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Tag: Oyo State

  • See rare aerial photos showing devastating nature of Ibadan explosion

    See rare aerial photos showing devastating nature of Ibadan explosion

    The explosion that occurred on Tuesday evening at Bodija area of Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State, has thrown residents into panic.

    A loud bang was heard, with its attendant vibration felt in several locations in Ibadan at about 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday night.

    No fewer than three persons were said to have died and 77 injured, with some of the victims being treated at University College Hospital (UCH) and other private health facilities across the city.

    The incident occurred precisely at Dejo Oyeleye Street, Adeyi Avenue, in Bodija area of the City.

    Aerial footages of the area circulating on social media have shown the devastating nature of the explosion, the actual cause of which is yet to be ascertained.

    See rare aerial footages of Ibadan explosion site below:

    TNG reports communities across Nigeria have grappled with devastating events over the last 24 hours.

    From the explosion in Ibadan, which claimed lives, injured many, and buried property; to the unfortunate fire outbreak in Ilorin South LGA of Kwara State, many people’s lives and livelihoods have been destroyed.

    To the news of a market fire on Lagos-Asaba road, Agbor; the supermarket fire in the Gwarimpa area of Abuja; to the reports of a fire in Karmo market, also in Abuja — news of one tragedy after another has barely given time to grieve for the previous one.

    Oyo State sets up emergency situation hub on Ibadan explosion

    Meanwhile, Oyo State government has set up an emergency situation hub to collate and coordinate information about management of victims of Tuesday’s explosion in the state capital.

    No fewer than three persons were reported to have died and 77 others injured when the explosion occurred at Bodija area of Ibadan.

    Its impact was said to have been felt as far away as 15km from the scene of the explosion.

    Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, stated on Wednesday in Ibadan that the deputy governor, Mr Bayo Lawal, was appointed to head the situation hub.

    He urged victims of the explosion to submit verifiable evidences of their losses and seek clarifications on the nature of government’s intervention.

    Oyelade added that temporary accommodation had been organised by the government for those displaced by the explosion.

    He stated also that the state government would finance the hospital bills of those injured.

    The commissioner confirmed that many victims had started registering at the hub and were being guided by emergency and disaster experts.

    “As security agencies continue investigations, the state government is narrowing down on the possible cause of the explosion.

    “As a result of new evidences, government is interrogating certain leads that suggest storage of explosives by illegal miners residing in the Bodija area of the state capital where the explosion occurred,’’ Oyelade stated.

    He confirmed that the explosion affected some structures at the government secretariat.

    Twelve of the victims had been taken to Redeemer’s Health Centre in Ibadan. Six of them were treated and discharged. Four others were still receiving treatment as at the time of this report.

    Two others who were in critical condition were transferred to the University College Hospital, Ibadan for further treatment.

    The explosion destroyed at least 10 cars and left about 30 houses at different stages of destruction.

  • Ibadan explosion wreaks havoc at Oyo govt secretariat

    Ibadan explosion wreaks havoc at Oyo govt secretariat

    The explosion, which occurred at Bodija area of Ibadan on Tuesday evening, destroyed some office buildings and other structures within the State Secretariat Complex in Agodi.

    A correspondent, who visited some of the ministries and parastatals within the secretariat on Wednesday, reports that the impacts of the explosive were severe on some buildings.

    Some of the affected offices included: Water Corporation building, which houses two ministries; the Revenue Building and the newly-built Local Government Service Commission building.

    Others were: Local Government Staff Training School, some parts of the Governor’s Office, the State Secretariat Central Mosque and the Secretariat Chapel.

    Shattered window glasses and doors, collapsed ceilings were observed, with some pieces of office equipment, such as computer systems littering the offices.

    Some staffers of the affected offices were also seen in front of their offices discussing the incident, which they described as devastating.

    A civil servant, who simply identified himself as Jide, said the incident was unfortunate, but gave glory to God that it happened after the close of work.

