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Tag: Alao-Akala

  • COVID-19: Minister, Alao-Akala wish Makinde quick recovery

    COVID-19: Minister, Alao-Akala wish Makinde quick recovery

    The Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Mr Sunday Dare, a former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala and Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari (APC-Oyo North) have wished Gov. Seyi Makinde quick recovery as he tested positive to the coronavirus.

    The trio expressed their sympathy in separate statements issued on Tuesday and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Ibadan.

    NAN reports that Makinde had on Monday through his twitter handle confirmed that he tested positive for COVID-19.

    Dare, who joined other concerned residents of the state to wish Makinde quick recovery, commended the governor for reinforcing the key messaging for slowing down the spread of the virus by deciding to self-isolate although currently asymptomatic.

    “Your Excellency. I am sorry to hear about your test result on the coronavirus.

    ” Let me join all concerned citizens of Oyo State and your family and friends to wish you a quick recovery from the effect of the coronavirus.

    “I pray God will heal you and will see you through the period of isolation.

    ” Thank you for the courage to be open about it and surely you will bounce back fully ready to continue to govern Oyo State.

    “I am certain that you will surely overcome this condition soon having promised to go into self-isolation as required,” he said.

    Alao-Akala, in his statement, called on residents of the state irrespective of their religion to pray fervently to end the COVID-19 global pandemic.

    “I am saddened to receive the news of the infection of Gov. Makinde testing positive for coronavirus, Jehovah Ropheka : The Lord our Healer will heal you (Exodus 15:26).

    “I pray to Almighty God to heal you and protect your family as you go through the self- isolation and proper treatment.

    ” Similarly I pray for the protection of all the citizens of the state from the COVID-19,” he said.

    The former governor said COVID-19 could be managed in the absence of a confirmed cure, stressing that the disease was not a death sentence.

    He urged Nigerians to follow the guidelines, hygiene standards and other precautionary measures reeled out by health professionals.

    “I urge my fellow Nigerians to obey the government and work collectively to stop the spread by constantly washing their hands, observing high standards of hygiene, social distancing and avoiding social gatherings.

    ” Stay at home, stay safe,” he said.

    Buhari in his statement also prayed for the governor, wishing him quick recovery.

    “Our thought and prayers are with His excellency, Gov. Makinde, and his family during this period. Almighty Allah will grant him quick recovery.”he said.

  • Ajimobi constitutes Oyo APC reconciliation team, picks Alao-Akala as Chairman

    Ajimobi constitutes Oyo APC reconciliation team, picks Alao-Akala as Chairman

    Former Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, the APC Deputy National Chairman (South), has constituted a team to reconcile aggrieved members of the party in Oyo State.
    This is contained in a statement he personally signed on Tuesday in Ibadan.
    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the action followed his declaration that peace would soon return to the APC fold in Oyo State.
    The 18-man reconciliation team is to be headed by former Gov. Adebayo Alao–Akala, while Prince Gbade Lana would serve as its Secretary.
    Some members of the team are Sen. Teslim Folarin (APC-Oyo Central), Segun Odebunmi (APC-Ogo Oluwa/Surulere Federal Constituency) Niran Alarape (APC-Atiba State Constituency) and Mojeed Olaoya, the State Party Secretary.
    Also on the list are: Mr Isiaka Areokuta, the State APC Youth Leader), Mrs Mabel Williams, State APC Women Leader, Chief Solomon Akindele, the State Vice-Chairman (Oyo Central) and Adefisoye Adekanye, State APC Vice-Chairman (Oyo South).
    Others include: Mr Rasaq Arikewuyo, State APC Vice-Chairman (Oyo North), Alhaji Kamar Ajisafe (Ibadan Less City), Pa Akin Ojebode (Oyo), Alhaji Laide Abas (Ibarapa), Pa Adeleke (Oke Ogun I) and Prof Dibu Ojerinde (Oke Ogun II).
    Ajimobi said that the team was constituted to ensure genuine reconciliation and reposition the party in the state.
    He acknowledged the contributions of all to the successes of the party in 2011 and 2015 elections as well as its setback in the 2019 election.
    ‘’I acknowledged that we all contributed to the success of the party in the past, particularly in 2011 and 2015 elections respectively.
    Conversely, if we have setback in 2019, I believe it is honourable to accept that we all contributed directly or indirectly accordingly.’’
    The former governor apologised for mistakes he might have committed, urging others to also acknowledge their mistakes.
    “As humans, we are not infallible, I accept my mistakes to which I tender my unreserved apology. In the same spirit, others who might have similarly made mistakes, I accept their apologies,” he said.
    He enjoined party members to forgive one another, adding that the APC family in the state has been offered unique opportunity once again to rebuild, re – invigorate, reposition and consolidate for challenges ahead.
    ’’Let us seize this moment for the overall benefit of our party and our people. Let selfless and meaningful service to humanity be our watchword,” he advised.

