Tag: NURTW

MC Oluomo wades into driver-agbero clash, stops tax collection in parts of Lagos

The most influential “Agbero” of Lagos State and Chairman of the state’s Parks and Garages Association, Musiliu Akinsaya, popularly known as Mc Oluomo, has intervened in the conflict involving commercial drivers and highway tax collectors who target commercial drivers.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) recalls that commercial drivers had taken to the streets of the state to protest extortion by agberos on Thursday.

Reacting to the development, MC Oluomo banned collections of illegal taxes levied by agberos in some parts of the state, according to FIJ report.

“Mc Oluomo told us Thursday afternoon when we held a meeting with him at the state council that no driver from Oshodi to Tollgate must be compelled to pay illegal agbero taxes anymore.

“We are only to buy two tickets in a day, after which we will not pay anything aside from loading fees.

“The normal ticket sold and approved by the Lagos State Park Management is just N800.

“He said those extra taxes imposed at Iyana Ipaja and Agbado Ijaiye were no longer valid. We can either buy our daily tickets in Oshodi or Tollgate, and either will be recognised.

“Afterwards, we will buy the council ticket and booking for security, which is about N500,” a driver disclosed to FIJ.

He added that MC Oluomo has said the drivers would no longer pay for tickets on Saturdays and Sundays.

“For weekend jobs, Mc Oluomo has mandated that no driver should be made to buy tickets on Saturdays and Sundays,” he said.

“The union should only compel us to buy tickets from Monday to Friday. We should be given the chance to take something home to our families.”

He added that MC Oluomo also donated N1 million to those who were injured during the attack on protesting drivers

He expressed gladness as dreivers resume work today “with minimal agbero disturbances.”

“There are no more unbearable taxes. All we have to pay in a day is a little below N2,500 compared to the N20,000 we paid previously,” he added.

March 31, 2023
Court sustains order forbidding INEC from engaging MC Oluomo for elections service

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on Friday, February 24, granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from employing the services of the Chairman of Lagos State Parks Management Committee, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, to distribute 2023 election materials in the state.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Justice Aneke gave the order in a suit filed by Labour Party’s governorship candidate in the state, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and four others. The other applicants in the suit are: African Democratic Congress, Boot Party, and their governorship candidates, Funsho Doherty, and Wale Oluwo respectively.

Recall that the court had on Monday, February 20, granted an interim order on the issue before adjourning to hear the substantive case. A hearing in the substantive case came up on Wednesday after which the court adjourned till Friday (today) for its judgment.

The applicants through their lawyer, Abass Ibrahim, in a motion on notice filed before the court, had asked for the following reliefs;

“A declaration that the appointment, partnership, or contracting of Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo-led Lagos State Parks Management Committee by INEC to distribute 2023 election materials and personnel in Lagos State violates Section 26 and 27 of the Electoral Act 2022 and consequently unlawful, null and void.

A declaration that the appointment, partnership, or contracting of Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo-led Lagos State Parks Management Committee (established by Governor Babajide SanwoOlu, the APC gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State) and any of its members and/or drivers by INEC to distribute election materials and personnels in Lagos State will give room for election sabotage, manipulation, and rigging in favour of the APC and consequently unlawful and illegal.

A declaration that the appointment, partnership, or contracting of Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo-led Lagos State Parks Management Committee or any of its members and/or drivers by INEC to distribute 2023 election materials and personnels in Lagos State is unlawful, wrongful, unjust and/or unreasonable and should be immediately stopped.

An order setting aside any partnership, undertaking, contract and/or MOU of any form or nature executed by Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo, the Lagos State Parks Management Committee or any of its members and/or drivers with INEC to distribute election materials and personnels in Lagos State.

An order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC and/or their privies or any persons acting under their directions from contracting, partnering of appointing Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo, Lagos State Parks Management Committee or any of its members and/or drivers to distribute 2023 election materials and personnels in Lagos State.”

The reliefs were listed as ‘reliefs one to five.