    He said that it would have been worse if it had happened during work hours, saying many members of staff would have been trapped.

    Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has set up an Emergency Situation Room for the Bodija explosion, led by Prof. Temitope Alonge, a former Chief Medical Director (CMD) of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

    The situation room is charged with the responsibility of coordinating the ongoing response to the incident.

    As of the time of filing this report, rescue operations were ongoing at the scene, with officials of the State Emergency Management Agency (OSEMA) on ground.

    In addition, officials of the Red Cross and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were observed rendering humanitarian services.

  • Ibadan explosion devastating, unfortunate – Alli, Folarin

    Ibadan explosion devastating, unfortunate – Alli, Folarin

    Sen. Sharafadeen Alli (APC-Oyo South) and a former Senate Leader, Sen. Teslim Folarin, have described the explosion that rocked some parts of Ibadan on Tuesday night as devastating and unfortunate.

    The duo, in their separate reactions on Wednesday in Ibadan, called for in depth investigations into the incident.

    A loud bang was heard, with its attendant vibration felt in several locations in Ibadan at about 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday night.

    No fewer than three persons were said to have died, 77 injured and six houses destroyed during the incident that occurred at Dejo Oyeleye Street, Adeyi Avenue, in Bodija area of the city.

    Alli, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Akeem Abas, expressed condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the families of the dead and those who sustained injuries.

    The lawmaker said he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives and the devastation caused by the unfortunate incident.

    “There is the need for urgent support and assistance to the affected families during this difficult time,” he said.

    Alli called on relevant government agencies, emergency responders and community leaders to collaborate in providing immediate relief and necessary resources to the victims and their families.

    Alli also urged the government to conduct thorough investigations into the cause(s) of the explosion to prevent future occurrences and ensure the safety of residents in the area.

    He emphasised the importance of implementing stringent safety measures and regulations to prevent such incidents and protect the lives and property of the people.

    The lawmaker encouraged the affected families to stay strong and resilient in the face of the tragedy.

    He assured that he would work with relevant authorities to ensure that justice was served and necessary measures taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.

    Alli called on the entire community to come together in support of the affected families, offering prayers, comfort and any other possible assistance.

    He urged everyone to prioritise safety and remain vigilant to prevent any further tragedy.

    The lawmaker said that together, as a united community, they could overcome this difficult time and come out stronger than before.

    Similarly, Folarin, the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections in Oyo State, in a statement, expressed grief over the explosion and sympathised with the victims.

    The statement read in part: “My attention has been drawn to a deadly explosion that rocked some areas of Ibadan on Tuesday night.

    “I reliably gathered that lives were lost, several injured and property worth billions of naira were lost as a result of the explosion.

    “My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families, and other victims of the deadly explosion.

    “I also sympathise with the people and Oyo State Government over the tragic incident.

    “I urge for calm among the residents of the affected areas while we await the outcome of the constituted authorities’ full investigations into the remote and immediate causes of the explosion.”

    He prayed to God to comfort all those who were affected, directly and indirectly, by the incident.

  • Gov Makinde seeks N150bn loan

    Gov Makinde seeks N150bn loan

    Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Tuesday sought the approval of the State House of Assembly to assess a loan of N150 billion from the Afrexim and Access financial institutions.

    Twenty  lawmakers out of the expected 32 were in attendance to consider the request at the Assembly’s  first plenary in 2024.

    The Governor said the loan facility was to accelerate completion of the ongoing Rashidi Ladoja circular road and to reduce traffic gridlock within Ibadan metropolis.

    The Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, read the message from Makinde during plenary.

    He noted that it was important to support the state government in its drive to improve on the current state of roads and infrastructure generally in the state.

    “The House needs to be furnished with details of the loan repayment plan and other necessary information that will aid legislative considerations.

    “The Chairman of House Committee on Works and that of Appropriation should deliberate on the implications of the loan, find out the current state of the state’s debt profile and the pay-back mechanism of debts already acquired.