  • Court orders EFCC official, 6 others to appear in Alao-Akala trial

    A High Court in Ibadan on Thursday ordered an official of the EFCC, Mr Muhammed Goldy, to appear to testify in the alleged N11.5 billion fraud case filed against former Oyo State Governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala and two others.
    The EFCC charged Alao-Akala, Sen. Hosea Agboola, former Oyo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and Femi Babalola, a businessman, on 11 counts of conspiracy and fraud.
    Justice Olalekan Owolabi issued the summons on the defendants, after the EFCC counsel, Dr Benedict Ubi, prayed the court for the order.
    Justice Owolabi also issued witness summons on officials from the Oyo State Ministry of Finance, Mr Olutoyin Akanmu, Mr Florence Oyebanji and Mr Adebayo Bankole.
    Others are Mr Ademola Ojo of No 4 Bodija area, Mr Thomas Oladokun from Oyo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and Director , Federal Ministry of Works in-charge of Oyo and Osun States.
    The judge held that the application moved by the prosecutor was a bit late, but it was proper to grant it in the interest of fair hearing..
    The judge also held that the application to close the case of the prosecution, earlier moved by the defence counsel, would amount to denying the prosecutor fair hearing.
    He adjourned the case untill Feb. 14 for continuation of hearing.
    Earlier, the prosecutor had informed the court that several efforts made to invite the witnesses from the Oyo State Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and others who are contractors in the execution of the project, failed.
    Alao-Akala and Babalola’s counsel, Hakeem Afolabi, SAN, prayed the court to close of the prosecution’s case.
    Afolabi said that his clients were arraigned in 2011 and the case has been on for eight years.
    He said that trial commenced on June 29,2018, 19 months ago, and the prosecution only called two witnesses since then.
    Afolabi said that the defence cannot continue to wait for the prosecutor and applied that the case of the prosecution be closed.
    Agboola’s counsel, Richard Ogunwole, SAN, aligned with the submission of Afolabi, adding that the prosecution was not prepared to go on with the case.
    The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges and had been granted bail.

  • Oyo 2019: Alao-Akala emerges ADP guber candidate, picks Prof. Olaiya as running mate

    Former Gov. Adebayo Alao-Akala, the governorship candidate of African Democratic Party (ADP) in Oyo State, has picked Prof. Abideen Olaiya, as his running mate for the 2019 governorship election.
    This information was contained in a statement signed by Mr Abraham Ojo, Alao-Akala’s Chief Press Secretary and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Saturday.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olaiya, an Associate Professor of Crop Eco-physiology, was a governorship aspirant of Accord Party in the state before his appointment.
    Alao-Akala said the renowned scholar was picked after due consultations with stalwarts and key stakeholders of ADP in the state.
    Olaiya, an indigene of Ibadan, holds a doctorate degree in Agronomy from the University of Ibadan and lectures at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.
    He joined politics in 1995 and was in 1998 elected to represent Ibadan South East/North East at the House of Representatives on the platform of Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM).
    Olaiya has since been participating actively in politics and other programmes, aimed at improving the welfare of the people in his immediate environment
    The don is a devout Muslim and has served several Islamic bodies in leadership capacities since the past three decades.
    Olaiya is a member of numerous academic and socio political organisations, and has to his credit, several journals and academic publications.
     

  • [Photos] Oyo State govt seals off Alao Akala’s properties for allegedly evading tax

    [Photos] Oyo State govt seals off Alao Akala’s properties for allegedly evading tax

    The Oyo State Government on Thursday through officials of the state’s revenue service sealed off some properties belonging to a former governor of the state, Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala.