At the hearing on Friday, INEC did not file any response to the suit, nor was it represented by any lawyer, despite being served with all the processes in the suit as ordered by the court.

February 24, 2023
Police begins investigation into death of NURTW chieftain, Adeniji

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the commencement of an investigation into the death of the Chieftain of the National Union of the Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Toyin Adeniji.

Adeniji was reportedly shot dead by suspected cultists in the Agege area of the State.

It was gathered that the deceased was at the front of his house at Oyewole Road, Agege when the gunmen invaded the area and shot him at close range.

The 47 –year-old deceased was in the company of six of his friends, outside of the PDP chieftain’s house in Agege, when some hooded-armed men casually walked past them and shot sporadically.

Policemen from Area ‘G’’ Ogba have cordoned off the area while the case has been transferred to the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department.

Police Public Relations Officer- Lagos State Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, when asked in a phone call about the incident, said “I can confirm that to you.”

Toyin Adeniji

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Adeniji was shot dead on Monday night in front of Sarumi’s Oyewole Street opposite Sarumi’s house residence in Agege.

According to residents in the area, the late Toyin and six of his friends were sitting opposite Sarumi’s house at about 9:00 pm when the incident happened.

A resident who does not want his name in print said that “on the day of the incident, Adeniji and some of the friends were sitting opposite Sarumi’s house when the assailant who was on the mask, walked past them, simultaneously turned back and opened fire.

The resident revealed that suspecting something was wrong, they all scampered for safety, but Adeniji was not as lucky as others, as he was shot in the head, and died on the spot.

Meanwhile, seven persons have been arrested in connection with the murder of Adeniji, who was a foster son of the former Minister of Communication and former Deputy National Chairman, South/West zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Dapo Sarumi.

February 15, 2023
2023 elections: INEC to meet NNPC over fuel scarcity

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says it plans to meet with the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to ensure adequate fuel supply during the 2023 general election.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman, INEC said this at a consultative meeting with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said that the meeting was to fashion out ways of ensuring adequate supply to prevent disruption of INEC plans for general election.

“The commission shares your concern about the fuel situation in the country and its impact on transportation on election day.

“The truth is that our arrangements may be negatively affected by the non-availability of products.

“For this reason, the Commission will this afternoon meet with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to look into ways to ameliorate the situation.

“I wish to assure Nigerians that we will continue to engage every national institution for the success of the 2023 General Election,” Yakubu said.

January 31, 2023
Lagosians react as MC Oluomo reveals uniform for motor park touts

In a bid to make members of the Lagos State Park and Garages Management, LASPG. look professional as against public perception, Chairman Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo, has unveiled a corporate outfit as the new uniform.

TheNewsGuru.com reports that in trending photos, MC Oluomo and some of his members posed for the camera wearing the uniform and a jacket with the inscription LASPG.

It will be recalled that MC Oluomo has been managing parks and garages in Lagos since pulling out of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in March 2022.

The act has since sparked mixed reactions on social media with some netizens mocking MC Oluomo for trying too hard, while some others praised him for the innovative act.

See reactions below:

One Ali wrote “Executive Ageberos…They will soon take over Lagos state, and the educated once are watching. Don’t worry”

One Dami wrote “Warming up to become governor of Lagos once his boss becomes president. .God forbid you lot!!!!”

One Alex wrote “Tinubu boys & he thinks that he can turn Nigeria to agbero place , never”

One Emma wrote “Kudos to Oluomo for this, This MC Oluomo get sense pass some states governor way go school self”

What you need to know about MC Oluomo

MC Oluomo is regarded as Lagos state’s richest and illustrious “agbero”.

He had primary level of education and dropped out of school because of his father’s death.

It was gathered that MC Oluomo ran away from home at the age of 13 and started working as a bus driver.

He became the head of a motor park in Oshodi and finally rose to become the most influential “agbero” in Oshodi before he emerged as the chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in Lagos.