    “How long will the project take, brief on the road, and how many sections of the road will the loan take care of?

    “Find out if the road project will add to the state’s internally-generated revenue (IGR) and how long the project will take and the benefits of the road construction to the people of the state,” the speaker directed.

    Ogundoyin said those questions would help the House in its deliberations over the loan.

    The Governor also sought the state legislature’s confirmation of Abdul-Raheem Abdul Rahman as Chairman, Oyo State Education Trust Fund (OETF).

    He also asked for the confirmation of Nureni Adeniran as Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board.

    The Speaker directed the two nominees to appear before concerned House Committees for their screening.

  • Ibadan court remands fake doctor who allegedly drowned day-old-baby in canal

    Ibadan court remands fake doctor who allegedly drowned day-old-baby in canal

    An Ibadan Family Court sitting at Iyaganku remanded a fake doctor, Olarewaju Oludele (50), at the Agodi Correctional Centre on Thursday for allegedly causing the death of a baby boy.

    He allegedly drowned the baby in a canal.

    The magistrate, Mrs O. O. Ogunkanmi who did not take Oludele’s plea for lack of jurisdiction sent the case file to the Oyo State Directorate of Public Prosecution for legal advice.

    She adjourned the matter till March 4 for mention.

    Police arraigned Oludele before the court on a three-count charge of impersonation, abduction and murder.

    Prosecuting counsel, Insp Gbemisola Adedeji told the court that Oludele committed the offence on Dec. 28, 2023 at His Mercy Hospital, Akinyele, Ibadan.

    She said the fake doctor took the baby boy delivered of his mother in the hospital without her consent and drowned him in a canal.

    Adedeji also told the court that Oludele falsely presented himself to the mother as a qualified doctor to defraud her and to defraud other members of the public.

    The offences, she said, ran afoul of the Criminal Codes of Oyo State (2000) and were punishable by three years imprisonment for impersonation; 14 years for abduction and death sentence for murder.

  • Makinde approves 35% salary increase for legislative workers

    Makinde approves 35% salary increase for legislative workers

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved a 35 per cent salary increase for all legislative staff in the State government’s workforce.

    The Assembly Speaker, Mr Debo Ogundoyin, made this known on Tuesday during the 2024 inter-faith service for civil servants in the state.

    Ogundoyin said the approvals include 35 per cent basic salary, legislative duty allowance and 30 per cent of other allowances under the Negotiated Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure.

    He added that 10 per cent of annual basic salary would be reinstated as leave bonus.

    The Speaker while commending the governor for the gesture, implored him to encourage other governors to give priority to the legislative arm of government in their respective states.

    He said prioritising the welfare of legislative workers would enhance a stronger, more effective and sustainable state legislative institution across the country.

    Ogundoyin also requested for “a future increase in the 30 per cent negotiated CONLESS.

    “Our aspiration for Oyo State is to lead in the full implementation of CONLESS in Nigeria.

    “We also request for the digitisation of assembly chamber and offices to enhance live plenaries,” he said.

    The Speaker reassured the people of Oyo State that the 10th State House of Assembly was committed to protecting the cordial relationship that exists between the Legislature and the Executive as well as the Judiciary.

    He noted that such cordial relationship would make Oyo State the pace setter state in its real and true sense.

  • N3.4bn debt: Oyo A-G faults Makinde’s claim of lack of funds to pay

    N3.4bn debt: Oyo A-G faults Makinde’s claim of lack of funds to pay

    The Accountant-General (A-G) of Oyo State, Mrs K. O. Adegoke, has faulted claim by Gov. Seyi Makinde that the State lacked capacity to pay the N3.4 billion debt owed to former Local Government Areas (LGAs) chairmen and councillors sacked on assuming office on May 29, 2019.