    The state government sealed the National Horticultural Research Institute, (NIHORT), located at Idi-Ishin area of Ibadan, the state capital for failing to remit its workers Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax to the coffers of the state government.
    It also sealed no fewer than ten other firms during an inter-ministerial enforcement exercise across the capital city.
    Alao-Akala’s property located at Dugbe in the heart of Ibadan, the state capital was also sealed during the raid.
    Chairman, Oyo State Board of Internal Revenue, (OYBIR), Mr. Bicci Alli, while speaking on the raid on Thursday, explained that the affected organisations defaulted in the remittances since 2003.
    Alili said government’s concern was, “To ensure that all taxes, dues and revenues accruable to the coffers of the state government are duly paid”.

    But, Alao-Akala, while reacting insisted that the sealing of his property was politically motivated.
    The former governor in a statement issued on his behalf by Jeremiah Akande, Head, New Media and Public Affairs, Alao-Akala Campaign Organisation, a copy which was obtained by DAILY POST, also urged his supporters to be calm and continue to be law-abiding.

    Alao-Akala said, “Oyo State Government today under the guise of non-compliance with tax payment launched a disguised attack on the person and properties of His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala.
    “At about 12.30pm this afternoon, staff of the Oyo Board of Internal Revenue stormed one of the Properties of Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala located at No. 32, Oba Adebimpe Road, Dugbe, Ibadan with policemen and members of the Nigerian Civil Defence Corp and sealed up the property after presenting a letter from the Revenue Board giving one Mrs Oludewa the authority to seal the property.

    “The business complex popularly called Ile Itesiwaju and houses business concerns worth over 3 Billion Naira is presently under lock and key and most of the shop owners and customers locked inside the complex.
    “The general public is hereby put on notice and all lover and supporters of His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, are urged to remain peaceful, maintain calm and not to take laws into their hands as it is glaring, this action is political motivated as 2019 is around the corner”

  • SDP delegates storms Ibadan to woo Alao-Akala

    SDP delegates storms Ibadan to woo Alao-Akala

    Chief Olu Falae, the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party on Monday visited the Ibadan home of a former governor of Oyo State, Adebayo Alao-Akala, in a bid to woo him to join the SDP.

    Alao-Akala recently defected to the All Progressives Congress after failing to win the state’s governorship election in 2015 on the platform of the Labour Party.

    The former governor had earlier dumped the Peoples Democratic Party after a disagreement with the national leaders over the conduct of the state primaries and what he described as imposition of candidate.

    Falae was accompanied to Alao-Akala’s house by other SDP leaders including a former Minister for Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran; Ambassador Yemi Farounbi, Dr. Olu Agunloye, Taiwo Akeju, Chief Kola Balogun and Princess Oyeronke Akinlolu.

    In his address, Falae said Nigerians who believe in national unity, justice, equity and progress must come together and rescue the nation from its present position.

    He said, “There is a need for us to be together to save Nigeria and restore democracy, by bringing about a new hope for fulfillment. We are optimistic that every Nigerian that wants the nation to be saved will join hands with us in this effort.”

    Alao-Akala said he was flattered by the visit of Falae and other SDP leaders, describing the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation as respected statesman.

    He said he would get back to the party after consulting with his loyalists on the issue.

  • N11.5bn fraud: Court adjourns ruling on Alao-Akala’s application

    An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan on Monday adjourned ruling on an application for stay of proceedings filed by a former governor of the state, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and two others in an N11.5 billion fraud suit.

    Alao-Akala, Sen. Hosea Agboola, a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in the state, and Mr Femi Babalola, an Ibadan-based businessman, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Justice Muniru Owolabi adjourned ruling on the application till June 4 after listening to the arguments of both the prosecution and the defence counsel.

    Alao-Akala’s counsel, Mr Hakeem Afolabi (SAN), had informed the court that there was a pending appeal on the suit before the Supreme Court.

    Afolabi said that if the appeal at the Supreme Court succeeds, it would automatically terminate the proceedings at the lower court.

    He also said that going ahead with the matter at the lower court would be oppressive and constitute an abuse of court process.

    Afolabi urged the court to allow stay of proceedings pending the determination of the matter at the Supreme Court.

    Babalola’s counsel, Mr Richard Ogunwole (SAN), aligned with the submission of Afolabi and urged the court to grant the application.

    But EFCC counsel, Mr Benedict Ubi, argued that allowing the application would violate the constitution and Section 40 of the EFCC Act, 2004.

    Ubi urged the court to refuse the application and allow proceedings to go on.

    The defendants are facing an 11-count charge of conspiracy, awarding contract without budgetary provision, obtaining by false pretence, acquiring property with money derived from illegal act and concealing the ownership of such property among others.