At an All Progressives Congress, APC, campaign event in Lagos in 2019, MC Oluomo was stabbed by someone thought to be loyal to the then outgoing Lagos State governor, Akinwumi Ambode whose reelection bid had been thwarted.

September 2, 2022
Police confirm killing of NURTW leader, Arikuyeri in Mile 12

The Police Command in Lagos State on Monday confirmed the killing of one Alhaji Sulaimon Onaolapo, popularly known as ”Arikuyeri’, who was the leader of Mile-12 Lagos Parks and Garages.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the killing.

“One Alhaji Sule was killed following the incident at Mile 12. No arrest made yet. Normalcy returned. Police officers on ground to prevent reprisals,” he said.

It was gathered earlier that there was pandemonium at the Mile-12 area in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos state, following the killing of a member of the parks and garages, Mr Sulaimon Onaolapo.

His lifeless body was seen on the road, after he was reportedly shot by unknown gunmen suspected to be cultists, which led to pandemonium, paralysing commercial activities at the ever busy Mile-12 food market.

According to reports, dangerous weapons were freely used, as gun shots rented the air by suspected rival cult groups, who allegedly engaged in supremacy battle as a result of the killing.

A correspondent who visited the scene at about 9.35 a.m. reports that tension was still high in Mile 12 inward Ikorodu axis, where some suspected cultists were seen ordering few traders that brought out their goods for sales to leave the area as they were planning to strike.

The correspondent, however, observed that about 10 patrol vehicles from different divisions, including operatives of the Rapid Respond Squad were stationed under the bridge and inward Ikorodu axis.

Many traders could not display their goods due to anticipated reprisals by rival groups.

August 29, 2022
Police arrest 8 in connection with kidnap of NURTW chair, ‘Kekere Kazuma’

Osun Police Command on Sunday said it had arrested eight suspects in connection with the kidnap of the Branch Bhairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Apomu , Alhaji Ali Kazeem, a.k.a Kekere Kazuma.

Apomu is located in Isokan Local Government Area of Osun.

According to SP Yemisi Opalola, Osun Police spokesperson, Kazeem was allegedly abducted on Saturday and taken into the bush after he was trailed from his motor park to Oke-Afa Area in Apomu.

“Based on the information, the Area Commander of Ikire promptly mobilised the combined team of vigilante and police detectives from Ikire Area Command to the scene.

“The team, however, discovered that the victim was traced from his motor park to Oke Afa Area, Apomu, where he was forcefully stopped, pulled out from his Toyota Corolla ash colour with registration number, APM 203 AA, macheted and taken away by the assailant(s),“ the police statement said.

Opalola said that photographs had been taken of the scene and that police tactical team, local hunters and some natives had been mobilised to comb the surrounding bush to rescue the victim.

She said the condition of the kidnapped victim, either dead or alive, could not be ascertained because he had not been found yet.

She, however, said the Osun Police Commissioner, Olawale Olokode has assured the public that all the perpetrators of the heinous crime would be arrested and made to face justice.

August 22, 2022
Members of NURTW cannot support any political party – Chairman

The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has declared that no politician can use its members for campaigns again.

The Kwara Chairman of the union, Alhaji AbdulKareem AbdulRasak, made this known on Monday in Ilorin.

AbdulRasak said that NURTW members were part of stakeholders to ensure free and fair elections, adding that the rules that govern them did not allow any member to belong to any political party.

“Once you are a member of NURTW, you cannot support any political party, not to talk of campaign for them or move around with them.

“It has been stated that anyone found participating in political rally or fighting for a particular politician to win will be punished accordingly and also dismissed from the union.

“This is to ensure free and fair election and also to have peace and stability in the country before, during and after election,” he said.

The chairman explained that many people had wrong mindset about commercial drivers, as they believe that majority were trouble makers and irresponsible people.

Accoding to him, the transport union has being in existence for the past four decades and many of its members had made lots of successes and achievements.

“No more thugs and hooligans in NURTW. We are responsible and respected people now and many people are willing to associate with us and even give us their daughters in marriage,” he said.