    Adegoke’s position is contained in a fresh document filed by one of the state’s bankers before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in a garnishee proceeding initiated by the  ex-council chiefs.

    The garnishee proceeding was initiated against Makinde, Oyo State and others, following the Dec. 8, 2023 judgment of the Abuja Court of Appeal, ordering the governor to pay the debt, which now stood at N3,425,300,000.

    In the court document, the Oyo A-G revealed that there were sufficient funds in the state’s account with First Bank of Nigeria Limited and that the bank had been directed to set aside the  N3,425,300,000 for the settlement of the outstanding judgment debt.

    The Supreme Court had, in a judgement on May 7, 2021, declared Makinde’s sack of the council officials, before the end of their three-year tenure, as unlawful.

    The apex court also ordered him to pay them the salaries and allowances they ought have earned for the tenure, which the Oyo State government later estimated at N4,874,889,425.60.

    The governor authorised the payment of N1.5 billion in 2022, leaving an outstanding sum of N3,374,889,425.60 (about N3.4 billion).

    Makinde later applied to the High Court of the FCT, via a motion filed on April 3, 2023, praying to be allowed to pay the outstanding debt in instalment of N300 million every six months, a request Justice Anote Ebong rejected.

    He had, in the motion, claimed among others, that Oyo State had no resources to pay the judgment debt and that the state would be unable to meet its obligations should the debt be paid in a manner deferent from what he proposed.

    Justice Ebong,vin a ruling on April 27, 2023, ordered one of the state’s bankers, First Bank of Nigeria, to immediately pay the ex-council chiefs N1,374,889,425.60 and directed Makinde to pay the remaining balance of N2 billion in instalment of N500 million every six months, with the first instalment payable on July 31, 2023.

    But Makinde appealed Justice Ebong’s decision at the Court of Appeal, Abuja and repeated his claim that his state was broke and would be unable to meet its obligations should it comply with the order by the FCT High Court.

    In a judgement on Dec. 8, 2023, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal dismissed Makinde’s appeal; ordered him to comply with Justice Ebong’s order and awarded N50 million cost against him.

    Armed with the Dec. 8 judgment of the Court of Appeal, the ex-council chiefs led by Bashorun Mojeed Ajuwon, went back to Justice Ebong’s court for an order attaching Oyo State government’s accounts in 10 banks in a fresh garnishee proceeding.

    It is in response to the court’s order for the banks to show cause why the garnishee order nisi should not be made absolute against them that one of the banks tendered the letter by the Oyo State A-G.

    In the letter, Mrs Adegoke said: “We wish to inform you that First Bank of Nigeria Ltd has already set aside the sum of N3,425,300,000.00 on Oyo State Joint Local Government Allocation Account,” in respect of the garnishee order by Justice Ebong.

    First Bank, in its response to the garnishee order, confirmed that it had sufficient funds in Oyo State’s account to cover the judgment debt.

    It added that “Oyo State has an account with the bank with funds sufficient to cover the judgment sum of N2,050,300,000.00.”

    At the resumed hearing in the garnishee proceedings on Jan. 5, Makinde’s lawyer, Alfred Akinjo-Nelson, told the court that his client was unhappy with the Court of Appeal decision and has appealed to the Supreme Court.

    When asked by Justice Ebong what his client’s grievance was with the judgment debt, Akinjo-Nelson said Makinde and the other judgment debtors were not contesting the judgment debt, but were uncomfortable with the mode of payment ordered by the judge.

    The lawyer also faulted the suggestion by Solomon Umoh, SAN, a lawyer to Access Bank Plc, one of Oyo State ‘s bankers, that other banks affected by the garnishee order nisi should be excused in view of the revelation that sufficient funds had been reserved with First Bank to defray the judgment debt.

    Although lawyer to the judgment creditors (the ex-council chiefs), Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, agreed that the other nine garnishee banks be excused, except First Bank, Akinjo-Nelson disagreed with the submission.

