TheNewsGuru

Tag: Gboyega Oyetola

  • BREAKING: Former military Governor of Osun, Obi is dead

    BREAKING: Former military Governor of Osun, Obi is dead

    Colonel Anthony Uzoma Obi (rtd), a former military Governor of Osun State is dead.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the death of Obi was announced in a statement by the family on Sunday.

    The family statement reads: We the Family of His Excellency, Rtd Colonel Anthony Uzoma Obi humbly announce the gentle passing of our Patriarch, and head of the family on Saturday, 1st of January 2022 by 6:03 PM.

    “Our father was a Lion, a warrior, a brave soldier who served the Nation Nigeria as a Two Time Military Administrator and Governor of Osun State, and Abia State Nigeria.

    “Anthony Uzoma Obi was a loving husband first, and a devoted father who instilled love, discipline, and humility in all he did on his time on earth.

    “He shared with us a love deeply portrayed all through his life, and he most importantly was the bravest man we
    ever knew.

    “We ask that in this time of our grief, that prayers and goodwill are directed towards our family in this trying moment.

    “Adieu Colonel A. U. Obi, your whole family will forever keep your memory alive, through the mercy of God”.

    Meanwhile, Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola has condoled with family of Obi.

    In a condolence message addressed to the family, Oyetola mourned the demise of the former military administrator.

    Obi served as the military Governor of Osun between August 1996 and August 1998.

    Oyetola condoled with the family of the deceased and hailed his contributions to governance in Osun.

    He said Obi was one of the leaders who laid the foundation of the State.

    “The death of Colonel Anthony Obi (rtd) is painful and a huge loss not only to his family but to the nation.

    “He was a brave, committed and experienced military officer who served Nigeria and Osun in particular selflessly and passionately.

    “As a military administrator, Obi made remarkable contributions to governance in Osun and was one of the leaders who laid the foundation of our State and left some legacies he will be remembered for.

    “On behalf of my family, government and the people of Osun, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Colonel Anthony Obi (rtd).

    “Though his death is devastating, I urge you to take solace in the legacies of selflessness, professionalism and service to humanity he left behind,” Oyetola stated.

    He prayed God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest and give his bereaved family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear the huge loss.

  • Osun Governor, Oyetola opens up after surviving attack

    Osun Governor, Oyetola opens up after surviving attack

    Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun on Sunday said the attempt on his life by assailants during Saturday’s protest against the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squard(SARS) in the state was pre-planned.

    Oyetola, in a state broadcast on Sunday in Osogbo, said preliminary investigation revealed that the commando style in which the assailants carried out their attack justified his claim that the act was pre-planned

    According to him, the attempt on his life could not have been planned by the youths who constitute over 60 per cent of the voters who elected him into office.

    Oyetola, who noted that he was properly evacuted to safety during the incident ,said no life was lost at the scene as no live bullet or cannister of teargas was fired at the “rampaging political thugs.”

    ” Yesterday evening, political thugs and hoodlums made failed attempts on my life and those of my aides while identifying with our beloved youths who were engaging in legitimate protest against the alleged brutality of the now disbanded SARS.

    “My entourage and I joined protesters from Alekuwodo area to Olaiya Junction chanting solidarity songs with them and encouraging them along the way.

    “During the course of my address to the protesters to reiterate our cooperation and support, political thugs hijacked the exercise and hurled stones and dangerous weapons at us and vandalised several cars in my convoy,” Oyetola said.

    The governor also said the two lives reportedly lost was not during the attack on him.

    According to him, one of the said deaths caused by a lone motorcycle accident occurred at about 12noon, long before he got to the protest ground.

    He added that the second death was said to have occurred around Ayepe, about five kilometers away from Olaiya where the protest was held.

    ” We sympathise with the families of the diseased and pray to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the great losses.

    “I have directed that the incidents be properly investigated with a view to ascertaining the causes of the deaths,” the governor said.

    Oyetola also said that government would be setting up a Judicial Panel of Enquiry in line with the directive of the National Economic Council to investigate all related cases of abuse and brutality by the disbanded SARS and the attack on him.

    ” What happened on Saturday is objectionable, unacceptable and a blight to the Omoluabi ethos that the state of Osun stands for.

    “Osun youths who are the original #EndSARS protesters have travelled the long road of building a better Osun with us and we have been on the lane of delivering a better and prosperous Osun together.

    “This assassination attempt could not have come from them.

    “The protesters have engaged in peaceful demonstration for the first two days before it was later hijacked in the last five days.

    “In fact, we had cause to raise the alarm last Wednesday to the effect that the protest had been hijacked,” Oyetola said.

    The governor, however, enjoined all citizens to be peaceful and be law abiding, adding that all efforts would be made to protect them and their property.

    Oyetola , who noted that government was on top of the situation, said that the perpetrators of the dastardly act would be brought to justice.

    “We commit to the cause of our youths and the #EndSARS protesters and shall do everything to ensure that their demands are met.

    “We shall not condone any act that will compromise the lives of our people and the hard-won ranking of our state as the most peaceful state in Nigeria.

    “As a responsible government, we will do everything in our powers to protect the lives and property of our people,” the governor said.

  • COVID-19: I subjected myself to test after visiting Abuja – Oyetola

    COVID-19: I subjected myself to test after visiting Abuja – Oyetola

    Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun and his wife, Kafayat, have tested negative to Coronavirus.

    Oyetola told journalists at a news conference at the Government House in Osogbo on Wednesday that he submitted himself for the test to know his status.

    He said, “I spent the better part of last week in Abuja.”

    The governor said his wife also submitted self for the test “because of her recent travel history.”

    He said, “Considering the fact that I was in Abuja for the better part of last week, as a way of leading by example, I have also subjected myself to test.

    “My wife, because of her recent travel history, also subjected herself to test. Both came back negative,” he said.

    Oyetola also confirmed the first case of the virus in the state, saying that it was confirmed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    The governor said that the confirmed case was a returnee from the United Kingdom and is currently receiving treatment.

    According to him, government has contacted the family of the patient and has since commenced contact tracing to identify people who might have been in contact with the index case.

    “The sample was tested at the NCDC accredited testing centre: the African Centre of Excellence in Genomics of Infectious Diseases in Ede, Osun. The result released on Tuesday night was positive.

    “ However, this confirmed case is not the first one we will be subjecting to investigation. But so far, all the others had tested negative,” the governor said.

    Oyetola also appealed to all returnees from the UK, the US, Europe, the West African Coast and, indeed, other high-risk countries to self-isolate and submit selves to test.

    He said this would assist the government in containing the spread of the virus.

    The governor gave the emergency numbers to call in case of any outbreak of the virus as: 293, 08035025692, 08033908772 and 08056456250.

    The governor also listed the measures put in place by the government to curtail the spread of the virus in the state.

    He said that a task force had been set up to man all the state land borders and conduct preliminary screenings of suspected cases.

    The governor also said that all major markets in the state would be shut down with effect from Friday, March 27.

    He, however, said traders would be allowed to sell food items in front of their houses and that pharmacies would be exempted from the ban.

    The governor also said the ban on public gatherings, church services, mosques, social events and political meetings would remain in force.

    Oyetola also said that the state had set up holding centres to isolate and treat suspected and reported cases of the virus.

    “Fellow citizens and residents of our dear state do not to panic; the case is under control.

    “ I want to urge you all to continue to observe necessary precautionary measures by regularly washing your hands with water and soap and also maintaining the prescribed social distancing,” he said.