AbdulRasak said that the President of NURTW, Alhaji Tahjudeen Baruwa, had ensured that the union members were well catered for by making the work easy and free of corrupt leaders.

“All the tickets issued at every car park all over the 36 states have been centralised as it is printed from the headquarters in Abuja, and as such, cannot be tampered with,” he said.

On security, the chairman said that none of their members had experienced any security challenges, saying that it is due to the grace of Almighty Allah and proper arrangements made by the union, security agencies and government.

“A meeting was held at the national level and a memo was passed to everyone that no one should move above the scheduled time of 6 a.m to 9 p.m.

“However, there is an arrangement made for night travelers, as few drivers usually operate at some car parks, to enable travelers get to their various destinations when they arrived,” he said.

The NURTW boss commended the administration of Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his role in ensuring peace during the last union election that produced him as chairman.

He commended the governor’s effort towards the betterment of transporters in the state, but solicited for more support for the drivers to move within and outside the state easily.

NAN

August 9, 2022
Suspected cultists kill NURTW boss ‘Asiri Eniba’ ally in Osogbo

Police in Osun on Friday confirmed the killing of a 45-year-old man at Ilesa Garage Area of Osogbo by suspected cultists.

The deceased was a close ally of the Osogbo branch chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Kazeem Oyewale popularly called “Asiri Eniba’’.

Police spokesperson in Osun, SP Yemisi Opalola, said the deceased was shot dead in front of his wife’s shop.

“On Friday at about 12:40 p.m., the police received a report stating that an incident happened at Ilesa Garage Area of Osogbo.

“Information gathered showed that the deceased was a suspected cultist and was shot dead in front of his wife’s shop by unidentified gunmen.

“The gunmen launched the attack from atop a Bajaj motorcycle and fled the scene immediately after the shooting.

“Investigation is in progress to apprehend the perpetrators,’’ the police spokesperson stated.

August 5, 2022
MC Oluomo, actress Laide Bakare, others show off dance moves as Tinubu wins APC primaries (VIDEO)

Actress Laide Bakare and the former Lagos NURTW chairman, Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya, also known as MC Oluomo, on Wednesday, showed off some dance moves as the former Lagos State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, took lead at the party’s primary.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) sighted other loyalists of Tinubu in excitement as they danced ecstatically after it became apparent that he (Tinubu) has emerged the winner, with 955 votes ahead of the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who came second.

Following the victory, MC Oluomo and his league of supporters were seen dancing as they envisaged a better appointment if Tinubu becomes the next president of Nigeria.

Tinubu, who was dozed off as his results were counted, comfortably emerged winner in the APC primaries atter 6 aspirants stepped down and declared their support for him.

Watch the video below:

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Tinubu accomplished a major feat towards realizing his ambition to become Nigeria’s next president, by emerging first among 23 contenders for the APC presidential ticket.

Tinubu scored 1, 271 from the total 2, 102 votes cast by delegates in the APC’s keenly contested primaries, as announced by the chairman and returning officer of the election committee Abubakar Bagudu, during a special convention held in Abuja on Wednesday June 8. Thirteen votes form the election were void.

Despite Tinubu’s seeming track record of relentless commitment to the democracy and mentorship to new generation and future leaders, the party found it extremely difficult to project him as a consensus candidate and eventually opted for the ballot.

Bola Tinubu

Presenting himself to delegates prior to the commencement of voting, the former governor insisted he was the most qualified person to succeed incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.

Justifying his claim, Tinubu noted how he transformed of Lagos “from a dangerous, unwelcoming” place in 1999 to “a clean, safe and vibrant place” and the sixth-largest economy in Africa today.

“I’m a unifying leader. I have constructed a formidable political structure, one that has delivered electoral victory after electoral victory. I do not put myself forward because I think this is a nomination; I step forward because I believe I can lead our party toward the brightest future.

“I have expertise. My record of corporate leadership, my financial expertise, and my experience as an executive governor of Lagos makes me unique among other aspirants,” the former governor said.

June 8, 2022