    Akinjo-Nelson, therefore, sought time to respond to some applications filed by the judgment creditors, including one in which they are seeking to play a recording of an alleged media chat by Makinde, where he was said to have commented on  decisions by the various courts on the case.

    Justice Ebong adjourned the matter until Jan. 18 for  hearing  in the pending applications and possibly continuation of the garnishee proceedings.

  • Ghanaian artiste, Stonebwoy traces root to Nigeria

    Ghanaian artiste, Stonebwoy traces root to Nigeria

    Popular Ghanaian singer, Livingstone Etse Satekla, famously known as Stonebwoy has revealed that he has Nigerian heritage.

    Stonebwoy, who is from the Ewe tribe of Ghana, noted  that his ancestors were from the ancient Oyo Kingdom in Nigeria.

    The artiste further noted that his tribe, Ewe, were the original settlers of Ilesha in Osun State.

    The dancehall star spoke in a recent chat with popular influencer, Ola of Lagos.

    Speaking in Pidgin, Stonebwoy said, “Me sef nah Naija, no lies. Me nah Ewe from Oyo Kingdom, my tribe migrated from Nigeria to Ghana here, na we get Illesha. Shout-out to my people in the southern part of Nigeria. Check Ewe, we root straight to Yoruba.”

  • Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde declares three days mourning for Akeredolu

    Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde declares three days mourning for Akeredolu

    Following the demise of Rotimi Akeredolu,  the Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde has declared three days of state mourning in the state.

    Until his death, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was the Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    Makinde made the declaration on Thursday.

    Makinde also ordered that all flags at public offices in the state be flown at half mast for three days.

    The governor made this declaration in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sulaimon Olanrewaju.

    The statement read, “Oyo State governor and vice chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, ‘Seyi Makinde, has declared three days of state mourning for the deceased Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum and Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    “The governor, who gave this directive on Thursday, equally ordered that all flags at public offices in the state be flown at half mast for three days.”

  • Sacked Oyo LG officials flay Gov Makinde

    Sacked Oyo LG officials flay Gov Makinde

    The local council chairmen sacked in Oyo State by Gov. Seyi Makinde say his reaction to the Supreme Court judgment on their unpaid allowances is “a clear deception and deliberate misinformation”.

    The group of sacked chairmen and councilors, led by its chairman, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, stated this in Ibadan on Wednesday while addressing newsmen over the governor’s recent utterance on the matter.

    Recall that Makinde had on Saturday claimed that the former local government chairmen and councilors were distracting his government.

    Abass-Aleshinloye said such should not be when their group has lost 27 members to death in the last four years.

    He said this was due to lack of money to take care of their health challenges, owing to non-payment of their entitlements.

    “The court that ordered Makinde to pay our money is the Supreme Court of Nigeria and not any other court.

    “So, his contention that he is going back to the Supreme Court is a clear deception and deliberate misinformation.

    “The court gave its judgment on May 7 in 2021, a day on which it equally gave a similar judgment against the Governor of Katsina State. It suffices to say the latter has since complied with the judgment of the apex court.

    “Makinde knows that the Supreme Court, which ordered him to pay in the first place, can no longer order him not to pay. This is just an exercise in futility,” Abass-Aleshinloye said.

    Abass-Aleshinloye, who disclosed that the total entitlements was reduced to N4.8 billion from N7.2 billion, said the Makinde-led government only paid N1.5 billion in two tranches.

    “The actual entitlement is N7.2 billion, but they pleaded and we agreed that we will collect N4.8 billion in the interest of our dear state.

    “They only paid N1.5 billion in two batches. One in 2021 and the other in 2022. Since then, they have refused to pay.

    “As law-abiding citizens, we will continue to explore all legal means to get our entitlements. We are engaging our legal and technical advisers to get the entitlements as good citizens.

    “We leave it to the conscience of every citizen of the state to judge the level at which both parties have shown respect for the rule of law,” he said.