged strategist when faced with achieving set objectives.
Besides, he is very loyal and honest to any cause he believes in as well as have the quality of being committed to service to humanity.
Apart from this, Bisi is held in many quarters as an incorruptible politician; he is not influenced by anything and he cannot be bought by whoever he thinks would not do the bidding of the masses of Osun State; he is always bothered by what has not been done to improve the lives of individuals. He is a thorough Ijesa man who shares the same spirit with the Ibokun born-Prince, Diran Odeyemi and the acolyte of Ijesa North politician, Right Honourable Oluwole Oke, service to humanity and community development are his watchwords.
Those who are close to the PDP helmsman have also said that he is highly endowed with uncommon intelligence to resolve issues that could metamorphose into crisis or which could destabilise the state.
It is common knowledge now that during the stormy period in the PDP in Osun State, Honourable Bisi had remained resolute and stood by the state governor, just in his characteristic manner. This is why he had refused to succumb to intimidations, embarrassments, persecutions and legal threats.
Just like Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, the Chief of Staff to the Governor stands as the Brain Box of the State of the Living Spring, Sunday Bisi is the mastermind and principal strategist for the peaceful administration of the governor under the party, the PDP. He always ensures that the string of unity and love in the party is not broken.
It is noteworthy that the pivot of his magic wand is humility, obedience and respect for leadership and humanity.
As a visionary leader, Honourable Bisi runs the party leadership with the spirit of egalitarianism.
With the Ilesa-born political juggernaut, it is evident that the PDP will continue to thrive in Osun State with tremendous achievements under the Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke’s governance.

*Dr. Abiola, a Journalism Teacher and Public Affairs Analyst, writes from Osun State.

OSUN BEGINS SECOND FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on Wednesday launched the second edition of the free medical outreach tagged Imole medical and surgical outreach.

The programme which was launched in Ilesa drew medical experts from different health institutions including the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, and others.

The Governor had earlier launched similar outreach in Iwo during the first edition of the exercise where thousands of beneficiaries enjoyed free medical care and surgeries.

Speaking at the launch of the outreach, Governor Adeleke urged the people of the state to support his administration for the overall development of the state.

The Governor recalled that the first phase of Imole Medical Outreach was held between February and April 2023 with about 22,000 citizens of the State benefitting from Surgeries, eye and medical care.

He said “we believe in a philosophy that it takes a healthy nation to build a wealthy nation.
We will therefore continue to invest the state’s resources to improve the health status of our people.

“Today, we have come again, as a government that understands the need of its people to reach out to our citizens in order to alleviate their medical challenges. We have again made provisions to take care of various medical cases. The Government has provided adequate medications for this exercise and shall provide reading glasses for those that may require them.

“The current outreach programme will take place in six centres with two from each senatorial districts. We believe this will in no small measure reduce the current economic burden our people have had to bear.

“I take this opportunity to direct the Commissioner for Health to work out a plan to make this outreach a regular feature of this administration.

“The Ministry should create a holistic agenda in this respect. The programme should be mainstreamed across State health institutions.

“The implementation of the above directive will make the outreach more sustainable, more inclusive and expand the scope of benefit,” he added.

NORMALCY RETURNS AS OSUN GOVERNMENT REOPENS KAJOLA MARKET

Following the reopening of Kajola market in Atakumosa West Local Government, by Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke of Osun State, normalcy has returned to the entire area as people go about their daily activities peacefully.

Recall that the market was closed down on Friday August 3, to forestall total breakdown of law and order in the town.

The decision to reopen the market by the State Government was taken after a mediation meeting, anchored by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo at the conference hall of the Ministry on Tuesday.

Since its reopening on Saturday August 12, sellers and buyers who transact varying businesses in the market were seen pursuing their activities in a peaceful manner without interference or violence.

During the official visit of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Market women, Mrs Eniola Omotosho on Saturday, marketwomen and men expressed happiness and satisfaction about the reopening of the market.

Speaking on behalf of the farmers who brought their produce to the market, Mr. Ilori Olatunji, visibly excited, appreciated the Osun State Governor for coming to their rescue from the grip of few dissidents who wanted to truncate the peace of the market, simply because of their selfish and personal gains.

Marketers of different items, such as tomatoes, peppers, snails, plantains, yam, onions, oil, rice, beans, cocoa, colanut etc and other commodities were happy because their products were no longer wasted, the market was full to capacity as traders from within and outside Osun State thronged the marketplace for undisturbed transactions.